Chapter 241: Chapter 233: Competing with Zhan Qipei for a Wife
He reached for his cell phone in his pocket.
Just arriving, Tang Yan, upon hearing Tang Jing’s words, was scared out of his wits, immediately held down the hand in his pocket, and said to Qiao Jing, “Take your time drinking, I need to speak with my cousin about something.”
“Mmm.” Qiao Jing swirled the red wine in her glass, responding with a sound.
Tang Yan immediately pulled Tang Jing aside, “Cousin, what are you doing?”
“Didn’t you see? Why did you drag me here? I’ve taken a fancy to that bridesmaid, is she the sister of your sister-in-law or something?” Tang Jing was still staring at Qiao Jing, somewhat dissatisfied with Tang Yan for pulling him away.
Before Tang Yan could say anything, both of them saw another slender figure walk up to Qiao Jing.
Zhan Qipei sat down to the left of Qiao Jing, talking to her about something.
Seeing this, Tang Jing’s eyes widened. He pushed away Tang Yan’s hand, preparing to walk over to Qiao Jing, “Look what you’ve done, distracting me and now someone else has beaten me to it? He dares to snatch the person I have my eye on? I’m going over there to give him a lesson.”
Upon hearing Tang Jing’s words, Tang Yan immediately reached out to hold back the person looking for trouble, breaking out in a cold sweat, “Cousin, you cannot go over there!”
“Why can’t I go? I was here first! There’s a first-come-first-served order to everything!! He took advantage of my absence to snatch the person I was interested in, why are you still stopping me?” Tang Jing said discontentedly, making a move to push Tang Yan away.
Tang Yan gripped Tang Jing’s hand tightly, “No, cousin, you really can’t go.”
“Tang Yan! Why are you bending your elbow out?” Tang Jing was clearly very angry, forcibly breaking free from the hand gripping him.
Tang Yan blocked Tang Jing and glanced over at Zhan Qipei, relieved they hadn’t noticed him, then whispered, “Cousin, that’s my boss!”
Tang Jing’s movement froze instantly, his disbelief evident as he looked over at the person sitting beside Qiao Jing, then he retracted his gaze, unable to believe what he had just heard, and asked for confirmation again.
“Your boss? The one from Zhan Corporation?”
Although he had never met Zhan Qipei, he was aware of who his cousin’s boss was.
That was the capital city’s wealthiest man!
Tang Yan nodded, thankful that he had stopped his cousin just now. If President Zhan knew his wife was being hit on by his cousin, he couldn’t even imagine what would happen to him…
Tang Jing’s face also turned a shade paler, realizing the consequences could have been unimaginable if he had actually gone over to compete with Zhan Qipei for Qiao Jing.
After stealing a glance at Qiao Jing and Zhan Qipei, Tang Jing cautiously withdrew his advancing foot, turned around, and patted his chest, saying to Tang Yan, “It’s good you stopped me. If you hadn’t told me, I might already be over there starting a fight with him.”
“I should go back and keep Xiuxiang company, cousin, take care of yourself!” Tang Yan said, and went over to Lin Xiuxiang’s side.
Tang Jing was still feeling a bit terrified. He glanced at Qiao Jing again, but accidentally made eye contact with Zhan Qipei, who was looking at him. He shivered instantly and took off running.
“That man was just looking at you.” Zhan Qipei gathered his brows, which were exquisite like misty smoke, watching the retreating back of Tang Jing whose gaze had lingered on Qiao Jing.
Qiao Jing followed Zhan Qipei’s gaze and saw it was Tang Jing, then retracted her own, “Hmm, no need to bother with it.”
Zhan Qipei then withdrew his gaze.
Lin Xiuxiang and Tang Yan’s wedding had been over for two or three days now, but the couple had no plans whatsoever to go on a honeymoon yet.
“You’re married now, why haven’t you gone on a honeymoon?”
Qiao Jing sent a message to Lin Xiuxiang.
Lin Xiuxiang replied to the message quickly with a voice note, “The company is very busy right now. Tang Yan told me they’re negotiating a five-hundred-million-yuan project. It’s a very important deal, and he’s too busy to leave it and help out. He wants to go with me, but with such a big project, he just can’t.”
But Qiao Jing furrowed her brow, “No matter how important that deal is, it’s not as important as your honeymoon.”
Couples tend to feel more affectionate towards each other after going on a honeymoon trip.
If you miss that period right after your wedding, the honeymoon just wouldn’t feel the same.
Lin Xiuxiang gave a noncommittal hum, her voice betraying a fleeting despondency, “Actually, we can go on a honeymoon anytime, it doesn’t really matter. It’s a five-hundred-million-yuan project, and since Tang Yan is also Qipei’s assistant, he can’t just leave, it’s okay.”
Qiao Jing caught the momentary sadness in Lin Xiuxiang’s voice, “But a honeymoon is a very significant period in one’s life.”
The children all played to their heart’s content and they proposed to come again during their next holiday.
Su Qingluo, of course, welcomed them warmly, indicating with a wave of her small hand that she would take them to a more beautiful valley for their next outing, eliciting a wave of eager cheers.
With reluctance, the children boarded the ferry to return home, each escorted by their attendants.
Su Qingluo saw off her classmates, and along with the Little Prince, headed home horseback, escorted by three large dogs.
The Little Prince had a great time.
Despite the teasing he endured, which left a slightly unpleasant impression of the three cheeky sisters, his curiosity for new things was unaffected.
Once home, the Little Prince was noticeably preoccupied, eating less than usual and sleeping restlessly.
After fussing for a few days, under Su Qingluo’s deliberate encouragement, he finally let out the truth.
He wanted to go to the Academy with his sister.
A five-and-a-half-year-old child going to school was unheard of, at least in Woniu Village and the surrounding rural areas.
When Su Qingluo heard that the Little Prince wanted to go to school, it took her aback. Her first thought was of the sticky little fellow starting to cry again.
She had already lost to his tears more than once.
With his little mouth pouted and big eyes looking pitifully at you, tears steadily falling down his face.
The feeling — it was heartbreaking to say the least.
Just one look was enough to make you feel guilty, as if you had done something unforgivable.
In the end, out of felt sympathy, she would agree to his wishes.
Going to school was a big deal, she couldn’t make the decision alone, so she had to summon the two Imperial Shadow Guards to discuss the matter with them.
Moving from the peaceful nest of Woniu Village to the noisy Academy would put more pressure on the guards in their mission to protect the Little Prince.
The two Shadow Guards didn’t dare to be careless. That same day they sent a message by carrier pigeon, formally reporting the matter to the Empress.
The Empress was comforted to learn that her son was in good health. She immediately issued a decree awarding the Su Clan with substantial rewards.
As for the matter of schooling, after careful consideration, she did not agree to send her young son to the Academy.
At the Noble Lord’s suggestion, a Female Official with both virtues and skills was dispatched from the Imperial Court to teach the Little Prince at the villa.
At the same time, the Empress also approved to select children of decent character from the nearby counties, who would study alongside the Little Prince as companions.
The Empress’s rewards and decree were promptly dispatched, arriving at the Su House in Mingshui County and the imperial villa across the river coinciding with the Academy’s next holiday.
Su Ziqin and Su Zixuan accepted the Court’s rewards in place of their parents, and their humility and manners were once again praised by the Female Official who delivered the decree.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Villa, lanterns were hung and banners were raised in a joyous celebration.
The Villa, empty for two years, finally welcomed its true young master. The eagerly waiting Palace Maids and Attendants were thrilled and spirited, looking forward to the arrival of the Little Prince.
The Little Prince’s companions were to be chosen from among the academically outstanding children in nearby towns. These children will attend classes at the Imperial Villa, taught by the Female Official from the Imperial Court.
Giving the lackey a sidelong glance, Liu Xin scoffed, “Then, according to the current time, President Zhan is already divorced from her. Why is Qiao Jing back in the company? Could it be that she’s trying to seduce President Zhan?”
The lackey looked as though he’d just come to a realization, “Manager Liu, you truly have Fiery Eyes! She must be trying to hook up with President Zhan to remarry him! After all, how could she bear to divorce someone as capable as him?”