Chapter 47

The man turned around and was momentarily stunned when he saw Wang Yuan’er. He scrutinized her up and down. “Huh, so Changle Town has produced such a flower too.”

He spoke in a flippant manner, and his gaze was particularly audacious. Wang Yuan’er found it quite displeasing in her heart but chose to ignore him, walking around him and leaving.

Having jumped down from the Tang family’s wall and dressed in luxurious clothing, whoever this person was, he was clearly not someone she could afford to provoke.

Tang Xiuping watched Wang Yuan’er’s departing figure. The blue apron she wore accentuated her slender waist, and he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. After seeing so many peonies and peony roses, this little white flower was indeed something special.

Wang Yuan’er carried the items she bought back into the east room, first taking out the shelled melon seeds and candies from her pocket and asking Madam Liang, “Where are Lan’er and the others?”

“Qing’er took her out to see the excitement,” Madam Liang replied. She then noticed the candies in Wang Yuan’er’s hand and asked, “Where did you get the candies?”

Wang Yuan’er then explained what the Shopkeeper Zheng had said and shared what she had seen at the Tang family.

“Shopkeeper Zheng is quite thoughtful,” Madam Liang said with great comfort. Then, she added, “That second madam of the Tang family is also from an official’s family. From the day she entered the household to now, it’s probably the first time she’s returned to celebrate the New Year.”

“Exactly.”

As the mother and daughter were chatting, Wang Qing’er walked in with Lan’er. Both of their faces were flushed, and they were beaming with smiles. Lan’er even proudly took out the candies from her pocket, peeling one and stuffing it into Madam Liang’s mouth.

Wang Yuan’er took one look and immediately knew it was from the Tang family.

Sure enough, Wang Qing’er excitedly started talking about the lively scene, her eyes sparkling.

“Mother, eldest sister, I saw the eldest young lady of the Tang family. Oh my, she’s like a snow fairy! She looks so delicate; she even needs two people to help her walk.” Wang Qing’er recalled the scene of the Tang family’s young lady stepping out of the carriage, her attire and demeanor exuding elegance and envy.

“Now that’s a real young lady. The daughters of the merchants in town are nothing compared to her. She’s the epitome of an official’s daughter; even her walk carries a fragrant breeze.”

“Such a blessed life!” Wang Qing’er thought dreamily.

Wang Yuan’er, seeing her expression, knew she was enchanted. Considering how carefree this girl usually was, she couldn’t help but give her a reality check. “Don’t think about things that aren’t ours. Let’s live steadily, and we’ll have good days in the future.”

“Your eldest sister is right.”

Wang Qing’er pouted and muttered, “I didn’t say anything.”

Wang Yuan’er gave her a knowing look and pulled her along. “You came back just in time. Come help me in the kitchen.”

“Ah, Eldest Sister, I just remembered Hua’er needs me for something. Ask Second Sister to help you.” Wang Qing’er broke free from her hand and dashed off.

“Wang Qing’er, you little rascal, come back here!” Wang Yuan’er chased her to the door, but the girl had already disappeared, almost bumping into Wang Min’er, who was returning from outside.

Wang Min’er seemed oblivious, her cheeks glowing red, and there was a silly smile on her lips. Yes, a silly smile.

Wang Yuan’er thought for a moment, then waved her hand in front of her. “Did you find gold or something? Smiling like that. Look at your red face—are you running a fever?”

Wang Min’er was startled and glared at her. “Mind your own business!” She twisted her waist, covered her face, and ran into the house.

Wang Yuan’er squinted her eyes. That girl’s expression—it looked like she was lovestruck!

No way. She wasn’t even of age yet. Besides, she was even more carefree than Wang Qing’er. Who in this town could possibly catch Wang Min’er’s eye?

Chapter 48

Wang Min’er ran into her room, plopped down on the bed, touched her right hand, and stared into space, not knowing what she was thinking. She bit her lip, then smiled again after a moment.

“Oh dear, why is this so embarrassing?” She leaned back onto the bed, gazing at the high rafters, but her mind was filled with the image of that young man dressed in luxurious attire, adorned with a jade pendant and wearing a laurel crown. That handsome face, those eyes, that smile…

Thanks to her aunt, she had visited the Tang family residence a few times. Though she had always stayed within her aunt’s small corner of the household, she could still catch glimpses of the grand scenery within the Tang estate through the side gate—a sight that truly exuded opulence.

Earlier today, she visited the Tang family residence to speak with her aunt. As a servant led her to her aunt’s room, a figure moving swiftly bumped into her, causing her to stumble and nearly fall. Fortunately, a large hand pulled her back, and she found herself crashing into someone’s arms.

In her entire life, Wang Min’er had never had close contact with a man other than her younger brother or father. This sudden collision enveloped her in a masculine presence, and she quickly realized she had been momentarily taken advantage of. Just as she was about to rebuke the man angrily, she looked up, and the words stuck in her throat. How could such an extraordinarily handsome man exist in the world?

Thin lips, long eyebrows, flawless skin, and eyes that seemed to hold a teasing smile—or rather, he was definitely smiling at her.

Flustered, Wang Min’er lowered her head and noticed the yellow jade pendant hanging from his waist. What an exquisite piece of jade! And the material of his luxurious robe—it was remarkably expensive.

This must be one of the noble young masters of the Tang family.

Her mind was a whirlwind, realizing she had encountered someone distinguished. Then she noticed an unusual sensation at her waist—it was his hand, lightly brushing against her. Her face flushed red instantly, and she stepped back.

“Are you alright, miss?” the young man asked with a smile, his voice rich and melodious.

“I-I am fine,” Wang Min’er replied, her voice uncharacteristically gentle.

“Hmm, which household maid are you? Why haven’t I seen you before?” he asked again, lowering his head to look at her.

Wang Min’er’s face turned even redder as she took a step back, about to respond, when a familiar voice called out from a distance, “Young Master, wait for me! Young Master!”

“Oh no!” The young man, hearing this voice, didn’t pay Wang Min’er any further attention. With a quick leap, he dashed away.

“Ah.” Wang Min’er felt a tinge of disappointment but couldn’t very well chase after him. In no time, she saw her aunt running toward her, panting heavily with a cloak in her hands. A vague thought suddenly flickered through her mind.

Later, she casually asked her aunt about the young man, and it turned out he was indeed the third young master of the Tang family, Tang Xiuping. He had been studying in the capital with the second master of the family for years and had returned home for the New Year and to visit Old Madam Tang.

She also heard that the third young master was only eighteen or nineteen years old and was still unmarried!

Thinking of this, Wang Min’er bit her lower lip.

A man like the third young master, wasn’t he exactly the ideal husband she had always dreamed of? If she could marry him and become his wife, she would truly have entered a life of wealth and luxury.

Surely, he liked her as well?

Otherwise, why would he have asked about her? And the way he looked at her…

Blushing to the point of having burning cheeks, Wang Min’er pulled the blanket over her head and giggled softly beneath it.

From outside, Madam Zhang entered the room and immediately heard muffled laughter from her daughter. Worried that something might be wrong, she peeked into her daughter’s room, only to see the girl kicking the blanket playfully. Shaking her head with a smile, she thought to herself how her daughter still acted like a child.