pjbooks Chapter 269 Rejected
Chapter 269 Rejected
Although Han Lian'er fell, she knew she only suffered minor injuries. However, if she needed to go to the clinic, she wanted the Third Prince to personally escort her there, so that the two of them could have a chance to be alone together.
However, the people behind the Third Prince carried her away without saying a word.
Of course, to avoid suspicion, it was several old women who carried the person.
"Third cousin really is chivalrous to women." Ning Xingchen chuckled, then leaned close to Zhou Jingxuan's ear, "Isn't that your concubine? Why don't you go and see for yourself?"
A prince not only brought his guards and attendants with him when he went out, but he also brought along a maidservant. This clearly shows that he came prepared. As for who he was prepared for... that's interesting.
Zhou Jingxuan slapped Ning Xingchen: "Stop being sarcastic. As for you, I heard you've encountered quite a few things while you were away for so long?"
"Oh, don't even mention it." Ning Xingchen waved her hand. "It's a long story." As she spoke, she suddenly saw a figure upstairs and nudged Zhou Jingxuan. "Third cousin, isn't that your wife? Hurry up and go say hello."
Zhou Jingxuan then noticed Gong Xuer and Lan Tingwan on the stairs. His eyes flashed, and he turned back to glare at Ning Xingchen: "Your mouth is bound to cause trouble sooner or later. You're just spreading rumors that have nothing to do with the truth, which is only tarnishing the young lady's reputation." After saying that, he went upstairs.
Gong Xuer upstairs was genuinely startled; her face was still pale as she thanked Lan Tingwan, saying, "Without you, I wouldn't have been able to..."
Just as Lan Tingwan was about to say something, she saw Zhou Jingxuan coming upstairs and couldn't help but curtsy, "Greetings, Third Prince."
Gong Xuer also hurriedly bowed.
“My two younger sisters were frightened today.” Zhou Jingxuan naturally knew what had happened, so he didn’t ask. “Put all the expenses on my tab today.”
"Thank you, Your Highness, but I cannot accept such a reward without having done anything in return." Lan Tingwan curtsied and politely declined.
Gong Xuer also refused.
"Why are you two being so polite?" Ning Wushuang walked over. "Third cousin is atoning for Miss Han's sins. If you hadn't dodged quickly, you would have been the ones falling down the stairs, wouldn't you, third cousin?"
Zhou Jingxuan smiled and said, "Han Lian'er does call me cousin after all. Since we are relatives, and my sister has made a mistake, I, as her older brother, should naturally apologize."
This was said with perfect accuracy.
Ning Wushuang nodded vigorously: "Third cousin is really a good person." Then she looked at the two girls and said, "Let's go. I've seen it. The jewelry that came this time is really beautiful. Let's each pick a few pieces so we can wear them when we attend the palace banquet."
Although Gong Xuer and Lan Tingwan had both refused, they couldn't resist Ning Wushuang's enthusiasm and each of them insisted on getting two sets of jewelry.
The two people had no choice but to accept the gift, but they were determined to return the favor when the opportunity arose.
"Third cousin, thank you." Ning Wushuang chose four sets for herself and handed them to Ruhua Siqin to hold. "Brother, I'm hungry."
"Let's go, Taibai Tower or Taotie Tower, it's your choice." Ning Xingchen patted his purse generously. "I just asked my father for some money, just to make you happy."
"Taibai Tower at noon, Taotie Tower at night."
"Huh? Wushuang, little sister, this is too outrageous!"
"going or not?"
"Go." Ning Xingchen nodded hurriedly. "Let's go." As she spoke, she waved to Zhou Jingxuan. "Then I'll be going now."
Zhou Jingxuan stopped him, saying, "We've finally run into each other, let me treat you to lunch."
"That's great, let's go." Ning Xingchen was immediately delighted.
"Miss Gong and Miss Lan, if you don't mind, please join us." Zhou Jingxuan turned around and politely extended an invitation to the two girls.
"My grandfather instructed me to be home by noon. Today is a birthday celebration in the family, so I won't bother you any longer," Lan Tingwan said politely after bowing.
"Let's do it another day," Gong Xuer said politely, without even giving a reason.
Zhou Jingxuan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, then he smiled and nodded, "That's a pity. Maybe another time." With that, he turned and left.
Ning Xingchen gave the two girls a meaningful look, then turned and left.
Gong Xuer breathed a sigh of relief and left Wanbaolou with Lan Tingwan.
"Xu'er, do you really... not want to marry him?" Lan Tingwan couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Gong Xuer shook her head: "It's not that I don't want to marry him, it's that I don't want to marry into the royal family." She sighed after saying that, "But..." Could she resist?
“If you’re unwilling, then tell your uncle directly. He loves you so much, he will definitely stand up for you.”
“It’s precisely because he loves me that I can’t say anything, after all, there are too many things involved.” Gong Xuer sighed again. “You know, after my mother passed away, my father remarried and then… it was my uncle and aunt who took me in. I don’t want to cause him any trouble.”
"Xu'er, how can this be considered causing trouble? Lord Gong and the others definitely want you to be happy. If you don't say anything, how will they know you don't want to? What if you don't live well in the end? Wouldn't they feel guilty?"
"Is that so?" Gong Xuer asked, looking puzzled.
“Yes.” Lan Tingwan nodded. “I told my grandfather that I didn’t want to marry into the royal family, and he agreed. So, my marriage still has to be decided by me.”
"Okay, I'll go back and tell my uncle right away."
Lan Tingwan nodded, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Inside Taibai Tower, Ning Wushuang learned that Zhou Jingxuan had come along, and suddenly lost her appetite. She threw a tantrum and eventually ran away, covering her face.
"Achen, Wushuang, she..."
"Third cousin." Ning Xingchen changed from his previous carefree demeanor to a serious and solemn one. "You know, Wushuang's face was ruined by Han Lian'er. For the past few months, she has been staying in her room and refusing to go out."
Zhou Jingxuan's eyes flickered.
"I finally found a miracle doctor and bought some scar removal cream, but there are still marks. I don't know if it can be completely healed. But the good thing is that she's no longer isolating herself. It's just that she's still a bit temperamental..." Ning Xingchen even had tears in her eyes. "Today was already much better. Please forgive her."
"It's nothing." Zhou Jingxuan shook his head.
"We can't eat today. I'll pack up some of her favorite dishes to take home." Ning Xingchen said, getting up and ordering the five or six most expensive dishes from Taibai Restaurant, then carrying them away.
Zhou Jingxuan: ...
I feel like something's not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
"Third Prince?" Just then, someone came upstairs, saw the Third Prince in the open private room, and walked straight in. "Why are you here alone?"