Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

Upon hearing this, Tang Wan wiped away her tears and calmed herself down.

"Sister Changning, it was just wishful thinking on my part, you can't blame him for this."

This was the first time Zhao Changning had seen Tang Wan so protective of a man; it seemed she had truly fallen in love.

But she knew Tang Wan well. According to her standards for choosing a partner, even though the other party had saved her life and they had been intimate, she wouldn't fall for him so quickly.

Unless this person has something extraordinary that makes Tang Wan admire him.

"What is it about him that makes you so concerned?" Zhao Changning asked tentatively.

"Sister Changning, please don't ask anymore. Just pretend we were destined to be apart and nothing ever happened." Tang Wan shook her head slightly.

Zhao Changning didn't force the issue, after all, matters of the heart are unpredictable.

Tang Wan changed the subject, asking, "Sister Changning, I heard the Prince Consort has gone missing. Has he not been found yet?"

"no."

Mentioning this matter gives Zhao Changning a headache.

Ever since she was bound to Zhang Xiaomeng by the life-and-death Gu, she has never had a moment's peace.

This time, things got even worse; the person simply disappeared.

She searched the entire capital city, but there was still no news, as if she was deliberately hiding.

But why did he hide?

She had protected him so much and even promised him the position of imperial son-in-law, something many people dreamed of. What reason did he have to hide?

"Sister Changning, can you tell me about you and him?"

Tang Wan was very curious.

Rumor has it that the heir of the Marquis of Yongwu is unruly and mischievous, yet he has won the heart of Zhao Changning. What kind of man is he, really?

"Me and him..."

Zhao Changning didn't know how to begin.

He couldn't very well tell her that he had chosen her as his consort because of the "Life and Death Gu" curse.

She thought for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "He's a real pain, always causing trouble. When I find him, I'll skin him alive!"

Tang Wan chuckled, seemingly feeling much better.

"What are you laughing at?" Zhao Changning asked, puzzled.

"Sister Changning, if I remember correctly, this is the first time you've ever been so angry with a man."

"He caused so much trouble, of course I'm angry."

Tang Wan shook her head. "The angrier you are, the more you care about him."

"Me, care about him? What a joke!"

Zhao Changning denied it, saying that if it weren't for the life-and-death Gu, he wouldn't even bother to look at that bastard.

Tang Wan held Zhao Changning's hand and said, "Sister Changning, it's never easy being a woman in this world. Throughout history, countless noble ladies have been reduced to tools for political marriages. I envy you for finding someone you love. Unlike me..."

At this point, his expression turned sorrowful again.

She knew in her heart that although her father was still indulging her now, it would be impossible for her not to get married once she reached a certain age.

Even if the person you marry is not someone you like, you will have no choice but to accept it.

This time, I finally found someone I liked, and my father also approved of him, but he just happened to have that strange quirk.

Zhao Changning patted Tang Wan's hand, "Don't be sad. Maybe he's lying."

"lie?"

Tang Wan was taken aback upon hearing this.

Zhao Changning said, "Think about it carefully. If he really didn't like women, why would he kiss you in public?"

He said it was to save me.

"Saving you is one thing, but if you were a man, would he have done the same? And if it were you, could you bring yourself to kiss a woman?"

Tang Wan was stunned; what she said seemed to make some sense.

"Then why did he lie to me?" Tang Wan asked hurriedly.

"You are the daughter of the Imperial Tutor, of noble birth. He, on the other hand, was driven from his home and left destitute and helpless."

Zhao Changning analyzed and judged, "In my opinion, he feels that he is not good enough for you and dares not aspire to your level."

"If that's the case, he could just say so directly. Why make up such an excuse? I wouldn't look down on him."

"You don't mind, but what about your father? What about your clan? Marriage isn't just about mutual affection; it requires matching social status."

Tang Wan immediately understood.

Why didn't I think of that?

If it were someone else, their father and clan might have objected.

However, Changning didn't know that Young Master Lü was a man of great talent who had helped the Tang family a great deal, and her father was very satisfied with him.

So, this is not a problem.

Once you explain it to Young Master Lü, he won't have so many concerns.

Tang Wan's mood instantly improved, and she repeatedly expressed her gratitude, "Sister Changning, thank you so much, you've helped me a lot."

Zhao Changning was puzzled. Had she really come to this realization so easily?

"I have other matters to attend to, so I won't entertain you any longer. My sister will surely offer you a thank-you gift another day."

Tang Wan finished speaking quickly, and before Zhao Changning could react, she lifted her skirt and ran out in a hurry.

Zhao Changning, puzzled, hurriedly asked Yue'er, "Where is she going?"

"Miss has gone to find happiness."

Yue'er smiled mysteriously and ran off with her master.

Zhao Changning was left completely bewildered.

at this time.

Zhang Xiaomeng had finished breakfast and returned to the villa, where he was leaning back in a deck chair, leisurely basking in the sun.

He loved these peaceful, carefree days, free from constraints and conflicts, and without the need to rack his brains to contemplate suicide.

I couldn't help but shake my leg and sway my head as I recited a poem:

"I neither refine elixirs nor meditate; I neither engage in commerce nor till the fields."

"In my leisure time, I paint landscapes and sell them, so as not to make money that causes harm to others."

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Just then, Tang Wan arrived at the door and heard the poem word for word, and stopped in her tracks.

"He writes poems about green mountains in his spare time and sells them, not wanting to make money that causes harm to the world. He can actually write such good poems that do not pander to worldly tastes; he is indeed a man of great talent."

Tang Wan admired this kind of talented man with noble character the most, and her admiration for him grew even stronger.

This also confirms that such a man disdains worldly constraints, which is why he is unwilling to marry above his station or be bound by the rules and regulations of marriage based on social class.

Exposing his lie now might backfire and make him dislike you.

It's better to take it slow; perhaps feelings can develop over time.

I'll think about it.

Tang Wan stepped into the courtyard with a smile on her face, "Young Master Lü is exceptionally talented, Wan'er admires him."

Seeing that she seemed completely unaffected, Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Isn't she sad?

Am I just overthinking things?

Actually, she had no feelings for herself at all?

Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't figure it out for a moment, but no matter what, he had to leave.

He stood up and said, "Miss Tang, you've come at the right time. I was originally planning to stay for a few more days, but I suddenly remembered that I have some important matters to attend to, so I'd like to take my leave now."

Tang Wan naturally wouldn't let him leave easily, so she pretended to be hesitant: "If Young Master Lü is leaving, Wan'er will naturally see him off. However, according to the rules of my Tang family, honored guests should be seen off by my father himself, but my father is currently away on business, so I can only ask Young Master Lü to wait a few more days."

Zhang Xiaomeng was taken aback. "There's such a rule?"

"My family, Tang, is a scholarly family, and my father is a leader in the literary world. He values ​​etiquette the most, so please forgive me, Young Master Lü."

Tang Wan looked apologetic yet meticulous and sincere, and there was nothing wrong with her.

"But I really have something urgent to attend to and can't delay," Zhang Xiaomeng said, feigning anxiety.

"Young Master Lü, why don't you tell Wan'er what the urgent matter is? Wan'er can send someone to handle it for you. If my Tang family can't handle it, Wan'er can also seek help from Princess Changning."

Tang Wan knew that Zhang Xiaomeng was just making an excuse to leave, so she was determined to keep him there, even resorting to using her connections.

"Princess Changning is Wan'er's best friend, and she is currently in the manor. Wan'er can help introduce her to Young Master Lü."

She refused to believe that there was anything a public official couldn't handle.