Next to the huge double-decker cruise ship, a slightly smaller single-decker cruise ship with luxurious decorations slowly sailed in.
The small boat sailed to the opposite side of the girl, where a handsome young man stood.
Leng Qingning felt a gaze on her right, and when she looked down slightly, she saw the man standing by the side of the boat.
The man was dressed in a black robe with gold lettering, his long, thick hair cascading down to his waist, where a gold pendant hung. He wore a gold half-covering mask, which was engraved with intricate patterns and designs, symbolizing mysterious power.
Leng Qingning's heart tightened. Years of watching dramas told her that a man dressed like this was definitely not simple. He was either an assassin or a gangster, and a man of high status at that. You couldn't mess with this kind of person. He wouldn't care who you were.
With her family and friends all on the ship, it was best to avoid trouble. Leng Qingning turned to leave, but then a lazy, magnetic low voice came from behind her…
"I wonder if this young lady would be willing to make my acquaintance?"
Leng Qingning stopped in her tracks. This was a matriarchal society, so why was this man being so proactive? Any other man would not have rushed to chat her up when she was about to leave.
She muttered a curse under her breath about being a lecher, then turned around and replied with a calm expression, "This young lady doesn't make friends with insincere people."
"Oh? Where does Miss think I am not sincere?"
"Young master, your face is covered by a mask. I don't even know what you look like. How can I be your friend?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then gently removed his mask, revealing a face of extraordinary appearance. He had a dignified demeanor, a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and thin lips with a hint of arrogant smile.
"My name is Chi Yan, and I am twenty years old. May I ask your honorable surname, Miss?"
He really is a lecher!
Leng Qingning didn't want to associate with this kind of person, so she said, "My name is Leng Qinghan, I'm sixteen. See you again someday." She turned and went into the cabin, ignoring her.
"Your Majesty, I have ascertained that the sixth princess of Yue Kingdom returned to the palace on the first day of the twelfth month. The poems and songs that have recently spread throughout the six kingdoms are all from her hand. A few days ago, she even wrote a book on the Three Kingdoms." He then presented the book.
…
The next day, on a bustling street, Leng Qingning and her entourage entered the largest gold shop in Chang Le City. She was going to make a big purchase to give to her mother, father, and husbands.
In just over an hour, tens of thousands of taels of silver were gone again…
Chao Xi and the others were very happy. Their mistress was not only good to her husband, but also to each of them.
When it was time to pay the bill, a few young men walked in from outside.
"Your Highness is utterly despicable! You actually wrote General Lü to die, making me heartbroken all night. My eyes are still swollen," said a young nobleman with a sorrowful expression.
"That's right, His Highness is so annoying. Let's not go to Yellow Crane Tower for a month." Someone chimed in.
"Shh, keep your voices down." Another young master made a shushing gesture.
The group of people walked past Leng Qingning and her group and went upstairs, still complaining.
Leng Qingning's face darkened. She wanted to say that she wouldn't take the blame; it was the inevitable fate of the person in question. Did they even know what destiny meant? In chaotic times, the strong rule.
Forget it, people are different, and they focus on different things. Why bother arguing with a few politically ignorant young men…
In the blink of an eye, the Spring Festival has arrived.
The Langya Manor was filled with joy. The servants were all smiles. Leng Qingning distributed triple the monthly allowance to all the servants in the manor and made three new sets of clothes for each of them.
They gave Bai Yu, Fu Guang, and the other six a red envelope containing an extra thousand taels of silver each. Bi Luo was finally released from the dark room, overjoyed and weeping, then hugged Leng Qing Ning and poured out her grievances.
The three husbands of Cangyuan, Lin Xianzhi, and Lu Shiyi each received three thousand taels of silver. Originally, according to Lu Shiyi's rank, he should only receive two thousand taels. Leng Qingning thought about it and decided that it wouldn't matter if she received one thousand taels more. She couldn't give him love anyway, so giving him more wouldn't hurt.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, families rejoiced together. The couple from Langya Mansion shared a reunion dinner.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Leng Qingning, as usual, went to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress. She also took the opportunity to visit Anning Palace, which she hadn't seen for nearly half a month and missed dearly.
When Leng Qingning arrived, Lang Yue respectfully invited her into the study.
"Your Highness, our young master is reading. Please come in." After Leng Qingning stepped inside, Lang Yue closed the door.
Wen Yanche raised his eyes and said gently, "Your Highness has arrived." Just as he was about to rise and pay his respects, Leng Qingning stepped forward and gently pressed his shoulder.
"What are you looking at, young master?"
"Your Highness, your reading of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is truly captivating." He then placed the book flat on the table.
Leng Qingning glanced at him casually, then sat down with a smile.
"Does Young Master also enjoy reading these kinds of books?"
"Your Highness's character development and storyline are superb, as are the characters' words. Yan Che greatly appreciates your perspective."
"Oh? Which viewpoint?"
"You portray Liu Bei as the primary character in this article, which shows that you agree with his views. 'Use benevolence to govern the unbenevolent, and value the people more than the ruler.'"
Leng Qingning nodded: "Yes, the people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important. What is a country? There is a country only when there are families, and there are families only when there are people. If we compare the people to water and the country to a boat, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."
Wen Yanche lowered his eyes and murmured, pondering Leng Qingning's words. His handsome brows relaxed: "I didn't expect Your Highness to have such insights at such a young age." He couldn't help but feel a greater appreciation for her.
Wen Yanche smiled, and Leng Qingning felt the cold air around her melt away. How could a man be so stunningly handsome!
"May I... call you A-Che?"
"Please make yourself at home, Your Highness."
"Okay, A-Che."
Leng Qingning's heart pounded wildly. Why did she feel an uncontrollable joy and excitement whenever she was with him? The corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, and her face felt slightly hot.
He raised his teacup, trying to use drinking tea as a cover-up.
Wen Yanche's gaze swept over Leng Qingning's reddened ear tips, and he found her current appearance quite adorable, a stark contrast to the eloquent young master he had just spoken to. This only increased his fondness for her.
In Rin Country, from childhood to adulthood, countless eyes have been fixed on him, whether with ulterior motives or with admiration, he has long been accustomed to them.
Therefore, he didn't take Leng Qingning's stunned reaction when they first met to heart. After all, she was his future wife, so they should get along well. Besides, she had made a good impression on him.
However, she is indeed quite charming today.
On the other hand, Leng Qingning was eager to know how Wen Yanche viewed her. She felt that this man didn't seem to easily reveal his inner thoughts. Moreover, he hadn't asked a single question about her household since she entered.
His smile was just right—neither too distant nor too intimate—which made her feel uncertain and restless, so she decided to take the initiative.
"Ah Che, what's your impression of me?"
Without hesitation, Wen Yanche replied, "Your Highness is noble and beautiful, and your literary talent is unparalleled. Moreover, you are devoted to the people. I admire you very much."
Leng Qingning's eyes dimmed instantly. Was it just admiration?
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