Chapter 172 -172 “Does she really not like me anymore?

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The visitor was Hu Chengxuan.

A few hundred soldiers surrounded the estate, a path cleared in the middle, with Hu Keqing supporting Hu Chengxuan as they walked through.

Perhaps because he had just had an episode of his illness, Hu Chengxuan seemed entirely listless.

His body looked less robust and energetic than before.

Hu Keqing, however, seemed to have changed quite a bit, appearing more composed and steady.

With a wave of his hand, two soldiers immediately came forward, holding a box and presenting it before Qi Yue with both hands.

“Miss Qi, here is one million taels in silver notes, please lend a hand and save my father.”

Qi Yue slightly raised her eyebrows.

“Young Master Hu, seeking medical advice with such a large entourage is somewhat inappropriate, don’t you think?”

After a moment of thought, Hu Keqing ordered, “Leave this place at once!”

The soldiers responded with a “Yes,” and immediately dispersed.

That was the right attitude, Qi Yue smirked.

With a slight gesture of her hand, Nanny Zhang immediately stepped forward, took the box into her hands, opened it to look inside, and nodded at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue did not speak further, but with an outstretched hand, there was already a white, plump pill on her palm.

“Young Master Hu, the antidote is here, but let me be clear beforehand. Given Lord Hu’s current condition, it seems he has taken some sort of relief medicine that is harmful to the body, and any consequences are unrelated to this antidote!”

Hu Keqing froze, and after a long while, he managed to utter one word, “Alright.”

Nanny Zhang stepped forward and handed the pill to Hu Keqing, and Hu Chengxuan, seeing this, immediately snatched it and stuffed it into his mouth.

All around was silent.

In just a few seconds, Hu Chengxuan had returned to normal.

The fierceness and chilling aura in his eyes also returned.

However, this time he did not start berating anyone right away, but just glared at Qi Yue viciously, clearly very angry.

However, Hu Keqing’s face showed a glimmer of joy.

“Father, are you well?”

As he spoke, his gaze turned towards Qi Yue, “Yueyue, I thank you on behalf of my father…”

Suddenly, a person appeared beside Qi Yue.

This person was tall and extraordinary in demeanor, possessing an air of controlling the whole scene with just his tranquil presence.

Not only that, but he also had the delicate features of a classical beauty, with an innate nobleness to his appearance.

Young Master Hu’s words were immediately swallowed back.

He stared blankly at the person before him, instantly understanding why he could not catch Qi Yue’s eye.

And Qi Yue, as if she hadn’t heard his words at all, just looked coldly at Hu Chengxuan.

“Lord Hu, I will let this incident slide in consideration of the millions of citizens of Longnan. Whatever you have done, you’d better hide it well, otherwise…”

Qi Yue snorted and turned back into the house.

Everyone else followed her back inside, and soon the door was shut.

The originally furious expression on Hu Chengxuan’s face gradually became panicked.

Hu Keqing was completely deflated.

Father and son gazed at the closed door, speechless for a long time.

In the main hall, Huang Zai’an wore a look of confusion and incomprehension.

“Disciple, didn’t you have the Hu father and son agree to three conditions? How come you gave them the antidote without saying anything this time?”

Qi Yue slightly curved her lips into a smile.

“Recently, I have discovered some things that need confirmation by Hu Chengxuan.”

“What things? Do you need your master’s help with anything?”

Qi Yue shook her head and directed her gaze towards Qu Wei.

“Only Guan Yidao knows about this matter.”

Qu Wei understood immediately.

“Yueyue, are you suggesting that Hu Chengxuan is connected to your father’s death?”

Qi Yue nodded.

“We’ve only spotted a hint of something, with no solid evidence,”

This time, when Qi Yue was copying items from Hu Chengxuan’s study, she inadvertently came across a letter while organizing the items.

To be exact, it wasn’t a letter, but a military order to retreat.

The content was exactly the same as the one Guan Yidao had shown her before.

That’s where the problem arises.

Seven years ago, Qi Yunzhang was ordered to hold back the Nanyue forces at the southern line of Longnan Ridge, while Hu Chengxuan was in the Capital, serving in the Palace Front Division.

How could two people who should have no connection possess the same thing?

Moreover, Hu Chengxuan was appointed as the Prefectural Magistrate of Longnan Prefecture, in command of the Longnan Army that Qi Yunzhang left behind, immediately after Qi Yunzhang died at Longnan Ridge.

One would know there is a problem with this just by thinking with their heels.

Upon hearing this, the tall person suddenly interjected, “Why not let us brothers take that surnamed Hu, beat him up till he can’t stand it, and force him to speak the truth?”

Zhao Xiyan responded with a slight smile.

“This matter is certainly not just Hu Chengxuan’s doing. If we touched him, others would be alerted, and it wouldn’t be good. For now, stillness is better than rash actions.”

His words struck right at Qi Yue’s heart.

She couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Xiyan, only to meet his affectionate gaze head-on.

Startled by his look, Qi Yue’s heart raced, and she stood up hurriedly.

“Yes, Marquis, what you said is precisely my concern, I’ve already considered this matter, and maintaining the status quo is the best course of action for now.”

After speaking, she walked briskly toward the back courtyard.

“It’s getting late; everyone should leave,”

One by one, the people in the hall dispersed, but Zhao Xiyan lingered, unmoving. Qu Wei saw this and laughed heartily.

“Young Marquis, your luck isn’t too good, is it? You finally got a chance to be alone, but it was ruined by Hu Chengxuan’s interference, hahaha…”

Zhao Xiyan cast a disdainful glance at him without saying a word, continuing to think about the implications of Qi Yue repeatedly addressing him as “Marquis.”

It wasn’t as endearing as if she had directly called him Zhao Xiyan.

Qu Wei continued to jest as he waved his fan, his face full of smugness.

“I’ve told you before, my Yueyue has had her heart deeply wounded by you; she doesn’t like you anymore, but you wouldn’t believe it… hahaha…”

Not like him anymore?

Could that be true for Qi Yue? Zhao Xiyan’s handsome face furrowed in an instant.

That made Qu Wei even more triumphant.

“Zhao Xiyan, this face of yours will sooner or later no longer work… hahaha…”

Those words struck Zhao Xiyan’s heart directly.

Although he believed that Qi Yue’s affection for him wouldn’t just disappear, he had to admit, when he honestly considered it, apart from his attractive appearance, he really had no other advantages.

When they were married, he had the nominal advantage, but now, with Qi Yue saying, let the past be past, she had completely erased those deeply ingrained memories.

Previously, she saved him, looked after his whole family for him, and resolved countless dangers for him; she did everything for him, but what did he do for her?

He gave her nothing but the disgrace of carrying the name of a divorced woman.

He even misunderstood her, resenting her for only seeing him as a brother.

After learning that Qi Yue liked him, he didn’t even consider whether she still felt the same and rashly made a series of presumptuous moves!

No wonder that day in the garden, Qi Yue walked away so quickly, not even bothering to deal with him.

And tonight, when he took her hand, she clearly resisted…

He couldn’t sit still any longer, he stood up abruptly, a trace of panic flashing across his beautiful face.

“Does she truly not like me anymore?”

Qu Wei was also pondering this question. Hearing this, he continued the conversation, “Hard to say, Yueyue isn’t an ordinary woman, her thoughts…”

He shook his head and sighed, “Even I, Qu Wei, after admiring countless beauties for over a decade, fail to understand Yueyue’s heart. Let alone you…”

“Regardless of whether you’ve slept with the Princess or are the same as me… hmph…”

With that, he shot a disdainful look at Zhao Xiyan and walked away, fan in hand.

Zhao Xiyan stood there, motionless.

A gust of wind blew through, causing the candle flames to flicker and casting the interplay of light and shadow across his face.