Chapter 16 Struggling in Embrace

Chapter 16 Struggling in His Arms

"All the victims' families mentioned the Embroidery Tower?"

The milky white fish soup was simmering gently in the small pot, releasing a tempting aroma. He Zhao sipped his soup while looking at Luo Yue.

"Yes, Xiao Yue previously looked into the backgrounds of Xue Lin and Zhu Qi. They had no long-standing enemies or personal rivals, and there were no irregularities in their finances. But they both visited the Embroidery Tower before they died, which matches the victims' families' accounts."

"So, are we investigating the Embroidery Tower next?"

"Let's see what the prince says."

"Oh..."

After Luo Yue finished, He Zhao nodded, then noisily ate some fish as he turned his gaze toward Qin Jiao and Xie Nai over there.

Luo Yue and Luo Bei also secretly looked over...

Beneath the carved window lattice, the lamplight softened Xie Nai's cold demeanor. The dim yellow glow fell upon him, creating a dreamlike, enchanting beauty.

Beside him, Qin Jiao had changed into a set of casual robes. The moon-white garment made him look like a magnolia in full bloom, graceful and radiant.

Qin Jiao felt a little uneasy, lowering his head and rubbing the crescent-shaped scar on his finger several times. He hadn't expected things to develop like this—

Not only had Xie Nai escorted him back to the mansion again, but he had even come inside to dine.

Let's rewind to a few hours earlier.

After leaving Liming Academy, the group headed toward the Qin mansion. The carriage was spacious, so Qin Jiao and Xie Nai each sat in his own spot without disturbing each other. As before, Xie Nai kept his eyes closed in quiet repose. Knowing that Xie Nai didn't want to converse, Qin Jiao leaned against the carriage wall to nap.

Luo Bei drove with a steady hand, and they arrived at the Qin mansion before long.

"Thump, thump, thump—"

The sudden noise exploded right by his ear, jolting Qin Jiao awake from his light sleep, his heart racing.

"Thump, thump, thump." He Zhao was still knocking on the window outside. "Qin Jiao, we're here! Hurry down!"

"Oh, coming."

Qin Jiao groggily glanced around the carriage. Xie Nai was no longer inside, presumably having already gotten out.

Qin Jiao rubbed his temple and lifted the carriage curtain, ready to step down. But whether because he was still drowsy or his leg had gone numb from sitting, he missed the step and tumbled straight off the carriage!

"Qin Jiao!"

"Little Master Qin..."

The people around him hurriedly moved to catch him. Qin Jiao snapped awake as he fell. Flailing his hands in panic, he clutched at nothing—until Xie Nai stretched out an arm and caught him securely in his arms.

Before Qin Jiao could even thank him, he heard Xie Nai grunt softly.

"?"

Qin Jiao looked at Xie Nai and then realized that his hand had somehow landed on Xie Nai's neck—and not only that, but he had left a red scratch there.

Qin Jiao was horrified! Then, like a fish in a hot pan, he began thrashing wildly.

"Put me down!"

With a twist, Qin Jiao wrenched himself free from Xie Nai's arms. In his panic, his hand caught Xie Nai's chin.

"Smack—"

It was a light hit, but because the surroundings were utterly silent, the sound rang out like a thundercrack.

Qin Jiao: ...

Don't stop me. I want to die.

Silence, silence, and more silence.

Xie Nai stared expressionlessly at the young master who had caused trouble. Not far away, Luo Bei, Luo Yue, and He Zhao were all secretly watching.

Maybe it was his imagination, but Qin Jiao felt his hand tingling.

After a long moment, Qin Jiao gathered his courage to look at Xie Nai. He saw a faint red mark on that delicate chin, and a vivid red scratch on his neck—like a flaw in an exquisite piece of white jade porcelain.

Xie Nai didn't seem angry; he kept his eyes on the young master. His gaze was deep and his voice steady:

"At the very least, I am your lifesaver, young master. Your way of thanking me is indeed... unique."

"I know I was wrong—"

Before Qin Jiao could finish his sentence, a sudden clatter came from the mansion's entrance.

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