Chapter 50: Each More Hypocritical Than the Last!
Anyone who reads novels knows a universally acknowledged rule.
Wherever the female lead appears, the male lead is bound to show up.
Especially when the female lead is being bullied by a malicious supporting female character, the male lead is certain to appear for a “heroic rescue.”
Gan Qiongying watched as a carriage in the distance sped toward them, surrounded by several mounted guards. The bells on the horses were none other than the Wind-Catching Bells, a hallmark of Jinchuan.
These bells were a recurring motif throughout the story. When the iron hooves of Nánzhào were trampled by Jinchuan’s army, the city was described as filled with the mournful howl of the cold wind, accompanied by the clashing sounds of the Wind-Catching Bells and armor—a scene of profound sorrow.
Of course, the primary function of these bells was essentially to serve as the background music for the male lead’s dazzling entrances.
Recalling this plot point, Gan Qiongying couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Meanwhile, Wen Xueling, whom she had just “extorted,” indeed fluttered like a fledgling swallow toward Zhongli Zhengzhen’s carriage, limping as she went.
Watching her retreating figure, Gan Qiongying felt a pang of heartache, as if she had lost a piece of succulent meat right at her lips.
She could almost see six thousand taels of gleaming silver sprouting wings behind Wen Xueling, flocking together and flying away with her.
“Whoa!”
Zhongli Zhengzhen’s carriage came to a halt. Wen Xueling’s pale face flushed with a hint of rosy anticipation as she stood before his carriage with her maids in tow.
“Princess Xue’e, what happened?”
As a slender hand lifted the carriage curtain, Zhongli Zhengzhen’s strikingly handsome yet sharp and aloof face appeared outside.
However, his gaze only lingered briefly on Wen Xueling. Though he was speaking to her, he couldn’t help but look past her toward Gan Qiongying, who stood not far behind.
Then, narrowing his eyes slightly, he smiled and said, “Princess Duanrong is here too.”
With this lukewarm smile, he stepped down from the carriage and bowed slightly toward Gan Qiongying. “Greetings, Princess.”
He uttered these four words with deliberate slowness, carrying a nuance that only Gan Qiongying and Zhongli Zhengzhen himself could discern.
After all, for Zhongli Zhengzhen to see Duan Rong here was nothing short of a blessing. Privately, he had already attempted to meet with Princess Duanrong three times to help Consort Lihua escape.
Three whole times.
All three times, Duan Rong had sent Manyue to reject him, instructing her to use the harshest words possible.
Manyue’s recounting of the exchanges, when she returned to Gan Qiongying, even made Gan Qiongying click her tongue in disbelief. She had portrayed Zhongli Zhengzhen as a destitute scholar desperately clinging to a noble lady, dreaming of climbing the social ladder in one leap.
Zhongli Zhengzhen was clearly nursing a grudge.
And Gan Qiongying wanted precisely that—she intended to stoke that fire even higher.
Thus, Gan Qiongying smiled, tilting her chin up with an air of arrogance, and mimicked Zhongli Zhengzhen’s leisurely tone. “Isn’t this the Third Prince? Why are you only heading to Haoyue Manor at this hour? Did you oversleep?”
If it’s about putting on airs, who can’t do that!
Sure enough, Zhongli Zhengzhen’s expression darkened slightly, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s, fixed intently on Gan Qiongying.
This woman had always been within his control, but lately, he found himself increasingly unable to grasp her intentions.
Zhongli Zhengzhen, ever proud and self-assured, was convinced that Princess Duanrong’s recent actions were merely tactics to capture his attention.
Otherwise, why would she keep staring at Princess Xue’e? She’s clearly afraid he might have something going on with Princess Xue’e.
“Third Prince…”
Just as Gan Qiongying and Zhongli Zhengzhen’s gazes and thoughts were colliding like sparks and lightning, Wen Xueling called out pitifully to Zhongli Zhengzhen.
“I…” She paused, then glanced fearfully at Gan Qiongying, appearing hesitant to speak. “I accidentally injured my foot. It’s too far from the city gates, and I’m in a hurry to attend Princess Hui’an’s birthday celebration. May I borrow your carriage for a ride?”
A classic green tea trick!
Hesitating and holding back, anyone witnessing this scene would suspect Princess Duanrong had caused her condition!
Gan Qiongying thought, how could the female lead possibly be a true innocent flower!
The only two women in this book who appear like innocent flowers are Empress Dowager Kou Ning’an and the female lead, Wen Xueling.
Each one more “tea-scented” than the last!
Upon hearing this, Zhongli Zhengzhen glanced at Wen Xueling and was about to agree. But Gan Qiongying, still unwilling to let it go—after all, six thousand taels of silver, converted to modern currency, was a huge sum!—quickly took two steps toward them and said, “That wouldn’t be appropriate, Princess Xue’e.”
“I think you should ride with me instead.”
Come on, six thousand taels, come to me!
In her pursuit of money, Gan Qiongying spoke righteously: “Under the clear sky and broad daylight, a man and a woman, unmarried and alone, sharing a carriage—isn’t that reckless, both emotionally and rationally?”
“Besides, the carriage sways and jolts. If by accident you fall together… Isn’t Princess Xue’e in Yindu to consider a marriage proposal?”
“If word gets out, your future husband might suspect something between you and Jinchuan Zhizi…”
Gan Qiongying imitated her by leaving half unsaid. The rest of her words were certainly not kind—how they filled in the blanks depended on how dirty their own minds were.
Sure enough, as soon as Gan Qiongying finished speaking, both Wen Xueling and Zhongli Zhengzhen’s expressions changed.
They had been standing so close they were almost touching, but upon hearing Gan Qiongying’s words, they immediately distanced themselves.
Seeing this, Gan Qiongying couldn’t help but beam with joy, watching as the silver that had grown wings was about to fly back to her.
But Zhongli Zhengzhen, observing Gan Qiongying’s behavior, became convinced that his earlier assumption—that she was playing hard to get—was correct. He thought she couldn’t hold back anymore and was about to chase after him like before.
Zhongli Zhengzhen felt certain in his heart.
Proud and arrogant as he was, a man who toyed with women and petty affections, how could he possibly comply with Gan Qiongying’s wish to “avoid suspicion”?
His heart was as narrow as the eye of a sewing needle. The memory of being rejected and humiliated by Gan Qiongying’s messenger a few days ago resurfaced.
He decided to deliberately defy her wishes.
He intentionally turned to Wen Xueling with concern and said, “Since Princess Xue’e is injured, please get on the carriage quickly.”
He spoke casually, but his peripheral vision remained fixed on Gan Qiongying’s reaction. He even pretended to reach out to help Wen Xueling.
As he slightly raised his hand, he saw Gan Qiongying glaring at him with resentment and anger. Zhongli Zhengzhen felt both amused and secretly pleased.
He didn’t know who had taught Princess Duanrong the trick of playing hard to get, but he was certain he wasn’t falling for it.
So he practically stared at Gan Qiongying’s face and said, “Princess Xue’e, please get in the carriage. As a man, I can share a horse with the guard.”
“I’ll give the carriage to you.” Zhongli Zhengzhen even helped Princess Xue’e up.
With just that slight assistance, Wen Xueling’s face was already flushed red.