Free Web NovelChapter 356: Chapter 141: Chance Encounter (3)
"That day, you also came to Xiaoao Mountain to bring me money for medicine. You must have heard what I said at the end."
Zhao Jing’s brow relaxed slightly. "I did indeed hear you."
"Since you heard, you should know that he and I have cleared the air completely. We have nothing to do with each other anymore; we’re just strangers. He’s probably here in the Prefecture for the Provincial Examination, not because he knew I was here and came specifically to see me. You know all this. So, what are you so jealous about?"
Having his jealousy called out, Zhao Jing felt neither embarrassed nor ashamed.
He *was* jealous.
Not only was he jealous, he was insanely so.
"During all those years I could only admire you from afar, he almost married you. Whenever I think about that, I just can’t get over it."
Chen Wanqing’s heart stirred at his words. But, "Jing, you were engaged to Wanyue back then. For you to be thinking of me wasn’t fair to Wanyue."
"Her heart wasn’t with me. What she was after wasn’t me, but the status of being Mr. Zhao’s daughter-in-law. If I had ended up having to marry her, I would have forgotten you and lived a peaceful life with her. But in the end, the one I married was you..."
’In those days of the past when he was absent, another man had been by her side. Even though he knew the past was water under the bridge, long since vanished like smoke, the memory of it now still made him burn with a jealousy so deep it hurt his bones.’
Chen Wanqing let Zhao Jing hold her tightly, unable to stop a soft sigh from escaping. "But, no matter what past we have, it’s all in the past. I married you, and we will have a long future together. Jing, you don’t need to compare yourself to anyone. My heart is here with you, I’m in your arms... you’ve already won."
Perhaps it was Chen Wanqing’s final words that finally soothed Zhao Jing, as the look on his face completely relaxed.
But he still gripped Chen Wanqing’s fingers tightly, as if afraid she would run away.
That night, he grew even bolder.
It was as if he was staking his claim, swearing that in this life, she could only ever be his.
The next day, they packed up all the purchased fragrances and hired a carriage to depart.
Coincidentally, they ran into Wang Zhen at the city gate, who was also in line to leave the city.
Wang Zhen still remembered Chen Wanqing, but she could hardly believe her eyes when she saw her.
Once she was sure it was indeed Chen Wanqing, the owner of Qingxiang House, Wang Zhen excitedly said a word to her companions and quickly hopped down from her carriage.
"Is that really you, Miss Chen? What brings you to the Prefecture? Isn’t your home in Qingshui County?"
As she spoke, Wang Zhen also noticed Zhao Jing and Chen De’an sitting in the same carriage.
She had an impression of Zhao Jing, but not a deep one, as she had only met him once, and briefly at that.
But as for Chen De’an, he’d left a much stronger impression on her.
’This man is so reckless! He’s bumped into me twice!’
’She didn’t think Chen De’an was some kind of lecher who had bumped into her on purpose to take advantage of her. After all, Chen De’an was a friend of her older brothers, and she had some faith in her brothers’ ability to judge character.’ ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Looking at Chen De’an, then back at Chen Wanqing, Wang Zhen belatedly realized that the two of them shared quite a few similar features.
’No wonder he looked so familiar when I first saw him.’
’Of course he looked familiar! As expected, he must be Miss Chen’s brother.’
Seeing the look of suspicion in Wang Zhen’s eyes, Chen Wanqing felt she could no longer hide it and introduced everyone.
At the end, she added sincerely, "My husband and my brother are friends with your esteemed brother from the same examination cohort. I shouldn’t have hidden this, but since I did business with you, Miss Wang, I’ve always felt indebted to you."
Wang Zhen waved her hand dismissively and laughed heartily. "What’s the big deal? You’re running a business; who does that without making a profit? If you really feel that guilty, how about this: the next time I come to buy fragrances, you can just give me a discount."
"You don’t have to buy anything. Just see what you need, make a list for me, and I’ll give you some as a gift."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Wang Zhen, the city gate guards finished inspecting their belongings and prepared to let them pass.
Seeing that their group was about to leave, Wang Zhen was suddenly reluctant to see them go.
But she had made plans with her good friends to go boating on the lake today, and they were still waiting in the carriage. She couldn’t keep them waiting for too long. So, she reluctantly said goodbye to Chen Wanqing, insisting that she must come and visit her home the next time she was in the Prefecture.
Chen Wanqing agreed and watched as Wang Zhen climbed into the carriage across from them.
Just then, a cool gust of wind swept over, whistling as it blew open the window curtain of the opposite carriage.
Through the opening, she saw a girl about the same age as Wang Zhen sitting by the window.
The girl had round, almond-shaped eyes and two sweet dimples that appeared when she smiled. She wore her hair with straight bangs and had a butterfly hairpin pinned in it. The butterfly was exquisitely crafted, and it shimmered up and down as the girl moved, making her seem all the more lively and lovely.
But though the girl looked young, she had a dignified air, and it was clear at a glance that she came from a prominent family. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Their eyes met unexpectedly. The girl, slightly taken aback, gave Chen Wanqing a polite little nod.
Chen Wanqing also nodded politely in return and watched the carriage drive away.
