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Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Zhan Lan Arranges a Private Meeting with Wang Qingchen
The next day, Mu Yan had no official duties and was resting at home.
He was in a good mood; according to the message from Lu Luo, his spy in the palace, Si Yao seemed to like Wang Qingchen quite a bit.
His efforts had not been in vain.
He was reading happily when he heard the knocking of Vermilion Bird.
Mu Yan listened as Vermilion Bird stuttered, "Master, Miss Zhan Lan has arranged a private meeting with Wang Qingchen today."
Mu Yan put down his book and looked toward Vermilion Bird, "Where have they gone?"
Vermilion Bird hemmed and hawed, "My subordinates followed them."
Mu Yan frowned, what did Zhan Lan want to do by arranging a private meeting with Wang Qingchen alone?
Wang Qingchen, sitting in the carriage, did not expect Zhan Lan to invite him to a slum.
Ding’an City was divided into the inner and outer city, and around the outer city were some haphazardly constructed thatched huts, adobe houses, and even some people living under thatched shelters open to the winds.
The environment here was even worse than Xiaohe Village.
It was said that poor and bad lands bred thugs, and to prevent any mishaps, Zhan Lan brought Hidden Guards with her into the manor.
Wang Qingchen looked at the dilapidated manor, where a decayed smell wafted everywhere.
Old people huddled their necks, warming themselves by the fire, while children eyed their carriage rapaciously.
Wang Qingchen looked at the sneaky children. Those under ten years old had eyes revealing decadence, greed, despair.
Their eyes spelled out that to live, one had to snatch from the hands of others.
Wang Qingchen pulled down the carriage curtain, his mood complicated. 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Zhan Lan brought Hidden Guards, guarding all around the carriage, so the children, seeing the swords, didn’t dare approach.
Wang Qingchen’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he felt stifled, and he asked curiously, "Miss Zhan, why bring me here?"
Zhan Lan said solemnly, "I want Mr. Wang to see that these people are also subjects of Nanjin, living on the edge of life and death. For a bite to eat, to survive, they could rob, harm, or even disregard human relationships..."
Wang Qingchen did not expect Zhan Lan’s invitation to be about witnessing the lives of the poor.
The faint expectation he harbored for Zhan Lan emotionally was extinguished. Wang Qingchen sighed, "Miss Zhan, this is my first time in such a place. Now, there are more refugees and poor people. The situation in the court is complicated. You and I have already entered into court affairs. Is Miss Zhan trying to remind me of something?"
Zhan Lan liked Wang Qingchen’s quick-wittedness, a person who could understand the meaning behind words without having to spell it out.
They drove the carriage away from the manor together, stopping in front of a pavilion where Hidden Guards lit a fire. Zhan Lan and Wang Qingchen sat around the fire.
Zhan Lan spoke frankly, "Mr. Wang is a great talent, and I admire your abilities, but the current political situation in the court seems to be a mutual restraint, but with undercurrents surging. The lives of the lowest stratum are not easy. If Mr. Wang is willing to observe the current situation before deciding to enter the world, I think it would be better."
Wang Qingchen gazed into Zhan Lan’s eyes, which sparked and burned like stars, entranced by their beauty and clarity.
Wang Qingchen’s eyes flickered for a moment, then looking down, he said, "Does Miss Zhan hope I will wait for the right moment to choose a true leader?"
Zhan Lan didn’t expect Wang Qingchen’s comprehension to be so extraordinary, and instead of answering, she responded with a question, "Yesterday, did you meet the Princess? You are very astute, so you should know that some people hope you can become the Prince Consort of the ruling dynasty."
Wang Qingchen chuckled wryly, "Though the Nanjin Prince Consort is allowed to participate in government, it is only because His Majesty wants to give the royal family more leverage. I also do not like the Princess; she is not a suitable match for me."
He poked at the campfire with a small stick, sparks crackling and bursting. His gaze was resolute, "Moreover, I detest being manipulated by others; I only like making my own choices."
Zhan Lan now knew why Wang Qingchen ultimately chose Si Jun.
Because the other party respected him, trusted him; years ago, to take Wang Qingchen under his command, Si Jun did many things that moved him.
"How does the gentleman plan to deal with the Princess Consort?" Zhan Lan asked.
Wang Qingchen mustered his courage again, looking directly into Zhan Lan’s bright eyes. As their eyes met, he saw sincerity and respect in her gaze.
But he saw not a trace of romantic sentiment.
Eventually, Wang Qingchen smiled, lowered his eyes, and said, "Becoming the Scholarly Champion was just to let those who appreciate me see me, Miss Zhan is right, now is not a good time to engage with the world. After returning home from the academy yesterday, I already have a countermeasure, and you will see it tomorrow, Miss."
Zhan Lan nodded gently, bowing her head in agreement, "Sir, I have said all there is to say today, please take good care."
Wang Qingchen could see the respect and recognition of his talents in Zhan Lan’s eyes.
Zhan Lan’s address for him had changed from Mr. Wang to Sir; Wang Qingchen understood that Zhan Lan was intentionally wooing him.
He could tell from Zhan Lan’s poetry and literature that they shared the same ideals and ambitions.
The only thing Wang Qingchen did not know was whether Zhan Lan was wooing him for the sake of the Zhan Family or for herself?
However, for Wang Qingchen, being admired by a woman he secretly cherished was a joyful matter.
The two took the carriage back to Ding’an City together. After Wang Qingchen alighted from the carriage, he first entered a teahouse, had some tea, and then left on his own.
Zhan Lan took the carriage back to her residence. On the way, her thoughts were turbulent; it was fine as long as Wang Qingchen didn’t want to be with Si Yao.
As long as Wang Qingchen wasn’t a strategist for the Si Family in the future, it was fine.
However, she was also looking forward to how Wang Qingchen would resolve his crisis tomorrow.
...
Early the next morning, Zhan Lan heard a piece of news.
Wang Qingchen suddenly became paralyzed in his legs overnight and had to use a wheelchair.
Zhan Lan was watering the Lu Luo in the room when she heard this, and her lips curled up in a smile, admiring Wang Qingchen’s ingenious plan.
Emperor Xuanwu would never allow a son-in-law in a wheelchair to become part of the Si Family.
He probably was also very angry that a top scorer had become a man with disabled legs.
A few days later, when Princess Consort Si Yao asked to meet Wang Qingchen again, she saw that he could no longer move his legs.
He came in a wheelchair, and the Princess Consort, a person who pursued perfection and could not tolerate flaws, simply made small talk and took her leave upon seeing his crippled legs.
Wang Qingchen’s legs were immobile; was she supposed to marry a ’useless’ person? Moreover, they might even lose the chance of having children.
Thinking of this, the Princess Consort abandoned the thought of further understanding Wang Qingchen.
Unlike Zhan Lan’s delight, Mu Yan’s face turned somber upon hearing the news.
After Zhan Lan met with Wang Qingchen, and the next day he was in a wheelchair, Mu Yan suspected the plot was Zhan Lan’s idea.
Zhan Lan actually went against him to prevent Wang Qingchen from becoming the Prince Consort!
Mu Yan’s chest heaved with intense emotions, his expression displeased, what was so good about Wang Qingchen that Zhan Lan would go to such lengths?
