Title: ChongFei Manual
Author: 风荷游月
Chapter: 036.1 out of 171
The guard blocked her path and explained, “Fourth miss, our prince has something he wants to say to you.”
This guard was Yang Hao. He had been hiding in Duke Ying’s residence for almost three months. He had long become familiar with this residence’s topography. He was strong and healthy and his martial art skills were outstanding. During these three months, no one had discovered him. Even Wei Luo didn’t know that her every movement was being monitored.
Wei Luo could only stop walking and turn around to look at Zhao Jie.
Her small face was prim and proper when she said, “What does big brother want to say to me? Why did you bring me here? If someone discovers that I’m missing, daddy will worry.”
Zhao Jie stood up and told her to come closer, “I heard that you grew your adult tooth, so I came here give you a congratulatory present.”
Wei Luo blinked and looked at him in puzzlement.
Today, there were two reasons for the banquet at Duke Ying’s residence. One reason was Duke Ying’s sixty birthday. The second reason was Wei Chang Mi’s one month old birthday. Neither of these reasons had anything to do with her. Why was he giving her a gift? “Grew her adult tooth” What a ridiculously offensive reason. Was he really not deliberately teasing her?
But no matter what his reason was, it was still a happy occasion to receive a gift. Wei Luo looked up. Her small face was surrounded by the white fur from the hood of her cloak.
Her beautiful face seemed as if it was carved out of white jade, “What gift?”
Zhao Jie thought she looked a little bit adorable and reached his hand out to scratch her nose, "What do you want?"
Wei Luo wanted to roll her eyes, but answered the question in a way that would attract people’s affection, “As long as it's given by big brother Prince Jing, Ah Luo will like it.”
What a clever and quick-witted child! Zhao Jie couldn’t help laughing softly.
From his sleeve, he took out a bag embroidered with persimmon stems and handed it over to her, “For you.”
Wei Luo received it and pinched the bag with her fingers. There was something hard inside, but she couldn’t guess what was it was.
She curiously asked, “Can I open it to look?”
Zhao Jie nodded to express that she could.
She lowered her head and untied the red string. From inside the bag, she took out a circular reddish orange jade pendant that was completely transparent. It was bright and glimmering. One look showed that it was good jade. But why did he give her a jade pendant? Ah Luo tilted her head and swayed the item back and forth in the palm of her hand
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“Big brother, what kind of jade pendant is this?”
Zhao Jie took the jade from her hand and had her stand in front of him. As he leaned over to help her wear it on her neck, he explained, “This is called hong yu. When you wear it in winter, it’ll heat up and keep you warm, so you won’t fall sick as easily.”
Wei Luo obediently stood there without moving. At first the jade pendant was cold as it hanged from her neck, but afterwards, it started to gradually become warmer. The mild heat was very comfortable. She looked at Zhao Jie with a pleasantly surprised expression.
Her round eyes curved as she smiled, “It really does heat up.”
When Zhao Jie leaned over to tie the jade pendant, he was very close to her. After he was done, he looked at her with clear full moon eyes.
His lips were slightly curved and he asked with a gentle voice, “Do you like it?”
She nodded and looked at him to say, “I like it.”
Liking was the correct answer. This jade pendant was a difficult to find treasure. When he had been dispatched to Wurong, he had relied on this jade pendant to keep himself warm. Wurong was in the northwest. Once it was winter, it was devastatingly cold. People would often freeze to death.
He had worn this jade pendant for three years. And now that he gave it to her, he didn’t feel any regret.
During this period of time, he had been listening to Yang Hao report about the situation in Duke Ying’s residence, and he understood what was going on. Wei Luo’s stepmother had given birth to a son that had been given to fourth madam to raise. Wei Kun was powerless and incapable. He couldn’t provide Wei Luo a peaceful and stable environment to grow up in, so Zhao Jie could only secretly lend him a helping hand. In his eyes, Du-shi and Liu-shi were only droplets in the sea. Once he finished off Liu-shi‘s parents’ family, his next target would be Count Zhongyi’s family.
When he thought of the arranged marriage between Count Zhongyi’s Song Hui and Wei Luo, Zhao Jie paused for a moment. He wondered if Wei Luo would blame him when the time came. But, never mind. That wasn’t important. When she grew up, he would find her a better husband. Song Hui’s qualifications weren't very outstanding.
After he turned over this plan in his mind, Zhao Jie looked at the delicate little dumpling face in front of him.
He said this as if the thought had just occurred to him, “Ah Luo, this prince’s birthday is next month."
Wei Luo was confused. Why was he telling her this? Should she say an early birthday greeting to him?
He rubbed her head, “At that time, this prince will send you an invitation. Do you know what is meant by proper behavior is based on reciprocity?"
So what he means is that since he gave her a gift, she has to give him a gift too?
Wei Luo already knew that there weren’t free lunches in the world. After such a roundabout way, this was his original intention! She dragged out a soft “oh”. Since he had already spoken, she couldn’t refuse.
“What does big brother want as a gift? Ah Luo will give it.”
Zhao Jie used her previous words to reply, “As long as it's given by Ah Luo, this prince will like it.”
Wei Luo, “…”
Fine, she was only a child. Her gifts didn’t need to be too expensive. It would be okay if she casually prepared a gift. It wasn’t a difficult task. Other than this, there wasn’t anything else he needed to say to her, right?
Zhao Jie seemed to be able to see through her thoughts. He got up and said, “Let’s go. The banquet should have started. It wouldn’t be good if we were too late.”
Wei Luo followed him out of the courtyard. As they walked, she looked in the direction of the verandah. Wei Chang Yin and Liang Yurong had already disappeared. She didn’t know where they went.
The bits and pieces of snowflakes were still unceasingly falling down. In a short time, they covered the ground in a thin layer of snow. Wei Luo stepped down on it and left behind a small footprint.
A pair of large and small footprints was left behind as they walked to the front of the residence. They finally stopped at the entrance to the receiving room.
Coincidentally, Wei Kun was going outside. When he saw the two of them, he sighed in relief.
“Your highness, where did you go? The servants looked everywhere for you.” He lowered his head to ask Wei Luo, “Ah Luo, why are with you with his highness Prince Jing?”
Zhao Jie took off his overcoat that was embroidered with golden serpents and handed it to Yang Hao, then he explained, “This prince was walking around and ended up being lost in a courtyard with a bamboo forest. Luckily, I met Ah Luo. She guided this prince out.”
As Wei Kun listened, he suddenly realized, “The Bamboo Courtyard had been deserted for a long time. Usually, very few people pass through there. Your highness suffered a grievance.”
After he said this, he made a gesture to invite him inside, “The banquet has started. Please go inside your highness. My father has been waiting for you.”
Zhao Jie moved forward a step to go inside. When he had walked two steps, he turned his head to look at Wei Luo who was still standing at the doorway. He raised his lips in slight smile, didn’t say anything, and then continued walking inside.
But, Wei Luo understood his meaning. He was clearly reminding her, don’t forget “courtesy demands reciprocity".