When Cheng Yuexian returned, she saw that there were only three people left in the hall.
"Where is Her Highness?" she asked in confusion.
"She had some urgent matters to attend to and left early," Cheng Jinyang replied.
Cheng Yuexian: ???
Oh no, I wasn't paying attention and let Her Highness leave. Grandfather is probably going to scold me when he returns.
So, this cousin could only force a smile and arrange rooms for the three of them:
"In that case, cousin Jinyang will stay in Tingyuxuan for tonight. Yuanzhi, Wanrou..."
"We'd like to stay together, preferably next door to Jinyang," Xing Yuanzhi said.
Cheng Yuexian: ???
Seeing Wang Wanrou didn't object, she naturally couldn't say anything either.
Anyway, Tingyuxuan is a guest room, so it doesn't matter if they stay together.
Leading the three to the living area, Cheng Yuexian gave a few instructions before hastily leaving.
Originally, she wanted to communicate more with this younger cousin, but now with the sudden changes outside the clan's territory and her father being sent to contact the Hejian Xing family, she couldn't help but worry and had to hurry to follow.
Cheng Jinyang surveyed his room.
Not bad, it's decorated very elegantly, giving off a high-end guesthouse vibe. It's well-equipped with a TV, computer, refrigerator, and everything else, and the two single beds are neatly arranged.
Outside the window is a lake, unexpectedly clear in water quality, with hardly any mosquitoes hovering.
With patches of lotus leaves and dotted water chestnuts, it resembles a secluded paradise, an otherworldly realm within this earthly world.
The sound of the door opening came from behind, and Xing Yuanzhi and Wang Wanrou walked in.
"The environment is nice," Xing Yuanzhi said,
"How does it compare to the Taiyuan Wang family's estate?"
"No need to compare," Wang Wanrou replied indifferently, obviously indicating that the two were incomparable.
"So, what are we going to do tonight?"
Seeing the two girls coming over, Cheng Jinyang smiled and said, "I think the room next door is quite close..."
"We'll sleep in your room," Xing Yuanzhi said.
Cheng Jinyang: ...
"But there are only two beds here," he said.
"Our bedroom also has only two beds, doesn't it?" Wang Wanrou's tone seemed to say, 'Are you stupid?'
"Are you going to sleep squeezed with me on such a small bed?" Cheng Jinyang was somewhat surprised.
"Yuanzhi, don't you have any objections?"
"Of course, I have objections," Xing Yuanzhi's face was expressionless.
"I hope she sleeps on the floor."
"How is that possible?" Wang Wanrou sneered.
"Even if we consider appearance, shouldn't you be the one sleeping on the floor?"
Xing Yuanzhi fell silent.
Wait, what does sleeping on the floor have to do with looks?
"I'll go take a shower first. If you need to use the bathroom, you can use the one next door," she said before entering the bathroom, deciding not to say more to Miss Wang, who seemed to have a problem with her brain.
Cheng Jinyang saw it all and thought to himself, 'Just as I suspected!'
Now they were no longer a duo but a trio. If this were a small harem, as the only male among the three, Cheng Jinyang naturally hoped for harmony between them, serving as their support.
However, unfortunately, this trio wasn't held together by emotions but was more like a startup team linked by interests.
So as the founder, he had to be wary of being targeted or sidelined by the other two people.
If their relationship is as strong as you fear, then you might find yourself feeling uneasy.
Imagine being in charge of a group where everyone is united against you, impenetrable and unyielding.
Looking at it now, the relationship between Xing Yuanzhi and Wang Wanrou doesn't seem as solid as he initially thought.
Miss Wang is a girl with the Five Great Family surname who sees people through the nose.
Although Ah Zhi appears to be fine on the surface, she is actually a little phoenix who thinks very highly of herself.
So, these two are destined not to get along—unless you do something foolish to provoke both of them at the same time.
Thinking this, Cheng Jinyang saw Wang Wanrou pull a chair from the desk, sit down, and rest her chin on the back of the chair, looking somewhat boredly out the window.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked casually.
"Boring," Wang Wanrou replied.
Cheng Jinyang was slightly taken aback, only then realizing that Miss Wang wasn't referring to himself or Xing Yuanzhi, but merely expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation.
"What do you usually do then?" he asked casually.
"I read, play the piano, or paint," Wang Wanrou said.
It really is the lifestyle of a young lady, unlike us ordinary people who can only play with our phones, Cheng Jinyang thought to himself.
Then he saw Wang Wanrou produce a book from who knows where, holding it leisurely as she flipped through the pages.
The title of the book is finally not part of the "The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind" series, but rather "Wonderful Research: Why Fools Always Like to Gather Together."
"Oh, right."
Cheng Jinyang asked again, "When you said Princess Nankang shouldn't stay here for long, what did you mean?"
"That's a long story," Wang Wanrou said.
"Well, I'm all ears," Cheng Jinyang said with a smile.
"Do you know Wang Chuzhong?" Wang Wanrou continued flipping through the pages of the book and asked.
"Wang Chuzhong... who is he?"
"What about 'Wang and Ma Share the World'?"
"Who are Wang and Ma? Are they from the Taiyuan Wang family?"
"Did you take political classes in high school?"
"I did take them, but it seems like you're mocking me?"
"Since you're not clear about the current situation, let me explain it briefly." Wang Wanrou sighed, put down her book, "Wang Chuzhong is my uncle, currently stationed in Xiangyang, holding the military power of the Longxiang Army."
"For certain reasons known to both of us, under the 'education' of the incumbent clan leader, both my father and uncle are those who prioritize family interests."
"It's just that their understanding of the family's interests is different. My Father hopes to gradually limit and lock down imperial power, thereby slowly shifting power towards the family; my Uncle's political stance is more radical, believing that the Wang family can directly replace the Sima family—using, perhaps, more violent means."
"So you mean, the current turmoil in the city is instigated by your uncle?" asked Cheng Jinyang in a low voice.
"Even if he didn't directly intervene, he probably wouldn't miss this opportunity," Wang Wanrou sneered, "With the marching speed of the Longxiang Army from Xiangyang to Jiankang, it wouldn't take long. So, the Sima Clan must be extremely nervous at this moment. Perhaps they've already urgently redirected the Shenwu Army from the eastern defense line."
"Speaking of which, your Cheng Clan in the Shenwu Army is also an important pillar. So, there should be a large-scale conscription and recall for your family in Taicheng next. But you're only at the ninth grade now, far from the military standard. Just have a rough idea in your mind."
"Uh, how would my family being conscripted affect me?" Cheng Jinyang pondered.
"For example, the clan leader Cheng Qingxin, who has never seen eye to eye with you, as well as other core members of the family with at the seventh or sixth grade power, will basically be conscripted to serve in the army," Wang Wanrou said casually.
"Although Cheng Benhe is a strong fifth-grade powerhouse, he is already elderly, so the city council is unlikely to ignore public opinion and forcibly recruit him into the army."
"In other words, for the next period of time, Cheng Benhe will become the sole spokespersons of the Shendu Cheng Clan, replacing the current clan leader in handling affairs. Considering his attitude towards you, you will basically have no worries in the family—at least until Cheng Qingxin returns."