Chapter 214 Invitation to Brother Zhao
Su Ruojin realized it belatedly. Eating together? Just the two of them?
She was in a daze when Mother Dong said, "Second Madam, I heard from the gatekeeper, Old Man Wang, that Li Xiuzhu went to look for her mother and hasn't come back for half a month."
Su Ruojin came back to her senses, "What?"
Mother Dong once again said that Li Xiuzhu had been away from her mother's house for half a month and had not returned. "Do you want to find someone to go and check on her?"
Li Xiuzhu signed a contract to sell herself and belongs to the Su family, so we must go and take a look.
Su Ruojin asked Mangzhong to help look for it at Li's place. Mangzhong nodded and went out to make arrangements.
After a while, Ye Huaizhen and Hua Ping came back, both of them looked listless. Su Ruojin already knew why they were like this, and she comforted them awkwardly: "My guess is not accurate..."
"No, young master, you are right." Ye Huaizhen firmly believed what she said.
Su Ruojin was a little embarrassed. She was not a professional detective. She just had contact with more things than them and was just making inferences based on that. It was really not accurate.
Revenge for her father is Ye Huaizhen's obsession. She pursed her lips, thinking that it is better to have an idea than to be disappointed and discouraged, so let's do it this way for now.
Hua Ping looked at the empty Su's house and asked, "Will the Second Madam live in Weizhou from now on?"
"For now."
Hua Ping nodded. A turmoil changed the life trajectories of many people. He suddenly missed the days when he used to stand by the stove.
"Time flies!" Hua Ping, who is almost thirty years old, suddenly feels nostalgic about the passing of time.
Su Ruojin followed his gaze and looked at the empty house. She felt a little emotional for a moment, but she believed that life would only get better.
In the afternoon, Su Ruojin and a few others cleaned the Su house. They also took out a lot of coarse cloth and covered the furniture and other items in the house, so that when they came back to live there would not be dust everywhere.
The next day, Su Ruojin slept until noon again. When she was preparing to have breakfast and lunch together, Yang Siniang came to her house with a happy face, "Ajin...Ajin..." and ran towards her.
She quickly glanced at Ye Huaizhen and Hua Ping standing beside her, grinned, and greeted them with a smile, "Arong, why are you here?"
"Ajin, Ajin, my father got promoted and is now the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice. My grandparents came to congratulate me. My aunt finally agreed to my marriage with my cousin and is preparing to hold an engagement ceremony for us in October."
The young lady was no longer depressed when she returned home the day before yesterday, and now she was in high spirits and looked bright and lovely.
It is true that happy events and good fortune can nourish people.
Su Ruojin wished her all the best.
The young lady was shy and happy. She took out the invitations from the maid and said, "This one is for my father's promotion party, and this one is for my engagement party. Ah Jin, you and your uncle and aunt must come."
Su Ruojin looked at the time of the two invitations and said, "I don't think my father can come to your father's promotion banquet. He just took office and has a lot of things to do. He can't get away. My eldest brother will return to the Imperial College in the next two days. I will let him represent my father to attend your father's promotion banquet then."
"Oh." Yang Si Niang said, "Then I'll go home and tell my father and mother."
The two young ladies ate lunch together hand in hand, and after lunch they went into the boudoir hand in hand, chattering all the time as if they had endless things to say.
Hua Ping and Ye Huaizhen both breathed a sigh of relief, rolled up their sleeves, and silently cleaned up the weeds in the garden and vegetable patch.
Some are happy and some are sad. Human joys and sorrows are not the same, and this is vividly reflected at this moment.
In the room, Su Ruojin was a qualified listener. She kept smiling as she watched the thirteen-year-old girl talk about when she fell in love with her cousin, how her mother thought it was a good idea to marry her back to her parents' home, and how although her father was a bad person, his promotion had brought practical benefits to her mother and the family, etc... She was happy at one moment and worried at another... She was really worried about everything.
Su Ruojin thought secretly, perhaps, this was the true reaction of a real little girl when she first fell in love!
What about her? In her previous life, her family was broken. She seemed strong, but she was like a little turtle, hiding in her shell. At the age of thirteen, she treated herself as an adult when doing things, and as a child when not doing things. She had no girlish feelings.
Is it really normal for me to be like this?
"Ajin...Ajin..." As she spoke, Yang Si Niang saw that her best friend also looked worried, "Are you worried about the person you don't have an engagement with yet?"
Well?
Su Ruojin came to her senses and shook her head, "No." She straightened up and refilled the tea for them.
Yang Si Niang was really thirsty when she spoke, she gulped down half a cup in one breath, and smiled, "How about I ask me to keep an eye out for a good boy for you?"
"No, no, thank you." Su Ruojin quickly stopped her, "I'm still young, there's no rush."
"Tsk!" Yang Si Niang didn't think so. "I'm the same age as you and I'm already engaged. My aunt and mother have discussed and decided to let my cousin marry me in three years."
Get married at the age of sixteen!
Su Ruojin was speechless! She didn't want to, and quickly changed the subject, "The dress you are wearing is very beautiful, where did you buy it?"
Yang Si Niang smiled proudly, "My mother bought it at Jinxiufang."
This is the shop under the name of Princess Yuehua. Thinking of Princess Yuehua, Su Ruojin thought of her uncle. She wondered how he was doing now. During this turmoil, she kept Shangguan Yu with her and stayed with the Su family. She didn't seem to see her uncle writing letters to Master Shangguan. What happened to these two people now...
As dusk approached, Zhao Lan came to pick someone up.
When Mao Ya was calling for help at the door, Yang Siniang raised her eyebrows at Su Ruojin, "Ajin...Ajin..."
Su Ruojin rolled her eyes at her and got up from the bed.
Yang Si Niang also clung to her, hugged her arm, and whispered in her ear, "You two can be considered childhood sweethearts, right?"
"Arong, what are you talking about?" Su Ruojin was so shocked that she quickly pushed her away and stayed away from her. She and her cousin were childhood sweethearts, so why did she act as if she was poisonous by saying that everyone else was childhood sweethearts?
Run away quickly.
"Ajin...Ajin...wait for me..."
The two young ladies came to the gate of the courtyard laughing and joking.
Zhao Lan was already waiting there. The playful young lady suddenly jumped into his sight, with her delicate features, pretty eyebrows and charming smile.
She had double spiral buns on her hair, and two pearl flowers with pendants swayed gently by her ears as she walked and turned her head, making her look pretty and lively. Behind her, the sky was full of sunset glow, and she was wearing a light silk dress, the hem of which fluttered as she ran.
Frozen in Zhao Lan's eyes, it becomes the most beautiful picture.
"Little Prince——"
"Young Prince Zhao..."
The two young ladies bowed together.
Zhao Lan lowered his head slightly, his eyes fixed only on his young lady. She was wearing a light green robe tied at the waist with a silver leather belt, and she looked like a noble young man just standing there quietly.
Her long eyebrows are painted in ink, her eyes are like lacquer dots, and she has a bright smile that makes people feel like they are in the spring breeze.
Yang Si Niang was very perceptive and knew that she was an eyesore, so she quietly moved away without waiting for anyone to say anything.
After leaving the Su family, she was still full of regrets. She was so happy. Her father had finally made a difference. Her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and others finally looked up to her mother and were willing to come to their house. It was also the first time that her cousin gave her such a thoughtful gift. She had so many things to say to Ah Jin and so much joy to share with Ah Jin. Unfortunately...
She looked behind her and smiled helplessly. She was worrying in vain. Ajin was so capable, how could Prince Zhao let her go? He would definitely marry her home. So what was she still worrying about?
She jumped away happily.
She didn't feel that way before, but once she realized that Zhao Lan was interested in her, Su Ruojin felt that every detail of his actions was full of the flavor of a lover.
Oh my god! She is only thirteen years old! How could she have the heart to do that?
Seeing that he didn't speak for a long time, Su Ruojin cleared her throat, breaking the loving gaze, "Young Prince, it's getting late, aren't you setting off?" She shouldn't have been curious about what new things he had, and why he was going to eat so late in the evening!
Someone finally withdrew his affectionate gaze, turned around with a smile, but turned his face sideways, and waited until the young lady reached his level before taking a step forward.
Of course Su Ruojin noticed this detail. She remembered that when they first met, Zhao Lan was not like this. He looked down on people and acted as if he was superior and didn't bother with ordinary people like you.
Since when did he become such a warm man? She couldn't remember it at all.
Except for the gatekeeper, Old Man Wang, everyone in the Su family was taken to Zhao Lan's Hot Pot Restaurant by Su Ruojin. In the hot summer, eating a hot pot and sweating profusely was so comfortable.
As soon as she entered the private room, she didn't think about eating hot pot first, but asked Zhao Lan, "Little Prince, where is the rare thing you mentioned?"
Zhao Lan smiled but said nothing.
The waiter in the store brought water and a towel, and Shuangrui went forward to serve him, neither hurried nor slow.
Su Ruojin was getting anxious. This guy was deliberately keeping her in suspense, and her brows were furrowed.
Another waiter came in with water. Chunxiao picked up the towel and wrung it dry and gave it to Jin Niangzi. She took it, wiped her face and hands, and thought it was troublesome to be with a noble man. She pouted, handed the towel back to Chunxiao, and found a seat to sit down.
July is the hottest time of the year, but with ice in the room, he didn't feel hot. He looked left and right. The decoration here was designed by Su Ruojin herself, so there was nothing much to see. He looked at Zhao Lan again.
At some point, this guy sat opposite her, looking at her with a smile on his face.
Su Ruojin: ...
It was not until then that she realized that they were the only two people in the room.
"Where are Uncle Hua and Shopkeeper Ye?"
"Next door."
She frowned again, "Hotpot needs more people to be lively."
"I don't like it."
Su Ruojin: ...Well, she almost forgot that he was a nobleman, so she refused to eat any noisy hotpot with others.
He rolled his eyes secretly, got down to business, and smiled flatteringly, "Little Prince, what on earth is it?"
Zhao Lan raised his eyebrows: "What did you call me?"
"Zhao Xiao..."
"wrong."
"Commander Zhao?"
"You are not my subordinate."
Someone glanced at her with dissatisfaction.
Su Ruojin understood the look in his eyes. God, he wouldn't let her call him "little brother" or "brother Zhao", would he? She covered her face with her hands and wanted to run away.
As if seeing through the young lady's thoughts, Zhao Lan threw out temptation in time: "Don't you want to know what rare thing I got?"
Su Ruojin: ...
She was thinking about several species, which one was it? If it was a pepper, she could call him Brother Zhao every day!
"Small……"
"Hmm?" Zhao Lan's eyes contained a hint of a smile, calm and peaceful, yet concealing a determined attitude.
Su Ruojin was so angry that her teeth itched. Humph, it's just calling you "Brother Zhao", just call me if you want, what's there to be afraid of.
The flattering smile was as fake as it could be, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Zhao, what is it?"
"Want to know?"
Su Ruojin pouted and looked at the nobleman opposite her who looked like a decent man. She rolled her eyes secretly and didn't want to know what she was doing sitting there.
On his face, he faked a smile again, "Yes, Brother Zhao."
He nodded at the seat next to him and said, "Come here!"
Su Ruojin just put down her hand and couldn't help but cover her face again. This guy...
Zhao Lan waited calmly. He had known the young lady for a long time. Her curiosity about new things was more important than his. When he thought that new things were more important than him, he became less happy.
There was no movement on the other side. Su Ruojin spread her fingers and peeked, but was caught by someone. He frowned and urged her.
She quickly took away her hands that were covering her face.
Oh!
Just sit down. I have known him since I was six years old. It has been seven years. Am I still afraid of being eaten by him?
Su Ruojin stood up suddenly, sat next to him, turned around, moved closer, and suddenly confronted him, "Brother Zhao, where are the things?"
Caught off guard.
Zhao Lan stepped back subconsciously after being confronted.
Su Ruojin blinked, and when she saw someone's slightly embarrassing movements, she smiled unkindly.
After her revenge was accomplished, she smiled triumphantly and retracted her head. You little bastard, you are still too young to fight with your sister!
Zhao Lan also realized her own timidity and coughed to cover it up. Her ears turned red where no one could see. She saw the smug expression on her face from the corner of her eye and couldn't help but turn her head away, attracted.
A face full of pampering.
"Serve the food," he suddenly called out.
Su Ruojin had no appetite, but this guy was clearly keeping her in suspense, and she got so angry that her mouth puffed up.
Zhao Lan smiled and took the chopsticks and the small plate for her.
Su Ruojin watched him busying himself. His movements were graceful and his fingers were slender, which was pleasing to the eye.
It was such a wonderful feeling. Su Ruojin had always been the one worrying about the whole family and the shop. She didn't know when it started, but since she had been with Zhao Lan, he had been doing things for her like holding chopsticks. No, there was more. He protected the Su family and her, allowing her to live peacefully in the Dayin Dynasty.
It was as if he was worrying about her, so she didn't have to worry, and she even felt at ease and even a little comfortable enjoying his worry and care.
Love? Why did she deserve his love?
Realizing this, something deep in Su Ruojin's heart was touched, bringing about long and subtle soreness and swelling.
Staring at him blankly.
A handsome and almost perfect appearance, an unattainable noble status, and impeccable patience towards her, which one could a plain girl like her get?
Deep in my heart, I sighed deeply! How could I have done such a thing!
She reached out and took the chopsticks and set the dishes for him, carefully and meticulously.
Zhao Lan stared at her infatuatedly, "Ajin..."
Su Ruojin paused holding the bowl and looked up at him.
Eyes met.
In each other's eyes, there is each other's shadow.
In the corner of the private room, the ice was melting quietly.
Su Ruojin felt her heart melting as well.
Zhao Lan reached out and covered the young lady's hand that was holding the chopsticks.
The young lady subconsciously shrank back, but was caught by the young man. She tried to break free from his warm palm, but Zhao Lan held her tightly, "Ajin, I..."
At the door, Shuangrui's voice came in, "Sir, Princess Yuehua is here for dinner. She heard you were here and asked if she could have a room."
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