A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 76

Nangong Ruoxu took a breath: "Tell me first, why did you come to the capital?"

“I…” Ning Wangshu hesitated for a moment, then asked suspiciously, “How did you know I came to the capital?”

“The silver notes you use are all from the Nangong family’s business. As soon as you exchange silver in Jiangning, the manager of the Jiangning bank sends me a message by carrier pigeon.”

Mo Yan peeked over and laughed, "Brother-in-law, that was a brilliant move of yours."

"Sister-in-law, thank goodness you're alright!" Nangong Liping subtly pushed Mo Yan aside. "As soon as my brother received the letter, he guessed you were coming to the capital and rushed here overnight, changing more than a dozen horses along the way."

“You…” Ning Wangshu felt both heartache and guilt. “I only came to the capital to see Xiao Qi, why are you in such a hurry?”

Nangong Ruoxu stared intently into her eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Since you came to see your junior sister, why did you lie to me and say you were going back to Shu?"

She had never lied to him before, but this time she didn't know how to explain. Ning Wangshu lowered her head and fell silent, tears finally streaming down her face, large drops falling onto his moon-white robe. Seeing this, Nangong Ruoxu sighed softly, wiping her tears with his sleeve, and said gently, "Don't cry, I know, it's all my fault..."

Chapter Ten

The author has something to say: I'd like to recommend a song, "Just Like You" by Congtou. I suggest listening to it with headphones in a quiet place. I remember someone saying that this girl's voice is the best instrument, and they're absolutely right.

Mo Yan stood to the side, staring blankly. She was originally a child at heart, and had always been ignorant about love between men and women. Now, experiencing love for the first time, she felt the pain of the situation in front of her and unconsciously shed tears as well.

Afraid of being laughed at by others, Ning Wangshu quickly wiped away her tears, turned her head and saw that Mo Yan's face was already covered in tears, so she quickly pulled her to her side: "Silly girl, why are you crying again?"

Mo Yan sobbed, "I don't know either. I just feel so happy for you because my brother-in-law treats you so well."

"If you're happy, then stop crying." Ning Wangshu wiped away her tears, both amused and exasperated.

Mo Yan still had tear stains on her face, and she forced a smile as she looked up.

Nangong Ruoxu also remembered Mo Yan, and smiled gently at her, "Your senior sister often mentions you at home, saying that you will soon be promoted to head constable, is that right?"

Because she felt quite frustrated being a constable, Mo Yan was also hoping to become a head constable soon. Hearing his question, she nodded with a smile: "Brother-in-law, my senior sister didn't invite me to her wedding banquet, so why didn't you invite me either?"

Before Nangong Ruoxu could speak, Ning Wangshu gently tapped her head and scolded, "Still thinking about this! Tomorrow I'll set up ten tables at Zuixianlou for you to eat by yourself. You're not allowed to come out until you finish."

Mo Yan tilted her head to look at her and said with a mischievous smile, "I knew you would protect him. Now that you have a brother-in-law, you don't care about your sister anymore."

Ning Wangshu ignored her teasing and turned to Nangong Ruoxu, asking with concern, "You're not used to riding in a carriage, and you haven't rested at all along the way. You must be exhausted."

"I'm not tired. Li Ping has arranged everything in the car very well," Nangong Ruoxu said with a smile.

Seeing his expression, Ning Wangshu knew he was trying to comfort her, so she didn't argue with him and smiled gently, "I'm a little tired, let's find a place to rest first."

“Alright,” Nangong Ruoxu took her hand. “Our family has a villa in the capital, not far from here, and it’s fully equipped. Shall we go there?”

Ning Wangshu smiled and nodded: "If you say it's good, then it's good."

She had hoped that she could lie side by side with her senior sister at night, chatting away like before, but it seemed that wouldn't be possible now. Now that her brother-in-law was here, her senior sister would definitely be with him all the time. Before Ning Wangshu could speak, Mo Yan said listlessly, "You should stay with your brother-in-law. I'll go get your luggage for you."

She had originally wanted to spend some quality time with her junior sister, but now... Ning Wangshu looked at her apologetically.

Nangong Ruoxu saw through his wife's intentions and suggested, "If Xiaoqi doesn't mind that the courtyard is simple, why don't you come and stay for a while?"

"Great!" Mo Yan said happily. "Brother-in-law, please keep the room for me. I might come over any day."

"Definitely," Nangong Ruoxu said with a slight smile.

Mo Yan then went back into the house to repack Ning Wangshu's belongings and handed them to her. Nangong Ruoxu then told her the detailed address of the villa before getting into the carriage with Ning Wangshu.

Standing by the side gate, watching the carriage disappear around the corner, Mo Yan remained rooted to the spot, the image of Ning Wangshu and his wife standing beside the carriage still etched in her mind. Feeling weary, she didn't want to go back inside, and sat casually on the stone steps of the porch, lost in thought…

"Xiao Qi, why are you sitting here?" someone said to her.

Mo Yan absentmindedly looked up, and a pair of sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes came into view—it was Zhan Zhao. She had been thinking about him at the moment, and seeing him suddenly appear before her caught her off guard. She stammered, "Brother Zhan... Brother Zhan, why are you back?"

Fearing she would catch a cold, Zhan Zhao pulled her up, saying, "Let's go inside and talk."

Mo Yan had rushed out and forgot to extinguish the charcoal fire in the carved copper incense burner. Now, the room was warm. She had been freezing outside for half a day, and the sudden change in temperature made her sneeze several times. She quickly took a handkerchief and covered her mouth and nose.

"...Where is the princess?"

She asked in a muffled voice, not because she was genuinely concerned about the princess, but because she felt awkward seeing Zhan Zhao at the moment and didn't know what to say, so she just made conversation.

"The princess has gone back to rest."

"Oh," she replied casually, seemingly not really listening. Just then, she caught sight of the grey squirrel fur cloak draped over the screen. She took it down, carefully folded it on the couch, her mind racing. Finally, she made up her mind, abruptly turning to Zhan Zhao: "Brother Zhan, I want to ask you..."

Seeing her bite her lip, seemingly hesitant, Zhan Zhao smiled and said, "Speak freely."

"Would you be willing to recognize me as your sister?" she blurted out.

Upon hearing this, Zhan Zhao was taken aback for a moment, but without thinking it over, he could only reply, "If I could have such a virtuous sister, it would be my great fortune."

Although she had expected it, Mo Yan's heart still sank. She turned back to fold the cloak, her head bowed even lower than before.

Seeing that she asked such a seemingly random question and then trailed off, Zhan Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Qi, didn't you want to become sworn siblings with me?"

"Let's talk about it later," Mo Yan said dismissively without even turning her head.

Even if Zhan Zhao was very clever, how could he understand the thoughts of a young woman? He was completely bewildered and didn't know what to say.

She slowly folded the cloak, stood up, and handed it to Zhan Zhao with both hands: "Brother Zhan, thank you for your cloak."

It was rare to see her so polite, so Zhan Zhao was slightly taken aback. He didn't reach out to take it, but smiled and said, "If you don't mind, you can keep it."

"I don't want to." Mo Yan shook her head decisively.

"You think it's too old?" Zhan Zhao asked with a smile. "I still have a white fox fur coat that I've never worn..."