The Wayward Young Miss Is Not So Wayward

The Patrol Bureau carriage pulled to a stop in front of a relatively quiet inn on East Second Street.

This inn was modest in scale with a simple, elegant facade; it was one of the properties under the Qin Family name.

It was currently managed by Yang An and his wife, serving as both their livelihood and their residence.

The words of his senior brother, Gong Tian, had left Yang Ning's mind in turmoil, but since he had arrived home, he felt it best not to wear his troubles on his face and needlessly worry his family.

He straightened the Patrol Bureau surcoat he had yet to change out of and stepped toward the inn.

"You really are a busy man, Yang Ning!

It's been days, and I've only just managed to catch you today!"

A crisp, slightly willful female voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Yang Ning's thoughts.

He followed the sound and saw an elegantly decorated carriage parked by the roadside diagonally across from him. The window was pushed open, revealing the bright, pretty face of a young girl, though her expression held a hint of reproach.

It was the second young miss of the Qin Family, Qin Yuhui.

The carriage rolled slowly forward and stopped in front of Yang Ning.

The coachman lowered the footstool, and a maid stepped down first, carefully assisting Qin Yuhui as she alighted.

The second young miss was dressed today in a goose-yellow ru skirt with a light green vest worn over it, and her hair was adorned with pearl flowers, making her look delicate and charming.

After stepping down, she looked him up and down, her gaze sweeping over his striking official uniform of blue and white.

"I was wondering why you've been so elusive these past few days. So, you went off to find a job like this, even draping yourself in this 'hide' of the Patrol Bureau."

Qin Yuhui curled her lip, her disdain undisguised.

In recent years, due to the loss of official prestige and rampant corruption, the Patrol Bureau had become nothing more than "running dogs" in the eyes of the common folk—people who took their pay but did no real work.

And to a young lady of a prominent family like Qin Yuhui, aside from the few high-ranking officials in the government who held some weight, the low-level patrolmen and Trainee Patrolmen were truly no different from the hired guards and servants who were ordered about in wealthy households.

Their status was even lower; wasn't the uniform of the Patrol Bureau just a "dog skin" one could be ordered around in at will?

As it happened, the surcoat Yang Ning was wearing so casually was the most common style for a patrolman.

"What?

Did the position of guest advisor for the Qin Family wrong you?

Was the salary not generous enough? Or were the resources insufficient for your needs? You had to go run off to the Patrol Bureau to be some pathetic patrolman?"

Qin Yuhui lifted her delicate chin and spoke rapidly.

Yang Ning's brow furrowed imperceptibly, and he couldn't be bothered to argue with this spoiled young lady.

He simply spoke calmly, his voice steady and without a ripple:

"Miss Yuhui, that is where you are mistaken.

Yang has received the favor of the Qin Family and was hired as a guest advisor; I keep this kindness in mind.

A guest advisor is a guest, a scholar, not a guard, and certainly not a servant.

If the Qin Family has matters to attend to, Yang will naturally do his utmost, and I would not shirk my duty.

However, a guest advisor has his own freedom.

Outside of the Qin Family, what path Yang chooses to take and what development I seek, I fear...

It is not for Miss Yuhui to point fingers, is it?"

He paused, looked at Qin Yuhui with a calm gaze, and asked in return:

"What?

Did Miss Yuhui wait by the street today specifically to question Yang's 'future path'?

Or...

Does the Qin Family have some instructions that require Yang's service?"

"You... you..."

Qin Yuhui was so choked by Yang Ning's neither humble nor pushy, yet needle-in-silk words that her pretty face flushed red.

With a breath stuck in her chest, she pointed at Yang Ning, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long while.

She didn't know why, but every time she saw Yang Ning, a strange urge to provoke and suppress him would well up in her heart.

Perhaps it was because of his "disrespect" toward her when they first met, or perhaps it was because he came from humble origins yet always maintained a calm, indifferent air, as if he cared about nothing at all.

Or perhaps...

Even she couldn't say for sure.

But every time, she never seemed to gain the upper hand; instead, she was often left unable to back down by his few words, just like now.

Just as this awkward and subtle stalemate spread through the night air, a crisp, cheerful child's voice broke the stagnation like a ray of sunlight.

"Second Uncle! Sister Yuhui!"

A small figure peeked out from the entrance of the inn; it was none other than Xiao Hua.

She was carrying an empty little bamboo basket, seemingly preparing to head out.

The little girl had sharp eyes and spotted Yang Ning and Qin Yuhui by the street at a single glance.

She let out a cheer immediately, her short legs moving as she ran over with a clatter, her face brimming with innocent joy.

"Sister Yuhui?"

Hearing how Xiao Hua addressed her, a flicker of confusion crossed Yang Ning's eyes, and he muttered to himself in a low voice.

He did not know why the second young lady of the Qin Family had become so familiar with his little niece.

Seeing Xiao Hua run over, the anger on Qin Yuhui's face melted away like ice and snow.

She blossomed into a bright, radiant smile, the speed of her mood shift causing even Yang Ning to look on in surprise.

"Little Hua'er!"

Qin Yuhui crouched down, affectionately taking Xiao Hua's hand, her voice turning soft and sweet:

"Have you been a good girl at home?

What are you heading out to do?"

Xiao Hua blinked her large eyes and answered obediently:

"Second Uncle, Sister Yuhui, Father and Mother have so much to do at the inn today, they're terribly busy.

They told me to go to the eatery at the end of the street to buy some food."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuhui stroked Xiao Hua's head with a look of pity, then immediately turned to instruct the maid beside her:

"Xiao Yue, quickly take out the food box I prepared."

The maid named Xiao Yue acknowledged the order and retrieved a mahogany food box from the carriage.

Qin Yuhui handed the food box to Xiao Hua, her voice gentle:

"Little Hua'er, look, these are the pastries from Guifang Garden that I mentioned to you last time; they are so fragrant and sweet.

I brought them especially for you.

Inside, there are also some hot dishes and soup.

Your parents haven't eaten this late, so they must be starving; these are perfect to take back for them.

You should eat plenty too, so you can grow up tall, you hear?"

"Thank you, Sister Yuhui! Sister is so kind!"

Clutching the food box, which was somewhat heavy for her, Xiao Hua's face beamed like a flower as she thanked her sweetly.

After finishing this, Qin Yuhui pinched Xiao Hua's cheek dotingly before standing up to face Yang Ning once more.

The gentle smile on her face faded slightly, and she lifted her chin with a touch of pride.

"Don't get ahead of yourself!

Since when would this young lady wait for you here every day?

I only came today to see Hua'er and bring her some food and toys."

She paused, her tone becoming somewhat awkward:

"Because of the aftermath of that incident at Chunhua Restaurant, my sister and brother already returned to the Inner City two days ago.

Before leaving, my sister specifically instructed me to keep an eye on East Street and watch the movements of certain people; after all, we did promise to be attentive.

Some people really don't know how to appreciate kindness.

Otherwise, who would care about what 'dog skin' you wear or where you go in the Patrol Bureau!"

Having said that, the second young lady, who was saying the opposite of what she felt, stopped looking at him and waved at Xiao Hua again, showing a smile:

"Hua'er, Sister is leaving now, I'll come see you again next time!"

Then, supported by the maid Xiao Yue, she turned and boarded the carriage.

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly pulled away.

Watching the carriage about to depart, Yang Ning was silent for a moment, but eventually, he raised his voice slightly toward the carriage and said clearly:

"Yang thanks Miss Yuhui for her concern over these past days, and for her care and attention toward my niece."

His voice carried through the rising night wind toward the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Qin Yuhui, who was leaning against the wall, heard the words clearly.

She was stunned for a moment.

Then, for no reason, the corners of her mouth curved upward into a beautiful arc.

The previous awkwardness and arrogance seemed to dissipate quite a bit.

"Hmph, what a blockhead..."

She whispered to herself, her voice so soft that only she could hear it.

"A bit foolish, and doesn't know how to adapt, but...

As for manners and upbringing, they are quite thorough, And as a person... they have quite a bit of character."

The carriage gradually moved further away, blending into the dim lights of East Second Street.

Yang Ning withdrew his gaze and looked down at Xiao Hua, who was holding a food box and looking up at him with her little face.

The gaze that had been cold and hard all day softened, filled with warmth.

"Let's go, Hua'er, let's go home and eat."

He took Xiao Hua's hand, while his other hand naturally took the heavy food box, which was filled with pastries and warmth.

He stepped toward the warm inn light that had been left on for him.