Fairies Are Fierce

Chapter 19: Fanning the Flames

In the bright spring of February, thousands of sails gathered on the river in Linhe Fang, where merchants and travelers from the north and south would dock briefly before quickly moving on to the next destination in their journey of life.

Facing the riverbank, the small tavern's flag fluttered in the spring breeze.

Tang Jinghuan, dressed in a dark silk skirt, crossed her arms over her chest and looked somewhat bored as she watched the people coming and going at the door.

Being alone, no matter how many people passed by the door, wouldn't leave much of an impression on anyone. The meaning of "passerby" is just like that.

When there were no customers in the tavern, Tang Jinghuan often daydreamed like this, watching the setting sun and the changing clouds, her thoughts wandering thousands of miles away like the clouds in the sky.

But for some reason today, when she was daydreaming, her mind was a bit focused, always thinking about one person.

Tang Jinghuan had met many people, but she was familiar with very few. She had some interaction with Zuo Lingquan and they got along well. She knew that he was running for the position of the imperial consort today, and her thoughts inevitably turned to the Qiyun Terrace in the eastern city.

Although Zuo Lingquan didn't want to be the imperial consort, Tang Jinghuan still felt that he was very suitable for the position.

Because Zuo Lingquan's character, appearance, and family background were all excellent, she couldn't imagine which woman, other than the beautiful Princess Chang, could be worthy of Zuo Lingquan.

"Ah..."

Tang Jinghuan sighed softly, feeling a bit tempted to go to Qiyun Terrace to see the excitement. But with her identity, it was obvious that she couldn't go. At this moment, she could only look towards the street to the east, seeking solace.

However, when she glanced over, she noticed a leisurely old constable with a knife walking in the middle of the small street.

Tang Jinghuan's expression brightened, and she became spirited. She returned to the tavern, took a warm jug of wine, and when the old constable passed by the door, she called out in a clear voice:

"Old Zhang, why are you patrolling the streets in broad daylight? Come in and have a few drinks, I'll treat you."

Old Zhang, the constable, had come for the wine in the first place, so naturally he didn't refuse. He entered the tavern and sat by the window, laughing:

"Jinghuan, you're usually so obsessed with money, why are you being so polite today?"

Tang Jinghuan did have a bit of a money-loving nature. After all, she had lived alone for so long, and if she didn't know how to budget carefully, how could she run a business? However, being called money-loving by someone, Tang Jinghuan definitely wouldn't be happy. She slammed the wine jug heavily on the table:

"Huh? Have I not treated you to drinks enough before? Every time you bring your colleagues, haven't I given you a discount?"

"That's true."

Old Zhang was already used to this attitude. He laughed and picked up the wine jug, pouring a bowl for himself.

Tang Jinghuan snorted lightly, sat down by the warm wine stove, and looked around, asking:

"Old Zhang, do you know about the selection of the imperial consort at Qiyun Terrace?"

Old Zhang and Tang Jinghuan's father were old friends, and he had watched Tang Jinghuan grow up since she was young, so he knew her character very well. He casually lifted the wine bowl and said:

"I'm just patrolling the streets, but with so many important people at Qiyun Terrace, of course I was there. I just finished my busy work and came here to rest."

Tang Jinghuan's eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up, took a plate of peanuts and placed it on the table, and sat down across from him:

"So, what's the result? Which young master became the imperial consort?"

Old Zhang took a sip of yellow wine and smacked his lips. "This is a long story. It can't be finished without a couple of pots of wine."

"Hey--"

Tang Jingrong narrowed her eyes, feeling a bit angry, but thinking about Zuo Lingquan's situation, she couldn't help but feel curious. In the end, she got up and brought another pot of wine to the table.

"Speak quickly."

Only then was Old Zhang satisfied and began to speak.

"Who else could be chosen? The other day, we encountered Young Master Zuo. He comes from a respectable family, has both good looks and character. The princess has a discerning eye, so naturally she chose him."

Although Tang Jingrong had already anticipated that Zuo Lingquan would be chosen, she was still a bit surprised when it was confirmed. She nodded slowly and her expression changed again. She picked up the wine she had just put down.

"Is a single sentence worth two pots of wine? I feel like even half a pot is a loss..."

"Hey, wait, I haven't finished yet."

Old Zhang raised his hand, gesturing for Tang Jingrong to put down the wine, and continued.

"The selection of the husband is not suspenseful, but what happens after the selection is interesting."

Tang Jingrong blinked and put the wine back, asking.

"What? Young Master Zuo doesn't want to be the husband and refused the princess's marriage on the spot?"

At this point, Tang Jingrong became anxious and stood up.

"Is he going to be dragged out and beheaded?"

"What are you thinking? Young Master Zuo is not foolish."

Old Zhang sneered and shook his head. "Young Master Zuo is just a commoner after all. When the princess chose him, he couldn't refuse. However, your old and immortal second grandfather came out again today and started spreading rumors."

Upon hearing this, Tang Jingrong's face darkened slightly. Thinking of the incident yesterday when that woman spread rumors, she guessed what was going on.

"That old and immortal, is he spreading false rumors to harm Young Master Zuo?"

Old Zhang lived in Linhe Lane. He had helped Tang Jingrong find someone to reason with during the family property dispute, so naturally he had no good impression of the Chen family.

"Yes, he said that you and Young Master Zuo spent the night together, unclear and inappropriate, so Young Master Zuo cannot be the husband."

Snap--

Tang Jingrong lightly slapped the table, her eyebrows raised in anger. She wanted to curse a few words, but she was worried that rumors would really spread outside. She quickly asked.

"How did Young Master Zuo respond?"

"How else could he respond? You should know Young Master Zuo's character."

Tang Jingrong nodded slowly. Although she had only known Zuo Lingquan for a few days, she understood his character very well. He would never let himself be slandered.

"That's good. The Chen family will definitely not let it go, right? Did the princess misunderstand anything?"

Old Zhang chuckled and his eyes looked a bit strange.

"After spending a night together as an unmarried man and woman, even if Lord Zuo had a hundred mouths, he wouldn't be able to explain it clearly. The princess also couldn't figure out the truth, but the princess didn't misunderstand anything, and..."

Tang Jingru listened attentively, but she found that Old Zhang was teasing her, so she glared at him.

"And what? If you don't say it, I'll pour the wine."

"He made a promise, saying that if Lord Zuo is willing, he can bring you in as well. The princess can be considered your sister in the future, so as to avoid any difficulties for Lord Zuo."

Tang Jingru was stunned for a moment, and it took her a while to understand the meaning of these words. She found it a bit unbelievable.

"The princess is so generous? If Lord Zuo and I have a secret relationship, she's willing to bring me in as well?"

Old Zhang nodded. "Yes, Jingru, are you willing?"

Tang Jingru frowned her eyebrows and actually considered it for a moment, but her answer came quickly.

"What a joke. Lord Zuo and I are completely innocent. If I really agreed, wouldn't it confirm that we have a secret relationship? Even if he agrees, I won't agree... But as a common woman, it seems that I can't refuse either..."

Thinking of this, Tang Jingru became anxious.

"Lord Zuo wouldn't really agree, right? How could he do this! I won't marry him."

Old Zhang's face was full of smiles and he joked, "Of course not. Lord Zuo is upright and decisive. He wouldn't joke about his own reputation and yours."

Tang Jingru secretly breathed a sigh of relief - that's about right...

"Furthermore, you're just a common woman, although you're not bad-looking, but you're several years older than Lord Zuo. He, being a noble young man from a prestigious family, incredibly handsome, probably wouldn't be interested in you, so naturally he wouldn't agree."

?

The power of 'not interested' towards women is extraordinary.

Tang Jingru's face stiffened slightly, and she sat up straight. "Don't talk nonsense. What's wrong with me? It's just that I'm a bit older than Lord Zuo. If he's not interested in me, why would he come to my door to drink three or five times?"

Old Zhang knew that she would react this way, after all, women are like this. He continued to provoke her.

"There are many people who come to drink at your place three or five times, it's because the wine is good, not because you're good. Today, the princess has spoken, and as long as Lord Zuo nods, he can bring you back. If he doesn't nod, isn't it because he's not interested in you?"

"He..."

Tang Jingru stared, and she was actually being led astray by Old Zhang. She felt angry and even blamed Zuo Lingquan a little in her heart.

However, Tang Jingru wasn't a foolish girl. Just as she was thinking of finding evidence to prove that Zuo Lingquan was interested in her, she suddenly came to her senses - what am I doing? Still trying to prove that Zuo Lingquan likes me?

Thinking of this, Tang Jingru understood that Old Zhang was deliberately teasing her. She slammed the table.

"You old bastard, don't you have anything better to do? Lord Zuo and I have nothing to do with each other, so naturally he wouldn't agree to such absurd things. What does it have to do with whether he's interested or not?"

After saying that, Tang Jingru ignored Old Zhang, stood up, picked up the broom, and wanted to sweep him out.

Crack, crack, crack--

Lao Zhang was just joking around. Seeing that Tang Jingrong didn't fall for it, he didn't say anything more. He finished the drink in his cup, got up, and left the door.

Although Tang Jingrong didn't fall for it, she couldn't help but feel annoyed by Lao Zhang's words. As a daughter, she didn't choose to not get married because she wanted to hold onto the family business, but rather because she didn't think she couldn't find a husband.

Zuo Lingquan didn't even want to get close to her. Tang Jingrong knew that Zuo Lingquan had a strong personality, but she couldn't help but have some strange thoughts in her mind. What if there was a tiny reason why Zuo Lingquan really didn't like her?

If he doesn't like me, there must be a reason. Although I don't have any other intentions towards you, sister, there's nothing wrong with me... right...

Tang Jingrong held a broom and paced back and forth in the wine shop, wanting to throw away these inexplicable thoughts. But a woman's mind is hard to control, and it was truly difficult to suppress. Before she could snap out of her daydreaming, she heard footsteps at the door, followed by a familiar voice.

"Sister Tang?"

Tang Jingrong stiffened, instinctively straightening her body, feeling a bit guilty. But fortunately, she quickly reacted and turned to look at the door, showing a smile.

"Xiao Zuo, you're here?"

Outside the wine shop, Zuo Lingquan, who had just come out of the Zuo Mansion, stood at the door and observed. He noticed Tang Jingrong's unusual reaction and thought that she had found out about the morning incident and was unhappy about the rumors. He explained,

"There was a misunderstanding at the Yun Tai this morning, but it has been cleared up. I came to apologize to Sister Tang. It was all because of me..."

Tang Jingrong had already heard about it from Lao Zhang, so she didn't need Zuo Lingquan to repeat it. After being instigated by Lao Zhang, Tang Jingrong couldn't help but doubt whether Zuo Lingquan liked her or not. As a result, her gaze towards Zuo Lingquan had changed slightly.

But even though they had just met and had a clean relationship, Tang Jingrong couldn't possibly ask him directly, "Do you like me?" Asking would only cause trouble.

Tang Jingrong remained silent for a while, afraid of revealing her thoughts. In the end, she put on a lukewarm expression.

"It's fine. As long as it's clear, don't come to me all the time. What if people get the wrong idea? I don't have the habit of robbing the cradle. I don't have any feelings for you."

Zuo Lingquan seemed a bit puzzled. "Sister Tang and I have a clean relationship. There's nothing more to it. The princess has already helped clarify the situation. If I didn't dare to come, wouldn't it seem like I'm guilty?"

Tang Jingrong was momentarily speechless. After silently cursing Lao Zhang in her heart, she composed herself and suppressed her thoughts. Her expression softened.

"Well... I mean, don't come these next few days. We have a clean relationship, but we shouldn't force a conversation. You've just been chosen as the son-in-law, and you're in the limelight. You must have a lot of people paying attention to you. Wait until the attention dies down, and then you can come and take care of my business."

Zuo Lingquan also had the same idea. Seeing this, he didn't say much and bid farewell with a raised hand.

"I'll go to Qihuang Valley for a few days. I'll come back for a drink after some time."

Tang Jingrong nodded with a smile, walked to the door, and watched until Zuo Lingquan was far away. Then, her brows furrowed again, and she paced back and forth with the broom. This question that was difficult to speak out loud seemed like it would be suppressed for a long time...

--

I recommend a book called "The Empress's Delusion of Possessing Me." It's a harem novel, with a queer couple. If anyone is interested, you can take a look.

--

Thank you, [Tingmian QAQ], for the generous reward!

Current debt (5/300+)

(End of this chapter)