Chapter 226:
And her fleeing a marriage by running away, encountering bandits, and jumping into Dayang Lake couldn’t be hidden for long either.
Thinking this way, Xie Wanning simply told her own experiences in full.
“You just ran away like that?” Chen Xi’er listened with gradually widening eyes, looking at her as if she were some rare treasure, “You ran away right under that Killing God’s nose?”
From Qingzhou to the Capital City, and then being arranged to dance for Pei Yuqing, Chen Xi’er had also stayed by Lu Ziyan’s side for some time.
He was a man who was cold and hard, unsmiling, with deep killing intent; just standing there, he inexplicably made people shiver with cold.
Yet his vigilance was extremely strong too; not only was the honey trap useless, any methods seemed to hold no secrets from his eyes.
And she, this frail cousin raised in the depths of the boudoir, had actually successfully escaped, faked her death by fake death, and steadily made her way to Bianzhou.
Chen Xi’er was truly filled with respect and admiration.
Xie Wanning felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze, pursed her lips and nodded, saying: “I had no other choice.”
Chen Xi’er felt a mix of complex emotions.
If it were her from a year ago, she might have thought this was not knowing fortune when in it.
No matter if in a war-torn era or not, for any woman to receive the true heart of those two men standing at the pinnacle of power was something enviable.
But now, having lived a plain yet stable life, she could barely understand why Xie Wanning wanted to abandon everything and escape.
Such intense affection, appearing on two men at the same time, meant it would be a fight to the death…
And for the young lady in the midst of the vortex, how could she bear to see her former husband get into trouble because of her.
Chen Xi’er sighed faintly and asked: “Elder Sister, do you still plan to go back?”
“I’m not going back,” Xie Wanning said frankly: “I’ll settle down in Bianzhou and plan to buy a courtyard in South City District, but after waiting a few days, I haven’t found any willing sellers.”
“Houses in South City District are in short supply, Elder Sister, you’d better not wait.”
Saying this, Chen Xi’er pulled her to the window and pointed to a nearby alley: “Though Bianzhou’s public order is good, it’s still not ideal for a lone woman to stay in an inn forever. That courtyard is my home; there are still a few guest rooms at home. If Elder Sister doesn’t disdain it, come home with me—it would also give your younger sister a chance to repay the kindness.”
Xie Wanning thought for a moment, then shook her head: “No, you’re already married and subject to discipline from your in-laws. I’m used to freedom and wouldn’t habituate to life as a guest.”
Chen Xi’er wanted to persuade further, but Xie Wanning had already made up her mind and smiled: “If you really care, help me find a courtyard instead. Once I’m settled in, we sisters can still visit each other, and I won’t be isolated and helpless.”
Hearing this, Chen Xi’er could only agree.
Seeing that it was getting late, she left with reluctance.
Knowing that buying a house wasn’t as simple as she thought, Xie Wanning had already prepared herself to wait patiently.
Unexpectedly, the next day, Chen Xi’er who came again brought good news.
Right in the alley where she lived, the owner was a grain shop’s shopkeeper whose business was poor and planned to take his whole family back to his hometown.
Xie Wanning went to see the house; it was a crude and ordinary siheyuan, with no garden, pond, pavilion, or tower, not even a second courtyard.
As soon as the door opened, one could see the main hall, with side rooms on the east and west.
In the not-too-large courtyard, the original owner had even reclaimed two small vegetable plots.
It was a small courtyard full of rustic farmhouse charm.
But Xie Wanning still bought it.
Chen Xi’er was right; Bianzhou’s public order was good, but it truly wasn’t suitable for a lone woman to stay long-term in an inn.
Though crude here, at least it was a place to settle down.
