Chapter 10, Rather Die Than Marry (Part 2)

Feng Jun appeared somewhat different from two hundred years ago; he exuded an air of greater arrogance and indifference, resembling the figure she first saw in the Asking Heaven Mirror.

Han Li, having reached the age of forty, lost his first wife to illness two years ago. He has several concubines in his household, and Fu Yue has been married as a new primary wife. The two families are considered well-matched in social standing, and both parties have been quite candid in their attitudes.

She initially did not wish to intervene, but the urgency of pushing for the marriage made her feel uncomfortable all over, so she could not help but assert herself: "A forcibly twisted melon is not sweet; seeing how reluctant the second son is, it would be better to wait three more days before discussing it again." The Xiao family already held a position of authority, and with a slight curl of her lips, a frown on her face, and a tone that dropped in pitch, she infused her words with an undeniable severity.

The maid looked at him strangely, hesitated for a long time before finally whispering: "In response to Young Master Zheng, that is the Second Miss."

The young man was led by the maid through the back garden of the Ying Marquis's residence, where the vegetation was lush and the rockeries were intricately arranged, creating an exceptionally grand atmosphere

Feng Tong swept over to her desk, pointed with her finger, and tucked the incense tablet that had been burned into a small mound into her sleeve. She picked up the pen that had been thrown on the desk and pressed down on the paper that she had written halfway.

After waking up in Xiao's body, Liang Yu was quite cautious, constantly gathering information and no longer trusting those around her easily. The suddenly appearing Tuiyue became the first object of her vigilance—she was the eldest sister, and logically, she should be the one protecting her younger siblings. Why did she insist on supporting this marriage against Fuyue's wishes?

The reeds swayed in the wind, her gauzy dress fluttering like a butterfly. He stood there as if entranced, still waiting for her to continue speaking, when suddenly someone called out from behind: "Ah, Young Master Zheng, what brings you here?"

On a large stone by the pool, a young girl sat with her back to him, dressed only in a thin, pale yellow gauze garment. Her black hair was smooth and straight, cascading down her back. As a gentle breeze began to rise, it billowed the gauze garment she wore.

Jian Qiu and Liang Xia have both left the room, leaving only Ti Chun behind. Two chairs have been moved in, with two troublesome granddaughters positioned on either side, creating a situation of mutual support.

There are a total of four maids around me. Mingxia takes care of the daily needs of the Xiao family, Jianqiu manages the rules and etiquette, Jindong is the youngest and only does some rough work, as for Tichun... it seems she only handles matters on the periphery and has no other significant role

That voice was ethereal and pleasant, yet her words revealed a profound despair. She even smiled and said, "A lifetime isn't actually that long. To be able to sit here quietly, without having to hear any unpleasant words or think about any worries—I am content with that"

Feng Tong raised her eyes to look at her, and the self-reproachful sigh had transformed into a cold laugh, rendered speechless by anger

Liang Yu's face instantly lit up with joy, and she settled down at the Qingwa Cave with complete peace of mind, playing until the afternoon. When she thought about sneaking out to the back garden to fly kites, Feng Tong furrowed her brows, and with a slight lift of her sleeve, the four main doors of the Qingwa Cave closed simultaneously, remaining unyielding no matter how much she pushed and shoved.

* * * *

Liang Yu declined, saying: "It is Fu Yue who is to be married, so we should listen to her opinion." Tui Yue smiled, a glimmer of suspicion flashing in her eyes: "I have heard—has grandmother's memory not been as good as before?"

The Duke of Ying commanded an army of 300,000, and Han Li was the governor of the Jin City army. His initiative to establish a friendly relationship implied that if a marriage alliance were formed, the military power of the Yun family would be further solidified, leading to an alliance between the Yun family and the Han family. This was undoubtedly the most advantageous choice for the family

Yet it is unknown whether it is his temperament that has changed, or if the frivolous and decadent Feng Jun, who indulged in pleasures, was merely his facade, and now he is unwilling to continue performing in front of others

The moonlight merely shook its head and wept, looking over as if in distress. The pushing moon, feeling parched and tongue-tied from persuasion, was somewhat annoyed, with its brows slightly furrowed, and also gazed at the cool jade: "What does grandmother think?"

Liang Yu turned her head, her face filled with genuine emotion: "Don't mind me, just let me live or die on my own, even if Yu Lang kills me. I have one last wish—please take good care of A Ju."

This tactic indeed proved effective, as Tuiyue lowered her head and said with a somewhat awkward smile, "Grandma still thinks things through thoroughly"

In response to such a subtle probing, Liang Yu involuntarily felt a tinge of disdain and gazed steadily: "I may be old, but I am not yet at the stage of being muddled by age"

In that moment, he gazed intently at her; she had a face untouched by makeup. Her slightly furrowed brows and her low-hanging, sorrowful eyes, along with her slender jaw and pointed chin, matched exactly what he had imagined.

The wind stirred her garments, outlining her waist, and he seemed to have already touched her firm yet delicate bones. She was so thin that her bones must be quite sharp to the touch. However, the bones were undoubtedly very hard, not easily broken, for even while sitting idly, she held her back straight, exuding an inexplicable sense of desolate grandeur

Life is difficult, and fate is full of twists and turns

Feng Tong appeared beside the incense table, propping her forehead with her hand, and with a smile on her lips, she looked at the white-haired old lady in front of her, who was squinting like a cat and deeply sniffing. She said, "Oh, those who don't know might think that Old Madam Xiao is possessed by some evil spirit."

Feng Tong paused and said, "What is going on?"

The young girl paused, realizing that there was someone behind her. She hurriedly stood up, lowered her head to acknowledge him with a greeting, and then brushed past him.

Feng Tong stared at her with great interest, snatched the bound book that was pressed under her arm, flipped through it with a rustle, and immediately raised an eyebrow in astonishment, saying: "How did you become so serious all of a sudden?"

He approached stealthily, having taken only two steps when he suddenly heard her speak: "Ziyan, don't be afraid, I won't do anything irrational."

The matter is quite simple. Governor Han Li of Jincheng came to propose to the Ying Marquisate, seeking to marry the second young lady. The Ying Marquis was very pleased, but the female protagonist, Fu Yue, resolutely refused. Her struggle began with verbal rejections and grew increasingly intense, having escalated to the point of declaring that she would never marry.

Zheng Chen enjoys painting. Before him lies a scene of a lotus pond, where the lush green lotus leaves are abundant, and the water ripples gently. Beside the pond is a beautiful woman, creating a seamless picture.

He looked at the paper, seemingly unwilling to accept the situation. After a moment's pause, he resignedly put down his pen and continued to write.

The girl had no adornments of brocade or pearls on her head, her black hair flowing in the wind—yes, he thought to himself, this is just right. If she had jewelry, even a small pearl hairpin, it would seem vulgar. In her current appearance, she seemed as if she were about to ascend to immortality at any moment.

Feng Tong, unlike her, did not engage in idle chatter, but walked straight in and casually took off her outer garment: "How many more pieces are left?"

It is indeed a tall order for the young lady of the Yinghou residence, who is as beautiful as a flower, to marry a military general of similar age to her father, who is illiterate. Moreover, Fuyue is well-read and renowned as a talented woman, and she must have higher expectations for marriage. A girl like her, when marrying, does not seek wealth and nobility, but rather a kindred spirit; otherwise, it would be akin to humiliation.

Liang Yu did not know when she had gotten up from the ground, standing behind him, carefully grasping his sleeve, smiling as she looked at the paper, "It is true, Feng Jun has been the most deserving of our mother—Liang Yu is fair and plump, living happily, all thanks to Feng Jun."

Pushing the moon, speaking and laughing cheerfully, holding the hand of the moon, earnestly advising, sometimes revealing pearly teeth, laughing heartily, as if it were truly a trivial matter. Liang Yu watched this with her eyes and secretly sighed in her heart

As the incense gradually burned down to the bottom, only an inch remained. A delicate little hand trembled as it stacked a sheet of paper on top of a pile on the table, and from behind the paper came a sigh filled with a sense of weariness.

Liang Yu looked at him with a face full of grief and indignation, trembling as she picked up the pen

The guiding maid walked ahead, having already covered a considerable distance. Upon turning back and seeing that he had not followed, she sighed and urged him helplessly, "Young Master Zheng, this way please." The young man smiled, quickened his pace for a few steps, but then slowed down again, gazing at the edge of the pond.

He leisurely leaned against the couch, pointed at the desk in front of him, and paper, pen, and an inkstone appeared on the table, along with a small incense burner containing a stick of incense the thickness of a finger, which was gently burning. He rolled up his sleeves and began to grind the ink slowly: "In the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, I will personally grind the ink for you. Will you write or not?"

He had a subtle feeling, that was the sensation of her light sleeves brushing against the tip of his nose, indistinguishable whether it was an itch on his face or in his heart, he blurted out: "Who is this?"

Liang Yu pondered for a moment and hesitantly said: "The Xiao family has a son who is hot-tempered but not very intelligent. They currently have a grandson who is only 9 years old and has been spoiled by his father. There are three granddaughters; the second is introverted yet stubborn, the third is younger and not very bright, so it is likely that the next generation will rely solely on the eldest for support"

The color of pale yellow is originally one of delicacy and youth, yet she is indeed too slender, with her clothes hanging loosely and droopily, making her appear extremely fragile, as if she were the morning dew that is carefully nurtured yet cannot be retained

This is the first time Liang Yu meets the eldest granddaughter of the Xiao family, Yun Tuiyue

What are you thinking about

Liang Yu sat sideways on the windowsill, the night breeze lifting her jet-black hair. She smiled and said, "Feng Jun, you must remember my appearance well. If I were to live my entire life in the body of an old lady, then Liang Yu would only exist in your memory."

Yun Ji selling his daughter for glory is one thing; in his eyes, it does not matter who she marries. With no worries about food and drink, and having meals served to her, she is merely an accessory. How can he dare to say she is not happy? However, Tui Yue is different; she is also a woman, having once been in a similar vulnerable position. She understands the pain of an unhappy marriage even more clearly. Knowing full well it is a pit of fire, she still pushes her younger sister to jump in.

Feng Tong could not bear to see her cry, so he immediately held her on his lap and comforted her for a while, promising her: "If you obediently write, I guarantee that old stickler won't dare to hit you. If he dares to take out the rattan, I will break that rattan in half."

He wrote smoothly while sighing: "If you cannot become a person of worth in the future, it is mostly my fault for indulging you—I owe an apology to your mother"

"Feng Jun, what are you doing?" She turned around in panic, pointing at him angrily, "You said you would help me deal with Yu Lang."

Liang Yu seemed as if she had not seen, smiling sweetly with her eyes full of sweetness: "When writing the folded hook, make it a bit softer, so it looks more like my handwriting."

Feng Tong smiled upon hearing this, leisurely pouring a cup of tea to drink: "What seems useless actually has great utility."

However, Han Li and Fu Yue clearly do not complement each other well

Liang Yu stared at the sky for a long time before responding in a voice as faint as a wisp of smoke: "I am contemplating"

The phoenix's eyes glanced over, her tone somewhat displeased: "I have watched this shell of yours for two hundred years, and you still carry it in your bosom every day. If you still cannot remember, that would truly be strange"

Liang Yu rubbed her eyes, attempting to squeeze out some more tears: "That rattan is specially made, it cannot be broken no matter how hard you hit it, how could you possibly break it?"

Liang Yu lit the incense and placed it in the incense burner, raising her eyes to gaze at the childish doodle of two people and a tiger above her head. In fact, after looking at it for a while, it began to evoke some interest, as if a naive child, biting the pen, had drawn it with utmost sincerity, stroke by stroke. Breathing in the fragrance of the Xiao family's incense, she felt an immense sense of ease.

Liang Yu felt a dull pain in her temples and remained still: "Second brother, the ground is cold, get up first."

He walked over and glanced at the moon, then closed the window: "The soul is incomplete, so let’s avoid the evil winds." Upon meeting her bright, sparkling eyes, a familiar and gentle smile appeared on his face, "Are you familiar with the Yinghou residence now?"

She sat there quietly, gazing at the surface of the water, motionless and silent, unlike a living person

The sky gradually darkened, everything became dim and indistinct, leaving only outlines. Liangyu pushed open the window of the Moon Viewing Platform, revealing a bright crescent moon, with wisps of cloud floating as if barely there.

It is rumored that this woman is fierce and capable, managing the Sha City Army, a subordinate branch of the Yun family under the Hou residence. A young girl who can command an army of ten thousand must be extraordinary—certainly not as straightforward and amiable as she appears on the surface

Liang Yu said nervously: "Are you referring to Ti Chun?" She quickly jumped up from the windowsill, took a small booklet from the drawer, leaned over the desk to open it, and picked up a pen from the pen holder, "Wait, speak slowly, let me take some notes."

When Liang Yu was young, he was the most mischievous, putting in great effort only to think about going out to play, procrastinating on his studies as much as possible, and always delaying until the last moment

Old Lady Xiao's body lay neatly on the ground

Feng Tong strolled in the back garden, spending a rather tedious hour tending to the flowers. As soon as she entered the door, she saw a little figure in a crimson shirt and skirt lying flat on the ground, with both hands neatly folded on her stomach. A deep blue Tianhe stone hairpin had fallen to the ground, unnoticed. Her two dark, piercing eyes gazed listlessly at the ceiling.

Feng Tong extended his hand, and a blue light burst forth, revealing a faint outline of the Bi Yuan sword. He sneered and said, "My sword has even clashed with the Xuanyuan sword of the Heavenly Palace, yet it cannot split a single vine?"

One day, Yulang was particularly forceful, threatening that if she could not submit ten essays the next day, he would tie her up at the entrance of the Qingzhang Hall for half a day. Liangyu was so frightened that she immediately fled to the Qingwa Cave to seek refuge. In order to convince Fengtong of the urgency of the matter, she even rarely squeezed out a few tears that hung on her cheeks.

He was dressed in a lapis lazuli-colored round-collared robe, which made him appear dignified and imposing. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight, glanced around, and curled his lips into a somewhat frivolous smile: "The illustrious Duke's residence is not even half the size of my Zheng family's garden."

* * * *

The young man recalled the joke that the teacher had once said: Before one ascends, one cannot possess even a single external object; the smell of copper is too strong, and one cannot rise.

Feng Tong let out a cold laugh: "I will help you deal with Yu Lang—provided that you finish writing."