Chapter 50 Falling into a Trap
Liu Mingjing stood up and said seriously, "Give Madam Wen some time to think about it. We'll come back tomorrow!"
The Liu family left with their servants, and the villagers gradually dispersed.
Ji Xianglan looked at Xibao who was still sobbing in Wen Ning's arms, her brows twisted into a knot.
"Xi Bao Niang, how could you have provoked such a vicious and murderous sect? We are just ordinary people with no power or influence, how can we fight them?"
She thought that her brother-in-law was kind to Xi Baoniang, but it turned out that he was a heartless person.
He took advantage of someone a few days ago, and today he sent someone to snatch the child away. This is damn it!
As the night shone through the window lattice, Mammy was sitting by the bed, sewing a bellyband for Xibao. Her eyes were filled with worry. "Miss, I've been thinking about it over and over again, and I really don't feel safe letting you go. What if Liu Shijing has other ideas? You won't even have anyone to look after you. What will you do then?"
Wen Ning put the sleeping Xibao on the bed and gently stroked the child's sweaty forehead with her fingertips.
"Since they're after the child, they could easily snatch him away today. Why bother with this? I see he's a scholar, so perhaps... we can find a way to have the best of both worlds."
Mammy disagreed. "How can scholars not have evil intentions? They are just using the name of being well-educated to hide their thoughts deeper."
"Young lady," the maid sighed, "I know you don't want to ask the Marquis for help, but in this situation, the Marquis is the only one who can help you!"
Nanny Xue was also puzzled. She had clearly informed the Marquis about the Liu family's affairs, so why did the Liu family still come to her?
Could it be that that Liu thing was bribed by the Marquis?
But the Marquis has always been decisive, why would he be so roundabout this time?
Wen Ning knew that the nanny was right, but she didn't want to ask the Marquis for help every time something happened.
Today I'm asking him for Xiaobao's help, but what about tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow?
She was afraid that if she spoke up this time, the next time she encountered difficulties, her first reaction would not be to handle them herself, but to hide in the presence of the Marquis.
Like a vine wrapped around a big tree, after a long time, it even loses the strength to stand on its own.
Wen Ning stood up, poured a glass of warm water and handed it to the nanny, saying soothingly, "I know what you said makes sense, but I... don't want to trouble the Marquis with everything. Since Master Liu has suggested a solution that would satisfy both sides, I'd like to hear what it is. Don't worry, nanny. I have a pair of scissors with me. If I see something wrong, I'll call for help. Nothing will happen."
Nanny Xue sighed deeply, slowly raised her hand, and patted the back of her hand. "Forget it, forget it. If you don't come back after 9 o'clock, I will crawl to find the Marquis to save you."
On the second day, Wen Ning arrived at Yuemanlou on time as agreed.
A three-story vermilion-painted wooden building stands at the corner of the street. On both sides of the rosewood plaque hang two ink-painted lanterns, one with the word "wine" written on it and the other with the word "stay".
The first floor was already quite lively at noon, with seven or eight tables of guests sitting around, and waiters coming and going with porridge and dishes.
Wen Ning hesitated for a moment at the door, and when he saw people coming and going in the hall, he calmed himself down and walked in with his head down.
She asked the waiter and learned that Mr. Liu lived in the top room on the second floor.
So he waited downstairs for more than a quarter of an hour, but no one came down.
She was a little anxious, so she had to lift her skirt slightly, step onto the ebony and copper-clad stairs, and go upstairs to look for someone in person.
Wen Ning knocked on the door lightly.
A moment later, Liu Mingjing opened the door. When he saw her, he suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "Look at my memory. I was so bad at reading that I forgot the appointment with Madam Wen. I'm so sorry."
As he spoke, he moved sideways to make way for half of the door.
Wen Ning took a half step back and said, "Mr. Liu, if you have anything to say, please say it here."
Liu Mingjing raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a wry smile, "Madam Wen, do you still not believe me?"
His eyes swept over the figures walking in the corridor, and he added, "The corridor is noisy and probably not a place for conversation."
Wen Ning raised her eyes and glanced around the corridor, and saw several residents talking in low voices.
She paused, then pursed her lips and stepped into the room.
The room was elegantly furnished, with a mahogany round table placed in the center, a celadon teacup still steaming, and two unclosed books spread out on the desk by the window.
It’s just that the incense burning on the desk is too strong. It doesn’t smell like sandalwood, but is mixed with an indescribable scent of rouge, which makes it seem like something used in a woman’s home.
Just as Liu Mingjing was about to raise his hand to lead him to the couch, Wen Ning said coldly, "No need. I'll just stand and listen to whatever Master Liu has to say."
Seeing that she refused to sit down, his hand, which was suspended in the air, paused slightly, and he picked up the celadon teapot, poured a cup of tea and pushed it to the table.
"Madam Wen, please moisten your throat."
Seeing that he hadn't gotten to the point yet, Wen Ning had no intention of trying to negotiate, so she asked directly, "I wonder what the solution to having the best of both worlds that Master Liu mentioned yesterday was? Please tell me."
Liu Mingjing drank the tea slowly, and an unfathomable light flashed in his eyes amid the mist of tea.
He put down the teacup and said softly:
"I know that my wife and my nephew have a deep bond and cannot bear to be separated. But my uncle is eager to have a grandson, and there is no room for change in this matter. How about this -
Let my nephew return to his ancestral home and be raised by the Liu family. As for you, Madam," he raised his eyes and looked at Wen Ning, "I have a quiet courtyard in the south of the city. You can live there. On the first and fifteenth day of every month, I will bring my nephew to reunite with you. What do you think, Madam Wen?"
Wen Ning's face darkened after hearing this, and she immediately shook her head, "This is inappropriate. How can I live with you, young master?"
Liu Mingjing looked at the person in front of him with clear eyebrows and eyes but a cold expression, and simply said, "Then I will be frank. If my wife follows me, she will naturally still be a member of the Liu family." He leaned forward and lowered his voice and said, "You and the child will both enter the Liu family and remain a family. This is the true way to have the best of both worlds, isn't it?"
…
Xianfengyuan, Qingfeng reports urgently.
"Master, Miss Wen went to Yuemanlou alone. Liu Mingjing asked her out!"
"What did you say!"
Xie Jinglan stood up suddenly, and the hem of his dark formal clothes swept across the teacup on the table, splashing scalding tea on the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware.
He originally thought that no matter how stubborn she was, when she was at her wit's end, she would always think of him and come looking for him.
But she would rather trust the Liu family!
Does she hate him so much?
I hate him so much that I would rather take risks alone than take a step towards him!
"Stupid!" He gritted his teeth and spat out two words, then banged his knuckles on the table, knocking a hole in it.
"Does she think Liu Mingjing is a good person? Or does she think that the Liu family's wolves will leave her alive?"
Although he spoke angrily, he had already stepped out of the study.
"Prepare the fastest horse!"
…
At this moment, Liu Mingjing's previous gentle smile suddenly faded away. He no longer cared about pretending and his true face was completely revealed.
"I will ask you to teach my nephew to read and have him enrolled in the family tree. It's better than wandering around with you without even a proper status. Isn't that right, my lady?"
Wen Ning had been forced into a corner by him, her back pressed against the cold wall, with nowhere to retreat.
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