Chen Gongrang was drinking with another clan chief when he good-naturedly asked, “About what?”
The man hedged. He glanced at Chen Rong and replied, “Hadn’t you agreed to Chen Yuan’s request last night? Qilang isn’t here right now and no one is by Wang Yi’s side. It’s a good time to mention Miss Rong to him.”
Chen Gongrang placed his wine down, slowly asking: “Wang Suo, how much grains have you received from Chen Yuan?”
Startled, Wang Suo shifted his eyes uncomfortably and stammered: “One bag, sir.”
Chen Gongrang nodded. “Since you’ve recently obtained a concubine, it is expected that you’d have extra expenditures.“
He said this nicely enough, but Wang Suo was dripping with sweat. He blanched and sputtered, “I wouldn’t dare, master, I’d never dare again.”
While he hastily looked at him for forgiveness, Chen Gongrang continued in his gracious way: “Didn’t Wang Qilang just give Miss Rong a basin of water? That meant he is fond of her. In this case, if I mentioned giving Ah Rong to Wang Yi, not only would Wang Yi not accept, but Qilang would also bear a grudge against the Chen house. Chen Yuan is short-sighted; his character is impatient. Don’t listen to his words anymore.”
Upon hearing his words, Wang Suo hurriedly answered, “Aye aye, you’re right, master.”
Wang Yi rose from his seat, at which time everyone surrounded him. Chen Gongrang also took his wine to walk over.
Wang Suo watched him and again wiped the sweat on his temples, his expression still one of nervousness.
Chen Rong and Chen Wei sat in a corner many tables away and thus could not hear their conversation.
Chen Wei was completely immersed in her own thoughts. She again leaned into Chen Rong and asked with worry: “Ah Rong, what do you think I should say when I see General Ran?”
She had, at this time, moved her and Chen Rong’s screens away, and had moved her table a little closer to Chen Rong.
Chen Rong smiled in return of seeing her pleading eyes, a smile that was a little fake.
She dropped her gaze while shaking her head. “I don’t know.”
Chen Wei was slightly riled. “Aren’t you his good friend? How can you not know?” Looking at her, Chen Rong soberly cautioned: “Ah Wei, you can’t casually call us good friends like that. He is a man while I am a woman. Our stations are also different. How can we ever become friends? Your words are detrimental to, not only his, but also my reputation.”
Chen Rong’s voice carried both gravity and conviction, taking Chen Wei by surprise. But soon, her eyes brimmed with tears as she said with chagrin: “Even if you won’t tell me, I know what to say to him.” She turned and irately moved away.
“Ah Wei,” Chen Gongrang’s voice sounded from the side at this time.
Chen Wei quickly turned to answer him: “Aye.”
“Come with me.”
“Aye.”
Chen Wei unsteadily got up and moved her screen aside. Whatever she might have been thinking, she reached over and suddenly tugged Chen Rong’s sleeve.
She held her cousin’s hand and pleadingly looked at her. “Ah Rong, let’s go together.”
Chen Rong freely nodded and got up.
They moved the screens and followed Chen Gongrang.
Amid the merry conversations and streams of people, Chen Gongrang unhurriedly walked toward the front.
By the time they got out the door and went down the steps where it was less crowded, Chen Gongrang shook his head and sighed to Chen Wei: “Marriage is something that should be discussed by the elders. It’s harmless for you youngsters to meet, but Ran Min belongs to the battlefields, and is in a hurry to leave again. As your uncle, I can only accommodate him and cannot keep to traditions.”
As he spoke, Chen Wei’s face turned so red that it could have bled. Her legs buckled, and she had to lean against Chen Rong while replying in a timid voice: “Aye, I leave everything in your hands, uncle.”
Chen Gongrang didn’t turn around, merely nodding at her words.
A dozen steps later, he made a turn toward the row of houses on the left.
The room was brightly lit, with people coming and going. The servants all gave Chen Gongrang a bow when they saw him.
He leisurely stepped inside.
In the empty room, Chen Wei went from being nervous to not even breathing. When she saw that the room was empty, she couldn’t help from exhaling in disappointment.
At her exhalation, Chen Gongrang turned to give her a glance while unhurriedly remarking: “A gentlewoman should conduct herself with grace and poise no matter the situation.”
This was an admonition.
Chen Wei quickly gave a bow. “Aye.”
She appeared to be obedient, but her yearning and zeal could not be concealed.
Chen Gongrang could not help frowning upon seeing Chen Wei like this.
However, he quickly relaxed his brow and Chen Wei did not notice the change.
He strode to the seat on the left side, slowly sat down, waved his sleeve and said, “Invite General Ran over.”
“Aye.”