As a wealthy merchant who was always being asked to donate, Cheng Beizheng felt extremely wronged. "How can His Majesty be like this?"
A peanut timely flew into his mouth. Lu Nianfu was quite satisfied with her accuracy. "Third Young Master, you must be careful outside. If these words were overheard, you might end up in prison."
Cheng Beizheng quickly looked around. There were plenty of people waiting to confiscate his property. Lu Xiaofu had the Emperor's son as her backer, but he did not.
Fortunately, it was mid-morning, and the teahouse was not crowded.
After swallowing another piece of crispy pastry, Lu Nianfu couldn't help but peer out the window. "Haven't they arrived yet?"
Cheng Beizheng had already made arrangements with someone to have them arrive at the reserved spot to have tea. It was close enough for the two of them to observe.
Cheng Beizheng glanced at the clepsydra and snorted, "Young people nowadays are so unreliable."
"You're the one who's unreliable, helping your sister with a blind date. Even if you like the person, it's still useless if Jiaojiao doesn't agree."
"So, I brought you here. Jiaojiao has always been close to you. If you take a liking to him, Jiaojiao will definitely agree."
Lu Nianfu pouted. What kind of twisted logic was this? If she weren't so bored staying at home, she wouldn't bother with him. "By the way, who did you choose today... Huh? Isn't that Jiaojiao? You even made her come in person?"
Lu Nianfu's gaze towards Cheng Beizheng immediately filled with condemnation. This brother was too irresponsible!
Although the current dynasty was quite tolerant towards women, not strictly enforcing the rule of "not leaving the inner chambers," it wasn't a big deal for them to attend occasional gatherings and meet men.
But who would ask a lady from a respectable family to show herself in public for a blind date? It would make people think the girl was desperate to get married.
Cheng Beizheng looked innocent. "I didn't ask her to come. Wait, why is there a man next to her?" He looked rather familiar.
Lu Nianfu also noticed. It was indeed an acquaintance. They walked side by side. Their posture wasn't overly intimate, but they were certainly not distant. She couldn't help but wonder, "Since when did Jiaojiao become so close to Young Master?"
Cheng Beizheng gritted his teeth. "That scoundrel must have tricked Jiaojiao with his good looks. No, I can't let her jump into a fiery pit."
Lu Nianfu: "...No, why is Young Master a fiery pit?"
"A man who frequently visits places of pleasure, what else is he but a fiery pit? And although he's not married, he has several concubines."
Hearing this, Lu Nianfu suddenly remembered that Situ Yan had teased him about this matter, saying that he had a harem but no children, and suggested he get some medicine from Ji Jin to tonify himself. She quickly pushed Cheng Beizheng. "Then why aren't you going quickly?" Although Ouyang Wen seemed unreliable, he couldn't help but have good looks and a good family background.
Before Cheng Beizheng could get up, Cheng Jiaojiao on the street bowed to Ouyang Wen. After saying something, she turned and headed down another street.
Lu Nianfu couldn't help but ask, "What did she say?"
"How could I hear from this distance?"
"Your martial arts are so good..."
"I'm not practicing the 'Wind-Following Ear' technique. No, I have to go ask her quickly. Lu Xiaofu, I'll take you back first. Do you want to pack these pastries? Or I can bring you here again another day."
Lu Nianfu waved her hand. "No need, no need. These pastries taste average."
Cheng Beizheng was speechless. "If they taste average, why did you eat so many?"
"I'm pregnant, you know. I can't stop eating. And don't send me back. Turn this corner, and it's Xiangdai Pavilion. I'll go take a look."
"Then I'll escort you."
"No, it's only a few hundred steps away." Lu Nianfu waved her hand. "Aren't you in a hurry to find Jiaojiao? Huh, Young Master has also disappeared."
Cheng Beizheng glanced at her. "I wouldn't dare let you walk alone on the street."
If she bumped or scraped herself, wouldn't Situ Yan kill him?
Lu Nianfu was soon delivered to Xiangdai Pavilion. Looking at Cheng Beizheng's hurried back, Lu Nianfu was quite puzzled: This old bachelor of his age, where did he get the confidence to urge his sister to get married?
Qingya ran out. "Your Highness, why didn't Third Young Master Cheng come in for tea? Don't tell me he thinks that young man is good and intends to arrange a marriage for Miss Cheng?"
Lu Nianfu: ...
Very good, both of them had simultaneously forgotten about this.
However, to be late for a blind date, that young man probably wasn't the best choice. She shook her head. "No, Third Young Master is busy with other things. How's business today?"
"The weather is too cold, so there aren't as many young ladies out and about as usual. However, Shoucheng said that Lunar New Year is next month, and there will be many people preparing for the festivities then, so business should be good."
Lu Nianfu smiled. "Then, while business isn't too busy, hurry up and get married."
Two blushes immediately appeared on Qingya's small face. "Your Highness, didn't we agree that I would get married after you give birth?"
"Then you'll have to wait a while. After giving birth, you'll have to stay in confinement, and after confinement, you'll have to help take care of the child. Tsk, aren't you afraid your Shoucheng brother will get impatient and marry someone else?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured. Shoucheng will marry no one but Qingya in this lifetime."
Wang Shoucheng appeared at the door at some point. His words made Qingya's face turn even redder, complementing her pink dress and making her look exceptionally charming. Lu Nianfu subconsciously touched her slightly thickened waist. How did this chubby girl manage to get so thin?