Chapter 190: Surprisingly, he’s returned (2/2)

Murong Wanru had gotten much thinner. She was wearing a light yellow skirt of fine gauze which made her look even skinner. A gust of wind seemed enough to knock her over.

“Sister-in-law, you’ve been tired out these two days. When you were married to here, I was never this busy,” she said, reserved and docile. As before, it inspired tender affection, but her words were a little…

Han Yunxi laughed in her heart.

If she remember correctly, the Duke of Qin’s estate hadn’t lit a single red lantern, much less deliver gifts. It was the difference between Heaven and Earth to today’s joyous decorations and mass of glowing red lanterns. She could admit that Murong Wanru’s wedding had the ostentation, pomp, and esteemed guests to inspire envy and yearning.

But so what?

Han Yunxi smiled. “What’s all this? Sister-in-law married into high status, while little sister is marrying into low status. As long as little sister is happy, it’s worth it no matter how tired sister-in-law is.”

One marrying high, one marrying low, such words dug straight at Murong Wanru’s sore point. In a competition between poisoned tongues, Murong Wanru was still inexperienced! Her face turned white, but very quickly she smiled again. She had something that was even more worth showing off. She didn’t believe that Han Yunxi wouldn’t object!

“Sister-in-law, the Duke of Qin returned. He’s with mufei in her room right now discussing tomorrow’s affairs. He said he was too busy, but he still managed to rush back!” Murong Wanru specifically went to find Han Yunxi just for this news.

That guy was back? Han Yunxi was caught off guard.

“Sister-in-law, the Duke of Qin doesn’t like lively, bustling affairs. When you two got married, he didn’t even live at the estate. I wasn’t counting on him to show up originally, but he still found the time to come back! I’m so happy!” Murong Wanru was too impatient to express her delight, and excitedly grabbed Han Yunxi’s hand. “Sister-in-law, come. We’ll go over too.”

Han Yunxi gave a start as she allowed Murong Wanru to drag her away. She had to admit, she had no rebuttal. Murong Wanru hadn’t torn the skin off her old scars when it was that bastard Long Feiye who had hurt her instead. What was he doing by coming back now? The things an elder brother were supposed to do, she’d done them all in his place. What would he do now? Leisurely attend tomorrow’s wedding ceremony?

He hadn’t even shown up for his own wedding, but found time in his busy schedule to attend someone else’s. She thought what he didn’t give her, he wouldn’t give easily to others, either. What he didn’t want to do, he wouldn’t try for her sake. Nor would he be bothered to try for someone else’s sake.

But reality proved that she’d thought too much of him. He had returned!

Han Yunxi was silent the whole way to Grand Concubine Yi’s courtyard. She really wanted to be headstrong just this once. If Long Feiye really attended the wedding tomorrow, then she wouldn’t go! Yet her thoughts changed after seeing Grand Concubine Yi. In the end, she told herself not to be wilful and make trouble deliberately. Murong Wanru was Long Feiye’s adopted sister. They’d grown up together since his youth, so even if they weren’t related by blood, they were still part of the same family. As for her, despite the capital’s rumors that she was favored, she was nothing in Long Feiye’s heart beyond someone that was occasionally useful.

“Sister-in-law, the Duke of Qin’s right inside. I didn’t lie to you, right?” Murong Wanru said in a low voice, feeling smug at Han Yunxi’s distracted state.

What are you being so contentious for? Han Yunxi spurned herself in her heart and immediately recovered. She smiled brilliantly as she turned to Murong Wanru. “I never said you lied to me!”

She silently wrested her hand out of Murong Wanru’s grasp and casually strode into the room with a grin. “Your Highness, has a big brother like you prepared any gifts for little sister Wanru?”

As long as she didn’t care, no person or words could hurt her!

Yet Long Feiye only raised an eyebrow as he looked at her, his tone mild. “Forgot to.”

Ehh…

Han Yunxi was surprised and dumbfounded. Was Long Feiye really here to attend the wedding ceremony?

Grand Concubine Yi was familiar with her son’s temper. Seeing Murong Wanru come in, she quickly effected a compromise. “He’s busy. For him to come already makes Wanru happy.”

Of course, Murong Wanru had heard the words just then. She knew the Duke of Qin’s personality as well and didn’t mind. Grinning, she said, “For Your Highness to rush back is already the best present.”

Long Feiye wasn’t planning to come over here after he came back, but Grand Concubine Yi had spotted him and dragged him over. Just then, mother and son had been discussing a government post for Zhangsun Che. As long as Long Feiye appeared in a personal capacity, even if the empress dowager was suppressing them, it’d be easy to get things done. As soon as Murong Wanru came, Grand Concubine Yi had stopped talking. She was too protective of Murong Wanru and feared that she’d run into a dead end and take things too hard at their conversation topic.

“Feiye, mufei will leave the things I’ve said to you. It’s getting late so you should all rest. Tomorrow you’ll have to look lively,” Grand Concubine Yi smiled.

Although it was a marriage against one’s will, one should still be happy and having a good time. They couldn’t let the palace laugh at them, after all. She thought, as long as Zhangsun Che gets a high position, Wanru won’t suffer a loss. Since her chastity had been ruined, she’d praise Buddha if they could wrest back this much.

The long-sullen Murong Wanru finally felt some consolation. She was filled with joy as long as she saw Long Feiye and was about to speak when Long Feiye stood up with a mild tone.

“Mufei, erchen and Han Yunxi need to take a long trip and will be leaving tonight. I ask that you look after matters of the estate.”

What, he was leaving?