Lin Qinghui said that no matter how capable Tang Chen was, she was still just an unmarried girl and couldn't cause any trouble. Besides, Shangguan Bing'er had been raised in a wealthy family, and even if she hadn't been involved in the affairs between women, she had seen a lot. As long as Wang Yanzhou agreed, it would be easy to deal with. "Okay, I bet Miss Tang will be sensible and keep him."
Wang Yanzhou said with a smile, "Well, if uncle loses, I want your jade-carved cinnabar plum blossom."
Lin Qinghui subconsciously took a step back. "You're asking for too much! I spent a lot of effort to have a master carve it. Not to mention the carving and its meaning, the jade itself is a rare treasure!"
Wang Yanzhou didn't say much to him, only said: "Let's talk about whether to gamble or not."
Lin Qinghui thought for a moment and said, "...If I win, you must keep your word and accept her. Also, I won't be shy about asking for too much. Miss Tang and you are still not a good match, but Bing'er is different. You must listen to me and decide how to distinguish their status."
Wang Yanzhou closed his folding fan and said, "Deal. Uncle, you must keep your word. Wait for me to get the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and we will sign a document."
When Lin Qinghui heard that he had to sign a document, he suddenly became nervous: "Well, I am your uncle after all, you are being too polite."
Wang Yanzhou explained: "Even brothers should settle accounts openly. What's more, this bet is about your nephew's lifelong event, so we can't be careless."
Lin Qinghui thought what Wang Yanzhou said made sense. Besides, if there was a written agreement, if he won, Wang Yanzhou would not be able to regret it or elope with his men. "Forget it, just establish it. No one can deny it later."
"That's exactly the point."
Here, Wang Yanzhou and Lin Qinghui were chatting animatedly in the small courtyard outside the house, while the three women in the house were also trying hard to practice the famous saying that three women make a play.
After Mother Zhou briefly introduced the two girls, Shangguan Bing'er stood up slowly, with an elegant smile on her face. She bent her knees slightly towards Tang Chen and said, "I've heard of Miss Tang's name for a long time, and today I finally have the chance to meet her."
Seeing this, Tang Chen also stood up quickly. Although he had a smile on his face, he actually didn't accept the courtesy. He even said jokingly, "Eh? I'm just an ordinary man who runs a study. How did you hear of me, young lady? You'd better stop framing me."
Shangguan Bing'er couldn't hold back her smile for a moment, and she quickly cast a look at Mother Zhou for help. After Mother Zhou received the signal, she pulled the two back to their seats and said, "Come on, have some tea."
After Tang Chen took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, he immediately started his background check: "Come to think of it, I just heard what Mrs. Zhou said. Miss Shangguan and Yan Zhou have known each other since childhood?"
Shangguan Bing'er nodded slightly and replied, "My father was a senior official in the previous dynasty, so we are acquainted."
Tang Chen suddenly realized and said, "In that case, the young lady and the prince are indeed a perfect match."
"Miss Tang, you're joking." Shangguan Bing'er wasn't exactly a match for Wang Yanzhou, but at least the gap wasn't too far. One was a prince with little real power, while the other was the legitimate daughter of a senior official from the previous dynasty. Compared to Tang Chen, Shangguan Bing'er felt quite confident in her status alone.
Although she found it somewhat difficult to accept when she knew that Wang Yanzhou had plans to get married, when she thought about it carefully, if such an unattainable man like him could take a fancy to the woman in front of him, he would definitely be moved by her sincerity.
Tang Chen then asked, "I am not talented. I know nothing about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, rituals, music, riding, and archery. I am just a commoner. I wonder if the young lady has any talents?"
Mother Zhou noticed that Shangguan Bing'er's expression was a little off, and also heard that Tang Chen's question was a little inappropriate, so she reminded him, "Ahem, Miss Tang, let's talk about something else."
Tang Chen thought, since you guys want to talk about something else, then she'll just say what they want to hear and then end the topic. To be honest, Shangguan Bing'er is really a good person based on what she can see.
But no matter how good she was, she wouldn't allow her to compete with her for someone else. Since everyone's intentions were obvious, why not just go to the mansion and fight face to face? It just so happened that she also wanted to see if Wang Yanzhou could stick to the promises he had made to her.
"Very well, Miss Shangguan and I hit it off right away, and I'd like to invite you to stay at my mansion for a while. What do you think?"
When Mother Zhou heard this, her mouth almost stretched to her ears. She had said that she had seen many wealthy families, and a virtuous mistress would not monopolize her husband: "Bing'er, see, I said that Miss Tang is virtuous and sensible."
Shangguan Bing'er couldn't hide her joy as she replied, "Then I'll obey your command."
Tang Chen saw that the discussion was almost over. He took a deep breath and called out loudly, "Wang Yanzhou!"
Wang Yanzhou, who was talking to Lin Qinghui outside the house, heard Tang Chen calling him and rushed in reflexively without saying a word: "I'm here, what's the matter?"
Tang Chen blinked his big eyes and asked softly, "I want to invite Miss Shangguan to my house for a few days. Do you have any objections?"
Wang Yanzhou coughed twice, feeling a little uncomfortable, and said, "Just make your decision. You don't need to ask me about such trivial matters."
"Well, let's go back together tomorrow." After saying that, Tang Chen stood up, bowed deeply to Lin Qinghui and Mother Zhou, and said, "Uncle, Mother Zhou, I'm sorry to bother you today."
Mother Zhou then happily said, "Don't bother me, don't bother me. I'll go clean up my room and come out!"
Shangguan Bing'er said, "Thank you for your help."
The next day, taking advantage of the beautiful spring sunshine and Tang Chen's reluctance to rush, the group departed immediately after breakfast. The three of them crammed into the carriage, where Shangguan Bing'er and Wang Yanzhou were chatting about their childhoods. Tang Chen had originally hoped to hear some subtle details to glean some clues about Wang Yanzhou, but after a while, he'd only heard boring stories. After silently complaining about their boring childhood, Tang Chen stopped the carriage.
Wang Yanzhou got the chance and quickly turned the topic to Tang Chen, who had been quiet the whole time: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I want to go out for a horse ride," Tang Chen said as he pulled up the curtain of the carriage and was about to go out.
Wang Yanzhou also expressed his opinion: "Okay, I'll accompany you."
After several people got off the carriage and watched the groom untie the reins from a horse, Tang Chen gently patted the horse's head and said eagerly, "No need, just accompany the guests."
Wang Yanzhou helplessly put his fan on his waist and asked, "Are you sure you can get on the horse by yourself?"
Tang Chen looked at the horse, which was about the same height as himself. After discovering that it had no stirrups, he decisively gave up the idea of having fun alone: "...I'll give you a chance."
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