3
She Really Loved Xiao Hang to Death
Young Marquis?
Lin Qingran thought for a moment. This Young Marquis should refer to Mu Feng from Zhongyi Marquis Manor, who was Xiao Heng’s closest friend.
Unfortunately, the two eventually became enemies, and Mu Feng joined another faction to oppose Xiao Heng.
Given that Xiao Heng had died, it wasn’t surprising for Mu Feng to come pay his respects, but sending someone to summon her was quite strange—there seemed to be no reason for it.
Under normal circumstances, as a sworn brother, he ought to maintain a respectful distance from his friend’s fiancée. Having her summoned was truly inexplicable.
But since he had sent for her, she had no choice but to go.
“Understood,” Lin Qingran replied hoarsely.
She had cried too hard earlier, and her throat still felt uncomfortable—it would likely remain sore for several days. She would need to rest it properly afterward.
Lin Qingran didn’t have much to prepare. She opened the door and followed the palace maid toward the main hall.
Before long, as she reached the entrance of the hall, Lin Qingran caught sight of a strikingly handsome man who appeared radiant and refined.
This was none other than Mu Feng, who had also just arrived at the hall’s entrance.
“Greetings, Young Marquis. May I ask why you have summoned Qingran?” Lin Qingran gave a slight curtsy.
[The Young Marquis is truly good-looking, but Xiao Heng is even more handsome. No wonder people say attractive people stick together—I truly believe that now.]
[Come to think of it, he’s nothing like a smiling tiger; he’s more like a high school heartthrob.]
[It’s a shame someone so elegant and noble would do such a thing. Tsk, tsk, tsk.]
“What?” Mu Feng stared at Lin Qingran in astonishment.
Lin Qingran was taken aback. She had merely greeted him, yet Mu Feng seemed not to have heard.
“Qingran asked what matter the Young Marquis has with her,” Lin Qingran repeated with difficulty, her voice still hoarse. She assumed Mu Feng must be distracted, likely shaken by Xiao Heng’s death.
“Not that. What did you say just now?” Mu Feng pressed.
Hearing this, Lin Qingran grew even more puzzled, her pale face looking increasingly haggard. “What does the Young Marquis mean?”
[Strange, he just asked what I said, but I clearly didn’t say anything?]
[Unless the Young Marquis has a hidden ailment—perhaps his hearing isn’t very good, but no one knows about it. And I actually discovered this crucial point!]
At this thought, Lin Qingran couldn’t help but gaze at Mu Feng with a hint of pity.
Mu Feng didn’t notice Lin Qingran’s expression, but he was deeply shocked. He had distinctly heard what sounded like Lin Qingran’s voice.
Yet she hadn’t spoken aloud—so where had the voice come from?
Noticing Lin Qingran’s sorrowful expression and her raspy voice, which contrasted sharply with the lively tone he had heard, Mu Feng concluded he must have hallucinated due to the shock.
It was all Xiao Heng’s fault—showing up with such dramatic news had startled him badly. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that he was now hearing things.
If only he could overpower him, he’d drag Xiao Heng out and give him a good beating right now.
“Miss Lin, my apologies. I wasn’t paying attention earlier. I asked you here because I heard you were so distraught that you coughed up blood, and I wished to offer some words of comfort.” Mu Feng spoke gently, his brow etched with just the right amount of sorrow and remembrance.
His words were impeccably delivered, showing no trace of pretense, and it truly seemed he regarded Lin Qingran as one of their own, offering comfort sincerely.
In fact, while Mu Feng spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Lin Qingran, not missing a single flicker in her eyes.
Although he had always found Lin Qingran untrustworthy, he now saw nothing unusual about her.
Whether it was her casually tied hair, her pallid complexion, or the disheveled state of her dress, nothing seemed amiss. It was clear she was utterly heartbroken over Xiao Heng’s death.
Could it be that she truly loved Xiao Heng deeply, and he had misunderstood her all along?
Xiao Heng’s aversion to Lin Qingran stemmed from his belief that she didn’t genuinely love him as a person but coveted the status of the Crown Prince, as if only the current Crown Prince was worthy of her, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Lin.
But now, it seemed this might not be entirely true—perhaps Lin Qingran’s feelings for Xiao Heng were sincere.
With this thought, Mu Feng discreetly glanced at the coffin in the center of the hall, wondering if he should offer a suggestion to his friend.
If it were confirmed that Lin Qingran truly loved him, perhaps Xiao Heng ought to show her some kindness. After all, with the imperial marriage decree in place, they shouldn’t end up as a resentful couple.
A flicker of understanding passed through Lin Qingran’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it, filling her gaze with sorrow as tears welled up rapidly. “Young Marquis, though Brother Crown Prince has passed, he will forever live in my heart. I will cherish the beautiful memories we shared for the rest of my life.”
Xiao Heng, lying in the coffin, tightened his hands over his abdomen, feeling that her words weren’t entirely convincing.
Mu Feng sighed and shook his head regretfully.
[They say the Young Marquis is handsome, even-tempered, and exceedingly gentle—a true refined gentleman. His smiling eyes are full of affection, surely adored by many women.]
[The title ‘Elegant Breeze Young Master’ is well-deserved, but why would he vie with Xiao Heng for a woman?]
[With the Young Marquis’s assets—distinguished family background, status, and looks—women would flock to him. Couldn’t he have any woman he wanted?]
Vie for a woman?
Mu Feng looked puzzled. Was this about him competing with Xiao Heng for a woman?
The voice didn’t seem to be Lin Qingran’s—it didn’t match her usual tone and had subtle differences from her past speech.
It wasn’t spoken aloud; it was as if she were thinking something, and somehow, it had reached his ears.
Strange—he could actually hear Lin Qingran’s thoughts.
To test his hypothesis, Mu Feng shifted his gaze back to Lin Qingran, observing her closely.
“It’s best if Miss Lin thinks this way. However, the palace maids mentioned you were in immense pain, and the Crown Prince would not wish to see you like this,” Mu Feng said earnestly, his eyes fixed on Lin Qingran’s face.
Their conversation drifted into the coffin, where Xiao Heng, recalling Lin Qingran’s earlier words, curled his lips into a cold smirk.
Lin Qingran looked on the verge of tears, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. “Young Marquis, death is never the end but a beginning—a torment for loved ones and those who care. I truly struggle to accept it, but after my earlier heart-wrenching sobs, I’ve calmed down somewhat. As for coughing up blood, it was likely due to agitation; pay it no mind.”
[It’s not that I’m completely fine—being choked by incense smoke did hurt my throat, and it’s actually quite serious.]
[But speaking of which, what exactly is the Young Marquis trying to do?]
Xiao Heng’s thin lips tightened, and his breathing grew heavier.
Mu Feng was slightly taken aback, realizing he found Lin Qingran increasingly difficult to understand.
Wasn’t it said that Lin Qingran was deeply devoted to the Crown Prince? After receiving the marriage decree, she would seize every opportunity to pester Xiao Heng, whether in the palace or outside, to the point where Xiao Heng was utterly exasperated.
So why did it seem she hadn’t mentioned a single word about Xiao Heng’s death?