Chapter 359 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (16)

Chapter 359: The Stiff Wife from the Republic of China Story (16)

This can't be happening!

This proposal was the result of combining what I learned abroad, and I discussed the details repeatedly with Wan Ran!

Even if it didn’t deserve an excellent evaluation, it absolutely shouldn’t have been this bad…

Fang Zhuo, who had always considered himself gifted, never imagined that the first proposal of his life would receive such criticism. As Duke Gelong spoke, Fang Zhuo’s expression darkened.

"Mr. Fang, frankly, that proposal…"

As Duke Gelong spoke, he made a point to check Tang Qing’s expression. Seeing that she showed no reaction, he continued, "…is very underdeveloped."

"If I may suggest, I’d actually recommend you and your partner…"

After a moment of recollection, Duke Gelong recalled the other name mentioned in the proposal. "Uh…"

"Miss Qu?"

"…to brush up on some basic principles of economics."

As a favor to Tang Qing, Duke Gelong suggested a few books. "The current translations of these books on the market are pretty bad. I recommend you read the original versions."

"However…"

"Since Mr. Fang has studied abroad… it shouldn’t be a problem."

He didn't even try to hide his disdain. Fang Zhuo wanted to argue more about his proposal with the Duke…

But just then, another blond foreigner pulled the Duke away.

Left standing there alone, Fang Zhuo was still fuming.

Duke Gelong’s earlier remarks felt like slaps right across his pride with unmistakable clarity!

Fang Zhuo felt that everything he had learned over the past three years was a complete joke!

Three years of studying abroad, only to receive such an evaluation?

Discouraged, the young master Fang suddenly felt Tang Qing watching him!

As if instinctively knowing how to lash out at her, he immediately turned his head and said darkly, "Are you laughing at me?"

"Of course, the old ideas I dismissed have become rare treasures in the Duke’s eyes."

"And the proposal I carefully put together is now considered so useless…"

Glaring at Tang Qing as if she were an enemy, Fang Zhuo spoke gruffly, "Tang Qing… you must be pretty pleased with yourself now, thinking you’ve bested me."

"Three years of studying abroad, yet I still can’t compare to an uneducated woman stuck in the inner chambers… Now, I’m the one who’s become a laughingstock."

Accustomed to being the pampered young master, this was likely the first time he had faced such harsh criticism.

His innate arrogance suddenly had no foundation to stand on.

Especially today, standing beside Tang Qing…

From the very beginning, it seemed as though he…

just a faint, barely-there presence beside Tang Qing.

The shift in status and the disparity in treatment left Fang Zhuo feeling disheartened.

"Just redo it then."

Just as he was feeling dejected, Fang Zhuo unexpectedly heard Tang Qing's voice!

"Duke Gelong has already told you the method just now."

"What do you know about it!" Fang Zhuo snapped, "He wasn’t impressed by my proposal from start to finish."

"Even if I redo it..."

"He might not…"

His tone grew somber again, especially as he recalled the disdain on Duke Gelong’s face. The always-proud young master had completely lost his confidence.

Tang Qing, however, said casually, "How do you know without even trying?"

"You’ve already been through the worst of it."

"It can’t get any worse than that."

At these simple words, the dejected Fang Zhuo looked up in surprise.

His eyes met Tang Qing’s clear, bright eyes, and for the first time, Fang Zhuo noticed that his wife had such eyes—transparent and lucid, like the purest and brightest gem in the world, naturally dazzling yet never showing off that radiance.

In that moment of eye contact, Fang Zhuo seemed to sense something and stammered awkwardly, "You…"

"Are you... comforting me?"

Tang Qing’s tone remained unchanged, "If that’s what you think, then that’s what it is."

"Think of it as me meddling."

It wasn’t meddling.

Fang Zhuo knew very well that she was comforting him.

He had never been particularly kind to Tang Qing, and now, suddenly receiving her comfort.

Abruptly recalling his earlier harsh words, the young master rubbed his nose awkwardly…

Maybe… I went too far…

System announcement: "Ding! Detection of Fang Zhuo’s love value increase. Current love value: 40 points."

The highlight of Duke Gelong’s banquet was when Yan Ningcheng presented the *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*.

Among the guests present, many were discerning collectors with sharp eyes.

After examining the brushwork of the *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*, these usually critical collectors couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.

"Exquisite! It seems to be Zhao Mengfu’s running script?"

"It's absolutely perfect, like it was born, not made!"

In calligraphy, the work forms naturally, and the calligrapher's frame of mind is particularly important.

This displayed *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River* is perfectly unified; in the connections between strokes, one can clearly sense the writer's leisure and freedom.

Only a true master of calligraphy could possess such a state of mind!

Just as the discussions were in full swing, Duke Gelong brought Tang Qing to the center of the crowd and announced loudly, "Everyone! I would like to... proudly present the author of this work!"

"That is the very Miss Tang here beside me!"

Under the gaze of the crowd, Duke Gelong could hardly contain the excitement in his voice, declaring again, "Miss Tang, to have created such a work, you are truly remarkable!"

Following the Duke's words, the crowd could no longer hold back their chatter:

"What's her name? Tang Qing?"

"Did she complete this *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*? How old is she? How could she possess such a state of mind?"

"She's so beautiful! Such a stunning beauty, and she practices calligraphy too!"

...

Amid the flood of praise, only Fang Zhuo's face looked wrong.

Damn it!

This Englishman must be doing it on purpose!

He heard it clearly earlier—when introducing her, Duke Gelong didn’t mention him at all and even used her maiden name!

What is he trying to do?

Sure enough, in just a moment, Tang Qing was surrounded by a crowd of suitors...

Most of them were foreigners, likely due to a soft spot for beautiful women. These usually arrogant figures in the concession were now butchering Chinese, all just to catch the eye of the beauty.

"Miss Tang! Pardon my forwardness, but you are absolutely the most beautiful Chinese girl I have ever seen!"

Fang Zhuo: *Fools who think a few pretty words will win over a beauty.*

"Miss Tang, though it may be presumptuous, I must ask—do you happen to have a special someone?"

Fang Zhuo: *Give it up! She’s my wife.*

"Miss Tang, I also love calligraphy. I hope someday we might have the chance to discuss it together."

Fang Zhuo: *Discuss, my ass—you won’t even set foot in my house.*

...

Holding a champagne flute, Fang Zhuo didn’t even get the chance to explain his relationship with Tang Qing before being elbowed out by this frenzied crowd of flies.

How dare they! Outrageous!

Not only are they openly flirting with my wife right in front of me, but they’ve even pushed me, the husband, aside!