Chapter 181 — A Change of Heart (Begging for Pink Votes)

To say nothing of how Mrs. Zheng, with a world of meaning in her glance at Wang Shuying, remarked to Wang Xu shi that "the Madam indulges the eldest young madam far too much," then parted ways with the Wang mother and daughter in visible displeasure; nor of how Wang Shuying, loathing Wei Wan for her change of heart, cursed her roundly the moment she climbed into the carriage, only to be silenced by Wang Xu shi's furious shout of "Shut your mouth!"—Wang Xu shi, enraged that she could not be counted on for anything and had stripped the Wang family of what little face it had, snatched up the folding fan at her side and hurled it at Wang Shuying. Let us speak only of how Wei Wan, on seeing Wei Fan, wore a face like ice, and demanded coldly, "What exactly happened? Tell me everything, and leave out not a single word!"

Wei Fan dared not conceal anything, and in utter disarray recounted the whole affair to Wei Wan from beginning to end.

"You fool!" Wei Wan could not help scolding. "How many times have I told you? Say only half your mind to any man, never pour out your whole heart. But no—whatever anyone asks of you, you do, and you even let yourself be duped into the South Zen Temple alley! If the heir of the Duke of Yingguo had not arrived in time, how did you mean to end it..."

Wei Fan listened meekly, murmuring his assent.

Yet the doubts in the hearts of brother and sister only grew.

Why had Ji Jianming treated Wei Fan this way?

From the inner chamber came a deliberate "cough."

Wei Wan and Wei Fan looked up as one and saw Zhang Yuanming entering with a smile.

"So Tingyu is here too!" His smile was genial and warm, and he said lightly to Wei Wan, "What is this? Tingyu is wearing a long face even here. And what has he done to anger you?" Then, with a wink at Wei Fan, "Your brother-in-law has just come by a fine bottle of pear-blossom wine. Come have a couple of cups with me." Plainly he was speaking up for Wei Fan.

Wei Fan was deeply grateful.

On any other day, he would have run off after his brother-in-law long ago.

Yet Ji Yong's attitude hung over him like a sword suspended by a single thread, leaving him unable to eat or sleep in peace, never knowing when disaster might strike and reduce him to ashes. How would he dare to leave?

Wei Fan cast a timid glance at his sister.

Wei Wan gave a cold snort.

Zhang Yuanming sensed that something was different from usual. His smile gradually faded, and his expression turned serious in spite of himself.

"What has happened?"

Wei Wan was too furious to say a single word.

Watching his sister's expression, Wei Fan stammered out the whole story once more.

Zhang Yuanming's face slowly grew grave.

He thought for a moment, then asked Wei Fan, "You say Young Master Gu left first, and then the Duke of Yingguo's heir and Young Master Gu came to your rescue?"

Wei Fan nodded honestly.

Zhang Yuanming's expression grew even more solemn at this. He seized Wei Fan by the arm. "Come, let us go find the Duke of Yingguo's heir!"

Song Ke was at home.

After seeing off a thoroughly suspicious Gu Yu with a smile, he went to ride horses along the moat outside Xuanwu Gate.

Xia Lian was taking shelter from the heat beneath the shade of the willows along the moat.

Chen He gazed at Song Yan, dashing and heroic under the blazing sun, and could not stop dabbing the sweat from his brow with his handkerchief. In a low voice he said, "If you wish to ride, you could go to the estate in Daxing. It is dusty and hot here..."

But Xia Lian only chuckled, tilted his chin toward the official road nearby, and said, "Look at that little girl selling fruit—this is already the fifth time she has passed by; and that young woman who came into the city, sitting by the roadside resting for a full hour without blinking as she watches the young lord; and over there at the tea stall, several women sitting utterly still... Could you see such amusing sights at the estate?" He joked, "And it would be a shame to waste such natural beauty!"

Chen He shot Xia Lian an annoyed glare and muttered, "That they get to see the young lord's heroic bearing is a blessing earned in a past life..."

Before he had finished speaking, Song Yan came galloping over on horseback.

"Chen He," he said, his face flushed red from the sun, drenched in sweat, his moon-white Hangzhou silk summer robe clinging tightly to his body after being soaked through, revealing his broad shoulders and narrow waist, "we are going to the estate in Daxing!"

"Now?" Chen He's eyes went wide.

Song Yan gave a curt "Mm" and galloped off toward Xuanwu Gate, whip raised.

Chen He could not help scratching his head.

Xia Lian, however, was silently speculating: was the young lord going to Daxing? Or was he going to Zhending?

If he meant to tell the Fourth Miss of the Dou family about the Marquis of Jining's affair, should he remind the Marquis?

Someone as clever as the Fourth Miss Dou had likely long since understood what sort of man the Marquis of Jining was. Some matters were better left feigned ignorant of. Feigning ignorance could still preserve a semblance of peace. To know the truth meant having to make a decision—and a marriage was arranged by one's parents; could it be called off?

The young lord was, after all, too young, and might not understand these worldly subtleties.

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Sisters, brothers, thank you all for being so supportive!

o(n_n)o~

ps: I am still figuring things out, and it may be a couple of days before everything is back to normal. I will help everyone out then.

My Weibo handle is "Zhizhi Who Writes," and a friend has even set up a fan club. Once I have gotten the hang of a few things, I will come and talk with everyone.

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