Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Three
Xu Qingshi had naturally noticed Qin Keyun, but he simply had no desire to acknowledge her.
Last time, this person had tried to drag him to her home.
He was unwilling, and she had even attempted to take him by force.
Her mother had even come to his own mother's door to cause trouble. Such a person, he should keep his distance from.
Now, even if she stood right in front of him, he would treat her as air.
Better than being framed by her again.
"I'm talking to you!" Qin Keyun was originally somewhat resentful, but seeing Xu Qingshi ignore her so completely displeased her even more.
It must be known, no one had ever dared to treat her like this.
"Miss Qin." Shen An'an felt awkward, only now noticing the Qin Keyun before her.
Shen An'an knew Qin Keyun and dared not offend her.
However, her being this angry made Shen An'an feel rather flustered.
"Hmph!" Qin Keyun shot a disdainful glance at Shen An'an, looking very much like she wasn't worthy of conversation.
"Auntie An'an, have another piece." Xu Qingshi still paid no attention to Qin Keyun, instead picking up another piece of pastry and placing it in Shen An'an's plate.
"I said, let him eat!" Qin Keyun directly reached out and swatted the pastry Xu Qingshi had picked up onto the floor.
Crash! A loud sound as the plate hit the ground.
Seeing his favorite pastry on the floor, Xu Qingshi frowned deeply.
"What right do you have to throw my pastry?" Xu Qingshi stood up unhappily, glaring at Qin Keyun.
Moyu carefully stood guard nearby.
"Qingshi, it's alright. Auntie will treat you to more later." Shen An'an didn't dare provoke Qin Keyun and could only gently soothe Xu Qingshi.
"Hmph, these are the Huo family's things. I'd rather throw them to the dogs than let you eat them!" Qin Keyun thought her actions would upset Xu Qingshi. With her arms crossed, she spoke with a smug expression.
Xu Qingshi looked at the pastry on the floor, then at the extremely arrogant Qin Keyun, and couldn't help but laugh in anger.
Not willing to let him eat?
Did she really think he coveted it that much?
"Do you really think your family's pastries are gold-plated? They're just ordinary things. Normally, even the servants in my house wouldn't deign to eat such pastries. I suppose they're only fit for my dog, Wangcai?" Xu Qingshi said, clapping his hands lightly.
"Auntie An'an, when you come with me to the capital, I'll definitely treat you to the best pastries in the world." Feeling it wasn't enough, Xu Qingshi added, turning to Shen An'an beside him.
Shen An'an swallowed. Go to the capital?
Could she really go?
Even without the pastries, she would be willing.
But, looking at the fuming Qin Keyun beside her, Shen An'an offered an appeasing smile and said, "Miss Qin, I..."
Shen An'an didn't know what to say for a moment.
"What's going on here?" A voice sounded from behind.
"Pretty sister, let's go. I don't like this place at all. Let's go back." Seeing Li Zhiwei, Xu Qingshi quickly stepped forward and tugged at her sleeve.
"Miss Qin, may I ask how my child has offended you?" Li Zhiwei was also amused by the anger the Huo family sisters provoked.
The adults targeting her was one thing, but now they wouldn't even spare a child.
"Hmph, so he's your child. Since he belongs to you, then I want him!" Qin Keyun looked Li Zhiwei up and down, then pointed at Xu Qingshi.
Li Zhiwei was first taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh.
"Miss Qin, what do you want him for?" Li Zhiwei asked curiously.
"Pretty sister, I don't like her." Xu Qingshi pouted, looking at Qin Keyun with clear disdain.
"Naturally, to be my servant and attend to me!" Qin Keyun declared with a haughty air.
"Pfft!" Li Zhiwei also laughed in disbelief.
The honorable Prince An's heir, being her servant? Only she could think of such a thing.
"The sun hasn't even set, and you're already dreaming. Truly foolish." Xu Qingshi said scornfully.
"Miss Qin, is this your idea? Or your mother's?" Li Zhiwei asked again.
"Why should I tell you?" Qin Keyun didn't like being questioned repeatedly.
"Then why do you think I would let him become a servant for you? Do you know who he is?" Li Zhiwei didn't think to let the matter slide just because Qin Keyun was a child.
"Does his status matter? In Li'an County, there's nothing I, Qin Keyun, cannot have. Isn't it just about silver? Name your price!" Qin Keyun lifted her chin like a little adult.
"What grand words. However, unfortunately, wanting him as your servant probably isn't something your entire Qin family and the entire Huo family combined could afford. If you don't believe me, why not go ask your dear uncle." Li Zhiwei thought to herself that Huo Yunlan truly couldn't raise decent children.
With such a domineering temperament, she was bound to suffer sooner or later.
"Heh, such big talk. Has the Li family climbed onto some high branch? He clearly looks like nothing but a poor boy. Just name your price. There's nothing I, Qin Keyun, cannot buy." Qin Keyun rolled her eyes, thinking this must be what her mother called the Li young lady putting on airs.
Besides, her mother had said that although the Li family had money, that was in the past. The current Li family probably wasn't even as good as the Qin family, let alone with the Huo family added.
Her mother had said that in Li'an County, with the Qin family backing her in front and the Huo family as her support behind, she could walk sideways.
Therefore, Qin Keyun believed there was nothing she couldn't have.
"Something terrible has happened! Young Miss, Second Young Miss, Third Young Miss, something has happened to the Li young lady in the courtyard!"
Just as Li Zhiwei was about to say something more, a young maid's panicked voice shattered the flower-viewing banquet's atmosphere.
Li Zhiwei: She, such a large person standing right here, was air?
What had happened to her?
Qin Keyun frowned, thinking, indeed, those surnamed Li were no good.
If something was going to happen, couldn't it happen back at her own home? Did it have to be at her uncle's estate?
Shen An'an wanted to say something, but Li Zhiwei shook her head to stop her, pulling Xu Qingshi towards a less crowded area.
Without a second thought, Shen An'an followed.
Watching them leave, Qin Keyun stamped her foot and followed as well.
"Zhiwei, what's going on?" Only when they reached a secluded spot did Shen An'an dare to ask in a low voice.
"It's nothing. There's a good show to watch." Li Zhiwei smiled faintly without explaining.
"They originally intended to set you up?" Shen An'an phrased it as a question, but in her heart, she was quite certain.
Thinking of this, Shen An'an's heart grew cold. She didn't understand. Hadn't the Second Miss Huo asked her to drug Li Zhiwei?
Why had they changed the method?
Had she somehow given herself away, letting them know about her and Zhiwei's plan?
But she didn't even know what Li Zhiwei's plan was.
If they no longer needed her to administer the drug, then what about the wine the Huo family promised to help prepare for her father...
Thinking of this, Shen An'an clenched her hands, feeling somewhat sad.
Was she still unable to help her father?
"That's not important." Li Zhiwei was actually very curious about what expression Second Miss Huo would have when she discovered the people in that courtyard were her own husband and her good friend.
