What about the betrothal gifts?
The following day, Wen Yongji was arrested and imprisoned, and confessed after only a few beatings.
In the backyard of the Dali Temple, there were seven boxes full of betrothal gifts brought back from his home.
Wen Ruo held the gift list in her hand and checked it off one by one. The time was short, so she didn't spend too much, but she lost a few dozen strings of cash.
Qi Guanlan suddenly stepped forward, "I need to check it out."
He opened the jewelry box, and the gems on the gold crown shone brightly. Wen Ruo glanced at it a few times, confirmed that it was undamaged, and quickly made a mark on it.
He would linger over each of the gold hairpins, jade-inlaid glass hairpins, and pearl earrings for a moment, examining each of the dozen or so pieces in detail from all angles.
No matter how precious the treasure was, Wen Ruo treated it as an inanimate object, remaining expressionless and calm, and not a single item caught her eye.
That makes sense. The betrothal gifts that his mother prepared for the Sun family were definitely meant to please them. He just snatched them away and, to spite her, deliberately went to Wen Yongji and let him fool him into writing Wen Ruo's name on the marriage certificate.
Bigamy is a crime, so this cut off his mother's hope of him finding a wife and put an end to his obsession.
But she's actually not greedy anymore. What's wrong with Honghu Academy? It seems to produce only people who are pure of heart and have no desires. Qi Guanlan's lips drooped involuntarily. He stood up listlessly, but was unwilling to give up. "Lord Wen, what are your thoughts?"
"The prince's betrothal gifts are indeed extraordinary."
The silk brocades, gold and silver jewelry, deerskin jade artifacts, wild geese and horses were almost on par with those of a prince.
Lu Shaoming couldn't help but laugh out loud. The Prince of Anping's intentions were too obvious. He An interrupted halfway, "Yes, I haven't tasted Hechun Tribute Wine yet."
Qi Guanlan was not angry at all; in fact, she gave him a rare kind look and said, "Take it yourself!"
He An was taken aback. "Really?"
Seeing his hesitation, Qi Guanlan picked out a pot for him and turned to the other two, urging, "What do you like? One for each of you."
Lu Shaoming raised an eyebrow knowingly and humbly extended his hand, saying, "Wen, please go first."
Wen Ruo slowly closed the booklet and chuckled softly, "Anything is fine?"
Qi Guanlan's eyes lit up, "Of course!"
"In that case, I'll also try the taste of the tribute wine."
Fifty jugs of wine were missing a few bottles, but it was impossible to tell.
A cold glint flashed across Qi Guanlan's narrow eyes, and he suddenly forced a smile, the slight curve of his lips unable to hold back any of the joy. "Lord Wen is truly good at sharing people's burdens."
The four of them each held a wine jug. Apart from Wen Ruo, the other three stood there awkwardly, watching the two exchange glances and gifts, their interaction escalating into a scene of sparks flying and swords flashing – truly a first.
Qi Guanlan's ability to speak in a sarcastic and unsettling way was unparalleled, making him a master.
Wen Ruo closed her eyes slightly, took a small sip of wine, and her brows furrowed instantly as soon as the wine entered her mouth. "Drink up, wine emboldens cowards. Today, when you go to the princess's residence to deliver the betrothal gifts, don't be scared out of your wits like yesterday and make me lose face too."
The three laughed awkwardly, finding the words reasonable, and no longer cared about Qi Guanlan's expression.
There's no need to worry about it.
Because he was stunned.
Wen Ruo chuckled, and He An secretly gave her a thumbs up. While her ability to manipulate people might not be exceptional, she was more than capable of manipulating Qi Guanlan.
Several boxes of betrothal gifts walked ahead, with Wen Ruo following behind. Just as they crossed the threshold of the princess's residence, they heard Princess Rongjing's sarcastic voice.
"What, you don't want the father-in-law you personally chose?"
"They stole it before, so why did they slink back like that?"
"I heard Wen Ruo is back, and they've even arranged a marriage for you, but she still doesn't want you?"
"I think you shouldn't bring him back. I'll just pretend I don't have a son like you."
Qi Guanlan's face turned pale and then red. She subconsciously turned around and glanced back, then called out in a soft voice, "Mother!"
Rong Jing turned her head in surprise and asked, "What did you call me?"
She arranged a marriage for him without his consent, and ever since he returned from Yan'an Temple, this scoundrel has never called her "mother" again. When things go his way, he calls her "princess," and when things don't go his way, he calls her "benefactor." He can drive a person crazy.
"mother."
He coughed and called out again, his expression suddenly becoming somewhat uneasy, "There are still outsiders here, can we close the door before reprimanding them?"
Yun Qing couldn't help but smile. She pursed her lips, her eyes welling up with tears. She was happy for the princess. Both of them were stubborn, and their relationship had been strained for too long.
The three men in front exchanged a glance. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! It was worth the trip. They put down their boxes, stepped aside, and the main character appeared. The real show was about to begin.
Rong Jing immediately composed herself, thinking that she dared not come. "Now that you have completed your studies and become a student of the Imperial Academy, shouldn't I present you with a congratulatory gift?"
Wen Ruo smiled awkwardly, "Your Highness is joking. I am too busy repaying the kindness of the Princess's Mansion to accept any gifts."
Princess Rongjing praised with admiration, "You're still so well-behaved. You've grown up to be so promising. This wretched child is not good enough for you."
"Mother!" The words lingered in his ears, but Rong Jing didn't even glance at him, staring straight at Wen Ruo. "Do you know what kind of man you can't marry?"
There are too many, countless. Wen Ruo pretended not to know and shook her head slightly.
Qi Guanlan walked up to Princess Rongjing with a forced smile, tugged at her brocade sleeve, and said with a slight movement of his lips, "Don't talk nonsense."
Please!
Rong Jing's eyes narrowed, and a hint of sadness appeared on her face. She turned around and said, "I'm tired. Let's talk another day."
Qi Guanlan breathed a sigh of relief.
Wen Ruo's curiosity was piqued. She secretly wondered if what Qi Guanlan had said on the street was true.
In the afternoon, the information on the notice once again caused a huge uproar.
Qi Guanlan, who had been out of the public eye for many years, was engaged. The identity of his fiancée, whose name he had kept a closely guarded secret, was now mysteriously posted on the wall.
"Wait, what does it say? Am I seeing things?" The man at the front rubbed his eyes, peered inside, and almost became cross-eyed.
It was still Wen Ruo.
If this article is not by that Wen Ruo, he would have been fooled.
Does he really like Wen Ruo that much? Five years have passed, and he still can't forget her?
"That's right, it's her!"
"Wen Ruo!"
As soon as Zhao Heng spoke, the people in front automatically made way, and with the approval of those in the know, the whole street instantly became lively again.
He couldn't help but laugh as he looked at the notice. "Young Master Zhu has become quite cunning."
"I wonder if we might have the honor of sharing a cup of wine at the young prince's wedding?"
The noise was so loud that it could be heard from a great distance. Is this human tendency to love wedding feasts something we're born with?
Wen Ruo picked her ear. Zhao Heng's habit of joining in the fun hadn't changed. If he ever ended up in her courtroom, she would give him twenty lashes without saying a word, just to have some fun.
Wen Yongji backed down too quickly yesterday, leaving her somewhat unsatisfied.
The results of the first round of the Imperial Academy student assessment were out. Wen Ruo looked at the superior grade in her hand and couldn't help but smile. Indeed, only by enduring hardship can one rise above others.
"Sir, why are we ranked as 'medium'?" Cen Boxi asked, clutching the plaque in his hand, his face full of dissatisfaction.
Zhu Fei didn't even look up, and directly threw a file at him. "I don't need to go into the details of the day of the autopsy, do I? You're a real man. You were so scared by the small scene of the murder that you lost your composure. How shameful."
"If it weren't for He An's excellent grooming, I would have given you a lower grade."
It turned out to be fake. Cen Boxi was speechless. The two people next to him were exchanging glances. With a light cough, the two of them turned to the side.
Zhu Fei quickly stood up, "May I ask what brings the Prince of Anping here?"
Qi Guanlan's gaze swept over Wen Ruo, and he said meaningfully, "It's been seven days, and someone is still refusing to pay back the debt. I'm considering whether to report it to the police."
Since parting ways with the princess, we haven't seen anyone during the day. The Dali Temple is so busy that there's not even a moment to talk or eat.
She was definitely doing it on purpose; she knew Wen Ruo couldn't possibly be that obedient.
He was careless for a moment and was deceived by sweet words.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, a wildfire raged in his chest, scorching his internal organs and causing Qi Guanlan's face to turn ashen.
Zhu Fei glanced at the two of them and said tactfully, "Rest for half an hour."
"yes!"
After the outsiders left, Wen Ruo quickly picked up her tea and drank it all in one gulp. Then she let out a long sigh, "I'm exhausted. The Dali Temple is really not a place for ordinary people."
Qi Guanlan came to his senses, lowered his head and examined her for a moment. Wen Ruo was only lightly made up, and the dark circles under her eyes were faintly visible.
He frowned as he poured her a cup, his face cold as he said, "Is it Lord Zhu's fault?"
When it's offered to your lips, how can you refuse to drink it?
Without raising her hand, Wen Ruo took a few sips from his hand. Once the glass was empty, she began to complain, "I never knew that the Dali Temple had so many case files. They receive hundreds of files from various prefectures and counties every day."
Every single day!
"No wonder officials look old."
Qi Guanlan could no longer hold back, "That's because they're already old."
Wen Ruo shakily opened her palm, which still had traces of ink on it. "I don't know how much more there will be this afternoon. I'm afraid my hands will break."
Qi Guanlan glanced at the door, then suddenly grabbed her wrist and gently massaged it, saying, "You asked for it yourself."
Wen Ruo turned her head to the side, her gaze falling on his high, straight nose, then smoothly shifting to his angular profile. His lips were as pale as a begonia, and two golden jade ribbons hung down from his thick, jet-black hair, making him appear even more noble and precious. "Are you over it now?"
Qi Guanlan lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze. "So you knew."
Wen Ruo shook her wrist, feeling much better. She rested her chin on her hand and said, "How could I not know?"
Qi Guanlan's heart melted instantly, and with a faint smile, she said, "How about I take your place this afternoon?"
Wen Ruo's eyes suddenly lit up, and she grabbed his arm, "I'll show you, young master, how to experience it for yourself."
"etc!"
Qi Guanlan tightened his grip on her wrist. "Why do I feel like you're still lying to me?"
Wen Ruo was caught off guard and inexplicably rolled into his arms, a short gasp coming from above her head.
Qi Guanlan's arms froze in mid-air, seemingly about to hug him but not quite. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
He could have left with a simple push, but then he suddenly remembered the abruptly ended conversation at the princess's residence.
Wen Ruo's eyes flickered, and she slowly stretched out her arms with a force that was neither too light nor too heavy, causing Qi Guanlan to freeze.
Has the inner demon appeared?
She was hugged tightly again.
"yes."
Wen Ruo pursed her lips, her nose filled with his scent, a faint fragrance. Before she could come to her senses, her arms were already empty.
Qi Guanlan took a half step back first, saying, "This is the last time."
Wen Ruo nodded subconsciously, but the cold air hitting her face instantly sobered her up.
The door was pushed open, and the three people outside gave an awkward smile. "We're going to the files room. The master told us to call Wen Ruo."
"lead the way."
Wen Ruo took a deep breath and patted her cheeks. Oh no, she had actually been fooled.
The moment Qi Guanlan pushed her away, she felt that time was too short, and that a moment of passion was worth a thousand pieces of gold.
She hasn't even passed the imperial examination yet, and she's already thinking about getting married. She really is a worldly person.
"Wake up, Wen Ruo!"
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