Chapter 34 Ripples (12) Wei Yuanzhan took it and straightened it...

On the day of the spring banquet, what Ling Ziheng said to Zhi Rou was indeed not entirely true.

He came from a prominent family with many relatives, and he had been surrounded by them since childhood. He could come up with all sorts of excuses and justifications without even having to spend time making them up.

He always focused solely on achieving his goals, leaving the final outcome to chance. He would spare some effort for useful people; if they were useless, he wasn't afraid to offend them.

Ling Ziheng smiled faintly: "Thirteenth Sister is well-versed in military strategy, isn't that martial?" He then turned his gaze to Zhi Rou and bowed slightly, "Miss Song."

He showed no sign of embarrassment at being caught red-handed. Zhi Rou didn't let him get caught up in the trap and kept her eyes fixed on Ling Hewei.

"Thirteenth Miss, do you know who Mr. Xue Nan is?"

That day he said that Miss Ling had heard that she was a disciple of Mr. Xue Nan, so she wanted to pay her a visit.

Zhi Rou's intuition was correct; compared to Ling Ziheng, this thirteenth girl was sincere. Judging from their conversation, she could roughly guess that "Mr. Xue Nan" was part of the pretext used by Ninth Brother. Ling Hewei had hundreds of ways to defuse the situation, but she didn't want to lie.

She shook her head.

Zhi Rou looked at Ling Ziheng, and he looked back at her, his eyes as bright as moonlight, utterly open and honest.

Zhi Rou frowned and cursed inwardly: Liar.

Not wanting to stay any longer, she averted her gaze, her words becoming calmer, even somewhat distant: "I have troubled you greatly today. Young Master Ling, Miss Thirteen, I shall take my leave now. Farewell."

Ling Hewei didn't move, but Ling Ziheng stepped forward and said without saying a word, "I'll see you off."

Zhi Rou wanted to say no, but the Ling residence was vast and deep, and since it was her first time there, she wouldn't be able to find her way out without guidance. She had no choice but to acquiesce, following him silently, her body slightly splayed.

As people walked, there were high walls on both sides, and one archway after another in front of them, seemingly endless.

Ling Ziheng paid attention to the movements behind him. Her footsteps were light, and her eyes were probably on him. He had the illusion that he was being scrutinized.

Turning her head back, she wasn't looking at him anymore. She was occasionally pressing the bones in her right hand, doing her own thing.

“That day,” he suddenly began, and Zhi Rou stopped in her tracks, glancing at him. He heard him say in a low voice, “I deceived you, young lady. I’m sorry.”

He spoke of his apology in a calm and unhurried manner, almost without any emotional fluctuation.

Despite her displeasure, Zhi Rou's composure prevented her from ignoring the past, and she responded indifferently with a "Mm."

That's all.

Having enjoyed being respected and flattered for so long, it has become a habit, and suddenly encountering a cold and indifferent person can be quite disorienting.

Upon arriving at the main gate of the mansion, Ling Ziheng stopped. Zhi Rou bid him farewell and stepped into the carriage.

For some reason, Ling Ziheng didn't think twice this time and simply called out to the figure as he felt compelled to.

Will Miss Song come again?

She stopped, paused for a moment, did not turn around, and finally did not reply, before lifting her skirt and boarding the carriage.

Ling Ziheng watched her carriage disappear into the distance and smiled without a care in the world.

Women with strong personalities are rare in official families. This Miss Song already had a face that piqued his curiosity, and upon seeing her again, his interest in her soared to unprecedented heights.

A moment later, he dusted off his robes, turned around, and stepped across the threshold.

Even after getting into the car, Zhi Rou still felt like she was being toyed with, and couldn't help but clench her fist.

A light rain began to fall outside, the raindrops pattering on the car hood, the chaotic sound making one even more irritable.

After getting off the car, the rain gradually stopped. Zhi Rou was taken aback when she saw a pair of tall shoulders appearing from the gate of the Song residence.

It was Wei Yuanzhan. A bright smile appeared on her lips as she ran up to him: "Why are you here?"

Wei Yuanzhan glanced at her sideways, then also glanced at Pei Cheng, before asking, "Where did you come from?"

Zhi Rou's lips flattened; she didn't want to speak.

Wei Yuanzhan glanced at her suspiciously, seemingly unaware that she had spoken first.

Zhi Rou found him disagreeable again, pursed her lips, and let her sleeve brush against his hand unintentionally, saying, "Young Master Wei, please wait."

His lazy tone carried a hint of coquettishness.

Wei Yuanzhan was left standing there, bewildered, unable to understand what he had done to offend her.

After pondering for a long time, Changhuai, still seemingly feeling ashamed for betraying the Fourth Miss, spoke up to remind her, "Master, just now the Fourth Miss asked you why you came, but you ignored her..."

Wei Yuanzhan visited today because Master Zhou had asked him to revise the sharpness of his writing. He didn't care, since he wasn't the one who got his official position through the imperial examinations. He gave a perfunctory reply and prepared to return home.

He unexpectedly bumped into Zhi Rou, and he found it hard to suppress his urge to find out where she was, completely forgetting that she was the one who asked first.

Wei Yuanzhan lowered his eyes in annoyance, lifted his robe, and stepped down the stairs.

After Zhi Rou returned, she learned from Song Qizhang about Wei Yuanzhan's apology to the He family.

I heard that he gave He Tingzhou a lot of gifts that day. A whole trunk was carried there, full of clothes, all white.

Since ancient times, white has been considered an inauspicious color, a sign of bad luck.

As he got older, he became less and less tolerant of being mistreated. Looking at the white-clad scene, He Jinshan felt dizzy and cursed the brat, "Are you cursing my son or threatening my He family!"

He launched into a tirade, not a single kind word.

Wei Yuanzhan stood straight, no matter how much he was scolded, he always looked like a junior humbly accepting the insults.

He Tingzhou was very pleased to hear that he was going to come to apologize to him. He even called a group of his brothers over, intending to show them that no matter what kind of prince he was, this was what would happen if he messed with the wrong person!

Who would have thought that Wei Yuanzhan would be so difficult to deal with, actually sending him "funeral clothes"? He Tingzhou was furious, but because his father was there, he suppressed the urge to attack. Seeing that Wei Yuanzhan seemed to have been scolded into submission by his father, his anger subsided somewhat.

Just when everyone thought that Prince Wei would not speak again, he suddenly smiled and gave He Tingzhou a proper bow.

“Young Master He is a man of noble character. I am truly ashamed that my hands have defiled your noble bearing. I hope you will accept this chest. Although it is a small gift, it represents my sincere heart.”

The sunlight shone down from the treetops, illuminating those unruly eyebrows and eyes, showing not a trace of remorse.

It's infuriating that he spoke so gently, never uttering a single harsh word, while the He family rebuked him mercilessly. If they were to bring this up before the Emperor, they would be in the wrong.

He Jinshan suddenly felt dizzy and his throat felt like it was on fire. He coughed desperately, but since he was healthy, he was able to cough up blood.

Wei Yuanzhan had a conscience; he didn't need to involve others in his personal feud with He Tingzhou.

After leaving the He family, he secretly asked Changhuai to invite Physician Liu to examine He Jinshan's pulse once a day until Physician Liu said that He Jinshan was as strong as a tiger. Only then did he put the matter aside.

Zhi Rou had just met Wei Yuanzhan outside the mansion, and now, hearing Song Qizhang talk about his "heroic deeds," she wiped away any slight displeasure she might have felt.

She was naturally happy to see Wei Yuanzhan win when competing with outsiders.

A light rain fell, and the capital city, which had only recently warmed up, cooled down again overnight.

Zhi Rou went to Qi Yun Garden and huddled in the pavilion, making some rustling noises. Just as she opened the door, Wei Yuanzhan came over to call her. He glanced at her and frowned critically.

She changed into men's clothing.

That's terrible.

In the past, it was difficult to tell her identity when she wore men's clothing. She always had a straight back and a dignified appearance, and she was composed without being arrogant.

Today's outfit... the belt isn't a belt, it looks like a water python loosely tied around the waist, Wei Yuanzhan really can't appreciate it.

"What are you wearing?" He walked in and sat down by the screen. He had originally intended to call her to compete in the courtyard, but now, seeing her so glaring, he had no choice but to raise his chin and say, "Come stand here."

Zhi Rou had already stepped outside when she suddenly heard him call out to her. She turned her head and glanced at him, asking, "What are you doing?"

"What do you think? It's too ugly," Wei Yuanzhan said directly, his bright eyes fixed on her waist, revealing a somewhat veiled expression.

Zhi Rou lowered her head and glanced at it, not thinking there was anything wrong with it at first. But when he pointed it out, the little belt seemed particularly annoying.

She stepped back into the pavilion, and Wei Yuanzhan reached out and pulled her, dragging her by her sleeve until she stood in front of him.

He held the belt and examined it for a long time, but couldn't figure out what to do. So he grabbed her wrist and pulled her away a bit, then said to Lan Ye outside, "Ask Master for a palace sash."

Lan Ye responded and left.

Wei Yuanzhan raised his face and continued to ask Zhirou, "Where are you going dressed like this?"

Zhi Rou looked at him and said, "Changle Tower."

Wei Yuanzhan stared at her for a while: "What are you going to Chang Le Lou for?"

"Let's listen to some music." Zhi Rou didn't want to say more. Her wrist was still being held in Wei Yuanzhan's hand. She didn't even notice. She just wanted to get dressed quickly and go to Chang Le Lou to find her second brother.

Wei Yuanzhan didn't press further. As if remembering something, he coughed dramatically and said, "Yesterday... it was Master Zhou who invited me to his family school, wanting me to revise and rewrite my essay."

Upon closer examination, Zhi Rou realized that the unexpected question was a belated explanation.

She paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled and nodded slightly with her chin: "Oh, so you've changed it?"

"No."

"Didn't Master Zhou blush?"

“Actually, I changed two sentences,” Wei Yuanzhan said. “When he saw that I was in a good mood, he turned around and went to do other things.”

Just as Zhi Rou was about to say something, Lan Ye happened to return and handed her a palace sash.

Wei Yuanzhan took it, straightened her up, and wrapped the ribbon around her waist with both hands, crossing the two ends and folding it into a loop.

Zhi Rou looked down at him, taking in the rare opportunity. This feeling of looking down at him was unfamiliar. His eyes were covered by his eyelashes, but it was not hard to see that he was looking very serious.

Zhi Rou stared at him silently, watching him thread the end of the ribbon through the loop, pull her closer, and slowly tighten the sash, adjusting it to a symmetrical position.

"Is it done?" she suddenly asked.

Wei Yuanzhan removed the "water python" from her body, his gaze still fixed on her with a hint of interrogation.

"Too thin. Didn't you eat enough at the Song residence?"

"I'm thin?" Zhi Rou raised an eyebrow, pulled the sash, and broke free from his restraints. "Who can compare to you?"

She stood by the door, using two fingers to measure the lines of his body from top to bottom and from left to right, and scoffed softly, "So thin and long, just like your red-tasseled spear, you could probably pick it up and swing it."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanzhan felt utterly humiliated. His knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white. He wanted to laugh, but he held it back and bit his cheek.

Not long ago, she said he had grown stronger, but now she's making up all sorts of nonsense just to spite him.

Wei Yuanzhan straightened up, supporting himself on his knees, and then looked up and called her name in a sinister tone.

"Song Zhirou, do you have a death wish?"