The Princess's Notebook

Let’s talk about two things separately. Let’s talk about Xuandefang at present.

Shopkeeper Xu came to the fourth branch of the Wang family with drums and gongs, bringing a lot of betrothal gifts to propose marriage. Perhaps because he was afraid that others would not know, whenever he met someone he knew, he would greet them with a fist and a smile on his face. If someone asked who the young lady was, he would smile and say nothing, "Let's talk about it later. It's not the right time yet, it would hurt the girl's reputation."

When everyone saw this, they just thought that he really loved the young lady.

When they arrived at the Fourth Chamber, Minister Feng of the Ministry of Justice and Prince Kang and his entourage had not yet left. In front of everyone, they happily explained the purpose of their visit.

He was tall and slender, wearing a brown round-necked robe, which made him look particularly cheerful. Moreover, his movements seemed like those of a wealthy family, making it hard to believe that he was born a businessman.

Among the people present, old Prince Kang was not concerned about the matter, and Minister Feng and his wife were in no position to say anything, so they just waited for Wang Kang to say something.

Wang Kang was a little unhappy. Although his Seventeenth Lady was a useless woman, she had just been rumored to be in the East Palace. In the end, the merchant came to propose marriage, and he was disappointed and dissatisfied.

So he asked Shopkeeper Xu, "From ancient times to now, I have never heard of a man coming to your house to propose marriage. Your parents are still around, so do they know about it?"

Shopkeeper Xu didn't care. "Your Excellency doesn't know that my father died young, and now I am just a widow. My mother has been sad about my father's early death for many years, and she usually lives in Hanchan Temple outside the city and doesn't see strangers. I came here on my own to propose marriage for myself, which is inappropriate. It is really a helpless move. I hope your Excellency will understand."

Hearing that he was the boss, Wang Kang couldn't help but think of the rumors in Kyoto, saying that the owner of Huitong Bookstore, Xu, whose origin was unknown, only had two bookstores on the surface, but secretly he did not know how many businesses he had. Just talking about the Huitong Bookstore in the eyes of everyone, with white jade as the hall and gold as the horses, it was really a very wealthy place.

When Wang Kang was hesitating, Minister Feng saw his stupid look and reminded him, "Don't worry. I heard that Seventeenth Lady in the mansion hasn't reached the age of marriage yet. It's better to wait." While speaking, he observed Wang Kang's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Wang Kang didn't seem to understand the subtle suggestion, and he was completely obsessed with money. "This matter, this matter... Let me think about it again."

Shopkeeper Xu: "Marriage is a big deal, please give it some thought, and I'd better ask you to consider it. I have one more request, and I hope you can agree to it."

"Say it."

"I heard that the Seventeenth Lady in your house is beautiful and intelligent, with noble character, dignified and virtuous, and can be a good match. I dare to ask for an audience with the Seventeenth Lady. If you can do me a favor, even if the marriage fails, I am willing to give you a farm outside the Sancai Temple outside the city as a dowry for you in the future."

Except for Wang Kang, everyone else looked grim after hearing this. What a big move, he must be plotting something. Only Wang Kang was so happy after hearing Zhuangzi's words that he couldn't find his way around and wanted to take back what he had just said.

"It's better to go and meet her. Shiqi Niang is a woman with her own ideas. Maybe meeting her will..." Perhaps he wanted Shiqi Niang to make her own decision, but it was no longer appropriate to say this. Wang Kang laughed it off and ordered someone to invite Shiqi Niang to meet the guests in the small flower hall.

After hearing this, Minister Feng was so angry that he wanted to cancel the betrothal gift. Madam Qian smiled even more deeply, while Qiao Xin, on the other hand, covered her face with her wide-sleeved shirt and pinched herself in the palm of her hand. She was afraid that she would not be able to hold back and start a quarrel in court.

A stick sticking out among a bunch of cunning people is really conspicuous.

After Shopkeeper Xu left with his permission, the calm and composed Old Prince Kang coughed twice and signaled for more tea. Only then did the atmosphere in the hall become lively again.

A moment later, Shopkeeper Xu saw Shiqi Niang coming from afar under the flower wall beside Langyuan Bridge. Walking through the flowers and willows, the winding path led to a secluded place. In a sea of ​​wisteria flowers, the young lady, wearing a very plain scarlet skirt, walked slowly. Like a butterfly dancing among the flowers.

Shopkeeper Xu bowed deeply.

Shiqi Niang, who was coming towards him, looked around and asked in a low voice: "Didn't you say to wait in the small flower hall? What are you doing here? Are you afraid that someone will intercept me?"

"I'm afraid! So I walked a few more steps. Anyway, there's plenty of space on both sides, and there's nothing to hide. It's okay to chat here."

In broad daylight, the sky is bright.

Shiqi Niang was not the kind of person who would care about such things. She nodded and asked, "Didn't you want to do it that day? Why are you here today?"

That day, of course, was when the two of them signed the contract. At that time, the young lady had just heard what Zhao Feiran said, and she was determined to find a suitable young man. But she had only said one sentence, and she was scolded for wanting to die!
Now, what is this person doing here!
She is a little girl, she also needs to save face!
Shopkeeper Xu smiled calmly, "It happened suddenly that day, and I was totally unprepared. Besides, it wasn't me who asked if there was a suitable young man that day. I'm just a merchant, why would I bother to join in the fun and compete with the royal family for a bride?"

Shiqi Niang didn't want to hear it, "What nonsense are you talking about? Tell the truth, why are you willing to do it now?"

"I'm not stupid! I haven't heard anything from the East Palace for half a month, so I guess they don't take you seriously. Even so, considering that you are my cash cow, I can help you out. From now on, you can write storybooks, and I will print and sell them. It will be a big profit for our family."

"Shopkeeper, do you think I'm stupid? There's no movement in the East Palace, so why should I rush to get engaged? There's no need to make myself unhappy." She waved her hands, as if she disagreed with what Shopkeeper Xu said.

Shopkeeper Xu curled his lips and smiled, "If you think so, young lady, just take it as I don't want to lose you, my cash cow, and am willing to go a step further."

With only a few words and a normal tone of voice, she shone brightly under the wisteria flowers, extremely dazzling.

Shiqi Niang was a little dazed. After a moment, she came to her senses and looked around at the man. He was wearing a brown-red robe and a fu hat. He was steady, elegant, and had an extraordinary appearance.

She asked tentatively: "May I ask, shopkeeper, how old are you now?"

Shopkeeper Xu was surprised. "You are only twenty-two years old."

Shiqi Niang was surprised. How could he be this old with such dress, such appearance, and such demeanor! He explained: "Since my father passed away, there is no one to support such a big business. It's not bad to look a few years older. If you don't like it, I will change my dress tomorrow, maybe it will be better."

"Don't! I..." Having stepped on someone's sore spot, Shiqi Niang wanted to apologize, but she didn't expect him to suddenly talk about whether she was dressed up or not, "That's still a vague thing, don't talk nonsense. I..."

She couldn't say anything.

There is no other reason. If Manager Xu is sincere, then it will be a very good marriage for Shiqi Niang.

He had no power or influence, only a little money, and no parents or elders to take care of him... He was no different from the ordinary husband she had imagined in her mind.

However, what this person was thinking might be different from what Shiqi Niang expected. Moreover, the East Palace had already agreed, and there had been no movement so far, so she was not in a hurry to randomly choose a husband to deal with the matter.

So I hesitated, thinking about how to refuse.

Unexpectedly, Shopkeeper Xu hurriedly said, “Madam, please don’t be in a hurry to refuse.

As Minister Feng said just now, my wife is not yet of age, there is plenty of time. Besides, whether I am doing this for business or out of my sincerity, time will prove everything. In this situation, any more I say is false, without any evidence. My wife's sincerity is the most important. Please give me a stick of incense to say a few words.

We have known each other for a long time. I know what kind of life my wife has lived. I know her many sufferings. I don't know them in depth, but they are definitely not superficial. If my wife agrees, I think she can live wherever she wants and take care of the elders at home. Everything is fine, and I will definitely..."

Before he could finish his words, a harsh scolding suddenly came from behind him.

"What are you going to do? You are just a merchant with no power or influence, what else can you do? Her family and their past sufferings have nothing to do with you. Get out of here right now."

After discussing the important points, the two suddenly looked towards the other side of the flower wall.

But in the empty window of the hexagonal flower wall, a man stood there with a fierce look in his eyes and murderous intent. He wore a jade crown and tied his hair, which fell behind the flower wall, appearing and disappearing from time to time. But the golden light of the afternoon covered the jade crown, and the glittering golden light disappeared, adding a hint of murderous aura.

Who else could this person be but Zhao Feiran?

He hurried over and, as luck would have it, heard everything that Shopkeeper Xu had to say.

The slight touch that surged in Shiqi Niang's heart was instantly replaced by fear. Zhao Feiran was someone he had never seen before. Even when they first met at Huitong Bookstore, he was surrounded by cold air, but he had never seen someone so terrifying.

No one dared to speak anymore.

Zhao Feiran strode around the flower wall and appeared in front of everyone in his entirety.

He walked straight up to Shopkeeper Xu and said, "You are Shopkeeper Xu, you have some courage. Hurry up and leave! You don't want the chance to live, are you looking for death?"

Shiqi Niang felt something was wrong when she saw this, and slowly raised her hand to pull Zhao Feiran's sleeve, but was dodged by him.

"Your Highness..."

Zhao Feiran was furious: "You go away too! You don't know how to live or die, and you can't tell loyalty from treachery!"

Seeing that the man was angry, Shiqi Niang didn't want to cause any more trouble, so she raised her hand to pull his sleeve again, but was blocked by the folding fan in Zhao Feiran's hand. Perhaps because the man was too strong, Shiqi Niang staggered a little. Before she could understand what was happening, she was grabbed by someone again and circled in front of him.

Shopkeeper Xu, who had not spoken for a long time, also reached out his hand when Shiqi Niang staggered, but he was far away and naturally got nothing, so he could only retract his hand sadly.

Zhao Feiran angrily scolded Shiqi Niang: "Even if you want to die, there is no need to be so anxious."

"Your Highness," Shopkeeper Xu couldn't bear it, "The young lady is so delicate..."

"Sun Du! Fork out!"

Unable to bear hearing others care about Shiqi Niang, Zhao Feiran shouted outside due to the surging anger.

After Sun Du entered, regardless of the current situation, he stepped forward and hit Manager Xu on the back of the head, and he fell to the ground like a dough. Sun Du was quick and carried the man on his shoulders and sent him away.

Shiqi Niang was so frightened that her hands and feet were shaking, "Is he... is he... dead? Is he dead..."

Zhao Feiran looked down and saw the young lady's lips trembling and her eyelashes shaking. She wanted to look at Sun Du who was walking away, but she didn't dare. She could only look back and forth, sometimes on his chest and sometimes in the distance.

Unable to explain clearly, Zhao Feiran said in a cold voice: "He's dead! You know Sun Du's kung fu, killing someone with one palm is nothing."

(End of this chapter)