The Prime Minister’s Little Wife

Chapter 39: Repaying a Life-Saving Grace with a Spring of Gratitude

Xu Zhizhi knew that he had been rejected and that he didn’t have a fiancée at home.

But thinking about the Duke’s mansion, she decided to let it go.

“For saving your life, you can repay me with a spring of gratitude. You don’t even remember who you are. What if you already have a wife at home?”

She had wanted to choose her own husband, but now, Xiao Jingheng didn’t seem suitable.

High-ranking families had too many rules, and there would be a stepmother and elder brother to deal with. It was too troublesome.

Xiao Jingheng was now anxious. Would someone with amnesia remember that they weren’t married?

He had just been regretting his impulsive proposal, and now the girl had rejected him.

He was full of conflict, unsure of how to proceed.

Xu Zhizhi looked at Xiao Jingheng, who was visibly uncomfortable and conflicted, and felt like laughing.

It seemed that this man hadn’t actually lost his memory.

She decided to test him. “I’ll go cook for you all. After eating, I need to go to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to discuss the braised meat with Nangong Yunhao.”

“Nangong Yunhao?”

“Yes, the young master of the Nangong family.”

Xiao Jingheng thought to himself, My cousin has a restaurant in this godforsaken place?

Xu Zhizhi continued, “Nangong Yunhao wouldn’t normally come to this remote little town. He told me he came specifically to look for his cousin. His cousin had been rejected and was being hunted. How pitiful!”

“He’s close to you? He tells you everything?” Xiao Jingheng asked uncomfortably.

“Not at all. We’ve only met once. That time, he even wanted me to be his concubine!” Xu Zhizhi said, holding back a laugh.

“Is he insane? Saying that the first time he met you?” Xiao Jingheng said angrily.

He didn’t realize why he was so furious.

“Oh my! A kindred spirit! That’s exactly what I said to him.”

“I even asked the manager of Drunken Fragrance Pavilion if an idiot could be the owner.”

“To prove he wasn’t an idiot, he rambled on and on…”

“Oh, right. He mentioned that his cousin’s surname is Xiao. It couldn’t be you, could it?”

Xiao Jingheng: “…”

Xu Zhizhi deliberately added, “It probably isn’t you. He said his cousin was peerlessly handsome, the most beautiful man in Luocheng.”

Xiao Jingheng: “…”

“Brother Xiao, do you have any favorite dishes? I’ll go cook now. You should rest for a while.”

As she spoke, Xu Zhizhi poured a glass of water for Xiao Jingheng.

Xiao Jingheng’s emotions were like a rollercoaster. How could he think of food at a time like this?

He reluctantly said, “Just make something simple.”

Ah, he couldn’t bear to see her work too hard. What a considerate man.

Wang Shishi had confirmed yesterday that she would soon get the bean sprout recipe. Today, she happily brought her maid, Qingzi, to town for a meal.

She also loved the boiled beef.

They headed straight to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, where the waiter warmly welcomed them and seated them in a private room. They ordered boiled beef and a vegetable dish.

Nangong Yunhao had been searching the surrounding villages for his cousin and hadn’t returned for two days. Craving boiled fish, he hurried back.

As soon as he returned, Manager Li told him that Xu Zhizhi had made braised meat and was waiting for him to try it.

Having not eaten well for two days, he took a bite and found it absolutely delicious…

Manager Li told him that Xu Zhizhi had gone shopping in town and would return in the afternoon, but Nangong Yunhao, overwhelmed by the taste of the braised meat, didn’t hear him. He thought Xu Zhizhi was waiting for him in the private room!

After eating, he hurried over and pushed open the door to the private room.

He saw a woman sitting at the table, wearing a blue dress, her delicate face as beautiful as a flower, her fingers like peeled scallions, her lips like red pearls. Every smile and frown was captivating, her face like smooth jade, her beauty almost dripping with charm.

How could such beauty exist in this godforsaken place?

Had he walked into the wrong room?

What was he seeing? Was he hallucinating?

Wang Shishi heard the door open and thought the food had arrived. She looked up.

But what did she see?!

A man. The man before her truly stunned her.

His long eyebrows slanted into his temples, his eyelashes thick and long, his peach-blossom eyes enchanting, his nose high and straight, his features exquisite.

His luxurious clothes couldn’t hide his good looks. It was clear he wasn’t from the countryside.

Having been stuck in this godforsaken place for so long, she had never seen such a handsome and noble man.

A voice in her heart told her not to miss this opportunity. In a flash, she pretended to be startled and stood up to run out.

At the same time, she exclaimed, “Who are you?”

As she walked past the man, she pretended to trip and fell into his arms…

Nangong Yunhao, still dazzled by her beauty, instinctively caught her and asked, “Do you like me? Is this your way of throwing yourself at me?”

Wang Shishi flustered and tried to push him away, saying, “No, you suddenly came in and scared me!”

Nangong Yunhao had encountered countless women. This little trick couldn’t fool him.

Having come to this remote town, he hadn’t met many women. The last time, he had been rejected by Xu Zhizhi.

He thought, This is more like it. This is how women should react when they see me.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility. I’ll make you my concubine.”

Wang Shishi was displeased. Although she lived in the countryside now, she was still the daughter of a minister. How could she be a concubine?

“I don’t want you to take responsibility. How could I, a young lady, be a concubine?”

Nangong Yunhao said, “If you won’t be a concubine, then what? I’m already married!”

He thought to himself, Did I misunderstand? Was she really just scared when I barged in?

Do women in this godforsaken place not like handsome men?

“Then you can divorce your wife!”

Nangong Yunhao was shocked. This woman had quite the appetite. He said unhappily:

“I am the young master of the Nangong family of the Great Sheng Dynasty. Divorcing my wife is impossible. Don’t worry, if you become my concubine, I’ll naturally dote on you.”

Wang Shishi’s eyes lit up when she heard “Nangong family.” She hadn’t misheard! As the illegitimate daughter of a minister, becoming the noble concubine of a young master from a prestigious family wasn’t a bad deal, especially since he was the young master!

She immediately blushed and said shyly, “This humble girl is Wang Shishi, the fifth daughter of the Wang family in Luocheng. Due to poor health, I’ve been recuperating in the countryside. I’m grateful for Young Master Nangong’s kindness…”

Nangong Yunhao understood: This was a seductress pretending to resist, even coveting the position of his wife!

But a concubine’s position was something he could offer. He decided to tease her a little and raised an eyebrow. “Shishi, why are you blushing? Could it be that you’re overwhelmed with emotion in your husband’s arms?”

Wang Shishi pretended to struggle slightly and said, “How can you say such things? I haven’t agreed yet.”

Nangong Yunhao chuckled. “Shishi, you’re stunningly beautiful. I truly like you. Will you agree to be my wife?”

Hearing his praise, Wang Shishi smiled shyly. “You have good taste. Then I’ll agree. You must treat me well in the future.”

Nangong Yunhao said, “Don’t worry, Shishi. I’ll treat you well. As long as you behave, I’ll always cherish you.”

At that moment, the waiter came in with their food.

(End of Chapter)