Song Ru Wei had a good relationship with Zhao Lin Lang, so Zhao Lin Lang invited her to Zi Yu Villa and also said she could bring another person. Thus, Song Ru Wei thought of Wei Zheng.

Hearing that she would have the opportunity to become closer to the seventh princess, Wei Zheng was naturally very happy and unreservedly agreed.

Wei Zheng was jealous of Wei Luo's close relationship with the sixth princess and had been determined to worm her way into being friends with Zhao Liuli too. To no avail, Zhao Liuli rarely appeared in palace banquets. Even if she did show, she usually didn't talk to anyone other than Wei Luo and the two sisters from Duke Zhen's residence. Towards other people, she always kept her distance. It was very difficult to come in contact with her.

Wei Zheng had tried to talk to Zhao Liuli a few times, but she had been ignored each time and she gradually stopped trying. She thought that Wei Luo had incited Zhao Liuli against her and this was why she was ignoring her. Actually, this wasn't true. Zhao Liuli had a naturally shy disposition and wasn't used to talking to strangers.

Now, she had the opportunity to get close to seventh princess Zhao Lin Lang, so Wei Zheng was naturally happy. If she could gain a close relationship with the seventh princess, she wouldn't lower her head in front of Wei Luo.

Wei Zheng's mental abacus was loud as she counted her chickens before they hatched. This was her main purpose in going to Zi Yu Villa. The second reason was naturally... She glanced at the small porcelain bottle in her hand.

Song Ru Wei had said that the capital's young noblemen from distinguished families would be holding a friendly gathering for poetry in Hua Fu Mountain, which was behind Zi Yu Villa. At that time, Song Hui and many young nobles would be there for a total of two days and one night. By chance, they would be staying the night at Zi Yu Villa.

A few days ago, Wei Zheng heard that people from Count Zhong Yi's residence had come here to discuss Wei Luo and Song Hui's marriage. Wei Kun had put so much thought into Wei Luo's marriage, but he had never put any thought into her marriage! Wei Zheng felt very indignant. Why did Wei Luo always receive the best? Clearly, she was closer to Song Hui. If they were going to arrange a marriage between an older male cousin and younger female cousin, it should be her that should be getting married.

Song Hui treated her so well. Every time he saw her, he would smile gently. He liked her too, right?

Thinking of this, Wei Zheng felt that Wei Luo was gaining an advantage too easily.

Naturally, she wasn't resigned and wanted to go to Ginkgo Courtyard to consult with Du-shi. But, Du-shi hadn't left Ginkgo Courtyard in many years and wasn't clear about matters outside of the residence. Du-shi already had a difficult enough time protecting herself. How could she help her? Then, she had heard about this type of aphrodisiac from Yin Lou. She thought over the past and considered the future. In the end, she decided for Yin Lou to obtain this drug, then she would use it on Song Hui.

After he had possessed her body, he would have to marry her.

Wei Zheng stored the little porcelain bottle into her trousseau, closed the box, turned around, and asked Yin Lou, "If you dare to tell this to anyone, I'll sell you to the red light district."

Since Yin Lou knew an old woman from the red light district, she naturally knew what kind of place it was. It was a place with brothels, where men seek women for pleasurable love. She wouldn't even mention that the life there was exhausting. Every day, the women would have to receive different men. It was much worse than being a servant girl. Yin Lou knelt down in horror and promptly declared her position, "Miss, be assured. Even if this matter rots in this servant's stomach, I won't tell anyone!"

Wei Zheng nodded, told her to rise, and said, "Recently, one of Wei Luo's personal servant girls asked about me. She's probably suspicious. Later, go outside and prepare medicine for me. If anyone asks, say the medicine is for me."

Yin Lou obediently nodded. Seeing that Wei Zheng didn't have any other orders, she bowed and left the room.

Wei Zheng sat inside her room and thought for a while. She was originally planning on going to Gingko Courtyard to visit Du-shi. However, now that she thought about, she would wait until the matter was settled before going. As long as she could marry into Count Zhong Yi's residence, she would be able to take her out of Gingko Courtyard and bring her to Count Zhong Yi's residence. Her mother wouldn't have to be locked away in that small courtyard anymore.

--------

After Wei Luo bought the present and returned home, she wanted to go to her room first to store the jade away, then bring the ivory pendant to Wei Chang Hong. Unexpectedly, she saw Chang Hong walking out of a room and the two of them met in the verandah. Wei Luo instinctively tried to hide the box behind her.

Wei Chang Hong was just about to go to Mister Qi's place to ask him for guidance on a few questions. Seeing Wei Luo looking guilty, he followed the movement of her hands and saw the red sandalwood box with decorative carvings. His eyes flashed as he looked at Wei Luo and slowly asked, "What's that?"

Although it wasn't their birthday yet, he had already given Wei Luo her gift. Wei Luo still hadn't given him his gift. Even thought he hadn't asked about it, he hadn't forgotten.

Wei Luo knew that she wouldn't be able to conceal the box. She could only confess, "This is a gift for you. I especially went outside today to buy it."

Chang Hong curved his lips into a smile. On his left cheek, a shallow dimple was revealed. He was obviously in a good mood. "Can I see it?"

Wei Luo automatically shook her head. In addition to the ivory pendant, there was a white jade hairpin inside the box. If Chang Hong asked, how should she explain? She held the box tightly. Her eyes turned and without a change in her expression, she said, "Since it's a birthday gift, then of course, I have to wait until your birthday to give it you. You won't be surprised later if you see it now."

Chang Hong looked at her and reminded, "Ah Luo, I've already given your gift to you."

The implication was that he wanted her to give him his present now.

Wei Luo still refused. She thought of how she used to rub his head when they were children, but when she lifted her hand, she discovered that he was already a head taller than her and immediately stopped her action. Very resolutely, she said, "Anyways, you can't see it now."

Clearly, they were the same age and had been born on the same day. So, why was Chang Hong so much taller than her? Wei Luo subconsciously compared and discovered that she only reached his shoulders. She looked at him and couldn't help thinking of another person. Zhao Jie was taller than Chang Hong. When she stood in front of Zhao Jie, she only reached his chest. Every time he kissed her, he had to bend down or wrap his arm around her waist and force her to cater to him by standing on her tiptoes

As she thought about this, Wei Luo started blushing.

Chong Hong was slightly lost and felt disappointed. But, it was fine. The gift was his and couldn't run away. He lifted his hand and stroked her forehead, then he asked, "Why is your face slightly red? Did you catch a cold from Wei Zheng?"

Wei Luo shook her head. Her little face was still red, "No... I just feel a bit warm."

She couldn't continue to stand out here with Chang Hong. Otherwise, she would expose herself. She moved to the side to let him go, "Aren't you going to see Mister Qi? If you go there late, Mister Qi might be resting. You should quickly go."

Chang Hong looked at her again. After convincing himself that she was okay, he left in the direction of Mister Qi's courtyard.

Wei Luo returned to her room, opened the box, and took the white jade hairpin out of the box. When she was buying it, she wasn't thinking calmly. Now, after buying it, she started to worry. Would she really give him this? If she kept it in her room and someone saw it, he or she would definitely feel suspicious. This was clearly a man's object and Chang Hong wouldn't be using this. Who could it belong to?

While she was holding the jade hairpin and letting her imagination run wild, from behind her, Jin Lu walked inside while carrying a cup of silver needles and casually asked, "Miss, are you going to give this jade hairpin to Prince Jing?

Startled, Wei Luo turned around and asked in panic, "Who said I would give this to him?"

Jin Lu, "..."

Wasn't Miss thinking of giving this hairpin to Prince Jing when she was buying it?

She and Bai Lan weren't stupid. They had known about Wei Luo and Zhao Jie's relationship a long time ago. They both thought that Zhao Jie was pretty good. He treated their Miss well and pampered her as if she was his beloved. They had never seen a man treasure a young girl like this. In addition, Zhao Jie's status and identify was very respectable. If their Miss married him, she definitely wouldn't suffer any grievances.

When they were inside the jade store, Wei Luo looked reluctant to part with this jade hairpin. Clearly, she had already selected and bought her gift for Young Master Chang Hong. If this hairpin wasn't for Prince Jing, then whom else could it be for?

Jin Lu had mercilessly exposed Wei Luo's thoughts. Wei Luo's pretty cheeks were red again. She felt slightly embarrassed.

She did want to give this to Zhao Jie. Zhao Jie had given her so many gifts and she had only given him a hua tiao puppy called Si Xi when she was seven. When Wei Luo was eleven, it had become sick and didn't recover. Half a month later, it had died. She had been thinking about giving him something else and thought of the jade ornament that Zhao Liuli had given Yang Zhen. If she gave him something that would be worn on his body, he would think of her whenever he saw her gift.

She sent Jin Lu out of the room and sat down on her couch by herself. She wrapped her arms around a purl pillow, curled her body up, and buried her small face into the purl pillow. Only a red ear could be seen.

It seemed that she really did like Zhao Jie a lot...

Since the time he was injured and she realized that she cared about him, she couldn't help thinking about him everyday. Actually, she liked his kisses. Her heart would tingle and soften when he was kissing her. Last time, in the carriage, when she had instinctively responded to him, he had frozen for a moment before holding her face and kissing her more intensely.

Even after living two lifetimes, she hadn't liked someone before, so she was a bit slow-witted in this area... When Zhao Jie suddenly kissed her a month ago, she felt confused and bewildered. So, she gritted her teeth and always refused him. But, after thinking about this for a month, she gradually realized it wasn't that she wanted to refuse him. It was only that she wasn't used to this feeling.

That day, when Zhao Jie was injured and was sitting in his bed while faintly smiling at her, her heart ached. This was the first time that she felt he had been gone for a long time and she missed him. Later, when Gao Dan Yang escorted her out of the residence and said those words to her, her heart was actually very unhappy. Why couldn't she go to Prince Jing's residence? Was Gao Dan Yang going to marry Zhao Jie? Was their relationship that had existed since they were children that good? She used to never care about things like this, but at that moment, her heart carefully considered everything. It was difficult to describe the complication emotions she was feeling.

She didn't want Zhao Jie to marry or have any contact with Gao Dan Yang. It wouldn't be okay for him to even say one word to her.

Wei Luo hugged the pillow and thought for a long time before falling asleep. In her dream, she and Zhao Jie were riding horses together inside a peach tree grove. The horses stepped on flower petals as they moved forward. There wasn't an end to the path. Hailstones started to fall from the sky and one landed on her head. Her head slightly hurt. She clutched her head and softly called out to the person in front of her, "Big brother."

The person in front of her turned around. It wasn't Zhao Jie. It was clearly Chang Hong's expressionless face!

Shocked, she fell down from the horse and woke up.

When she opened her eyes, Chang Hong's face was right in front of her.

He curved two fingers and knocked her forehead. His expression didn't look good. Wei Luo had just woken up and dazedly thought, so this was the hailstone in her dream...

Chang Hong was standing in front of the couch and holding a white jade hairpin in his hand. With a complicated expression, he asked her, "Ah Luo, who are you giving this to?"