Chapter 363 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (20)

Chapter 363: The Stiff Wife in a Republic of China Era Story (20)

Before Tang Qing could speak, Xiao He, who was standing nearby, hurriedly reminded, "Young Master Yan, our young mistress is still the young madam of the Fang family, after all."

"It's... not proper to call her that."

Xiao He's words hit right on Yan Ningcheng's hidden thoughts.

Indeed, he had...

Gone too far.

Just as he was about to correct himself, Tang Qing actually said his name!

"Yan Ningcheng."

Just his name.

In that instant!

His heart felt like a pounding drum, overwhelmed by a wave of emotion, the raw intensity threatening to burst forth at any moment!

Love's anguish wears you down.

Yet this hint of sweetness was surprisingly exhilarating...

Yan Ningcheng finally dropped all his guards, allowing his gaze to rest freely on Tang Qing.

Wild desire and yearning spread, the burning passion so intense that even Xiao He was the first to blush.

This Young Master Yan...

This was the second time.

He must have feelings for my young mistress, right?

Vaguely sensing something, Xiao He couldn't help but compare Yan Ningcheng to the lady's husband.

In terms of looks, both were outstanding.

In terms of family background, they were comparable.

In terms of personality—no contest!

Perhaps...

Switching husbands might not be so bad?

After all, the young master of the Fang family was always going on about a divorce by mutual consent with the young mistress...

That idea opened doors.

Suddenly, it all clicked!

"Young mistress!"

"I have something to attend to!"

Belatedly, Xiao He was hit with a sudden, inexplicable sense of conviction!

Making up some random excuse, "I've got soup simmering in the kitchen; I need to go check on it now..."

Before Tang Qing could say anything, Xiao He sneakily darted away, leaving just Tang Qing and Yan Ningcheng alone.

"Are you planning to stay with the Fang family forever?"

The sudden question made Yan Ningcheng think of Mrs. Fang's attitude earlier today, and he slightly furrowed his brows.

Mrs. Fang had always been polished, putting on a good front in front of others.

However, reading between the lines of her words, one could still sense that Mrs. Fang had no real affection for Tang Qing.

Unloved by her husband and disliked by her in-laws.

Such a situation...

Yan Ningcheng asked again, "Will you get a mutual divorce?"

It was a question he shouldn’t have asked.

Yet, at this moment, he couldn’t help but ask, unable to resist asking.

Yan Ningcheng knew very well it was his own desires getting the better of him.

"I probably will."

"According to Fang Zhuo, there’s no need for the two of us to stay tied together forever."

With Tang Qing’s words, his heart, restless for many days, the eager restlessness, suddenly felt like it had direction...

If she could get a mutual divorce...

Just this single assumption made those improper thoughts, those boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed, feel precarious again.

On the other side.

After fleeing the front hall, Xiao He didn’t go to the kitchen at all.

Hiding by the wall's corner, trying to stay half-hidden, she looked every bit like a thief, her eyes scanning all around while her ears strained as if they could stretch eight yards, trying to catch every word between her young lady and Young Master Yan...

"What are you doing here?"

Just as she was craning to see and hear, she suddenly heard Fang Zhuo’s voice!

It's the young master!

Xiao He instantly straightened up!

"Young master... it’s you." Putting on a fake smile, Xiao He took a step forward, purposely blocking Fang Zhuo’s path!

"Young master, are you heading out?"

"Yeah, I have matters to attend to."

Not overthinking it, Fang Zhuo stepped around Xiao He.

Unexpectedly, Xiao He suddenly spread her arms and blocked his way!

"What's this?"

"Can I help you?"

Squinting his eyes, Young Master Fang looked at Xiao He in a weird tone, "Why're you in my way?"

This little maid brought by Tang Qing was sharp-tongued and scheming. Blocking him at this moment...

She must have some shady purpose.

"Um... Sir..."

Her eyes darting wildly, Xiao He asked awkwardly, "Are you hungry?"

"Today I specially prepared a beauty-enhancing..."

"No, a calming soup! Young Master, you’ve been working non-stop on the factory matter—it must be exhausting!"

Trying to lead him another way, Xiao He was clearly blatantly lying, but Fang Zhuo saw through her.

"Why can’t I go this way?"

"Who's up there?"

Who else could it be?

Of course, it’s the young lady and the new young master!

Her smile growing increasingly awkward, Xiao He couldn’t think of a single good excuse, yet she stood her ground stubbornly, blocking Fang Zhuo’s path!

"I..."

"Young Master... how about... some soup? Really!"

After stammering for a bit, just as she was growing anxious...

Fang Zhuo, too impatient to wait, shoved Xiao He aside.

"Weird."

"What’s all this about soup or no soup? Making up crap to stop me like this..."

"Let me see who's up there..."

Just as the young master was about to step past the corner!

Xiao He freaked and rushed over to stop Fang Zhuo.

She was just about to grab the young master—when her young lady’s voice rang out!

"Xiao He."

Miss!

Are you done talking?

Xiao He quickly looked back, and sure enough...

Young Master Yan had already left.

Her heart, which had been pounding, suddenly settled, and Xiao He quickly withdrew her outstretched arm!

“It’s you?”

Seeing that it was Tang Qing, Fang Zhuo finally realized that Xiao He had been blocking him earlier, likely to protect Tang Qing.

Shooting a suspicious glance around, Young Master Fang asked, “Who were you just meeting?”

“Why didn’t Xiao He want me to see you?”

“Are you hiding someone from me?”

Fang Zhuo fired off three questions in a row, his tone clearly displeased.

From the little maid’s reaction, it was as if she were keeping watch for her lady!

In response to Fang Zhuo’s questioning, Tang Qing replied calmly, “Xiao He overreacted a little. There’s no need for you to take it to heart.”

“Duke Gelong is quite fond of my calligraphy and paintings and asked me to paint another one for him.”

“A few days ago, I completed a new piece, ‘The Heart Sutra,’ and asked…” She paused briefly before continuing, “Young Master Yan to deliver it for me.”

“Yan Ningcheng?” Mulling over his friend’s name, Fang Zhuo’s curiosity instantly vanished as he understood. “Oh, it’s him.”

That wasn’t surprising at all.

He had thought Tang Qing had arranged to meet someone special…

His friend was the most proper and old-fashioned type; even ten beauties circling him wouldn’t get a rise out of him.

With Tang Qing and him together, it was probably no big deal.

“Ning Cheng has his own things to do.”

Fang Zhuo still felt the need to remind her, “But delivering calligraphy and paintings—such small errands really shouldn’t trouble him.”

He’s just too nice.

He takes on all sorts of tasks in the small garden, even accepting Tang Qing’s paintings.

As he watched Tang Qing standing calmly before him, a sudden breeze gently brushed aside the strands of hair near her brows. Looking into her calm, clear eyes, Fang Zhuo blurted out:

“You could’ve asked me too.”

Surprised by the young master’s offer to help, Tang Qing looked up and happened to catch Fang Zhuo’s a bit of an awkward look. The young master added, “I’ve actually…”

“...had some matters to discuss with the duke lately.”

Clearing his throat, Fang Zhuo said, “I’m headed that way anyway.”