Chapter 184 Wan Wanning is truly rich now
Inside Chengrui Courtyard, candlelight flickered gently.
As Dongrou helped Lu Zhaoruo remove her hairpins, she couldn't help but ask softly, "My lady, there's something I don't understand. Wan Wanning's words and actions today were inappropriate, but... she doesn't deserve this. Why are you so determined to drive her away without leaving her any room for maneuver?"
Lu Zhaoruo raised her hand and gently pressed her brow. After a moment of silence, she said, "Do you remember that on the way to the capital, she cut off one of her fingers to show her resolve? I admired her determination, so I gave her a chance to stay."
Her tone was slightly somber: "Unfortunately, she didn't cherish it; instead, she became even more demanding."
Turning around, her gaze clear as snow, she looked directly at Dongrou: "Her 'defense' in the courtyard today put me in a very difficult position. The most insidious thing was that line, 'If I could win the Emperor's favor, I would have no trouble finding a better marriage than the Xiao family.' Just think about it, if those words were spoken verbatim by Granny Song and reached Old Madam Xiao's ears, what would she think of me?"
Her voice grew colder: "If this gets out, what will people in the capital say about me? And what will the Emperor think when he hears this?"
Upon hearing this, Dong Rou's expression changed slightly.
Lu Zhaoruo continued, "At that time, Madam Xiao will only think that I, Lu Zhaoruo, am ambitious and have ulterior motives for staying at the Xiao residence. If we do not expel her today, she will surely become a major threat in the future. I cannot keep someone with malicious intentions by my side any longer."
After listening, Dongrou fully understood the implications and said in a low voice, "It was Dongrou who was not thoughtful enough. My lady is far-sighted. This move is to nip the problem in the bud and eliminate any future troubles."
Lu Zhaoruo sighed softly and looked out at the deep night: "She chose this path herself, and she should bear the consequences herself."
Inside a secluded courtyard in the south of the capital, candlelight shone brightly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Wan Wanning had changed into a rather ill-fitting, overly bright crimson dress, and sat across from the young man in brocade robes, drinking and feasting from a small sandalwood table.
Several delicate side dishes and a pot of pear blossom wine, warmed to just the right temperature, were laid out on the table.
The man, with a relaxed demeanor, personally poured a cup for Wan Wanning, speaking gently: "Madam Wan, there's no need to be so formal."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Wan Wanning's slightly flustered yet undeniably beautiful face, and he continued, "During the day, I was in a hurry and didn't have time to explain in detail. My surname is Qi, my given name is Liang, my father holds a position at the Imperial Academy, and thanks to the Emperor's grace, he is ranked as a fifth-rank official. I am the second son in my family."
When Wan Wanning heard the other party introduce himself, she discovered he was from an official family, a fifth-rank official, and the second son of the legitimate wife...
Although not from a noble family, it was a high position that a woman of her background would never have dared to dream of.
That's enough, that's more than enough.
My sister used to be with Li Yanei, who was just the son of a minor county magistrate.
She reached out and took the wine glass.
Qi Liang's fingertips brushed lightly against Wan Wanning's fingers as if by accident.
Wan Wanning's hand trembled slightly, but she did not pull it back or show any anger. Instead, a blush rose on her cheeks, and she quickly lowered her head, her voice barely audible: "Lord Qi's great kindness, Wanning... does not know how to repay it."
Qi Liang took in her shy, coy demeanor.
He smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying, "It was nothing, just a small favor. I felt sorry for you seeing you all alone."
Then, taking advantage of the situation, he asked gently, "I only know that your surname is Wan, but I don't know your given name or where you live in the celestial realm?"
Wan Wanning raised her tearful eyes, her voice choked with sobs: "My humble name is Wan Ningniang, and I am originally from Jizhou. My parents died early, and my family fell into poverty. I only had my elder sister to rely on... But my elder sister was short-lived and has also passed away. I am all alone and helpless. Fortunately, my fellow villager Sister Lu took pity on me. She is kind-hearted and recognized me as her adopted sister, and brought me to the capital."
She changed the subject abruptly, her face full of grievance: "Sister Lu is the one who donated a large amount of supplies to help General Xiao in Jizhou City. She is currently staying at the Xiao residence... She is about to meet the Emperor and is a very respectable person. I am just a humble person and dare not cause her any trouble. I only want to live in peace."
"But who knew... perhaps I did something wrong and offended my sister, because today I was actually... kicked out..."
Qi Liang held a wine cup and listened quietly to Wan Wanning's story.
His expression remained largely unchanged, except that when she mentioned being "kicked out," his fingers holding the cup paused slightly before returning to normal.
After she finished speaking, her voice trembling slightly, he slowly put down his wine glass: "Is this really true?"
He shook his head slightly, seemingly with regret, "Since you've acknowledged us as sworn relatives, you should see it through to the end. Madam Lu's actions... are truly perplexing."
Instead of offering comfort, he took the wine pot, which was warm in hot water, and refilled the wine cup.
"Being unfamiliar with the place and the people, it's inevitable to feel anxious."
He gently pushed the wine cup toward her face: "This villa is quite quiet. If you don't mind, Madam Wan, you might as well stay for a few days and then discuss things further. All your needs will be taken care of by the servants."
He then summoned a clever maid and instructed her, "Chun'er, take good care of Lady Wan."
A maid named Chun'er quickly bowed to Wan Wanning and said, "This servant, Chun'er, greets Madam Wan."
Wan Wanning's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of joy instantly coursed through her body.
But she immediately lowered her eyes, forcefully suppressing the smile that was about to spill from her lips.
When she looked up again, her eyes were brimming with tears, filled with disbelief, timidity, and gratitude: "My lord's great kindness... Wan Ning, Wan Ning, what virtue or ability do I possess to deserve this..."
Her voice choked with emotion, and she paused at just the right moment, as if she was too excited to speak.
She bit her lip slightly, forcing back tears, and continued softly, "I am grateful that you, my lord, have taken in this lonely and pitiful person like Wan Ning... I will certainly keep to my duty and never cause you any trouble."
Then, he nodded slightly to Chun'er: "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Chun'er."
After several rounds of drinks...
Qi Liang took out a red gold and kingfisher feather peony hairpin from his sleeve. The hairpin was shimmering and colorful, and it was clear at a glance that it was very valuable.
He smiled and gently inserted the hairpin into Wan Wanning's hair, examined her for a moment, and said softly, "A beauty deserves precious adornments."
Wan Wanning stroked the cool gold hairpin in her hair, her fingertips trembling slightly, her heart filled with ecstasy.
This luxurious clothing, delicious food, and servants surrounding her—wasn't this the life she had always dreamed of?
The candlelight flickered, and the wine had a slight intoxicating effect.
Qi Liang's gaze fell on Wan Wanning's blushing profile, growing even deeper and carrying a hint of undisguised ambiguity.
He leaned forward, almost touching her body, and said in a low voice, "It's late. Madam Wan has been frightened today, so why don't you... rest early?"
Wan Wanning's heart tightened, and her palms became slightly sweaty.
She knew that if she complied at this moment, she would be no different from those playthings that could be summoned at will.
She had to keep him in suspense, making him feel that she wasn't someone he could easily have.
She quickly stepped aside to create some distance, lowered her head, and nervously twisted her sash with both hands. Her voice was filled with panic and embarrassment: "My lord... I am already deeply grateful for your kindness today... but... but I am new here and I am truly terrified... Please, my lord, allow me... to settle down for a few days..."
Upon hearing this, Qi Liang was not angry at all. Instead, he chuckled and calmly straightened up, saying, "It was I who was being presumptuous."
His tone remained gentle: "My wife has had a long journey and should rest well."
Finally, he instructed Chun'er to take good care of her, and then leisurely got up and left.
Watching his figure disappear into the night, Wan Wanning slowly breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she stood alone in front of the mirror, repeatedly examining the hairpin. She felt that the person in the mirror had an unprecedented air of nobility about him.
She curled her lips into a smile, thinking to herself: This is the life I should be living. Lu Zhaoruo, just you wait and see, I'll only be better off without you!
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