Following the directions from the servants at the princess's residence, Yanran finally found Jiang Ruo's new residence.
However, her timing seemed off.
Just as she entered, Wen Heng lifted the curtain and walked out.
It seems that she went out to avoid suspicion after being informed of her arrival.
Yanran greeted him with a smile, "Hello, brother-in-law."
Wen Heng blushed, bowed, and said gently, "The princess has arrived."
"Brother-in-law, just call me Yanran," Yanran said with a smile. "We're all family."
Jiang Ruo called to her from inside the house, "What are you dawdling about outside for? Come in quickly!"
Wen Heng said softly, "My wife is naturally simple-minded, and I hope the princess will forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."
"Haha, I'm not forgiving. I couldn't stand her for a long time. She cries like Meng Jiangnü weeping at the Great Wall. Just mentioning her makes me want to cry."
Wen Heng: "..."
"But you're all better now, aren't you?" Yanran said with a smile, "That's wonderful."
"Yanran, come in here right now!" Jiang Ruo said angrily.
"Here you come, here you come! Only your brother-in-law can put up with your temper!"
Yanran smiled and lifted the curtain to go inside.
Jiang Ruo looked outside. "Have they left?"
"Let's go, you don't need to pretend anymore." Yanran sat down on the couch, picked up the fat cat, and said, "Noble Lady, have you gained weight recently?"
Jiang Ruo snorted and said, "Who said I was pretending? I don't need to pretend at all now."
Yanran pouted.
Jiang Ruo said, "What, you still don't believe me? Wen Heng told me that he likes me too!"
Their love was mutual; it wasn't a one-sided crush on her!
She wanted to tell the whole world about this.
"Oh, maybe it's just to give you face. After all, sycophants are rare, and someone as devoted as you is one in a million. Once this opportunity is gone, it's gone forever."
Jiang Ruo: "..."
That's it, I can't be friends with this person anymore.
"If you don't lick my boots, humph, let's see who likes you then!"
This kind of straight-as-an-arrow woman is destined to be single forever.
Yanran laughed loudly, "Sorry, there happens to be a blind person here."
Besides, no matter how many people pursue you, in the end you can only choose the one you like best, right?
Cui Xiaoqiu is the most pleasing, even if there were ten or a hundred more options, it would still be the same.
Therefore, one is worth ten thousand.
"Cui Ling?"
"Clever."
"Sigh, why would he be so foolish?" Jiang Ruo shook her head as she listened.
Yanran feigned regret. "Yes, that's what I thought too. But he just can't see the bigger picture, he insists on marrying me, it's really frustrating."
Jiang Ruo: "... Shameless!"
"No bragging, but when it comes to shamelessness, I can't beat you. Jiang Ruo, you're amazing, you actually managed to win him back."
Jiang Ruo: "Of course. Who could be better to him than me?"
"Honestly," Yanran picked up a small piece of pear from the table, biting into it with a crisp sound, the pear bursting with juice, "It's delicious. Get me some to take back for my mother; she's been coughing sometimes lately. How did you win Wen Heng? Just by taking advantage of his broken leg and showing him such concern?"
Jiang Ruo asked someone to pick pears, then rested her chin on her hand, fiddling with the leaves of the bonsai on the small table, and said, "Why are you asking so many questions, you're just a kid? Anyway, that's all."
"I understand," Yanran said.
"What do you know?"
"You must have thrown yourself at me and then made someone take responsibility for you."
"How did you know?" Jiang Ruo realized her mistake immediately after speaking, and blushed as she denied it, "No, it was mutual! Okay, stop talking about me, tell me what's going on between you and Cui Ling?"
She'd only been away from the "martial arts world" for a few days, and such a big thing had already happened?
She didn't even know.
"That's all there is to it," Yanran said. "It's good that you and Wen Heng aren't fighting anymore. I have to go to Liaodong, so I just wanted to let you know."
"Qu Hua went, and you're going too. What, is there some treasure in Liaodong?"
"No baby, my brother is getting married," Yanran said.
Jiang Ruo was quite surprised.
"Let me tell you, if you didn't like Cui Ling before, that would have been fine, but now that you're planning to marry him, you'd better keep an eye on him and make sure those flashy, cheap women don't get close to him."
Yanran: "... Don't talk to me about these things; you're corrupting my young and innocent mind."
No wonder Jiang Ruo had to interrupt her when she was talking to Wen Heng earlier.
This woman is obsessed; she thinks everyone in the world is her rival in love.
How could someone be so muddle-headed?
Wen Heng is poisonous!
"Really," Jiang Ruo said earnestly, "It's just that Cui Ling didn't pass the imperial examination before, otherwise do you think the Cui Family wouldn't be overwhelmed with marriage proposals?"
"There are so many men in the entire capital, why is everyone focusing on him?"
"There are many men in the capital, but few good men. Considering background, talent, appearance... how many are better than Cui Ling?"
Yanran: "Oh."
"Don't act innocent after you've gotten the benefit," Jiang Ruo said. "Watch closely."
"Okay."
Although Jiang Ruo was exaggerating a bit, Yanran didn't refute her, after all, it was just a well-intentioned act.
At noon, the maid said that Wen Heng had someone deliver a feast.
After finishing her meal at Jiang Ruo's place, Yanran went to find Cui Xiaoqiu.
Cui Xiaoqiu was organizing the books, which were piled up all over the floor, leaving almost no room to step.
Yanran rolled up her sleeves. "Come on, let me help you."
Cui Xiaoqiu quickly replied, "No need, I can do it myself later."
"Are you being polite with me?"
"It's not just being polite..."
I'm just afraid that once you get involved, I won't be able to handle it later.
Yanran immediately understood. "Haha, you're disgusted with me. Oh well, I'll just watch you pack."
"No need, we'll do it later."
Cui Xiaoqiu washed her hands and asked the servant to bring tea.
Remembering Jiang Ruo's instructions, Yanran suddenly asked, "Where are your two concubines?"
It feels like it's been ages since I've heard from those two.
Cui Xiaoqiu was first surprised, then looked at her with a hint of resentment. "I have concubines, and you're still willing to marry me?"
"I forgot about this when I promised you..."
Cui Xiaoqiu never mentioned those two people, to the point that she couldn't even remember them.
Cui Xiaoqiu: "I've gone to take care of my father."
"Good heavens, is your residence in such a mess?"
Cui Xiaoqiu then recounted the whole story.
Yanran: "... You're so filial to your father."
Old Madam Cui is truly amazing.
"Where there are many women, there is much trouble. From now on, unless you bring your own, I don't want any women."
"Oh."
Cui Xiaoqiu doesn't even want women, so those flashy, cheap women wouldn't even have a chance to make a move.
Just then, Cui Run rushed in. "Sixth Brother, I just saw..."
Upon seeing Yanran, he immediately swallowed the rest of his words and bowed respectfully.
"If you have important business to discuss, then I'll be going!" Yanran said, standing up.
"No rush." Cui Xiaoqiu tugged at her sleeve and then asked Cui Run, "Fourth Brother, what's wrong?"
Cui Run glanced at Yanran, feeling a little embarrassed, since what he was about to say was about her grandfather and maternal grandfather.
Moreover, he overheard it, which is dishonest...
But when he met Cui Xiaoqiu's gaze, he still mustered up the courage to speak.