Regarding the news of Tang Ning's engagement to He Lanruo, although people in the capital didn't say it aloud, while watching Qin Qianqian and Wei Jing's lively interaction, some people couldn't help but keep wondering in their hearts whether Tang Ning was a bit unworthy of He Lanruo.
Of course they're not good enough for each other!
A girl who grew up away from home, though seemingly well-mannered, whose true nature is unknown, is certainly not as well-educated as the noble ladies of the capital. Moreover, even though Wei Jing and Qin Qianqian were caught in bed together and made a mistake, Tang Ning still bears the stigma of being annulled from the engagement. Is such a reputation truly pleasant?
How could someone like her be worthy of Helan Ruo? And the other party even went to great lengths, inviting the old lady of the Nan'an Marquis's mansion to propose marriage—it was simply…
A large group of girls in the capital were initially laughing at Qin Qianqian, but as they laughed, their laughter gradually turned sour.
Yes, despite Helan Ruo's reputation as a playboy, only his parents care about it. Every unmarried girl, after seeing Helan Ruo's appearance, would spontaneously and automatically defend his reputation as a playboy in her heart.
Countless young women secretly harbored feelings for him. Among them, the timid ones could only silently yearn for Helan Ruo, hoping that one day he would notice her unique qualities and take the initiative to propose marriage. Some of the bolder ones even directly urged their mothers to make various explicit and implicit advances to the Princess, but unfortunately, none of them succeeded.
So when they learned that the ethereal Helan Ruo had actually taken the initiative to marry Tang Ning, who was only recognized by the General's Mansion after growing up and even had a reputation for being jilted, they couldn't help but feel envious.
Just as this inexplicable sour smell began to rise in the capital, the eldest princess, who was the first to sense something was wrong, did not hesitate to make an example of someone. At a banquet, she raised her hand and pressed down the girl who was jumping the highest and talking the most. Her words were cold and ruthless, her attitude was contemptuous and arrogant, and her gaze was scrutinizing and appraising. It was as if she had completely peeled off the skin of this girl who had been gossiping happily.
For a long time afterward, the girl stayed at home and dared not go out to see anyone. Her parents complained about her constantly because she had offended Princess Qingping.
It was at this moment that everyone recalled the fear they had once felt at the mercy of Princess Qingping.
Although her temper has gradually softened and she has become much gentler in recent years due to the torment she has caused by her own son, Helan Ruo, it does not mean that she was once so willful and reckless with the emperor's support. Because of the old lady of the Guoguo Duke's Mansion's favoritism, she almost turned the entire Duke's Mansion upside down, and no one can remember the scene.
Back then, if anyone dared to speak ill of her, she would have her attendants slap them without hesitation, completely disregarding who was speaking ill of her. Even when the matter reached the Emperor, the then thirteen-year-old Prince of Qingping stood beside his only remaining sister without even a trial. He even felt that his sister's beating was too lenient, so he ordered someone to knock out all the teeth of the person who had spoken ill of Princess Qingping before finally grinning with satisfaction.
It is precisely because of this that even when the old lady of the Duke of Guo's mansion shows favoritism towards her second son and daughter-in-law, she only dares to do so secretly. Whether the eldest princess wants to live in the princess's mansion or the Duke of Guo's mansion, she has no objection whatsoever.
Because of Princess Qingping's protectiveness, the storm against Tang Ning dissipated without a trace before it could even take hold, and these people didn't even dare to discuss it in private anymore.
Don't ask, the only answer is that Princess Qingping is too powerful, and they are afraid, isn't that enough?
Madam Qin, who was also attending the banquet, was relieved to see that Princess Qingping was already protecting Tang Ning even before she was married. Her goodwill towards Princess Qingping and Helan Ruo increased instantly, and she was no longer so worried about Tang Ning's life after marriage.
So, during the latter half of the banquet, Madam Qin really focused on having a friendly chat with Princess Qingping, and their relationship progressed by leaps and bounds.
Almost simultaneously, at the Princess's residence.
Using the impoverished scholar he had imprisoned as a starting point, and considering that Qin Qianqian was probably doing this for the first time and was somewhat impulsive and rash, and that she didn't clean up the mess properly, Helan Ruo quickly set her sights on Qin Qianqian.
Interestingly, he also unexpectedly discovered that the reason Qin Qianqian and Wei Jing were caught in bed together in the princess's residence was actually because of his involvement.
He really didn't expect that the problematic room where Qin Qianqian and Wei Jing were staying was actually prepared for him by his good second uncle and aunt. Although he hadn't figured out what they were planning to do to him yet, he was sure they wouldn't let him have an easy time.
After all, in their eyes, he was his parents' only son. If something happened to him, preferably if he died, then the title of Duke's mansion would naturally be inherited by their second branch.
How should I put it?
Perhaps he was truly spoiled by the old lady; he had never seen two people so stupid and naive. Did they really think that if something happened to him, his mother would let the second branch of the family benefit? It would be considered that his mother was showing consideration for his father if she could easily skin them alive.
Ah, really...
Seeing this, Helan Ruo found herself both amused and exasperated.
Just then, the palace guards who were helping him investigate the drowning and the drugging incident suddenly reported again that while they were investigating, they accidentally stumbled upon another group of people who also seemed to be investigating these matters. They secretly followed these people and discovered that they were all sent by Prince Jian, Wei Jing.
These are all normal occurrences. After all, the Prince of Jian was also framed, so it's normal for him to want to send someone to investigate. However, the direction of his investigation seems to be somewhat targeted at... at you, Young Master. He seems to believe that you, Young Master, orchestrated Miss Tang Ning's drowning incident, and that he himself was also framed by you, Young Master.
Faced with Wei Jing's blatant attempt to shift the blame, not only the secret guards among the princesses, but even Helan Ruo, who had just heard the report, was momentarily stunned.
What's the meaning?
Wei Jing actually thought that he had planned the incident where he and Qin Qianqian were caught in bed together, and even that Tang Ning's accidental fall into the water was his doing.
ha.
Upon hearing these words, Helan Ruo couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Although he didn't understand why the other party would associate these things with him, his purpose was already very clear. This person hoped that he had planned all of this, so that he would have enough reason to let Tang Ning see his true colors. Maybe he would even break off the engagement again, and then he would have an opportunity to take advantage of her, right?
He Lanruo, who immediately understood Wei Jing's intentions, could only think that it was fortunate that he had previously seen Tang Ning's infatuation and had kept trying to win over Wei Jing's heart for her. Fortunately, he hadn't succeeded in winning him over in the end. This man was clearly the same kind of person as Qin Qianqian—selfish and self-serving, completely disregarding whether he would hurt others. If Tang Ning, who had already broken off her engagement once, broke it off again, even if she did marry him, who knew what kind of life she would lead!
Thinking of this, Helan Ruo felt an indescribable surge of anger and disgust.
After standing expressionlessly to the side for a long time, the man in white finally let out a soft breath, raised an eyebrow, turned around and ordered the guards in the princess's residence behind him to immediately create some evidence that the young master Wei wanted. He wanted evidence, didn't he? Fine, he'll provide it.
However, after Wei Jing has collected all the evidence, he will explain the various schemes behind it to Tang Ning first. Then we'll see if Wei Jing will disregard everything and take this so-called evidence to Tang Ning to speak ill of him.
If he really said it and Tang Ning disliked him, it would be because he had impure thoughts and deserved it.
He Lanruo thought to herself, completely unconcerned.
These are just appropriate counterattacks. Does he expect to stand still and passively take the beating when people come to his door? Does he look so easy to bully?
The man in white said this to himself.
He deliberately ignored his secret desire to completely drive Wei Jing out of Tang Ning's heart.
On one side, Helan Ruo had just finished dealing with these matters when, unexpectedly, his princess mother returned to the mansion in a huff. Because she was so angry, she drank several cups of tea in a row. Helan Ruo had just heard from the servants that his mother seemed to be unhappy. He rushed over and saw that Princess Qingping was so angry that he didn't even have time to ask her anything.
Bang!
He then saw his mother, furious, smash the teacup in her hand to the ground.
"This is absolutely outrageous!"
Seeing this, Helan Ruo hurriedly asked, "Mother, what's wrong? When you went out earlier, weren't you..."
It was fine before she saw Helan Ruo, but after seeing him, Princess Qingping seemed to get even angrier, and her eyes suddenly turned to him.
He Lanruo was so engrossed in watching that she almost couldn't ask any more questions.
Then he saw his mother point a finger at him, "You dare ask? How come I never realized you were such a womanizer? Do you even know what people outside are saying about Tang Ning? They say she's from the countryside, has no manners, and broke off an engagement once, so she's not good enough for you. I really find it strange. You're nothing special except for your face, so how come those pampered young ladies think you're perfect? So what if she broke off an engagement once? It wasn't her fault; her fiancé got involved with her sister, so she had to break off the engagement. How did it end up being Tang Ning's fault?"
If she was just pretending at first, she actually got really angry later on.
She really couldn't understand why women in this world, who already have it so tough, would have to fight each other, as if the misfortune of other women would make her feel refreshed and live a long life.
I hate those who talk so much. They act like they're the only ones with mouths.
It was this shared perspective that made her feel an instant connection with Madam Qin, with whom she had previously had little contact. It's just a mystery how someone as insightful as her could have raised her adopted daughter to be like that!
Never mind, she always criticizes others but never herself.
Aruo wasn't taught very well by her either!
In any case, she's determined to become in-laws with the Qin family.
This is also why she deliberately put on an act in front of her son after she came back. The brat was still being stubborn with her, saying that they had been engaged for so long, yet he hadn't gone to see the girl or given her any gifts.
Heaven knows, Helan Ruo still hadn't completely switched from being Tang Ning's friend, so she never thought of giving Tang Ning a gift.
This is so awkward, it's all out of the blue.
Yes, Helan Ruo is the kind of person people often describe as someone who can teach others how to date with great expertise, but when it comes to dating herself, she knows nothing at all.
Hearing Princess Qingping describe Tang Ning in such a way, he immediately became flustered.
Seeing his expression clearly, Princess Qingping regained her composure, maintaining her composure. "Sigh, that's not all. The problem is that Madam Qin overheard these words. I had to swallow my pride and talk to her, only to find out that these rumors had already circulated in the General's Mansion, and she even got angry and scolded several servants. Tang Ning's health wasn't good to begin with, and after hearing these rumors, coupled with the fact that you haven't visited her since the engagement, her health seems to have deteriorated further. She's been losing her appetite and even..."
"What?"
He Lanruo's heart was in her throat.
"He even asked Madam Qin if she had done something wrong while they were talking, as if he was considering breaking off the engagement again..."
Before Princess Qingping could finish speaking, Helan Ruo's pupils contracted, and she involuntarily started walking out.
Seeing her carefree son finally become nervous, Princess Qingping chuckled inwardly, but her face showed genuine surprise. "Eh? Where are you going?"
I told you not to take it seriously!
She was so afraid, so afraid of missing out on Tang Ning, and that her son would fall into Ji Muqing's vortex again. The previous three years had already worn her down, and she really couldn't bear it to go through it again.
Having finally seen a glimmer of hope, she naturally had to put on a show, using her acting skills to bind her son and Tang Ning together.
"I...I'm going out for a bit!"
He Lanruo's voice carried from afar.
Once he had completely disappeared behind the door, Princess Qingping slowly suppressed her surprised and worried expression, and leisurely instructed the dumbfounded maids to bring her another cup of tea and some melon seeds and snacks.
This whole performance has exhausted me.
Princess Qingping, the big boss, sat with her legs crossed, sipping tea and eating melon seeds and snacks, thinking to herself.
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