Chapter 28 Is This a Threat to Her?

She was just about to grumble about whoever was so careless when walking, but turning her head, she saw Qin’er looking at her with a triumphant smile. Jin’er couldn’t help but take a deep breath, her delicate brows unconsciously knitting together.

Seeing that Jin’er seemed confused, Qin’er raised her chin arrogantly and declared, “I’m warning you—stay away from my senior brother from now on!”

Jin’er blinked a few times, pursed her lips, and looked at her expressionlessly. She neither nodded nor shook her head.

“What’s that look for? Are you feeling rebellious? Ha! I knew you were only pretending! When my senior brother is around, you always act so weak and pitiful, but now it’s just the two of us, so you’re showing your true colors, aren’t you?

Hmph! You might be able to fool my senior brother, but you can't fool me. If you deliberately approach him again, don’t blame me for being harsh with you!” With that, Qin’er let out a cold snort, swept her sleeves, and strode away.

Tch! Was that supposed to be a threat? Jin’er let out a soft, amused scoff, then crouched down to pick up the scattered pieces of poria from the ground, feeling a bit aggrieved.

What had she done? Absolutely nothing. Was this Qin’er just oversensitive and pathologically jealous? Oh, Xiao Jiu, you’re in for a rough time, I suppose.

That night, Jin’er still went to the study as usual. If one’s conduct is upright, why fear shadows? She was only there to read, occasionally seeking advice on a question or two—why should she be intimidated by such childish threats?

However, she had been too optimistic.

Just as she turned to ask Xiao Jiu about a difficult point, Qin’er, who had come looking for her senior brother, happened to overhear her voice. Peering through the crack in the door, she saw the two of them sitting so close together that jealousy instantly flared up within her, and she nearly burst in.

But the last shred of her reason reminded her that she could not let her fierce side show in front of her senior brother. So she clenched her teeth and held herself back, retreating to a dark corner where she watched the candle-lit room and cursed Jin’er in her heart.

Waiting was pure torment—especially when imagining the man she loved alone in a room with another woman, seated so close together. The feeling was unbearable, as though a cat were scratching at her heart.

At last, she saw the two of them emerge. After a brief farewell, Xiao Jiu and Jin’er each turned and went their separate ways.

Watching Xiao Jiu ascend the stairs to the second floor, Qin’er quickly hurried after Jin’er. The courtyard was not large to begin with, and Jin’er was walking slowly, so after just a few steps, Qin’er caught up to her.

“Stop right there!” Qin’er hissed, lowering her voice.

At the sound, Jin’er’s heart skipped a beat—this couldn’t be good.

No way! Did she see her with Xiao Jiu? She’d never run into Qin’er at night before.

Wait... why was she feeling guilty? She had done nothing wrong!

With that thought, Jin’er composed her expression, turned calmly, and met those blazing eyes without flinching.

“Is there something you want?” she asked, feigning innocence.

“Heh!” Qin’er threw her head back and laughed, but when she lowered it again, her face was icy cold.

“You little brat, you don’t know what’s good for you, do you? Not only did you ignore my warning, you even dared to sneak off with Master’s medical texts. You’ve got some nerve!”

“Sneak off? I was borrowing them. Xiao Jiu knows about it,” Jin’er replied, utterly unafraid.

“Xiao Jiu?” Qin’er’s mouth formed a perfect O of shock, and it was some time before she managed to close it. “Did you just call my senior brother ‘Xiao Jiu’?? Who do you think you are? You’re nothing but a little yellow-haired servant girl Master took in out of kindness, and yet you dare to call him Xiao Jiu?”