Chapter 168.3: Should Be Considered A Date

Because she possessed deep worries, Luo Old Madam actually didn't mind Jing Wan getting along more with Jin Qinwang prior to marrying. Feelings were all developed over time. She hoped that Jing Wan can have an understanding towards Jin Qinwang, letting her understand, the other party really wasn't that terrible. For men, regardless of what mentality, all most likely hoped for a woman to adore and admire oneself. Compared to being treated with calm respect, the former definitely was able to further make one happy. Not asking to deliberately curry favor, but just wanting to let Jing Wan hold the tiniest bit of expectation and longing towards the future, and not from the start, hold no desire, firmly guarding her heart, refusing to be moved. That way, even if one had the chance, one will still pass by one's happiness. At the same time, she also wanted to let Jin Qinwang see clearly the true Jing Wan, and not be completely influenced by his 'dream' and be able to like her even more, care for her even more, genuinely having her placed in his heart.

Perhaps, this was also why despite clearly knowing Jing Wan might get 'bullied', Luo Old Madam still, like last time, let Jin Qinwang easily have her taken away. For the sake of letting Jing Wan be able to have a better future, Luo Old Madam sometimes really was both mentally and physically exhausted.

Luo Old Madam's way of thinking, Li Hong Yuan more or less could understand. As a grandmother, to be able to go this far, truly was extraordinarily rare. Moreover, in his understanding, Luo Old Madam actually even played the role of a mother for Jing Wan. For her to be raised like a pearl, like a treasure, as such, Li Hong Yuan had a very hard time imagining, in his past life, when Wan Wan tainted her own reputation in order to be removed from the clan, as well as afterwards, when she fell into a predicament, experiencing through a great deal of hardship, and even dying in the end, what kind of state was Luo Old Madam in?

Li Hong Yuan got up, "Let's go."

Under the current circumstances, she most likely won't get 'bullied'. Just a walk rather wasn't a problem.

Seeing Li Hong Yuan neither quickly nor slowly moving away from the carriage fleet, Jing Wan directly took the paper umbrella from Gong mama's hands, holding it up herself and following after him. As for the servant girls, they naturally brought along some things that might be used and closely followed after. And then, behind them was just Li Hong Yuan's bodyguards.

The amount of people wasn't considered few, yet it still made Le Cheng Emperor directly frown, "Zhong Qing, take ten people and follow after."

"Yes, your Majesty." The Commander of the Imperial Guards responded, and then immediately selected ten people.

Le Cheng Emperor's care towards Li Hong Yuan definitely was something the other princes envied yet unable to obtain. If they were to get jealous every single time, they most likely would've long gone insane. The best way was just to have it out of sight out of mind. As such, after hearing Le Cheng Emperor's words, the princes all very unanimously lowered their heads to drink their juice, seemingly as if that was the extreme delicacy that could attract all their attention. Yet, they themselves all didn't realize what they were doing.

Those that saw not a single one didn't fall silent. Encountering such a biased to the extreme old man, they genuinely shed a tear for these princes. Not saying anything, just silently sympathizing with you.

As they gradually proceeded, they gradually got farther away, already for the most part departing from everyone's line of sight.

Li Hong Yuan walked rather slowly, and Jing Wan's speed definitely wasn't quick either. As such, unless Li Hong Yuan stopped on his own, Jing Wan would only fall behind him at a distance. Knowing she was being deliberate, Li Hong Yuan was also helpless with her. 'Since the mountain didn't come to me, then I can only go to the mountain.' Li Hong Yuan stopped his feet, turning with his hands behind his back, fixedly looking to Jing Wan.

Jing Wan, however, didn't stop, directly walking in front of Li Hong Yuan, a shadow landing on his body, "Wangye."

Li Hong Yuan reached out. Jing Wan slightly blanked, and after slightly hesitating, had the umbrella in hand handed over.

After receiving the umbrella, Li Hong Yuan turned around and continued walking. This time, Jing Wan rather perceptively followed close behind. On the side where he held the umbrella, their arms were separated by about a fist-sized gap. But, this distance, in the eyes of those behind them, appeared very intimate. They unconsciously slowed down their pace, having the space left for the two of them.

"Is the horse carriage usable? That bunch of good-for-nothings in the Ministry of Works, already several months, yet still only able to improve this little."

Just hearing this tone, one just knew how miserably that bunch at the Ministry of Works were bullied. However, Jing Wan probably won't know that their tragedy was completely because when she entered the capital, she'd gotten carriage-sick. "Many thanks wangye for the favor, that horse carriage is many times more comfortable than the previous one."

"Are you still feeling unwell?" Li Hong Yuan turned to look at her.

What's up with this 'if you're unwell, I'll be very heartbroken' kind of deja vu feeling? Getting attentively stared at by that endlessly deep gaze of his, Jing Wan just felt somewhat numb all over, forcibly restraining the urge to want to run away. "Such a good horse carriage, how can it not be comfortable? Wangye is thinking too much."

Li Hong Yuan suddenly smiled, lowering his voice, "Jiao Jiao is still the most honest when in this prince's embrace."

Jing Wan's complexion was both pale and white, bastard, will it kill you to not mention this matter?

"That's why, Jiao Jiao, in front of this prince, you can be a bit more honest, otherwise.........."

Jing Wan subconsciously reached out, covering his wanton gaze that was like looking at her through her clothes, gritting her teeth in anger, "Asking wangye to please leave this subject some face."

Li Hong Yuan grabbed her hand. Seeing that she was really both annoyed and vexed, if he were to continue teasing, then she'll probably really get angry. When time comes, he most likely won't just heartache, it'll even create hinderances on his wife-pursuing path. That's why, one must stop before going too far. "Alright, alright, don't get angry, it's this prince's fault, this prince was wrong, not going to say anymore, Jiao Jiao please quell your anger."

To apologize just like that, where's your dignity as a wangye? Offline? Or all got eaten by dogs?

But, getting messed around by him like this, she indeed was unable to get angry anymore.

How come she encountered such an indefinitely changing man? Exhausting.

Li Hong Yuan indeed kept his word, no longer mentioning that embarrassing topic, and instead began casually chatting with Jing Wan. He really was quite carefree, saying whatever came to mind. And within this, he touched upon the things of far and wide, narrating the history, culture, and even some local customs. Gradually, Jing Wan even became enthralled in listening, even asking questions from time to time. 'What else?', 'And then?', these kinds of words also appeared frequently.

Li Hong Yuan looked to her glistening little gaze. Having read that many books, learned that many things, yet unexpectedly, it was at this moment, that he had the most sense of accomplishment. As expected, he really did fall into her hands, forever unable to crawl up.

By the time Jing Wan pulled herself out of this state, looking to Li Hong Yuan again, there was that bit of abnormality. Wasn't it said that aside from having good-looks, there was nothing else good? Setting aside profound scholarly learning and great talent, in this bit of time, one was unable to see all these aspects either, but, as long as she mentioned it, there was nothing he didn't know. Even in her most proficient subject, plants and flowers, he was all able to say a few things. And moreover, he definitely wasn't talking at random. "Wangye, as expected, you.........." aren't a simple person.

"As expected what?" Li Hong Yuan asked with a smile. However, he seemingly didn't count on her answering either. Looking to the little stream to the side, "Won't let you be implicated because of me, and just die an early death in a few years. At the very least, I can shield you for a lifetime, keeping you safe and happy, and can let the Luo family tower for a hundred years to come. ——-Jiao Jiao, how about we go to the other side?"

Jing Wan returned to her senses. She really was completely unable to make sense of this man. When he's mean, she practically wanted to bite him to death. But when he's gentle, even someone like her all couldn't help being moved inside. From time to time, he would say some heart provoking words, but immediately would be like as if nothing happened.

How would she know that this was never Li Hong Yuan being misleading, but rather whenever he poured out his true feelings to her, she never believed him.

Following his line of sight, she looked over, "Going over from here?"

The shallow stream was so clear that you could see the bottom, the small and large rocks clearly visible, and also the tiny aquatic creatures suddenly swaying its body, stirring up a small pool of dirt in the waters. In the spot before them, there just happened to be rocks separated into layers, the surface glossy, with pieces exposed above the water. Presumably, it was put in place when someone had passed by.

"Want to go?"

On the other side was also a patch of forest, having trees with shady foliage. Under this scorching hot weather, it was very attractive, "Okay."

Li Hong Yuan conveniently tossed the umbrella in hand, his long slender legs stepping into the stream, firmly stepping on top the rock. He then turned around, wanting to help Jing Wan.

"Wangye go first, this subject can just do it by oneself."

Li Hong Yuan just softly smiled, stubbornly reaching out his hand.

Jing Wan was helpless, having her hand placed in his palm. Because of the weather, his body temperature was somewhat high, yet there wasn't the moistened feeling of sweat. "Will be troubling wangye then."

I'm your future husband, Wan Wan, you don't need to be this polite. ——Enduring it, he ultimately didn't say it out loud.