TCN: Mei Gongqing

Chapter 98: Is Wang Qilang Attached Or Indifferent? (1)

Chapter 98: Is Wang Qilang Attached Or Indifferent? (1)

How close he was leaning!

Chen Rong shrank back by reflex. When she turned her gaze, she caught numerous eyes burning with jealousy.

Although she was occupied enough, Chen Rong didn't forget to glance at Zhang Xiang. At this time, he was looking at her and Wang Hong with a faint admiration in his eyes – the kind of admiration one might have for a well-matched couple.

Chen Rong's heart pounded: Among the thousands of scholars in the world, this stranger named Zhang Xiang might very well be the only one who doesn't mind my humble background and tainted reputation. Although I've forgotten his face the moment I looked away, although he himself might have only said it jokingly, shouldn't I at least give it a try?

She turned her head in Wang Hong's direction at this point in her thought.

He was smiling at her. Without her realizing it until now, his carriage had been driving alongside hers, separated by less than an arm's length.

Glancing at him, Chen Rong bowed from her seat and politely said in a crystalline voice: "I thank you for asking, sir. I'm in good health; I even had two bowls of rice at lunch."

Upon hearing her words, a girl was quick to laugh: "What did I say? Qilang was simply making inquiries; he's not that close to her."

The surrounding stares simmered down.

It was to Chen Rong's satisfaction. She turned back at Wang Hong.

Again, she saw his faint smiling eyes that looked as gentle as it did taunting.

She dropped her gaze to avoid them, gave their owner a bow and said to Old Shang, "Let's go."

The carriage began rolling and easily entered the prince's estate.

A long line filed in front of them while another waited behind.

Chen Rong stared at the quartized road to force herself from looking back.

The road was narrow, and could only accommodate two vehicles running side by side.

While her eyes were glued to the road ahead, her ears were alert to the surrounding sounds. Just as she reached for her curtain after not hearing his familiar voice, she caught another carriage running beside her – was it not Wang Hong's? Heaven, how could he have passed all the other vehicles so quickly?

As Chen Rong stared in surprise at Wang Hong's carriage, he laughed and came closer to her. He looked at her with a smile so gentle that it could drown her alive.

Chen Rong's heart suddenly palpitated. But forthwith, she decidedly turned her head and dropped the curtain.

Just as she did so, she heard his charming voice speak: "You're being very clear-cut, darling. Your eyes can't sparkle any brighter to see the young man. Or do you wish to clarify yourself again? How soon you discard your old love." Then he sadly added, "You can be quite cruel!"

Chen Rong's hand froze on the curtain. Her smile stiffened. A while later, she rigidly turned to look at him. When she saw his quiet eyes, something like guilt and discomfort flickered across her face.

It was just like Wang Hong to make snide remarks so mildly. Even so, they had carried the weighty accusation that her confession to him that day had been a lie.

And yet his voice was too sweet, his eyes too quiet. Momentarily, Chen Rong was wracked with guilt.

Soon, her shame dissolved into emptiness. She stared at his intricately embroidered white robe and mumbled back: "But you can't marry me!"