Lucky!
At the entrance to North Street, there were no tall lanterns, no servants lighting candles, only the sounds of children playing and the shouts of women and children, which added a touch of warmth to the cold night.
As the road grew quieter, Wen Ruo realized that she seemed to have forgotten some things.
Where will you stay today?
With the title revoked, the mansion bestowed by His Majesty must have been taken away as well, but Qi Guanlan owned more than one residence.
"I'll stay at Lenghua Tower for the night." He said it casually, seemingly not caring where he stayed.
Wen Ruo stopped in her tracks. "Why?"
"I've returned the land title and key to her."
"all?"
"right."
Wen Ruo's heart sank. "Does the princess mean to force your uncle to choose between two options?"
She always believed that even though Qi Guanlan had retired, there were still countless promising paths ahead of her, so she was cautious, neither too warm nor too cold, and always left herself some room for maneuver.
Qi Guanlan: "She is always decisive in her actions."
Wen Ruo clenched her fists and asked softly, "Is it worth it?"
"If I say it's worth it, then it's worth it."
Hearing this, Wen Ruo felt quite uncomfortable. In her mind, romantic love was just icing on the cake, not worth risking her family's future for a dangerous and unpredictable one.
She stood still for a moment, then slowly raised her head, slightly twitching the corners of her mouth to reveal two barely noticeable canine teeth. "If you regret it in the future, don't say it's because of me. If I hear that, I'll kick you out of the house immediately."
Qi Guanlan laughed when he saw her baring her teeth and brandishing her claws. He cupped her clenched fist in his large hand and gently rubbed it. "You're really ruthless. I've lost my status, and you've lost your backer. You won't despise me, will you?"
Wen Ru hesitated for a moment, then chuckled under Qi Guanlan's increasingly resentful gaze, "It'll do, I've already accepted the order."
"How can it be just settling? Is it so hard to say you like me?"
Ignoring the strange looks from passersby, the two walked hand in hand down the street, their backs to the camera looking inseparable.
This is too high-profile. Wen Ruo tried to pull her hand back, but Qi Guanlan gripped it tighter and tighter.
Wen Ruo had no choice but to say, "Do you want me to teach you how to do business?"
"I see you're quite good at copying scriptures, why don't you open a bookstore?"
Qi Guanlan clicked his tongue, sounding somewhat displeased, "You underestimate me so much?"
"So what else can you do? In previous years, I watched you eat, drink, and have fun; these days, I watch you copy scriptures and daydream. Come to think of it, I was just breaking up a marriage to make some money, and it's all gone wrong. Leng Hua Lou won't fall into your hands, will it?"
After hesitating for a while, Qi Guanlan said guiltily, "Actually, I also know a little bit of whip technique."
"I understand!"
The experience gained from being whipped.
Qi Guanlan sighed, "Never mind, Zhao Heng was right about one thing."
"What?"
"I'm lucky! My wife is so capable, it's fine for me to live off her."
Is my salary enough to support this whole family? Besides, Qi Guanlan is a picky eater, which immediately increased the pressure on her shoulders.
Wen Ruo did some quick calculations and said with a bitter face, "Then you'd better learn to manage the household better and not force me to earn extra money."
Qi Guanlan pried open her index finger, inserted a piece of gold, and said something astonishing: "How about I break up their engagement? How much did Cao Xi give you? You impersonated Xi You for Yang Cong, didn't you? I know the playboys in the capital better than you do. You'll be rolling in money."
Thinking back to the past, her bright eyes shone even brighter than the starry sky now. "How did you come up with that idea back then? You're a genius!"
With your temper, you'll be in a sack within half a day. She won't be able to do anything else but seek medical treatment or rush to ransom you.
Wen Ruo pulled him back, lowered her eyes, and said softly, "Doing too many unscrupulous things will diminish your good fortune. I don't want you to do it."
This was the first time Wen Ruo had uttered such sweet words. He had tried to hold back, but in the end, he couldn't resist.
Qi Guanlan opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace, nuzzling her gently. His deep, magnetic voice sounded above her head, both sweet and melancholic.
“I still want to start my own household. You can’t have children, and I can’t have children. If we don’t have children to keep us together for a long time, you will definitely despise me.”
Wen Ruo's mind went blank for a moment, and she suddenly buried her face in Qi Guanlan's chest, "Shut up."
"You don't even deny it, I'm heartbroken."
The two chatted and joked until they arrived at their doorstep. Hong Shiliu and Achu were waiting for them there, clearly indicating that everyone knew about what had happened that day and that the news had spread far and wide.
Hong Shiliu looked at their clasped hands with a complicated expression. Her lips moved, but in the end she only said, "I'll go heat up the food."
Chu Danling glanced at him briefly, then immediately lowered her gaze upon seeing Qi Guanlan. "I'll help you."
Before Chi Xu could even open his mouth, he was pulled away by the two men.
Qi Guanlan tilted his head, his brows furrowing, and said aggrievedly, "What's with leaving my back like this? It seems like your family doesn't welcome me?"
"It's one thing to deal with Chu Danling, but your mother didn't even invite me to sit down. I have some kind of relationship with her, don't I?"
Wen Ruo awkwardly withdrew her hand. She had gotten so used to holding hands on the way here that she had forgotten. "Perhaps it's because you're too eye-catching and your reputation is too dazzling that they don't dare to look directly at you."
"rhetoric."
Wen Ruo entered the room, and three pairs of eyes looked through her face. Seeing that there was no one behind her, Hong Shiliu looked somewhat disappointed. "So, you and he are officially together?"
Two cups of tea were still steaming on the table. Wen Ruo took out the imperial edict and placed it on the table. "Want to see it?"
When will he come to marry me?
The teacup stopped in mid-air, and Wen Ruo paused for a moment. "Next year then."
"Beginning of the year? Or end of the year?"
Wen Ruo blinked; she forgot to ask.
Hong Shiliu stomped her foot in anger, but after a moment, her expression changed. She left with a "Fine" and went back inside.
In her opinion, it was Qi Guanlan who was in a hurry, and if he wanted Wen Ruo to set a date, it would probably be delayed again and again.
The next day, Qi Guanlan arrived at Lenghua Tower and sat casually on the manager's recliner. The waiter looked him up and down at the counter but didn't dare to provoke him.
Zhao Heng arrived a little late today, looking extremely bitter and resentful as he entered; his back teeth were probably practically ground to powder.
"Instead of preparing the betrothal gifts, you're just here freeloading?"
Qi Guanlan lay reclining on the couch. "My shop, how can you call it freeloading? You look a little pale."
Have some shame, it's not yours yet.
Qi Guanlan immediately sat up straight, took out the hairpin and waved it in front of him, "You're so stingy. I was going to give it to you, but now I see I was just being paranoid."
Zhao Heng reached out to snatch it, but Qi Guanlan quickly withdrew his hand, patted his robe, and bowed, saying, "It seems Your Highness intends to renege on the debt. Farewell."
Zhao Heng grabbed him, forcing a flattering smile, "I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you, it's just that we haven't completed the handover procedures yet."
Qi Guanlan smiled upon hearing this, "I am not a shameless person. Whether this bet stands or not is up to you."
"Naturally... it counts."
"Drinking in a bookstore is a wonderful thing." Qi Guanlan picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.
"It's for you!"
A crisp sound instantly filled the room. Qi Guanlan leaned on the table and said, "That's quite a gesture of loyalty. We'll split Leng Hua Lou in half, and you can stay as the manager. How about it?"
Zhao Heng's lips remained perfectly still, as if painted on his face. "Okay."
"Since you helped me, you'll be my friend from now on. I won't hold it against you for betraying me."
"It is truly an honor for me, Zhao."
Qi Guanlan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Zhao Heng, no wonder you don't have a wife, your smile is too fake."
Zhao Heng's face turned pale, as if he had been struck in the heart. "That's enough!"
Qi Guanlan: "That's why I said you're not ruthless enough."
"I am not as good as you. I gave up my title, I gave up my mother, and I almost gave up my hair too."
Qi Guanlan remained expressionless. "New Year's Eve is in three days. Cao Xi will be home for the holiday. You won't just stand there in front of her again, staring at each other in silence, and then exchange pleasantries outside the city before bidding her farewell from afar, will you?"
How did you know?
“Every year people watch this for fun, and the stakes are so high they could open a restaurant. I’m tired of hearing about it.”
Zhao Heng choked for a moment, "It's really kind of you to stay at home all the time, always keeping to yourself in your room, and still have time to care about me."
The tone seemed to blame me. Qi Guanlan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you throw me into a brothel?"
"......"
Do you want me to give you some advice?
A hint of hesitation flashed in Zhao Heng's eyes, but he remained silent.
He's truly hopeless; he doesn't even know how to try anything, let alone risk everything. What a cowardly and timid person he is! Is he really that unreliable? Why do you distrust him so much?
Qi Guanlan pulled out a slip of paper, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Take a look first."
Zhao Heng glanced at the text and immediately formed it into a ball. "Are you Qi Guanlan?"
"Being too proud won't get you a wife. Why do all the sweet talk you use to win over women disappear when it comes to Cao Xi? What, she's not worthy of your sweet talk?"
"timid!"
The servant knocked and entered, saw Zhao Heng's silent face, quietly put down the food box, and quietly closed the door.
Qi Guanlan inspected the food box and was very satisfied. He then straightened his clothes and said, "Alright, my snacks have arrived. I'm going to see my fiancée now. Do as you please."
Dali Temple is very quiet today.
As soon as Wen Ruo entered, she was greeted by a welcoming crowd. A group of people stood on both sides, and He An even looked pleased. Wen Ruo felt a little nauseous looking at him.
This is so unlike him.
With a whistle, the four of them stood in a row, each holding a sign that read "A Match Made in Heaven" in front of their chests.
Wen Ruo covered her eyes, "What are you doing!"
"Congratulations on finding your Mr. Right."
"When they flirted, I told them she liked him."
"You wouldn't believe it, but I was sitting next to Qi Guanlan, and his scriptures were full of portraits."
“Whenever our Lord Wen looks up, he puts on a serious face.”
"The two were holding hands in the street last night, it was simply indecent."
"Ouch... my teeth are so sensitive."
...
Wen Ruoxin was speechless. She had never seen them so curious before. It turned out they had been keeping it all to themselves!
"Lord Zhu! When did you arrive?"
"..."
When these people turned around, there was no one behind them. When they looked at Wen Ruo, she had already run away.
Wen Ruo went to Qi Guanlan's table. He was comfortable using these things, so she should return them to him.
My gaze drifted to the scriptures, and I couldn't resist my curiosity, so I flipped through them. The first page or two were indeed scriptures.
What's this next?!
I'm counting down the days!
Does she have a pen-chewing habit?
Wen Ruo glanced at the painting, then looked back at the brush holder; there seemed to be some marks on it.
She touched her brow, wondering if she had frowned that many times.
She even drew pictures of her court appearances.
Lanzhou, why are you recording this!
She was engrossed in watching when she heard a rustling sound from the doorway. Wen Ruo hid herself in her sleeve, quickly sat back down, and began to handle official business with a serious expression.
"Wen Ruo, someone is looking for you outside!"
She looked up absently, then unconsciously frowned again, remembering the portrait, before suddenly relaxing her gaze. "Who is it?"
What do you think?
He raised his eyebrows, shook the food box in his hand, and shouted loudly, "Brothers, Wen Ruo's wife has sent some snacks again."
"Please thank Brother Qi for us!"
In the courtyard, Qi Guanlan stood tall and elegant, without any hairpins, only a jade crown behind her head, her hair flowing obediently down her back, her face as clear as autumn water, gentle and refined as jade.
"Is today the last day? Are you busy with official duties?"
Wen Ruo shook her head. "Do you want to take your things now?"
Qi Guanlan's temperament suddenly changed.
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