Chapter 111 - Practice Run (4)

"No, sir. This is our fault for not being more careful." Xiong Jingfei said, using her Eldest Miss velvety like voice to reply back. 

Behind the veil, she was actually gritting her teeth while spitting out those words. Remember, you are kind and graceful! It was not their fault, but she must take the blame and back down. 

"No, it's all my fault! All mine!" Wei Weimin immediately denied Xiong Jingfei's apology. 

He was sure this person is the Eldest Miss from the Xiong Manor. He has seen the other two Xiong Misses on special occasions. So he was rather familiar with them even with their face covered. 

As for the one standing in front of him with her sleeve embroidered with the word, Xiong. She must be the rumored Eldest Miss, who never attended any of the banquets. The one Yang Zheyan denied being fond of, but there was something special about her to him. Wei Weimin has never seen Yang Zheyan make the faces he does at the mention of her. 

Thinking of Yang Zheyan, Wei Weimin was unable to endure Yang Zheyan's on coming wrath. If he finds out what went through his head for a brief moment about her. Thinking of a way to perhaps settle down this debt, he offered compensation that was too good to decline. 

"How about I replace those spoiled spices by twice the amount?" Wei Weimin smiled, holding up both his fingers to make sure they heard him say the word "twice." 

Xiong Jingfei's ears perked up, can he really replace them? They were super hard to get and to replace twice the amount? Impossible!

Xu Song stopped picking up the fallen spices and wiped her dirty fingers on her dress. She immediately changed her tone into a more chirpy type of mood, "That is very kind of you, young master..."

"Wei Weimin," Wei Weimin offered his silk handkerchief to Xu Song, but she didn't take it. 

Almost any woman from a lower ranking would have accepted it. It was sometimes an indirect gesture that the man was interested in them. This also means they have a chance to be taken in as a concubine. However, that wasn't what Xu Song wanted, and it wasn't Wei Weimins' intentions too. 

Wei Weimin is unmarried, so taking in a concubine before marriage was frowned upon. Plus, he wasn't planning to be tied down to anyone specifically anytime soon. He wanted to "test" the water. To hopefully find the woman who will steal his heart. That's why he became known as the womanizer in the Capital. 

"Are you really able to deliver twice the amount?" Xu Song asked, having the same thoughts as Xiong Jingfei when he stated his surname and name. 

The owner of the spice store will only guarantee a small amount per household, due to the demand. He also refused to do any personal delivery for the rare spices. If anything were to happen to them, he did not have a replacement and did not want to be responsible for it. Once it leaves his shop, the rest is up to the buyer on the safety of it. 

Unless you're someone, he cannot deny delivery for... Which only less than five families can get that special treatment. In this case, the Wei family was not one of these five. Unless he was planning to hand her their spices? Did his family also reserve a small amount themselves? 

"Oh, they are almost here..." Wei Weimin peered up. If he doesn't escape now and cause any more trouble for Xiong Jingfei. His world would become as dark and cloudy as the sky above from here on out. "I will be taking my leave for now."

Wei Weimin gave them a wink before rushing past them. 

"This person... I think he is lying and is trying to escape responsibility." Xu Song grumbled, on her way down to pick up the spice. 

Xiong Jingfei stopped her. It was useless to pick them up now when it cannot be used anymore. 

He didn't leave any sort of token to prove he will return twice the amount. All they had was his words, and they had no choice but to take it. Wei Weimin was already long gone. They can't just go knocking at his door like some barbaric demanding his family to give up their rare spice.

Shockingly, very early the next day there was a delivery from the Wei family. There were two wooden boxes gifted to Xiong Jingfei. In the first box was the rare spice he caused Xu Song to drop. The second box had gold, jewelry, and silk.

Xiong Changchang and Li Roulan watched in envy. As the two boxes were delivered to Xiong Jingfei's personal storehouse. 

Xiong Jingfei opened the two boxes one more time. The spice he gave her is more than twice the amount he promised her. The gold and jewelry she received were more than what she used to make the purchase. So, she actually made a profit instead of losing it. 

"Miss, is something the matter?" Xu Song asked, not knowing why her Miss appeared confused. Wasn't it a good thing they got more than what was said?

"I didn't know the Wei family was this wealthy..." Xiong Jingfei closed the boxes after taking one thing out. 

The Wei family's ranking was considered average since they do not partake in the government. However, if they're talking about wealth... The Wei family doesn't have much either. Only enough to live comfortably. 

"I believe this is for you," Xiong Jingfei handed Xu Song a pink silk dress. 

****

Xiong Jingfei put her elbow on the table and rested her head on her hand. She closed her eyes, "Young master Yang Zheyan, I am sure you didn't come here to enjoy tea time with me."

Yang Zheyan put down his chopsticks. He replied in the way of devoiding all emotions, "As I was expecting, you are very perspective."

Xiong Jingfei's eyes slowly opened, staring at the face of the person she will have to spend the rest of her life with. She wasn't disappointed with his reason for an unexpected visit. She already knew it wasn't because he was here to visit his future wife. Why else would he choose a day her father wasn't home? 

Yang Zheyan put a small wooden box on the table. He opened it and took out a thin papered scrolled. Handing it over to Xiong Jingfei, he stated, "I came here to propose a deal with you."

Taking it, she read every written word on it carefully. She tried her best to avoid crumbling the edge of the scroll and tried controlling her facial expression. When she finished reading it, she rolled it back up and gave it back to Yang Zheyan. 

"I am not asking you to make your decisions right now, but I do hope you give some serious thoughts into this." Yang Zheyan put the scroll back into the wooden box. Sealing the proposal he made for exclusive her. 

"Wall has ears and doors have eyes," Xiong Jingfei smiled, putting back on her white veil. 

Yang Zheyan returned a cold smile, "I made sure to block any ears and close any eyes."

He stood up, taking his leave for the day. Just like that, Yang Zheyan returned back to his gentle self. Waiting for her to escort him out of the Xiong manor. It wouldn't be good for Xiong Jingfei's reputation if he took off without her. 

"I agree," Xiong Jingfei said in confidence. Accepting his purpose for visiting her after almost two years. This time coming back, he was here to stay, and their marriage will happen. 

Even though Yang Zheyan had a gentle appearance, his eyes were piercing cold. Ruthless... Except, his real smile showed when Xiong Jingfei agreed. A smile that will warm your heart and soul. 

"As I thought, I didn't look at the wrong person." He walked around the table and closed the gap between them, "I can't promise to give you any love, but I will give you anything you want. Respect and take care of you for the rest of my life." 

Xiong Jingfei took a step back. It was improper for her to be in close contact with another man. 

Yang Zheyan, however, took another step towards her whenever she took a step back. He grabbed her hand and intertwined her fingers with his, "If we want to fool others to believe we are in love. We should start it with the people closest to you."

Xiong Jingfei tried removing her hand, but it stuck like glue to his. She stammered, losing her composure a bit, "I-I want you to promise me that no harm will come to those I love."

He leaned forward and whispered, "I promise. Please don't forget to keep this between us only." 

She nodded her head, but there was no one around them at the moment. Why was he having skinship with her? He was scary to deal with but not enough for her to grovel at his feet. Kicking him in the shin, he immediately released her hands. 

Yang Zheyan had an expression she never saw. A painful one filled with surprise that she dared to kick him. He went down on one knee and rubbed his shin, "Trying to disable your husband before marriage?" 

She raised an eyebrow, "Are you ready to leave yet, young master Yang Zheyan?" 

He stood straight up, patting down the dirt from his robe. Clearing his throat to get rid of his embarrassment, "You are allowed to call me Zheyan, and I will address you Feifei."

Xiong Jingfei nodded her head, "Alright."