Wei Dongling smiled gently. "So this is what the fireworks here look like! They're not as nice as the ones in my place!"
Lord Rong watched as the dazzling light of the fireworks was reflected in Wei Dongling's eyes. He asked in surprise, "Miss Wei, are you not from the capital? What are the fireworks like in your place?"
Wei Dongling lifted her face and replied with a smile, "In my place, there are words in the night sky when the fireworks go off!"
Lord Rong asked suspiciously, "Words? What words?"
Wei Dongling giggled. "There are many words, like 'Happy New Year!' And also 'May the country prosper and the people live in peace!'"
When Lord Rong heard the words "May the country prosper and the people live in peace", he was extremely shocked and stared at her without saying a word for a long time.
There was a street vendor nearby shouting to sell chicken legs. Wei Dongling looked back and smiled. "Lord Rong, do you want to eat a chicken leg?"
Lord Rong looked at Wei Dongling with a glimmer in his eyes and nodded woodenly. Then he quickly rummaged through his clothes and said awkwardly, "Um... I lost my money bag."
Wei Dongling nodded, fished out a few taels of silver from her wet sleeve, and said with a smile, "I have silver. It's enough to treat Lord Rong to a chicken leg." With that, she limped off to buy the chicken leg.
Lord Rong stood there stunned, watching Wei Dongling come back in a hurry and hand him a delicious - smelling chicken leg wrapped in oil paper.
Wei Dongling held the chicken leg out to him and said with a gentle smile, "What are you daydreaming about? Try it!"
Lord Rong took it. Seeing Wei Dongling take big bites and look so satisfied, he subconsciously took a bite, squinted his eyes, and nodded. "The taste is acceptable!"
Wei Dongling smiled contentedly. She looked at the fireworks in the sky, took big bites of the chicken leg, and got a bit of grease on her cheek.
Lord Rong smiled softly. He reached out his hand to wipe it off for her, but then heard someone talking in the distance. He hesitated for a moment and then retracted his hand.
Wei Dongling was also greatly surprised when she recognized the voice as Pin Hao's. She wrapped the chicken leg in the oil paper, lowered her head, and said to Lord Rong, "I have an urgent matter at home. I'll take my leave of you, Lord Rong! See you later!" With that, she dashed off in another direction.
Lord Rong looked back at Pin Hao in the distance. There was a thoughtful look on his face. Then he limped after Wei Dongling.
Wei Dongling ran a long way and stopped in a crowded place. She slowly walked onto the Gongyue Bridge, munching on the chicken leg as she walked.
Hearing a soft cough behind her, Wei Dongling looked back and saw Lord Rong catching up. She asked in surprise, "My lord, your leg is injured. How did you run so fast?"
Lord Rong smiled gently. "It's okay. I saw that person just now. Is the person you offended from the Prince's Mansion? I'm quite familiar with them. Do you want me to help you clear up the misunderstanding?"
Wei Dongling waved her hands hurriedly and said anxiously, "It's not them!" Seeing Lord Rong's kind look, she added, "That guard is so eloquent. I've never won a quarrel with him!"
Lord Rong laughed. "Then who on earth are you talking about?"
Wei Dongling pouted. "Let's talk about it next time!" With that, she lowered her head and took another bite of the chicken leg.
The fireworks in the sky were getting fewer and fewer. They slowly bloomed and then faded away one by one.
Wei Dongling sighed. "Sure enough, fireworks fade quickly, and people part easily!"
Lord Rong smiled. "If you like them, I'll have someone set off fireworks just for you all night long. How about that?"
Wei Dongling smiled. "Well! I like them, but my father always says that money should be spent on what really matters. We can't just waste it!"
Lord Rong took a bite of the chicken leg and nodded. "Your father has raised you very well. I'm ashamed of myself."
At this time, someone in the crowd behind them shouted, "Lord Rong! Lord Rong!" Then a black - clothed guard rushed forward, looked Lord Rong up and down, and said anxiously, sweating profusely, "My lord, are you okay?"
Lord Rong swallowed the chicken meat in his mouth and calmly replied, "What could happen to me?"
The black - clothed guard quickly snatched the chicken leg and exclaimed, "How could you eat this?"
Wei Dongling looked over.
Lord Rong quickly explained to Wei Dongling, "I usually eat a vegetarian diet and rarely eat meat. Thank you, Miss Wei, for saving me today and treating me to this delicious chicken leg! I'm extremely grateful!"
Wei Dongling nodded and smiled, then continued to munch on the chicken leg.
Lord Rong glared at the guard in front of him and whispered, "I lost my money bag. Do you have any silver on you?"
The guard looked confused. He rummaged through his clothes and replied, "I was in a hurry when I went out. I forgot to bring it."
Lord Rong said helplessly to Wei Dongling, "Miss Wei, could you tell me where you live? I'd like to visit you to express my gratitude."
Wei Dongling thought for a moment and replied with a beaming smile, "Lord Rong, you don't have to be so polite! I live in the Tingfeng Tower. The teahouse will open in three days. If you're free, come and have some tea with me!"
Lord Rong nodded with a smile. "Okay, I'll definitely come!"
After waving goodbye, Lord Rong left with his guard.
The moon climbed up the treetops. Wei Dongling finished the chicken leg, crumpled the oil paper in her hand into a ball, and reached into her bosom to feel for her handkerchief. Then she remembered that she had wrapped the medicinal herbs with it when she was eager to save someone. She could only raise the back of her hand and wipe the grease on her face carelessly.
But then someone behind her pulled her into his arms and gently wiped her cheek with a handkerchief.
Wei Dongling said coquettishly and unhappily, "Why did you come so late?"
When she looked back, she was stunned. The person holding her was actually Shangguan Yun.
Shangguan Yun's extremely delicate features looked even more beautiful under the bright moonlight, attracting the amazed looks of many women.
Of course, their looks at Wei Dongling were full of hostility.
Wei Dongling took a half - step back and shivered violently.
Shangguan Yun looked a lot thinner. He put his arm around Wei Dongling's slender waist and asked with concern, "Why are you all wet? Did you fall into the lake? Are you cold?" With that, he hugged her even tighter.
Wei Dongling pushed him away forcefully, bit her lip, and said angrily, "Prince Yun, could you please stop bothering me?"
Hearing this, Shangguan Yun was stunned. His whole body trembled involuntarily. He lowered his eyes and said hoarsely, "Are you still angry with me for being so abrupt that day... That day, I..."
Without waiting for him to finish, Wei Dongling turned around and ran.
Seeing that she was still limping, Shangguan Yun quickly rushed forward and picked her up. His eyes were slightly red. He said to Wei Dongling softly and urgently, "Don't be afraid of me! Don't hide from me! I promise I'll never hurt you again!"
Wei Dongling struggled free with all her might, took a few steps back, bit her lip, and growled, "Prince Yun, my heart belongs to Zixi. We're already engaged. Please respect yourself! Don't pester me anymore."
Shangguan Yun's face turned deathly pale. He almost couldn't stand steadily and seemed about to fall. His sad eyes stared at Wei Dongling, and he asked softly word by word, "Even after all that has happened between us, your heart still belongs to Zixi and you won't accept me, right?"
The image of Qi Jinxuan's face and her extremely heartless words flashed through Wei Dongling's mind. Her heart ached. She closed her eyes and sighed, "We're just not meant to be together! Treat Miss Qi well." With that, she turned around and walked away.