Marrying a short-lived man?!
"Everyone can verify this. It is already recorded in the Ministry of Revenue that she changed her surname to Wen. In order to completely sever her father-daughter relationship with Wen Yongji, she begged and pleaded to change her name. From now on, she will be called Wen Xiangyang."
"therefore."
Wen Ruo pulled a scroll from her sleeve. The bright yellow scroll was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight. She knelt on the ground and held up the imperial edict. "Right now, even if we search the entire capital, there is only one Wen Ruo."
"That is I."
"Wen Ruo already accepted this imperial edict!"
Qi Guanlan lost the strength to speak and stood frozen in place.
Sun Xuerong burst out laughing, as if she had heard something utterly absurd. "Are you out of your mind? Why didn't you say so earlier? You only brought it up now that he's a commoner. Wen Ruo, is this funny?"
Rong Jing's voice was hoarse, a mix of persuasion and threat: "Aren't you determined to become an official and never marry?"
Wen Ruo slowly unfolded the imperial edict, "Your Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon me, and said it so beautifully. It's perfectly acceptable for me to marry."
"A marriage contract is not a game, and deceiving the emperor is an even greater act of treason. Have you thought it through?"
"Qi Guanlan goes to the Dali Temple every day to handle cases?"
"My colleagues at the Dali Temple can all testify!"
"It was just flirting. I just wanted to teach him a lesson so he wouldn't be so arrogant. Who knew the consequences would be so serious?"
Wen Ruo sighed, "To be honest, the moment I received the imperial decree, I made a promise with him that I would agree to marry him once he established his own household. Now he would rather become a nun than force me, which can also be considered a form of independence."
"A gentleman keeps his word, and I cannot break my promise."
Even if it was a setup, she did take the bait.
Rong Jing gave the two of them a deep look, then left with Yun Qing without saying a word.
Zhao Heng's face was just as ugly as Sun Xuerong's.
"I'm too late!"
Yang Shen rushed over and, upon seeing the scene, suddenly laughed. "Lord Gu is busy with official duties and asked me to see Brother Qi off and pass on a message. It seems it's no longer needed."
"Lord Yang, what are you saying?"
Yang Shen hesitated, glancing at the two of them. Zhao Heng, already annoyed, urged him with a stern face, "Speak!"
"Don't worry, he's in charge of the capital."
A smile appeared in Zhao Heng's eyes. "Brother Qi, be careful not to be abandoned."
Qi Guanlan gritted his teeth, "Tell him to get lost!"
With the good deed done, there was no point in keeping it going. The crowd gradually dispersed, and Wen Ruo and her entourage returned to Lenghua Tower.
Holding the sweet rice wine, Zhou Xuanyan finally came to her senses. "Wen Ruo, you've gone a bit too far!"
Having already jeopardized Qi Guanlan's title, she cautiously glanced at the former Prince Anping, fearing that if they ever quarreled, he might have to back down.
Zhao Heng put down the cold hawthorn with a sour tone, "It is a bit like publicly expressing affection."
Qi Guanlan was probably completely disoriented.
Why should I?!
Wen Ruo spread her hands, a thin layer of cold sweat seeping from her palms, her whole body still covered in goosebumps. She had finally gotten a ten-day break, hoping to have some time to think things through. "Princess Rong Jing has taken drastic measures, there's nothing I can do!"
Qi Guanlan's eyes moved slowly, then his gaze cleared instantly. "If you regret it, I..."
"What, you're backing out of the bet?"
Qi Guanlan immediately fell silent, giving Zhao Heng a sidelong glare; he must have said it on purpose. Wen Ruo pretended not to see their subtle exchange; she was now extremely curious about what was wrong with Qi Guanlan's health.
Pulling Zhou Xuanyan aside, the two whispered to each other for a while before Zhou Xuanyan left with a smile on her face.
Wen Ruo's gaze kept falling on Qi Guanlan, her eyes gleaming as if she was plotting something again.
Zhao Heng pinched the bridge of his nose. "I won't disturb you two any longer."
They didn't mention the bet at all.
Wen Ruo stopped him, "Your Highness, Qi Guanlan is now down on his luck. We should give him the shop he used for the betting. He spends money recklessly, and I'm afraid he'll be starving in a few days."
Qi Guanlan felt no shame upon hearing this; his expression was gentle, and his face was full of affection, clearly appreciating her concern.
Zhao Heng chuckled awkwardly, "Brother Qi is truly blessed. His mother protected him in the first half of his life, and his wife supported him in the second half."
A glimmer of hope appears after a period of despair.
Qi Guanlan couldn't suppress the urge to smile. He rolled his eyes and said in a tone that sounded like he was granting amnesty to the world, "For the sake of our childhood friendship, I'll invite you and Cao Xi to our wedding."
Zhao Heng's expression softened slightly. "You're smart to know what's good for you."
After Zhao Heng left, Wen Ruo asked curiously, "What does he want? He actually dared to gamble with Leng Hua Lou, which is his life's work."
Qi Guanlan's heart stopped beating. Just thinking about it made his heart ache, but now that he had gotten what he wanted, he could let go of that trivial matter.
After carefully considering his tone, he still spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "Your and Cao Xi's token of love."
A floating cloud hairpin.
Cao Xi's old belongings.
Wen Ruo hummed in agreement, her fingertips slowly brushing across the corner of her eyebrow, and muttered softly, "That sounds strange."
"Isn't that right?"
Wen Ruo's voice choked. Seeing that he was still holding a grudge, she moved closer to his face, her tone both unreasonable and assertive, "We're not even married yet, are you trying to bring up old grievances? Your temper is back again?"
"If I say yes, will you go back on your word?"
"Pop~"
Qi Guanlan was stunned on the spot.
"I apologized."
Qi Guanlan's ears blushed instantly, and his cheeks turned bright red. Wen Ruo's eyes widened, and in a single breath, their gazes met, their hearts pounding.
In an instant, a force was applied to her waist. Wen Ruo kept her eyes straight ahead, and there was even a hint of expectation in her eyes.
With their thoughts so close, Qi Guanlan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. A faint fragrance lingered around them, and Wen Ruo suddenly felt that she had acted impulsively.
Unexpectedly, Qi Guanlan seemed to remember something the next moment, "Wait for me."
After saying that, he ran out as fast as he could, as if he had seen a ghost.
Wen Ruo sat back down in her chair, looking towards the door in confusion. What was this reaction? Had she flirted with an innocent married man?
"I don't think so!"
She rested her chin on her hand and muttered to herself, "Tuesday was only half right."
At least human desires still exist.
Half an hour later, Zhao Heng suddenly came over, looking at her with surprise. When asked about Qi Guanlan, he said he was in a hurry to prepare the betrothal gifts.
Wen Ruo was lost in thought. At this moment, she couldn't tell whether Qi Guanlan was impatient or fleeing in panic.
What's wrong with his health?
Zhao Heng slung his long sleeves over his shoulder and said, "I'll keep this key for him for a while."
That's when they realized they needed to keep their mouths shut.
Half a day later, she straightened her sleeves and said, "Never mind, I still need to write a letter to Cao Xi, so I'll take my leave now."
“I also heard that he ate some weird stuff.” Zhao Heng paused, then said with difficulty, “I just saw him taking medicine.”
"You were the one who took him home after the bet?"
"Xiao Shun took him back."
The breakup between the two was too sudden. Did they have another fight, so the princess gave up on him?
As evening fell, Wen Ruo stood at the gate of the Gu residence. Was Qi Guanlan's so-called collection of betrothal gifts just a way to freeload off his friend?
Who would have thought that the dignified Gu Ying would live in the chaotic North Street, a place where all sorts of people gather!
The place is surrounded by trees on both sides and backed by water; it's too quiet, which doesn't suit Gu Ying's flamboyant personality.
"Lord Gu is not in the residence. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
Yang Shen smiled. Five years had passed, and everything had changed for him. "Where is Qi Guanlan?"
"Wen Ruo, come in quickly."
Qi Guanlan waved to her, his face rosy, not at all like someone who was sick. Wen Ruo took a deep breath and said, "Sorry to bother you."
Qi Guanlan was perfectly at home in the Gu family.
Because nobody in the mansion cares about it.
Besides the cook, Yang Shen was the only other person in the household.
Perhaps they hired a new cook because they were afraid Yang Shen would starve to death. Yang Shen has only been back in the capital for a few days and is now all alone, unlike him who is wealthy and eats out every day.
The cook's skills were impeccable. After the three of them had eaten and drunk tea, during the final exchange of pleasantries, Qi Guanlan suddenly had to leave.
Wen Ruo followed, wanting to see what Qi Guanlan was up to.
Qi Guanlan jogged into a courtyard. Yang Shen said it was Gu Ying's storeroom, but he just watched without intervening. A rustling sound came from inside, and Qi Guanlan took out a box of jewelry, preparing to close the door.
Wen Ruo stepped forward and grabbed him, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
They really treat this place like their own home.
Qi Guanlan's eyes flashed, and he boasted, "Gu Ying and I are sworn brothers, we've been through thick and thin together."
"If I get married, shouldn't he give me some money as a wedding gift?"
"Zhao Heng's Lenghua Tower will be yours from now on."
They have such thick skin.
Qi Guanlan, seemingly detached and aloof, appeared to have never been outside the city gates.
"I can't wait."
"Don't move!"
Wen Ruo let go of his hand and took out the bulging jewelry from his arms. Golden walnuts, the Gu family actually had them. Could it be that the rich had a special hobby?
Qi Guanlan stood obediently in place, letting her do as she pleased. He clenched his fists in pain, each item she took felt like a knife to his heart, and his face gradually turned pale.
Yang Shen couldn't stand it any longer and said with a strange expression, "Lord Gu said he's free to do as he pleases."
"Wen Ruo, you don't feel sorry for him, do you?"
"You know that you can't do two things at once, right?"
Seeing that she didn't speak, Qi Guanlan frowned, feeling a pang of grievance, and said, "Say something!"
Pack!
Wen Ruo casually moved closer to him, staring intently at him, and said, "Speaking of multitasking, are you hiding something from me?"
Qi Guanlan slowly withdrew his hand. "What is it?"
Wen Ruo snatched back the luminous pearl and slammed the box shut. "For example, if someone is actually short-lived, since I'm going to marry him, I naturally can't marry someone who's using medicine to prolong his life."
Qi Guanlan suddenly smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Didn't you want someone who died young? My mother doesn't want me anymore, so I should be heartbroken."
Wen Ruo paused, "Why did you break up?"
She wasn't in the capital, nor did she leave Qi Guanlan any lasting memories, so logically things shouldn't have come to this.
"I already said that my mother chose the unborn child over me. I was heartbroken, so it's not like I did anything outrageous. She doesn't accept it, and there's nothing I can do about it."
"But now it seems that I meet all three conditions."
"Don't think I can't tell you're feeling guilty."
Wen Ruo pinched him hard, but he had no soft flesh on his waist and was unaffected. He still shamelessly teased, "I know, you're just concerned about me."
He slowly shook his head, his smile unwavering. "No, you like me."
Wen Ruo: "Confess and you'll be treated leniently. What's wrong with the medicine?"
"That bastard Zhao Heng," Qi Guanlan said after a moment of silence, "I'm not short-lived, really."
"So what did you eat?"
"The Replenishing Pill that Old Man Yi gave me before he left will make me live longer and longer."
Taking advantage of her inattention, Qi Guanlan slipped two more gold coins into her hand. His hands felt heavy, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He pressed his advantage, saying, "You know how vicious Fu Jingjiang is."
"The poison from the arrow has left some aftereffects; I occasionally experience heart palpitations, but it's nothing serious. I just need to burn incense before bed."
He rummaged around for a bit, pulled out a long box, smelled it, and looked at her pitifully, "Gu Ying, this fragrance is nice, may I take it?"
Wen Ruo glanced at it; the bottom had intricate patterns, so it was probably a gift from the palace. It suited his taste perfectly, and he softened, saying, "Alright."
It's sitting in the storeroom, almost gathering dust, which means Gu Ying doesn't use it much. At worst, we can find another one to give to him later.
"Pop!"
Even with Yang Shen present, Wen Ruo remained calm and composed, clearly used to it.
Qi Guanlan held Xiang in one arm and took Wen Ruo's hand in the other, as if they were a couple returning home together.
Only Yang Shen remained in the courtyard.
A cold wind swept in, and the lights in the corner went out all at once, so no one could see his dark face.
His solitary figure almost blended into the moonlight.
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