My rigid, jealous husband has fallen for me, even though I'm a hopeless romantic.

Chapter 82 Rival Appears, Retreat

Wei Dongning looked around and finally fixed her gaze on a woman who was walking towards them.

In just a moment, she realized that the girl's gaze was fixed on the man beside her.

She nudged Gu Peiyan with her elbow with amusement: "Hey, isn't she looking at you? Do you two know each other?"

Xiao Wu introduced them to her with little interest: "They're more than just acquaintances. If the Emperor hadn't interfered, they might have been the ones getting married."

"Oh? What's going on?"

"Seriously, Ningbao? A rival has appeared, and all you're doing is curiosity?"

If you gave Wei Dongning a handful of sunflower seeds right now, Xiao Wu has no doubt she would start eating them on the spot.

All eyes were on Gu Peiyan, especially on Su Yizhuo.

It was as if he would not let Gu Peiyan off the hook if he gave an answer that was unsatisfactory.

Gu Peiyan calmly shook her head: "It's just that we had some acquaintances from the previous generation. I'm not familiar with this young lady."

Regardless of whether others believe it or not, Wei Dongning believed it.

Gu Peiyan, who is "oblivious to everything else and only focused on studying the classics," probably doesn't know this girl very well.

Upon hearing Gu Peiyan say that she was not familiar with him, the girl walking towards him changed her expression slightly, but quickly regained her gentle demeanor: "Zhao Xinyi, daughter of Zhao Anmin, Minister of Revenue, greets the Second Prince. Peiyan, it's been a long time. I suppose this lady beside you is your new wife? I couldn't make it to your wedding."

Zhao Xinyi's remarks caused the people present to frown.

Especially since Gu Peiyan had just said they weren't familiar with each other, she still greeted him in such an intimate tone.

Those who don't know the situation might really think they have a close relationship.

Even Xiao Wu rolled his eyes at her and said sarcastically, "Oh, you even brought Pei Yan along. Who do you think you are, daring to covet my Ningbao's pig?"

Wei Dongning, however, was completely unaffected by her provocation.

Su Yizhuo was so angry that he wanted to smack her from behind.

Gu Peiyan took Wei Dongning's hand and stepped aside, saying, "Miss Zhao, we've only met twice since we were children, so we're not exactly close. It's inappropriate for you to call me by my name so abruptly, and it's also disrespectful to my wife. I hope Miss Zhao will show some self-respect."

Gu Peiyan has already played the bad cop, so the task of playing the good cop naturally falls to Wei Dongning.

Amidst the cheers and encouragement from Xiao Wudi, Wei Dongning sighed silently in her heart.

Does she really have to get involved?

Gu Peiyan handled it quite well, didn't she?

Xiao Wu stamped her foot in exasperation: "Didn't you notice that she's got her eye on your husband?"

Found.

and then?

"Do you think Gu Peiyan will go with her?" Wei Dongning asked herself, and smiled slightly at Zhao Xinyi in front of her: "I'm sorry, my husband is just a straightforward person, please don't take offense, Miss Zhao."

“How could that be? I’ve known Pei…Young Master Gu since childhood, so I know his personality.”

Zhao Xinyi wanted to continue calling him "Peiyan," but seeing Wei Dongning's smile, she chose to change her address.

Wei Dongning appears completely non-threatening, like a soft-boiled bun that can be easily manipulated.

But the Second Prince behind her is someone she can't afford to offend.

Wei Dongning was very pleased with her understanding, and the corners of her mouth curved into a wider smile: "That's good. If we had frightened Miss Zhao, it would have been our fault as husband and wife."

"Madam Gu is too kind. Where do you all plan to visit next? Would I have the honor of joining you?"

Zhao Xinyi asked this question while looking at Gu Peiyan.

The ambiguous flirtatious glances in his eyes were obvious to anyone with eyes that weren't blind.

In her opinion, Gu Peiyan shouldn't refuse her because of the relationship between the elders.

Unexpectedly, none of the people present gave her any face.

Especially Zhong Shuyue, who was standing next to Su Yizhuo: "Miss Zhao, are you really stupid or pretending? Can't you see that we don't welcome you? Yet you still insist on coming over. Keep your little thoughts to yourself. We're all respectable people, don't embarrass yourself."

Gu Peiyan's face also turned cold: "Miss Zhao, I've said before, please have some self-respect. We're not acquainted. Your behavior has offended my wife, please apologize to her immediately."

Su Yizhuo always hated anyone who coveted Wei Dongning's things, and he also turned into a venomous troll: "Miss Zhao seems to have no regard for me, a prince, at all. Is it because I'm not standing in front enough that you can't see me? Or is it that your Zhao family's power has surpassed that of the royal family, and you no longer need to pay attention to us? Does this mean that from tomorrow onwards, the Great An Kingdom will take your family name Zhao?"

Without saying a word, Su Yizhuo directly pinned a huge blame on the Zhao family.

At the same time, she made up her mind.

When he gets back today, he will investigate the Zhao family thoroughly.

If he manages to find out anything, then don't blame him for showing no mercy.

If Zhao Xinyi could ignore what Zhong Shuyue and Gu Peiyan said, then Su Yizhuo's words really scared her.

For a subject to covet the throne, that is treason.

Not only will their family be beheaded, but their entire extended family will also be implicated.

Even if you gave her the courage of a bear and the gall of a leopard, she would never dare to do it.

Zhao Xinyi's legs went weak and she knelt down on the ground: "Second Prince, my father would never have had such thoughts. It's all my fault."

Su Yizhu snorted coldly and walked away from her without giving her even a glance.

Xiao Wu was so happy in Wei Dongning's mind that he wanted to set off firecrackers: "Ah, this is the feeling, so cool."

Wei Dongning smiled insincerely and told the maid who was kneeling with Zhao Xinyi, "Quickly help your young lady up. It's freezing cold, she'll get sick if she gets cold."

Zhao Xinyi lowered her head, a fleeting glint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.

After being helped up by the maid, Zhao Xinyi reached out to grab Wei Dongning's arm.

Wei Dongning was prepared for her actions and took a half step back when she stood up.

Zhao Xinyi's voice trembled as she pleaded for me and the Second Prince. My father really didn't do those things.

Xiao Wu scratched his head: "Is she really stupid? If she apologized to you right now, you wouldn't even need to beg your brother. Your brother wouldn't even bother with her."

"She probably doesn't feel she has anything to apologize to me for. But if she doesn't make a scene, her father is probably in real trouble. After all, looking at her guilty expression, I don't believe her father is innocent."

“That makes sense. I’ll help you look into her father’s affairs and see if we can find anything.” Xiao Wu was full of energy, determined to find something despite Wei Dongning’s obstruction.

Wei Dongning's words, "I know, but no one will believe me if I tell them," were abruptly cut off.

Gu Peiyan took Wei Dongning's hand and slowly followed the direction in which the three people had walked away.

Seeing that she remained silent, Gu Peiyan couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Regardless, Zhao Xinyi came here today specifically for him.

He could understand if Wei Dongning was angry.

Gu Peiyan gripped Wei Dongning's hand tightly: "Don't be angry, there is absolutely nothing between me and her."