Chapter 18: Hug?

The two men ended up blocking each other’s way along the narrow corridor.

One wore a russet servant’s uniform, tall and burly, looking strong. The other was in black, thin and sharp-featured, looking like a distinguished young master. They ran straight into each other, and neither looked pleased.

“Who are you? Why are you here!” the russet-clad servant demanded, clutching the medicine bottle.

“And who are you? Why are you here?” the young master in black scoffed, showing no fear.

“This is the house of the Wangs! The servants are allowed to move freely!”

“So you’re a servant of the Wang family, but treating guests so rudely? Aren’t you afraid your master will punish you?” The young master in black produced a badge and waved it. “Even if your master came himself, he wouldn’t dare treat me this poorly.”

When the russet servant saw the badge clearly, he immediately shut his mouth, saluted, and stepped back.

The young master in black lingered a moment, looked and listened around, found nothing unusual, and left.

The surroundings finally grew quiet.

Tang Wanning let out a long breath, realized she was still covering someone else’s mouth, and hurriedly released her hand.

The man in the wheelchair was very handsome: sword-like brows, a straight nose and thin lips, a glint in his eyes. But the light was slightly cold, edged like a blade, giving him an aloof, chilly, noble air that was hard to approach.

A strange familiarity stirred in her heart. Tang Wanning suddenly remembered a wheelchair youth she had once seen by the river back at the countryside manor. It was only a silhouette then, but it stuck in her memory. She felt this man was special and had wanted to see his face, sure he would be very handsome. So… was he the same person?

Such a beautiful face that should be treated kindly by time… How could this person carry such a cold temperament, living without a trace of warmth, like a phantom of the night?

“Stared enough?”

Tang Wanning froze. How rude of her!

Zhao Cong’s eyes lowered slightly. “How much longer are you going to sit on my lap?”

Tang Wanning’s eyes widened.

I wasn’t! Look properly! I’m only sitting on your wheelchair armrest, I didn’t touch your leg!

But in this era the rules were strict, men and women were to keep their distance from each other. There was no point in explaining, so Tang Wanning stood up. “H-ugh…ow…”

Crap! She had just twisted her ankle and couldn’t put weight on it, so she couldn’t stand!

Zhao Cong squinted. “Hug, did you say?”

Tang Wanning took a deep breath. “Sorry! That was rude of me! I just hurt my foot and am a bit afraid to put it down. I didn’t mean to offend you or to linger on purpose. Could I… could I use your wheelchair armrest for a moment?”

Her ankle stabbed with pain and her voice grew weaker. “Just…for me to rest a bit, it’ll be fine in a moment.”

Zhao Cong’s gaze slid down to her light-pink embroidered shoes. “Does it hurt a lot?”

Tang Wanning instinctively stepped back and hid her foot under her skirt, accidentally jolting the injured spot and gasping. “N-no, it’s nothing, just twisted it a bit. A rest will help.”

Seeing him frown as if hesitating, Tang Wanning cautiously greeted him, “Sorry for the earlier offense. May I ask how I should address you, young master?”

Zhao Cong’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “You don’t remember me?”

Tang Wanning was slightly stunned. “We’ve met?”

“Perhaps,” Zhao Cong sneered after a long pause. His voice dissolved into the wind, colder and more distant. “You’re not fond of seeing me.”

Tang Wanning felt even stranger. “You… who are you?”

Zhao Cong said, “You don’t need to know.”

Tang Wanning was embarrassed. She had read the book quickly, but the original book had too many details to remember clearly. As for the memories of the original owner of this body, unless extremely important or distinctive, she had no recollection of…

The situation before her was awkward: he seemed displeased by this unexpected encounter and resistant toward her personally. Besides, it was also her fault for suddenly lunging at him.

She drew a breath, balanced on one foot, hopped, and put a hand on the wall. “Sorry to disturb you. If you have business, young master, please go ahead.”

This place was secluded. The wall, hidden by trees, had collected much dust and was shaded, covered in tiny moss. It felt not only icy but very slippery. She had to grip it hard to keep her balance.

Zhao Cong’s gaze swept over her fingers, which had grown paler from the effort. “I’m fine.”

Tang Wanning, with her hand on the wall, was getting annoyed.

If you’re fine then go! Are you enjoying watching a girl be embarrassed?

Zhao Cong questioned her, “Do I look like a bad person?”

Tang Wanning replied, “No. Why would you say that?”

Zhao Cong’s expression was cool. “To be on guard like this is naturally to guard against scoundrels.”

Tang Wanning nearly screamed.

Clearly it’s you showing contempt, wishing that she stood a mile away!

She was never afraid of trouble. When bullied or schemed against, she could be fierce, but she wouldn’t make a fuss without reason. Her character, if not gentle and cute, was at least generous. This accident was awkward though. The man in the wheelchair hadn’t bullied her, while she had offended him and was in no position to chastise him. “Then… could I trouble you for a favor?”

She pointed to the wheelchair armrest. The wall was really a poor support.

“Wait.”

Zhao Cong lifted his chin slightly and pointed at her left hand.

Tang Wanning looked down. There was a plain handkerchief in her hand. “This?”

Zhao Cong nodded and let his gaze drop to the wheelchair armrest. “Lay it on top.”

Tang Wanning stared at him.

So not only are you rude, but you also have a obsession with cleanliness! Case closed! Some people have no friends for a reason!

Still, with a layer of cloth her palm felt a bit warmer. It wasn’t an illusion. The wheelchair, whatever it was made of, looked like wood but felt as hard and cold as iron. Even a thin handkerchief made a difference.

If she felt such a strong sensation from a brief touch, how could someone who sat there not be cold all the time? The man even sat so upright his waist wouldn’t slouch an inch!

“You… why not add a cushion for yourself? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable?”

Zhao Cong replied faintly, “I’m not a young lady.”

Tang Wanning almost rolled her eyes.

Well, aren’t you impressive.

“Has anyone ever told you—”

“What?”

“That your manner of speaking is somewhat unrefined, not particularly pleasant?” Tang Wanning said tactfully.

“No.”

“Impossible!” This guy wasn’t blind or stupid. Who wouldn’t show emotion when insulted?

Zhao Cong remained unnervingly calm. “Those who dared say that are all dead.”

This was the first time since she had transmigrated over that Tang Wanning didn’t know how to respond. Who on earth was he? Did he have to speak in such a terrifying manner!

Eunuch Tian in the distance was nearly despairing.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong? You’re clearly not like this in public… you’re not so blunt! Do you know what you’re doing? It’s a rare chance to meet a young lady, so be nice! Show some consideration for her being cold, offer your own handkerchief! Don’t you carry a dozen? Even if the part about ‘dead people’ is true, you can’t say it so directly. You won’t win her favor by doing this!”

The old eunuch wanted to rush forward to explain to Tang Wanning, to rave about his lord’s virtues, his character, to explain why he expressed himself this way, what he really meant in his heart… Miss, take a good look: my lord is just shy and awkward in speech, he’s actually wonderful, truly wonderfully good! Don’t miss this chance!

Yes, it must be shyness! He had never seen His Highness make this expression, so there’s definitely something there! So this was how His Highness showed he liked a girl…

Eunuch Tian’s tears streamed. He wiped at his eyes with his sleeve and looked at the pale horizon. “Your Majesty, my Empress, do you see? His Highness has grown up and has a girl he likes. Before long he’ll have a family and children, and all will be complete.”

The old eunuch hid to the side, not daring to make a sound, but he was still noticed. Zhao Cong’s sharp gaze shot over like an arrow and he immediately hopped away like a rabbit. Old age did nothing to slow his nimble movements.

Tang Wanning balanced on one foot, one hand resting on the handkerchief-covered wheelchair armrest, her mind never stopping its considerations.

This man was elegant and proud, with a special air of restraint, the sharpness in his eyes carried danger. His clothes and accessories were neither overly lavish nor plain, his whole presence was mysterious…

She really wanted to know who he was, but the capital’s elite circle was vast and full of people, and she didn’t have enough information to guess. At most she dared think of that deposed crown prince, who also sat in a wheelchair and was somewhat mysterious, but she hadn’t heard he had a cleanliness obsession! A man who grew up through wars, who in hardest times couldn’t even get rice and water, where would he have time or means to cultivate such an extravagant fastidiousness?

She simply couldn’t figure it out.

Tang Wanning tried to put her injured foot down firmly… no, it still hurt. She needed to wait a bit longer.

The atmosphere couldn’t stay awkward forever, so she started looking for topics and happened to notice something. “The jade pendant at your waist is very distinctive, young master.”

Zhao Cong paused for a moment. “You like it?”

“A very exquisite double-fish jade pendant, a green jade with white waves. The scales are carved to follow the natural grain of the stone, making it lively and vivid,” Tang Wanning actually liked the pendant. The jade didn’t look like the rarest variety, but it was smooth and translucent, clearly cherished and carried for a long time. “The tails curl, the bodies are plump, even the fish’s round eye-edges curve up slightly, like they’re smiling. Whoever gave you this pendant surely hopes you’ll smile more and be happy often.”

The man suddenly fell silent and lowered his head.

Tang Wanning’s heart skipped a beat. Had she inadvertently touched on some painful matter?

The man put the pendant away. “You like it…doesn’t mean I’ll give it to you.”

Tang Wanning couldn’t believe this man.

I’m not asking you for it, you don’t have to hide it right away! Do you understand social niceties? I was just flattering you to make conversation! Though the double-fish pendant is pretty, I’m not an ill-mannered person, and we have no relation. How could I shamelessly ask for something on our first meeting!

She was nearly breaking down. “Do people often ask you for things? Or are you old and rich and used to gifting things away?”

Zhao Cong answered simply, “They usually don’t dare. Those who do—”

“Stop, don’t go on,” Tang Wanning said, rubbing her forehead. She knew what he was about to say. Those who dared to are dead, right?!