The Favored Heiress
Chapter 859: Strange

Chapter 859: Chapter 859: Strange

At noon, Li Qiao stayed at the company to have lunch with Shang Yu.

The meals were still delivered by Crystal Garden according to the recipe provided by Li Qiao.

"Go for a medical check-up in a few days and see if your white blood cell count has returned to normal," Li Qiao said slowly as she glanced at the oxtail soup on the table.

Shang Yu swallowed his food elegantly, pursed his lips, and turned his face to look at her, "What day?"

Li Qiao’s expression changed subtly but quickly, "I’ll arrange it... and let you know."

Strange.

Shang Yu rarely asks about details; usually, he agrees unconditionally to whatever she suggests.

This time...

Li Qiao turned her gaze and, in her line of sight, Shang Yu casually picked up food for her, seemingly just asking casually.

The man’s thick eyebrows gently raised, and the deep emotions in his eyes were hard to discern, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Li Qiao shook her head without responding. free\NovelFire.c o(m)

Shang Yu’s gaze was so focused and profound that nothing could hide from it.

Li Qiao suspected she had slipped, but had no evidence.

...

Perhaps feeling guilty, Li Qiao spent the entire day at the Yan Emperor headquarters.

A little after one in the afternoon, she felt sleepy and leaned her face against the arm of the sofa, soon falling asleep.

The quiet office was filled only with the sound of the air conditioning running.

Shang Yu lifted his eyelids and looked deeply at a corner of the sofa, lost in thought.

The phone on the desk vibrated, and he picked it up as he walked out of the office.

Next door, the man answered the phone, and He Chen’s playful voice came from the other end, "Busy?"

"What’s up?" Shang Yu walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, one hand in his pocket, overlooking the bustling street.

He Chen chuckled and got straight to the point, "Meet up tonight?"

The man narrowed his eyes; his voice was as deep and mellow as ever, "Sure."

"Eight o’clock, Silver Peach."

The brothers hung up the phone, and He Chen sent another WeChat message, "Come alone."

...

Elsewhere, Ming Dailan would be departing in two days.

No matter what she felt inside, as the Duchess these years, maintaining connections had become routine for her.

Andrew was about to run for the next Speaker, and if successful, the Andrew family would control the entire Lower House, further elevating their status.

At this moment, Ming Dailan was sitting on a palace chair, watching Aunt Yin pack her luggage with an indifferent expression.

"Ma’am, please see if I’ve missed anything,"

Aunt Yin, the family’s old servant, had been serving Ming Dailan ever since she moved into the Ducal Residence.

Ming Dailan regained herself, shook her head gently, her tone soft, "No, it’s all good."

Aunt Yin wasn’t usually talkative; even if she noticed something was bothering her, she wouldn’t speak out of turn.

This time, Ming Dailan took the initiative, "When I’m not around in a few days, send me a message if anything comes up at home."

Aunt Yin stood up slightly uneasily, nodded, "Yes, ma’am."

Evidently, such matters were routine for Aunt Yin.

Ming Dailan glanced at her simple, honest smile, twitched the corners of her mouth, and asked casually, "What’s Xiaoyan been up to lately?"

"The second young master seems very busy, leaving early and returning late these past few days," Aunt Yin replied with protocol, thought a moment and added, "I overheard Old Yin saying the second young master might want to stay in the British Imperial and not return to the South Sea."

Ming Dailan showed little expression, "What about Ah Hui?"

Aunt Yin quickly glanced at her and then bowed her head, "Ma’am, I’m not sure about the eldest young master’s affairs."

Ming Dailan pursed her lips, though she didn’t show displeasure, her gentle demeanor faded a bit, "Send him some afternoon tea when you have a chance; Ah Hui’s wedding is coming up, so help take care of him."

"I will, I will, Ma’am, don’t worry."

Ming Dailan rubbed her temples, sighed softly, "You may leave now."

Aunt Yin backed out of the room, stood in the hallway, looked back at the closed door, shook her head, and hurriedly left the second floor.

After having lived in luxury in the Ducal Residence for years, the Madam wouldn’t personally make any medicinal cakes.

In fact, the afternoon tea sent to the eldest young master was all made by the kitchen.

Aunt Yin was a servant, having seen much, she took it in stride.

This family seemed harmonious with brotherly love and marital harmony, but in reality, undercurrents ran deep.

...

The next day, Li Yan showed up at the South Sea Mansion, an unusual occurrence.

Luoyu saw him and instinctively looked behind him.

Was Miss Mo not here?

Li Yan stood tall, his posture upright, dressed in a royal blue coat, and stood straight at the mansion entrance, "Is... Qiaoqiao here?"

Luoyu: "?"

Do you not know me, or did you lose your memory?

Interesting choice of words, using "please."

Luoyu collected herself and stepped aside, "Please follow me."

Li Yan nodded politely, "Thank you."

Luoyu blinked, feeling that the second master of the Li Family was particularly reserved today.

With suspicion, Luoyu led Li Yan into the living room.

At the same time, Li Qiao also came lazily down the staircase.

She seemed to have just showered, her hair half-dry, her delicate face slightly flushed, looking in good spirits.

Li Yan stood firmly in the center of the room, intently observing the row of leather sofas that cost over a million, then turned his gaze to the artwork on the wall, unable to look away.

"Second Brother." Li Qiao ruffled her hair and followed Li Yan’s line of sight, knowingly raised her eyebrows, "If you like it, take it home."

Li Yan’s throat bobbed as he chuckled awkwardly and waved his hand, "No need, I’m just looking."

Was he crazy? This was Shang Shaoyan’s place, the South Sea Mansion.

Even given a hundred Mo Jues, he wouldn’t dare take anything from here. free\we\bnov(e)(l).com

Li Qiao found it amusing, found an excuse to send Luoyu away, and then took Li Yan to the underground laboratory.

In the relatively quiet laboratory, without the patrol guards stationed everywhere outside, Li Yan’s tension relaxed considerably.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen the world, it’s just that the South Sea Mansion’s strict security, with armed guards walking up and down, made him feel like he was intruding into a mob boss’s lair.

Li Qiao pushed a chair to Li Yan with her knee, casually picking up a small scalpel from the table, "Did you get it done?"

Li Yan looked around, then proudly said, "Of course it’s done, I wouldn’t boast, but with your second brother’s influence in the art world, getting a few European ancient paintings is quite easy."

Li Qiao put down the scalpel, gazing into the distance thoughtfully.

After a while, she relaxed her brows and looked at Li Yan again, "Where are the paintings?"

"I left them in the storage room," Li Yan pointed his thumb behind him, "Do you want me to have someone bring them to you?"

Li Qiao’s eyes brightened, her smile deepening, "No need, I’ll arrange for someone to pick them up this afternoon."