Chapter 47: Chapter 45: Wanting to Slap Qiao Jing’s Face, But Ended Up Humiliating Oneself
 

When suddenly asked this, Zhan Qipei was actually stunned for a moment, and although he usually remained composed even if Mount Tai were crumbling before him, at this moment his face revealed a somewhat bewildered and vacant expression.

Lu Zijiao widened his eyes at Zhan Qipei, his eyes filled with surprise.

“No, no way, Young Master Zhan, you really fell for Qiao Jing?!”

So surprised that he couldn’t even speak properly.

After recovering, Zhan Qipei’s face returned to its usual indifferent expression.

“Your imagination is quite rich. How could I possibly like her?”

“You really don’t like her?” Lu Zijiao asked for confirmation.

“Have you forgotten that I already have someone I like?”

Upon hearing Zhan Qipei say this, only then did Lu Zijiao belatedly realize he was referring to the girl who had operated on Zhan Qipei some days before.

“Since you don’t like Qiao Jing, then you have even less reason to be angry, right? And even if my brother is now pursuing Qiao Jing, no one would say that you’ve been cuckolded. Everyone in the capital knows you are in a ‘marriage by imperial command,’ and after 100 days, you and Qiao Jing will go your separate ways, so there’s really no need for concern.”

Zhan Qipei was a sensible man; how could he not understand what Lu Zijiao was saying?

But—

He just felt frustrated!

Frustrated by Qiao Jing attracting unwanted attention, frustrated by those people buzzing around her like flies.

While Zhan Qipei was thinking this, the noise in the banquet hall suddenly escalated.

“It’s Han Zhiyu, Master Han!”

“It really is Master Han!”

Han Zhiyu?

Zhan Qipei’s attention shifted, and following the gaze of the crowd, he soon saw an old man dressed in a green robe, with a stooped back, walking towards them with a slightly faltering step.

Was Han Zhiyu here to celebrate his grandpa’s birthday? Why didn’t he remember Han Zhiyu having such a good relationship with Grandpa Zhan?

“Master Han! It’s Master Han! Nanqing, look!” Lou Xinrou excitedly grabbed Zhan Nanqing’s arm and shook it.

The elder standing next to them, Lou Pinshu, who was the president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, was even more thrilled and hurriedly greeted him.

“Master Han, it’s been a long time.”

“Yes! Since I became ill and stopped painting, we haven’t met.” Han Zhiyu stroked his beard as he spoke.

“Master Han, seeing your health and complexion, did you find a renowned doctor?” Lou Pinshu guessed as he asked.

Han Zhiyu nodded, and as he was about to say something, his peripheral vision caught sight of Qiao Jing in the crowd, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Lou Xinrou, who wasn’t far from Qiao Jing, saw Han Zhiyu looking this way and thought that Lou Pinshu had praised her in front of Han Zhiyu.

In her joy, she immediately walked towards Han Zhiyu.

Little did she know, before she even reached Han Zhiyu, he also started walking towards her.

“Han—”

That word hadn’t even fully left her throat when Han Zhiyu stopped beside her.

“So many days have passed, and you haven’t come to see me.”

Huh?

Lou Xinrou paused, wondering to whom Han Zhiyu was speaking.

Turning her head in confusion, and seeing it was Qiao Jing, she almost popped her eyes out.

It wasn’t just Lou Xinrou; everyone around was staring dumbfounded at this puzzling scene.

Everyone present knew that Qiao Jing was just a rustic farmer from the countryside. But seeing Han Zhiyu’s attitude towards her, it was obvious they were old acquaintances.

“What’s going on? How does Qiao Jing know Han Zhiyu?” Lu Zijiao asked Zhan Qipei with a face full of surprise.

Zhan Qipei grimly watched Qiao Jing, reminded of the painting hanging at home. It was by Han Zhiyu.

He still remembered Qiao Jing saying that the painting was a personal gift from Han Zhiyu.

At that time, he was half-skeptical, and after that, he did not probe further into the matter.

Zhan Nanqing and Lou Xinrou also thought of the painting hung in Qiao Jing’s house, looking at Qiao Jing and Han Zhiyu’s familiar interaction, and no longer doubted her word.

That painting must have been a gift from Han Zhiyu.

But—why?

Why would Qiao Jing, the country bumpkin, know Han Zhiyu?

Qiao Jing and Han Zhiyu continued to chat as if no one else were around.

“I’ve been busy with farm work lately, you know. Besides, there aren’t any major issues with your health anymore, so continuing to recuperate in the countryside would be best.”

Han Zhiyu had been in the countryside this whole time?

Upon hearing this, Lou Xinrou, Zhan Nanqing, and others began to boldly speculate in their hearts.

The reason Qiao Jing knew Han Zhiyu might simply be good luck, as Han Zhiyu’s place of cultivation was in the village where Qiao Jing lived.

The few neighboring households frequently interacted, so naturally, their relationships were good.

“She’s really hit the jackpot!” Zhan Nanqing commented.

Though her comment was genuine, so was her envy.

To be farming in the countryside and yet come to know a world-class master painter like Han Zhiyu, if that wasn’t hitting the jackpot, what was?

When the banquet was halfway through, the guests began presenting their congratulatory gifts to Zhan Yuanshan.

“Grandpa, this is the gift I have for you. I know you like hand strings, so I especially found this for you,” Zhan Nanqing said, trying to please.

“Hmm, Nanqing, you really put thought into it,” Zhan Yuanshan said, cheerfully accepting it.

“Grandpa, Xinrou has prepared a big gift for you!” Zhan Nanqing said as she pulled Lou Xinrou over, deliberately throwing a provocative look at Qiao Jing.

Lou Xinrou presented the gift to Zhan Yuanshan, her expression extremely respectful and submissive.

“Grandpa Zhan, this is the gift I specially prepared for you. Please accept it.”

Zhan Yuanshan had long known that Lou Xinrou adored Zhan Qipei, but honestly, the only suitable candidate for his granddaughter-in-law in his eyes had always been Qiao Jing. Before Qiao Jing appeared, whether it was Zhan Qipei or Zhan Ruiting, he didn’t care whom his grandsons married.

But ever since he had met Qiao Jing, he wished she could be his own granddaughter.

But that was not possible.

Then, an idea struck him, and he thought of this excellent plan.

If she couldn’t be his granddaughter, she could be his granddaughter-in-law.

In the future, she could bear him great-grandchildren as outstanding as her; it was all the same.

“Hmm,” Zhan Yuanshan took the gift from Lou Xinrou’s hand, preparing to set it aside.

“Grandpa, you should open it and see! Xinrou’s gift is quite extraordinary! You’ll know once you look,” Zhan Nanqing said.

With so many people around, Zhan Yuanshan had no choice but to open it.

Upon opening it, his eyes slightly brightened.

“This ginseng has a nice shape, almost forming a ‘human,’ with a thick main root and many branches, and it’s well preserved, probably wild,” Zhan Yuanshan analyzed.

“Yes! It’s several decades old.” Lou Pinshu came over, “This is my prized collection, intended for my own use eventually, but Xinrou begged me for days to bring it here as a congratulatory gift for you.”

Lou Pinshu knew his granddaughter liked Zhan Qipei, and he said this to support her.

“Grandpa…” Lou Xinrou pouted at Lou Pinshu, then sneakily glanced at Zhan Qipei.

She thought Zhan Qipei’s attention would be on her at that moment, yet he didn’t spare her a single glance.

What infuriated her more was, whether it was just her imagination or not, she thought she saw Zhan Qipei stealing glances at Qiao Jing a moment ago.

Thinking this, Lou Xinrou felt her anger rise, barely managing to whisper the recent happenings to Zhan Nanqing so only the two of them could hear.

After hearing this, Zhan Nanqing immediately began to comfort Lou Xinrou.

“Xinrou, don’t overthink it, you must have seen it wrong. My brother would never secretly watch Qiao Jing, nor would he like her. Don’t worry, just wait, I’ll make Qiao Jing embarrass herself right now.”

Having said this, Zhan Nanqing looked towards Qiao Jing and deliberately raised her voice, “Qiao Jing, you are supposed to be my brother’s wife by now, didn’t you prepare any gift?”

Zhan Qipei, with his deep dark eyes, looked toward Zhan Nanqing, recognizing that she was picking on Qiao Jing.

Zhan Yuanshan also realized it and sternly said with a displeased expression, “Nanqing, stop your nonsense and step aside.”

Zhan Nanqing, seeing Zhan Yuanshan scold her in public for an outsider like Qiao Jing, felt very embarrassed.

“Grandpa! How am I making trouble? I just think that on your big birthday, she should give a gift,” she protested.

Qiao Jing brought out a wooden box and presented it to Zhan Yuanshan, “Grandpa Zhan, may your happiness be as vast as the eastern seas and your life as lofty as the southern mountains.”

“Good child, good child!” Zhan Yuanshan beamed with joy.

Seeing the smile on Zhan Yuanshan’s face, Zhan Nanqing immediately felt jealousy welling up inside her.

You never looked that happy when Xinrou and I gave you gifts.

Zhan Yuanshan handed the gift to a butler standing by, “Keep this safe.”

“Wait a minute! Grandpa, this is a heartfelt gift from Qiao Jing, why won’t you open it to look?”

Zhan Nanqing wanted to see Qiao Jing make a fool of herself, not believing Qiao Jing could have anything impressive to offer.

“Nanqing, you’re really becoming unreasonable!” Zhan Yuanshan grew displeased.

Despite this, wanting to see Qiao Jing embarrassed, Zhan Nanqing stubbornly continued, “Grandpa, I heard that Qiao Jing also tried hard to pick a good gift for you.”

Zhan Yuanshan was nearing his limit, just about to lose his temper, when he heard Qiao Jing’s calm voice next to him.

“You really want to take a look?”