He, however, paid no attention to anyone else. Wrapping an arm around Hong Ning’s waist, he spoke in a gentle, almost reproachful tone. “If my beauty wanted to buy a sword, why didn’t you make it clear? You could have just sent someone to fetch silver from the bank.”
Hong Ning smiled.
Miss Su snapped out of her daze and greeted him softly, “Young Master Duan.”
Only then did Duan Fei glance at her, his expression one of mild surprise. “Ah, so Miss Su is here as well.”
Hong Ning deliberately added, “Miss Su also wants to buy the sword.”
“Oh?” Duan Fei took the sword from her hands and unsheathed it for a look. He admired it with a nod. “A fine blade indeed.” Sliding it back into its scabbard, he pulled Hong Ning closer again. “My beauty has a good eye. Shall we offer one hundred taels?”
Hong Ning understood his intention and smiled faintly. “Forget it. It’s too expensive—I’ll let Miss Su have it.”
By deliberately raising the price so high, Duan Fei had left Miss Su no room to bargain. As a lady of noble standing, how could she openly haggle in front of everyone? One hundred taels was no small sum, and spending such an amount on a mere sword was hardly reasonable. Realizing she had crossed the wrong person, her beautiful face flushed red, then turned pale. Still, she was no stranger to social situations. Quickly regaining her composure, she smiled sweetly and said, “It is indeed a bit too costly. And with Young Master Duan here, how could I possibly take what he cherishes?”
Duan Fei gave a polite nod. “Many thanks.” At once, one of his attendants stepped forward and paid the scholar.
Hong Ning had initially looked down on the scholar and found Miss Su’s conduct rude. However, seeing that Duan Fei was deliberately helping her save face, she went along with it. But now that he was truly spending such an outrageous sum on a sword, even she couldn’t stand by and watch. “Enough, it’s just a worthless sword.”
“So what?” Duan Fei leaned in, his voice low and teasing. His nose brushed against her cheek as he murmured, “My beauty doesn’t love rouge and powder, but she loves a fine weapon. It’s rare for you to find something you like, yet you’re still thinking of saving my silver.”
Their intimacy was plain for all to see. Some looked on with admiration, others with pity, but none were surprised—what scandalous thing had this notorious playboy not done? This was just one more to add to the list.
Miss Su, however, turned red at the sight. She averted her gaze and left with her maids in tow.
Watching her retreating figure, Hong Ning smirked. “The real beauty has left.”
Duan Fei burst into laughter. “What a pity. Truly a pity.” Then, his laughter lowered into something softer, his dark eyes gleaming with a trace of amusement. “A pity that others can’t compare to mine. And my beauty isn’t as money-minded as I imagined.”
Hong Ning turned her face just in time to avoid his approaching kiss and briskly walked away.
“You’re jealous after just a few extra glances?” Duan Fei sighed in feigned helplessness, following after her.
Her steps stiffened slightly, then quickened.
As expected, laughter erupted from behind them.
0 Comments