Ling Xiao was so gentle that Ling Qingwan felt like crying.
When she married Song Zhiqing in a bright red wedding dress and with the three letters and six ceremonies, her brother must have been filled with joy, thinking that his sister had found her ideal husband.
It's been so long, so long that Ling Qingwan even forgot what it felt like. She was still thinking about how Ling Xiao led the White Tiger Army to guard the city gate, watching his grandfather's arrow pierce him, and how painful it must have been.
"Oh, what's wrong, Wanwan? Why are you unhappy?" Ling Xiao saw Ling Qingwan pouting and looking sad, and he felt distressed and comforted her repeatedly.
Ling Qingwan threw herself into Ling Xiao's arms.
"I won't get married. I have the best brother in the world. I won't suffer injustice from others." Ling Qingwan and Ling Xiao acted coquettishly without restraint.
A light laugh came from above his head, and Ling Xiao stroked Ling Qingwan's back.
"Then let's find someone who treats you better than I do. If we can't find one, then don't marry."
Ling Qingwan knew that this was just a way of coaxing her. It seemed natural for a woman to follow her husband after marriage. Especially since she was raised in a wealthy family like the Marquis' Mansion, she would definitely marry a rich man of equal status in the future. If Ling Qingwan wanted to stay in the Marquis' Mansion for her whole life, it would be harder than climbing to the sky.
But when Ling Qingwan heard Ling Xiao say this, she was already very happy.
After leaving the Iris Pavilion, Ling Xiao went to the Grand Tutor's Mansion. In name, he was visiting Grand Tutor Tan, but in reality, he was going to talk to Tan Hongbo.
A banquet was set up in the yard, with five or six side dishes and a pot of the best pear blossom wine. Ling Xiao and Tan Hongbo clinked glasses and talked happily, feeling very comfortable.
"I'm not here to drink with you today." Ling Xiao said, and took another sip of the wine. He thought to himself that he would have to take a jar back from Tan Hongbo later.
"It's for sister Wanwan's marriage, right?" Tan Hongbo looked clear. Even if Ling Xiao didn't say it, he could guess it. Ever since Ling Qingwan came back, Ling Xiao has put his whole heart on this sister. If it wasn't for Ling Qingwan, would he have the leisure to come to Tan Hongbo for a drink
Tan Hongbo finally understood that Ling Xiao was the first person who valued his sister more than his friends.
"We can't talk about marriage either. Nothing has been decided yet." Ling Xiao shook his head.
"Almost. Haven't you heard that the Crown Prince has already mentioned the matter of granting a marriage to the Emperor? If it weren't for the Seventh Prince's interference, this matter would have been settled long ago." Tan Hongbo spoke with such finality that it was hard for people not to believe him.
Tan Hongbo's father was the Imperial Tutor, and he had to work in the palace every day, so he knew about the emperor's affairs a little slower than the eunuch in charge. Since Tan Hongbo said so, the last stroke of the eight characters might really be decided.
For some reason, even though the two most popular men in the city were pursuing Ling Qingwan, he couldn't be happy.
"What? Are you reluctant to let your sister get married?" Tan Hongbo smiled cunningly.
"If the Seventh Prince and the Crown Prince suddenly pursued your sister together, would you worry that there was something fishy going on?" Ling Xiao gave Tan Hongbo a cold look.
He was used to seeing Tan Hongbo as heartless and didn't understand his feelings as a brother.
"That's a good thing. You know Jiao'er has been in love with the Seventh Prince for a long time." Tan Hongbo not only didn't care, he was even quite happy.
Ling Xiao was speechless.
Ling Qingwan and Tan Jiao are two completely different situations. Tan Jiao grew up with them and is also familiar with Wei Xun. If the two of them were to get married, they could be considered childhood sweethearts. But Ling Qingwan had just returned to Tokyo City not long ago, and she hadn't even met everyone in the Marquis' Mansion yet, and she was already thinking about her own marriage.
"Our prince is really brave. Just as the crown prince leaked the news, he immediately started pursuing Sister Wanwan. Wow, he is really smart." Tan Hongbo sighed repeatedly and gave a thumbs up.
"If I remember correctly, the prince has met Wanwan once." Tan Hongbo's words reminded Ling Xiao. He remembered that the first time Wei Xun met Ling Qingwan was at the birthday banquet of General Shen last time.
Moreover, apart from greeting each other, they didn't say a word. Ling Qingwan talked more with the servants in the mansion than with Wei Xun.
"Love at first sight, what's the big deal?" Tan Hongbo didn't take it to heart. "I understand Your Highness, I often fall in love with pretty girls at first sight. Sister Wanwan is pretty, so it's reasonable for Your Highness to like her."
Ling Xiao's face darkened, and he threw the half-cup of wine in his hand at Tan Hongbo. Then he immediately stood up, walked around Tan Hongbo and left the yard.
"Ling Xiao! Can't you afford to play?" Tan Hongbo yelled at Ling Xiao's back.
Ling Xiao was too lazy to pay attention to Tan Hongbo. As soon as he walked to the back garden, he ran into Tan Jiao.
Thinking that Tan Jiao liked Wei Xun, and the news that Wei Xun was pursuing his sister was spreading among the nobles in the capital, Ling Xiao felt somewhat uncomfortable when facing Tan Jiao.
"Brother Lingxiao, are you here to see my daddy?" Tan Jiao obediently nodded and greeted Lingxiao.
"No, I'm having dinner with your brother." Ling Xiao responded softly.
After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Ling Xiao left the Taifu Mansion.
Here, Tan Hongbo was splashed with wine by Ling Xiao, so he had to take a shower and change clothes.
"This Ling Xiao, his face turns black when he makes fun of his sister." Tan Hongbo complained. That being said, good friends naturally wouldn't care so much. Tan Hongbo was just a mouthy person, and when something happened, he would still side with Ling Xiao.
"Mr. Ling's sister has been missing for more than ten years. She was finally found and is naturally very precious to him. You also have a sister, and you treat the second young lady the same way." Ping An joked with a smile while helping Tan Hongbo tidy up his sleeves.
"Tsk." Tan Hongbo curled his lips.
"What are you talking about me?" The voice came in before Tan Jiaoren arrived.
Walking around the screen, Tan Jiao went straight to Tan Hongbo. She raised her eyes to signal Ping An, who understood, nodded, and left the room.
"I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about Ling Xiao." Tan Hongbo leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs leisurely.
"By the way, why didn't you go shopping with those girls from the Ren family today? Why didn't you come to see me?"
After saying this, Tan Hongbo realized that Tan Jiao was acting strangely.
Sure enough, as soon as Tan Hongbo finished asking the question, Tan Jiao burst into tears, scaring Tan Hongbo so much that he didn't know what to do.
"What's wrong with you? Tell your brother not to cry. If father and mother see it, they will scold me for bullying you." Tan Hongbo hurriedly pulled his sleeve and helped Tan Jiao wipe away her tears.
"Brother, tell me the truth, does the prince really like the second lady of the Ling family?" Tan Jiao pulled up Tan Hongbo's sleeve and asked aggrievedly.
"This..." How should Tan Hongbo answer this
Ling Xiao just left, and now Tan Jiao pops up. It is obviously a matter between Ling Qingwan and Wei Xun, but the one who is troubled is Tan Hongbo.
"It's probably the Emperor's intention to grant the marriage to the two of them, and Your Highness has no choice but to do so." Tan Jiao's eyes were full of anticipation.