Just as Qin Qianqian learned of Madam Qin's plan, she was filled with fear and had no idea what to do. The dark clouds on the horizon grew thicker and lower, as if they had covered the entire sky. The earth was quickly plunged into a dark and gloomy atmosphere. The wind blew stronger and stronger, and even branches as thick as a wrist were blown violently, their leaves rustling.
Soon, with a loud clap of thunder, large raindrops began to fall sparsely from the sky, gradually becoming heavier and denser.
Riding his white horse along the forest path, Wei Jing felt the raindrops pelting his face, stinging his cheeks. The rain was so dense that he could barely open his eyes. But the boy, filled with anxiety and confusion, paid no heed to any of that.
He just wanted to ride the horse faster and faster, because he really couldn't imagine what kind of difficulties Tang Ning had encountered, who had gone to Baiyun Temple alone for seven days to ask for a knife. Why was she so foolish?
Didn't he already make everything clear to her? The person he's going to marry is Qianqian, and he's only ever had Qianqian. He only feels guilty towards her. He will never marry her, and he will never... like her. So why is she being so foolish? It's just a knife, it's just his birthday. Does she really need to go to such lengths?
As for...
Do you like him that much?
Moreover, the weather is so bad right now. If Tang Ning had chosen to take shelter in Baiyun Temple as soon as she realized the weather was bad, that would have been good. But if she had left earlier, she would probably still be walking alone in the rain right now...
Knowing full well that Tang Ning must have often encountered such stormy days when she went to the capital alone, she must have had a way of dealing with them.
But for some reason, Wei Jing was worried and afraid.
Driven by this sense of fear and unease, Wei Jing cracked his whip faster and faster, and like an arrow released from a bow, he sped through the dense rain.
Having finally arrived at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, where Baiyun Temple is located, Wei Jing was completely soaked by the rain.
Baiyun Temple is not as popular as Qixia Temple, so even the road leading up the mountain has never been properly maintained, making it impossible for horses to go up.
Therefore, Wei Jing jumped off his horse, wiped the rain off his face, and headed straight for Baiyun Temple on the mountaintop.
Who would have thought that he had only run a short distance when he saw a figure carrying a light blue oil-paper umbrella carefully moving down the mountain path.
The mountain path was extremely slippery after the rain. In just a glance, Wei Jing noticed that the figure had already stumbled several times due to slipping.
Although he couldn't see the person under the umbrella, a voice in Wei Jing's mind told him that this person was Tang Ning, it had to be Tang Ning, it couldn't be anyone else.
Driven by this impulse, he held his breath almost without thinking and ran straight toward the oil-paper umbrella not far ahead.
Perhaps the sound of the rain masked the sound of his running, or perhaps the person under the umbrella was so caught up in the slippery mountain path that he had focused almost entirely on his footing.
Even when Wei Jing had run to within two or three meters of her, the person under the umbrella still hadn't noticed his arrival.
When Wei Jing's panting shouts rang in her ears, the oil-paper umbrella trembled slightly as the hand holding it trembled.
Then, amidst the torrential rain, the person under the umbrella suddenly looked up and revealed her true face to Wei Jing.
Who else could it be but Tang Ning, who came to Baiyun Temple to seek a sword, as Chunmian mentioned?
However, Tang Ning was in a rather disheveled state at this moment.
Her neatly combed hair was now a mess, with even the hairpins sticking out crookedly. Her entire right side, including half of her right face, was covered in wet mud. Despite holding an umbrella, dirty muddy water was still dripping from her body. It was obvious that she had slipped and fallen on the mountain path. Her hand holding the umbrella must have pressed against something, as blood was seeping from the tip of her little finger. Even her right foot seemed to be barely touching the ground, as she dared not put too much pressure on it.
Even so, she was still tightly clutching something wrapped in an old cloth more than three feet long.
At this moment, Tang Ning looked at Wei Jing, who had appeared out of thin air in front of her, in disbelief. She even wondered if she had just fallen and was dizzy, otherwise why would she be hallucinating?
She instinctively blinked frantically, but no matter how much she blinked, Wei Jing remained standing in front of her, not only not disappearing, but also calling her name again.
It was at this moment that Tang Ning realized it wasn't a hallucination at all; Brother Jing had really appeared, standing right in front of her.
Before Tang Ning could even feel happy, she noticed that Wei Jing was soaking wet, as if she had just been pulled out of the water. She immediately let out a soft gasp and hurriedly held up all the oil-paper umbrellas in her hands above Wei Jing's head.
Her anxiety and worry made her forget the twisted right ankle she had twisted when she fell on the mountain road. As soon as she exerted force, an unbearable pain immediately shot through her right ankle. The pain made her lose her balance and she fell towards Wei Jing, who was standing two meters away from her.
Having already sensed the danger, Wei Jing quickly took a step forward and caught Tang Ning securely in his arms.
Before he could even ask her about her situation, the girl launched into a barrage of fierce questions.
“Brother Jing, what’s wrong with you? It’s raining so hard outside, why did you go out like that? What are you doing at Baiyun Temple? Even if you went out, why didn’t you bring an umbrella? And even if you didn’t bring an umbrella, didn’t you know to take shelter from the rain? Why did you have to stupidly get yourself soaked like this? It’s already autumn, and every autumn rain brings a chill. These days, countless people in the capital have caught colds. What if you get sick from the rain? A cold is no small matter, do you even know that…”
Before she could finish speaking, Wei Jing had already pulled her into a tight embrace.
The faint scent of pine emanating from the boy immediately entered Tang Ning's nostrils.
Completely caught off guard by his action, Tang Ning nestled in his cool embrace, her eyes wide, her lips moving several times, but she couldn't utter a single word.
The rain was heavy and the wind was strong, but because of this hug and the small oil-paper umbrella, it seemed as if all the wind and rain disturbances were blocked outside the umbrella at once.
The two held each other like that, and apart from the sound of each other's heartbeats, it seemed that all other sounds were completely inaudible at that moment.
thump.
thump.
thump.
One after another.
After an unknown amount of time, Wei Jing finally released his arms from Tang Ning, looking softly at Tang Ning, whose face and body were still covered in mud.
"Did you slip and fall because the road was too slippery?"
Upon hearing this question, Tang Ning suddenly came to her senses. Having just slipped and fallen on the mountain road, she looked terrible. Not only was she unattractive, she was probably ugly and dirty.
After letting out a strange cry, Tang Ning immediately covered her face with her sleeve. "Don't look, don't look, Brother Jing, don't look. I must look terribly ugly right now, don't look at me..."
"It's not bad-looking."
"How could it not look bad? It's covered in water and mud, your hair is a mess, your makeup is ruined, it must look absolutely terrible..."
As she spoke, Tang Ning, who hadn't cried when she fell and hurt herself, suddenly started to redden her eyes. With a gentle blink, two hot tears slid down her somewhat dirty cheeks.
Seeing that she was crying, Wei Jing became a little anxious. Without thinking, he raised his hand to wipe his soaked sleeve, and with his other hand he held Tang Ning's chin and began to carefully wipe the dirt off her face.
Tang Ning, who was once again caught off guard by Wei Jing's actions, didn't even have time to cry. She just stared blankly as Wei Jing carefully wiped the mud off her face, bit by bit, as if he were cleaning some incomparably precious treasure. His movements were gentle and his eyes were tender.
Only after wiping away the last bit of dirt from her chin did Wei Jing slowly withdraw his hand. "Okay, it's all clean now. You don't look bad anymore. Don't cry, okay?"
Hearing the boy's gentle question, Tang Ning was still a little dazed and stared at him blankly.
After seeing a blush creep up Wei Jing's face, Tang Ning's cheeks also involuntarily turned bright red.
"Uh-huh."
She responded softly, and because her heart suddenly raced, she unconsciously pressed her hand against her chest with more force, only to find that she had pressed against something hard.
Tang Ning, realizing that she had even forgotten this, quickly looked up at Wei Jing with sparkling eyes.
Then, without even bothering to open the umbrella, she shoved it directly into Wei Jing's hands and began to unpack the old cloth bag she had been holding in her arms. She peeled back the layers of cloth, and what was finally revealed to Wei Jing was an ancient and imposing long sword.
Although Wei Jing had already guessed what was wrapped in the old cloth when he saw Tang Ning's excited and joyful expression, he still couldn't help but erratically breathe when Jiang Li Dao was actually revealed to him.
He watched as Tang Ning, right in front of him, drew part of the silver-white blade, then shoved it back in with a clang, revealing the two characters "Jiang Li" written in small seal script on the hilt to his eyes.
"Brother Jing, this is the genuine Jiang Li Dao for you. Happy birthday!"
Tang Ning shoved the knife in her hand into Wei Jing's arms and said with a bright smile.
Even though she hadn't applied any makeup, her hair was messy, and her clothes were covered in mud, Wei Jing thought she looked incredibly beautiful, absolutely stunning.
It was as if she had instantly captured his heart.
She was so beautiful that he didn't know what to do with her.
Wei Jing's eyes felt slightly hot, and his throat felt as if something was blocking it.
So, that's it, do you like him?
Even though he had already apologized to her, does she still like him that much?
Even though he's just using her time and time again to get her help, should she still like him?
When he first learned that his fiancée had been changed to Tang Ning, he even... even resented her appearance in his heart. How could he still like her?
Even just knowing that he liked Jiang Li Dao, she was willing to keep coming to Baiyun Temple only to be rejected again and again, and in the end, she even got herself into this state. Why was she so stupid? Hmm?
Tang Ning, why are you being so foolish?
Despite being schemed against, used, and used as a bridge to reconcile with Qianqian time and time again, she is still willing to work hard and make sacrifices for him.
Having only ever been taken from by Qin Qianqian since childhood, and having given her his heart time and time again, Wei Jing was experiencing such sincere and passionate love for the first time in his life, and for a moment, he was even a little at a loss for what to do.
At this moment, he even... he really wanted to be with Tang Ning, get married, and have children. Tang Ning's gentle nature would surely make her a good mother. However, childbirth is so hard, so they didn't need too many children, just two would be enough, preferably a son and a daughter, and preferably they would both look like her. When they smiled, their eyes would curve into crescent moons, making everyone who saw them smile along with them...
How wonderful!
But……
He cannot.
He couldn't let Qianqian down...
He has already agreed to her request.
Wei Jing lowered his eyes slightly and remained silent for a long time before slowly raising his head to look at Tang Ning, who was starting to feel uneasy because he hadn't spoken for a long time.
"Brother Jing, what's wrong? Is it because you don't like the knife?"
"It's nothing, the knife is great, I really like it, really, really, I like it..."
"I'm glad you like it. I thought you didn't!"
Tang Ning finally smiled again.
It's so good, how could he not like it?
He liked it very much, so much so that he didn't know what to do.
Wei Jing thought to himself silently, his eyes never leaving Tang Ning's face until he heard Tang Ning cover her mouth and nose and sneeze slightly. Only then did he snap out of his daze and put the oil-paper umbrella back into Tang Ning's hand, and then squat down in front of her.
"I see your foot is injured. The mountain path is very slippery. Shall I carry you down?"
Upon hearing him say that, Tang Ning's eyes widened immediately. She bit her lip lightly, her face beaming with barely concealed joy.
"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Brother Jing."
"No need for that."
Wei Jing chuckled softly, then felt a soft body gently cling to his back. The moment he lifted her up, Wei Jing's brows furrowed slightly.
It's too light.
Have you not been eating properly? Why are you so light? It's as if you're not carrying anyone on your back at all.
The two figures walked further and further away on the mountain road, becoming smaller and smaller.
Smelling the scent on the boy, Tang Ning turned her head to look at his handsome profile, and suddenly called out to him.
“Brother Jing…”
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just feel that it would be nice if this mountain road could go on forever."
Upon hearing her words, Wei Jing felt a sudden jolt in his heart, followed by a sensation that was both sour and astringent, and aching all at once.
Is it a journey that will never end?
Wei Jing's current favorability rating: 89.
At the same time, not far behind the two, two figures, also carrying oil-paper umbrellas, suddenly appeared from behind a thick tree.
Watching Tang Ning and Wei Jing descend the mountain, He Lanruo, dressed in white under the umbrella, slightly curled the corners of her lips.
His smile was immediately noticed by the abbot of Baiyun Temple standing beside him. The old abbot, with his white eyebrows and beard, smiled and began to tease him.
"Speaking of which, my dear junior nephew, you've really gone to great lengths. To fulfill this young lady's wish, you even gave away your treasured sword, which I, as her senior uncle, wouldn't even glance at. What's your relationship? Hmm, she shouldn't be the woman you're interested in, otherwise, given your personality, why would you try to match her with another man? But such a generous gesture is really unlike you. When have you ever been so magnanimous? Could it be..."
"Could it be that you, junior nephew, have changed your ways and are secretly in love with that young lady, but knowing she already has someone she loves, you can't bring yourself to confess? To fulfill her wish, you even took out your prized Li Dao, just to move her heart to the man she loves. By the Three Pure Ones, what a moving and tear-jerking sentiment this is! That young lady must be blind not to choose you!"
The ever-unserious Abbot of Baiyun Temple immediately exclaimed in surprise.
Upon hearing his words, Helan Ruo turned her head and glared at him. Then, she picked up her umbrella and began to walk down the mountain. At the same time, her calm voice came from under the umbrella, "Tomorrow, you won't have the Immortal Chicken and the Drunken Wine at Taibai Tower."
"No!!!!"
The abbot of Baiyun Temple lowered his voice and cried out in pain, while secretly cursing in his heart.
He even said he didn't like that girl. But when that pretty young girl fell on the mountain road, don't think he's old and his eyesight is bad. He clearly saw that his junior apprentice clearly wanted to rush out and help her. Although I don't know why he held back later, first reactions can't lie, right? Tsk tsk.
How dare you cut off his food and drink! You little brat, your cheeks were so soft and easy to pinch when you were little, and you were so obedient and sensible. How come you've suddenly become unlovable as you've grown up?
Life is not worth living.
well.
Hearing her master's cry of pain, Helan Ruo smiled slightly.
His senior brother is clearly a monk, but he has a particular fondness for food and drink, especially the fine wine and delicacies at Taibai Tower. Let's abstain from it for about seven days for now, since he has such a good palate!
Would he like Qin Tangning, that gullible little fool whose mind can't hold anything but Wei Jing?
laugh.
Even if the sky falls, it's impossible.
He Lanruo thought this without caring at all.
Almost simultaneously, Tang Ning raised an eyebrow upon hearing the system notification.
He Lanruo's current favorability rating: 42.
Hmm, what happened again? Why would their young master Helan suddenly increase her favorability rating?
She had just been reminded by 54088, and Helan Ruo followed behind with the abbot of Baiyun Temple to observe her every move. Even when she accidentally fell, Helan Ruo's foot was aimed in her direction. After Wei Jing arrived, he also stood behind the tree watching her act in front of Wei Jing.
So, was it her acting skills that moved him? Or was it her perseverance and devotion that touched him?
No matter what, as long as it increases her favorability.
Tang Ning raised an eyebrow inwardly.
Meanwhile, despite the torrential rain, Qin Qianqian, who had secretly slipped out of the General's Mansion, pressed hard on the purse she had carefully hidden in her bosom.
She couldn't stay in the mansion any longer, so she even ordered someone to send a purse to A-Jing and arrange to meet him again. She couldn't wait that long.
Madam Qin wants to arrange a marriage for her! She wants to arrange a marriage for her!
She even subtly warned her that A-Jing was now Tang Ning's fiancé, and if possible, she should not get too close to him to avoid gossip. After all, she had given up the marriage willingly, and if people found out about her closeness with Wei Jing, the consequences would be unbearable for her.
The more Qin Qianqian recalled Madam Qin's words, the more she wanted to cry.
So, adopted daughters really can't compare to biological daughters, right?
Even fourteen years of being with her means nothing in front of her biological daughter, right?
Before Tang Ning returned to the General's Mansion, every time Wei Jing came to the mansion, it was her mother who advised her to play with A-Jing more, and also told her to restrain her temper a little and occasionally go along with A-Jing, so that she could live a more harmonious and happy life after marrying into the family.
Now that her biological daughter is back, she's starting to put her in a bad light, isn't she?
hehe.
Furthermore, Tang Ning's fiancé is Wei Jing, the heir of the Jianwang Mansion, and the men that Madam Qin introduces to her are all sorts of strange and monstrous figures.
The legitimate sons of third-rank officials, the illegitimate sons of second-rank officials, and even the candidates about to take the imperial examinations are all basically unknown people. How can those people compare to even a toe of Ah Jing?
Why should Tang Ning be the high and mighty Crown Princess, while she has to marry into families that are either rich but powerless, famous but powerless, or have nothing at all? Why?
So what if Ah Jing is Tang Ning's fiancé?
Even now, the person he thinks about and longs for is still her, Qin Qianqian!
As long as she can persuade Ah Jing to change his mind, she doesn't believe anyone in this world can force him to marry someone he doesn't like.
Thinking this, Qin Qianqian glanced at her tightly bandaged finger again, and then without thinking, tore off the bandage and threw it into the muddy water at her feet, revealing the needle hole inside.
She refused to believe that Ah Jing wouldn't be moved or touched when he saw the needle marks and the purse she had prepared for him!
Qin Qianqian thought to herself with great confidence.
Unexpectedly, the woman with the umbrella had only run around a corner when her smile froze completely on her face.
Not far ahead, the man who was soaking wet but still smiling as he carried the slightly disheveled Tang Ning on his back was none other than Wei Jing, who should be in the General's Mansion at this moment.
Tang Ning, who was being carried on his back, held a light blue oil-paper umbrella in one hand, while subconsciously reaching out with the other hand to wipe the sweat from Wei Jing's forehead, her eyes filled with worry.
"Are you alright, Brother Jing? My legs should be fine. You must have been exhausted to carry me all the way from Baiyun Temple!"
"It's alright. Your foot is injured, and the horse has run away, so of course I have to carry you. I'm not tired."
"Actually, I just twisted my ankle a little. You've studied martial arts, so you should know how to set bones. I only just remembered that, otherwise I would have had you set my ankle right there on the mountain..."
Tang Ning felt somewhat regretful.
"It's alright."
He had actually thought about this back on the mountain, but if he sprained his ankle, he could be that ruthless to himself, but he found that he simply couldn't do it to Tang Ning...
She was even more afraid that he might accidentally hurt her somewhere.
Qin Qianqian didn't know what she was thinking. According to her usual personality, she would probably have rushed forward and started questioning him long ago. But looking at Wei Jing smiling like that, she suddenly felt inexplicably afraid.
By the time she realized what was happening, she was already hiding in a corner, watching helplessly as Wei Jing carried Tang Ning further and further away...
Tears streamed down her smooth face.
She looked down again at the purse she had prepared and the needle marks on her fingers.
How can it be so funny?
That's hilarious, haha, hahahahaha!
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