Chapter 28: Does Someone Have to Dig Those Wild Vegetables?

Xue Pinggui scratched his head, a little embarrassed, “I know her. I’ve met Miss Xu a few times.”

He rubbed the sachet at his waist. His action caught Wang Baochuan’s eye. The sachet was clearly made of the finest cloud brocade, with delicate embroidery. It must have been a woman’s item.

“Miss Wang, may I have a word with you?” He looked at Wang Baochuan in the carriage with affection, mustering his courage.

Wang Baochuan was reluctant. She held a grudge against Xue Pinggui, hating his ruthlessness in her previous life, but she couldn’t be too harsh because of his status.

Wang Baochuan got out of the carriage, and they walked to a quiet corner. Xiaolian and Qingqing stood guard nearby.

“Mr. Xue, what is it?”

Xue Pinggui seemed hesitant. After much deliberation, he said, “When I first saw you, Miss, I felt that you were different. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I know that our status is vastly different, but my heart is true…”

Wang Baochuan’s stomach churned, and a bitter taste filled her mouth, a strong taste of wild vegetables.

Damn it! Since she was reborn, she hadn’t touched wild vegetables again, but every time she saw Xue Pinggui, she could vividly recall that taste.

“Thank you for your affection, sir, but I have no interest in the world. I only want to spend my life with my parents.” Wang Baochuan’s refusal was tactful.

She looked at the towering colorful building and thought about Xue’s father’s death. All of this showed that she had only changed her own fate, but Xue Pinggui’s life trajectory seemed unable to change.

“I know you care about your reputation, Miss. I don’t mind…”

“Miss Xu is holding a marriage proposal ceremony with a ball of embroidered silk. Will you be there?” Wang Baochuan didn’t respond to his feelings but asked another question with a heavy heart.

He nodded, “Miss Xu has given me gifts several times, begging me to come. If you can’t accept my feelings, Miss, then I can only respond to her sincerity.”

He said it as if it were natural, not thinking that his actions were inappropriate.

Wang Baochuan secretly scoffed at him in her heart and felt sorry for Miss Xu. What was going on? Was someone destined to dig those wild vegetables at Wuji坡?

She felt that it was because she had escaped her original fate that this change had occurred, so she wanted to persuade Miss Xu to think carefully.

“How will you respond to her sincerity?”

“She is the daughter of a censor, and she has been served by countless maids and servants since she was a child. If she really throws the embroidered ball to you, will you let her suffer the hardship of being homeless with you?”

Xue Pinggui looked at her in shock, as if he couldn’t believe she would say such disappointing words.

“I thought you were a refined and elegant woman, Miss. I didn’t expect you to be so materialistic! Wanning is ethereal and elegant, she wouldn’t be greedy for wealth and glory!”

Wang Baochuan patted the hand warmer in her hand. It was made of pure silver, with double-sided embroidery in different colors. It had cost her a lot of money. She couldn’t use it to hit someone.

Besides, this man was a prince who had fallen into the common people! He couldn’t be offended!

They were not on the same wavelength, so she could only leave quickly.

Four or five days later, the first snow fell in the capital.

The eldest prince, who had become the crown prince, was in a good mood. The crown princess specially held a snow-viewing banquet, inviting high officials and noble ladies to attend.

Wang Baochuan learned that Censor Xu’s daughter would also be there, so she specially went early to wait, wanting to take this last chance before the ball of embroidered silk was thrown to persuade her not to act impulsively. The wild vegetables at Wuji坡 were really not easy to dig.

The Crown Prince’s Mansion was magnificent, with towering vermilion gates and two imposing stone lions in front. Passing through the flower-covered gate, one was greeted by winding corridors, pavilions, towers, ponds, and waterside pavilions, all with carved beams and painted rafters, with pavilions and platforms intertwined.

Wang Baochuan walked along the corridor, absentmindedly looking at the scenery. Because of her reputation, not many people paid attention to her.

She was happy to be left alone, so she could wait for Xu Wanning’s arrival.