37: Chapter 37 Beautiful women have always had tragic fates (8)

08 Jiangnan - Yezhou

The wealth of the Central Plains belongs to Jiangnan. If one hasn't been to Yezhou, one doesn't know the opulence of Jiangnan.

The reason Jiangnan is prosperous, geographically speaking, is that the Central Plains are bordered by the Yi in the east and Wuzhong, the Rong in the west, and the Man in the north. Jiangnan backs onto Yandu, the capital of the Liang State, while the other four regions are often plagued by war. This has resulted in Jiangnan's economy being the most thriving. Secondly, Jiangnan has many plains, flat terrain, and a pleasant climate, suitable for growing rice and other crops, allowing the people to live and work in peace. Finally, the people in the Jiangnan area are shrewd and skilled in business, naturally making it wealthy.

Take the present, for example. Zhao Yan sat in the backyard. Just by lifting the curtain, she could see the customers coming and going in the clothing store in the front yard, an endless stream—a scene of great prosperity.

Women's money is truly easy to earn, especially since the Lantern Festival of Jiangnan is in a few days.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, many young men and women who have just discovered love will choose to express their feelings on this day.

A woman dresses for those who appreciate her, so naturally, they must dress up well.

Therefore, recently, business at the rouge and powder shops and clothing stores in Yezhou City has been unusually good.

"Sister Yan, Sister Yan—" A voice as crisp as a wind chime, accompanied by rapid footsteps, burst into the backyard.

The young girl was dressed in a pink long dress, wearing her hair in twin buns, looking exquisite and cute.

"Sister Yan, they said this was made especially for me, is that true?"

She was wearing the Broad-Sleeved Flowing Fairy Dress that had just been launched by Jinxiu Clothing Store—the very same dress loved by the fairies of the Nine Heavens. Zhao Yan had drawn the design while idle and placed it in the clothing store, never expecting the seamstresses to be so skillful as to actually make it.

Afterward, it sparked a craze among the young girls in Yezhou City.

Now, it has become a dress that is hard to come by.

The girl before her was the youngest daughter of Wan Xianzhi, and the apple of the Wan family's eye.

Ever since the negotiations at Wanlin Pavilion, Wan Xianzhi would often invite her to tour the shops together to discuss business, and even invited her to be a guest at his home. The Wan family were all very hospitable.

The eldest of the Wan family had already married his childhood sweetheart and had one son. The second and third sons of the Wan family were twins, studying at a private school, returning once a month. The youngest daughter was named Wan Mingzhu, just barely ten years old, pampered by her family into being innocent, romantic, and somewhat willful.

Perhaps it was fate, but as soon as Zhao Yan went to the Wan family, she was pestered by Wan Mingzhu, who kept saying she wanted to follow the pretty sister and didn't even want her home anymore, leaving everyone unable to laugh or cry.

Right now, the little girl had tried on a pink Flowing Fairy Dress from the store, light and ethereal. Every move she made rippled with depth.

"Do you like it?"

This was something Zhao Yan had specifically designed according to Wan Mingzhu's height and measurements, choosing the colors and fabric, and ordering people to finish it before the Lantern Festival. What young girl doesn't love beauty?

The little girl couldn't wait to try it on as soon as she arrived today.

"Like! Of course I like it! The person I love most is Sister Yan."

The little girl's tender pink face showed a faint blush, red and chubby, incredibly cute. She chattered away, sweet as can be.

Wan Mingzhu walked up to Zhao Yan, not forgetting to lightly hold the hem of her skirt and spin around in place, showing off her new dress, her whole person seeming to carry a smile: "Sister Yan, do you think I look good?"

"Let me see—" Zhao Yan took her little hand, pulled her close, pretended to look seriously at the little girl, examined her carefully, and finally, amidst the little girl's expectant gaze, pursed her lips and smiled, saying softly: "Hmm, beautiful. I almost didn't recognize you. Which mountain did this little fairy child descend from? Not only is she beautiful, but her personality is also lively and likable."

That appearance was as beautiful as a painting, with a gentle temperament that made the little girl unable to look away. She just widened her eyes and exclaimed without hiding her amazement: "Wow! Sister Yan is the beautiful one. Sister Yan is the most beautiful person I have ever seen!"

Zhao Yan teased her, her slender, fair fingers affectionately tapping the tip of her upturned nose: "How old are you, how many people have you seen?"

Wan Mingzhu was unconvinced: "You are just the most beautiful!"

Seeing that Sister Yan didn't take her words seriously, she emphasized again: "I am already an adult, I am very serious."

Zhao Yan nodded in cooperation, saying with great seriousness: "Right, a ten-year-old little adult."

Wan Mingzhu knew she was teasing her, but facing that beautiful face she loved so much, she couldn't get angry at all. She could only be angry with herself, angry that she hadn't grown up quickly enough, so that no one believed what she said or took it seriously, always treating her words as a child's prattle.

Wan Mingzhu was sulking to herself and ran home alone, almost bumping into someone head-on.

She was grabbed by the collar and pulled aside. Looking up, she saw her father's chubby round face.

"Rushing around, acting recklessly, where is any of a young lady's reserve?"

She was scolded immediately.

"Stinky Dad, let me go! Let me go! Hmph, today Sister Yan even said I looked good and had a likable personality." Wan Mingzhu retorted without showing weakness.

"Heh... that depends on who you compare yourself with. Standing in front of your Sister Yan, you still have the nerve to say you look good?"

The Wan family was happy to see Wan Mingzhu being close to Bai Zhaoyan, even encouraging it.

Wan Xianzhi had his own selfish motives. That Miss Bai was clearly an extraordinary person—her knowledge, courage, and ability were all outstanding, and her appearance was rarely seen in the world. Being on good terms with her was never a mistake.

The little girl was ruthlessly exposed by her father and was immediately speechless, unable to refute.

But she was still unconvinced. She looked down at her pink skirt, her eyes lit up, and she spun around in front of her father, showing off: "Dad, look, Sister Yan likes me so much. This is a design she drew for me personally, and the dress she had made."

Wan Xianzhi had noticed it earlier, but hadn't had the chance to ask. Seeing this dress, he remembered what his shopkeeper had said yesterday—the hottest item in Yezhou City now was the Broad-Sleeved Flowing Fairy Dress from Jinxiu Clothing Store.

He didn't expect his daughter, who was like a mischievous monkey, to actually get one by acting out—no, by being lively and cute.

Following the conversation, Li Nanxi, who had been standing on the side and completely ignored by the father and daughter, also cast his gaze toward the little girl's dress.

His eyes lit up.

In his heart, he wondered what kind of beautiful sight it would be if Qingxue wore this Broad-Sleeved Flowing Fairy Dress.

Li Nanxi thought about it, and asked aloud: "Mingzhu, where did you buy this dress?"

"Hmph, you can't buy it!" Wan Mingzhu raised her head, like a rooster that had won a fight, full of spirit.

As soon as she finished speaking, she received a slap on her little head from her father's chubby hand: "Wan Mingzhu, the Heir is asking you a question, answer properly."

Wan Mingzhu said reluctantly, pouting: "Didn't I just say? This is a sample dress that Sister Yan drew herself, she chose the colors and fabric, and ordered the people in the store to make it for me."

"Which store?"

"Jinxiu Clothing Store."

Li Nanxi got the information he wanted and nodded.

Seeing a rare opportunity to introduce the shopkeeper Bai to the Heir Li, Wan Xianzhi said: "Heir, the owner of Jinxiu Clothing Store is a remarkable woman. She is knowledgeable, well-traveled, and her appearance is top-notch. Coincidentally, her surname is also Bai. Would you like me to accompany you to take a look?"

That day, when he had questioned whether Bai Qingxue possessed the traits of the Bai Clan, he had been almost kicked out of the palace.

He knew that although Heir Li, the King of Jiangnan, was innovative and resourceful, such a person had a fatal flaw: sometimes he was too confident and would not easily admit mistakes.

Others saw him as glorious—the richest man in Jiangnan, what wealth.

Wan Xianzhi knew that the title of richest man was a double-edged sword, which could lead the Wan family into an abyss at any time.

The King of Jiangnan was addicted to wine and women and was not a wise ruler. The political affairs of Jiangnan were controlled by the Heir Li Nanxi. Although the other princes did not have the power to match him, they were still eyeing him covetously, ready to counterattack at any time.

He stood on the Heir's side to protect himself.

Compared to the King of Jiangnan and the other princes, Heir Li was currently the best choice.

That day, it was his abruptness. He had intended to kindly remind him, but forgot that he was a superior. Superiors do not like to be disobeyed.

Now, the opportunity was just right, and he wanted to mention it again.

Li Nanxi waved his hand, somewhat indifferent: "Qingxue just arrived in Yezhou yesterday. I will accompany her to tour Yezhou later. Jinxiu Clothing Store—I have remembered it. I will take Qingxue to see it later and pick out a couple of outfits. I think she should like it."

Wan Xianzhi: ...

Fine, I won't worry, and I won't be angry!

Don't regret it later.

After Li Nanxi left, Wan Mingzhu leaned in and pinched her father's chubby cheek: "Dad, look, I'm still the best, right? I might be a bit mischievous, but at least I'm not blind, right?"

"Look at His Highness the Heir, his eyes are blind, how pitiful."

Yesterday, when she went to pick up Miss Bai Qingxue, she had followed her father. She had thought the Heir's taste would be very good, but the result greatly disappointed the little girl. Even the sumptuous royal banquet in the evening didn't taste good, and she had been uninterested the whole night.

Wan Xianzhi looked at his incorrigible daughter and wanted to beat her again.

The little one felt the threat from her father, slipped away, and ran. Halfway through, she didn't forget to turn her head and make a face at him, making Wan Xianzhi feel a tightness in his chest again.

Previously, Wan Mingzhu thought that to marry someone, one had to marry someone like the Heir—good-looking, romantic, and from a prominent family.

Now, Sister Yan had raised her aesthetic standards. She felt that the Heir looked just so-so, barely acceptable, but his judgment was bad.

The person he liked not only didn't look very good, but was also arrogant, looking at everyone with a high and mighty attitude, as if everyone was waiting for her charity. It was truly impossible to like her.

It didn't matter if she was ordinary-looking, but putting on an air of "I am the most beautiful in the world" was very off-putting.

Don't think she's young; in fact, she understands everything.

Given that the Heir was blind and had poor judgment, Wan Mingzhu decided not to like him anymore.

With this, Wan Mingzhu took back her "heart," and unexpectedly saved herself, avoiding a tragic romance.

...

After Wan Mingzhu left, Zhao Yan felt a bit bored. The shopkeeper of the clothing store was busy doing business, and the seamstresses were so busy they were almost flying. Since she had drawn the sample of the Broad-Sleeved Flowing Fairy Dress, it had been quickly put into production, and business was really too good.

Hong Yun had been sent by her a few days ago to escort grain back to East Lake. Counting the days, if she traveled fast, she should be arriving in Jiangnan soon.

Zhao Yan picked up a book, flew onto a thick tree branch in the yard, leaned comfortably on the tree fork, and sunbathed. It was warm, she squinted her eyes, feeling sleepy. It was truly stealing half a day of leisure from life.

"Young Master, someone is looking for you."

Startled awake, her fingertips loosened, and the book slipped from her hand.

She leaned down to catch it—

Someone was faster and caught her book.

Immediately, she felt her waist tighten, and she was pulled by someone to turn around and land on the ground.

She stared fixedly at the face close at hand, sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, handsome and dashing, his gaze deep.

As soon as she stood steady, Zhao Yan hurriedly stepped back, and the hand on her waist loosened.

"Heir Wei, I know martial arts, I have no problem standing steady." Zhao Yan wanted to smile to ease the embarrassment.

Dressed in a purple robe, with a golden crown, dignified and imposing, who else could it be but Heir Wei, Wei Qingli of East Lake?

"Seeing that scene just now... I forgot for a moment, and I'm still lingering in fear." Wei Qingli's expression was indifferent, as if he really just saved her out of kindness.

This... actually, even if he didn't interfere, she could have caught the book and stood steady, but it wasn't appropriate to say that right now.

Wei Qingli's expression remained as usual, unconsciously putting his right hand behind his back, his fingertips rubbing slightly. The soft touch just now seemed to be engraved in his heart, and he only hated that the time was too short to freeze the moment.

He handed the book over with his left hand, glanced at the cover, and raised his eyebrows slightly—it was an excellent book on military strategy.

"Thank you."

Zhao Yan took the book and looked up to see Hong Yun standing behind him. She glared at her directly, the meaning too obvious—why is he here?!

That glance, though called a glare, looked like affection in others' eyes, the coquettishness of a young woman clearly revealed.

Wei Qingli's heart stirred.

Hong Yun shrugged, "Young Master, you can't blame me for this. I just followed your instructions and returned after delivering the grain to the northern suburbs." The unspoken meaning was, Heir Wei's legs are on him; I am a weak and helpless little guard, I couldn't stop him even if I wanted to.

"This is the second time. The first time you left without saying goodbye, and the second time you broke your promise again."

Zhao Yan suddenly seemed to hear some accusation in his tone.

Looking at the depth and calmness in his eyes again, she felt it was unlikely. After all, given Wei Qingli's personality in the previous life, it was unlikely he would have such emotions. He was always steady, and his emotions would not be easily exposed.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to reach the end.

"Have the matters in Jiangnan been resolved?"

"Hmm." Wasn't the grain all sent back to East Lake?

"Then why haven't you returned to East Lake?"

This was originally an aggressive interrogation, but it was asked by him with a hint of grievance.

"I am afraid of the cold. Jiangnan is warm, and I want to spend the winter here." This was the truth; otherwise, she wouldn't have let Hong Yun escort the grain back and stayed behind herself.

Just when she felt that Wei Qingli's gaze and words were a bit pressing and might not easily let her go, he actually just looked at her directly, his eyes filled with a hint of doting, and he responded softly, "Hmm."

Zhao Yan didn't know what this "Hmm" represented.

But from that moment on, Wei Qingli had a goal in his heart that he wanted to achieve, and he was eager to achieve it.

—She is afraid of the cold and wants to stay in Jiangnan.

When Wei Qingli concentrates on looking at someone, it is easy to give people an illusion—that you are his everything.

Zhao Yan somewhat understood why, in the first life, the original body was deceived so miserably.

She looked away and stopped talking.

"I heard that the Lantern Festival in Yezhou, Jiangnan is very lively, so I came to join the fun." Wei Qingli didn't know who he was saying this to—himself or her.

After speaking, his eyes darkened slightly. In her eyes, he didn't see a single trace of emotional fluctuation.

She didn't care about him in the slightest.