The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 896 - 480: Xie Ruotong Encounters Them (Fifth Update)
After having lunch,
Song Yanqing played a game of chess with his father at home, before his mother called him to go to the flower market together.
Liu Qiushan naturally followed along as well.
There were quite a few people at the flower market.
The weather in Xun City in April and May was not too hot.
They strolled around the flower market for quite a while and bought a good number of fresh flowers.
"Young master, would you like to buy some roses for the young lady beside you? Roses symbolize love and are especially suited for a beloved lady. You see, I’m almost sold out," the shop owner said hurriedly as they passed by.
Liu Qiushan was clearly interested in the roses, squatting down to pick up a bouquet to look at, when she heard Song Yanqing say, "No need."
The cold attitude left Liu Qiushan somewhat hurt.
Initially, she was promised to marry Song Yanqing, but a few days later she received news that Song Yanqing was to marry into the General Mansion, and her engagement was naturally withdrawn. Although the official reason given for the breakup was that the royal decree could not be defied, which did not cause her too much harm, and, besides, the Song Family took her in as an adopted daughter, making others see her as a good girl. Not long after being jilted, there were even suitors at her door, though she refused them all.
In her heart, she had long acknowledged Song Yanqing as the one she wanted to marry.
Failing to marry him left her feeling somewhat uneasy inside.
But since Song Yanqing’s marriage was indeed granted by the emperor, no one could defy it, and even if there was immense unwillingness in her heart, she had to bear it.
Yet despite everything, Liu Qiushan still felt that Song Yanqing owed her something.
However, today, from start to finish, he was indifferent towards her, and the shy smile on her face could no longer hold.
Ming Yufang had known of Liu Qiushan’s feelings for a long time, otherwise, she would not have approached Liu Qiushan in such a manner. She never thought that Song Yanqing might reconcile with Xie Ruotong, and since Song Yanqing married into another family, Xie Ruotong wouldn’t allow him to take a concubine. She merely wanted to create opportunities and ensure Liu Qiushan would bear a child or two for the Song Family.
Seeing the discontent on Liu Qiushan’s face, Ming Yufang quickly said, "Who says roses must symbolize love? As long as you like them, any flower is fine! Yanqing, mom loves roses, why don’t you pick a few for me, and I’ll take them home and care for them."
Song Yanqing glanced at Ming Yufang and bent down to select some roses for her.
Meanwhile.
On the other side of the flower market,
Xie Ruotong went out for a stroll.
She didn’t really want to go out, but couldn’t resist Gong Jingyi’s request.
Gong Jingyi’s hometown was not Xun City; she came directly from the border with Xie Ruotong.
Gong Jingyi joined the army because Xie Ruotong had made a special recruitment of female soldiers nationwide, and around a hundred female soldiers joined the army in response; Gong Jingyi was one of them. She had decent skills, so Xie Ruotong kept her by her side, and she became her personal guard.
Having returned to Xun City for a month or two, they hadn’t been out much from the General Mansion. Hearing the servants talk about the flower market recently, Gong Jingyi asked the General to take her to see it.
Looking at the dazzling array of flowers, Gong Jingyi couldn’t help but be a bit moved.
Even when wielding a sword and spear on the battlefield, she still had a maiden’s heart.
If her family hadn’t been so poor, she never would have joined the army.
Admiring various bouquets at the moment, her eyes suddenly tightened, "General, that seems like the son-in-law..."
Xie Ruotong was initially a bit bored,
only accompanying Gong Jingyi as they wandered aimlessly.
Upon hearing this, she glanced in the direction Gong Jingyi indicated.
She saw Song Yanqing bent over, carefully selecting a bouquet.
Standing beside him were Ming Yufang and another woman... If she wasn’t mistaken, it should be Song Yanqing’s former fiancée.
Xie Ruotong withdrew her gaze.
"Wasn’t the son-in-law supposed to be in the Imperial Palace? How come he’s back so early today," Gong Jingyi wondered, "and at the flower market at that. Had I known he’d be here, we should have joined him..."
"Let’s go," Xie Ruotong commanded, her tone evidently cold.
Gong Jingyi had to follow in Xie Ruotong’s footsteps.
When the son-in-law was selecting flowers earlier, she briefly saw his left profile, without the scar, inexplicably finding him somewhat handsome.
But alas, the General doesn’t like him.
Ever since Gong Jingyi started following the General, she knew who held the General’s heart - Lin Qianyu, who had sacrificed himself on the battlefield.
She hadn’t forgotten all these years.
How could she then, casually fall for someone else?
Song Yanqing finished choosing the flowers and handed them to Ming Yufang.
Ming Yufang took them and had Song Yanqing pay the silver.
Then she turned and gave them to Liu Qiushan, "Shanshan, you take them."
Song Yanqing’s expression darkened slightly.
"Look at you, so stingy," Ming Yufang remarked on purpose, "Giving them to your sister-in-law, it’s not like giving them to just anyone else. I mean, I only have you as my son in this life, and since I now have a daughter, I’m happy. I hope you can get along better."
Song Yanqing didn’t want to say more, feeling somewhat impatient, "Since the flowers are bought, it’s getting late, let’s go back."
"We’ve only covered less than half of the market," Ming Yufang was clearly displeased.
"Then you continue, I’ll head off first."
"Yanqing, how about you accompany your mom a bit further, and then we’ll return, alright?" Ming Yufang pointed towards a busier area, her voice carrying a request, "It’s rare for mom to be able to come out."
Song Yanqing hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed.
Ming Yufang smiled triumphantly to herself.
She knew her son was filial since he was young, and as long as her requests weren’t excessive, he’d never refuse.
The three of them walked into the crowd.
In front of them were various rare flowers, drawing a large crowd, increasing even more.
Liu Qiushan was also curious, wanting to see more closely, but she was suddenly pushed out by someone inside.
Nearly causing her to fall.
Song Yanqing reacted quickly, supporting her, "Be careful."
Liu Qiushan’s face turned red, she shyly lowered her eyes, "Thank you."
Song Yanqing nodded slightly.
Just as he was about to let go,
he suddenly noticed Xie Ruotong standing beside him.
Xie Ruotong simply watched them.
Gong Jingyi also watched them.
Her jaw dropped.
The son-in-law was engaging in a flirtation?
The woman in front of him was still holding the bouquet he just selected.
Gong Jingyi also liked the bright red roses, so she had picked a few, later learning that roses symbolize love and when a man gifts them, it indicates admiration.
Yet the son-in-law gave them to the woman in front of him...
Gong Jingyi felt uneasy.
She couldn’t help but glance at the General.
Xie Ruotong’s eyes were indifferent, she turned and simply left.
Without saying a word.
Revealing none of her emotions.
Song Yanqing quickly released Liu Qiushan, and chased after, "Ruotong."
Xie Ruotong evaded Song Yanqing’s hand, maintaining a distance and stood in front of him.
"I only came to the flower market with my mother today, don’t misunderstand."
Xie Ruotong hadn’t said a word yet.
Ming Yufang brought Liu Qiushan over, explaining, "Ruotong, don’t take it to heart. I was bored today, so I asked Yanqing to accompany me to the flower market, and Shanshan is my adopted daughter, they’re siblings."
