Anyone who reads novels knows a well-known rule.
That is, wherever there is a female lead, there will definitely be a male lead.
Especially when the female lead is bullied by the vicious female supporting character, the male lead will definitely appear to "save the beauty".
Gan Qiongying watched as a carriage sped toward her from not far away, surrounded by several mounted guards. The bells on the horses were the iconic wind chimes of Jinchuan.
This bell is present throughout the text. When the iron hooves of Nanzhao were trampled by the army of Jinchuan, the city was described as filled with the sound of howling cold wind, accompanied by the sound of wind chimes and armor clashing, which was quite tragic.
Of course, the bell's main function is to serve as background music for every appearance of the male protagonist.
Gan Qiongying couldn't help but roll her eyes when she recalled this scene.
Wen Xueling, who had been "extorted" by her, indeed limped towards Zhong Lizheng's carriage like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest.
Gan Qiongying watched her retreating figure with a heavy heart, as if she had lost a piece of meat that was about to be eaten.
She seemed to see the six thousand taels of silver with snowflake patterns growing wings behind Wen Xueling, flying away in flocks after her.
"Whoa!"
Zhongli Zhengzhen's carriage came to a stop. Wen Xueling's fair face flushed with anticipation as she stood in front of his carriage with a group of maids.
"Princess Xue'e, what's wrong?"
As a slender hand lifted the carriage curtain, Zhongli Zhengzhen's incomparably handsome yet sharp and aloof face emerged from the carriage.
However, his gaze only briefly fell on Wen Xueling. Although he was talking to her, he couldn't help but look past Wen Xueling and at Gan Qiongying, who was standing not far behind her.
Then he narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smile, "Princess Duanrong is here too."
He stepped down from the carriage with that lukewarm smile, then bowed slightly to Gan Qiongying and said, "Greetings, Princess."
He spoke those four words extremely slowly and deliberately, carrying a meaning that was difficult for anyone other than Gan Qiongying and Zhongli Zhengzhen, who were present, to understand.
After all, it was Zhongli's good fortune to see Duanrong here. He had already arranged to meet Princess Duanrong three times in private to help his husband, Lihua, escape.
Three times in total.
Duanrong made Manyue refuse three times, and she even told Manyue to say the most hurtful things.
When Manyue returned and repeated her words to Gan Qiongying, Gan Qiongying was astonished, because she portrayed Zhongli as a poor, pedantic scholar obsessed with a noblewoman and hoping to rise to the top in one step.
Zhongli was really holding back his anger.
Gan Qiongying wanted this fire, and she wanted to make it burn even brighter.
Therefore, Gan Qiongying smiled, raised her chin slightly with an arrogant attitude, and imitated Zhongli Zhengzhen's slow and deliberate manner, saying, "Isn't this the Third Prince? Why are you only heading to Haoyue Manor at this hour? Did you oversleep?"
It's just showing off, anyone can do that!
Zhongli Zhengzhen's expression darkened slightly, his eyes sharp as a hawk, fixed on Gan Qiongying.
This woman had always been under his control, but lately he was increasingly baffled by her.
Zhongli Zhengzhen was naturally proud and arrogant, and he was convinced that Princess Duanrong's actions were all just a means to attract his attention.
Otherwise, why would she keep staring at Princess Xue'e? She was clearly afraid that he and Princess Xue'e were having an affair.
"Your Highness Third Prince..."
Just as Gan Qiongying and Zhongli Zhengzhen were exchanging glances and thoughts in a chaotic and spark-like exchange, Wen Xueling pitifully called out to Zhongli Zhengzhen.
“I…” She paused, then glanced at Gan Qiongying with some fear, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, and said, “I accidentally injured my foot. It’s too far from here to the outside of the city, and I’m in a hurry to celebrate the birthday of the Grand Princess Huian. Could I borrow His Highness’s carriage for a while?”
This is a classic green tea tip!
She seemed to want to speak but hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself. Anyone who saw this scene would suspect that Princess Duanrong had harmed her in this way!
Gan Qiongying said, "How could the female lead be a real innocent flower?"
The only two women in this book who look like innocent beauties are Empress Dowager Kou Ning'an and the female protagonist Wen Xueling.
Each one is more fragrant than the last!
Upon hearing this, Zhongli Zhengzhen glanced at Wen Xueling and was about to agree when Gan Qiongying thought about it and was still unwilling. After all, six thousand taels of silver was a huge sum of money in modern terms!
Gan Qiongying quickly took two steps toward the two people and said, "Isn't this inappropriate, Princess Xue'e?"
"I think you should come with me on the bus."
Six thousand taels, come on, come on!
In her eagerness to make money, Gan Qiongying declared righteously, "In broad daylight, under the open sky, you two, a man and a woman, both unmarried, are riding together in a car. Isn't that reckless and impolite?"
"Besides, the carriage is swaying and bumping. If we're not careful, we'll all fall over. Isn't Princess Xue'e here in Yindu to see the marriage arrangements?"
"If word gets out, your future husband will start to suspect your relationship with the Jin Chuan hostage..."
Gan Qiongying also followed her example and said half of what she meant, leaving the rest unsaid. How they filled in the blanks and imagined it was up to them to see how dirty their own brains were.
As expected, as soon as Gan Qiongying finished speaking, Wen Xueling and Zhong Lizheng's expressions both changed.
They were almost touching when they were standing together, but after hearing Gan Qiongying's words, they immediately put some distance between them.
Gan Qiongying couldn't help but beam with joy at the sight, watching as the winged silver bird was about to fly back.
When Zhongli saw Gan Qiongying acting like this, he assumed that his previous deduction that she was playing hard to get was correct, and that she couldn't help herself and was going to chase after him like before.
Zhongli was truly resolute in his heart.
How could a man who always prided himself on being aloof and arrogant, manipulating women and petty love affairs, possibly actually comply with Gan Qiongying's wishes to "avoid suspicion"?
He was as petty as the eye of a needle, and the memory of being rejected and humiliated by Gan Qiongying a few days ago came flooding back to him.
He decided to do the opposite of what she wanted.
He deliberately looked at Wen Xueling with concern and said, "Since Princess Xue'e is injured, please get in the carriage quickly."
He spoke casually, but his eyes were constantly watching Gan Qiongying's reaction, and he even pretended to help Wen Xueling up.
He slightly raised his hand and saw that Gan Qiongying was indeed glaring at him with a look of resentment and anger. Zhong Lizheng felt both amused and secretly pleased.
He didn't know who had given Princess Duanrong the advice to play hard to get, but he was certain that he wouldn't fall for it.
So he stared at Gan Qiongying’s face and said, “Princess Xue’e, please get in the carriage. I am a man, so I will ride with the guards.”
"You can have the car." Zhongli genuinely helped Princess Xue'e up.
With a gentle touch, Wen Xueling's face turned bright red.
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