Chapter 16
Chapter 16
A Skillful Act (3)
“But——”
She changed the topic, “Your Highness, don’t you think, that the gentleman that came to her rescue is quite… quite… ah, how do I put it? He looks so plain, but why is my heart beating faster than when I see His Highness, the Crown Prince?”
Rongqin thought inwardly, me too.
Then she looked at the dark emerald cloud brocade on Zheng Wan; it was like a misty fog, and made her look like a celestial fairy who had descended on earth. Her heart soured as though she had eaten a big mouthful of a green apricot.
“She’s in such dire circumstances, and still trying to appeal to men, pah.”
“Hey, hey, shush, he’s coming up. Looking at him now, he looks quite tall—perhaps even a bit taller than Brother Crown Prince, no?”
Rongqin flicked her gaze over, and still felt that it was more interesting to bully Zheng Wan. She stuck her head out from the second floor and waved downstairs.
“Wan’niang, come and join us.”
Zheng Wan was still troubled about how to enter the marble boat in a natural manner. After all, there would be a great opportunity for Cui Wang here today. Rongqin’s invitation was just the ticket she needed. She looked up and smiled sweetly.
“Your Highness, I have to go report to my mother first…”
Rongqin was the kind of person who wouldn’t budge when you urged her, and fall back when you pressed her on. The more Zheng Wan hesitated, the more Rongqin would want her to go up.
Sure enough, Rongqin waved a maid over.
“What’s so difficult about that. Luxiu, go to the waterside pavilion and tell Madam Zheng that Wan’niang is with us.”
Turning to Zheng Wan, she said, “Madam Zheng is in the waterside pavilion opposite. She’s talking with Grand Aunt, so don’t bother her.”
“Alright.”
Zheng Wan found it ‘hard to turn down the warm-hearted offer’, so she went upstairs.
Cui Wang silently withdrew his divine consciousness.
“Why did you save her?”
In the sea of consciousness, sat a black-clothed old man with white hair and a ruddy complexion; his round face was full of curiosity.
“Wasn’t the old ancestor in seclusion?”
“No way! Hey, Xiao Wangwang, why don’t you tell this old ancestor, why you saved that girl? Could it be that… you fancy her? Well, that’s fine, that’s fine, that young lady is not bad-looking. She also looks like she’s fallen for you. The two of you can bear a fair, chubby baby to enhance the genes of my old Cui family, how nice! My Xiao Wangwang understands the charms of women; Xiao Wangwang, you don’t know, when this old ancestor sees you guarding that stupid sword day and night, I’m just so heartbroken! Aye…”
“Shut up.”
“Aye……”
“No.”
“Why? Oh, I know, it must be because that young lady rebuked you for your ‘wishful thinking’ in the past, and broke your heart…”
The old ancestor in the sea of consciousness chattered nonstop; Cui Wang had already picked an inconspicuous spot and sat down.
“The pearl is in the dragon’s mouth4, surrounded by wind and water, this place…tsk, Xiao Wangwang, you’re so prosperous… aye, no, weren’t we talking about Zheng Wan? Xiao Wangwang, I still remember the first time I met you—big eyes, fair skin, how innocent and cute! But now that you’re older you’re becoming less and less pleasant. If you were in my era, you’ll be forever alone! Do you know what that means?! A lifetime without a wife or a girlfriend…”
Cui Wang thanked the maidservant for the berry juice she brought over, and closed his eyes without saying anything.
“Say something!”
“About what.”
“About when you’ll bring a beautiful young lady to your home. Look, in here,” the man in black hiccuped, “There’re so many ladies. But, if you ask me, I still think that ex-fiancée of yours looks the best.”
Cui Wang opened his eyes; at that moment, Zheng Wan was already on the second floor. Her gaze swept into the cabin.
Blinding like the rising sun, brilliant like a river of stars.
“I don’t like her eyes.”
“Why not? No matter how I look, I think they’re extremely beautiful.”
“Extremely ambitious, and concealing a domineering spirit.”
Footnotes:
4 pearl is in the dragon’s mouth: A Fengshui term. Fengshui, also known as Chinese geomancy, is a traditional practice originating from ancient China, which claims to use energy forces to harmonise individuals with their surrounding environment. This particular formation where the “pearl is in the dragon’s mouth” is an extremely lucky one, and so is the presence of wind and flowing water, hence the ancestor’s remark that Cui Wang is “so prosperous”.