For three consecutive days, Uncle Li came to the martial - arts training hall in the General's Mansion every night under the pretext of teaching Wei Dongling martial arts, only to indulge in drinking.
Moreover, he had a terrible drinking etiquette. Once he got drunk, he would be full of indignation, muttering and scolding, cursing the heavens and the earth. This attracted the night - patrolling guards of the General's Mansion to come and inquire several times. Seeing that the young steward was safe, they left.
After learning a set of boxing and staff techniques from Uncle Li, Wei Dongling's old injuries had just healed when new ones were added. Every day she looked disheveled and miserable, but she still remained unwavering and full of fighting spirit.
Fortunately, the medicinal ointment sent by Yu Zixi was extremely effective.
It wasn't until Uncle Li said that he had something to do outside the city and wouldn't come for the next few days.
Wei Dongling asked, "Have you taken on a job and are you going out to fight?"
Uncle Li replied, "Mind your own business!"
Wei Dongling asked again, "When will you be back?"
Uncle Li said, "I'll be back in three to five days at most." Suddenly, he added, "Since I won't be around these days, you need to be more vigilant. If anything happens, go to that stupid lad from the Yu family right away. Although he may seem unreliable on normal days, he won't stand by when it comes to serious matters."
Wei Dongling nodded.
Uncle Li then said, "You can also go to that young master Shangguan." After saying that, he got up and left.
Wei Dongling was filled with uneasiness and hoped that Uncle Li would return safely and soon.
She went out to buy peach cakes and somehow ended up in front of the Dongmen Bank. Wei Dongling stood at the door hesitating for a long time before finally stepping in.
A young servant came over enthusiastically to receive her.
Wei Dongling looked up at the servant and whispered, "I'm looking for Jingzhe."
The servant gave her a strange look and said in a gruff voice, "Miss, you must have come to the wrong place. We don't have anyone named that here." Then, without waiting for her reaction, he unceremoniously chased her out of the door.
How could this be? Could it be that Jingzhe had already died in the dungeon of the horse - training ground?
Wei Dongling's heart sank to the bottom, and she walked back dejectedly.
The Dongmen Street was bustling with people. Wei Dongling was walking with her head down, lost in thought, when suddenly someone tugged at the corner of her clothes from behind.
Wei Dongling was startled. The short dagger hidden in her sleeve slipped into her palm. She turned around warily.
Behind her was a little boy about five or six years old, with a runny nose and licking the maltose in his hand. His big eyes were curiously sizing her up.
Wei Dongling thought the little boy was very cute. She put away the dagger and was just about to squat down to talk to him when the little boy wordlessly stuffed a paper ball into her palm and then turned around and ran away.
Wei Dongling watched the little boy bounce away. She walked into a dark corner and unfolded the paper ball. There was a small line of words on it: Meet at the pavilion outside the South City Gate at the Hour of the Pig on the 29th. Jingzhe.
He wasn't dead!
Wei Dongling tried to calm her pounding heart and tore the paper ball into pieces. Then she staggered back.
As soon as she stepped into the back door of the General's Mansion, she saw Lvkou running towards her in a hurry, shouting, "Young steward, you're finally back! Go and persuade the young lady quickly!"
Wei Dongling's hand holding the peach cakes trembled. She quickly asked, "What's wrong with the eldest young lady?"
Lvkou looked embarrassed and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to propose marriage. The young lady is reluctant and has been crying in her boudoir for a long time."
A vein throbbed on Wei Dongling's forehead. She turned around and headed straight for the eldest young lady's boudoir.
Lvkou trotted after her. She heard Wei Dongling ask, "What did Second Master Qi say?"
"Second Master Qi replied that he needed to write a letter to inform the General and then give a response."
Wei Dongling's expression was unpredictable. She lifted her leg and stepped into Qi Jinxuan's boudoir. There she saw Qi Jinxuan lying limply on the bed, with her head buried as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Miss," seeing Qi Jinxuan like this, Wei Dongling felt an indescribable pain in her heart.
"I'm fine," Qi Jinxuan heard her voice and stopped crying. She sat up and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
Fine? Her eyes were as swollen as two walnuts!
Wei Dongling said silently, "How about writing a letter to the General to see if we can negotiate to delay your marriage for a few years?"
Hearing this, the tears that Qi Jinxuan had just stopped welled up again. "Dongling, if my father agrees to the Crown Prince, let's run away from home together."
Wei Dongling: ...
Wei Dongling said, "It's more reliable for me to abduct the Cloud Prince to be the son - in - law."
Qi Jinxuan: ...
Wei Dongling went to the Prince's Mansion with a pile of gifts.
Coincidentally, she ran into Pin Hao at the main gate of the Prince's Mansion. Wei Dongling stepped forward with a beaming smile to greet him, but Pin Hao turned around and ran away as soon as he saw her.
Wei Dongling quickly leaped forward and grabbed the corner of Pin Hao's clothes. She angrily said, "Pin Hao, what do you mean by running away every time you see me?"
Pin Hao frowned and looked at her with a gloomy face. "What are you doing here again?"
Women were so troublesome! Especially this lustful woman in front of him. She was so stupid that she would follow anyone she met, whether she knew them or not. She had made everyone in the Prince's Mansion busy looking for her all night. She had even made the gentle and elegant Prince fight and get injured for her. Bah, this woman was poisonous.
Wei Dongling replied matter - of - factly, "I'm here to thank the Prince for saving me!"
Pin Hao rolled his eyes and replied, "Thank you. Your not disturbing is the best way to thank the Prince!"
Wei Dongling: ...
Forget it. Considering that he had been busy saving her, she would endure it!
Wei Dongling put on an obsequious smile. "Pin Hao, I've brought you a gift." With that, she quickly took out a box, opened it, and handed it to him.
"No, I won't accept it," Pin Hao refused with his mouth, but his eyes couldn't help but stare at the box. His expression gradually turned from gloomy to sunny. "What is this?"
Wei Dongling replied with a big smile, "This is a war trophy that our General had someone bring back a few years ago! A small scimitar from an enemy country. I brought it especially for you."
Pin Hao's eyes lit up. He held the silver scimitar that he had never seen before and couldn't put it down. He said in surprise, "Really for me?"
Wei Dongling nodded repeatedly. "Yes! I picked it out especially for you!"
Don't worry. There were still a bunch of them in the warehouse.
Pin Hao was beaming from ear to ear, holding the box. He quickly said, "The Prince is in the courtyard. Come in!" With that, he led Wei Dongling in happily.
The guard at the gate: Where is your integrity, Lord Pin Hao?
Wei Dongling: Humph! Saying no with your mouth, but your body is really honest!
As Wei Dongling stepped into the corridor, she saw Shangguan Yun sitting in the pavilion, reading a book. He was thin and his back was straight.
She remembered that night at the horse - training ground when he had stepped in front of her. He had been just as upright. Under the moonlight, his slender back was extremely dazzling, making her feel warm and at ease.
My Qi Jinxuan really has good taste!
Wei Dongling stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Greetings to the Cloud Prince. How have you been recently, Your Highness?"
Shangguan Yun put down the book and looked up to see Wei Dongling. His eyes instantly brightened. He nodded to signal her to sit down and softly replied, "Not bad." Then he asked her, "Are your injuries better?"
"Thanks to Your Highness's concern, they're almost healed," Wei Dongling wasn't polite either. She sat down on a stone bench beside him with a beaming smile.