Сhарtеr 7: Your Brothеr Нas Such а Unique Loоk
А fеw dауs lаter, Хuе Wаn dressеd in her finеst attire аnd wеnt to mеet Неliаn Xu, thе sоn of Рrinсе Duаn.
Тhе mеeting wаs arrаngеd in the best privatе roоm of Shеng Jing’s finеst tеаhouse.
Нelian Хu hаd а рassаble аppеаrаnсе, but his framе was overlу rоbust. Еvеn drеssed in luxurious silk rоbеs, hе cоuldn’t hide his simрle, honеst dеmеаnor, resеmbling а carеfully groоmеd but сlumsу beаr.
Аs soon as Xue Wan entеred, his еуеs lit uр, аnd he sеemed unsure whеre tо plаcе his hands and feet, clumsily rising to his feet.
“Wan’er, you’re here! Please, please have a seat.”
Xue Wan struggled to suppress the flicker of disdain in her heart caused by his size and mannerisms, giving a slight curtsy. “Greetings, Young Master.”
Helian Xu quickly waved his hand. “Ah, no need for such formalities, please sit.”
His eyes were practically glued to Xue Wan, filled with concern. “It’s been half a month since I last saw you, Wan’er. How have you grown so much thinner? Are you troubled by something? Tell me, and I’ll stand up for you!”
Xue Wan picked up her handkerchief and feigned wiping away nonexistent tears, her voice trembling with emotion.
“Young Master, please don’t call me Wan’er anymore… I am now merely an adopted daughter of the Xue family, of lowly status. I don’t deserve such an address from you…”
Seeing her tears, Helian Xu immediately panicked, his heart aching with worry. His plump face flushed red with anxiety. “Wan’er, don’t cry! This… how could this be your fault?”
“In my heart, you will always be the best Wan’er! I don’t care about status or anything like that!”
Though his words were clumsy, they still brought Xue Wan a small measure of comfort.
As the two were talking, a faint commotion suddenly arose from Zhuque Main Street.
Their private room was on the second floor, offering an excellent view that allowed them to take in the scene below clearly.
Helian Xu glanced down casually and immediately froze.
“…Cousin Lu? Why is he out today?” he muttered softly, his gaze falling on the woman beside Lu Yun Jue, a flicker of admiration and curiosity flashing in his eyes.
“Who is that woman beside him? I’ve never seen her before…”
Xue Wan followed his gaze, her pupils contracting. She immediately clenched her fingers, nearly tearing her handkerchief apart.
“Her… she is my newly returned sister, Ning Heng, the Princess Consort of the Wise Prince, newly betrothed by Emperor Jingxing.”
So it was her.
Helian Xu suddenly understood, his gaze still fixed on the cool, distant figure in the distance, particularly on the wooden hairpin in her hair.
If he were to carve a hairpin for Wan’er, would she like it…
Seeing Helian Xu’s attention completely captured by Ning Heng, Xue Wan’s internal alarm bells rang loudly.
Her eyes shifted, and she stood up, pretending to go refill the tea, but she accidentally stumbled, letting out a soft cry as she leaned into Helian Xu’s arms.
Helian Xu instinctively reached out to steady her, his movements urgent and somewhat clumsy. “Careful!”
But Xue Wan had already quickly straightened up with the help of her maid, taking a small step back as if to avoid impropriety, her cheeks flushed with a shy, embarrassed look.
“Young Master, please forgive me. Wan’er’s legs suddenly gave way… I apologize for my rudeness…”
Helian Xu hurriedly withdrew his hand, his own face turning bright red as he scratched his head sheepishly.
“N-no, it’s fine! As long as you’re alright, Wan’er. Did you twist your ankle?”
“I’m fine.” Xue Wan shook her head, seizing the opportunity to look up at him with her watery eyes. “Young Master, actually, the reason I came here today was because I have something to say to you…”
“Ah? What is it? Wan’er, please, speak freely!”Helian Xu immediately straightened his back, assuming a posture of earnest listening.
Xue Wan tightened her grip on her handkerchief, as if mustering immense courage, her voice trembling slightly. “Actually, Wan’er has long harbored secret feelings for the young master… It’s just that my father values propriety greatly, and Wan’er also feels her status is too humble, like clouds and mud apart, so I never dared… never dared to interact much with the young master…”
This confession struck Helian Xu like a thunderbolt, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
He stood frozen in place, his plump face first showing shock, then surging with immense ecstasy. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, and he stammered incoherently in excitement.
“So Wan’er, you also… I… I thought it was just my own wishful thinking…”
As if remembering something, he abruptly stood up with unwavering determination.
“Wan’er, don’t worry! I’ll go back right now and inform my father, asking him to enter the palace and request His Majesty, my cousin, to grant us a marriage decree. I, Helian Xu, will never let you suffer the slightest grievance!”
Then, brimming with joy, he hurried downstairs, his bulky frame thumping loudly on the floorboards, much like a bear descending a mountain.
Left behind, Xue Wan bit her lip tightly.
Even though she had achieved what she wanted, why did her heart still feel so resentful?
Soon, she would have to marry such a bear-like fool, but… she clearly deserved better.
…
Ning Heng rarely went shopping.
For one thing, whatever she wanted, she only needed to say the word. If she mentioned it the night before, A Chan would magically place it by her pillow the next day without anyone noticing.
But now that A Chan was not by her side, this convenience was temporarily gone.
Secondly, she truly couldn’t understand what was so appealing about these crowded, bustling streets.
Especially when she was with this exceptionally handsome but sickly “fiancé,” the attention they drew was overwhelming. Wherever they went, there were hushed gasps and whispers, much like the gorillas in the zoo her mother had described, surrounded by onlookers.
Although she had never been to a zoo or seen a gorilla, she imagined it must be quite similar.
“How is the nanny in the mansion doing?”
Lu Yun Jue looked much better than a few days ago and spoke gently, “Much better. Nanny Liu was originally my mother’s wet nurse, so her status is different from ordinary servants. It was all rather rushed before, and my mother is thinking of sending a token of gratitude to the Pingyang Marquis’s residence, but she doesn’t know your preferences…”
Ning Heng replied, “As long as she’s fine, I don’t care about such formalities.”
“Young master, take a look at this pearl hairpin. It’s the latest style. Buy one for your wife!” a roadside vendor enthusiastically called out.
Lu Yun Jue turned to ask, “Do you like it, A Heng?”
Ning Heng showed little interest but didn’t want to embarrass him, so she nodded. “Yes, I like it.”
The conversations that followed were almost identical to this one.
“A Heng, try this sugar figurine?”
“It’s alright.”
“A Heng, look at this clay sculpture?”
“Not bad.”
“A Heng, do you like this fabric?”
“It’s fine.”
After a while, Lu Yun Jue pursed his lips. “A Heng, is it… very boring being with me?”
His frail health prevented him from accompanying her on horseback rides or even walking a few extra steps. All they could do was wander around aimlessly like this.
Noticing the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and his slightly weary expression, Ning Heng answered honestly, “It’s alright. Actually, aside from eating, sleeping, and tinkering with herbs, my daily life is quite boring too. Let’s stop here for today. You’re tired.”
She paused before adding, “Anyway, the wedding date is approaching. We’ll have plenty of time to spend together later.”
“Alright, I’ll escort you back to the mansion.”Just as they were about to board the carriage, a heavy thudding of footsteps accompanied by loud, panting breaths drew near from a distance.
A massive, sturdy “phantom” swept past them in a whirlwind. As it passed Lu Yun Jue, the phantom shouted loudly, “Cousin Lu!” but never slowed its pace, continuing to charge forward like a cannonball of flesh.
Several servants chased after it, panting heavily, “Young Master!”
“Young Master, please slow down—we can’t keep up!”
At a glance, Ning Heng thought a mountain had grown legs and started running.
“This is…?” she couldn’t help but feel a rare spark of curiosity.
Watching the receding figure, Lu Yun Jue chuckled helplessly. “This is Prince Duan’s only son, named Helian Xu. He’s a year younger than me, and his temperament… is rather straightforward and lively.” He did his best to use two complimentary terms.
Ning Heng fell silent for a moment before offering a sincere compliment.
“Your cousin certainly has a… unique appearance.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yun Jue coughed softly, though whether it was due to his illness or amusement was unclear.
…
Pear Blossom Courtyard.
Back in her room, Ning Heng immediately sensed something amiss.
The young maid assigned to serve her lay slumped softly on the daybed, fast asleep.