Wen Ruo's ideal type
A square box came into view.
"After this meal, I won't go there again. I've arranged guards around the area, and I'll have them deliver messages if anything comes up."
Wen Ruo opened the box; inside was a jade seal with two characters engraved on it.
"This is a token of my trust. To prevent anyone from impersonating me, I only recognize this seal."
Wen Ruo immediately put it away and said solemnly, "Don't worry, I will inform the young master when the big fish takes the bait."
Seeing her impatient manner, Qi Guanlan felt a lump in his throat again. "Are you annoyed with me?"
Wen Ruo looked at him in surprise. "See? I told you and you wouldn't admit it. Now it's true."
“If this drags on, I’m afraid it will damage the young master’s reputation. It’s just right now.” A few days or ten days would be fine, but if it went any longer, not only outsiders, but even she would panic.
"Thank you so much for thinking of me."
Wen Ruo smiled and cupped her hands, saying, "I wouldn't dare. The princess's whip technique is superb. I have seen it with my own eyes. It is a beautiful sight to behold, and when it hits you, your soul will be shattered. If I have the chance, I would really like to learn a move from her."
"Brother Guanlan? Wen Ruo?"
Wen Ruo turned around and saw the two Miss Suns holding hands. Qi Guanlan had a sour face and only nodded slightly to them, not giving them a friendly look. After exchanging greetings, the two hurried upstairs.
"Sister Xue Rong, are you unhappy?"
Sun Xuerong forced a smile. She had specifically ordered someone to keep an eye on Qi Guanlan, and as soon as he left, a servant came to report. Now she saw the result: Wen Ruo had used some means to bewitch Qi Guanlan, and Her Highness the Princess probably didn't know.
Seeing her expression, Sun Yueyou clenched her fists. Wen Ruo was keeping Fu Jingjiang on her toes while also flirting with Qi Guanlan. If it weren't for her meddling, she and Sister Xue Rong could have been happy on their own.
"Sister Xue Rong is a little sad. Miss Wen, could you please help me talk to her?"
Sun Yueyou suddenly appeared before her, slightly out of breath, her eyes filled with urgency. Wen Ruo put down her teacup. "I'm sorry, Miss Yueyou, my mother is unwell, I have to leave immediately."
"
Qi Guanlan's gaze swept back and forth across the two faces before finally settling on the dining table, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Now that we know she is very likely a descendant of Miss Yue, why not seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get closer to her?
However, he reconsidered. Perhaps he had his eye on the same person. If he lowered his stance and Miss Yue made her appearance, the scholar might not necessarily be his.
Wen Ruo paid the money, her purse empty, and stood at the door. "Young Master, did you calculate this correctly?"
Qi Guanlan asked with a cold expression, "Are you sure I'm overthinking it?"
Wen Ruo chuckled, knowing that Qi Guanlan was quite the vengeful one. "My mother is waiting for me, so I won't see you off, young master."
Why did you reject her?
Wen Ruo paused, "If I were to rush to please them, wouldn't I be considered inferior?"
So it really was for that scholar's sake, Qi Guanlan lowered his eyes and asked again, his tone dry, "Are you afraid she'll steal it?"
"I'm afraid she won't take it."
A soft murmur seeped into his heart, and Qi Guanlan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He felt inexplicably dry-mouthed and his heart raced. It was as if he had returned to that forest, where Wen Ruo, despite her illness, looked like she could collapse at the slightest breeze, yet her whole being was full of cunning.
With a burning gaze fixed on him, it was hard for him not to notice. Qi Guanlan suddenly turned around and met Sun Yueyou's thoughtful gaze. She looked away in a panic.
Wen Ruo looked over as well, curtsied slightly to her, and slowly walked away.
Watching Wen Ruo's departing figure, Qi Guanlan subconsciously followed, "What does that mean?"
"Heavenly secrets must not be revealed."
Qi Guanlan stepped in front of her, saying, "I'm on your side, and I won't say anything out of line."
He took out a silver ingot and stuffed it directly into her purse. "Speak quickly."
Wen Ruo clutched her purse and said with a smile, "Shouldn't you be going home?"
"You'll regret this!"
Wen Ruo smiled faintly, laughing at his naivety. What could she possibly regret?
It was already noon when he got home. Carrying vegetables in one hand and wine in the other, he shouted, "Mr. Yi, come and try the chef's skills at Yun Jin Lou!"
Mr. Yi, beaming with delight, dragged his chair over to the table. "So generous today, did you have a great time at Shuimeng Lake? Do you also like scholars?"
Wen Ruo tightened her lips, took out two bowls of rice, and handed one to him, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about? I just discovered something today."
"What's up?"
Wen Ruo shook the rice bowl in her hand and divided the food in two. "Of course, I'll send the rice to Mother first."
As soon as the lid was lifted, a strong aroma of wine wafted out. Mr. Yi took a sip, and his eyes lit up immediately. "Good wine! This must have cost a lot of money!"
"Yes, please enjoy."
After delivering the meal, Wen Ruo smiled and closed Shi Liu Niang's door. She quickly sat down opposite him, poured herself a glass, and took a light sniff. The smell made her cough involuntarily. "It's so spicy."
"So let me handle this. Don't try to be a hero, little girl." Mr. Yi snatched the wine glass, downed it in one gulp, closed his eyes, and looked on with a look of enjoyment. "I'm full. Now, let's talk."
Wen Ruo propped her chin up, her brows furrowed slightly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, and said slowly, her voice sounding as if she were drunk, "I think, maybe, possibly have found a way to help my mother settle her old grudges."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"He was always uneasy, even though he was using scholars."
"That's it?" Mr. Kakeru was speechless. "Will it cost him his life?"
"Won't."
Will it ruin his reputation?
"Won't."
If it's ruined, it's her reputation that's affected; to men, it's merely considered a romantic affair.
"Will it hinder his future?"
"Won't."
"That's settled then. Why are you being so indecisive? This isn't like you."
"You know, once emotions and feelings get involved, things always take an unexpected turn."
Wen Ruo lowered her head in thought, wishing she had just been overthinking things.
Just like Yang Shen, I wonder how his sister is doing, while Yang Fei is already engaged.
"The scholar likes you?" Mr. Yi's eyes widened immediately. He stroked his beard and clicked his tongue in admiration, "It's true that youth is a blessing."
"What's so lamentable about falling in love?"
Would it be better if I didn't notice?
"As someone who's been there, let me tell you, not all liking should be accepted. If he likes it, great. If you like it too, then all's well that way. If you don't like it, then walk away cleanly."
"Is it really that easy?"
"If he becomes resentful, you should celebrate. Luckily you didn't fall for him, luckily you didn't agree, luckily you saw him clearly. So many good things, but that's not enough."
Wen Ruoshen agreed, picked up the wine pot and filled his cup, saying, "Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years."
"You little girl have such a sweet tongue. That's why I said you're too mature for your age. You should enjoy life while you can. You're still young, so it's okay to make a mistake once or twice."
Wen Ruo: "But I've always been unlucky, how can I fix this?"
“Death is nothing to be afraid of; it’s bound to happen sooner or later.” Mr. Yi took out a small, colorful bottle that looked like it contained poison. Wen Ruo nodded. “Now that you mention it, it’s not so scary.”
"Right? I think a scholar is quite good too. It's not impossible to turn a fake relationship into a real one. You can coax him into becoming a noblewoman in the future."
“I’m afraid that in the future people will look down on me as a stumbling block. I’m too frail to bear that.”
Mr. Yi chuckled, “If you don’t like being an official’s wife, what kind do you prefer? I’m a man of wide experience, let me give you some advice.”
Wen Ruo counted on her fingers, one by one, "When I'm hungry, I wish I were a cook; when I'm sick, I wish I were a doctor; when I'm poor, I wish I were a rich person; when I'm bullied, I wish I were a high-ranking official. But I found that none of that worked. I might as well be a god."
What are the gods going to do?
"Can you calculate how much worse my luck can get?"
"Interesting. Since you don't know, I'll help you." Mr. Yi rubbed his palms together and raised both hands. "The left is handsome and dashing, the right is plain-looking. Which one do you choose?"
Wen Ruo pointed to the left without blinking.
Mr. Yi chuckled, "The left side is flamboyant and carefree, the right side is gentle and refined. Which one would you choose?"
"Isn't there anything else?" Wen Ruo bit her lip. "Then how about the left side? I can't agree with the right side."
Mr. Yi said "Oh," and smiled, "The left side is for studying, the right side is for martial arts. Which one do you choose?"
"The right side, please."
Mr. Yi teased, "It seems you prefer someone like General Gu Yu. It's a pity he has no son. I'll ask him another day if he has any apprentices in the army and introduce one to you."
Wen Ruo, without blushing or skipping a beat, asked, "Are you still playing or not?"
A knock came at the door, interrupting the two's playful banter. Mr. Yi casually withdrew his hand, saying, "We can play another day. Someone's here."
Wen Ruo opened the door, but there was only one person outside; Fu Jingjiang was nowhere to be seen. She asked worriedly, "Achu, why did you come alone?"
"It's okay, I know the way."
Mr. Yi: "Why isn't Xiao Fu with you?"
"I received an invitation to go to the academy."
"Going to the academy is good; you'll definitely pass the imperial examination next year."
He really loves to stir things up. Wen Ruo finished cleaning up the dishes and sat down to the side, quietly arranging the medicinal herbs. She was lost in thought for a moment and murmured, "That's fine too."
The sun shone through the window, and the snowman in the yard gradually melted. The wind blew through the branches and occasionally lashed the snowman's head, blurring its appearance. Even though it was cold, this winter was the happiest she had ever had.
Wen Ruo rarely went out, spending her time in the courtyard with Mr. Yi. In the blink of an eye, the New Year was approaching. Shi Liu Niang was already able to move around freely, and A Chu was visiting less and less often.
Parting and reunion are inevitable, except for Qi Guanlan.
"I wasn't planning on taking on the princess job, but you've got too much free time." Wen Ruo held the pigeon, completely baffled as to where Qi Guanlan got such curiosity from.
"Young master, the guards are here."
At this moment, Qi Guanlan was nestled in his study, books scattered on the couch. Hearing the sound, he immediately sat up and asked, "How is Wen Ruo?"
"She's afraid of the cold and doesn't come out much. Aside from taking walks with her mother, she usually plays chess with Mr. Yi."
"She can play chess?"
"They used medicinal herbs, using poison to fight poison, and pharmacological interactions, so they must have been teaching her medicine."
Qi Guanlan raised an eyebrow. "Does the old man really consider her his apprentice?"
“Young Master is right. Mr. Yi occasionally mentions wanting to take her on a journey, saying he wants to collect Gu poisons, but Miss Wen has not agreed.”
Gu? Qi Guanlan suppressed his doubts and asked, "She didn't see anyone else? Nor did any strangers approach?"
"Yes, apart from Ah Chu, the harassment from the young master next door was stopped by my subordinate, there was no one else."
"Does the neighbor next door have some nerve to harass my people?"
"Perhaps it's because the young master has rarely shown up lately."
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