After Tang Ning, behind the wall, quietly left without disturbing anyone, He Lanruo swallowed the wine in her mouth, glanced at Wei Jing and Qin Qianqian who were still entangled not far away, and immediately looked away indifferently, heading straight for her destination, Taibai Tower.
He Lanruo, carrying a wine jar, staggered into Taibai Tower. Upon seeing the fat shopkeeper who hurriedly came forward, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, she curled her lips and directly took out two gold ingots from her sleeve and threw them over.
After throwing the gold away, Helan Ruo went upstairs without looking back. As she went, she instructed the fat shopkeeper, who was holding the gold and smiling even more obsequiously, to quickly prepare a table of the restaurant's signature dishes and deliver it to the table on the second floor by the window, where he usually sat. She also instructed them to use the remaining gold to prepare some food to eat downstairs and send it to the little beggars downstairs who would say all sorts of auspicious things to him whenever they saw him.
I'm in a good mood today, so I'll do a good deed for the day.
Since it's not his gold anyway, he feels comfortable spending it.
He Lanruo thought to herself nonchalantly.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the two swindlers who had tried to escape from the crowded throng and set a trap for Helan Ruo were back to back, panting heavily in a messy alley.
"What bad luck today! I thought I'd stumbled upon a golden opportunity, but then this brat showed up halfway through and completely ruined our good time. Otherwise..."
The man in gray, Lao Jiu, slapped his thigh in anger.
"Alright, alright, there are all sorts of people in the capital! I warned you before not to set traps randomly. You should be glad you met a young girl, otherwise we might not have escaped today. Besides, didn't we already get two pieces of gold after we swindled that old, half-buried rich man? Those two ingots are enough for us to live a carefree life for several days..."
The conman Lao Wu wasn't as angry as him.
Upon hearing the mention of gold, the gray-clad ninth brother instinctively reached into his sleeve, only to find it empty.
Instantly, his heart skipped a beat.
Cuffs, chest, trouser hems, shoes and socks...
The man in gray hurriedly stood up in a panic, patting himself down and even starting to take off his clothes.
When Lao Jiu turned around and saw his strange behavior, a bad feeling instantly crept into his heart.
Sure enough, after only a few moments, the gray-clad man, who had almost completely stripped himself naked, slumped to the ground, pale and on the verge of tears, crying out, "It's all gone, all gone, the gold is gone, both pieces are gone..."
Upon hearing this, Lao Jiu's face immediately turned ugly. He began to carefully recall what had just happened, and after a long while, he finally narrowed his eyes slightly, "It seems we've met an expert today!"
"That brat?"
"No, it should be that man in white. Maybe, if that little brat hadn't gotten involved, we'd be somewhere somewhere right now!"
Old Nine said this with a firm tone.
The man in gray looked on incredulously.
——
Just then, in front of a shop called Tan Po Mei Cai Su Bing, Wei Jing finally reached out and grabbed Qin Qianqian, who was wandering aimlessly and silently on the street, feeling wronged and sad because of his cold treatment.
Over time, their long-standing habits kicked in, and almost instantly, as soon as Wei Jing grabbed Qin Qianqian's arm, he forgot her coldness in the Listening Oriole Tower and began apologizing and trying to appease her. "Qianqian, what's wrong with you? Why did you suddenly leave the private room? Did I do or say something wrong? If I was wrong, I'll apologize to you here and make amends, okay? Please don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Qin Qianqian's voice remained cold, her tear stains long since dried. "You're wrong? Ha, what wrong have you done? Besides, what kind of relationship do we have now? What does it matter to you whether I'm angry or not? You should go and appease your Tang Ning. Why bother coming to me?"
It would be fine if Tang Ning wasn't mentioned, but as soon as Tang Ning was mentioned, Wei Jing couldn't help but think of Tang Ning, who had earnestly told him on the cruise ship that she would help him coax Qianqian back, Tang Ning, who had eaten stinky tofu with him but whose eyes were red with rage, and even Tang Ning, who had just heard him clutching his stomach in front of Lilou saying that she had a stomachache and wanted to go back, but actually did it so that he could be alone with Qianqian.
Wei Jing didn't understand, he really didn't understand, why he felt so happy and joyful when he was with Tang Ning, but always felt so tired when he was with his beloved Qianqian. He had already stopped blaming her for giving up the marriage without consulting him, stopped blaming her for completely denying their feelings in front of Tang Ning, and even saying that she had only ever seen him as a brother all these years…
Why is she still so persistent and unreasonable?
He's human too; he gets sad and tired too.
Why doesn't Qianqian understand me at all?
Besides, what's wrong with him trying to please Tang Ning? Tang Ning is his fiancée now, isn't she?
Wei Jing thought this to himself in a fit of pique.
But little did Qin Qianqian know that all the turmoil, resentment, unwillingness, and exhaustion churning in his heart would appear as Wei Jing standing frozen in place, lost in thought, whenever Tang Ning was mentioned, as if he couldn't even see himself standing right in front of him.
The more Qin Qianqian thought about it, the colder her heart became. A-Jing had changed. He was no longer the Wei Jing who only had her in his heart and eyes. He had betrayed her. He... Tang Ning had a place in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have smiled so sweetly when he received Tang Ning's note in front of Tingli Tower, and now he was distracted in front of her.
Looking at Wei Jing in front of her, Qin Qianqian's eyes reddened again. The tightness and pain in her chest made her suddenly unable to control herself and start shouting at Wei Jing, "Wei Jing, do you want to look at yourself now? You're completely out of your mind when Tang Ning is mentioned? Is this what you meant by marrying no one but me and only loving me in this life? You're a liar! You lied to me!"
"I lied to you? Ha, if I lied to you, would I still be standing in front of you right now?"
Wei Jing, who had just finished reminiscing, heard Qin Qianqian's unreasonable accusations. His eyes reddened, and he pointed to his chest, saying, "Yes, I did say that I would marry no one but you in this life, and that I would only love you! But did you give me that chance? For you, for my mother's approval, for everyone's envy, I worked hard in the army to accumulate military merits, but what did you do? What did you do before I came back from the army? Why didn't you wait for me to come back, discuss it with me, and then decide on our marriage? Why did you have to give me away without even trying? Ha, so what if I lose my mind when I think of Tang Ning? Now she is my fiancée. It's not just that I miss her, it's that I like her and marry her, it's what I should do! As an outsider, do you have any objections?"
As Wei Jing grew increasingly agitated, he began to speak recklessly.
Upon hearing the other person speak like that, Qin Qianqian felt a sudden jolt in her mind, as if all her perseverance and conviction over the years had collapsed in that instant.
Her tears fell like beads from a broken string.
Without thinking, she reached out and shoved Wei Jing hard. "I hate you! I never want to see you again!"
After pushing the person, Qin Qianqian wiped away her tears and immediately ran forward.
Wei Jing, who was pushed and shoved by her, watched the woman's figure gradually disappear into the distance. His heart felt even more exhausted. For a moment, he lost the will to continue chasing after her. Instead, he looked around the street with a somewhat blank expression. When he saw the three characters "Taibai Tower", he slowly walked towards it.
She didn't know how much time had passed before Qin Qianqian, who had run quite a distance, finally slowed down. After hesitating for a while, she suddenly turned her head, her fists clenched. The scene she had expected, with Wei Jing following closely behind her, did not occur.
Qin Qianqian's eyes widened in disbelief. A-Jing had never treated her like this before, and he would never let her run around alone. Why... why...
Beneath Qin Qianqian's resentment and anger lurked an unyielding sense of panic and fear.
She never imagined that she wouldn't marry Wei Jing in the future, not even after she gave up the marriage for the sake of her reputation and the favor of others in the General's Mansion.
Although she didn't say it aloud, she always felt in her heart that even if she gave up her marriage to Tang Ning, Wei Jing, who liked her, would find a way to marry her. Then, she could marry into the Jianwang Mansion with everyone's blessings and live peacefully as the Crown Prince's wife. As for what Tang Ning would encounter, she hadn't thought about it, nor did she want to.
She was certain of this outcome.
But now, she is not so sure.
She began to doubt and fear. She wondered how much of her place still belonged in Wei Jing's heart. She was afraid that if she didn't marry Wei Jing in the end, what would become of her, an adopted daughter with no blood relation to the General's Mansion? Would she marry an unknown minor official, or one of those so-called talented young scholars who had just passed the imperial examinations?
The thought of such a fate was enough to send chills down her spine.
Qin Qianqian swallowed hard, then began searching for Wei Jing in the crowd.
On one side, Qin Qianqian searched everywhere but couldn't find Wei Jing anywhere. On the other side, Tang Ning, who was leading two little girls on a leisurely stroll and eating, eventually led them back to the vicinity of Granny Tan's preserved vegetable pastry shop. By this time, Chunmian's hands were practically covered in food—candied hawthorn, pea flour cake, mung bean cake, sugar-coated fried dough sticks… and so on—and she was eating with great joy. As for how they had just avoided Wei Jing and Qin Qianqian…
What Wei Jing?
With delicious spring noodles, he had completely forgotten about the two people.
Even the usually restrained and cautious Chun Tan has become quite unrestrained under the influence of Tang Ning and Chun Mian, who finds everything delicious.
She subconsciously touched her swollen belly. She had really been a bit too complacent today and should reflect on her actions.
The girl in yellow thought to herself.
Who would have thought that at that moment, Tang Ning casually looked up and saw Wei Jing sitting alone at a table on the second floor of Taibai Tower next to the three of them, drinking by himself. And to make matters worse, the person sitting next to him was the lazy and languid He Lanruo.
This is a great opportunity, a great opportunity to put on a show!
Almost instantly, Tang Ning's face showed a suppressed excitement, and she told Chunmian, who seemed to still have room to eat, to continue eating the Su Ji wontons she had been longing for, while she waited for them there.
Yes, Chun Tan went with her.
When it comes to food, Chunmian forgets everything else. Without even asking Tang Ning why she wasn't going with them, she hurriedly headed to another street. Chun Tan, on the other hand, was very thoughtful. Her eyes subtly wandered to the second floor of Taibai Tower, but she didn't ask any questions. She obediently followed the excited Chunmian, heading towards Su Ji's restaurant.
With two such easy-going maids, Tang Ning felt instantly at ease, without even needing to make up a reason.
Maintaining this comfortable mood, Tang Ning glanced at the second floor of Taibai Tower one last time before quickly going upstairs.
Upon seeing Wei Jing's back as he sat upstairs with his back to her, she tiptoed over and gently patted the boy on the shoulder.
"Hey, Brother Jing!"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Wei Jing turned around and looked at her with a look of surprise. Even He Lanruo, who was at the next table across a large vase, half-opened her eyes.
It's her.
"Why are you drinking here all alone? Where's Qianqian? I remember she was with you when I left Tingli Tower, how come you're all alone now..."
Tang Ning asked in a puzzled tone, then sat down on the stool opposite Wei Jing, pointed to his slightly tipsy face, and the wine and dishes on the table, "And what's with all this wine and food? You...you two...have you had a fight?"
She asked this hesitantly.
Before Wei Jing could even answer, she began to blame herself, “Is it… because of me? I should have known better than to go to Tingli Tower with Qianqian. And when I saw you in front of Tingli Tower, I suddenly said I had a stomachache. I acted so badly, Qianqian must have noticed and suspected me. I should have just said I had a stomachache at home. But I was worried that if I hadn’t gone with her, and Qianqian changed her mind halfway there, wouldn’t you have had to wait alone in front of Tingli Tower, Brother Jing? Oh dear, it’s all my fault…”
No, there isn't!
Wei Jing immediately interrupted Tang Ning, "It has nothing to do with you. Really, Tang Ning, you've done very well, absolutely very well... You don't need to blame yourself so much, I'm the one who should be reflecting on my mistakes and blaming myself!"
As he spoke, Wei Jing let out a deep breath.
"No, no, Brother Jing is a rare and wonderful man in this world. You are loyal, kind, upright, and devoted. There is no one better than you in this world! Really, you have to believe me!"
Tang Ning's expression was so serious that she was practically swearing an oath to the heavens.
It wasn't until she saw Wei Jing's deep gaze that Tang Ning finally realized what she had said. Her face flushed red, and she lowered her head abruptly, stammering as she began to explain, "No...no...I meant...you're great, really great. Don't be so self-deprecating. Qianqian just misunderstood something, that's why she was with you...She's actually a very simple and pure person. If you coax her a little, she'll definitely change her mind!"
As she spoke, Tang Ning nodded vigorously, seemingly afraid that Wei Jing wouldn't believe her.
What a silly little thing!
After Qin Qianqian's unreasonable behavior, seeing Tang Ning like this, and hearing her still single-mindedly wanting to help him reconcile with Qianqian, Wei Jing couldn't help but feel a faint sense of pity and affection.
He had never seen such a silly girl.
He's not blind. What kind of debt of gratitude could she possibly owe by risking her reputation to repay? She clearly... has feelings for him, which is why she's trying to make him happy, even happier...
Just thinking about it made Wei Jing feel a sour, swollen feeling rise in his heart.
Wei Jing's current favorability rating: 55.
He Lanruo's current favorability rating: 25.
Hmm, that's killing two birds with one stone!
Upon hearing the notification that her favorability rating had increased, Tang Ning put on an even more enthusiastic performance.
Seeing that Wei Jing was staring at her without saying a word, she assumed that he was thinking about how to coax Qin Qianqian back to Tang Ning. Her eyes lit up and she immediately came up with another good way to coax him.
"Wait, Brother Jing, I have a great idea! Let me tell you. In a few days, it will be Buddha's Birthday. Master Wubian at Qixia Temple will be lecturing on Buddhist scriptures, and he will also be inviting many ladies from the capital to listen to the sermons, eat vegetarian food, and make vows and pray for blessings. My mother should be going there too, and Qianqian and I will naturally be taken by her. Then we..."
Tang Ning lowered her voice, leaned closer to Wei Jing, and began to tell him about the grand plan she had just come up with to coax him.
Wei Jing, along with He Lanruo who was half-drunk and half-awake at the next table, heard everything clearly. By the end, they both couldn't help but admire her for being such a clever and resourceful girl.
It's just that it was too foolish.
Helping the man you love to win back the woman he loves—what else could it be but foolishness?
He would never do such a thing.
Raising her wine glass to her lips, Helan Ruo drank it down in one gulp, thinking to herself, "This is what I'm thinking."
However, it seems that fools sometimes have good luck!
Helan Ruo, who was sitting almost face to face with Wei Jing, could see the deep emotion and tenderness welling up in Wei Jing's eyes with just a glance.
He was tempted.
Knowing this expression all too well, Helan Ruo unconsciously raised an eyebrow in her mind.
Unexpectedly, this Miss Tang unexpectedly won Wei Jing's heart.
Having lived in the capital for so many years, he had heard of the Prince Wei's reputation for infatuation. It was rumored that apart from Qin Qianqian, the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion, he would never look at any other woman with a second glance, and would live and die for her. If he found anyone talking badly about Qin Qianqian behind her back, he would go to their home and make their parents teach their children a lesson.
Even more so, he was willing to go to the military camp, a tough and tiring place, just so that Qin Qianqian, who had married into the family, could have something to be proud of.
Furthermore, his seemingly indispensable and virtuous demeanor, coupled with his insistence on having Qin Qianqian as his sole focus, aroused envy and jealousy in countless young women.
Some people in the capital once asserted that even if the seas dried up and the rocks crumbled, and the heavens and earth collapsed, this Crown Prince Wei would probably not fall in love with another woman.
Now……
Helan Ruo turned her head and glanced at the bright, fiery red sun hanging in the sky outside the window and the clear, peaceful sky. She felt that it didn't need to be so complicated. To make this Crown Prince Wei fall in love with someone else, all she needed was a silly little girl who was thinking of him wholeheartedly.
Just as I was thinking of this, Tang Ning had already finished explaining her entire plan.
"Brother Jing... Brother Jing... Brother Jing!"
After she finished speaking, seeing that Wei Jing was still staring blankly at her, she couldn't help but raise her voice and call out to him a few times.
It was at this moment that Wei Jing suddenly came to his senses.
"What do you think of my plan? I happen to know how to weave paper cranes, and there are still seven days until Buddha's Birthday. I should be able to finish in time. If you trust me, you can write those words on blue glass paper and have someone give them to me. I guarantee I can weave them all beautifully and neatly within seven days, okay?"
Tang Ning asked with a smile.
Looking at Tang Ning like this, Wei Jing seemed to instantly feel his heart pounding.
The intense gaze the other person gave him inexplicably made him feel tense and helpless.
"……good."
After an unknown amount of time, Wei Jing finally nodded and said "okay".
As for what's good, and what's good about it, he had no idea at this point.
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning seemed to immediately breathe a sigh of relief.
She glanced downstairs instinctively and realized that Chunmian and Chuntan had probably finished eating at Su Ji's wonton shop and were walking towards Taibai Tower from a distance. Seeing this, and realizing that it was getting late, Tang Ning suddenly stood up, hurriedly greeted Wei Jing, and before he could react, Tang Ning was already downstairs, meeting up with her two maids.
Then Wei Jing watched as Tang Ning walked quite a distance away. Taking advantage of a moment when the person next to her wasn't paying attention, she turned around and waved to him. Then, she excitedly took a little maid's arm with one hand, and led by the round-faced little maid, the three of them skipped and hopped away.
As he watched, Wei Jing couldn't help but smile.
Wei Jing's current favorability rating: 60.
Wow, I passed!
It wasn't easy.
Tang Ning glanced at Chun Mian, who had finally eaten her fill today, and smiled along with her.
Meanwhile, Helan Ruo, having eaten and drunk her fill with other people's gold, staggered back to the Duke's mansion.
Unexpectedly, he happened to run into his mother, Princess Qingping, who was already preparing for the blessing ceremony seven days later.
Seeing how her mother was directing the maids around in a frenzy to pray for Buddha's birthday at Qixia Temple, and how she had to personally take care of things when it came to the important parts, she was struck by the sight of her mother.
Helan Ruo, who was leaning against the door, suddenly spoke up, "Mother, are you preparing for the Buddha's Birthday celebration at Qixia Temple in seven days? I happen to be free that day, so why don't I go with you?"
Upon hearing these words, Princess Qingping immediately looked at him with a look of fear in her eyes. Then she quickly walked over to her son, touched his forehead, and looked outside.
Are you alright?
There was no fever, and no unusual celestial phenomena appeared in the sky, so how could her son be... possibly possessed by an evil spirit?
Princess Qingping frowned slightly, thinking that she had an additional task to complete at Qixia Temple this time: to exorcise evil spirits from her son.
Her unfortunate son casually waved his hand at her, "Then it's settled. I'll come find you later. Now, Mother, don't work too late, get some rest."
As soon as she finished speaking, Helan Ruo disappeared without a trace.
Well, he just wanted to see just how badly that silly Tang could mess things up.
I'm getting more and more excited!
Author's Note: Tang Ning: You're the stupid one, you're the dumb one, is your whole family stupid and dumb? You loser who can't even protect your wife!
He Lanruo: ...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com