Chapter 8, Withering

Feng Yuanjun, having spoken, angrily addressed Yu Wenxiao: "How can I, a dignified Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, hold my head high in front of my colleagues after this? Am I not destined to become a laughingstock for others?"

Don't be foolish, we are merely playing a part in this charade

He sighed, lamenting that this future son-in-law was not someone of great ambition, overly concerned with trivial matters... Just like the Prime Minister Dou Huaizhen under Princess Taiping, a dignified Prime Minister who, in order to curry favor with Empress Wei, happily married Empress Wei's wet nurse, an old and ugly woman with missing teeth. Wasn't this the subject of ridicule throughout the world? Yet now, Dou Huaizhen's position remains secure, does it not?

Xue Chongxun passed by, but he did not continue the series of comforts that had nearly sent Yu Wenji's soul out of her body. A deep voice whispered in her ear: "Longing, do you feel it?"

Steam dispersed, the heat rising, even the sweat was scalding, but when Xue Chongxun pierced through her long-preserved natural barrier, her tears fell onto the back of his hand, distinctly feeling as cold as water

Dyeing blue feathers, the vast sea tilts, how to sever the feelings of Peach Isle that are hard to part with, longing in the green willows camp. A person drifts alone, the shadow is solitary, the letter is severed, the abyss is deep, the paper is light, adding to the torment of dreams lingering. Wishing to end the feelings, yet difficult to do so... The song "Eternal Longing" from the Daming Palace Music Bureau has always been my favorite piece to listen to.

The old man's expression was calm, showing not a trace of blame. He hurriedly helped her up and said with a sense of sadness: "Get up quickly, no need to say much, I have already guessed what happened. It is only my fault for not being able to protect my wife and children, causing you to suffer for me. Alas, all of this is my own doing. Ji'er, why must you go to such lengths..."

What? Feng Yuanjun was instantly filled with rage and humiliation, his finger trembling as he pointed at Yu Wenxiao, unable to utter a complete sentence in his anger. "You... take off your official cap at once and go back to being a common peddler!"

In the oppressive little wooden house, the bound maiden, Xue Chongxun, found himself deeply moved as he looked up and began to recite verses amidst the swirling white mist

When going to the City God Temple, there was a servant in the accompanying carriage who belonged to Feng Yuanjun, so that he could better keep track of his fiancée's general whereabouts. This matter will surely be known to the Feng family; how should she face her family and her future in-laws

Hearing his daughter's words, the old man was momentarily taken aback, a look of unwillingness flashing in his eyes. His expression suddenly turned cold, but after a moment, he gently advised, "The family's livelihood is the father's responsibility; you need not worry about it... Does Xue Chongxun like you?"

"It's nothing? Just so happens that I brought a midwife today; you can have her examine you. Rest assured, she won't make a mistake. The midwife used to be in the palace and will definitely not misjudge."

Regardless of the circumstances, one must return. Since a person must exist in this world, avoidance is not a solution. When she returned to the residence of the Yu Wen family, she found that the courtyard was filled with many unfamiliar servants and guards. Has Feng Yuanjun learned of this so quickly?

"Touch ... ... me." In an instant, Yu Wenji's face turned as red as the flowers of February. This made Xue Chongxun imagine a scene of red petals flying in the sky, falling in waves.

Moreover, the matter is not yet concluded. Xue Chongxun's coercion of her is certainly not solely for the sake of pleasure; she is merely a pawn in the game.

... ...

How is it?

After the midwife came out, she whispered beside Feng Yuanjun: "Not only is her body damaged, but there are also marks from ropes on her body. Based on my experience, this is the kind of rope technique used by the teaching workshop..."

At a critical moment, he stopped and left Yu Wenji. Yu Wenji felt as if thousands of ants were gnawing at her bones; her face flushed, and in a state of utter embarrassment, she said: "Come here quickly!"

As the sky gradually darkened, wandering through the streets and alleys of Chang'an, Yu Wenji suddenly felt that home, once a warm place, now resembled a den of dragons and tigers, making her reluctant to return. Just as the sun sets and the light fades, Yu Wenji felt that her entire world had dimmed. Although the Tang Dynasty was relatively free and open, a woman's loss of virtue before marriage was still considered a serious matter

He extended his hand, gently gliding the back of his hand along the curves of her skin, and could not help but exclaim: "A rare beauty, exquisite and radiant... Her fair body revealed, delicate bones and ample flesh. When the time comes, a gentle touch, smooth as cream..."

She recalled her father's words from before, that sunlight does not reach every place, and some darkness is merely what people have not seen

Nothing is more cruel than when a mistake made by two people is borne by only one. As Yu Wenji stepped out of the small wooden house, the petals on the apricot tree in the yard danced in the wind, as if they began to wither in an instant

The old man continued: "It is not as simple as you imagine. Feng Yuanjun is not very broad-minded; he will not allow us to transport tea smoothly. As for Xue Chongxun, he knows about my past actions, which hangs over us like a sharp sword. It is not only a hidden danger, but if he can threaten us once, he will threaten us again... If our Yu Wen family can seize this opportunity to ally with the Xue family, Xue Chongxun is backed by the powerful Princess Zhen Guo, who holds sway over the world... Calamity and fortune are interdependent, and it is difficult to predict good or bad outcomes."

After Feng Yuanjun left, Yuwen Ji came out from the inner room, knelt before her father, and cried out: "I have brought disgrace to the Yuwen family, Father, please punish your daughter and the books..."

Father, do not mention this person again!" Yu Wenji said with a mix of hatred and entanglement

... ...

Yuwen Ji looked at him with a pleading gaze and shook her head: "Please don't stop like you did just now"

Yuwen Ji suddenly felt that her father had become somewhat unfamiliar. She said in a daze: "Xue Chongxun is a cold-blooded and ruthless person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Father, please do not become like them; it is best for us to keep our distance from them."

Feng Yuanjun is not tall, but he still possesses a certain presence. In front of her father, he spoke in a tone of reproach, a reflection of his status. He had already realized what might happen when Yu Wenji went alone to the Xue family's villa. His stern eyes revealed humiliation and pain, accompanied by anger.

Xue Chongxun understood that her initial enthusiasm was merely a physical desire. Now, she spoke these words because her innocence had already been taken away. It would be better to marry a chicken if that was the case. Moreover, marrying him would still allow Xue Chongxun to fulfill her father's official position, serving the same purpose as marrying Feng Yuanjun.

It is nothing

The young man in the purple robe is Feng Yuanjun, the junior minister of the Taichang Temple. He and his cousin Gao Lishi come from the same lineage, but while Gao Lishi is robust and stout, Feng Yuanjun has not grown tall.

The old man said: "As your father, this is also for your own good. Although his methods are not honorable, he is the legitimate son of the Duke of Weiguo and the Prince of Zhen Guo, who has gone to great lengths to win your affection. Does this not indicate that he likes you?"

"Where have you been?" asked a young man in a purple robe, shorter than Yu Wenji, as he stared at her.

Beside him, Yu Wenxiao remained silent. He was a tall, thin old man, with wrinkles on his face resembling deep ravines, his countenance marked by the passage of time. Unlike ordinary scholars who avoid physical labor and are sheltered from the elements, typically appearing fair-skinned with only a few fine lines and age spots, Yu Wenxiao was entirely different, as he originally came from a life of wandering.

Feng Yuanjun gritted his teeth and let out a cold "hum," then waved his hand and said, "Let's go"

No! He is cold and heartless, he is despicable and shameless, and he explicitly said he would not marry me

Yuwen Ji said expressionlessly: "Yin Yun Zhai, your superior has invited me."

Old man Yu Wenxiao sighed and shook his head, saying: "Ji'er, did nothing really happen? You and the midwife go in and let them check.

Yuwen Ji felt a warmth in her heart and, sobbing, said: "Father has worked tirelessly for our family all his life. As long as I can do it, I am willing to atone for my father... Father, we will no longer hold official positions in Chang'an, and you should not engage in any more immoral acts. Let us, as a family, continue to transport tea and live a steady life."

"Can you marry me?" Yu Wenji said in a daze

"What have you done?" Feng Yuanjun involuntarily took half a step back.