She Is Such A Jerk, And Yet She’s The One Crying! - Chapter 30

Lin Dongruan released her hand, her expression no longer as indifferent as before.

Qiang Ning asked with a smile, “Sister, is A-Ning some kind of flood or savage beast? Why are you avoiding me so?”

Lin Dongruan replied, “I am sorry, A-Ning.”

Qiang Ning asked again, “Then, will you still hold it?”

Lin Dongruan answered, “For the time being, let us not.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Qiang Ning swiftly tore away the red hair ribbon tied between them and naturally took hold of Lin Dongruan’s hand.

That person’s fingers were soft, and her fingertips carried a faint trace of coolness; even after walking for a long time, there was not a single drop of fragrant sweat.

Being held, Lin Dongruan looked at her with some surprise: “A-Ning, that was not what I meant.”

Qiang Ning feigned ignorance: “Ah? Sister, what are you saying?”

Lin Dongruan was helpless and could only let her have her way.

While the two were chatting idly, the people who had been chasing them earlier caught up once again. This time, there was an additional person among the crowd who looked like a leading dandy.

That dandy wore a crown and gold ornaments, dressed in magnificent silken robes; even the decorative sword in his hand was inlaid with red jade. He practically had the word “Overbearing” written across his face.

Qiang Ning teased, “Sister, look, a fool has arrived.”

She did not deliberately lower her voice when she spoke, allowing the person opposite to hear her clearly.

Sure enough, as soon as these words came out, the other party immediately jumped in rage: “Unreasonable! How can there be a woman like you in this world!”

Qiang Ning replied, “Even a heartless man like you can grow to such an age; it is clear that there are many rarities in this world.”

Lin Dongruan said to her, “Sanqi County is no small place. With such an arrogant display, is there truly no one to restrain him?”

Qiang Ning was unfazed by the sight: “Eighty percent chance he is some family’s idiot son with someone above protecting him.”

Lin Dongruan knit her brows, unable to bear the sight of it.

Seeing the two of them ignoring him to converse with each other, the dandy was extremely dissatisfied: “You dared to obstruct my marriage; I must vent this foul mood properly.”

“Your marriage?” Qiang Ning asked him back. “Abducting a woman from a respectable family in broad daylight, and you dare call it a marriage? Even the Old Man under the Moon would find such words unlucky.”

The dandy grew slightly incensed: “It was that woman who seduced me first!”

Qiang Ning shot back without mercy, “Just because a girl looks at you once, it counts as seduction? If a pig in a pen saw you naked, why don’t you go and marry it!”

It was the first time the dandy had met a woman bold enough to trade insults with him. He was so angry his teeth nearly shattered: “Do you know my identity? Do you know who my father is?”

Qiang Ning sneered, “I would certainly like to hear who gave birth to a straw bag like you.”

The dandy, using a tone that suggested “I’ll scare you to death with this,” raised his head and said, “My father is Jiang Weilan of Sanqi County.”

This level of self-identification was beyond the scope of mere brainlessness. Qiang Ning was momentarily struck dumb, realizing she had been arguing with a literal fool for the past half-hour.

Jiang Weilan of Sanqi County was a subordinate she trusted. In previous years, he had maintained an extremely close relationship with the Princess’s Manor; he had even married his daughter to a third-rank official in her household and was utterly loyal. Previously, Qiang Ning had heard him lament countless times that his legitimate son had contracted a “mad illness” at the age of seven and had not recovered since. He was delirious all day long; sometimes he thought he was a beggar and would beg on the streets with a cane; sometimes he thought he was a young maiden and would grab handsome men to marry; and sometimes, he felt he was a servant and insisted on rushing to clean the latrines.

Aside from these complicated circumstances, it was hard to tell how “mad” he truly was, because when he played a role, he always acted very convincingly. Except for those in the know, it was difficult for outsiders to tell.

It was indeed a peculiar malady.

“Sister, there might be something wrong here.” Qiang Ning pointed to her own head and explained to Lin Dongruan, “We have encountered a fool.”

Lin Dongruan, however, said, “Even if he is a fool, he should not abduct women in the street.”

As if to echo those words, just as Lin Dongruan finished speaking, they heard a group of people shouting that they had caught someone.

The two turned their heads simultaneously—the one captured was not a delicate maiden, but a burly, tall man. That man had his hair disheveled half-heartedly and his face smeared with poor-quality rouge; any normal person should have been able to discern his male identity.

Lin Dongruan was momentarily speechless. After a moment of silence, she only sighed: “…Truly a farce.”

Qiang Ning had no time to continue meddling in other people’s business. She turned and pulled Lin Dongruan to leave: “Sister, let’s go eat and ignore them.”

But the dandy would not have it: “Bold! Did I allow you to leave?”

Qiang Ning had no time for a fool; she ignored him directly and walked away.

However, after returning that afternoon, a subordinate reported that Jiang Weilan of Sanqi County requested an audience.

Qiang Ning had no choice but to find another excuse to go out.

Jiang Weilan had set up a welcoming feast in a teahouse. His words, both implicit and explicit, expressed a desire for Lin Dongruan to come and treat the ailment in his foolish son’s head.

Recalling the farce from earlier that day, Qiang Ning spoke with displeasure: “This Palace is not a physician.”

Jiang Weilan offered sincere praise: “The Prince Consort and Your Highness are of one heart and mind. Even if these lowly official wishes to invite the Prince Consort to grace us with her presence to treat my son, must I not first seek Your Highness’s nod of approval?”

His news had traveled fast indeed. Qiang Ning was pleased by the term “Prince Consort,” and her lips curled upward involuntarily, yet she continued to deny it: “Where did you hear such nonsense? Although she has the intention, this Palace is merely putting on an act with her. I do not necessarily care for her that much; it is too early to speak of being ‘of one heart and mind’.”

Jiang Weilan said “Yes, yes, yes” while pouring tea for her.

Seeing his behavior, Qiang Ning felt she was losing face. Was she really too good to Lin Dongruan? Could this matter have spread to Jiang Weilan in such a manner?

Jiang Weilan drank his tea with the bravado of someone guzzling strong liquor: “Congratulations to Your Highness on finding a beautiful companion! In the past, the Imperial Preceptor was one who ‘kept her heart only for court affairs, and her sleeves untouched by the world of mortals.’ Now that she is willing to follow you, she must surely hold Your Highness in the highest admiration.”

“That is natural. She has always put me first in everything; she treats my words as a guiding principle.” Qiang Ning added, “Minister Jiang, why do you drink tea in such a wild and uninhibited manner? This Palace almost thought you were drinking some fine wine.”

Jiang Weilan laughed loudly and immediately gestured for someone to bring fine wine for the Grand Princess.

Qiang Ning: “There is no need for wine. If Lin Dongruan knew I sneaked out to drink, she would whip my palms upon my return.”

Jiang Weilan: “…”

He truly found it hard to comment, so he could only chuckle dryly and order the wine to be taken away, continuing to offer toasts with tea instead of wine.

Qiang Ning: “She does not know my identity. When the time comes, make sure the people in your manor are sharp; do not let anything slip.”

This was an agreement. Jiang Weilan was overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.

Qiang Ning: “Just invite her to your manor openly to see your son; she will agree.”

Jiang Weilan was somewhat uncertain: “The young master offended the Imperial Preceptor today. Will the Imperial Preceptor truly set aside past grievances?”

“Rest assured, she is truly as soft-hearted and kind as the rumors say.” Qiang Ning added a sentence, “On this matter, this Palace knows better than anyone.”

After all, for someone of unknown origin like her, the other had allowed her to stay without even asking questions.

Even if they were strangers, even if it was a chance encounter, with Lin Dongruan’s “great righteousness,” she would be willing to lend a helping hand.

“Also.” Qiang Ning felt uneasy and cautioned again, “Besides her not knowing this Palace’s identity, this Palace also ‘does not know’ that she was once the Imperial Preceptor. You must remember both of these points clearly.”

How could Jiang Weilan dare to refuse? He nodded in agreement repeatedly.