I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 34

Xiao Junzhan was flipping through the "letters" from the morning when he saw Wei Hanzhang enter. He glanced up at her and said, "I'm almost done here. If you're bored, feel free to walk around."

Wei Hanzhang fell silent. His words sounded as if she were waiting for him.

Thinking this over in her heart, she maintained a calm expression, nodded lightly, and agreed.

Without further ado, she headed straight for the bookshelf, as she had been eyeing those books all morning.

Even a random musical score here was a rare copy, showing just how many valuable treasures this place held.

After searching briefly, she took down a travelogue and sat by the window, carefully reading it at the tea table.

Ning Hai entered once to serve tea and snacks to the two of them.

Seeing how calmly they interacted, he was even more perplexed. Wasn't there talk of killing this morning?

Wei Hanzhang became absorbed in the travelogue, accompanied by two pieces of tea cake, when she suddenly sensed someone standing nearby.

Startled, she looked up to find that at some point, Xiao Junzhan had approached.

"Did I scare you?" Xiao Junzhan asked gently, "Why is your courage so small?"

Wei Hanzhang silently reminded herself: you have to bow when under another's roof, and you need his help, you need his help!

She barely resisted the urge to retort and replied, "Has the Heir finished his work?"

Xiao Junzhan nodded slightly and said, "Ranran, you may call me by my courtesy name."

Wei Hanzhang paused, then heard him ask again, "Is that alright?"

Addressing someone by their courtesy name was typical for those of the same generation. After reminding herself once more that she needed his help, Wei Hanzhang softly asked, "What was it again, Bo...?"

"Boqian," Xiao Junzhan smiled, his tone gentle. "Ranran, remember it well. Don't get it wrong."

After that, his gaze fell on the book she was holding. "Ranran, you like reading these miscellaneous books?"

"I love reading all sorts of strange and unusual books. I've even read a couple of medical texts," Wei Hanzhang said as she closed the book. "But I don't like reading proper women's education books."

She was hinting at him again.

"You see, I'm so unlearned and incompetent that it's truly embarrassing to be your wife. Even as a second wife, one must understand the ways of being a wife."

Xiao Junzhan smiled slightly and sat across from her. "Ranran, you're exceptionally bright."

"..." Wei Hanzhang was momentarily taken aback by his response, finally saying, "Why are you so slick with your words?"

In over twenty years, this was the first time someone had called him slick-tongued. Xiao Junzhan paused for a moment, then chuckled, "I wouldn't dare to claim such a title; I just speak from the heart."

Feeling her heart tighten under his focused gaze, Wei Hanzhang hurriedly stood up and said, "My eyes are tired from reading. I'm going out for a walk."

"Alright," Xiao Junzhan stood as well and said softly, "You don't have to be formal here; you can go wherever you like."

Although the host had given permission, Wei Hanzhang still didn't dare to wander too freely. Even in Prince Yan's residence, she worried about running into someone.