No, the most important thing right now is not the sudden feeling of unease that has arisen in his heart, but how can Wei Jing still have the face to appear in front of his fiancée Tang Ning after doing such a thing?
Although he and Qin Qianqian did not have any real relationship, so many people caught them in bed together that even if he didn't want to, he had to marry Qin Qianqian, even as a concubine. Besides, he might not even want to!
So why did he come looking for Tang Ning? Was he trying to sweet-talk her and deceive her?
Thinking of this, Helan Ruo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Meanwhile, Wei Jing stared in disbelief at the scene before him, where Tang Ning and He Lanruo were so intimate.
The two of them standing together looked like a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
For a moment, I couldn't quite explain what I was feeling.
She felt a mix of bitterness and astringency in her heart, and desperately wanted Helan Ruo to disappear from Tang Ning's side immediately, preferably never to appear again.
Although he hadn't heard what they were saying clearly from a distance, he could tell from their eyes, expressions, and actions, as well as Helan Ruo's quick, instinctive reaction when Tang Ning almost fell into the pond, that the two must be very familiar with each other. However, as Tang Ning's fiancé, he didn't even know how Tang Ning and Helan Ruo met, let alone anything else.
It was at this moment that Wei Jing finally realized that he really knew very little about Tang Ning, and even... he had never taken the initiative to learn about her. Now that something like this had happened, he and Tang Ning were probably... truly impossible.
Yes, things had happened so chaotically and quickly that his feelings were still somewhat unreal. It wasn't until he saw Helan Ruo appear beside Tang Ning that a very clear concept suddenly emerged in his mind—
Tang Ning really can't marry him.
She will marry anyone in the future, including Helan Ruo, but she cannot marry him.
This realization caused Wei Jing to belatedly feel panic and distress, as if he had accidentally lost some extremely important treasure.
Wei Jing's current favorability rating: 92.
Tang Ning noticed that the boy opposite her had slightly reddened eyes. Heaven knows what he was imagining, but he actually increased her favorability rating by two points.
Then Wei Jing closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and stared into Tang Ning's eyes before slowly saying, "Tang Ning, there are some things I want to say to you privately. I wonder if you'd still be willing to listen?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning's eyes were instantly filled with entanglement, struggle, and confusion. After remaining silent for a while, she turned to look at He Lanruo beside her.
He Lanruo exchanged a glance with Tang Ning and understood the meaning in her eyes that she wanted him to leave for the time being. He lowered his eyes slightly, and the uncomfortable feeling that had appeared in his heart before resurfaced.
And it's becoming more and more obvious, so obvious that he can't ignore it even if he wants to.
He couldn't understand it either. Wei Jing had already done such a thing with Qin Qianqian in his mother's Princess's residence, so why did Tang Ning still listen to what Wei Jing had to say? Did she like him that much? What was so good about Wei Jing anyway?
Thinking this to himself, before Helan Ruo's brain could even process it, his body had already pulled Tang Ning away from the pond where she had almost fallen in. At the same time, pretending not to see Tang Ning's gaze, he carefully instructed her, "Alright, next time you're near water, be careful, understand?"
Before Tang Ning could even reply with a surprised expression, his gaze suddenly fixed on her hair. He then reached out and plucked at her hair. Tang Ning instinctively tried to dodge, but He Lan Ruo's hand followed. After removing the item from her hair, he held up the withered leaf that Tang Ning had somehow gotten stuck to, saying helplessly, "Why are you dodging? You have something on your hair!"
Dropping the withered leaf, the man slowly took two steps back, glanced at Tang Ning, then at Wei Jing who was not far from them, and said with a smile, "Since you two have something to say, I'll head back first. I've been out for a while now, it's time to return to the Princess's residence. After all, such a big thing happened earlier, Mother's mood certainly won't be very good..."
He Lanruo made a veiled remark, then waved to Tang Ning, telling her not to see him off, and walked straight toward Wei Jing.
Along the narrow cobblestone path, Helan Ruo drew closer and closer to Wei Jing, their gazes never leaving each other's faces.
Unfortunately, one person had a smile on his lips but a cold look in his eyes, and the other person's eyes were not much more friendly.
Just as Helan Ruo walked up to Wei Jing and brushed past him, he suddenly let out a low sneer in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
It was this sound that made Wei Jing clench his fist immediately.
But Helan Ruo wasn't finished yet. After taking two more steps forward, he seemed to remember something, turned to look at Tang Ning by the rose bushes, and said with a smile, "This General's Mansion garden really isn't very interesting. If you have time in the future, I'll invite you to see something better, how about that?"
Completely unprepared for Helan Ruo's departure, Tang Ning, who was still causing trouble, didn't react for a moment and even let out a blank "Ah." After she came to her senses, she pursed her lips slightly, nodded, and softly replied with a "Okay."
Now I feel much better.
He Lanruo, having just exhaled softly and turned her back, raised an eyebrow and thought to herself.
Wei Jing, who witnessed Helan Ruo's provocation, clenched his teeth so tightly that the sound of his teeth grinding could be heard.
She and Young Master Helan secretly developed feelings for each other...
Just then, before Tang Ning appeared, Qin Qianqian's resolute words rang in Wei Jing's ears once again.
He knew in his heart that these words were most likely Qianqian's slander against Tang Ning, but whenever he thought of the scene just now, Wei Jing's heart would clench uncontrollably.
Is it really slander?
still……
Helan Ruo is gone; even her footsteps can no longer be heard.
Neither of the two who remained in place seemed inclined to speak, and the scene fell silent.
Meanwhile, Qin Qianqian, who had just been given a good talking-to by General Qin and his wife, walked out of the main hall in a daze. Her parents had made their intentions very clear to her: they would never allow her to marry into the Jianwang Mansion as a concubine, no matter what. There was no room for discussion. Either Wei Jing would marry her openly, or she would cut off her hair and become a nun.
The daughters of the Qin family would rather not marry than become concubines.
How can I rightfully marry into the Prince Jian's household?
Ha, doesn't she want to?
It was that wretched Princess Jian who refused; what could she do? Most importantly, Wei Jing wouldn't even utter a single word to her!
All they know is to pressure her. If they don't want her to be a concubine, why didn't they stand up for her in front of Princess Jian? Why?
It's all because she's not their biological child. No matter how hard she tries, in General Qin and Madam Qin's eyes, she can't compare to their good daughter, Tang Ning!
Tang Ning also fell into the water and lost her reputation, didn't she?
Why is she so lucky?
And that's just how unfortunate she was!
Thinking of this, Qin Qianqian's eyes grew redder and redder. She felt as if the whole world was standing against her, and everyone was making things difficult for her and going against her!
Overwhelmed with sorrow, Qin Qianqian wandered aimlessly until—
She saw Wei Jing, who had clearly left the General's Mansion long ago, standing in her garden. Before the surprise in Qin Qianqian's eyes could even surface, she saw Wei Jing lift his foot and walk forward, then take off his outer garment and drape it over the shoulder of Tang Ning, who was directly in front of him.
At just one glance, Qin Qianqian, who was standing behind a rockery, immediately widened her eyes in disbelief.
"I just saw you touch your arm, I think you must be cold..."
Wei Jing, who had just draped his coat over Tang Ning's shoulders and received a surprised look from her, subconsciously offered this explanation.
"Th...thank you."
Tang Ning bit her lip lightly.
"You're welcome."
Wei Jing's gaze never left Tang Ning's fair face. After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked softly, "You and He Lanruo..."
“I met you once on the street before. After what happened between you and Qianqian, I was very worried, but I didn’t expect the Qin family’s carriage to have already left, so I asked Young Master Helan to help me return to the General’s Mansion…”
Before Tang Ning could finish her explanation, Wei Jing, whose mind was completely occupied by Tang Ning's question about you and Qianqian, hurriedly began to explain, "I... Qianqian and I really didn't do anything, and we were indeed set up. There's something wrong with that room in the Princess's residence. As soon as I went in and smelled the incense, my hands and feet went weak involuntarily. Tang Ning, please believe me!"
Hearing this, Tang Ning looked up at Wei Jing and gave him a gentle smile, "Brother Jing, even if you don't explain to me, I still believe in you and Qianqian, because neither of you seems like the type to do that kind of thing..."
As she spoke, her eyes dimmed slightly. "But it's no use me believing in you. It's better if those people outside believe in you. Right now, in their eyes, your reputation is really... If only we had broken off the engagement earlier, then there wouldn't be so many people criticizing you now!"
"But it's alright..."
At this point, Tang Ning let out a soft sigh, "You and Qianqian are in love with each other and are destined to be together. It's just that Princess Jian might be a little upset and it's hard to reason with her. If possible, Brother Jing, you'll need to put in more effort to properly marry Qianqian!"
Tang Ning gave Wei Jing an encouraging smile.
But that smile seemed to pierce Wei Jing's heart instantly.
"And what about you?"
"What?"
Tang Ning didn't quite catch up with Wei Jing's train of thought for a moment, then forced a smile, "What about me? I'm fine... My reputation isn't ruined, is it? I've broken off the engagement with you, and I'm not young anymore. My mother should be arranging another marriage for me soon, so you don't need to worry about me. Although I don't know what kind of person my future husband will be, I believe he will be a very, very good person. I will also try my best to be a good wife, so you don't need to worry about me!"
"A very, very good person, like Helan Ruo?"
Wei Jing couldn't help himself and blurted out this question to Tang Ning.
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning looked at him in surprise, only to find Wei Jing staring intently at her.
Unable to accept his gaze, Tang Ning immediately turned her head away. "Brother Jing, what are you saying? He Lan and I are nothing. You must have misunderstood. I... I have something to do, so I'll go back first. Here's the clothes..."
After taking off the outer garment that belonged to Wei Jing, Tang Ning immediately stuffed it into his hand and turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, the next second, he was suddenly hugged from behind by the person behind him.
"Tang Ning..."
She could hardly believe her ears when she heard Wei Jing's hoarse voice.
"Don't go...don't go! Believe me, nothing really happened between me and Qianqian! I...I..."
A fleeting look of struggle crossed Wei Jing's eyes.
“I don’t know what to do. Ever since you got me the Jiangli Blade from Baiyun Temple, your image has been in my heart. I even dream about you every night. I’ve even imagined our life after we get married. I keep telling myself that I can’t let Qianqian down, that I should marry Qianqian, but my heart is completely out of my control and I keep thinking about you…”
"I...I think I've fallen for you...Forgive me for not realizing how important you are to me until this happened, until I felt I was really going to lose you and have nothing to do with you anymore."
"Tang Ning, if I told you now that the person I want to marry isn't Qianqian, but you, would you marry me? If you're worried about the gossip in the capital, I can take you to the frontier, anywhere you want to go. And if you ever want to return to the capital, once the people there have forgotten about us, we can come back..."
"flourishing……"
"I will talk to Qianqian properly. If you are worried about her reputation, I can take her into the General's Mansion. Then she can find some excuse to die, and I will give her a large sum of money. She can then change her identity and marry another man as his wife, instead of me as a concubine. In fact, I will never take a concubine in the future. My father only had my mother in his life, and I will only marry you. I don't want any concubines or maids. I only want you."
Wei Jing said earnestly.
Upon hearing these words, Tang Ning's face showed a deep sense of conflict. She then struggled to break free from Wei Jing's embrace and turned around, only to be immediately shocked by the deep and unwavering affection in Wei Jing's eyes.
"You...you need to think about it, I need to think about it...my mind is a complete mess right now, I don't know what kind of answer to give you, can you give me some time?"
Tang Ning replied with a somewhat bewildered expression.
The fact that Tang Ning didn't directly refuse was already the biggest surprise for Wei Jing. He looked at Tang Ning's beautiful face so close to his with joy, and said in a trembling voice, "Okay, okay, think about it, think it over carefully. I will wait for you, I will definitely wait for you. I am willing to accept whatever answer you give."
Hearing Wei Jing say this, Tang Ning breathed a sigh of relief and gave a gentle smile. "Then... then Brother Jing, I'll go back to my courtyard first. You... you should go back too, so as not to worry Princess Jian."
“Okay, I’ll go back now. But you don’t need to feel too burdened. Whatever decision you make, I can understand.” Wei Jing gave Tang Ning a deep look, then turned and walked out with anticipation in his eyes.
Wei Jing's current favorability rating: 96.
Watching the other person's departing figure, Tang Ning's gaze subtly swept over the artificial hill beside her.
She probably can't make any decisions, right?
The person who made the decision is hiding behind the artificial hill right now!
It's a bit of a shame that we can't see her expression right now.
With a slight smile, Tang Ning turned and walked towards her Lanqin Courtyard.
Hopefully, Qin Qianqian, who's hiding there, won't disappoint her!
She's really looking forward to her ultimate move!
After all, whether she can switch to another dungeon depends entirely on her!
Wei Jing left, and Tang Ning left too. Behind the artificial hill, Qin Qianqian looked at her palm, which had been chafed raw by the sharp rocks, and saw the bright red blood flowing from the wound, making it look rather gruesome. After a long while, she suddenly burst into a hysterical laugh.
She had previously thought that being a concubine was the greatest humiliation for her, but she never expected that she couldn't even be a concubine.
Hehe, hehehehe...
Wei Jing, Wei Jing, Wei Jing!
You've gone too far!
As she laughed, large tears rolled down Qin Qianqian's cheeks.
What kind of concubine fakes her death and then remarries with the money? Does she even care about that little bit of money? But what else can she do if she doesn't marry Wei Jing after such a thing has happened? If she doesn't marry him, she can only cut off her hair and become a nun on Mount Bai'e, spending the rest of her life with a Buddhist lamp and simple meals.
Just thinking about it would drive her crazy!
She's still young, she hasn't experienced so much yet! What right does she have to become a nun? What right does she have?!
She absolutely does not want to live that kind of life!
But besides these two paths, are there any other paths she can take?
Actually, there are still some.
Didn't Wei Jing want to marry Tang Ning?
But what if Tang Ning is unwilling to marry him no matter what?
How fortunate she was! She had a backup plan. Using Wei Jing's token, Wei Jing's men pushed Tang Ning into the water, and even more fortunately, she actually fell in.
If Tang Ning found out that Wei Jing was behind everything, would she forgive him? Hmm?
Ha ha ha ha……
Thinking this, Qin Qianqian suddenly laughed in a sickly manner.
What she needs to do now is to lure Wei Jing back to the General's Mansion as quickly as possible before Tang Ning makes up her mind.
Okay, let's do it that way.
After hiding her injured right hand in her sleeve, Qin Qianqian returned to her own courtyard and then staggered straight to Madam Qin's courtyard.
Almost as soon as she stepped into Madam Qin's courtyard, seeing Madam Qin sipping tea while being served by her maids, Qin Qianqian went straight to her and said, "Mother, I've made up my mind. There's no need to discuss it anymore. I'm willing to marry into the Jianwang Mansion as a concubine. You can send someone over now and have them come to discuss the matter of taking a concubine tomorrow."
"You bastard!"
Caught off guard, Madam Qin was so angry upon hearing Qin Qianqian's words that she immediately slammed the teacup in her hand to the ground.
She couldn't understand how she had raised such a daughter, who wasn't even one ten-thousandth as good as Tang Ning.
A concubine? She's nothing but a slut!
What girl from a respectable family would want to be a concubine, let alone eagerly seek it out!
Princess Jian spoke eloquently, but it was just empty talk. If the two families really started discussing it, the Jian Prince's Mansion couldn't possibly disregard the General's Mansion's reputation.
But now she heard something: her good daughter was so eager to become someone's concubine.
Ha, what an idiot!
Unfortunately, before she could say these words, Madam Qin was shocked to see Qin Qianqian pull out a pair of gold scissors from her sleeve and point them at her neck.
"Mother, I am willing to marry him. I want to marry Wei Jing. Please grant my request."
She said it, word by word.
Seeing Qin Qianqian like this and hearing these words, Madam Qin pointed at her with trembling fingers, her face suddenly turned pale, and she was so angry that she could hardly speak.
It was the maid standing behind her who noticed something was wrong and quickly helped her to a chair behind her. After resting for a while, her complexion finally calmed down.
Then, Madam Qin looked directly at Qin Qianqian with icy eyes.
"Alright, since you're so... eager to get married, I'll grant your wish."
Madam Qin said with a cold smile.
She can control everything, but can she really control someone who willingly debases themselves? After all, they're not her biological child, and thankfully they aren't.
Seeing Madam Qin's expression, Qin Qianqian felt a sudden panic, but she quickly regained her composure.
She did nothing wrong.
Since nobody liked her and nobody was on her side, she had to look out for herself.
Calling on the Prince Jian's mansion to send someone over to discuss the matter of taking a concubine was the fastest way to get Wei Jing to the General's mansion, and also the best way to lower his guard.
She did nothing wrong.
Meanwhile, Helan Ruo, unaware of the dramatic events that unfolded after she left, returned to the Princess's residence and saw her mother, Princess Qingping, sitting upright in the main hall. Upon seeing her, the princess immediately called out, "Stop!"
He Lanruo, who usually listened to Princess Qingping on other matters except for marriage, sighed softly upon hearing this and stopped in her tracks.
Then he saw his mother walk up to him in a few steps, and then, as if she were looking at something strange, she walked around him again and again.
"Mother, what are you doing?"
"What did I do? Shouldn't we be asking you what you did? I heard from the servants that you hurriedly sent Qin Tangning back from the General's Mansion. A maid even noticed that as soon as the flower-viewing banquet started, the two of you hid to the side and began whispering. Did you...?"
"no!"
"It doesn't matter! Although her adopted daughter isn't much, I've seen this real lady myself. She's so poised and elegant, and speaks so refinedly. I would never implicate her because of her adopted daughter's scandalous behavior, nor would I dislike her because of it. A girl like this, whom you'd be willing to get to know, is someone I like very much! Anyway, whatever my son likes is the best!"
"Besides, her engagement is practically over because of what happened with Prince Wei, right? Thinking about it from this perspective, what used to disgust me seems like a great thing. Otherwise, if she were still bound by the engagement, it would be difficult for me to break it up for your sake..."
Princess Qingping became more and more excited as she spoke, wishing she could immediately take Helan Ruo to the General's Mansion to propose marriage.
"Stop, stop, stop, Mother. Your tendency to believe everything you hear is getting worse and worse. Tang Ning and I... Don't worry, it's impossible. Even if she's not engaged, it's still impossible. We're just friends."
He Lanruo felt that if he didn't interrupt, his mother would probably have already thought of the names for his and Tang Ning's grandchildren.
“Friend, friend, your father and I used to be friends! We’ve been together for most of our lives, and now we have such an unfilial son like you…”
Seeing that his mother was about to drag him into reminiscing about their sweet past, Helan Ruo immediately made an excuse to slip away.
Because such reminiscing about the past will naturally turn into urging him to get married in the end.
He simply couldn't stand it.
whispering sound!
Unfilial son!
Princess Qingping cursed inwardly, but then smiled when she recalled Tang Ning's composed demeanor.
No, she had to exaggerate the affair between the Qin family's adopted daughter and the Prince Wei even more, make it even more unpleasant, to the point that it would be impossible to end the situation without their marriage.
Once she made up her mind, Princess Qingping immediately started causing trouble.
He Lanruo, who had just returned to her room, breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as she entered the bedroom, she saw a set of clothes neatly folded on her bed.
It was the same outfit he had lent to Tang Ning before.
Seeing this, Helan Ruo subconsciously walked over and reached out to pick up the clothes. Unexpectedly, the moment she picked them up, a white jade hairpin fell out of the clothes and landed on her bed.
Hmm, by now, Helan Ruo should have already discovered the hairpin she accidentally left behind, right?
This is a ready-made reason to come find her.
If Helan Ruo has even the slightest affection for her, he will probably be unable to resist coming to see her tomorrow.
Qin Qianqian, feeling anxious, would also call Wei Jing over.
Once all the actors have arrived, the show is naturally about to begin.
Sitting in a wooden bathtub strewn with flower petals, Tang Ning stretched out her fair, jade-like arm and rested it on the edge of the tub, her chin gently resting on her arm.
A slight smile played at the corners of his lips.
Author's Note: To clarify, the next world isn't a Western fantasy world. Western fantasy will only be available in the last world. The next world is a pre-determined modern world, the one with the ex-girlfriend...
Also, he was told to ask Helan Ruo to propose marriage.
Helan Ruo, also known as Helan Zhenxiang.
P.S.: I think Lady Qin, Princess Jian, and Princess Qingping are all quite good women; they are women with their own unique characteristics in ancient times.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com