Volume 1 Chapter 44

Volume 1 Chapter 44

Leng Jiu heard and leaned over, “Big brother, why are you asking about my family? Are you planning to come and propose?”
Gong Yuwei blushed at her words, “I was just asking casually, why bring up marriage?”
Leng Jiu slumped over the table, suddenly looking lifeless, “Big brother doesn’t like me after all. Sigh, maybe I should listen to my mom and marry that limping Wang Er next door. I’m going to get married anyway!”
“Your mother has arranged a marriage for you?” Gong Yuwei asked quickly, not even realizing the trace of tension in his voice.
Leng Jiu pursed her lips, “It’s not exactly arranged. They came to propose and brought a lot of things. My mom is thinking of accepting.”
“But you just said he’s a cripple? Your mom would let you marry a cripple?”
Leng Jiu nodded pitifully, “Yes, he’s a cripple, but their family is wealthier than ours.”
“How can that be? You’re such a good girl, how could your mother bear to let you marry a cripple?” Gong Yuwei’s speech quickened.
Leng Jiu smiled at his words, “Big brother! You’re making me feel like you like me!”
Gong Yuwei’s face froze, then a blush crept up his handsome face, “What nonsense are you talking?”
“Hehe! I know someone as beautiful as you wouldn’t like me. I was just teasing you!” Leng Jiu said playfully, jumping up, “I have to go home now. Thanks for the meal, big brother!”
Without waiting for Gong Yuwei to respond, she bounced away, leaving him watching her retreating figure, wanting to say something but stopping.
Uncle Xiang came in and saw Gong Yuwei’s expression, smiling slightly, “Master, have you taken a liking to that girl?”
Gong Yuwei turned his head away, “Uncle Xiang, what nonsense are you talking about?”
Uncle Xiang chuckled, “It’s not nonsense, master. You’ve always been cold to every girl, but this girl has only come twice and you’ve personally hosted her. Your face isn’t as cold, and when you hear she’s coming, your eyes warm up. Maybe you haven’t realized it, but your heart is probably already reluctant to let her go. If you really like her, you’d better hurry, before she gets engaged and you regret it.”
“Uncle Xiang, stop talking! I know my own business!” Gong Yuwei got up and went to the study, his expression as cold as usual. But his heart was stirred by Uncle Xiang’s words. Marriage, marrying Xiao Jiu…
Leng Jiu, unaware that her departure had led someone to think about proposing, was still wandering around the city, looking for a place to stay. Mo Zhai and his sister couldn’t stay at the Prime Minister’s residence forever. Since they were her subordinates, they should stay on her turf. She also planned to build her own force, not to dominate the underworld as she once did, but at least to have a small gang. Otherwise, she would be all alone and helpless if anything happened in the future, which would be frustrating.
As she wandered around the city, unfamiliar with the place, she had no idea what to do. It wasn’t like modern times where you could just put up a notice saying ‘for sale,’ and she didn’t know who to ask, making it quite difficult.
The sound of horse hooves approached, and Leng Jiu realized she had walked to the main road of the capital. Six people were riding towards her. Her eyes fell on the leading man in black, and she brightened. Forgive Hua Jinzhi for looking good not only in red-gold but also in black, which suited him very well, especially with his stern face. He looked quite imposing, and the young ladies on the road couldn’t help blushing at the sight of him!
Hua Jinzhi seemed to sense something, glancing in her direction. Leng Jiu turned and retreated into an alley, unsure if he had noticed her, so she quickly left.
Hua Jinzhi’s sharp eyes had certainly seen Leng Jiu. Her appearance puzzled him. He was about to look away but stopped, feeling a familiar sensation. After giving a few instructions to those beside him, he used his lightness skill to follow her. Seeing Leng Jiu hurriedly running, his curiosity grew, and he pursued her in secret.
Feeling someone following her, Leng Jiu knew she was suspected by that guy! She decided to stop running, walking slowly into an alley. Suddenly, a shadow descended, blocking her way!
Leng Jiu looked at him warily, “What do you want?”
Hua Jinzhi looked at Leng Jiu. Her eyes didn’t show recognition, and her aura was different, but his instinct told him he hadn’t mistaken. The simple-dressed person before him was the one he longed for, “What are you doing here?”
“I don’t know you!” Leng Jiu glared at him and turned to leave, but her shoulder was grabbed, and she was spun around and pinned against the wall. In this secluded alley, with no one around, Leng Jiu looked to the sky, feeling doomed.
“Don’t know me?” Hua Jinzhi’s eyes showed a hint of anger.
“You… be careful, I’ll scream for help!” Leng Jiu pretended to be scared but found his domineering stance quite amusing. So cool!
“Help?” Hua Jinzhi sneered, “I’ll show you what real harassment is!”
With that, he pinned her hands and kissed her hard, biting and nibbling in punishment, making Leng Jiu wince. Finally, she managed to evade his kiss, “Are you a dog?”
Hua Jinzhi, reluctant but angry, released her, “Didn’t you say you don’t know me?”
He snorted and turned to leave, looking annoyed, making Leng Jiu speechless. Finally, she reached out and grabbed his clothes. If she didn’t soften up, she’d be in trouble later!
Hua Jinzhi, feeling her grip, was pleased but kept a stern face, “Let go! Men and women shouldn’t touch each other!”
Leng Jiu was speechless, “We’ve already kissed, and you still say we haven’t?”
She pulled him back forcefully, stood on her tiptoes, and gently kissed him! Unlike his earlier wild kiss, this one was soft and tender, instantly dispelling Hua Jin’s anger. He hugged her tightly and kissed her back passionately!
Only when both were out of breath did Hua Jinzhi let go of her, arrogantly nibbling her face, “Daring to pretend not to know me, I’ll let it go this time. If it happens again, see how I’ll punish you!”
Leng Jiu thought, “…Why does this feel like a couple’s playful banter?”
With his anger gone, Hua Jinzhi remembered the main issue, “Weren’t you in the palace? Why are you out, and dressed like this?”
“The palace is boring. I came out for a walk!”
“But why didn’t you bring anyone with you? Don’t you know it’s dangerous?” His tone was reproachful, but there was concern in it.
“You know my identity. How can I leave the palace easily? And there aren’t many loyal to me in the palace. Even if I wanted to bring someone, I wouldn’t dare!”
Hua Jinzhi thought about it and agreed but was still worried, “If you want to go out next time, have Lu Chang send me a message. I’ll come and get you. It will be safer that way.”
“Alright!” Leng Jiu agreed readily, but whether she’d follow through was another matter.
Seeing her agree, Hua Jinzhi felt a bit better, “Have you eaten? Let me take you to eat.”
Leng Jiu felt like she was his little girlfriend, which made her speechless, “I’ve eaten! If you’re hungry, go eat by yourself. I have things to do!”
Hua Jinzhi frowned slightly, “What could you have to do?”
“Why can’t I have things to do?” Leng Jiu rolled her eyes, then had a thought and asked, “Do you know where there’s a secluded, quiet house? I want to buy one, but I’ve been looking all day and haven’t found any!”
“Why do you need a house?”
“Can you stop asking so many questions? Do I have to report everything to you?”
Leng Jiu’s glare made Hua Jinzhi touch his nose, “If you want a house, I have one in the south of the city, near the back mountain. It’s very secluded and has been empty for a long time. If you like it, you can have it.”
Leng Jiu was so happy she kissed his face, “I love it! Thanks!”
Even though they had kissed many times, this kind of kiss still made Hua Jinzhi blush a little. He arrogantly said, “The house isn’t free. I haven’t eaten yet. Accompany me to eat first!”
“Okay!” A house for a meal, it was worth it!
Hua Jinzhi held her hand as they walked out of the alley, ignoring the curious looks of passersby, and went to a nearby restaurant. They got a private room, and once the door was closed, he couldn’t help but hug and kiss her thoroughly, feeling satisfied only afterward.
Leaning in his arms, Leng Jiu felt helpless, “I think you don’t need to eat anymore, just gnawing on me should fill you up!”
Hua Jinzhi pecked her cheek, “It fills my heart, but my stomach is still empty!”
Leng Jiu pinched his waist, “By the way, weren’t you at the barracks? Why are you back?”
“I joined the barracks but I’m not stationed there permanently. I just need to go regularly. There’s not much else to do, so I can come back anytime.”
“Oh!”
After some time together, the food arrived. Leng Jiu was already full but stayed with him, helping him with the dishes. Seeing his initially disdainful look turn to joy as he ate made Leng Jiu laugh. When would this proud boy change his ways?
After the meal, Hua Jinzhi took Leng Jiu for another stroll before getting the deed to the house for her. Only when Leng Jiu said she had to return did he reluctantly let her go. Leng Jiu sneaked a look at the house and found it secluded and hidden, perfect for her needs. Satisfied, she returned to the palace.
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Just a bit of Hua Jinzhi for everyone, so you don’t forget about him!