Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 972 - 970_1

Chapter 972: Chapter 970_1

Liu Zhiwen did not detect anything amiss in Xiao’er’s words. Reputation was indeed of great importance to a woman. Therefore, he said, "Then, I will have someone escort the two of you home."

"Thank you, Young Master Liu, but we can get home ourselves," Fang Wanping’s voice carried a hint of resentment. Why couldn’t this man insist a little more? If he were to send her home and then have someone explain to her grandmother the reason for their change of clothes, it would not only preserve their reputation, but also bring prestige to her and her mother.

Furthermore, if those who looked down upon them knew of this, they would think twice before bullying them in the future.

Subconsciously, Liu Zhiwen wanted to refuse. It was unthinkable to let the two women return home by themselves after they had saved him. To take no care of them after what they’ve done would make him feel guilty. He was just about to speak when...

Mrs. Tan cut him off, "That works too. It’s rather safe around the Imperial City, nothing is likely to happen. If we were to escort you home, I would be afraid of causing undue speculation. Now that the two of you show such propriety, I feel more at ease. Let me have someone escort you out of the house. I worry that you’ll catch a chill if you stay in those wet clothes."

Mrs. Fang: "..."

Fang Wanping: "..."

She was just being polite a moment ago. It would be far too rude to not provide an escort at all!

Unable to hold back, Fang Wanping glanced at Liu Zhiwen with a slight grievance.

Seeing her dejected expression, Liu Zhiwen felt a twinge of guilt. He realised that his earlier reaction might have seemed ungrateful, and was about to say something when...

Mrs. Liu, noticing Liu Zhiwen’s expression, quickly instructed a maid, "Go to the warehouse, get the jewelry set I brought back from the shop a while ago, and present it to Miss Fang in thanks for saving our Young Master today."

The jewelry set was originally prepared as a gift for a maid of hers who was about to get married. Having served her diligently for many years, the maid deserved the gift.

But now it was to be given to Fang Wanping instead. She would just have to select a better set from the jewelry stores later. Giving this to Fang Wanping was a small price to pay compared to owing a debt of gratitude!

While they had to accept that they owed a debt of gratitude for saving their lives, they had also made an appropriate recompense. Thus, no debts laid between them.

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er exchanged glances with Yang Mei, who then left the room.

"There’s no need, it was no trouble at all. I couldn’t possibly accept such a valuable gift from you!" Fang Wanping subconsciously refused upon hearing this.

"This is only appropriate. You saved Zhiwen, so if we don’t show any gesture of gratitude, it would be incredibly impolite. Please accept it! The jewelry is from Pohli Jewelry and isn’t even on the market yet. It suits a young lady of your age!" Mrs. Liu is determined not to allow her refusal.

She intended to repay this kindness in front of Zhiwen to prevent Fang Wanping from reaping greater benefits from Zhiwen in private!

Pohli Jewelry? The mention of this name stirred Fang Wanping’s heart. The jewelry from Pohli was simply too exquisite and beautiful, with each piece commanding a sky-high price. She had been inside before but had been too reluctant to make a purchase.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of greed flickered in Mrs. Fang’s eyes. It was difficult to turn down jewelry from Pohli Jewelry.

Subconsciously, Fang Wanping glanced at Liu Zhiwen, hoping to gauge his reaction.

Liu Zhiwen felt that this was only right. He was glad his aunt thought of this. It would be exceptionally impolite not to show any gratitude for receiving such help. He then said, "Please accept, otherwise I would feel uneasy."

At this point, the maid presented the jewelry and unveiled its splendor. Astonishment flickered in Fang Wanping’s eyes. Ultimately she couldn’t continue resisting and took it, saying, "One cannot refuse an elder’s kindness. Then, I shall accept. Thank you, Mrs. Liu."

Contempt flickered in Mrs. Tan’s eyes.

Xiao’er commanded, "Yang Liu, please escort Mrs. Fang and Miss Fang."

Yang Liu bowed, "Mrs. Fang, Miss Fang, if you please!"

Fang Wanping glanced one more time at Liu Zhiwen, then with a bow, she left the Marquis Shengping Mansion under the guidance of Yang Liu.

Inside the carriage

With a resentful tone, Fang Wanping spoke to Mrs. Fang, "Mother, with Princess Rui’s presence, I’m afraid she’ll ruin my plan again! How can she always be so annoying and always appear at the wrong time!"

Mrs. Fang was preoccupied, thinking about their next move. Hearing her daughter’s words, she came back to her senses, reassuringly patting her hand, "Don’t worry, this time is different. I can tell that Young Master Liu has special feelings for you. We must not manipulate him as we did the Magistrate. Just show your vulnerable side in front of him, even if Princess Rui and Mrs. Liu make things difficult for you, endure it. That way, Young Master Liu’s heart will surely be yours alone."

Hearing this, Fang Wanping couldn’t help but retort, "Can I not show weakness? My status is not as high as theirs. If I offend them, one word from them could destroy me!"

Even if she eventually marries Young Master Liu, she will still be below Princess Rui, and she still must show utmost respect in her presence. With this thought, Fang Wanping begun to feel somewhat resentful.

"Mother, am I really left with only Young Master Liu to choose from? Despite being wealthy, he is only a son of a merchant. If I marry him, I will have to bow down to Princess Rui for the rest of my life. I am somewhat unwilling!"

Hearing these words, Mrs. Fang sighed helplessly, "We are lowly-born, and there are many highly-born young maidens in the Imperial City, all of them beautiful and talented. How could the nobles and aristocrats take a fancy to us? Besides, Princess Rui is a princess. There are only a handful of people in the world of higher status than her. Unless you marry the Emperor or a prince, you will always have to bow your head to her!"

The Emperor? This was an unappealing thought; she would never wish to marry an old man.

"A prince?" Prince An was also an old man, an absolutely unacceptable option. The remaining options were King Xian, the King of Qi, and Prince An’s heir, all of whom were already married. Even if she married into their families, she would only be a concubine and thus lower in position. At this thought, she felt rather disheartened.

"If we knew who will be the heir to the throne in the future, marrying him would be the best option. Even if we had to be a concubine now, there would still be a chance to rule the kingdom as a mother in the future!" The mention of this possibility excited Mrs. Fang.

At this, Fang Wanping’s eyes lit up.

"But won’t it be difficult to get close to the princes?" The memory of how her father was stripped of his rank by Prince Rui with a single sentence made Fang Wanping a bit fearful.

"Yes, it won’t be easy. However, there might be a chance for my daughter. Didn’t you seize the opportunity today, winning Young Master Liu’s favor? Now we just need to secure Young Master Liu’s heart first and then look for opportunities. Even if we can’t marry a prince, marrying Young Master Liu would still be a good outcome."

"That’s true." Upon hearing this, Fang Wanping found it reasonable. At least Young Master Liu was wealthy, and as a scholar, he was likely to embark on a political path in the future.

The pair then discussed how to behave when they met Liu Zhiwen in the future before they finally returned to Ruan Mansion.

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