Chapter 585

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

She recalled that when she first heard of Ouyang Chengren's passing, that heartache surged over her like a tide, and every time she thought of it, it seemed to leave her unable to breathe.

And now, every time she remembered, this feeling was still so strong; she was certain she had indeed fallen for Ouyang Chengren, and not only that, but whenever she thought that in the days to come she would never see him again, her heart would ache with a hidden pain.

However, when she thought about how to bring it up to her father and mother, the worry in her heart began to spread again.

Ouyang Chengren was so much older than her; surely her father wouldn't agree, right? As for her mother? Would she side with her? Qianqian thought more and more, feeling increasingly vexed and restless, unable to help tossing and turning on the bed, even starting to scratch her head.

Just as she was worrying herself nearly mad, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration, thinking perhaps she could go ask Second Sister-in-law for advice.

After all, Second Sister-in-law had married from so far away for Second Brother back then; she could ask Second Sister-in-law how she had persuaded her family back then. Thinking this, Qianqian's mood gradually calmed, and she even felt somewhat excited.

Time passed minute by minute, and before she knew it, it was nearly dawn. Qianqian lay in bed; although somewhat sleepy, because she was thinking about going to see Second Sister-in-law, she simply couldn't fall asleep. Only when the sky was fully bright did she slowly close her eyes and enter dreamland.

In this sleep, Qianqian slept very soundly, until Shangguan Xingyan and the Crown Prince came together, and Mantou knocked on the door, did she get startled awake. Since Qianqian had not allowed servants to keep watch at night, Mantou did not know she had slept so late last night.

She stood outside the young lady's room door, seeing that the sun was nearly at its zenith, but there was not a sound from inside the room, and a trace of worry welled up in her heart.

Especially when she learned that the Crown Prince and Young Master Shangguan had come together, this worry grew even stronger. After all, the Crown Prince was of exalted status; if her own mistress did not go to pay respects and salute, it would probably seem somewhat rude.

She raised her hand and gently knocked on the door, making a "knock knock knock" sound, but inside there was not the slightest response. Mantou's heartbeat couldn't help but quicken; she worried that the young lady had secretly run out again like before.

"Young lady, wake up, your servant is coming in." Mantou raised her voice and shouted, hoping it wouldn't be as she guessed.

However, the room remained quiet as before, with no sound coming out. Mantou's heart grew increasingly anxious; she couldn't bother with so much and directly pushed open the room door.

After walking into the room, Mantou went around the screen and at a glance saw the small bulge on the bed.

She quickly stepped forward, walking inside while continuing to shout: "Young lady, don't sleep anymore, wake up quickly! His Highness the Crown Prince and Young Master Shangguan have come together, you get up quickly..."

Before she finished speaking, the quilt was lifted by Mantou with a "whoosh." Under the quilt, Qianqian's hair, sleeping in wild disarray, was revealed, spread across the bed like a waterfall, and that face with eyes not opened at all, looking very peaceful.

Mantou couldn't help but be surprised; it turned out her young lady was really still sleeping!

She carefully extended her hand and gently touched Qianqian's forehead, muttering to herself in secret: "That's not right, Young Lady isn't sick at all, why hasn't she gotten up so late?"

A trace of unease surged in Mantou's heart; she worried that something had happened to Qianqian.

So, she decided to take some measures to wake Qianqian up. She took a deep breath, then tightly grabbed Qianqian's two shoulders with both hands, using all her strength, and forcibly lifted Qianqian up from the bed.

Qianqian was startled awake by this sudden action; she sleepily opened one eye, glanced at Mantou, and mumbled: "Mantou, let me sleep a little longer..."

Although she only opened one eye, Mantou still clearly saw the heavy dark circles under Qianqian's eyes.

Mantou couldn't help but frown and said anxiously: "Young lady, you can't sleep anymore! His Highness the Crown Prince has come; if you don't go see him, that would be great disrespect! Where exactly did you go to play last night? Why are your dark circles so severe?"

Just as Mantou was speaking, Hua Hua heard her shouts and immediately ran in like a gust of wind.

Hua Hua looked at Mantou holding Qianqian's shoulders and asked with a face full of confusion: "Sister Mantou, what's going on?"

Mantou shouted with an anxious face: "His Highness the Crown Prince has come! We must hurry to wash and dress the Young Lady!"

However, the Young Lady simply wouldn't get up no matter how she was called. Mantou was anxious as if on fire, watching time pass minute by minute; His Highness the Crown Prince would probably arrive soon, but the Young Lady was still lying lazily on the bed, with no intention of getting up at all.

Mantou was so anxious her head was covered in sweat; she tightly grabbed Qianqian's arm, trying to pull her up from the bed.

But Qianqian was like a limp noodle; no matter how hard Mantou tried, she just swayed back and forth in Mantou's hands, on the verge of falling.

Just as Mantou was about to lose her grip, Hua Hua suddenly said: "Sister Mantou, let me support the Young Lady; you hurry and bring water to wash her face first."

Mantou heard this and felt as if granted a great pardon, quickly saying: "Okay!" After all, Hua Hua was a martial artist, and her strength was much greater than Mantou's.

Hua Hua quickly walked to the bedside, supported Qianqian, and let her sit steadily on the edge of the bed. Mantou, like a gust of wind, ran outside to fetch water.

In a short while, Mantou carried in a basin full of water. She soaked the towel, wrung it dry, and gently wiped Qianqian's face.

The water temperature was just right, neither cold nor hot; Qianqian only felt a warm current surge onto her cheeks, extremely comfortable. She couldn't help but close her eyes, enjoying this moment of peace and comfort, completely unwilling to open her eyes.

Mantou carefully wiped Qianqian's face, not missing any corner. After wiping it clean, Hua Hua continued to support Qianqian, while Mantou began to put clothes on Qianqian piece by piece. Dressing was not an easy task, especially for Qianqian who was still in a half-asleep, half-awake state.

Fortunately, Mantou was nimble and soon helped Qianqian put on her clothes. Only then did Qianqain mumble sleepily: "Can't I just not go? Just say I'm sick..."

Mantou said with worry: "Young lady, it's said you were sick, and His Highness the Crown Prince worried about you and came personally to visit, only to find you weren't sick at all; what would become of that?"

However, Qianqian was still immersed in the sweet dreamland at this time, completely oblivious to Mantou's words.

"Young lady, don't sleep anymore!" Seeing this, Mantou quickly raised her voice, "You can sleep a nap at noon; wake up quickly!"

Under Mantou's repeated urging, Qianqian finally slowly opened her eyes and mumbled helplessly: "Alright..."

Next, with Hua Hua's support, Qianqian slowly sat up from the bed. Perhaps because of lack of sleep, her legs were somewhat weak, as if stepping on cotton.