Chapter 191: Chen Ming's Pros and Cons "Since We're Here"

Wei Ruixuan.

In the study room on the side of the courtyard.

Although it was late at night, Changbai's study was still brightly lit.

Wang Ruofu always treated Changbai as a treasure in her hands and at the top of her heart. She loved him as much as she could, so whatever good things she had would be given to Changbai.

Knowing that Changbai would study hard at night and worried that he would hurt his eyes, Wang Ruofu ordered the servants to light more lamps in the study to make the room as bright as day. She also spared no expense on the lamps, all of which were high-quality ones that produced little smoke.

"Boom!"

Changbai was practicing calligraphy in the house. At this time, there was a knock on the door and the voice of Liu's mother:

"Brother, the Sixth Miss is here to see you. I brought her here."

Changbai slowly put down the pen in his hand and said loudly:

"come in!"

outside the house.

Upon hearing this, Mother Liu slightly opened the door. Minglan then bowed to Mother Liu and stepped in.

This was Minglan's first time coming to Weiruixuan's study.

When he raised his eyebrows, he saw that although the study was not big, it was full of traces of his second brother. Writing homework could be seen everywhere, numerous but not messy, and had its own order.

There are also words written by my father himself on the wall: "Mingde Wei Xin Du Xing Zhi Yuan".

"I'll be here tomorrow." Although Changbai had a thousand words to say in his heart, he still smiled warmly at Minglan.

"Second brother."

Minglan nodded, then asked directly:
"I wonder what Second Brother wants to talk to me about?"

Minglan had something to hide, so when Changbai suddenly came to her house, she was very anxious. She was eager to ask what the rewinding was about before she felt relieved.

Hear this.

Changbai fixed his eyes, and then said the words he had prepared in his mind.

"Xiao Liu, have you run into the young master several times after school in the past few months?" Changbai asked as tactfully as possible.

"what?"

Minglan was startled and asked hurriedly:
"Second brother, who told you this?"

Seeing that Minglan did not refute, but instead hurriedly asked how he knew it, Changbai immediately realized that there was no misjudgment in this matter.

There is something going on between Minglan and Qi Heng!

"How do I know?"

Changbai did not hide anything and continued:
"You two frequently meet in private at home. Although you are careful to prevent it, there is no such thing as a wall that is impenetrable. If it happens too often, this matter will inevitably be seen by others. Fortunately, it was Zhong Huai who saw it. He has a close relationship with me, so he will not spread it to others and only told me."

Minglan felt a little relieved when she heard that Gu Tingye had seen it but hadn't told anyone else.

Although I only talked to Qi Heng and didn't do anything else, I couldn't stand other people's speculations.

When she was a child, she went to the countryside with her grandmother to escape the summer heat. She had seen women who were locked in cages and drowned in ponds for "private transactions". Now she was in Bian Jing, under the feet of the emperor. Although she would not end up being drowned in a pond, her future outcome would not be any better, unless Qi Heng married her immediately.

But with Princess Pingning in front, is this possible?
Minglan, who was overwhelmed by the vague emotions at the moment, only then realized the consequences and began to feel scared.

Seeing that Minglan looked unhappy, Changbai waited for her to calm down for a moment before continuing:
"You thought that no one noticed what happened between you and the young master, but based on Qi Heng's usual behavior and actions, I, your second uncle Gu, and your brother-in-law had already noticed it.

I thought you would ignore it, Xiaoliu, and after you get through this period of scientific examinations, this matter will be over, but you have gone too far now, so I, your second brother, am going to step out and be the bad guy."

"what?"

Minglan said with a look of disbelief:
"Second brother, you all know about this?"

Minglan felt that even if there was some affection between her and Qi Heng, it was hidden in her heart. How come everyone knew about it?
When she thought of this, Minglan became even more embarrassed.

"How can you not see it?"

Changbai immediately said unhappily:

"You didn't say anything, but Qi Heng kept his eyes on you every day and gave you gifts from time to time. After a while, we can naturally see it."

"Your original pen was working fine, but you suddenly changed it to a new one. I guess it was also given by Qi Heng, right?"

Minglan couldn't help but lower her head and said embarrassedly:

"Second brother, how did you know that?"

"How do I know?"

Changbai said with great regret:

"Your pens were all given to you by your grandmother. They have always been the same style. But now you suddenly changed them. And it just so happens that Qi Heng also changed to the same pen as yours. You are moving forward in tandem. Do you really think others are blind?"

Changbai's words immediately made Minglan bow her head even lower.

Minglan didn't dare to use the purple-hair brush that Qi Heng gave her at first. Later, Qi Heng gave her a cheaper one, and only then did Minglan dare to use it.

As for the fact that Qi Heng changed his pen, Minglan also knew about it.

At first she also felt that something was wrong, but then she thought that there were not many styles of brushes and most of them looked similar, so it would not be easy to find if others did not pay close attention.

So, hoping for a lucky break and seeing that no one else noticed, he felt relieved and used the "couple's" brush openly.

I thought it was a cover-up.

I only now realize that I had been discovered long ago, but I just couldn't say it out of shame.

When Minglan thought of this, she felt ashamed.

I wish I could dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.

Seeing Minglan's reaction, Changbai felt relieved and asked slowly:
"Xiao Liu, what do you think? If you two continue like this, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep it a secret."

"Second brother, I didn't cross the line."

Minglan quickly explained:
"The young master and I were just talking, and he is also polite."

"Proper? If he really is a polite person, he wouldn't have dragged you along to meet him privately in such a 'grand' way like he is now!"

Changbai said with an unexpected look:
"If he really knows etiquette, he should do nothing now, wait until the imperial examination is over, and then find a way to marry you!"

When Minglan heard the name of Princess Pingning, her face darkened.

Minglan had met Princess Pingning before and had a general idea of ​​her personality. She was the one who cared the most about family background.

As a concubine's daughter from a small family, she could never be favored by Princess Pingning.

Unless you become Qi Heng's concubine...

But this is simply impossible.

Minglan had heard and seen what went on at home since she was a child, so she naturally knew that concubines never had a good ending.

The best one can only be like my own Miss Lin, and I have to hope to meet my own wife who is "naturally kind-hearted".

The worse ones are also right in front of us.

The eldest lady’s sister, Aunt Kang, is a bloody example.

Besides, her mother Wei Shuyi and grandmother were there for her, so there was no way she could become someone else's concubine.

Unless Princess Pingning asks the emperor to suppress it with an imperial decree, there will be some chance.

But if it really comes to that.

There is no love between him and Qi Heng anymore.

Life now is too good and too comfortable. It is not an exaggeration to say that everything is going well for her. Therefore, Minglan had subconsciously ignored this bloody incident. But now that Changbai mentioned it, Minglan immediately came to her senses again.

"Xiao Liu, I have a question for you, and you must tell your second brother the truth." Changbai asked in a deep voice.

"Ok!"

"Do you really like the young master so much that you have to marry him?"

Changbai knew Minglan's temper and knew clearly that she did not fall in love with Qi Heng because of his family background and status.

But then again.

Faced with Qi Heng, a nobleman from an aristocratic family, a graceful gentleman with a handsome appearance, and faced with his surging love that penetrates all levels of class, how many women in the world can resist?

As the saying goes, a good woman is afraid of being clingy.

Even if you don't have any feelings at the beginning, but as it happens more times, you will naturally feel some love in your heart.

Minglan didn't know when she developed feelings for Qi Heng. Was it because of his handsome appearance?

Or was it because he earnestly requested equal treatment?

Is it fair to fight?
Minglan didn't know.

But there is one thing she knows.

"Second brother, think it over carefully tomorrow. I will not go to the private school from tomorrow on." Minglan said word by word.

Minglan's feelings for Qi Heng have not yet reached the point of life and death, or perhaps no man can make Minglan like that.

Rather than getting entangled and suffering the consequences in the end, it is better to end it cleanly.

Changbai saw Minglan's firm words and thought she was just speaking in anger, so he said hurriedly:

"Xiao Liu, Second Brother is not forcing you. I am just warning you to stay away from the young master, otherwise it will be bad for you in the end."

"Second brother, I have thought it through."

Minglan said seriously:
"I was just confused before and didn't care about the consequences, so I did that. Now I have figured it out and realized that this is unrealistic and won't work!"

"I'm glad you can figure it out." Changbai saw that Minglan's expression did not seem fake, so he nodded in agreement.

"But there is no need to not go to the school."

Changbai then said slowly:

"You are hiding, but it seems that you are in the wrong. Just continue with your class and take a different route back to Shou'an Hall after school. If Qi Heng still doesn't realize it after seeing this, then I, your second brother, will go and talk to him."

"Second brother, I..." After hearing Changbai's consideration for her, Minglan felt her nose sore and her eyes quickly filled with tears.

From childhood to adulthood, she has only felt this kind of warmth of family affection from her grandmother, and even from her mother Wei Shuyi. Now it is almost invisible because of Chang Rong's existence. Chang Bai's behavior moved Minglan so much that she almost cried.

Changbai interrupted with a wave of his hand and said:

"Xiao Liu, you are my sister. This is about your reputation, so of course I have to speak for you."

As he spoke, Changbai handed over his handkerchief and said jokingly:
"Hurry up and wipe your tears, or your grandmother will see you and think that I, your brother, bullied you."

"Yeah~"

Minglan nodded slightly, turned sideways, and used Changbai's handkerchief to tidy herself up. Changbai also lowered his head at the right time and began to practice calligraphy on the manuscript on the table again, and his strokes were much more brisk than before.

After a while, Minglan came back to her senses with a red face and embarrassedly held the dirty handkerchief in her hand.

"Brother, this handkerchief is dirty. I'll take it back to wash it and return it to you tomorrow."

"It's okay, just put it on the table and the servants will wash it."

Changbai raised his head and put down the brush in his hand. Seeing that Minglan still wanted to take the handkerchief back to wash it herself, he immediately stepped forward and took it back.

He knew that if he let Minglan take it back, she would probably insist on washing it herself. Changbai felt sorry for Minglan, so he wouldn't let her.

Minglan couldn't resist and had to put the handkerchief on the table.

"That's right."

Changbai looked at Minglan and saw that although she had tidied herself up, the areas around her eyes were still red. He felt distressed, thinking that she might have just cried secretly for a while.

"If my grandmother sees this, she might think I'm bullying Xiaoliu..."

"Okay, then you can go back."

Changbai said:

"Grandma must be worried in Shou'an Hall, waiting for you and hasn't slept yet. If you go back earlier, she can go to bed earlier."

After saying this, Changbai lowered his head, as if he was beginning to appreciate his freshly-made calligraphy.

Only then did Minglan nod in agreement.

He walked out quietly, opened the door gently, and closed it gently.

After hearing the sound of the door closing, Changbai raised his head and looked out the window.

At this time, Minglan was walking along the bluestone path.

Looking at Minglan's slightly thin and timid figure as she left, Changbai couldn't help but smile.

'She's still a little girl after all.'

It is said that children will inherit some of the characteristics of both their parents.

The same applies to Changbai.

What Sheng Hong valued most in his life were his family and his official career.

These two options were too many, so Changbai chose one, focusing more on his family than his personal career.

She also inherited Wang Ruofu's kindness and love for her family.

Therefore, Changbai's emphasis on family is no longer broad and macro, but is broken down to specific people.

The combination of the two enabled Changbai to treat his brothers and sisters, whether they were born legitimate or illegitimate, equally and regard them as his own brothers and sisters.

It is precisely because of Changbai's attitude that the conflicts between the children of the Sheng family are far less acute than those of the previous generation.

Chang Feng can get along with anyone, and even though Molan and Rulan dislike each other and often argue with each other, they are not like the legitimate daughter and illegitimate daughter of other families.

Changbai values ​​family affection, especially Minglan.

If there is anything that Changbai feels regretful about at his current age, it is Minglan.

Why isn't Minglan my sister from the same mother?
Changbai often regretted this.

Shou'an Hall.

When Minglan came back and just entered the Chuihua Gate, Fang Mama was already waiting in front.

Seeing the candles still burning in the house, Minglan knew that her grandmother was still awake and waiting for her.

Mother Fang gently opened the door, which was not closed tightly, and let Minglan in.

Minglan then tiptoed to Old Madam Sheng's bedroom.

Most of the candles on Mrs. Sheng's table had burned out. At this moment, Mrs. Sheng was lying on her side on the bed, dozing off with her head supported by one hand.

Seeing this, Minglan wanted to let Old Madam Sheng go to sleep, but just as she approached, she heard Old Madam Sheng speak.

"I'll be back tomorrow."

Minglan paused and saw that Mrs. Sheng's eyes had opened, and they looked bright in the candlelight.

"Grandma, did I wake you up?" Minglan asked embarrassedly.

"No way, my grandma is old and it's not easy for her to fall asleep." Old Mrs. Sheng gave a brief explanation and didn't want to say more.

Old Madam Sheng suddenly exclaimed:
"Did you just cry?"

Minglan thought she had not cleaned up well, so she wiped her face and said:
"No ah."

Old Madam Sheng was a little skeptical just now, but now she is 100% sure.

Old Madam Sheng did not continue to explore, but only asked:
"What does your second brother want from you?"

"I didn't ask anything, just about the school." Minglan didn't know how to get around it, so she just said vaguely.

Seeing that Minglan didn't want to talk, Old Lady Sheng didn't ask any more questions and only asked:
"So are all the issues resolved?"

Minglan laughed out loud:

"Grandma, it's really not a big deal. My second brother has already helped me deal with it."

"I still trust Bai'er to do things."

Seeing Minglan laughing happily, Mrs. Sheng's expression relaxed a little.

She knew that Changbai always treated Minglan as his own sister and would not harm her, but when he saw Minglan coming back after crying, the old man was worried and couldn't help but ask her a question. Only then did she feel relieved.

Old Madam Sheng nodded gently and said:

"In that case, it's late at night, you should go back to bed early."

"No, your granddaughter will sleep with you tonight."

Minglan's spirits had just been up and down, and now was the time when she needed company. She thought her grandmother was asleep and didn't want to disturb her, but since her grandmother was not asleep.

That means “since you’re here”.

(End of this chapter)