Free Web NovelChapter 186: Chapter 186: The Mates Vie for Favor
Jiang Qingli froze.
’Her home means...?’
"This is the Jiang Family estate?"
After asking, Jiang Qingli pursed her lips. An indescribable feeling coiled in her heart.
She took the water from her friend’s hand, had a sip, and changed the subject. "Right. Who brought me back?"
Lin Xiyue found that a bit strange. "You don’t remember? Yesterday at the theater—"
Just then, there was a knock on the slightly ajar door.
Doctor Meng stood at the door. She gave Lin Xiyue a quick wink, but her tone was formal and serious. "Miss Lin, were you the one who called for me?"
"Ah, yes. Qingli’s awake. Hurry and check on her," Lin Xiyue said, stepping aside.
Doctor Meng wheeled some equipment into the room and gave Jiang Qingli a simple examination.
She smiled and said, "The young miss is fine. You’re perfectly healthy now, and your spiritual power has fully recovered. Just be sure to eat more nutritious food and drink plenty of water for the next few days."
Jiang Qingli asked, "I just fell into the water. It’s normal for my body to be affected, but why was my spiritual power also damaged?"
She pulled up her medical records and glanced at them. "It doesn’t say anything about spiritual power damage in my records. I went to the First Royal Hospital yesterday? Who brought me back?"
Doctor Meng was sweating under the questioning. She avoided Jiang Qingli’s gaze and said, "I’m not too clear about the cause either. Yesterday, the young miss went to the First Royal Hospital first, and then came home. It’s not in the report, probably because..." She trailed off for a moment. "It was a mild case, and it was treated before you were discharged."
"I see." Jiang Qingli nodded. "You still haven’t answered me. Who brought me back? Who saved me at the academy yesterday?"
She didn’t understand why neither of them would give her a straight answer to such a simple question.
Across from her, Doctor Meng looked mortified.
Doctor Meng had been summoned by Jiang Youchen this morning.
When she arrived, she saw Jiang Youchen carrying Jiang Qingli through the door. He looked exhausted but wouldn’t let anyone else near.
After taking Jiang Qingli to her room, Jiang Youchen stayed inside for some time.
Doctor Meng heard from one of Jiang Youchen’s subordinates that Jiang Qingli had accidentally fallen into the water at the academy yesterday. Jiang Youchen had pulled her out, rushed her to the Royal Hospital, and stayed by her side all night. Only after confirming she was alright did he rush back.
Doctor Meng had thought the siblings had reconciled.
However, before Jiang Youchen left, he had sternly warned everyone in the household not to reveal his presence to Jiang Qingli.
If Jiang Qingli were to ask, they were to say...
Doctor Meng snapped back to reality and stated decisively, "Miss, it was Mr. Baili who carried you back."
Lin Xiyue, who had received the same strict orders, sat beside her without daring to make a sound.
’I really don’t want to lie to Qingli,’ she thought, ’but Jiang Youchen’s subordinate said that his relationship with Qingli is so bad they’d draw swords on sight. It’s better to just keep my mouth shut...’
Jiang Qingli slowly blinked.
Yesterday, when she fell into the water, her head had been throbbing. Before she lost consciousness, all she saw was Baili Jing swimming toward her.
Logically, it should have been Baili Jing who pulled her out.
But Jiang Qingli had a vague feeling that something was off.
She faintly remembered that the person who carried her held her like one would a child. freёwebnovel.com
But Baili Jing liked to carry her princess-style.
The sound of footsteps at the door interrupted her thoughts.
Jiang Qingli looked up to see Qin Muye striding toward her, carrying a food container. His brow was furrowed with worry.
Behind him, Gu Nian followed, holding a five-tiered insulated container.
Seeing this, Doctor Meng excused herself and left.
Qin Muye unceremoniously took Doctor Meng’s spot and placed the container he was holding on the table.
"My family’s chef made this. Have a taste."
Qin Muye opened the lid, revealing exquisitely prepared dishes that filled the air with their aroma.
Before Jiang Qingli could speak, there was a CLICK as Gu Nian set his food container on the coffee table.
The five-tiered container was filled with a wide assortment of dishes.
Gu Nian smiled at Jiang Qingli, then glanced at Lin Xiyue and said thoughtfully, "Qingli, Senior Sister Lin, I made some congee and a few side dishes."
"You haven’t eaten since you fell in the water yesterday, have you, Qingli? The Imperial Chef’s food is exquisite, but something light would be easier on your stomach."
Qin Muye cursed him inwardly. ’That damned rabbit spirit, he’s got this whole one-upmanship thing down pat.’
But he also realized he hadn’t been as thoughtful. He scratched his head and said to Jiang Qingli, "If you want to eat it, give it a try. If not, I’ll eat it."
"Mm, I’d actually like to try those steamed dumplings." Jiang Qingli humored the puppy-dog. "Gu Nian, have you eaten breakfast yet? Let’s all go eat in the dining room. There’s more space there."
Her diplomacy was top-notch. Both Beast Husbands looked pleased as they took the breakfast downstairs to the dining room.
Having watched the show, Lin Xiyue tutted. "You’re getting better and better at this, babe. Soon you’ll be a master of keeping everyone happy!"
"Keeping everyone happy isn’t easy."
Jiang Qingli threw back the covers and got out of bed.
Logically, Jiang Qingli knew she should leave as soon as possible, lest she slip up at the Jiang Family estate and someone discovered she wasn’t the original owner of this body.
But this place felt too familiar, and for some reason, she didn’t want to leave.
’I won’t leave today... I’m a patient, after all. I have that privilege.’
After taking a few steps, she realized her costume had been changed into a nightgown. It was a very pale pink, with a ruffled hem that swayed like a spring flower bud as she walked.
After freshening up, the two of them ambled downstairs, one after the other.
Breakfast was already laid out on the dining table.
Jiang Qingli sat down, with Qin Muye and Gu Nian on either side of her. They went back and forth, one upping each other, giving off the vibe of concubines vying for favor in an imperial harem.
Lin Xiyue sat across from them, eating her congee and trying desperately not to laugh.
They finally finished breakfast. A servant approached and said respectfully, "Miss, Yi Nuo and the two young masters of the Yuan Family are here. Should I show them in?"
"Wow," Lin Xiyue said, wiggling her eyebrows. "What a crowd~"
Just as they reached the living room, they saw three men walk in, each carrying a food container.
Jiang Qingli: "..."
’There’s no way I can eat all this now.’
Seeing that she had already eaten breakfast, Yi Nuo handed his food container to a servant and told them to share the contents.
Although Yuan Shimo and Yuan Shiyao were a little disappointed, they did the same.
The group then started arguing about where Jiang Qingli should go.
Yuan Shimo and Yi Nuo insisted on taking Jiang Qingli home. Qin Muye wanted to take her to the Imperial Palace. Yuan Shiyao wanted to take her to the First Royal Hospital...
Seeing that they were about to start a real fight, Jiang Qingli cried out, "Ouch," and clutched her forehead.
Gu Nian immediately fell silent. He grasped her hand, his face full of concern. "Qingli, are you okay?"
He leaned in and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Did they upset you with their arguing?"
"My head’s just a little dizzy."
Jiang Qingli mumbled, grabbing a sofa pillow and hugging it to her chest. She rested her face on it and secretly shot him a meaningful look.
Gu Nian stood up and announced, "Qingli isn’t feeling well. I suggest we all head back for now and not disturb her any longer."
Since the one who most enjoyed vying for her attention had spoken, the other Beast Husbands couldn’t really object. They had no choice but to disperse, leaving Yi Nuo and Lin Xiyue to stay with her.
As if to supervise the others, Gu Nian was the last to leave.
Before pushing the door open to exit, the young man glanced back and winked at Jiang Qingli.
Jiang Qingli gave him a small, conspiratorial smile in return. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Gu Nian clutched his heart with one hand as if struck by Cupid’s arrow, his eyes crinkling into a smile.
Then, just before Qin Muye could turn around, he wiped the expression from his face and let out a sigh.
Jiang Qingli couldn’t help but laugh. ’What a little drama king.’
With the Beast Husbands gone, the living room suddenly felt much more spacious.
Yi Nuo bowed slightly and asked, "Miss, are you still dizzy? Should I call for Doctor Meng?"
Jiang Qingli looked him in the eye and suddenly asked:
"The person who pulled me out of the water yesterday... it was Jiang Youchen, wasn’t it?"
"Where is he?"
