Dislike me

Achu's dagger was incredibly sharp, held horizontally in front of the two people, its silver light shining on their faces, giving off an inexplicable chill.

Perhaps because she had spent so much time in the courtroom and with suspects, Wen Ruo would unconsciously frown when she saw petty thieves, exuding a fierce and murderous aura, which made her quite imposing.

"A brawl involving multiple people resulting in serious injury is punishable by death!"

"There are witnesses all around; injuries sustained in self-defense will not be punished!"

"How to deal with petty scoundrels? I'll do a good deed to the end and set an example for you all in advance."

Qi Guanlan was silent for a moment, then unconsciously burst out laughing.

The person opposite him turned pale and then bluish. "Qi Guanlan, you're still laughing? What kind of skill is it to rely on women!"

"He is a commoner, and it is my duty to protect the people. What, are you sure you want to attack a government official in broad daylight?"

"Can Sun Xuerong protect you?"

He gritted his teeth, leaving a deep teeth mark on his lower lip, his eyes slightly red, but he didn't utter another word.

Qi Guanlan: "Lord Wen is mighty!"

"No wonder you're such a spoiled brat! How could the princess have a son like you!"

Qi Guanlan shook his head, "More than that, the title of Prince was obtained because of Wen Ruo. Now that I'm telling you, are you envious that I have such a wife!"

"Lord Wen's heroic rescue of the people is a blessing for Great Qi!"

"Qi Guanlan is deeply honored that Wen Ruo fearlessly saved her husband!"

"This young master has excellent taste!"

Can Yan'an Temple really cultivate a thick skin?!

"What...do you see in him?!"

Qi Guanlan looked over expectantly. Wen Ruo paused, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she still forced herself to speak clearly and distinctly: "He's handsome!"

Qi Guanlan couldn't stop smiling, and a sweet aura wafted over.

On the other side, his face was contorted with rage.

After he finished savoring the memory, his expression suddenly changed. "Get out of here!"

"Or do you want to see Gu Ying?"

The sweltering heat of June can turn into a chilling cold in the blink of an eye.

Wen Ruo breathed a sigh of relief. How come Gu Ying's name was so effective? Even the number of onlookers had decreased.

Qi Guanlan sheathed the dagger and put it back for her, saying, "Why do you still carry a dagger with you?"

"Master Zhu said to carry a sharp weapon with you at all times to save your life."

"He was quite prescient!"

Wen Ruo hesitated for a moment and said, "You should know that it wasn't your mother who instructed you!"

"The princess is ill."

Qi Guanlan wanted to laugh, but the corners of his lips drooped unconsciously. He lowered his head, as if he didn't want her to see his sad expression.

Wen Ruo sighed, took his hand, and strolled slowly down the street.

Unbeknownst to them, they ran into an acquaintance again. "I thought you were joking, but seeing Ruoruo bravely protecting her husband was truly awe-inspiring!"

Wen Ruo glanced back and asked, "Shopping with Young Master Zhao?"

Cao Xi sighed softly, "Our meeting was by chance. You really have changed."

Zhao Heng bowed respectfully behind her, looking both pitiful and ridiculous. Wen Ruo couldn't bear it any longer and said, "Want to go for a drink? You just had a knife; you need to calm your nerves."

"Chi Xu was summoned by the Crown Prince to do some accounting, and asked me to inquire whether anyone from the academy would participate in the spring imperial examination next year. She is hesitant about whether she should move out."

Cao Xi nodded, and Zhao Heng stepped forward, "How about Leng Hua Lou? I've developed a new dessert to go with drinks."

Qi Guanlan looked at Wen Ruo, "It's our own home, no need to pay, go ahead."

Wen Ruo took Cao Xi's arm. "Come on, let's talk as we walk. It's been so long, I've missed you terribly."

Qi Guanlan looked at the cool palm and glared at Zhao Heng, "Useless!"

Zhao Heng looked completely unfazed.

"Plum wine, light tea and cheese, have a taste!"

Zhao Heng presented the items and waited for a while. Wen Ruo and Cao Xi kept talking and didn't even glance at him. Qi Guanlan ignored him, so he hesitated for a moment and then shamelessly sat down.

He started by making conversation when he ran out of things to say, "I saw Sun Hao and was planning to help him out, but unfortunately, Lord Wen made his move and I had no chance to use my skills."

Qi Guanlan glanced sideways, "Useless!"

Even if I give you some advice, you won't be able to use it.

"I can't force my way in."

"Why don't you ask someone else for help? You've always been so stubborn!"

Pretending to be a playboy must be tough on you. I thought you were genuinely a germaphobe, unable to sleep in public beds, and that you would bring any girl you fancy home without any pretense.

Zhao Heng paused for a moment, then said, "It was my fault."

Cao Xi suddenly turned around, "What's wrong with Sun Hao?"

“Sun Xuerong wanted to marry Brother Qi, but Brother Qi interfered. The princess may feel guilty towards her and is afraid that she will be gossiped about, so she often visits her.”

"After you left, I thought the third young lady of the Li family would be in the limelight, but Sun Xuerong overshadowed her."

“Sun Hao likes Sun Xuerong and follows her every word. I guess Sun Xuerong is still not giving up and said something to him.”

Cao Xi looked at Qi Guanlan, "Is liking someone like this? Forcibly taking what you want? Aiding and abetting evil? Knowingly breaking the law?"

Wen Ruo lowered her head; she was momentarily flustered and had written too much.

Qi Guanlan shrugged. "I was wrong, but I promised her... wealth and honor, and I also promised to help her get rid of her father. Every word was a transaction, and I didn't force her."

"Who knew she would back out at the last minute, and coincidentally, she even complained about me."

After saying that, he glanced at Wen Ruo, whose expression remained unchanged. Wen Ruo sniffed the fruit wine, her eyes curving slightly, seemingly quite satisfied. His heart immediately settled down before he continued, "However, I am still very grateful to her, so I will give her some money."

As soon as she finished speaking, two more wine glasses suddenly appeared in front of her, while the other two people's glasses remained empty. Wen Ruoqian smiled and said, "Since you know you were wrong, don't do it again. Punish yourself with three glasses."

After three cups of wine, his face remained completely pale, without even a hint of redness.

Tsk, fruit wine doesn't make you drunk.

Qi Guanlan held the white porcelain in his hand and turned it slightly. As if remembering something, he suddenly smiled and pushed the wine glass that Qi Guanlan had used back to fill it up.

"Lord Wen, since you've protected me, shouldn't you also be punished with three cups of wine?"

This address of "Lord Wen" seemed to be imbued with the aroma of fruit wine, its deep voice carrying a hint of sweetness.

Wen Ruo's breath hitched, her slender, pale fingers pressing down on the table, spilling wine onto her fingertips. Qi Guanlan smiled, his lips glistening with moisture, "You despise me?"

She pretended to feel wronged; her real intention was to tease him.

Qi Guanlan really does become alluring when he drinks.

Seeing the two locked in a stalemate, Zhao Heng immediately pulled out a set of wine glasses from the cabinet next to him and placed them in front of Wen Ruo and Cao Xi, saying, "Clean."

Qi Guanlan's heart skipped a beat, and he began to nitpick, "Zhao Heng, tell me, am I wrong or not?"

The painful memories flooded back, intensifying her resentment. "Is it wrong not to want to be manipulated by others?"

"That's right!"

It was Cao Xi.

Before Zhao Heng could speak, she drank a cup of wine by herself.

Is it wrong to want to marry the one you love?

Zhao Heng looked at Cao Xi and replied blankly, "That's right!"

"I was wrong! I'll drink it."

Wen Ruo took the cup from Qi Guanlan's hand, took a small sip, and then drank three cups.

This fruit wine is made with Shaoxing wine, so it's less pungent and more sweet, giving it a unique flavor.

Cao Xi shook her head, "Just keep spoiling him."

Wen Ruo wiped her hands and sighed, "Who told me to be wrong! I should be punished!"

Qi Guanlan met her gaze, and as their eyes shimmered, they smiled knowingly without a word, unable to contain their emotions.

Unbeknownst to them, a barrier had been erected between the four people.

Cao Xi chuckled softly, a fleeting hint of sadness flashing across her face, and poured herself another glass.

Zhao Heng stared at him for a moment, his eyes darkening. He raised his wine glass and said, "I was wrong. I will punish myself with three drinks."

Cao Xi remained silent, as if she hadn't heard anything.

The crisp sound of the collision instantly brought Wen Ruo back to reality. Wen Ruo suddenly woke up and a hint of shyness appeared on her face.

She quickly pressed Cao Xi down, "Don't get drunk."

Qi Guanlan felt a pang of regret. He turned his head slightly and asked, "Brother Zhao, is this an apology to me?"

Three cups aren't enough!

Zhao Heng shook his head and suddenly knelt down in front of Cao Xi, "Cao Xi, I was wrong."

Cao Xi remained frozen in his seat.

"Alcohol emboldens the timid!"

"Don't cause trouble," Wen Ruogang glared at them, but Qi Guanlan boasted in front of the two of them, "Obviously I'm not."

"Our Lord Wen is no exception."

Wen Ruo was pulled away by him, but she was still a little worried when they reached the door and couldn't help but look back.

Well, she's got some guts now. Cao Xi didn't break free, which clearly meant she had more to say.

"Who is right and who is wrong, I no longer care now."

"I know I was too foolish, too cowardly, and didn't trust you, but from beginning to end I really only loved you."

"That's ridiculous."

"Really, I did think about being ridiculous and trying to anger you, but my mother said a lot, and I had nightmares every night, dreaming that you pointed your finger at me, calling me dirty and promiscuous."

“But you are always in front of me, and I feel terrible whenever I think about the engagement.”

"Cao Xi, I can wait, but don't ignore me."

The sound was intermittent, but Wen Ruo could still hear it clearly. She looked up in surprise. Qi Guanlan leaned against the wall and whispered, "Really!"

How did you know?

"Gu Ying found it by chance!"

Wen Ruo was speechless. How could he even investigate something like this? He must have too much free time.

Qi Guanlan shook the wine jug in his hand. "Want to drink some more?"

Wen Ruo tilted her ear again, but there was no sound. Not knowing what was going on, she took a sip of water and said, "Drink!"

Right next to the two, Wen Ruo deliberately found a spot against the wall and focused intently on eavesdropping.

Qi Guanlan quietly moved over a high-legged stool, which was fully stocked with pastries and drinks, and even had steaming hot roasted chestnuts.

Will Cao Xi forgive him?

Whether Cao Xi believes it or not, Wen Ru shook her head, looking regretful, "In the end, it was all just an act."

I should say it, that's what childhood friends are all about!

Wen Ruo weighed the pastry in her hand, then suddenly looked up and asked curiously, "What kind of games do you usually play?"

Qi Guanlan raised an eyebrow, his hand that was peeling the food instantly stopping. "Interested?"

Wen Ruo nodded solemnly, "It's useful for the investigation."

"Play rock-paper-scissors, the loser kisses the other person, the loser drinks."

That's it?

Both of them were seasoned individuals who had seen their share of ups and downs. Qi Guanlan's expression changed slightly as he tossed a chestnut into her mouth and whispered, "This isn't Lenghua Tower, so we naturally have to be more careful."

I see!

Wrong location!

unwise!

"Lord Wen, would you like to give it a try?"

"think!"

"You're so generous, sir!" Qi Guanlan immediately sat up straight, carefully wiping his hands with a damp cloth. He clenched his fist. "The simplest one, rock-paper-scissors."

The next moment.

Wen Ruo looked at the scissors in her hand. She had actually lost!

"Where you kiss, the winner decides."

A thin blush appeared behind Wen Ruo's ears, and her cheeks puffed out slightly as she chewed the pine chestnuts she hadn't yet swallowed. She chewed a few mouthfuls of the sweet pine chestnuts, a hint of anger rising between her brows. "You cheated!"

Qi Guanlan curled his lips and straightened his slightly loose collar. "That's how spoiled brats are. You've learned it, haven't you?"

"Luckily you met me and turned over a new leaf."

He pointed to his cheek, then leaned close to her face. "Kiss me!"

Wen Ruoyu lowered her gaze, revealing two pots.

"Pop!"

Wen Ruo rinsed her mouth with the drink, then put her right hand behind her back, her eyes brightening slightly, "Again!"

......

"Haha, you lost! Let's drink."

Qi Guanlan frowned in displeasure. "Are you cheating? Why won't you let me kiss you?"

"The winner certainly has the right to decide, drink up!"