Cheng Ruyi was holding her head in her hands, reflecting on her actions, when suddenly a soft chuckle came from behind her, startling her so much that she immediately looked up.
Then I was once again overwhelmed by an overwhelming amount of beauty.
The newcomer was very slender, and the moon-white long robe made him look extremely handsome and elegant. He wore a sky-blue fur cloak over his clothes, and a simple white jade hairpin was pinned to his head.
Despite her incredibly elegant attire, she radiated a bright aura, as if she could ascend to immortality at any moment, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at her.
"Haha, Madam Cheng, this is the first time I've ever seen my wife have such a rich range of facial expressions. You really are a... marvel!"
Wen Cheng had actually been waiting in the warm pavilion behind the waterside pavilion, so he heard every word of their conversation clearly. It wasn't until he saw his wife, who had been elegant and dignified for many years and always mindful of her manners, suddenly become angry and flee in a panic that he couldn't help but come out.
He walked straight up to Cheng Ruyi, waved his pale, slender hand at her a few times, and when he found that she still hadn't come to her senses, he wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled and continued to introduce himself: "Madam Cheng, I have long admired your name. My name is Wen Cheng, courtesy name Jingqing. To be honest, today... I actually have something I want to ask you for help with."
Cheng Ruyi's willpower is undergoing a great test. The other person's features are so beautiful and delicate that they are almost too much, but the sharp lines of his face also make his face look very heroic!
The combination of exquisite beauty and sharp, heroic spirit is not only surprisingly harmonious in this person, but also creates a contradictory beauty that makes people want to explore it.
She suddenly understood why a stunning beauty like Gu Pinting would fall in love with him at first sight and marry him despite her circumstances.
Thankfully, his words successfully pulled her back from the brink of irrationality. What did he say? It turned out that the brilliant scholar Wen was looking for her? How could that be? Could there be anything more outrageous than this in the world?
"You're the one who contacted me???"
For some reason, Cheng Ruyi's heart instantly went into alarm mode!
What is Wen Jingqing's background? Rumor has it that he is a genius of unparalleled intelligence. He studied under a great Confucian scholar, his father was a prominent figure in the capital, his wife was from a prestigious family, and he even had a relative who was a concubine!
With such a configuration, how could he possibly be just an ordinary person?
In fact, Ruyi already knew about this person when she was sorting through the original owner's memories after she transmigrated. At that time, she felt that this person was definitely not an ordinary person, and there were many strange things about his illness. She was secretly wary of him.
It was only after so many things had happened in the past year that the Wen family had become virtually invisible that she gradually lowered her guard.
However, this time the invitation was sent to her in Gu Pinting's name, and the flower viewing banquet was presented as a seemingly reasonable excuse. It was clearly a trap that she had deliberately set. Unfortunately, given her current status, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and jump in, even if she knew beforehand.
The sense of crisis of survival still overcame the temptation of beauty. After regaining her senses, Cheng Ruyi's mind raced. What did she have that made the other party so attentive?
Wen Cheng watched as the woman opposite him suddenly changed her expression, going from a lovesick state to a frightened bird in just a few breaths. He was slightly surprised and couldn't help but smile.
Then he stopped smiling, stepped back three feet from her, clasped his hands and bowed to Cheng Ruyi to apologize: "I was truly impolite today. I sincerely apologize to Madam Cheng!"
Seeing that Cheng Ruyi did not react, he kept bowing and stared straight at her. "I assure you, I have absolutely no intention of offending you, Madam Cheng. On the contrary, I have a favor to ask of you, Madam Cheng. It was my oversight that I disturbed you. I am very sorry!"
Perhaps good-looking people have a natural advantage; whatever they say sounds incredibly pleasant, especially when those big, bright eyes are staring at them so sincerely. Who wouldn't soften their heart?
Given the other party's sincere attitude and generous apology, Cheng Ruyi almost wondered if she had made a mountain out of a molehill, and that the other party might really not have meant anything special.
"Uh... Mr. Wen, you flatter me. May I ask what brings you here?"
Although the weather this year is unusual, with temperatures in March much warmer than usual, it's still only around ten degrees Celsius. A strong wind can still make it feel a bit cold. Seeing Wen Jingqing's obviously overly thin figure and unnaturally pale complexion, she couldn't help but say, "Mr. Wen, why don't you sit down and talk?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Cheng smiled brightly at Cheng Ruyi and said, "Thank you, Madam Cheng."
Cheng Ruyi: "......"
What should she do? She really wants to escape! This man is terrifying! This is the first time she's been used on a handsome man, and she's so panicked! She needs help online!
Wen Cheng sat down carefully, his body still swaying slightly. The series of actions just now had really exhausted his already limited strength. He slowly adjusted his breathing and tightened his cloak a little more.
Ruyi also noticed the other party's actions and couldn't help but frown slightly. This person really did look as weak as the rumors suggested, since such subtle reactions were hard to act out.
"Cough, cough!" Suddenly a gust of wind blew by, and before Ruyi could react, the person opposite her was already coughing loudly.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Ruyi quickly poured out the tea that had been kept warm on the small stove on the table and carefully handed it over.
After finishing the tea, Wen Cheng finally stopped coughing and quickly apologized to Ruyi with a smile: "I'm so sorry, Madam Cheng, you must have made me laugh."
Because she had just finished coughing, Wen Cheng's voice sounded weak and soft, making her seem harmless.
Looking at the other person's flushed face from coughing and their slightly moist eyes, Ruyi felt as if she were seeing a weak and helpless little animal, which was very pitiful. A strange protective instinct arose in her heart.
"The weather in March is still a bit cold, Mr. Wen, you should take good care of yourself."
"What Madam Cheng says is true." Wen Cheng said modestly, head bowed, with a hint of self-deprecation, "The temperature has been quite warm lately, so I thought I'd go out for a walk and enjoy the spring scenery, but I forgot about my health... I accidentally caught a cold again, causing my family and friends to run around searching for good medicine for me..."
“But even so, I am still grateful to be alive.” As Wen Cheng spoke, he suddenly looked up at Cheng Ruyi, “Madam Cheng, do you think what I’m saying is despicable?”
Despicable? How can someone who wants to survive be considered despicable?
Cheng Ruyi thought for a moment, "Isn't it normal to want to live? Who would want to die? When you die, you have nothing left. You can never eat the food you want again, and you can never see the people you want to see again. I'm also very afraid of dying! I'm a coward, I'm terribly scared!"
Perhaps not expecting the other party to be so frank in admitting that he was cowardly and afraid of death, Wen Cheng was stunned for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.
This person really loves to laugh... Cheng Ruyi simply looked up at the artificial hill in the distance, trying to avoid seeing it.
"Haha, Madam Cheng is indeed a wonderful person."
"You're too kind, uh... well, getting back to the point, I wonder what business Mr. Wen has with me?" She wanted to finish quickly so she could leave as soon as possible!
"I apologize for taking up Madam Cheng's precious time. Actually, I wanted to buy some rabbits from Madam Cheng."
"A rabbit?" Cheng Ruyi was taken aback, feeling a bit surprised but also finding it quite reasonable.
The Wen family has everything – wealth, status, and everything else. The only problem is Wen Jingqing's poor health. As for her? She has nothing. The only thing that might be coveted is the product of the system.
Seeing Ruyi's puzzled expression, Wen Cheng slowly explained that after the first birthday banquet, Ruyi gave some gifts to the Wen family as a return gift, including several purebred Wind Chaser rabbits that she had bred. Afterwards, she herself had forgotten about them.
Until a month ago, Wen Cheng secretly slipped out for a spring outing and returned home to fall seriously ill. After taking strong medicine for several days, she recovered but was severely depleted.
Seeing that the rabbits were plump and delicious, the family chef prepared several nourishing and invigorating rabbit dishes for Wen Cheng. Unexpectedly, Wen Cheng found that he felt much better after eating them. In the past, he would need to stay in bed for at least one or two months after recovering from an illness, but now he was able to get out of bed and walk around in just over half a month. This surprised and delighted the Wen family!
After this investigation, it became clear that the rabbit the Cheng family had given them seemed to be somewhat unusual...
Cheng Ruyi was on the verge of tears after hearing this. It turned out that she had brought this upon herself! Why did she have to give a rabbit of all things?
"Oh...I see. Hehe, I really didn't expect that." Ruyi said somewhat stiffly, "These rabbits are just ordinary domestic rabbits that we raise at home. They're not worth much. Since Master Wen likes to eat them, he can just send someone to ask us for them next time!"
After listening, Wen Cheng smiled wryly, "I heard that the Cheng family only sells their rabbits to Zhiwei Restaurant. I asked around about the price... It must be different from ordinary rabbits. The reason I invited you here today, Madam Cheng, is to discuss the purchase of rabbits."
"Although my Wen family is not a prestigious clan, we would never do anything to oppress the common people. Please rest assured, Madam Cheng, we will pay for whatever you want."
Seeing the other person's somewhat helpless and hurt expression, Cheng Ruyi couldn't help but regret her words. Why didn't she think before she spoke? Surely the Wen family could afford your rabbit?
"That's not what I meant. I just think that buying rabbits is a trivial matter. Why bother you and your wife to invite me here?"
She genuinely didn't understand. Would a wealthy family like the Wen family really call the shopkeeper over to their home to discuss prices when buying something? Was it really necessary? Purchasing could easily be handled by a servant or steward!
Upon hearing this, Wen Cheng's smile faded, and his tone turned colder: "Indeed, I was inconsiderate and disturbed Madam Cheng. Please forgive me."
"Ah, no... I was afraid I was bothering you too much..." Oh dear, Cheng Ruyi felt for the first time how clumsy her mouth was, not a single word she said was pleasant.
"I will have Wen He come to your residence to discuss the follow-up matters at a later time. I'm afraid I will have to trouble Madam Cheng again then." Wen Cheng slowly stood up, supporting himself on the table, and bowed to Cheng Ruyi, saying, "I am feeling unwell, so please excuse me... cough cough! cough cough cough!"
As Cheng Ruyi was talking to the person opposite her, she suddenly started coughing violently. This time, the coughing got worse and worse, as if she couldn't breathe!
"Master Wen! Are you alright?" She instinctively wanted to go over and help him, but then suddenly remembered that in ancient times, etiquette seemed to be valued more than life itself. So she forced herself to help and shouted anxiously, "Help! Help! Your Master Wen is about to faint!!!"
Unexpectedly, as soon as she shouted, two people rushed out from nowhere. One of them skillfully took out a pill and put it directly into Wen Cheng's mouth, and then poured a cup of water down her throat.
Meanwhile, the other person took the pulse and quickly pricked several acupoints with silver needles.
“Madam Cheng, my master is unwell and I’m afraid he can’t continue receiving guests. I will continue to communicate with you about the follow-up matters.” Wen He appeared beside Cheng Ruyi at some point, and at his signal, Ruyi slowly left the waterside pavilion.
As she was leaving, she glanced back and saw that Master Wen had been helped away by two people from the other side. From a distance, she could only see the hem of their clothes disappear around the corner, and nothing else was clear. She had no idea how his health was.
Could it be that she was upset by her? Ruyi reflected on it and realized that some of her words were indeed inappropriate and could have been said better.
Ugh, chatting with someone like that is such a brain drain!
Actually, looking back, both Gu Pingting and Wen Jingqing treated her quite gently and politely. Strictly speaking, the one who was impolite was actually herself.
Since she had decided to sell all the rabbits and other food, she should have anticipated that one day someone would notice the difference. Fortunately, the effects of this first-tier spirit rabbit were very subtle. Long-term consumption would indeed be good for the body, but it was far from being a panacea, and it wouldn't be enough to make all the powerful families flock to it.
Just as she chose to curry favor with the Zhou family, the Wen family is now extending an olive branch to her as well. Perhaps what she should do is seize this opportunity, rather than back down because she is too cautious.
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