mtl008 Chapter 31: Wenhao was cuckolded?
Chapter 31: Wenhao was cuckolded?
When Xie Wanqing arrived at the agreed place, she asked Biyi to wait outside.
Biyi was originally a second-class maid in the main courtyard. Although she was assigned to be the personal maid of the cousin, which seemed to be a promotion, since the cousin had that incident, the madam no longer cared about her, and Biyi's treatment was not as good as before.
On her first day there, she was even beaten by the eldest girl, so Bi Yi didn't care much about Xie Wanqing.
Xie Wanqing told her to wait outside, but she didn't bother to say anything and just rested quietly outside.
Xie Wanqing stepped into the house alone, only to be surprised to find that the person waiting in front of her was not Cheng Wenhao, but Prince Jing, Wen Huaiqing, with Mo Yun standing to the side.
She was stunned at first, then an overwhelming sense of joy welled up inside her.
She quickly composed herself and greeted Prince Jing in a sweet voice: "Your Highness, I am unaware that you made this appointment. If I have been disrespectful, I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Prince Jing, Wen Huaiqing, stood still, a playful expression on his face.
His gaze roamed freely over Xie Wanqing, and with a flick of his folding fan, he lifted Xie Wanqing's chin, his eyes filled with contempt: "You failed to persuade your cousin to marry Fu Zijin, but you yourself are going to marry into the Cheng family. You've lived in the Pingyang Marquis's mansion for so many years, and you can't even handle such a small matter. I'm quite disappointed in you."
Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing was completely certain that Prince Jing was the person behind Fu Zijin.
Her face flushed instantly, and panic and shame flashed in her eyes. She hurriedly explained, "Your Highness misunderstands. I was tricked by Shen Jingshu and ended up in this situation. But I thought that Your Highness is pursuing a great cause, and everything requires money. The Cheng family is richer than a country, and the young master Cheng is very fond of me. If I could marry into the family, I would definitely be able to do my best to help Your Highness."
What she said does make some sense.
Winning over court officials, cultivating loyal followers, and devising various plans—all of these require money.
Upon hearing her words, Wen Huaiqing narrowed his eyes slightly. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled Xie Wanqing into his arms, tightly holding her waist and pressing her body against his.
He lowered his head, breathed warmly into her ear, and whispered, "If you can truly serve me, I will certainly not mistreat you. My favor is not something anyone can afford."
As he spoke, his lips brushed against her earlobe, causing Xie Wanqing to tremble, blush, and her heart to race.
"You little lady, you have quite a charm. As long as you behave well, I will surely let you enjoy wealth and glory."
Xie Wanqing, both shy and expectant, replied softly, "Your Highness, I will be devoted to you wholeheartedly and without any ulterior motives."
His Highness Prince Jing smiled with satisfaction: "I will trust you one more time."
With ink and brush, one can observe the nose and contemplate the heart, quietly serving as a decorative piece.
Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xie Wanqing emerged from the private room. Her face was flushed, and her clothes were slightly disheveled. Bi Yi asked suspiciously, "What's wrong, Miss?"
"Perhaps it's just a bit stuffy inside."
Bi Yi glanced instinctively toward the door, but Xie Wanqing quickly stepped forward to block her view: "What are you looking at! How dare someone of your status spy on Young Master Cheng?!"
Bi Yi was startled and quickly looked away, not daring to say another word.
Xie Wanqing took a deep breath and hurriedly left with Biyi.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they came out, they saw Cheng Wenhao with several young men, arms around each other's shoulders, coming out of the gambling den next door.
The young master of the Chen family, with his sharp eyes, spotted Xie Wanqing and, with a grin, nudged Cheng Wenhao, teasingly asking, "Brother Cheng, isn't this your little wife?"
Cheng Wenhao looked closely and realized it was true!
He shook off the young master of the Chen family and quickly ran forward to stop Xie Wanqing, who was about to board the carriage: "What are you doing here?"
When Bi Yi saw Cheng Wenhao, she was stunned.
If Young Master Cheng is here, then who is the person inside the house?
Xie Wanqing was shocked, but she still tried to remain calm: "I was just passing by and was on my way back to the manor."
Cheng Wenhao frowned, his face full of doubt: "Just passing by?"
Xiushui Street is mostly filled with entertainment venues such as theaters and gambling dens. Not to mention daughters of noble families, even girls from ordinary families rarely venture into Xiushui Street.
He looked Xie Wanqing up and down with suspicion, his gaze landing on the teahouse's signboard. "You were passing by Xiushui Street to have tea?"
"I heard that this teahouse had some newly arrived rare teas, so I was curious and decided to come and take a look. But I didn't expect Xiushui Street to be so complicated that I got lost and wasted some time."
Cheng Wenhao's lips curled up. "Oh? Is that so? What's the name of this newly arrived tea? I'd like to try it too."
Xie Wanqing was secretly annoyed that Cheng Wenhao was pressing her for details, but she pretended to be angry and said coquettishly, "Young Master Cheng, what do you mean by this? Do you not believe me?"
She turned slightly to the side, looking as if she had been wronged.
Having no other choice, Bi Yi quickly stepped forward to speak up, "Young Master Cheng, my young lady has always been virtuous and upright. Why would she come to a place like this for no reason? Your questioning like this will only hurt her feelings."
She inwardly groaned; the lie she had told made her feel guilty.
Cheng Wenhao is a man who grew up surrounded by women; he could tell she was lying at a glance.
His eyes darted around, and he quickly put on a smiling face, stepping forward to coax her, "Oh, my dear Wanqing, I'm just worried about you! Xiushui Street is a mixed bag, and I'm afraid you, a young lady, will get taken advantage of."
"Look at me, I'm so bad with words, did I make you angry? Don't be angry, I'll apologize."
As he spoke, he took out an exquisite hairpin from his pocket and handed it to Xie Wanqing in a flattering manner. "I saw this at the Treasure Pavilion a few days ago. I thought it suited you very well, so I bought it. Do you like it?"
Xie Wanqing glanced at the hairpin; its exquisite craftsmanship clearly indicated its high value, but she maintained a stern expression and did not reach out to take it.
Seeing this, Cheng Wenhao became even more attentive, "You don't like this hairpin? Then tell me, what do you like? As long as you can name it, I'll get it for you!"
Xie Wanqing then forced herself to speak: "I am not greedy for these material possessions, but Young Master Cheng's doubts just now really chilled my heart."
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault. I'll never doubt you again, okay?" Cheng Wenhao promised repeatedly, then personally helped Xie Wanqing into the carriage. "I'll take you back to your residence, is that alright?"
Xie Wanqing then nodded "reluctantly".
Along the way, Cheng Wenhao tried his best to coax Xie Wanqing into smiling. When the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Pingyang Marquis's residence, Cheng Wenhao watched Xie Wanqing get off the carriage. Her graceful figure made him feel disgusted.
He turned and instructed his servant, "Go and tell Miss Shen a message, say..."
He lowered his voice and whispered a few words in the servant's ear. The servant nodded, turned around, and disappeared into the crowd.