Chapter 131: Returning a Favor to You

Peace and tranquility returned once more to the riverbank.

Some were catching fish, others were roasting meat, those who had yogurt continued to cradle their small bowls with pure enjoyment, while those tasked with watching the children... still wore expressions of profound grievance.

Only Old Nine Wu was somewhat provoking, whispering sweet nothings with Qin Miaoniang, acting all lovey-dovey and inseparable, to the envy of everyone watching.

"I say," Wu Lao Ba muttered, holding a grass carp as he climbed ashore while taking a jab at Old Nine.

"Can you have a little decency? In broad daylight, aren't you ashamed of yourself? We are embarrassed for you!"

"Come on!" Wu Ning was not one to let him get away with it. "Recite the rules of propriety for me right now."

How could Wu Li recite any rules of propriety? He was left utterly choked by Wu Ning's retort. Yet this fellow was no ordinary man; he spun around and declared, "Lord Chongrun, your turn! Recite one for him to hear!"

"Me?" Li Chongrun, standing nearby, was momentarily startled. This guy really knew how to put someone on the spot. "The *Classic of Rites* or the *Classic of Filial Piety*?"

Puff!

Even Princess Taiping burst out laughing.

"You're learning to be mischievous too, child."

The *Classic of Filial Piety*? Wasn't that taking advantage of Wu Ning by treating him like a junior?

Old Nine Wu was left fuming as well. Not a single one of these literati was any good; they could curse you without using a single dirty word.

Straightening his posture, ignoring the blushing Qin Miaoniang who hid shyly behind his back, he shamelessly said, "Just admit you're jealous."

"Don't worry, big brother will definitely not laugh at you bunch of lonely bachelors!"

As they spoke, Chef Luo's mutton was almost done roasting, and Li Wenbo had already laid out the picnic blanket. Everyone gathered around in a circle.

Wu Ning casually beckoned Huzi over. "Come here, sit by big brother, and don't mix with this bunch of single dogs."

"Okay!" Huzi scampered over happily, his chubby face not forgetting to cast a triumphant sideways glance at Old Ba and Old Eleven.

That infuriated Old Eleven. "What are you so smug about?! Whether that marriage of yours will actually happen is still up in the air!"

"That fourth daughter of the Chen family might just end up marrying someone else, you know."

"Uh." Huzi's momentum faltered instantly, and he turned to grab the hem of Wu Ning's robe. "Ninth Brother!! Help me."

"..."

Seeing Huzi's foolish and earnest look, Wu Ning couldn't help but smile, recalling how last year this fellow didn't even want a wife, complaining that sleeping on the same brick bed was too crowded.

"What's wrong? Is your mother still dragging her feet?"

"Of course she is," Old Ba chimed in. "That seventh aunt of ours—knowing that nobody else would take Chen Siniang besides Huzi—if she doesn't use this opportunity to extort a fortune, she wouldn't be our seventh aunt!"

Hearing Wu Lao Ba say this, Wu Ning could only shake his head, left completely speechless.

This marriage match had been dragging on for two or three months, ever since the Chinese New Year.

Logically speaking, it was a good match. Even if Huzi were to move into the bride's family as a resident son-in-law, it wouldn't be a bad thing for him, and even the Grandfather Patriarch had already stepped in to mediate.

Yet nobody expected Seventh Aunt to stir up trouble even over her son's wedding, stubbornly refusing to agree to matrilocal marriage. But given the conditions of Huzi's family, how could they possibly afford a bride price or host a proper wedding?

It was crystal clear: seeing that old man Chen was wealthy, she simply wanted to take advantage and reap some benefits.

Besides, even if they could afford it and Seventh Aunt agreed, old man Chen wouldn't consent anyway—was he supposed to send his daughter over just to eat coarse grain and vegetable bran?

And so, the matter had remained stuck in this stalemate.

The Grandfather Patriarch's stance was to let things rest for a while; once Seventh Aunt came to her senses, it would naturally fall into place.

"Ninth Brother, you have to help me!"

Huzi still clung to Wu Ning, refusing to let go. "My mother is most afraid of you. If you go talk to her, she definitely won't dare say no."

"..."

Wu Ning smiled bitterly. "My foolish brother, it's not that simple."

Seventh Aunt was indeed afraid of him, but some matters were simply beyond what he could persuade her to do.

"Just wait!" He patted Huzi on the shoulder. "Chances are, once we make some money this year, Ninth Brother will handle your wedding for you."

"The Grandfather Patriarch said the exact same thing."

Old Ba chimed in again, glaring at Huzi. "Even though this blockhead only knows how to eat, he's still our own brother, we can't just ignore him."

At this, Wu Lao Ba turned around and plastered a flattering smile on his face as he looked at Wu Ning. "Ninth Brother, look here. Since you're already taking care of this fatty, how about... you do me a small favor as well?"

"Get lost!"

......

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone burst into loud laughter. Wu Lao Ba's obsequious expression was truly comical.

While laughing, Old Eleven didn't forget to instruct Huzi, "Foolish brother, don't you dare tell your mother about this!"

"Oh."

Huzi rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't that stupid; telling his mother would undoubtedly stir up some new trouble.

——————————

"Thank you!"

While everyone was in high spirits, deeply enjoying the glorious spring scenery, Princess Taiping suddenly walked over to Wu Ning's side and dropped those words, catching Old Nine Wu somewhat off guard.

Staring wide-eyed at Taiping, he asked, "What are you up to? Let's make this clear first: if you're choosing a consort, I can't help you with that."

"Haha."

Taiping had been quite serious, but Wu Ning's remark amused her so much that she burst into hearty laughter.

"Rest assured, this princess doesn't need your help for my own affairs."

"..." Wu Ning mused for a moment. "If I remember correctly, the first time Your Highness came to see me, it seemed to be about choosing a consort, wasn't it?"

Taiping's face flushed red. "You!!!"

"Never mind, never mind." Seeing when to stop, Wu Ning changed the subject smoothly. "Tell me then, what are you thanking me for?"

Taiping looked over toward Li Guo'er and Li Chongrun. "They..."

"What about them?"

"They are becoming more and more like children from normal families."

Taiping remembered that six years ago, when Li Chongrun was sent out of the capital, he was merely three years old. Yet even at just three, the drastic ups and downs he had experienced were beyond ordinary comprehension.

From the crown prince's grandson favored by the late emperor to a royal outcast born of a deposed emperor; from having his own imperial household established before turning one to being demoted to a commoner by a single imperial decree...

Perhaps Li Chongrun was too young back then to understand what those things meant, but that experience was inevitably branded into his life.

As for Li Guo'er, she had it even worse than her older brother. She was born along the road while her father was being banished, lacking even clothes to wrap around herself, let alone any royal status.

The precarious and difficult plight of their parents filled the childhood of these two children with oppression and humiliation, making them witness the cold warmth of the world at an exceedingly tender age.

She still remembered a few months ago when Taiping first arrived in Fangzhou and saw these two children for the first time; they were like two frightened little fawns huddled together, their eyes filled with nothing but terror.

Although Taiping's heart ached for them, bound by the political situation and her mother's ambiguous attitude toward her deposed brother, she could do nothing.

It was Wu Ning who helped them, who helped the Li family. At the very least, these two children could now sit here happily and enjoy the spring scenery just like normal children.

......

"That's true, I suppose!"

Hearing Taiping put it that way, Wu Ning felt it made sense. Being able to let these two children act more like children was a virtuous deed, so there was no need for modesty.

Well, Old Nine Wu apparently didn't know the meaning of modesty anyway.

"Very well, I'll accept this expression of gratitude!"

Upon hearing this, Taiping gave him a sideways glance. "I knew it, you wouldn't be polite at all."

"In that..." Princess Taiping drew out her tone playfully. "Then does Her Highness need to repay you with a favor?"

"Repay me with a favor?" Wu Ning asked doubtfully. "It seems like it's always you who owes me favors, doesn't it?"

"Hoh," Taiping chuckled dryly. "Then this time, it's going to be you owing me one."

"What is this about?"

Taiping smiled mysteriously. "This princess received some news from the guards this morning."

"What news?"

"Wang Hongyi wants to take another concubine."

"A concubine?" Wu Ning widened his eyes, his mind spinning rapidly.

Wang Hongyi wanted to take a concubine, and he even made sure Taiping noticed, claiming it could repay a favor owed to him??

"!!!"

At that thought, Old Nine Wu lost his composure and instinctively glanced at Qin Miaoniang sitting beside him.

"C-Could that old bastard have set his sights on Miaoniang?!"