Chapter 008 Selfish Motives

The servant, Mumu, quickly jumped down from the carriage to open the door.

“Change out of your wet clothes first. There’s ginger soup warming over the fire—drink it while it’s hot.” Wu Qinglin ushered Wu Tan into the carriage, then let Cheng Cheng in as well, giving concise instructions before shutting the door.

He had prepared thoroughly, setting a brazier with a small stove atop it inside the carriage.

Wu Tan opened it to take a look, and indeed, a large pot of ginger soup sat inside.

She wasn’t in the mood to be particular about anything at the moment; she used her sleeve as a pad, took the pot out, and her eyes glittered like a cat that had just successfully stolen fish. She took a small sip while it was still steaming.

Cheng Cheng took the clean clothes placed nearby, but Wu Tan waved her hand, “I’ll do it myself.”

She snatched the clothes, curled up in the innermost corner of the carriage to change.

Cheng Cheng tried to crawl over to help, but Wu Tan turned and pointed at the ginger soup on the table, “No need! You drink the ginger soup first.”

Cheng Cheng frowned, “Miss, you should drink it first!”

“Just drink it, will you!” Wu Tan said, pausing in her busy movements to wink at her, lowering her voice, “Drink it all! And don’t tell my brother!”

Cheng Cheng had been with her for years and could tell from her expression that she was up to something mischievous.

Her mistress was always decisive and bold; Cheng Cheng could not disobey, so she picked up the pot and drank all the ginger soup.

After freezing for half a day, the spicy ginger soup burned her throat, but warmth soon spread throughout her body, heating her hands and feet.

Her mistress had also endured the cold all afternoon. Cheng Cheng felt a pang of guilt when she saw the empty pot, but Wu Tan had already changed and signaled with her eyes, “I’ve changed. Time to go back!”

“Oh!” Cheng Cheng quickly put the pot away and hurried to change her clothes as well.

Wu Tan let her hair down and wiped it with a cloth. Once Cheng Cheng finished changing, she called Wu Qinglin into the carriage.

Wu Qinglin’s shoes and socks were soaked; he climbed in, took off his boots to warm his feet, and handed Wu Tan a food box he picked up from the corner. “Eat something first.”

He had come in a rush; the carriage and clothes for Wu Tan and Cheng Cheng were borrowed, and the pastries inside the box were packed hastily.

Wu Tan took out all four plates—eight kinds of pastries in total—and casually handed one to Cheng Cheng.

After kneeling in the cold rain all afternoon, she was exhausted and famished. She didn’t bother with conversation, quickly ate two pieces of jujube cake, then lay her head on the table, looking up at Wu Qinglin with a smile, “Brother, you haven’t answered me yet. Why are you here? This carriage doesn’t seem to belong to our family, does it?”

With Wu Qingqiong’s timid nature, she would never dare to face the consequences of her actions. Knowing she had caused trouble, she would likely bury her head like an ostrich upon returning home, hoping for peace and certainly not sending anyone to fetch her.

Wu Qinglin’s brow remained furrowed, his expression grim. “I haven’t been in the capital for a long time. I rarely come home. Today was Lady Huangfu’s seventieth birthday. Shaohua invited me to visit, and coincidentally, their third daughter was summoned to the palace.”

Wu Tan was picky, and the old matron at home doted on her, having the kitchen prepare meals and snacks to her liking.

Wu Qinglin spoiled her too, but as a man, his protection was more about shielding her than indulging her.

Now, seeing Wu Tan listlessly picking at the pastries, he tapped the table sternly, “Eat! No being picky!”

“Alright!” She obeyed, though reluctantly, picking up a piece of pea cake and nibbling it slowly. She asked, “Have you heard what happened in the palace? The Crown Prince is one thing—it’s his palace, he can do as he pleases. But why is that eldest Miss of the Huo family causing trouble for me? I barely know her. What did I do to offend her?”

She asked casually, her head down, chewing the pea cake with visible discomfort.

But—

Wu Qinglin across from her fell silent.

Wu Tan waited, sensing something was off, and looked up, suspicious.

Wu Qinglin’s expression had not brightened since the beginning. At first, outside the palace gate, she thought it was because he saw her in such a sorry state, but now she realized there was more.

Her large eyes stared at him, trying, “Brother?”

Wu Qinglin’s gaze remained fixed on her, but now it was especially grave.

He said, “After the New Year, Grandfather sent me a letter. I went to visit him again a few days ago. He said His Majesty seems intent on marrying you to the Crown Prince as his principal wife. This time, summoning Father back to the capital for the longevity festival is likely for this purpose.”

“Cough, cough…” Wu Tan choked on the cake crumbs, nearly suffocating, coughing violently.

Wu Qinglin hurried to pull her over and pat her back, instructing Cheng Cheng, “Pour some water!”

Cheng Cheng, startled, dropped her half-eaten pastry and rushed to pour a cup.

Wu Qinglin made her drink half the cup. Wu Tan finally caught her breath, escaped from his arms, and sprang up, crying out, “What kind of joke is this? I… I’m only twelve!”

It was like a bolt from the blue—far too shocking.

Her little face flushed, coughing up a streak of blood-red, utterly panicked.

Wu Qinglin pulled her back to sit, his face devoid of any joy. It seemed he had already thought it through, speaking calmly, “If you’re unwilling, I’ll discuss it with Father when we return. He can arrange another match for you, and we’ll reply to His Majesty, settling the matter that way.”

An imperial marriage is a blessing—how can one refuse?

“It’s not that I’m unwilling…” But that unruly Crown Prince can’t stand me! Wu Tan had grievances she couldn’t voice. She steadied herself, speaking slowly, “It’s just so sudden. I thought I could spend a couple more years at home with Grandmother.”

Moreover, as soon as Wu Qinglin mentioned it, she understood—

The emperor chose her to marry the Crown Prince, Xiao Yun, solely because her father commanded great military power.

If she were already engaged, the royal family couldn’t forcibly marry her, but how would the emperor feel then?

Wu Qinglin fell silent once more.

Wu Tan turned to him, nudging, “Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Tan’er!” Wu Qinglin gazed at her deeply, and after a long pause, reached out to touch her hair, his tone solemn, “I know what’s on your mind, but the palace is not a good home. I don’t want to send you there. The Wu family’s military honors and glory can be won by men’s blood on the battlefield. I don’t care what others do, but for my own sake, I only wish for you to live your life in peace and safety.”

A man’s vow is never as lyrical as the words a woman prefers to hear, but at that moment, Wu Tan felt as if a great bell had struck her heart, its reverberations stirring warmth within her chest.

Her lips trembled slightly.

Her earlier reaction had been excessive—simply because the news was too sudden and shocking. As for the marriage to Xiao Yun itself, she had never thought about marrying before, so it didn’t really affect her.

She had meant to brush it off with a few witty remarks, but seeing her brother’s gaze, she found herself unable to speak.

—Extra note—

Hmm, it seems I’ll be taking a sweet and pampering direction… Another round of calls for my big brother…

This book is exclusively published here. Please do not reproduce.