When Helan Ruo hurriedly arrived at the gate of the General's Mansion, he realized that it was getting dark and what was the meaning of his visit to the General's Mansion at this time? Who would visit someone else's house so late at night? To have dinner with the host?

Moreover, he hadn't even fully investigated the so-called rumors before he appeared here. Even if he went in and said something to Tang Ning, it seemed a bit strange no matter what he said.

Most importantly, others might not know what kind of person his mother was, but didn't he? He was initially shocked by the news that Tang Ning wanted to break off the engagement, which was why he rushed straight to the General's Mansion without thinking. Now, standing outside the General's Mansion and calming down, he finally realized belatedly that his mother's acting was so clumsy, so clumsy that it was unbearable to watch. It was only because he was too concerned that he acted that he...

Just as she thought of this, Helan Ruo's expression unconsciously stiffened slightly.

Does concern lead to chaos?

What is he concerned about?

Concerned about Tang Ning... but not willing to marry him?

He Lanruo's eyes flickered slightly, and when she looked up at the plaque of the General's Mansion again, her gaze was inevitably tinged with a somewhat complicated and unfathomable look.

So perplexed was he that he stood there in a daze for a long time, until night fell, still unable to discern his true feelings or how he truly felt for Tang Ning.

Since he couldn't figure it out, Helan Ruo decided not to think about it anymore. Although his mother might have exaggerated some facts, she generally wouldn't make baseless accusations. Regardless of other things, what she said about people spreading rumors about Tang Ning outside was probably true.

Therefore, he still needs to find an opportunity to meet Tang Ning.

The sooner the better, after all, who knows if what his mother said is true or not, and what if Tang Ning really wants to break off the engagement?

The engagement between the two was only made on the spur of the moment, and was also due to Tang Ning's anger and physical discomfort.

It's perfectly normal for her to change her mind.

In fact, his lack of visits to Tang Ning during this period was partly due to these concerns.

He was still a little worried that Tang Ning would say something like, "It was just a momentary impulse," or "If possible, could we annul the engagement?"

Because he had to admit that, for some reason, he did not want to break off his engagement with Tang Ning.

so……

He Lanruo took a deep look at the General's Mansion, where the two large lanterns at the entrance had already been lit, took a light breath of the slightly cool autumn night air, and then disappeared around the street corner.

Meanwhile, Tang Ning, after having dinner with her parents, returned to her courtyard with her maids Chun Tan and Chun Mian. Seeing that it was getting late, Chun Tan began to remove Tang Ning's hairpins and jewelry as she sat in front of the bronze mirror, while Chun Mian went out to call someone to prepare hot water for Tang Ning so that she could bathe, change clothes, and rest early.

These past two days, Tang Ning hasn't been feeling well, whether it's because of the changing seasons or something else. So, taking a bath and going to bed early is very important for her.

Because the maid was so efficient, Tang Ning finished bathing in no time and leaned against the bed, intending to read a couple of pages of a book before going to sleep.

At this moment, Tang Ning's waist-length black hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She wore a white undergarment and a pink silk rabbit fur cloak.

The candlelight flickered as she gently turned the pages of the book in her hands with her slender, pale fingers.

At this moment, she was the only one left in the room. Chun Tan had mentioned wanting to keep watch for her, but the maids usually just huddled under her bed. With winter approaching, the ground was cold and damp, which was not a place for a young lady to sleep. Tang Ning refused her request without hesitation, and even when she said she would sleep on the couch herself, Tang Ning did not agree.

The tatami mat was narrow and small; it was nowhere near as comfortable as a bed.

She doesn't need anyone to keep watch over her at night.

Just as she was thinking this, Tang Ning suddenly heard a faint knocking sound coming from the window on one side of her room.

The sound made Tang Ning immediately put down the book in her hand, sit up straight, and listen attentively.

Before Tang Ning could even breathe a sigh of relief after listening for a long time without hearing any more sound, a series of rhythmic knocking sounds rang out in the excessively quiet room.

"Who goes there!"

Tang Ning gave a low shout.

Receiving no response, she put on her cloak, slowly got off the bed, and frowned as she leaned towards the window.

"If you don't say something, I'm going to call for help!"

"Tang Ning, it's me."

No sooner had she finished speaking her threat than a familiar voice rang in her ear.

Upon hearing Helan Ruo's voice, Tang Ning's eyes widened immediately. She then lowered her head and adjusted the rabbit fur cloak she was wearing, making sure that none of her clothes underneath were visible. She then bit her lip and walked towards the window.

Gently pulling out the wooden latch on the window, Tang Ning pushed open the window of the room with a little force. The cool breeze outside the window, mixed with the unique chill of late autumn, blew in and messed up Tang Ning's hair and her cloak.

But when she opened the window, she didn't see the person she expected.

Just as she was wondering to herself, two exquisitely crafted wooden dolls suddenly appeared at the window.

Tang Ning's eyes widened suddenly as she watched the two wooden puppets, which were clearly being carried, suddenly come to life, with someone providing voiceovers as they moved.

"Ningning, Ningning, I heard you've been a little unhappy lately? Is that right?"

Heaven knows how Helan Ruo managed to produce such a voice that clearly belonged to an eight or nine-year-old boy.

Tang Ning immediately showed an expression of surprise and joy. In order not to affect the other party's performance, she simply stood still and did not go forward.

But what shocked her even more was yet to come—

"Yes, Zichu, I'm a little unhappy. The people outside are so annoying. They all say I'm not good enough for you."

The female wooden puppet doll, with her hair styled in a droopy bun and adorned with a small jade hairpin, moved and even uttered the voice of an eight- or nine-year-old girl.

What incredible skill this is!

Tang Ning, who had little experience, immediately opened her mouth wide and couldn't close it.

He Lanruo, courtesy name Zichu.

In other words, the two wooden dolls in the window represent her and Helan Ruo.

While Tang Ning was still in awe and didn't know how to react, the two little wooden puppets continued their performance.

Zichu: "Nonsense, they're all talking nonsense! They don't understand anything at all, and they don't know how good you are. I think I'm not good enough for you! After all, my reputation is terrible, and it's harder than climbing to heaven for me to find a wife."

Ningning: Really? You're not lying to me?

Zichu: "I'd be a dog if I lied to you. Don't pay attention to what those people say. They're just idle people with nothing better to do. You'd be better off listening to me than them. At least I'm nice to talk to."

Ningning: "Really? Then say something nice to me now."

Zichu: "Ningning is the kindest, most beautiful, and cutest fairy in the world. As soon as I see you, I feel that the flowers smell sweet, the grass is green, and even the sky is blue."

Ningning: "You're lying. It's already dark. How did you see blue? I know you're lying to me. I'll hit you."

Zichu: "Ah, I'm dead..."

The male puppet fell directly to the ground and bounced twice in a pretentious manner.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Unable to hold back, Tang Ning covered her lips and chuckled softly.

She walked to the window in a few steps, and her eyes met those of Helan Ruo, who was squatting under the window and had just looked up.

Unexpectedly, at just past 7 PM, He Lanruo saw Tang Ning dressed like this. She remained in a half-squatting position, watching Tang Ning, with her long hair flowing down, lean against the window frame and look outside.

The night breeze was cool, and Tang Ning's long, unrestrained hair was slightly disheveled, which made her freshly washed, unadorned face appear even more delicate and fair. Her eyes were as black as the finest glass, and her whole being was as soft and harmless as a newborn child.

As she smelled the increasingly strong, exotic fragrance emanating from the other person, Helan Ruo's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

He stared blankly at Tang Ning, who was completely different from usual, until the other party reached out her hand and touched the wooden doll he was holding. Only then did He Lanruo immediately lower her head as if waking from a dream.

"He Lanruo, these two dolls are so cute! Did you buy them from the North District? I didn't see them last time you took me there. Hmm, why do these two dolls look so much like you and me? They're really adorable!"

Tang Ning's attention was completely drawn to the doll.

Seeing that she liked them, Helan Ruo, who had always loved puppet shows and never allowed anyone to touch his puppets, inexplicably handed both puppets to Tang Ning.

"You like it? It's yours."

"For me?"

Holding the doll, Tang Ning looked up in surprise.

"Is it so pretty? Are you going to give it to me? But I won't say those kinds of affected things like you."

Tang Ning hesitated.

"Those words were actually learned from a traveling ventriloquist who knew ventriloquism. If you want to learn, I can teach you."

He Lanruo said indifferently.

"Really?"

Tang Ning looked at him with some surprise and delight, "I hope you won't think I'm stupid when the time comes."

"No, no. Whether you can learn it or not, I won't think you're stupid."

He Lanruo completely ignored the many times she had previously said that Tang Ning was stupid, and said this decisively.

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning hugged the baby and gave a bright smile.

Seeing her smile, Helan Ruo couldn't help but smile along with her.

The two of them just stood there laughing at each other like idiots for a long time before Tang Ning seemed to remember something and looked at He Lanruo with a surprised expression.

"No, it's so late, how did you suddenly appear at the General's Mansion? How did you get in?"

"I... climbed over the wall to get in."

"Climb over the wall?"

Tang Ning exclaimed instinctively, but then, perhaps realizing she had shouted too loudly, she quickly covered her mouth. After a while, she slowly released her hand, lowered her voice, and asked, "How dare you climb over the wall? If the people in the General's Mansion find out, you... you're finished, you know? Also, what urgent matter makes you have to come see me so late? It's not just to put on such a childish puppet show for me, is it?"

Tang Ning felt somewhat helpless.

"no……"

He Lanruo denied it.

"That's because of what..."

"You know that my mother and Madam Qin attended the banquet at the Marquis of Nan'an's residence today, right? I heard from my mother that the rumors about you and me are rampant, and even... it seems that you even considered breaking off the engagement. I was thinking that you might have just acted on impulse that day, and later, after calming down, you regretted not wanting to marry a playboy like me, so that's why..."

"No!"

Before Helan Ruo could finish speaking, Tang Ning immediately replied in this way.

But after she finished answering, she realized that she had answered a little too hastily, and her face involuntarily flushed slightly.

Even so, she didn't try to hide anything for the sake of so-called modesty or face. Instead, she looked earnestly at Helan Ruo in front of her and said, "I don't regret it, really not. There might have been some impulsiveness at the time, but after calming down, I think marrying you might be the best decision I ever made. You have a girl you love, and I can't completely let go of my feelings for Brother Jing right now. I think maybe we can help each other get through this together. What do you think?"

"Of course."

Helan Ruo replied with a smile.

"Will you treat me well after we get married?"

After thinking for a moment, Tang Ning still asked the question with some trepidation.

"Of course, you'll be my wife then. If I don't treat you well, who else will I treat well?"

He Lanruo answered without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning looked directly into the other person's eyes.

The two stood facing each other, one inside the window and the other outside, their eyes locked, with no sound except for the gentle night breeze.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, someone knocked on Tang Ning's door from the outside, interrupting the tender affection flowing between the two.

"Ningning, are you asleep? May I come in?"

Upon hearing Madam Qin's voice, Tang Ning was immediately startled.

She watched in a panic as Helan Ruo suddenly squatted down and shoved the puppet in her hand under her bedding before opening the door and letting Madam Qin in.

Then, as soon as Madam Qin came in, she praised Princess Qingping highly, saying that she could now completely relax. She also told Tang Ning not to worry too much about marrying into the Duke's mansion after the New Year, as there were still good days ahead!

As they spoke, Madam Qin noticed that Tang Ning's gaze kept drifting towards the window.

She immediately got up and walked towards the window.

Upon seeing her movement, Tang Ning was immediately startled. "Mother! What are you doing walking towards the window?"

"Why would I ask you that? You've only just recovered from a serious illness, and you're already leaving the windows wide open, indulging in the cool air. What if you get sick again?"

After saying that, Madam Qin closed the window without hesitation.

Tang Ning immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ningning, what's wrong? You seem a bit off today, and you're all sweaty. Are you sick again?"

As she spoke, she reached out and touched Tang Ning's forehead.

Madam Qin, who did not feel any unusual temperature, frowned and lowered her hand. "It's nothing. Is this sweat just night sweats? No, we need to call that Physician Ming again tomorrow to check your pulse. You should rest early today. I won't disturb you any longer."

"Um!"

Tang Ning nodded vigorously and then saw Madam Qin out.

Only after hearing Madam Qin's footsteps gradually fade into the distance did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Then she went to the window, carefully opened it, and softly called out "He Lanruo." The man in white immediately appeared in front of her with two leaves on his head.

Upon seeing this, Tang Ning couldn't help but smile.

She laughed, and Helan Ruo laughed along; both of them looked completely dumbfounded.

He Lanruo's current favorability rating: 80.