Meng Ruan frowned, feeling his second brother’s words had gone too far. Just as he was about to intervene, he saw Meng Nan shake his head at him.
So he fell silent.
Well, this matter was indeed Yun Guan’s fault. They had lost so much face, and now they were merely giving Yun Guan a verbal lesson—it wasn’t excessive.
When Qianbi led the two “good brothers” rushing over, Meng Yunwan had already been scolded so harshly by her three scoundrel brothers that she couldn’t lift her head.
Their words, directly and indirectly, accused her of betraying her family and being ungrateful.
They spoke with such fervor that they completely failed to notice others had entered the hall.
Only after their bodies spun several times in the air and they fell to the ground one after another in a wretched heap, spitting out mouthfuls of blood, did they finally see the two figures standing at the entrance.
One was filled with rage, still holding the sweeping leg stance, glaring fiercely at them.
The other had deep, profound eyes and hadn’t moved, but the two shadow guards beside him had already drawn their swords.
Their legs, which had just struggled to stand, suddenly went weak, and they knelt directly on the ground. “Crown Prince… Prince Yi…”
All of them wore expressions of terror and confusion. Damn it, why was the Crown Prince everywhere?
Why did every time they bullied Yun Guan, he happened to witness it? Was the Crown Prince doing nothing all day, solely focused on being Meng Yunwan’s protector?
Ignoring the shifting expressions on their faces, Ling Qianche bounded in, holding a document in his hands, and waved it before Meng Yunwan’s eyes.
“Guess what this is?”
Meng Yunwan was still feeling downcast from the earlier scolding. “I can’t guess.”
Ling Shuo, who was usually reticent, today showed a rare gentleness. Gazing at the girl’s slightly reddened eyes, he said softly, “The words you spoke to the Crown Prince on the way back to the palace today—have you forgotten?”
Words spoken on the way back to the palace… Meng Yunwan pondered for a moment and suddenly remembered something.
But then she found it unbelievable. How could it be possible?
Only when Ling Qianche placed the deed in her hands did she believe he had truly given Shufang Zhai to her.
She was stunned, and after the initial shock, she was stunned again.
Her eyes instantly turned red. “Crown Prince Brother…”
On the way back to the palace earlier, she had been in high spirits and jokingly said to Ling Qianche, “I never thought Crown Prince Brother was such a wealthy man. If I could ever become the owner of Shufang Zhai, I’d visit eight hundred times a day and take everything I like home.”
But… she was only joking!
How could she have imagined Ling Qianche would take it seriously?
Ling Qianche was extremely satisfied with the girl’s reaction. He shouted especially loudly, “The deed to Shufang Zhai—I’m giving it to you! From today onward, you are the owner of Shufang Zhai!”
“From now on, you can visit eight hundred times a day, and no one will say a word! You can take whatever you want, and everyone at Shufang Zhai will call you boss!”
“Do you like it?!”
Ling Qianche’s voice grew louder with each word, and Meng Yunwan’s eyes grew redder with each moment.
In her previous life, she had never once visited Shufang Zhai. The Meng family always said Shufang Zhai’s items were too expensive, that her top priority was to study hard, and that thinking about makeup and adornments all day would distract her.
So, every time she watched from her mountain of exam papers as they took Meng Yu Tang out shopping, she told herself she must study hard. On the day her studies bore fruit, she could finally go shopping with her brothers.
Only now did she realize that one does not have to be exceptionally outstanding to deserve love.
There will always be someone willing to love her simply because she is Meng Yunwan.
She tried hard to hold back, but tears still welled up uncontrollably, and she choked out, “Big Brother Crown Prince, thank you…”
All the bitterness and grievances from earlier surged forth in that moment. She hadn’t cried when she was bullied, but now that someone was standing up for her, she couldn’t hold back her tears.
Ling Qianche flusteredly pulled his sister into his arms, full of tenderness as he said,
“Alright, alright, you’re making me feel embarrassed. Actually, this isn’t just my doing. Shufang Zhai was originally an investment I made with Second Imperial Brother—he contributed half the funds too…”
He felt the girl stiffen in his embrace.
But he was always a bit thick-skinned, so he didn’t think much of it. “Why don’t you give him a hug too? Otherwise, Second Imperial Brother will definitely think you’re playing favorites. We’re both your brothers—if you only like me and not him, that wouldn’t be right, hehehe…”
Though his words were considerate, his tone was boastful. Hehe, Yun Guan little sister liked him best!
Meng Yunwan lifted her head from his embrace.
As her gaze shifted, it happened to meet Ling Shuo’s eyes looking toward her. Their eyes locked, and the intensity made her quickly avert her gaze.
Some things are only suitable to be done naturally in the heat of emotion. If done deliberately afterward, it feels awkward and uncomfortable.
That was what she thought, and she believed Ling Shuo probably felt the same way.
So she carefully considered her words and slowly said, “Second Imperial Brother is broad-minded…”
Before she could finish, she saw Ling Shuo smile faintly and say, “Crown Prince Imperial Brother knows me well. I regard Miss Meng as my own sister, but she may not have me as a brother in her heart. Never mind, I won’t buy her things anymore.”
Meng Yunwan, “…”
Ling Qianche looked at Meng Yunwan, then at Ling Shuo.
These two seemed a bit strange, yet he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. In any case, both were acting differently than usual.
He had always thought Yun Guan little sister was quite open-hearted, so why was she being so petty today? A hug wouldn’t cost her anything!
Although Ling Shuo was always cold and aloof, not as likable as he was, she still had to keep up appearances!
So he pushed the girl into Ling Shuo’s arms.
Meng Yunwan couldn’t dodge in time.
She collided with someone’s chest.