PFC Chapter 385 Yearning
Chapter 385 Yearning
Zhu Hongxiu was surprised and looked at the portrait in her hand: "Did Big Brother draw this himself?"
Madam Zhu nodded, her eyes full of worry.
"The Tang family's status is a bit low. If she were Lord Tang's biological sister, it would be acceptable. After all, when the master came back, he mentioned Lord Tang many times, saying that he was highly regarded by His Majesty and had a promising future. However, she is only a stepsister."
Zhu Hongxiu understood what Madam Zhu said and asked tentatively, "Mother, do you mean that my eldest brother is in love with her?"
"If not, why did you choose to paint her instead of someone else? Don't you know your brother's temper? When did your brother meet her? What did that woman do to your brother?"
Zhu Hongxiu thought carefully, "She happened to come to this auction. She didn't reserve a room in advance, so I invited her to come along. I also invited her to the poetry gathering I held before."
Madam Zhu asked, "Did she come to the bamboo house that day?"
"That day was special, and it wasn't convenient for her to stay in the garden, so she suggested taking her sister for a walk. I sent a servant to take her there. I think she went into the bamboo building. As for whether she met my brother, I don't know. But if you ask my brother's attendants, you'll know whether he saw her that day."
"Your eldest brother has never liked us interfering in his affairs. If you ask his entourage, he will dismiss them tomorrow, and it will be even more difficult to arrange for someone to be with him in the future. What's the point of asking? Regardless of whether he has seen her before, he did see her at the auction. This woman is very beautiful, and her beauty is rare even in the capital. Your eldest brother usually doesn't see anyone else, so how could he not be attracted to such a fairy-like beauty? Well, I owe this eldest grandson a debt. If he really likes her, then find an official matchmaker to go to the Tang family to test the waters."
"Mother, why don't we send someone to find out first!" Madam Zhu said, "That family is our stepmother. We need to find out what her relationship is with Master Tang, and what Master Tang's relationship is with this stepsister."
The Zhu family was also a prominent clan. Although their generation couldn't catch up to their ancestors, at least her husband was the Minister of Personnel. Even if her daughter Xuan'er wasn't worthy of a princess or a noblewoman, she could still marry the daughter of a second or third rank official. The Tang family was a rising star. No matter how capable Tang Yichen was, their family background was poor. Wouldn't marrying such a daughter-in-law be a laughingstock for other families? She was the eldest son's wife, not a concubine's.
"Lord Tang's younger sister was also present that day. I think they have a pretty good relationship. Miss Tang is gentle and always obeys Miss Tang." Zhu Hongxiu said.
"Since the stepmother is in charge, the stepdaughter will naturally be inferior to her in everything. You just said that the second young lady is very good at business. A woman who is good at monopolizing business will definitely not be easy to deal with," said Mrs. Zhu.
Zhu Hongxiu: “…”
She had nothing to say.
What her mother said makes sense.
However, they did not consider whether the Tang family would be willing to marry such a beautiful girl to a man like her elder brother who had a ruined appearance and no achievements.
Xia Ruwan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The singing and dancing next door continued until midnight, making her feel annoyed.
She got up, opened the window, and called Shuhui: "Shuhui, let's find a house tomorrow and move in. It's so noisy, it's killing me!"
Shu Hui hurried over and saw Xia Ruwan grumbling. She said, "Miss, do you want to go to the Tang family across the street and ask Miss Qin to stay overnight? She's farther away, so it shouldn't be so noisy."
"It's so late, don't disturb Yinyin." Xia Ruwan was unhappy, "Get me some wine, I want to drink."
"it is good."
Not long after Shuhui left, a figure jumped down from the wall.
"I have some good wine here, would you like some?" Li Congxiao, dressed in red, looked at her with a smile.
Xia Ruwan snorted coldly and closed the window.
Li Congxiao walked to the door and knocked gently a few times: "I'll wait for you outside."
Xia Ruwan didn't want to pay attention to him at first, but then she thought she had something else to tell him. Since he was here and she wasn't sleepy, she decided to take this opportunity to talk to him clearly.
She put on her coat and went out.
Shuhui just came over with a wine jug and saw Li Congxiao sitting in front of the stone table. Xia Ruwan came to see him with her hair loose and her hand covering her mouth.
"Shuhui, go and rest!"
"Yes."
Li Congxiao's followers also climbed over the wall, holding a basket in their hands. When they opened the basket, they saw several side dishes and wine placed on the stone table.
"Go over there and keep an eye on them," Li Congxiao said to his attendant. "If Prince Ning isn't satisfied, find him a few more. If he asks about me, just say I'm drunk and can't get up."
"My subordinate understands."
"Send someone to keep an eye on Li Jingyan."
"Yes."
After the entourage left, Xia Ruwan's expression looked better.
"That Prince Ning wanted to drink, but instead of going back to his own house, he came here to make a fuss. Is he sick?"
Li Congxiao poured her a glass of wine: "You are sick. Miss Xia, don't be angry."
"Why should I be angry?" Xia Ruwan said, "You guys are too noisy. I couldn't sleep, so I got annoyed. By the way, we met the young lady of the Zhu family today. She knows that you bought the herbs. Judging from her appearance, she might ask you about them again. I've asked Xiao Ge'er to make an ointment with the herbs. Why don't you just give the ointment directly to the Zhu family? You can even do them a favor."
"Why should I do the Zhu family a favor? If they know, they'll know. If they ask, I'll just say I've already eaten. I'm weak and need to replenish my body. How can their face be more important than my life?"
Xia Ruwan's cheeks flushed: "You really are not afraid that the Zhu family will hate you."
"I am now the brother-in-law of Prince Ning. The Zhu family will have to think twice before causing trouble for me!" said Li Congxiao.
"Are you really letting Li Jingyan ride on your head? Li Jingyan is just a concubine. Prince Ning has a wife and concubines. She is just a concubine and not a legitimate mistress. And you, the eldest brother-in-law, are not a legitimate brother-in-law either."
"Li Jingyan wants to use Prince Ning to seize the Li family's power and make the Li family his money bag. But she doesn't think about it. If Prince Ning is given a choice, will he choose a short-sighted woman as his partner or me, who already controls the Li family? Prince Ning wants a money bag, so I will be his money bag. However, Li Jingyan can only be an honest woman in the harem."
Xia Ruwan looked at the aggressive man in front of her with a complicated expression.
He was no mediocre person, using the opponent's force to counterattack, and even turning passivity into initiative. She had previously worried that he would be harassed by Prince Ning, but now it seemed that Li Jingyan was no match for him.
"Are you stunned?" Li Congxiao waved his hand in front of her. "Am I still very charming?"
"Shameless!" Xia Ruwan picked up the wine glass, hiding the discomfort in her eyes.