TRWSB – Chapter 191 Entrusted with care

“Young Master Zuo, Young Master Qi Shaorong is here to visit,” a guard announced as he walked in.

Zuo Yunfei turned his head and glanced at the guard, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. “Qi Shao? Let him in.”

Qi Shaorong walked into the courtyard garden and saw Zuo Yunfei standing with his hands behind his back in the middle of the garden.

“Young Master Zuo, you’re in quite the mood! Admiring flowers so early in the morning,” Qi Shaorong said with a smile.

“A rare guest indeed! I’m surprised Qi Shao would come looking for me. Is there something you need?” Zuo Yunfei asked.

“There is something, actually. I’d like to ask for a favor,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“Go ahead, speak freely. If it’s within my ability to help, I won’t refuse,” Zuo Yunfei said.

“Ah Heng isn’t returning with me. He has some matters to handle in Jin State. My cosmetic business, Qingcheng, has a weak foundation in Jin, and I worry for Ah Heng’s safety. I hope Young Master Zuo could look after him. Would you be willing to do me this favor?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Zuo Yunfei smiled faintly. “Qi Heng is going to Jin State?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Yes.”

“You’ve asked, how could I possibly refuse?” Zuo Yunfei replied calmly.

“I heard that Young Master Zuo was summoned by Princess Yueting. Did the princess perhaps extend an olive branch to you?” Qi Shaorong inquired.

Zuo Yunfei nodded casually. “She did. But I’m not interested.”

“Young Master Zuo, you are a man of genuine character! To remain unmoved even with an entire kingdom laid before you—truly admirable,” Qi Shaorong said.

Zuo Yunfei looked at Qi Shaorong. “No need to admire me. Perhaps you didn’t know—Princess Yueting approached Young Master Zhuang first. When he refused, she came to me. I have no interest in leftovers.”

Qi Shaorong forced a smile. “I see…”

…

“Young Master Zuo! Young Master Zuo! Big news!” Another guard came rushing in as Qi Shaorong and Zuo Yunfei were speaking.

Zuo Yunfei narrowed his eyes. “What news?”

“Her Highness the Princess has chosen her marriage partner. It’s Prince Li Ying,” the guard said.

Qi Shaorong couldn’t help but widen his eyes. What?

“This princess…” What strange taste!

Qi Shaorong squinted, thinking—judging by all aspects, Tang Tianying was far superior to Prince Li Ying. And yet Princess Yueting chose Li Ying?

Zuo Yunfei nodded and waved his hand. “I know. You may leave.”

“Young Master Zuo, you don’t seem surprised at all,” Qi Shaorong said.

Zuo Yunfei glanced at him. “There’s nothing to be surprised about.”

Qi Shaorong rubbed his nose and thought to himself: If this isn’t surprising, maybe I’m just too ignorant.

Zuo Yunfei, seeing the confused look on Qi Shaorong’s face, explained, “Actually, Princess Yueting never wanted to marry in the first place. But under the emperor of Yun Nation’s command, she had no choice. In such a situation, she would either choose someone exceptional whom she truly admired, or someone obedient who’d listen to her every word. Clearly, she chose the latter.”

Qi Shaorong was momentarily stunned, then nodded. “As expected of you, Young Master Zuo—so sharp! You’ve awakened me with a single sentence.” The Jin royal family held no real power, and Prince Li Ying wasn’t exceptional among the princes. If he became the princess’s husband, he certainly wouldn’t oppose her decisions.

Zuo Yunfei chuckled. “It’s nothing. Pity for Prince Tang Tianying, though. He came all this way. If Princess Yueting were a normal woman, I think he would’ve had a good chance.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

…

Qi Shaorong entered the room and saw Tang Tianying slumped over the table, listless.

Arms folded, Qi Shaorong looked him over. “Fourth Prince, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve lost all your energy.”

Tang Tianying smiled weakly. “It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a little down.”

“What happened?”

Tang Tianying took a deep breath. “I’ve long known I can’t compare to Zhuang Hao or Zuo Yunfei. But I didn’t expect to lose out even to that pretty-boy Li Ying. You have no idea—I held out for hundreds of moves against that princess. That guy? He was down in just a few.”

He was starting to seriously doubt his own charm.

Qi Shaorong patted his shoulder. “Fourth Prince, you don’t get it. Princess Yueting likes weaklings. You weren’t weak enough, that’s why she didn’t like you!”

“Really?” Tang Tianying looked up.

“Really,” Qi Shaorong affirmed.

“So, it’s not my problem, it’s her taste that’s flawed?” Tang Tianying asked.

Qi Shaorong nodded, comforting him. “Don’t worry. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you—beloved by all, flowers bloom at your smile, endlessly charming.”

Tang Tianying patted his chest. “Qi Shao, hearing you say that, I feel much better.”

“By the way, where’s Qi Heng? I haven’t seen him.”

“Young Master Heng went out,” Tang Tianying replied.

Qi Shaorong narrowed his eyes. “Out again?”

Tang Tianying nodded and added, “He was afraid of getting blocked by Young Master Zuo, so he snuck out.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

…

Qi Heng stepped outside and was immediately blocked by Zuo Yunfei.

“Where are you going?” Zuo Yunfei asked darkly.

“Just out for a walk. Is that a problem? Zuo Yunfei, what are you to me anyway? I don’t need your permission to go out!” Qi Heng crossed his arms.

Zuo Yunfei tilted his head. “Not a big problem. Just a small one—your young master sold you to me. And here you are, running off for fun. You didn’t know, did you?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Qi Heng snapped.

Zuo Yunfei looked at him. “Nonsense? You just lack self-awareness. Qi Shaorong thought you were being a third wheel and too much of a bother, so he eagerly sent you off to me, asking me to keep a close eye on you.”

Qi Heng frowned, clearly annoyed. “Impossible! Zuo Yunfei, even if you’re talking nonsense, there should be a limit!”

“Believe it or not, Qi Shaorong has abandoned you,” Zuo Yunfei said gleefully.

Qi Heng glared at him and muttered unhappily, “Unbelievable.”

Qi Heng walked into the villa courtyard, full of frustration.

“Young Master.”

Qi Shaorong glanced at Qi Heng and asked with confusion, “What’s wrong? In a bad mood? Why do you look so upset?”

“Young Master, what did you say to Zuo Yunfei? That guy…” Qi Heng hesitated, visibly irritated as he asked.

Qi Shaorong looked at the flustered Qi Heng and said, “It’s nothing. Weren’t you planning to go to Jin State? I just asked Zuo Yunfei to look after you.”

“Young Master, why would you do that! He hates me and would love nothing more than to see me suffer. How could you ask someone like that to take care of me? Are you crazy?” Qi Heng exclaimed, clearly agitated.

Seeing Qi Heng react like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Qi Shaorong was somewhat taken aback.

“In Jin State, Zuo Yunfei has the local influence. With him watching over you, at least you won’t die. I don’t know how deep his resentment toward you runs, but I can tell he won’t kill you. He won’t stand by and let you die either,” Qi Shaorong said seriously.

Qi Heng closed his eyes, troubled. “Young Master, the relationship between me and Zuo Yunfei… isn’t what you think it is.”

Qi Shaorong patted Qi Heng on the shoulder and said, “It’s already decided. Just go rest.”

“Young Master…” Qi Heng called out lowly, a hint of pleading in his voice.

Qi Shaorong gently pushed him and said, “Alright now, go get some rest.”

Zhuang Hao, watching Qi Heng’s departing figure, turned to Qi Shaorong and sighed. “Why didn’t you just tell Qi Heng that Zuo Yunfei likes him?”

“Ah Heng is convinced that Zuo Yunfei hates him. If I told him that, he probably wouldn’t believe it,” Qi Shaorong replied.

Zhuang Hao curled his lip. “Zuo Yunfei’s got some responsibility in this too. That guy is way too awkward. If he doesn’t change his approach to chasing people, he won’t be single just this lifetime—he’ll be single in the next one too.”

…

“Young Master,” Qi Heng came back out and called to Qi Shaorong.

Qi Shaorong looked at him and sighed. “You still don’t look well. Are you angry at me?”

Qi Heng shook his head. “No. I know you mean well, but Zuo Yunfei…”

Qi Shaorong said, “Don’t overthink it. Zuo Yunfei? You used to flatten and twist him however you liked—now is no different.”

Qi Heng rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Young Master, you give me too much credit. He’s not the same person anymore. I can’t even come close to matching him now.”

Qi Shaorong looked at Qi Heng thoughtfully and thought to himself: Beating someone isn’t the only way to win against them.

“You’re worried… he’ll beat you up?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Qi Heng shook his head, remaining silent.

Qi Shaorong shrugged. “You’re overthinking it. Zuo Yunfei doesn’t seem like that kind of person. He probably won’t hit you.”

Qi Heng muttered irritably, “Young Master, you really don’t know…”

“What don’t I know?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Qi Heng closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Forget it…”

Qi Shaorong patted his shoulder. “Alright, take it easy. Things probably aren’t as bad as you think.”

Then, Qi Shaorong took out a gold card and handed it to Qi Heng. “This is an anonymous credit card I opened with the Commerce Alliance. You can use up to 200 million gold coins. Once I make more money and deposit it in, you’ll have access to even more funds.”

“Young Master, this card is too valuable. I can’t accept it…” Qi Heng protested.

Qi Shaorong patted his shoulder again and said, “You’ve been with me for so many years. Of course I won’t shortchange you. Ah Heng, you need to know—no matter what decisions I make, they’ll never be to harm you.”

Qi Heng held the gold card tightly. “Thank you, Young Master.”

With the card in hand, Qi Heng felt warmth in his heart. The young master had always been generous to his own people, but Qi Heng hadn’t expected him to be this generous. Two hundred million gold—this was likely the full extent of what Qi Shaorong could access.