Jiang Chengli finally agreed to return to the manor, and another carriage arrived at the Marquis's residence.
"Wanying, do you want to ride with Chengli?" Cen Ying asked softly.
"I will follow Mother's instructions," she replied obediently.
Who's riding with him? He almost strangled me to death before; if I'm in the same carriage with him again, I'm afraid I won't survive until we get off.
Of course, she couldn't help but have some complaints in her heart. The first time they met, Jiang Chengli had threatened her by grabbing her by the neck, which left a really bad impression on her. She would probably remember it for the rest of her life.
Cen Ying originally wanted the two of them to get to know each other better. It wasn't that she wanted them to be particularly close, but rather that Jiang Chengli's chance to break free from Xing Xiaoya's influence and escape his shackles lay with Xu Wanying, which meant that the two of them needed to spend more time together.
Hearing how much Xu Wanying disliked him, Cen Ying felt a headache coming on. She glanced at Jiang Chengli with a hint of reproach in her eyes.
“Let’s not. Chengli has just returned, and you two probably aren’t familiar with each other. Riding in the same carriage might be awkward. Perhaps we should just—” Cen Ying subconsciously changed her mind.
She has long been trained by the artifact to comply with Xu Wanying's wishes in everything, big or small, as long as her bottom line is not crossed. After all, only by keeping her happy can the artifact have the power to continue releasing the secrets of the future.
“No, Mother, it is I who have wronged Madam. I should take this opportunity to apologize to her properly.” Jiang Chengli interrupted her, his attitude resolute.
Cen Ying glared at him, then hesitated, finally sighing and nodding in agreement.
"You come on up, I'll go to the car behind." Cen Ying lifted her skirt and was about to get out of the car.
"Mother, you should sit in the lead carriage; otherwise, it's against the rules," Jiang Chengli advised again.
After all, this car is more spacious and luxurious, and much more comfortable than the one behind it. Cen Ying is also older and has difficulty walking, so it is naturally easier for the younger people to move around.
"Listen to me this time. Wanying isn't feeling well, so you should pamper your wife and leave me alone." Cen Ying gently pushed him and left the carriage.
Xu Wanying had only straightened up slightly as a formality, but upon hearing Cen Ying's words, she immediately sat back down, clearly indicating that she had accepted it readily.
This made Jiang Chengli, who had originally wanted to persist, give up the idea, and he frowned.
Although he didn't say a word, his aura was somber.
[Host, it seems he's very unhappy with your unfilial behavior.]
Ever since Jiang Chengli appeared, the system has been very tense and serious, keeping a close eye on the man's movements. As soon as it sensed that the atmosphere was not right, it immediately jumped out to express its opinion.
Who is being unfilial?
"Of course it's you! Cen Ying is more than twice your age, and you still make her climb up and down. When she got out of the carriage just now, she almost stumbled. Luckily, the maid who was helping her was quick-witted and steadied her in time, otherwise she would have fallen flat on her face, and that would have been a real mess." The system said decisively, directly shifting the blame onto her.
Xu Wanying couldn't help but sneer: "What's so bad about it? If Madam Hou really falls so badly, then it's Jiang Chengli's fault!"
The system asked, puzzled, "Why are you blaming Jiang Chengli? If you hadn't refused to move, he would have gone straight to the car behind."
Xu Wanying said irritably, "Are you implying that I wasn't polite enough and insisted on getting up to take the second carriage? But have you considered that the reason Cen Ying stumbled when she got off wasn't because she was old, but because she had been sitting cross-legged in the carriage for too long? You'd be numb too."
Even if I were the one getting off the bus, I'd trip and fall too. It's all because of that unfilial son, Jiang Chengli, who made her wait all afternoon. If, as you say, he's still blaming me, then I should slap that pretty boy's face a few times—that troublesome brat!
She launched into a tirade, instantly silencing the system.
Jiang Chengli sat inside the car, with a low table between them, providing ample safety distance.
He stared directly at Xu Wanying, his mind replaying her words: she had just told him that she had killed Xing Xiaoya twice.
These words struck him like a hammer blow, leaving him somewhat dazed. Even when Xu Wanying and the system scolded him, he let it go in one ear and out the other.
Why are you staring at me like that, my husband?
Xu Wanying could naturally feel the man's burning gaze. She raised her head and asked him a question without any politeness.
"On the day of our wedding, the Emperor sent me an urgent messenger, and I left in a hurry without even having a chance to properly look at my wife," he lied without batting an eye.
Xu Wanying smiled and said gracefully, "Of course, then my husband must keep a close eye on me and not mistake me for someone else."
Jiang Chengli replied, "Madam is right, I will definitely see it clearly."
He wanted to see if this woman had three heads and six arms, and why she possessed such extraordinary abilities.
Xu Wanying also raised her head and looked directly into his eyes.
The two stared at each other, neither willing to look away.
[Ahhh, host, look away right now! Don't look him in the eye!]
It's said that a ten-second eye contact between people of the opposite sex can easily spark feelings. Jiang Chengli is Xiaoya's protector; he hasn't developed feelings for Xiaoya yet, so he can't develop feelings for you!
[Also, he just talked to you so much. He's usually so aloof and reserved around others, why is he being so talkative with you? Is he interested in you?! This system does not allow this!]
The system went berserk, yelling and screaming at Xu Wanying at the top of its lungs, making Xu Wanying's head buzz.
Shut up!
"No, host, you have to promise me, I won't harm you. Xiaoya is a popular female lead, if you steal her man, you might be punished by heaven..." The system continued to ramble on, eventually turning into earnest advice.
Xu Wanying couldn't bear it any longer. She suddenly stood up, swayed, and stumbled and fell directly into Jiang Chengli's arms.
The man instinctively raised his hand; it was almost a physical, instinctive reaction.
Finally, he placed his hands on her wrists, his hot palms pressed firmly against her skin.
"Sorry, the carriage was too bumpy, I couldn't sit still." Xu Wanying smiled apologetically at him, without any discomfort. Instead, she used the strength in his hand to slowly sit back down.
"It's nothing," the man said casually.
The carriage swayed slightly, but not enough to cause her such a strong reaction. He still couldn't understand why this woman had suddenly made this move, but he waited patiently, knowing that Xu Wanying would definitely communicate with the artifact.
Sure enough, the voice from the bottom of her heart rang in her ears the next second.
【Stealing the female lead's man will bring divine retribution. I was just holding hands with him, why hasn't the retribution come yet?】 The woman's tone was full of provocation, which sounded strangely satisfying.
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