Chapter 66: Why Did You Expose Me Only Now?

Passing through a garden within the courtyard, Yun Qiange was astonished by the flower beds before her eyes. Various blossoms swayed gracefully in the autumn breeze, making her feel as though she were standing amidst a sea of flowers. Yun Qiange leaned down to inhale the fragrance of a Chinese rose beneath her, and a faint scent assailed her senses, seeming to relieve a fraction of her fatigue. She curved her lips into a gentle smile and remarked, "There really are so many flowers here."

"These were all planted by Ning'er, oh!" The young man's soft and sweet voice carried a sense of pride and self-satisfaction.

She turned around and began to count: "Scarlet sage, dahlia, hibiscus, lily, Chinese rose, tree of thousand stars, heavens, why are there so many?" There were at least a hundred varieties here.

"This is for you." Shangguan Ning plucked a bunch of white chrysanthemums, lifting an innocent and radiant smile.

The corners of Yun Qiange's mouth twitched. Weren't those white chrysanthemums meant for funerals? Shangguan Ning, aren't you going a bit too far!

Naturally, she did not reach out to take what was in his hand. Instead, she strolled around Shangguan Ning's garden and happened to discover a cluster of red spider lilies in a corner. She raised a hand to stroke her chin and said, "Ning'er, you even have red spider lilies here."

It was her first time seeing red spider lilies in person; previously, she had only ever seen them on television. Their bewitching red color carried a trace of wicked charm as they swayed in the wind.

"Ning'er dislikes this kind the most," he pouted, speaking with disdain.

She asked in confusion, "Why? This kind suits you very well."

"The seeds for this red spider lily came as a complimentary extra when I bought other seeds. Ning'er had nothing to do, so I planted it. Why does the bad woman think it suits me? Ning'er likes lilies much better."

In truth, what he liked the most was this very red spider lily; he simply did not want her to know.

Yun Qiange thought to herself that this fellow was truly shameless. The meaning of lilies was purity, and this brat was genuinely putting on an act of innocence. She shook her head and said, "Red spider lilies are the most bewitching, seductive, and exquisitely beautiful things in the world. Just like you."

Shangguan Ning's heart gave a slight shudder. Had she discovered something? The twilight rays cast their light upon him, bringing a thin chill over his form.

"Don't look at me with that kind of gaze. I just think that someone with a face like yours really isn't suited to feigning innocence. Just live out your true nature as you were meant to. If you are afraid that I will hurt you again, there's truly no need for that. Right now, I really have no interest in you. What do you say, Shangguan Ning?"

She pinched his cheek, and while he stood there in a daze, she turned and walked away. Yawning, she called out, "Ning'er, hurry inside for dinner. After we eat, it will be time to rest."

She... must have discovered something, or perhaps she had known all along, yet she had never exposed him. At this thought, a chill began to spread through Shangguan Ning's entire body, penetrating deep into his bones and limbs.

He stood quietly in the courtyard, the wind stirring his white robes and white hair, as well as his matchlessly beautiful face. He curved his thin, cold lips, and his entire body radiated a bewitching, wicked aura. As cold and grim as a red spider lily, yet exuding an alluring beauty—wicked, enchanting, and capable of making one willingly sink into the depths of hell.

Heh, so she had seen through him.

When he returned to the room, the expression of feigned madness and foolishness was entirely gone from Shangguan Ning's face. He sat down beside her, resting his head on one hand propped against the table, while his other hand twirled a lock of his hair. What should have been an interrogative sentence was spoken in a tone of absolute certainty: "You've known all along that I wasn't mad?"

She put down her bowl, took a sip of tea, and assumed a posture of noble elegance. "Mhm, I knew."

"Then why didn't you expose me until now?" He sneered coldly at her, yet his smile sent a chill straight through her heart.