Chapter 100

Chapter 100: If One Day He Forgets You

“I come on behalf of someone, to propose a marriage alliance.”

Nan Wenmo smiled as she looked at the young girl before her.

In Nan Wenmo’s eyes, there was a hint of mischief, as if she were very curious about how this young girl would react upon hearing her proposal.

Zhu Cici blinked a few times, her smile gentle. “It’s truly rare for Sister Nan to act as a matchmaker for someone else. I wonder who could possibly have persuaded Sister Nan to take on this role?”

Nan Wenmo’s eyes curved into a crescent moon shape as she placed her hands behind her back. “Who else could it be? The Xu family from Minghai County in Qi Kingdom. We can’t refuse their favor, and they’ve asked me to be the matchmaker for their eldest son, whose name you must have heard – Xu Ban.”

Zhu Cici paused for a moment. “I think I’ve heard of him.”

“Of course you have,” Nan Wenmo chuckled.

“Xu Ban is a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator, chosen by our Qi Kingdom’s premier sect, Mountain Sea Sect, to become the Grandmaster’s foremost disciple. He is one year older than you, already a practitioner of the Sea Observing Realm, and ranked twelfth on the Azurecloud List. Speaking of talent, you are the natural-born Literary Courage, he the Heavenly Spiritual Root; while Literary Courage is rarer than Heavenly Spiritual Root, the difference isn’t too vast. As for family background, your uncle is the Cloud Robe Marquis of Wu Kingdom, and you are his only daughter. Xu Ban hails from the first noble family of Qi Kingdom, with three generations serving as prime ministers, and his ancestors were sworn brothers to the founding emperor of Qi Kingdom. Regarding appearance, you, Cici, have grown into an elegant beauty beyond compare, even making Sister Nan feel a bit envious. Xu Ban is also handsome, known as the most beautiful man of Minghai County, with countless ladies lining up around the entire county wanting to marry him. It’s a perfect match for you both. What do you say? Won’t you consider it?”

Zhu Cici shook her head and declined, “Sister Nan, this time, it seems you’ve made a wasted trip.”

Even after being rejected, Nan Wenmo still wore a smiling expression, not showing any anger at the lack of respect shown to her, as if the reaction of this young girl was all within her expectations: “Why refuse? Is it because of Xu Ming?”

Zhu Cici blushed slightly, nodding her head, her eyelids lowering softly, revealing the innocence and shyness characteristic of her age.

Nan Wenmo shook her head and sighed, “You know, I’d rather you reject Xu Family citing dedication to academics than rejecting them because of Xu Ming.”

Zhu Cici questioned curiously, “Does Sister Nan dislike Xu Ming?”

Nan Wenmo shook her head, “Not at all. I love the poem and the refusal-to-marry memorandum he wrote.”

“Xu Ming indeed possesses great talent and excels in both literary and martial arts. To many women, he would make an ideal partner. But Cici, he isn’t suitable for you.”

Nan Wenmo reached out and gently stroked Zhu Cici’s hair.

“Cici, if you were just an ordinary person, even if Xu Ming were an ordinary person, you two might have a chance. But your identity is too significant, especially since you possess the natural-born Literary Courage. Xu Ming is now highly favored by the Emperor of Wu, admired by both civil and military officials alike. Would the Emperor let such a person go? You two cannot be together.”

Zhu Cici pouted slightly, her tone carrying a touch of coquetry, “Sister Nan, please don’t mention this again. Many people have already told me this. Besides, didn’t Sister Nan like Xiao Mochi when you were studying at the academy?”

“You little thing, bringing up things that shouldn’t be mentioned,” Nan Wenmo extended her finger and tapped Zhu Cici’s forehead.

“So, I regretted it later. Men, honestly, aren’t good things, especially men from Wu Kingdom. They’re famous for being stubborn, like oxen that can’t be turned around no matter what.”

“If I had another chance, I’d definitely kick that Xiao fellow straight into the Ink Pool!”

Zhu Cici’s eyes curved into a crescent moon shape. “But Sister Nan didn’t do that, and a few years ago, when someone proposed to you, you refused the marriage. His Majesty forced the marriage, and Uncle locked you up. Yet, on the day of the wedding, you ran away. Wasn’t it because of Mr. Xiao?”

“I did it for him…” Nan Wenmo admitted candidly. “I regret falling in love with that person. This kind of feeling, once it starts, there’s no turning back. I know its bitterness well, so I don’t want you to end up like me.”

“Cici…”

Nan Wenmo pulled Zhu Cici’s small hand and looked earnestly into her eyes.

“You haven’t had much contact with Xu Ming yet. Your current fondness for Xu Ming is still stuck in those few years from the past. As a woman, I understand this feeling. When a talented young man enters your world and presents you with a timeless poem, it’s indeed a heart-stirring experience. Over these years, the pure beauty of childhood has been magnified in your heart. But Cici, much of this beauty is blurred by time. And time can also erase this beauty. Especially since you are a cultivator walking the path of Confucian sainthood, having already entered the Cavern Realm, your future lifespan will count in the thousands, or even tens of thousands. Xu Ming cannot cultivate, living at most two hundred years. To you, he is merely a ripple in life.”

Zhu Cici shook her head. “Sister Nan, it’s not right to say that. Even if Xu Ming lives only two hundred years, I’ll accompany him for those two hundred years. When he reincarnates, I’ll find him again and stay by his side. The Dragon Empress in the Dragon Palace searched for nine lifetimes for her husband. Why can’t I do the same?”

“You little thing…” Nan Wenmo was momentarily at a loss for words. “Why are you so stubborn?”

Zhu Cici smiled faintly, her almond-shaped eyes twinkling with charm. “Sister Nan, look who’s talking. If we’re talking about stubbornness, no one compares to Sister Nan.”

“You little thing, your mouth is sharper than ever!”

Nan Wenmo pinched the young girl’s cheeks.

“Well, well, if I can’t persuade you, then I won’t. Anyway, I’ve said what I needed to say. Helping my father repay a favor by acting as your matchmaker is enough. However, Cici, there’s one last thing I want to tell you.”

Zhu Cici nodded. “Sister Nan, please speak freely.”

Nan Wenmo looked earnestly at Zhu Cici. “Your liking for him is a one-sided affection. If one day, you meet again, and he forgets you, what will you do?”

Zhu Cici placed her hands in front of her, turned around, and gazed at the tranquil Ink Pool. “No, he won’t forget me.”

Because…

We promised each other.