Chapter 390: Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 390: Romance of the Three Kingdoms

How could there be any reason for them to arrive from the capital at exactly the same time?

Huangfu Qing had deliberately timed it, intending to make a show of force!

Tang Wanzhuang took several deep breaths, maintaining a calm demeanor: "She's a member of the Four Symbols Sect. She used to hide it a bit, but now she doesn't bother concealing it at all. When the Vermilion Bird told her to come, she came, an Imperial Consort no less..."

She shook her head as she spoke. But what could she do? Could she really arrest her? Or go to His Majesty to tattle?

She didn't know why the Vermilion Bird was willing to openly reveal such important palace arrangements to her, but since she dared to reveal them, she wasn't afraid of being called out on it. She had the confidence to act with impunity.

Too arrogant, a rebel from the demonic cult acting like this...

To be honest, Tang Wanzhuang's anger and unease over this matter outweighed her jealousy. She kept her brow furrowed all the way into Hongnong.

Beside her, Zhao Changhe was also scratching his head. Huangfu Qing had actually come. The Vermilion Bird's intention was definitely to tacitly allow him to be with Huangfu Qing. Even if it wasn't a gift before, it was now.

He had thought his romantic affairs were almost at the Heaven Ranking level, but now he realized he was still a novice. At least when faced with a battlefield of love, he was at a loss, his face twisted in distress, completely unsure of what to do.

The two of them silently followed a group of Yang family members into the guest quarters.

Of course, they weren't staying together. Both Tang Wanzhuang and Zhao Changhe were "single." In Xiangyang, they could hide in the prefect's mansion and act shamelessly, and traveling together on the road was fine. But once in Hongnong, they had to be careful to maintain their distance.

The Yang family of Hongnong was wealthy, and all the guest residences were independent courtyards. But intentionally or not, Zhao Changhe's and Tang Wanzhuang's courtyards were next to each other, close enough to "sneak around" by climbing over the wall.

Huangfu Qing's courtyard wasn't on the other side... it was directly opposite.

So after Zhao Changhe and Tang Wanzhuang each settled in, they stood at their doorways like old villagers, watching as a procession of gongs and drums welcomed the Imperial Consort. A convoy of carriages escorted a single carriage, which slowly came to a stop at the gate opposite.

The carriage curtain was lifted slightly, revealing Huangfu Qing's face, a blend of heroic spirit and allure.

Her beautiful eyes glanced at the old villagers on this side with a hint of a smile, as if they could speak, each conveying a different meaning.

To Tang Wanzhuang, a look of provocation and mockery.

To Zhao Changhe, a look of melancholy and reproach.

Each had a thousand words to say, but they all tacitly refrained from expressing them in front of outsiders. Even though Huangfu Qing and Tang Wanzhuang had been at odds for decades, known to all, they still maintained their dignity in public.

So the old villagers watched as the Imperial Consort stepped out of the carriage, surrounded by a group of Yang family members, and entered the guest courtyard, disappearing from sight.

"Brother Zhao! Brother Zhao!"

A little girl jumped out from the courtyard on the other side of Zhao Changhe and immediately clung to him, refusing to let go: "When did you get here? I didn't know. I came out to see the Imperial Consort, but I unexpectedly saw you!"

Tang Wanzhuang: "?"

Huangfu Qing: "?"

The two older women froze in the midst of the tense atmosphere, like they were charging up a big move, waiting for the crowd to disperse before speaking. Who was this bold general, daring to show off in public like this?

Looking closely, it was Cui Yuanyang.

Never mind. Even the Yang family members glanced at her with amusement before looking away. The three-year promise was known to all, and she had made the Human Ranking, which basically meant she was engaged. Seeing the little girl's delighted expression, many in the Yang family smiled kindly.

Tang Wanzhuang's expression slowly turned awkward.

This seemed to be... a pit she had dug herself. She had sent this innocent little girl to Beimang, and the two had formed a relationship. The matchmaker was none other than Tang Wanzhuang herself. And now?

Huangfu Qing had already entered the gate opposite, but she turned back in the crowd and glared fiercely at Tang Wanzhuang, as if saying, "Look at what you've done."

Tang Wanzhuang wasn't one to back down. She glared back fiercely, meaning, "What does this have to do with you, a married woman? What right do you have to comment?"

The crowd cut them off, and they could no longer see each other.

The exchange of glances lasted only a moment. Over there, Zhao Changhe was holding Cui Yuanyang, who was clinging to him, feeling very awkward: "Hey, hey, there are so many people here..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Cui Yuanyang said happily, "The three-year promise is fulfilled. The Cui family's son-in-law has returned! Open and aboveboard! Perfectly justified! No old witch can interfere with us!"

Zhao Changhe glanced at Tang Wanzhuang, whose face was as cold as frost, and said awkwardly, "Your father hasn't said anything yet..."

"Hmph, guess what my father said before sending me here?"

"What?"

"He said that Zhao Changhe would definitely come to the Yang family's birthday celebration, so the one sent to offer congratulations was me, not my brother." Cui Yuanyang whispered in his ear, "Old Cui doesn't care about face anymore. He sent me to keep you from being snatched away by someone else, hehe."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Cui Yuanyang glanced at Tang Wanzhuang and greeted her happily, "Hello, Chief Tang. I still haven't thanked you for sending me to Beimang back then. You're our matchmaker! When the time comes, you must come to the wedding feast. I want to toast you as an elder."

Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly, truly like an elder giving advice: "Yuanyang..."

"Huh?"

"I understand your excitement, but you're not a child anymore. With so many people around, it doesn't reflect well on the Cui family's reputation. Why don't you get down from him?"

She stood there gracefully, holding Baoqin's hand, looking impeccable, but for some reason, Baoqin's face seemed to be twitching in pain.

"Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao." Yang Bugui finally emerged from the Imperial Consort's courtyard opposite and bowed to Zhao Changhe: "Apologies for neglecting you. Let me take you to some good places to have fun?"

Cui Yuanyang immediately jumped down from Zhao Changhe and shouted angrily, "Yang Bugui, if you dare take my husband to some shady place, I'll beat you up!"

The word "husband" was too jarring. Tang Wanzhuang, who was nearby, and Huangfu Qing, who was in the courtyard making small talk with Yang Jingxiu, both became expressionless at the same time.

Yang Bugui mysteriously felt a heavy cloud of gloom, like he had entered a special training ground for family pressure tests. He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat: "Well, since Brother Zhao has a beauty by his side, I won't intrude. Farewell, farewell."

Looking at the little rabbit standing triumphantly with her hands on her hips, Yang Bugui silently wished her well. I'm afraid you'll be stewed tonight...

Seeing Yang Bugui retreat wisely, Cui Yuanyang acted as if she had won a victory, snorting, "All grown up, and still trying to lead my husband astray. Hmph..."

Both older women's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

This little girl seemed to have a hidden meaning in her words. Was she really as naive as she appeared?

Zhao Changhe, however, didn't catch whether Cui Yuanyang's words were meant as a veiled insult. Seeing her full of energy, he found her quite adorable and couldn't help but ruffle her hair: "Why do you still seem like you haven't grown up?"

Cui Yuanyang pulled Zhao Changhe into the courtyard, giggling, "Come and see if I've grown up."

The door creaked shut, cutting off the world outside.

Of course, Cui Yuanyang was making veiled insults. She didn't know about Huangfu Qing, but she had long regarded Tang Wanzhuang, along with Xia Chichi, as a rival, on high alert for a long time. In her heart, Tang Wanzhuang was far more dangerous than Xia Chichi, because someone of her status could compete for the position of legitimate wife, whereas Xia Chichi's chances were lower.

Did she really think she was thanking the matchmaker? That line about "toasting you as an elder" was full of thorns.

No daughter of a noble family was easy to deal with. Perhaps only Zhao Changhe still thought Cui Yuanyang was adorably naive and didn't understand anything... Who was the naive one, really?

Baoqin glanced sideways at her mistress's livid face, marveling inwardly. Amidst the rivalry between the two older women, a little girl about her own age had barged in and become the current victor, openly making veiled insults without anyone being able to lose their temper...

Who could rival her in the world? Imperial Tang? A daughter should be like Cui Yuanyang?

Baoqin felt her cultural literacy had improved.

Unfortunately, Cui Yuanyang made the same mistake as her ally Xia Chichi. By insulting an older woman, she accidentally included another.

Just as she pulled Zhao Changhe into the courtyard, stood on tiptoe, pursed her lips, and prepared for a sweet kiss, Huangfu Qing, who was chatting with Yang Jingxiu opposite, smiled slightly: "That girl outside just now, is she the Cui family's daughter?"

Yang Jingxiu said, "Indeed, she is Cui Yuanyang, the legitimate daughter of Cui Wenjing."

"I find her adorable and quite to my liking. Could you have her come keep me company?" Huangfu Qing pretended to pout, "You all are gathered here, with so many guests, why are you all crowding around me? Go on, let the little girl chat with me for a while."

Just as Cui Yuanyang puckered her lips in anticipation, a knock came at the door: "The Imperial Consort requests Miss Cui's presence."

Cui Yuanyang's puckered lips froze in place, an incredulous glint flashing in her eyes.

How could even the Imperial Consort be against me? Was she bought off by that old woman surnamed Tang outside?