He Yao was so angry that her whole body trembled. Finally, she gritted her teeth and pretended to be generous. "It's just broken. If my sister likes it, I'll bestow other things on you after you enter the family." The implication was that when you come in as a concubine and serve me tea, I'll decide what to give you according to my mood.
How could Wei Dongling not understand her meaning? She was too lazy to argue. She stood up, curtsied, and said with a light smile, "Then I'll thank my sister in advance." With that, she turned to leave.
Suddenly, He Yao said coldly, "Stop!"
Hearing this, Wei Dongling paused for a moment, turned around, and looked down at her. "Does the county princess have anything else to say?"
He Yao gritted her teeth and forced a smile. "I've been betrothed to Brother Zixi since childhood. Lord Yu was not aware of this. Later, I learned that Lord Yu also arranged a marriage for you and Brother Zixi. I think you know that Lord Yu is not Brother Zixi's biological father, so he can't make the decision. Your marriage with Brother Zixi doesn't count. I know that Brother Zixi misses you, so I pity your background and allow him to take you as a concubine in the future. I deliberately wanted to befriend you today, hoping that in the future, we sisters can work together to assist our husband. After all, Brother Zixi is going to do great things. I hope you understand!"
Wei Dongling was confused. "Who is 'great things'?"
Seeing Wei Dongling's stupid look, He Yao's smile froze on her face and she couldn't relax for a long time.
Looking at her stiff face, Wei Dongling suddenly realized. "I see! Brother Yu Zixi and the county princess actually have a betrothal? Why have I never heard Zixi mention it?"
Seeing that she had hit the point, He Yao quickly put on a magnanimous smile and said softly, "Maybe Brother Zixi didn't have time to tell my sister in detail. My mother has a noble status, and I, as a county princess, am a perfect match for Brother Zixi. With my family's support, Brother Zixi will surely be more powerful. By the way, I heard that Sister Dongling was the young housekeeper of the general's mansion before. I think it was not only hard work but also the monthly salary was meager. Don't worry, sister. Although you can't help Brother Zixi much, after you get married, I will surely not let you work so hard. You just need to follow us and enjoy the blessings."
Her words implicitly mocked Wei Dongling for her humble background and that she was not worthy of Yu Zixi.
Wei Dongling covered her lips and smiled quietly. "Has the county princess obtained the consent of Brother Zixi's biological mother, Lady He, for the marriage between you and Zixi?"
Hearing this, He Yao's face changed drastically. She never expected that Wei Dongling would even know about her aunt, Lady He, who was locked in the deep palace. Did Brother Zixi even tell her such an important thing?
Seeing He Yao's changing expression, Wei Dongling sneered secretly in her heart and said with a smile, "It's really a coincidence. I had a very pleasant conversation with Lady He. She already knows and has agreed to the marriage between Zixi and me. I think the county princess has no chance to meet Lady He. The betrothal agreement made by your father and the young and naive Zixi alone may not count!"
"You!" He Yao was so angry that her whole body trembled and she almost spat out blood.
Wei Dongling added with a smile, "The county princess also knows that Zixi is going to do great things. One day when he sits on that position, as long as Zixi likes, it doesn't matter what the background of the woman around him is."
Hearing this, He Yao was even more furious and almost gritted her silver teeth.
Wei Dongling curtsied and turned to leave. Cui Huan quickly followed.
Limping back to the next room, Wei Dongling grabbed the teacup and drank tea. She was secretly depressed in her heart. It was really tiring to talk to this woman in such a roundabout way!
Cui Huan closed the door and said with a smile, "Miss is really sharp-tongued. This is the first time I've seen our young lady so angry!"
Wei Dongling glanced at her and scolded angrily, "What does that scumbag of your young master mean by bringing that county princess here? Damn it! If it works, stay together; if not, kick him to death!"
"Goodness!" Cui Huan quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth, whispering, "Keep your voice down!"
Wei Dongling rolled her eyes at her.
Cui Huan pricked up her ears. Hearing that there was no movement in the next room, she whispered, "Miss He has been pestering the young master since childhood. I think she must have insisted on coming this time! The young master will never marry her anyway. Just listen to what she says and ignore her."
Wei Dongling pouted. "Listening to her talk makes me feel so stuffy. I feel like the wound on my shoulder is about to burst."
Cui Huan comforted her. "Then I'll go down and see if there's anything to eat?"
Wei Dongling sighed. "There's a shortage of food and clothing in the disaster area. Forget it!"
Cui Huan nodded. "Then when we get back to the capital, I'll take you to eat roasted lamb legs!"
Wei Dongling looked at Cui Huan eagerly and scolded with a smile, "Good for you! You actually have some private savings?"
Cui Huan waved her hand and said with a smile, "Charge it to the young master's account!"
Wei Dongling:...
At night, Wei Dongling tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. Looking at Cui Huan's sleeping profile beside her, she felt melancholy in her heart.
Maybe she shouldn't have been so aggressive today and flatly rejected that woman's deliberate overtures. But she had told Yu Zixi before that she wanted a loyal husband who only liked her.
If one day Yu Zixi really sat on that position, could he really only have her as she wished?
She knew it was impossible. She couldn't help but sigh secretly in her heart. For the first time, she was not confident in her feelings for Yu Zixi.
Now that her heart was full of him, how could she be so free and easy to let go and make concessions?
It was really a dilemma.
Hearing two chirping sounds outside the window, it was Tian Qi's eagle!
Wei Dongling suddenly sat up, pushed open the window, and looked out. In the dark night sky, sure enough, she saw the eagle circling.
In the market, there were sick people lying on the ground everywhere. At the door of the inn, a female figure rushed out onto the street in a hurry.
It was the little maid beside the County Princess of Rong'an!
What was she doing running out so late? Could there be some conspiracy?
What if she attracted the Crown Prince's people to rob the grain? That would be terrible!
Without thinking much, Wei Dongling woke up Cui Huan and told her to guard the granary well. Then she quickly put on her clothes and chased after her.
In the long and narrow street, she could still see a figure getting farther and farther away in the distance. Wei Dongling endured the pain in her foot and limped forward quickly to follow.
The maid turned into an alley and lightly jumped onto a carriage parked beside. She lit a lantern and hung it on the carriage. Just as she was about to set off with a flick of the whip, she saw a figure blocking her way in front of the carriage.
The maid asked in surprise, "Are you... Miss Wei?"
Wei Dongling coldly questioned, "Where are you going so late? Aren't you a spy sent by the Crown Prince?"
The curtain of the carriage was suddenly lifted. He Yao stuck out an angry face and shouted at Wei Dongling, "Get out of the way quickly! Brother Zixi was secretly attacked by the Crown Prince and was seriously injured!"
Wei Dongling's heart skipped a beat. She was so panicked that her voice trembled. "Is this true?"