Chapter 108: Suspicious Xin Cheng
Chapter 108: Suspicious Xin Cheng
The carriage was waiting at the main entrance of Chen Manor when Xiang Ling stepped outside along with Wei Guang, Fu Xiao, An Mei, and Aunt Yan. What she didn’t expect was to meet Xin Cheng and Dao Ming waiting for her at the entrance of the manor.
She arched her eyebrows high in question and received a huge smile in return from Dao Ming. "We are here to see you off." The man explained while Xin Cheng pretended to be busy adjusting his robes.
Xiang Ling just gave him a little nod in return before she turned to face Wei Guang. "Please look after the Manor." She received a positive nod from the man which made her feel immediately relaxed. She was assured that she was leaving the manor in capable hands. Then she turned her attention toward the three women and added, "Please take care of the Young Masters in my absence."
"My Lady, you don’t have to worry. We will take care of everything and everyone here. Please, be at ease." An Mei promised with a bright smile.
"My Lady, please take care of yourself during your stay in the Lin Family’s Village." Aunt Yan reminded Xiang Ling and seeing the real concern in the old woman’s eyes, the latter felt a warmth filling her heart.
"How about I accompany you, My Lady? Never before this, you have ever gone anywhere all alone. Who will look after you if you will go there all alone?" Fu Xiao once again tried to negotiate with her lady who kept refusing to bring her along on the journey.
Xiang Ling turned her attention to Fu Xiao and spoke in a soft and warm tone, "I will take care of myself. So, stop worrying about me. I need you to stay here and help Young Master Wei in taking care of the Manor’s daily work. He needs someone reliable beside him to help in managing the work as this is his first time."
Slowly, Fu Xiao nodded her head in both acceptance and understanding. Once Xiang Ling had bid farewell to them, she turned to head toward the carriage but was stopped in her tracks by a very familiar voice.
"Lingling, wait for us!"
As she turned around to look in the direction of the voice, she found both Li Xian and Zhe Yuan heading straight toward her with luggage in their hands. "What is going on?" She asked the men once they were almost standing in front of her.
"We are coming with you." Li Xian broke the news which not only took Xiang Ling by surprise but even the other people who were gathered outside the entrance. Before she could have even opened her mouth to say something, Zhe Yuan quickly added, "We aren’t asking for your permission. Instead, we are informing you that we are coming with you. The condition of Lin Family’s Village isn’t good and you will need as many helping hands as possible. Brother Li is good in Medicines and I can be helpful in other matters including looking after the two of you."
Xiang Ling opened her mouth but then closed it immediately without saying anything. Keeping the Crown Prince close was a good plan but the same couldn’t be said about Zhe Yuan. Yet, she couldn’t take one and leave one without giving a proper explanation.
Letting out a small sigh, she gave a little nod of her head in agreement. "Alright. The two of you can come along."
"They can’t!"
The sudden opposition, that left almost everyone shocked, came from Xin Cheng. The man carried a look on his face that almost made it seem like he too was taken aback by what he just said. Clearing his throat, he added, "What I mean is that Li Xian just returned a couple of weeks ago. He should stay here and rest for a while more. Zhe Yuan can accompany you."
"Xin Cheng, I appreciate your worry for my well-being, but it has been nearly a month since I returned to the Manor, and have long recovered from the slight weakness I encountered while staying in the Shengdu Village. I can accompany her without any worry." Li Xian told Xin Cheng who still didn’t seem to agree with the idea of the former accompanying Xiang Ling to the Lin Family’s Village. However, before he could have said anything further, Dao Ming stopped him.
"You are right. You two should go with her. In this way, all of us here will be able to live with peace of mind, knowing that the two of you are looking after her." Dao Ming said and almost everyone, except for Xin Cheng, nodded their heads in agreement.
Meanwhile, Xiang Ling had her attention focused on Xin Cheng as she tried to understand the real reason behind his opposition to Li Xian accompanying her. He wasn’t worried about the man when he was living all alone in Shengdu Village, struggling every day. Yet, he was suddenly worried about Li Xian’s well-being. No matter how much she pondered, she wasn’t able to digest the sudden care this heartless man was showing toward Li Xian.
Was it possible that he knew Li Xian’s true identity? She found herself wondering. But even this reason didn’t seem too promising for the same reason - why did he show no care when Li Xian was living all alone in Shengdu Village?
"LingLing, we should depart now."
Zhe Yuan’s familiar voice pulled Xiang Ling out of the depths of her thoughts and she quickly bid farewell to everyone before climbing into the carriage. Li Xian and Zhe Yuan followed behind her and settled down inside the carriage. While Li Xian sat next to her, Zhe Yuan took the side seat on her left.
"Have you both really made up your minds? There’s a plague spreading across the Lin Family’s Village. That place is not safe for anyone at the moment. If you want, you can still change your mind and-"
Zhe Yuan cut her off before she could finish speaking. "Lingling, don’t try to force us to change our minds. The two of us have already discussed everything and all the possibilities that might happen once we reach the Lin Family’s Village. No matter what, the three of us will face it together."