Chapter 55 Becoming a Landlady

Shen Ping'an's hand holding the mung bean cake paused. He raised his eyes, and his smile faded as he looked at Pan Yueqing. "Are you... this straightforward with everyone?" He had expected that Pan Yueqing could think of this reason, but he hadn't expected that she would say it out so directly.

"Hmph," Pan Yueqing sneered, took a sip of tea, picked up a piece of Hesou pastry, put it in her mouth, and gently savored the sweet fragrance as the crisp crust crumbled between her lips and teeth.

Shen Ping'an smiled softly and didn't continue the topic. He just raised his eyes and loudly asked Qi Liulang, who had finished ordering the music and was coming upstairs and pushing the door open, "Liulang, will you come to the polo tournament hosted by the Crown Prince in a few days?"

"Polo tournament?" Qi Liulang pushed the door open and heard Shen Ping'an's loud question as soon as he came in. He furrowed his brows slightly, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Finally, he raised a smile and politely declined, "No, I think. The last polo tournament really scared me."

"It would be a pity if you don't go." Shen Ping'an's amorous eyes showed a bit of playfulness. He winked and said to Qi Liulang, "Don't you know that recently, our Crown Prince is pursuing the daughter of General Li?"

"?!" Qi Liulang looked up in a daze. He really didn't know about this. Moreover, it didn't seem like something Qi Simeng would do. Could it be that he was going to... in front of everyone at the polo tournament? He shook his head and let out a long sigh, "This is the kind of scene that can only be written in a drama script!"

"So it will definitely be lively..." Shen Ping'an stood up with a smile. Before the two pieces of music that Qi Liulang had ordered downstairs started with a bang, he pulled open the wooden door and said his farewell. But before leaving, he looked back at Pan Yueqing and smiled charmingly. People who didn't know might think he was a young waiter. He said, "Miss Yue, if you've made up your mind, feel free to come to the Censor's residence to find me!"

"No need to consider. Just leave the things behind directly." Pan Yueqing spoke in a timely manner. It would be stupid of her not to take the benefits if there were any.

"Haha, I knew Miss Yue was a smart person." Shen Ping'an stopped in his tracks, took out a stack of property deeds from his waist, and slapped them on the table. "I'll leave it to you, Miss Yue."

After saying that, he left without looking back. Qi Liulang was confused. Meeting Pan Yueqing's clear gaze, he asked worriedly, "Do you know him? Why is he giving you so many property deeds?"

Looking at Shen Ping'an's face that was exactly the same as Qi Sian's, Pan Yueqing felt it was really strange to say she didn't know him. She subconsciously shook her head and casually told a lie to Qi Liulang, "The jade ornaments I presented to the Princess were obtained from him. I have some spare money on hand and don't want to keep it with me. I think it's safer to turn it into real estate. So I asked someone to help me purchase some land and property."

Qi Liulang saw her speaking sincerely and didn't suspect anything. It was as if a stone in his heart had dropped to the ground. He let out a long sigh and said to Pan Yueqing in a low voice, "He's someone around Prince Xiangyang. Prince Xiangyang... is a person we should try our best not to provoke." There was fear and undisguised worry in Qi Liulang's eyes.

Of course, she knew. Pan Yueqing's eyes slightly narrowed. She had already truly experienced what kind of person Qi Sian, the "poisonous snake," was on the Wanguichou Mountain. Now, when she recalled the situation that day, she had only dared to negotiate terms with him because he was severely injured at that time, and that was how she had survived until today. Since the incident at Cibei Temple, after such a long time, she still felt that if she had to choose again, she would want to stay as far away from Qi Sian as possible in this life. This person was not someone who could be by her side and plan strategies for a long time.

But what Shen Ping'an had told her today, she had heard clearly: All the things that had happened in these few days seemed to be under Qi Sian's control, as if Qi Sian had placed eyes around her. Pan Yueqing closed her eyes, and countless figures flashed through her mind, but she couldn't confirm who exactly was the person that Qi Sian had arranged by her side.

But she hated most having someone around her who couldn't be trusted...

Downstairs, the female lead was singing the Peony Pavilion in a warbling voice. The story of Du Liniang who died and was reborn for love in her dream didn't touch Pan Yueqing's heart. In her previous life, she had loved watching these drama scripts about scholars and talented women, but now her heart had long been completely frozen.

Qi Liulang raised his eyes and saw Pan Yueqing's absent-minded gaze. Finally, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Miss Yue, don't worry. I'll protect you!" After saying this, he blushed involuntarily, pursed his lips, and then explained, "I mean, you saved my mother, and I will definitely repay you!"

The young man's feelings were easily detectable. Pan Yueqing's heart trembled slightly. But she wasn't an ordinary woman. Pan Yueqing slightly raised her eyes and met Qi Liulang's sincere gaze, and a proper and distant smile appeared on her face involuntarily. "Thank you. I'm wondering if you have a close relationship with Shen Ping'an?"

"He's the third son of the Shen Censor's family. He's the legitimate nephew of the Empress Dowager, so he's considered a member of the imperial family. I'm also a member of the imperial family. We were of similar age when we were young and just studied together." When Qi Liulang mentioned Shen Ping'an, his tone changed involuntarily. "When he was young, he had a serious illness, and he completely changed. He seems to be all smiles, but who knows how many schemes he has in his heart waiting to scheme against others!" After saying that, he emphasized to Pan Yueqing as if to scare her, "You should stay away from him!"

Pan Yueqing picked up the tea cup, took a sip of tea, and responded indifferently.

"Miss Yue, it's still early. Later, I'll take you around the City God Temple. There's a temple fair today, and it's very lively. I thought you usually can't walk around freely at home. How about..." Qi Liulang put down the tea cup. The sunlight shone on his silver arrow sleeves. He raised his eyes and smiled sincerely at Pan Yueqing.

Pan Yueqing met his clear eyes and nodded silently. She had always been willing to assume the worst about people's hearts because she had suffered so many losses. But in Qi Liulang's eyes, she couldn't see the slightest bit of malice. This young man hadn't left any impression on her in her previous life, and she didn't even know his birth and death dates.

As soon as they walked out of Yunxiu Tower, they saw Shi Jiting walking in a hurry with his head down. Qi Liulang stepped forward and grabbed Shi Jiting's arm, preventing him from bumping into Pan Yueqing. Shi Jiting looked up in a hurry and saw that it was Pan Yueqing, who was standing gracefully. He came to his senses and bowed and cupped his hands in greeting to Qi Liulang and Pan Yueqing.

"Where are you in such a hurry to go?" Qi Liulang leaned forward and saw a young servant behind Shi Jiting carrying bags and packages. "Are you leaving the capital?"

"That's not the case. I don't have enough money with me. I'm thinking of going to a remote suburb to find a quiet place. On the one hand, it can solve my urgent financial problem, and on the other hand, I can focus on preparing for the exam." Shi Jiting smiled elegantly at Qi Liulang.

The young servant behind him couldn't help but pout. "It's not that the young master doesn't have enough money. It's clearly that woman saw someone richer and wanted to raise the rent to drive the young master away!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Shi Jiting quickly stopped the young servant's words. He looked embarrassed and forced a laugh as he said goodbye, "I'll be leaving now."

"It's not convenient for you to go to the remote suburb. Why don't you come to my place?" Pan Yueqing saw Shi Jiting's awkward situation and said gently, "I have some houses and courtyards in Shangbei Fang. If you don't mind, you can go and take a look. Since we know each other, we can discuss the rent."

Shi Jiting blinked and blankly processed Pan Yueqing's words. Then he broke into a delighted smile and stepped forward to bow deeply to Pan Yueqing. "Thank you, Miss!"