Remember to read the second half of 321 first!
"You"re playing on buying a manor for your family?" Pang Xiao kicked off his boots and took a seat on the heated platform. He moved Qin Yining in front of him again, hanging onto her like an oversized doll. "But your family might not appreciate the gesture, and the family hasn"t separated yet, right?"
Qin Yining leaned back comfortably against Pang Xiao"s chest and stared at the motif of magpies on branches that was carved into the redwood drawers. She responded lazily, "We haven"t split into different branches, no, but there"s only one way to write the Qin character. I"m buying the manor for my father as well. Though his whereabouts are still unknown, I firmly believe that with his intelligence, he"ll be able to land on his feet. He must be caught up in something to have not returned."
"You"re right. Though my men haven"t discovered the locations of father-in-law and mother-in-law, they haven"t found anything bad either. No news is good news. With father-in-law"s smarts, they must be safe and sound." Pang Xiao a.s.serted firmly.
Qin Yining"s cheeks burned a fiery red and she twisted herself out of his embrace with a pout. "What father-in-law, mother-in-law? Who says I"m going to marry you?"
Pang Xiao chuckled teasingly and wrapped his arms around her again. "Everyone"s saying now that I"m a hero in difficult circ.u.mstances, that you"ve got me wrapped around your finger. Who else will you marry if not me? Besides, my darling is so smart and so filial. You protected the elders at home today and now you"re buying a manor for your parents. Where on earth would I find such a good wife? One"s never coming around again if I miss out on this one."
"You and your glib tongue," Qin Yining snorted, but the words warmed her heart very much so. She thought for a bit longer. "But I can"t just handle things like this. I can"t have the old dowager know that I was the one who bought the manor, or I"ll just be making trouble for myself. I need to find a dependable person and have their name be on the deed, then have them do the transaction with my father. I"ll remain in the shadows. One shouldn"t reveal one"s money, after all."
"So smart." Pang Xiao kissed her cheek. "You"ve thought through everything before I"ve said a single word. Don"t worry about buying the manor. I"ll have my people keep an eye on things in secret. But real estate is very precious in the capital and your family has no roots here. You won"t be able to buy one as large as before."
"It doesn"t have to be the same size as the one before. A regular one that"s two houses deep is fine. The most important thing is location. There"s not as many people in my family as before, and we don"t know what the future holds, so we shouldn"t have all of our wealth tied up in real estate. We"d be unable to make use of it when we need it then. And who knows, maybe my father has other plans."
"Alright, I"ll send people to keep an eye out then." Pang Xiao stroked her smooth cheek with a smile. "Though your people haven"t arrived in the city yet, I"m here. Just tell me whatever"s not convenient for you to do. I can help with whatever you want to do."
"I won"t stand on ceremony with you."
Pang Xiao kissed her cheek tenderly again. "I still have to meet with Sirs Xu and Xie, so I have to go now."
"Mm." They weren"t married yet, so who knew what wild gossip had developed with the prince"s short visit? Though her reputation was already ruined because she"d been "carried off", the Pang servants knew the truth of how long their master stayed each time. She still cared about face, so didn"t keep her.
Qin Yining had Xianyun serve the hot soup and watched Pang Xiao drink it before sending him off in the covered hallway.
The prince took his leave with great reluctance, turning back to look at Snowtrace Garden for everything three steps he took. He adjusted his emotions when the residence doors were closed and swiftly made his way to the study.
Once Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue had both made their bows, Xie Yue proffered with both hands a hairpin invitation.
Smelling the thick fragrance of rouge, Pang Xiao frowned. "Who"s it from?
"In response to Your Highness, it"s from the palace." Xie Yue"s expression was as usual, but there seemed to be hints of teasing in the wrinkles by his eye.
Irritation flooded Pang Xiao and he threw it away angrily after a quick scan.
"How does she have the face to call herself a royal daughter when she acts like this? She had renowned teachers and mamas to guide her. Where did all those rules, manners, and knowledge go to??"
Xu Weizhi picked up the invitation for a look and handed it to Xie Yue.
The latter couldn"t help teasing after he put it back. "It"s because Your Highness simply has too much charisma. Who else can you blame but yourself?"
Pang Xiao was both highly irate and amused. "These are the bad habits of being pampered since young! She must have whatever she wants. Her life has been much too easy! My daring Yi is also a n.o.ble daughter, but is she this frivolous??"
Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue looked at each other, exchanging involuntary grins.
"Your Highness is now indifferent to everyone else," remarked Xie Yue. "But Miss Qin is indeed a wonderful lady and worthy of Your Highness" compliments."
"But what His Majesty values is precisely the princess" personality," commented Xu Weizhi. "Since she"s convinced in her ultimate victory to have you, she"ll have the courage to go beyond the bounds. If this drags on, it will irreparably damage your relations.h.i.+p with the Marquis of Northern Stability."
"That"s what darling Yi said just now as well. The only thing I can do is to clearly display my att.i.tude, letting the marquis know that I have no interest in Anyang."
"So you won"t be going to tomorrow"s banquet then, Your Highness?"
Li Helan had mentioned in the invitation that she was inviting Pang Xiao to a tavern.
Word, these chapters are long. Halfsies! Make sure you read the second half of 321!