WBSGVS Chapter 25 V3

Adults were often careless around children, and this one had approached easily. What if the Ji family’s enemies were involved? That would be trouble.

Qingli laughed. “It’s fine; I recognize that child. He likely lives nearby.”

Wan Yue replied seriously, “That doesn’t mean it’s safe!” After checking the letter, she recognized the handwriting on the envelope and her expression stiffened. “Miss, this is from Zheng…”

Since that day Miss had gone out alone, and the household had received letters from Zheng Yihan daily. This was already the fourth letter, and the previous three had been tossed away by Miss.

Qingli, being supported by another maidservant into the carriage, responded calmly, “Just throw it away.”

Wan Yue wasn’t surprised at all. She genuinely admired Miss’s decisiveness, but recalling how startled she had been by the child earlier, she hesitated and suggested, “Miss, why not take a look? If he keeps sending letters, it could be quite troublesome.”

Qingli considered this and took the letter. Inside was only a short poem.

A rather sentimental poem.

Qingli scanned it and immediately noted the overflowing apology and longing.

Did he regret marrying Jiang Tingxue?

Qingli found it amusing. Unlike the original owner, who had raised a ruckus over this, she simply stated a firm “no” to Zheng Yihan’s desire for a concubine. When he insisted, she had gracefully left. So, now did he truly see his childhood sweetheart in a loathsome light?

Qingli ripped the letter and tossed it into the wastebasket. “Just a silly poem, nothing substantial. When I return, I’ll think of a way to make him shut up for good.”

He didn’t dare come to see her in person for fear of getting hit, so this little stunt was just annoying.

Wan Yue nodded vigorously. “Alright!”

As they spoke, the carriage came to a stop.

Wan Yue got down first and discovered they had arrived at a teahouse. She quickly turned to welcome Qing Li, thinking she had come for tea. However, as they entered, the manager seemed to recognize them immediately, saying, “Miss Ji, this way, please.”

The manager led them upstairs to a private room, but it wasn’t empty; there was already a man sitting inside!

Wan Yue’s eyes widened in shock as she glanced at her mistress and then at the young, refined scholar. She pressed her lips together tightly, not daring to make a sound, fearing she would disturb the others.

A man and a woman meeting in a private room—was her mistress planning to get married? But why was she fixated on a scholar?

After a brief moment of astonishment, Wan Yue observed quietly but felt skeptical. The scholar was indifferent; as Zheng Yihan had said before, their paths had diverged, wasting her mistress’s youthful years.

Wei Pingyuan hadn’t expected that Qing Li wouldn’t be alone this time. In their previous encounters, she had always come by herself. As the door opened, he immediately stood to greet her, but when he noticed she had two maidservants with her, he was at a loss for words.

Before he could speak, the maidservants had already pulled out chairs and one of them was pouring tea.

Qing Li appeared at ease, seemingly unaware of his discomfort. “What’s wrong?”

Wei Pingyuan cleared his throat and shook his head. Seeing the maidservants retreating to the corner of the room, he felt a bit more at ease and smiled. “It’s nothing.”

Qing Li smiled back and asked, “Are the stories ready?”

“Ready,” Wei Pingyuan nodded with a smile. “I’ve organized the cases into categories: mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, husband and wife, parents and children, and those purely about greed… Which one would Miss Ji like to hear first?”

Wan Yue was bewildered. “Isn’t this a date?”

Qing Li thought for a moment and replied, “Let’s start with husband and wife.”

“Good,” Wei Pingyuan agreed, taking out prepared notes to begin… telling criminal investigation stories.

Wan Yue was dumbfounded.

Listening to his methodical narration—from the discovery of the body to finding clues to uncover the truth—made her feel chills run down her spine. She quietly leaned against the wall, feeling a bit more secure.

Qing Li, however, was captivated. During their last conversation, she realized that Wei Pingyuan had a talent for solving cases. Although he spoke calmly, beneath that calmness lay a chilling fear.

In this ancient world with few diversions, Qing Li found this quite interesting, and they had agreed to come today.

Wei Pingyuan enjoyed talking about it too.

Many people disliked such subjects, fearing they would bring misfortune by associating with the dead, but he didn’t share that belief.

However, he rarely spoke about it with others.

Now that someone was willing to listen, it felt like he had found a kindred spirit. Even if he spoke until his throat was dry, he felt happy, especially since it was Miss Ji who was listening.

To ensure she enjoyed listening, he had organized every story beforehand, making sure his nervousness wouldn’t lead to confusion or contradictions.

During the storytelling, Qing Li asked for some pastries and tea, making it feel like they were simply listening to a tale while enjoying a meal.

As time passed, they decided to have lunch at another place and then went boating, where Wei Pingyuan continued his storytelling.

Wan Yue had become somewhat numb to it all.

She thought the day would pass amid stories, but soon they spotted a larger, more luxurious boat approaching them. At the bow, the third prince, Jiang Cunrui, called out, “Miss Ji, what a coincidence! May I invite you aboard for a chat?”

Song Shi stood beside him, echoing his invitation.

Wan Yue was eager to say their mistress wasn’t there!

But since they were so certain, without asking a single question, she could only keep quiet.

Qing Li naturally heard them. With the two boats close together, it felt awkward to pretend she didn’t hear. She stepped out from the cabin and replied, “Thank you, Third Prince, Princess.”

Song Shi glanced back at the cabin where no one had come out, smiling warmly at Qing Li. “Why is Miss Ji alone—”

She was about to make a light-hearted comment to set the stage for what was to come.

Ironically, she and her husband were out on a boat trip when they encountered someone, and now they had run into Miss Ji’s boat.

However, before she could finish, another person emerged from the cabin—another man?

Song Shi’s smile froze, and she quickly glanced at her husband, noticing Jiang Cunrui’s expression darkening for a moment.

The boatmen temporarily tied the two boats together with a plank, and Wei Pingyuan stepped onto the plank first, ensuring it was stable before extending his hand to invite Qing Li across.

They crossed together and bowed to the third prince and his wife. “I am Wei Pingyuan, the Chief of the Dali Temple, greeting the Third Prince and Princess.”

At that moment, the boat swayed slightly, and Qing Li instinctively reached for Wei Pingyuan, who quickly grasped her hand while steadying her shoulder with his other hand. Once she was stable, he released her and stepped aside.

The whole sequence felt smooth and natural, appearing as if they were a couple. If Song Shi didn’t know better, she might have thought they were married.

Jiang Cunrui smiled lightly. “So it’s Lord Wei. What brings you out on the lake with Miss Ji?”

Song Shi was aware of her husband’s intentions; they needed to forge a connection with the Ji family, and Qing Li was the best way in. But now… she smiled. “I suppose it’s just a coincidence.”

Qing Li shook her head. “We planned to come boating together.”

Song Shi: “…”

Jiang Cunrui’s eyelids twitched, subtly glancing at the cabin. He didn’t want the person inside to come out.

This was turning out to be quite troublesome!

Song Shi took a deep breath, calming herself, and smiled. “Miss Ji, it’s quite windy outside; shall we go inside for a bit?”

“Sure,” Qing Li nodded and followed her inside.

Wei Pingyuan also intended to join, but as he moved, Jiang Cunrui stopped him with a hand. “Lord Wei, let’s sit here for a while.”

Wei Pingyuan frowned slightly but nodded. “Of course.”

The maidservant opened the cabin curtain, and Song Shi entered first, followed by Qing Li.

Inside, they saw Zheng Yihan, his face filled with surprise.

Qing Li raised an eyebrow and looked at Song Shi.

Song Shi’s smile was natural. “Young Master Zheng and Miss Ji were once a couple. It’s truly a pity to part ways due to a misunderstanding. Why not talk things through and clear the air?”

Zheng Yihan nodded repeatedly, visibly humbled. “Qing Li.”

Qing Li ignored him and turned to Song Shi, smiling lightly. “Princess, you may not know this, but Young Master Zheng and I have no misunderstanding. Our separation is final, and I wish to have no further connection.” She then looked at Zheng Yihan, her expression slightly cold. “Do you remember what I said last time?”

Zheng Yihan recalled their last encounter when she had struck him, leaving a deep impression. His expression changed slightly. “Qing Li, I…”

“Miss Ji, after all, you two were childhood sweethearts—ah!” Song Shi hadn’t grasped the underlying meaning of Qing Li’s words and was about to persuade her when she was startled by the scene before her.

Jiang Cunrui and Wei Pingyuan immediately sensed something was off and rushed to lift the curtain.

They found a cramped cabin where a woman in blue was coldly retracting her fist, while a young man in front of her had a swollen cheek and was staggeringly trying to lean against the wall of the boat to escape.

Jiang Cunrui: “!!!”

Wei Pingyuan silently extended his leg, and Zheng Yihan, in a panic, didn’t notice his foot, tripping over it and falling with a thud, injuring himself further.

As Song Shi came to her senses, she saw Zheng Yihan in a sorry state and then glanced at Qing Li, who expressionlessly wiped her fist, falling silent.