When everyone gathered around the table for dinner, a servant from the prince's mansion brought in roasted lamb legs at the right time. Wei Dongling took out some silver coins to reward the young errand boy. She cut the lamb legs and served them on the table, inviting everyone to eat.
Ruan Niang picked up a piece of lamb leg from her bowl and said with a smile, "I think Prince Yun is quite a nice guy!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Luo Xunlong cleared his throat softly and added, "The young prince of the Rui Prince's Mansion is also great. He's tall, handsome, and knows a lot about horses. He really suits my taste."
Yu Haiming quickly nodded in agreement.
How could Wei Dongling not understand what these uncles were thinking? She glanced at Luo Xunlong and said, "The young prince is indeed good. I'll introduce Cuihuan to him tomorrow."
Hearing this, Luo Xunlong's face suddenly changed. He was so angry that he almost threw his bowl. Yu Haiming quickly grabbed him.
Wei Dongling stood up, picked up a big piece of lamb leg and put it into Luo Xunlong's bowl. She said with a charming smile, "I'm just joking with Uncle Luo! Cuihuan is so nice. How could I be willing to marry her off to someone outside the family? She must stay with us!"
Cuihuan was extremely embarrassed and her face turned bright red.
Only then did Luo Xunlong calm down. He gave a cold snort and picked up a piece of roasted lamb leg with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth.
Wei Dongling bowed to everyone and said, "Recently, all of you uncles have been worried about me because of the engagement annulment. I've seen your kindness and I'm really grateful. However, your worries have caused me some trouble to some extent."
Everyone was extremely shocked when they heard this.
Wei Dongling smiled and said, "I do have feelings for Zi Xi, but whether we can be together in the end, I don't force it. And I don't have the intention to get to know other men for the time being. I want to stay with you all for a few more years, make money with you, and take care of Old Su. I'll focus on my career first and then think about getting married!"
After hearing her words, everyone looked at each other in surprise.
Uncle Li put down his chopsticks and said, "Girl, we're reluctant to see you get married so early. But we don't want to see you sad because of the engagement annulment. As long as you're happy and well, we'll be satisfied. As for that stupid son of the Yu family, if he dares to marry someone else and let you down, I'll make sure he loses an arm or a leg!"
"Right!" Everyone said in unison.
Their reactions made Wei Dongling feel warm inside. She nodded and said with a smile, "Okay! When I need to get to know other men in the future, could you uncles help me keep an eye out?"
Well, it seemed that she was complaining about their random matchmaking.
Ruan Niang sneered and said, "Fine, let's eat!" She picked up a piece of roasted lamb leg with her chopsticks and threw it into Wei Dongling's bowl.
Wei Dongling happily stuffed it into her mouth.
After dinner, Wei Dongling climbed over the wall to the prince's mansion with a silver note worth 3,000 taels to return the money.
Pin Hao stopped her expressionlessly at the door of Shangguan Yun's bedroom.
Wei Dongling said dejectedly, "Pin Hao, get out of the way. I'm here to return the money!"
Pin Hao rolled his eyes and said, "You want to peek at the prince taking a bath again? How shameless you are to just barge into a man's bedroom!"
Wei Dongling realized that it was indeed inappropriate. She stepped aside and asked in surprise, "Isn't your prince used to taking a bath in the morning?" The first time she climbed through the window and saw Shangguan Yun, he was taking a bath on the second floor of the Yunzhu Courtyard early in the morning. She even secretly criticized him in her heart at that time.
Pin Hao glanced at her and said, "It's so hot, and he's been busy all day. What's wrong with taking a bath?"
Wei Dongling was speechless. It seemed reasonable.
She faintly heard the sound of water splashing inside the room. Shangguan Yun's cold and clear voice came out, "Is Dongling here?"
Wei Dongling said awkwardly, "I'm here to return the money. Prince Yun, you go ahead. I'll leave the silver note here!" She handed the silver note to Pin Hao.
Pin Hao took it and carefully counted it. Then he stuffed it into his robe.
Shangguan Yun's voice came from inside the room, "Don't leave yet. I have something for you. Pin Hao, serve Miss Wei some tea and snacks."
"Ah? Oh."
Pin Hao obeyed the order. Soon, he brought out some tea, snacks, and a plate of glutinous rice cakes. He placed them on the stone table in the yard to entertain Wei Dongling.
The chef in the prince's mansion was really good. He knew she liked glutinous rice cakes and made them every time she came. Although she was very full from dinner, Wei Dongling still ate two glutinous rice cakes in a row.
Shangguan Yun pushed open the door and walked out. His long hair was wet, making his extremely handsome face look even fairer.
This man was wearing a loose white robe. His skin was as smooth as jade and his eyes were deep. He was even more charming than a woman.
Wei Dongling felt a bit uncomfortable and turned her face away.
Shangguan Yun waved his hand at Pin Hao and said, "Bring the Meteor Blade."
What was that? Wei Dongling was puzzled. She saw Pin Hao's face turn extremely ugly. He hesitated and didn't want to move.
Shangguan Yun glanced at Pin Hao and gave a cold snort with a displeased look on his face. Pin Hao had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
Shangguan Yun said to Wei Dongling in a low voice, "At the horse - training ground today, the County Mistress of Rong'an was so despicable that she tried to harm you several times. It was really a villain's act. Fortunately, you weren't hurt during the race." When Wei Dongling fell off the horse, his heart almost stopped. If something had happened to her, he would surely make He Yao pay.
Wei Dongling spread her hands and said with a smile, "I'm used to it. She didn't get the better of it either! She got slapped in the face for no reason today, paid out 15,000 taels of silver, and even caused the death of her personal maid. She probably won't be able to sleep tonight out of anger."
Seeing that Wei Dongling could mention it so calmly after being persecuted by the powerful and noble, Shangguan Yun felt a faint ache in his heart.
Pin Hao presented a rather ordinary - looking dagger.
Shangguan Yun grabbed it and handed it to Wei Dongling. He lowered his eyes and said, "I'm afraid the County Mistress of Rong'an will give you a hard time in the future. Take this dagger with you for self - defense."
Wei Dongling took it out and pulled out the blade. It was shining with a cold light. This was really a great dagger. No wonder Pin Hao looked so reluctant.
Prince Yun had helped her many times and she had no way to repay him. How could she accept such a precious gift?
Wei Dongling put the dagger away and handed it back. She said with a faint smile, "Thank you, Prince Yun, for your kindness. Although this dagger is good, I'm not used to using it. Prince Yun, you'd better keep it for someone who suits it!"
Shangguan Yun was stunned. He just worried about her safety, but he didn't expect Wei Dongling to directly refuse him.
Pin Hao's face turned black with anger. He reached out his hand to take the dagger and said angrily, "The imperial - bestowed Meteor Blade can cut hair. I didn't even want to give it!"
Shangguan Yun cleared his throat unhappily. Pin Hao had no choice but to withdraw his out - stretched hand dejectedly.
Shangguan Yun lowered his eyes and said softly, "I'm afraid the County Mistress of Rong'an won't let it go. What if there's no one around when she bullies you? You can at least protect yourself. Why don't you take it first? If you really can't get used to it after a few months, you can return it to me." Shangguan Yun had seen He Yao's arrogance with his own eyes. When she couldn't ruin Wei Dongling's reputation, she sent someone to play dirty tricks on her. She dared to do such things in public, and he didn't even dare to think about what she would do in private.
Hearing Shangguan Yun say this, Wei Dongling couldn't refuse anymore. She had no choice but to nod and accept it.