Ling Xiao's tone was somewhat displeased.
Even if he didn't say it, Manxing should understand this truth.
The news of Ling Qingwan and Wei Xun's engagement had already spread throughout the capital, and Manxing couldn't have been unaware of it. Since he knew that Ling Qingwan was engaged, he still wanted Ling Qingwan to attend the palace banquet for him to choose as the Crown Princess. This move by Manxing was clearly a provocation.
"The young general also said that Miss Ling Er is only engaged to the Seventh Prince, but they have not really married yet. In this case, Miss Ling Er is only considered single. A gentleman loves a beautiful lady. Why can't I try my best?"
Manxing said this and turned his gaze to Ling Qingwan.
"What if Miss Ling Er is moved by me?"
Maybe Manxing didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said, but Ling Qingwan felt like vomiting after hearing it.
Ling Xiao got angry and was about to stand up and have a fight with Man Xing, but Ling Qingwan held him down and motioned for him to sit quietly.
"The Crown Prince has only been in Dayue not long ago, so he doesn't know the rules of Dayue. Once a Dayue woman is engaged, even if she has one foot in her husband's family, this cannot be changed. I am now considered the Seventh Prince's person."
The implication of Ling Qingwan's words was very clear, and Manxing was so smart that he should not have failed to hear it.
"Miss Ling is not only extremely beautiful, but also very intelligent. I think there are many young men in Dayue pursuing her, which is why the Seventh Prince is on guard and is in such a hurry to marry Miss Ling."
Manxing's face was full of smiles.
"I'm sorry to tell you that, Prince, I love you, but we have already decided to spend our lives together. It was not a sudden decision, but a well-thought-out one."
Manxing pretended not to understand what she meant, so Ling Qingwan simply explained it more clearly.
She, Ling Qingwan, would never marry Manxing.
"Miss Ling Er is still young. She has only met a few men, but she's already hastily decided on her life partner. Why don't you look outside more? Who knows, you might fall in love with someone else?" Man Xing still refused to give in.
Ling Qingwan's willow-shaped eyebrows were slightly frowned.
She knew Manxing was shameless, but she didn't expect Manxing to be so shameless.
"It's getting late. My brother and I have things to do, so we won't stay any longer."
Seeing that Manxing couldn't be convinced, Ling Qingwan didn't waste any more time talking to him. After that, she and Ling Xiao stood up and left.
"I hope Miss Ling will consider what I just said. I really want to see you at the palace banquet."
Manxing said to Ling Qingwan's back.
Ling Qingwan frowned slightly, ignored it, pretending that he couldn't hear it, and left the box directly.
After going downstairs, Ling Qingwan and Ling Xiao were pulled to the backyard by Tan Hongbo.
"How was it? Did he make things difficult for you two?" Tan Hongbo asked with concern.
"Hmph, he's not just making things difficult for me, he's clearly just pestering me! How shameless!" Ling Xiao was so angry that he scolded Man Xing.
Tan Hongbo couldn't hear anything from Ling Xiao, so Ling Qingwan told him the conversation between them.
After hearing this, Tan Hongbo sighed helplessly.
"I told you last time that Manxing is not that simple. You must be more careful."
"I know, second brother." Ling Qingwan nodded with a smile.
"He's just my defeated general. I don't know why he's so proud." Ling Xiao said with disdain.
"Manxing can't match you in martial arts, but you are far behind him in cunning." Ling Qingwan said softly to Ling Xiao. "Now that he has come to Dayue, he doesn't need to use martial arts."
Therefore, even if Ling Xiao had defeated Man Xing on the battlefield, it would be useless now.
"By the way, let me tell you two something." Tan Hongbo suddenly thought of something.
Ling Qingwan and Ling Xiao looked at Tan Hongbo at the same time.
"I plan to travel outside the city next month and come back after the storm has passed." Tan Hongbo told the two.
Ling Qingwan was about to ask the reason, but suddenly remembered that she knew in her previous life that although Tan Hongbo was born in an official family, he had no intention of becoming an official. Rather than being bound by government affairs all day long, he preferred to do business or travel around the world.
"I know Manxing, and I feel uncomfortable seeing him bullying you. But there is no way I can help you. It would be better for me to sneak out and play for a while. I can live more comfortably without worrying about anything else." Tan Hongbo explained.
Ling Qingwan and Ling Xiao both expressed their understanding of this.
"Then I wish you a safe journey and have fun, second brother."
"good."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Before leaving Tan Hongbo, the brother and sister returned to the general's mansion.
Along the way, Ling Xiao was angry with Man Xing.
In comparison, Ling Qingwan seemed much calmer.
After sending Ling Qingwan back to the general's mansion, Ling Xiao went to the prince's mansion.
Wei Xun was still in the palace and hadn't come back yet, so Ling Xiao waited in the study for a while. Thinking that Wei Xun was about to marry Ling Qingwan, Ling Xiao felt very uncomfortable.
"I heard from the steward that you have been here for a long time. What's going on? Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Wei Xun came in.
"I haven't settled the score with you yet regarding your engagement with my sister." Ling Xiao gave Wei Xun a cold look.
Wei Xun was stunned, then couldn't help laughing.
"Wanwan and I are engaged, this is a happy event. Settle accounts? What accounts are you settling?"
"How dare you say that." Ling Xiao squinted at Wei Xun several times. "I treat you as a good brother, but you actually want to be my brother-in-law. Is there anyone who is as fond of stealing my girlfriend as you are?"
"Wanwan and I are in a free love relationship. I don't like her just because she is your sister. You are overthinking it." Wei Xun curled his lips.
Wei Xun knew that Ling Xiao was protecting his sister. Wei Xun also knew that Ling Xiao was narrow-minded. Therefore, Wei Xun did not take Ling Xiao's actions today to heart at all.
Ling Xiao argued with Wei Xun for a few words before he remembered that he had come to the palace for something important to discuss.
Then, he told Wei Xun about his encounter with Manxing an hour ago, including what Manxing had said to Ling Qingwan.
Wei Xun's face darkened.
"You also think Manxing is too much, right?" Ling Xiao was very excited, as if he had met a confidant. "I told you in advance that you have an engagement with my sister, so she is yours. Now there is another man who wants to take my sister away from you, you know what to do."
"Weren't you just angry about me and Wanwan being together?" Wei Xun was angry, but he didn't forget to tease Ling Xiao.
"Compared to that shameless Manxing, I still think you are more reliable." Ling Xiao said very confidently.
Wei Xun smiled, took out a jade token from his sleeve and put it into Ling Xiao's hand.
"This is… "
Ling Xiao looked closely and found Gu Zhi's name on the jade token.
"This is something that the ladies of each family will need for the palace banquet. I know you like the eldest daughter of the Gu family, and I happened to be in the palace, so I brought it to you. Consider it a gift from your brother-in-law."
Without this jade token, it means that Gu Zhi will not have to attend the palace banquet.
Ling Xiao was surprised.
"You are worthy of being my good brother who I have played with since childhood! That's very considerate!"