5. Brother
◎With a ray of scorching heat, burning straight into his heart◎
As soon as the sarcastic tone passed through Wei Ziyan's mind, she immediately knew who she had met.
What a narrow road for enemies! When I went out to buy some flowers, I ran into this "old friend".
Wei Ziyan muttered to herself, "What bad luck!", turned around, and forced a calm smile: "What a coincidence! Sister Wei is here to buy flowers too?"
The person who came was Wei Tingshuang.
Her spies were guarding outside the Wei Mansion every day, and they finally waited for the news that Wei Ziyan had gone out. Of course, they came here specially to block her.
"It's God's will that I meet my sister here by chance today." Wei Tingshuang had a genuine smile on her face, which came completely from the heart.
"Sister, you don't look well. Could it be that you haven't recovered from your lovesickness yet?"
"Sister Wei is joking."
"I'm not kidding. My sister is not suffering from lovesickness. Could it be that she is pretending to be sick because she is afraid of seeing people?"
As she spoke, Wei Tingshuang let out an "Ah" as if suddenly realizing something. "I see. My sister is trying to make her fiancé feel guilty and sympathetic, so she won't come and ask for a break-up, right?"
At this point, Wei Ziyan probably guessed that the other party had ill intentions and was deliberately trying to make her unhappy.
In the past, she could have argued with Wei Tingshuang, but the situation was critical. If she continued to cause a stir, Yan Qizheng would not be able to return home later no matter what she said.
Wei Ziyan decided to keep the peace, so the perfunctory smile on her lips deepened: "Sister Wei looks good, you can go out for a walk. I am not very strong, so I will take my leave now."
As she said that, she asked Qiu Luo to pay for the orchid pot she had chosen, but was stopped by Wei Tingshuang with a "wait".
"Boss, I'll buy these flowers." Wei Tingshuang quickly threw down a piece of silver.
That doesn't make sense.
Wei Ziyan frowned slightly: "Sister Wei, I took a fancy to this orchid first."
"You were slow to pay." Wei Tingshuang said with a double meaning, "Whatever you fancy first may not be yours."
The implication is that she is determined to get the flower.
Wei Ziyan hates competing with others for things the most.
In fact, she had never wanted anything since she was a child, so why would she fight with others for anything? But it was also strange that someone would like to fight with her for the things she set her eyes on first.
Since childhood.
Qiu Luo, who was watching quietly at the side, could no longer bear it and was about to speak up for the young lady, but was stopped by Wei Ziyan's raised gesture.
"It's just a pot of flowers. If you like it, take it."
"Oh! Miss Wei, who is usually willful and capricious and loves to compete with others, is so generous today..." Wei Tingshuang clicked her tongue twice and continued to be sarcastic.
"Why are you feeling guilty? Do you think you can change your fiancé's mind by pretending to be well behaved?"
Wei Ziyan closed her eyes and slowly exhaled.
She couldn't take the path of peacemaking. So, she was happy to play along.
"It's true that I was the first one to take a fancy to this orchid." Wei Ziyan put away the fake smile on her face, and her pretty face suddenly became cold.
"A gentleman doesn't take away what others like. Even if Sister Wei can't be a gentleman, she still has to respect the principle of first come first served, right?"
"Oh," Wei Tingshuang said shamelessly, "What can I do? I just like to take away what others like."
“…”
Of course, there is no need to be polite to unreasonable people!
Wei Ziyan stopped talking and reached out to grab the flowerpot. Wei Tingshuang saw this and rushed to grab it. They each grabbed a side of the flowerpot and pulled it towards them with all their strength.
As soon as the noise came out, it immediately attracted passers-by in the flower market to watch the excitement.
Both sides were daughters from wealthy families, and the proprietress didn't dare to offend anyone. After trying to persuade them a few times but to no avail, she could only stand aside and worry.
Qiu Luo couldn't help, and he and Wei Tingshuang's maid stood aside, staring at each other.
“Let go!”
"Let go!"
At this moment, Wei Ziyan didn't care about the consequences of attracting onlookers, she just wanted to fight for her current pride.
Wei Tingshuang had no scruples at all and was determined to fight to the end.
The two men were refusing to give in and were in a stalemate when a deep male voice suddenly came from the sky.
"Ting Shuang——"
The one who came back this time was Wei Tingzhou.
Wei Tingshuang straightened her body as if she had been rescued, and quickly complained: "Brother, I bought the orchid and paid for it, but she insisted on snatching it from me."
"Brother, please make the decision for me!"
“…”
Wei Ziyan, feeling scapegoated, turned her gaze towards the suddenly appearing Wei Tingzhou. Unaware of the situation, he looked up with some surprise, looking towards her, as if seeking justice for his sister.
"Brother Yan, it was Qizhu who stole my things first."
"Sister Wei is lying! Big brother, it was Sister Wei who stole it from me."
"You are older than Qizhu, how dare you snatch things from Qizhu?"
"My elder brother is not your brother. You don't have a brother! Who told you that you don't have a brother? Hahaha..."
Memories from many years ago somehow suddenly came to her mind. Wei Ziyan was stunned for a moment, and her pair of dimmed eyes fell into Wei Tingzhou's sight.
He was about to ask what had happened, but Wei Ziyan said nothing, suddenly let go of the flowerpot, turned around and left.
Miss Wei...
"She's smart enough to know she can't win against me."
“Nonsense!”
Wei Tingshuang was feeling smug when her brother's rebuke brought her to a halt. Then, to her astonishment, she saw him pick up the orchid and chase after Wei Ziyan...
"Miss……"
Qiu Luo hurried to catch up with his young lady, but when he saw her unhappy expression, he swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
Wei Ziyan walked very fast, just wanting to get away from the trouble as soon as possible.
The carriage stopped at the end of the alley, about to cross a street. Just as she was about to start her journey, Wei Tingshuang's brother unexpectedly caught up with her and barely blocked her way.
The heartbreaking memories came back to me. Who told you that you don't have a brother...
It's not that she doesn't have a brother.
When she was young, she also had an older brother named Wei Ziheng.
Like other older brothers, he would stand up for his sister, speak for her, and make decisions for her in front of outsiders.
It's a pity that her brother passed away early...
Wei Ziyan had to stop and looked at her brother's face with a not very friendly look.
She would not allow herself to be dragged into the embarrassment of the past again.
Anyway, she had never had any contact with this court attendant, so it didn't matter if she offended him.
only--
"Miss Wei..." Wei Tingzhou actually said to her politely, "I'm sorry, the item is returned to its original owner."
Wei Ziyan's gaze fell on the orchid in his hand.
He just...
Didn't you just believe what her sister said?
"You..." Wei Ziyan was extremely surprised.
Perhaps the suspicion on his face was too obvious, Wei Tingzhou pursed his lips shyly and explained softly: "My sister doesn't know how to grow flowers, and has never bought orchids."
I see.
It turns out that there are still brothers who can distinguish right from wrong.
Wei Ziyan's mind suddenly changed, and she couldn't help but stare at him, re-examining this unfamiliar court attendant.
He has clear features and a gentle face, and actually looks like a gentle and honest man.
Wei Ziyan smiled and bowed slightly to him: "Thank you, Master Wei."
That delicate, lotus-like smile, blooming brightly in the sunlight, made Wei Tingzhou's heart skip a beat. Feeling rude, he looked away and handed the orchid to the maid beside him.
"Miss Wei, there's no need to be so polite."
Wei Tingzhou lowered his head slightly, his eyes falling on the lotus leaf-embroidered hem of Yiren's skirt, and it seemed as if his eyes were warming up. He hurriedly bowed and was about to leave when Yiren called out "Hey!"
"Master Wei, although I was the first to see the flowers, it is true that your sister paid for them first."
Wei Ziyan was also reasonable with those who were reasonable, and took out the silver to return it to him.
Wei Tingzhou had subconsciously wanted to wave his hand away, saying, "Miss Wei, you're welcome. Just consider this my apology." However, his eyes met the delicate hand in front of him, and the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back, and he reached out with his hand.
Silver indigo fell into the palm of his hand.
It was gentle, but seemed to carry a trace of scorching heat, burning straight into his heart.
"Thank you, Miss Wei." Wei Tingzhou looked uneasy and didn't dare to look at her directly. He nodded hurriedly and walked away quickly.
Thank you?
Watching Chao Fenglang leave, Wei Ziyan asked Qiu Luo with amusement, "Why did he thank me?"
"I don't know either." Qiu Luo was equally puzzled. "But fortunately, Master Wei was reasonable and didn't side with his sister. Otherwise, the young lady would have lost her favor."
"Hmm..." Wei Ziyan murmured and nodded, "He is a good brother..."
Well then!
For the sake of her brother, she treated Wei Tingshuang differently.
Just as she happily made her decision, Wei Ziyan turned around and saw a woman quietly appear behind her. The smile on Wei Ziyan's lips froze as she caught sight of her face.
"Miss Wei." The other person smiled at her.
What day is today?
Wei Ziyan couldn't help but complain in her heart, blaming her for not checking the almanac before going out. Wei Tingshuang appeared one step ahead, and Liu Yuer appeared the next.
All the women who had secret meetings with Yan Qizhen came here today to cause trouble for her?
"What? You want to ridicule me too?" No wonder she had such thoughts. They met by chance at this time, so Liu Yu'er must not have missed the excitement just now.
As expected, Liu Yu'er smiled at her and said, "I'm not as boring as that lady. I really came here to buy flowers."
Wei Ziyan looked at her, half believing and half doubting.
However, after witnessing Liu Yuer's conversation and demeanor on the boat that day, and receiving her help by giving me clothes, my impression of her was different from that of Wei Tingshuang.
With this change of thought, Wei Ziyan believed it a little, and a smile appeared on her cold face.
"I didn't expect to meet you here. I'm sorry to have made a fool of myself, Miss Liu."
Liu Yu'er smiled again: "It's better to meet by chance than to invite each other. Since we have the opportunity to meet, Miss Wei, would you like to have a cup of tea and rest for a while with Yu'er?"
Such a straightforward and direct invitation was somewhat unexpected.
Usually, when the daughters of wealthy families met for tea, they would always start with some prelude, talking nonsense and making empty promises. Liu Yu'er's simple and straightforward personality was quite to her liking.
Wei Ziyan looked at her deeply again.
The word "fate" is truly amazing! I don't know why, but when I met Liu Yu'er again today, I actually found her even more pleasing to the eye.
She was dressed in ordinary clothes, lightly made up, with a jade hairpin in her hair, and she was pure and elegant. Yan Qizheng's eyes seemed to change, this girl was not an ordinary vulgar woman.
"Okay." Without thinking too long, Wei Ziyan agreed happily.
The street along the river in the flower market was lined with wine shops and teahouses. Liu Yu'er led her and Qiu Luo to a nearby teahouse. They went up to a private room on the second floor, sat by the window, and ordered some tea and snacks.
Outside, there is a bridge, flowing water, and a bustling crowd, but the room is quiet and peaceful, with the fragrance of tea filling the air.
The orchid that Yu Qiuluo had just held in her hand was now placed on the table, illuminated by a few rays of bright sunlight, showing its vitality.
"Spring flowers are the most beautiful. Place a few pots by the window and your mood will naturally improve."
As a flower lover, Wei Ziyan naturally shared Liu Yuer's sentiments.
"Miss Liu, do you like to grow flowers?"
"I like it, but I'm just messing around." Liu Yu'er smiled modestly, "I'm nowhere near as good as Miss Wei."
"How do you know you're not as good as me?"
"To be honest, Yu'er has actually been following Miss Wei for a long time. Seeing that Miss Wei has extraordinary taste and is generous with her money, I think she is a person who loves flowers very much."
Wei Ziyan smiled sheepishly, picked up the teacup with her slender fingers and sipped it slowly.
The tea in the cup was a clear apricot yellow, mellow and sweet, with a subtle, unique floral aroma. She had been pampered since childhood, receiving annual gifts from the Emperor, and had seen many fine teas offered as tribute.
This green tea named "Yongxi Huoqing" is produced in the northern border of Liangzhou. In the early years, it was only used by the royal family and has only been circulated on the market in the past two years.
Liu Yuer just ordered the name of this tea without thinking, so it seems that she was not born in an ordinary family.
However, her clothes and accessories were simple and elegant, none of them were expensive, and her accent didn't sound like someone from the capital. Wei Ziyan couldn't help but wonder where she came from.
She never liked beating around the bush, so she asked, "Miss Liu's hometown isn't in the capital, right?"
"Yes, Yu'er grew up in Luo County, Mizhou, and just came to the capital at the beginning of the year." Liu Yu'er did not hesitate and told her origins openly.
Mizhou is a prefecture northwest of Huzhou, not too far from the northern border. Having heard of this tea, it's not surprising. But I only arrived in the capital at the beginning of the year...
Another question popped up in Wei Ziyan's mind: How did she get to know Yan Qizheng in just two months?
As if she could read her mind, Liu Yu'er looked at her with a faint smile on her lips.
"I'm inviting Miss Wei to tea today, and I'm just trying to use this opportunity to explain the misunderstanding on the boat that day."
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