Chapter 201 – Unconvinced? Just Hold It In (Part Ten)
“Father’s meaning is that… the illegitimate sister she…”
Jiang Pengji averted her gaze, not wanting to hurt his male pride with her reaction.
“It’s just the grievances of the previous generation. Once everything settles, I will explain it to you in detail,” Liu Zhi said, gently stroking her hair. “The machinations within the inner court, don’t let Lan Ting hear too much, lest he soil his ears and tarnish his character.”
“Promising Wu Ma Jun to give him the illegitimate sister is also… to take revenge for mother?”
Jiang Pengji asked, secretly pondering that if that’s the case, this illegitimate sister must have a special identity.
“Hmm, a critical part,” Liu Zhi suddenly smirked, a shadowy smile appearing as if deep in his eyes lurked a cold abyss. “I planned to wait a few more years, but since Wu Ma Jun came knocking with his schemes, it’s better to fulfill his desires… I want to see how interesting his expression will be when he learns the truth. For his own ambition, he harmed Amin; she must pay the price!”
She questioned, “Who harmed mother?”
Liu Zhi didn’t specify or answer, only sighed, “It’s about the grievances of the previous generation. I didn’t want to see you dragged into this. I know your ambitions. The world is vast; that is your true goal. As for your mother’s vengeance, I will take care of that.”
“But…”
Jiang Pengji felt that things weren’t that simple. Liu Zhi still withheld very important truths.
“If you want to do something for your mother, then agree to your father…” Liu Zhi leaned closer, speaking word for word as if it were a solemn oath, “Don’t let anyone touch the position of the ruler of the world! You must win; you cannot lose!”
Jiang Pengji’s heart jolted.
Though Liu Zhi learned some details from Master Liaochen, this was the first time he so bluntly told her she had to win.
She quietly inquired, “Will those who harmed mother compete with me?”
For this question, Liu Zhi couldn’t provide a clear answer, as what he knew was also not detailed.
All he could say was—
“I don’t know, but if you become the ruler of the world, it will definitely be correct. Whether she will compete with you or not, she can’t possibly compete against you. Just remember today’s conversation; keep it in your heart, and even if it comes out in dreams at night, you mustn’t leak a single word. Absolutely must not disclose it.”
Faced with Liu Zhi’s grave instructions, Jiang Pengji, despite her indifference, had to take it seriously.
“Moreover…” Liu Zhi added, flashing a hint of sarcastic coldness, “how could a person who only knows how to flatter and curry favor possibly compete with you? What can she rely on? Flirting around men, seducing them… it’s simply ridiculous!”
A woman?
Jiang Pengji displayed a trace of astonishment, as she thought Liu Zhi wanted to target a man.
Liu Zhi clearly didn’t want to discuss this topic further. This daughter was too cunning, and the more he said, the more information he leaked. Until the situation became clearer, he didn’t wish to dig up those old stories.
If she were to grow stronger, Liu Zhi wouldn’t be worried.
But right now, she clearly hadn’t formed yet and still needed to nourish herself and gather her foundation.
Liu Zhi wasn’t in a hurry; he had waited many years already and didn’t mind continuing to wait.
As long as he saw that woman’s head roll before he died, everything would be worth it!
“Your illegitimate sister’s matter is settled.”
Liu Zhi said neutrally, yet it subtly carried a chilling delight.
Jiang Pengji wasn’t one to be overly sentimental either; Liu Zhi had already hinted that the illegitimate sister had a special identity, and speaking up for her seemed a bit foolish. “But didn’t Father say Wu Ma Jun and Wei Jingxian… could he be hoping to enjoy both worlds?”
Liu Zhi replied, “Let him handle that headache himself. Anyway, Wu Ma Jun won’t make your ‘illegitimate sister’ a concubine, and Wei’s legitimate daughter is even less likely to be one. Naturally, Wu Ma Jun will drop this marriage with the Wei family. Otherwise, he can forget about leaving Hejian County alive.”
Promising Liu Zhi to marry his “illegitimate daughter,” while wanting to hold onto the engagement with Wei Jingxian, isn’t that courting death?
“But… Father, I’ve canceled the engagement with Jingxian, and the Wei family intends to tie the knot with Wu Ma Jun. Although they haven’t made it formal, some well-informed people already know. Now that Wu Ma Jun is reversing his words… doesn’t the Wei family have anything to say?”
Liu Zhi displayed a hint of surprise; he hadn’t anticipated that the daughter who earlier seemed oblivious to these matters would also start considering this now.
“Don’t worry; that’s just hearsay. The Wei family hasn’t officially acknowledged it; they just need to say others misunderstood.” Liu Zhi chuckled, “Have you forgotten? At the Elegant Gathering, besides Wu Ma Jun, there was another with an equally notable identity, and with greater prospects.”
“You mean… Feng Jin?” Jiang Pengji thought of her friend.
“Feng Jin is the second son of the Feng family; his father is the current Zhongshu Ling, Feng Ren. With such a distinguished lineage, would you say his character isn’t worth more than a prince who’s not favored and is feared by the official master? They say marrying a daughter well is important; the Wei family’s legitimate daughter is barely a match for him.”
Jiang Pengji hadn’t expected such a turn of events, “Could this… work out?”
“Ninety percent chance.” Liu Zhi said nonchalantly, “Marriage is the joining of two surnames; if it’s meant to be, it will naturally come together.”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
“However, you’re on good terms with Feng Jin. If he really marries the Wei daughter, it might impact your relationship.”
No matter how the engagement was canceled, the label on Wei Jingxian would always be “Liu Xi’s former fiancée.”
Feng Jin knew their relationship was innocent, but according to a man’s psychology, there’d always be some discomfort.
Especially later, as Feng Jin and Liu Xi interacted more, visiting each other’s homes, and Liu Xi would see Wei Jingxian, who was now someone else’s wife.
One fears… Feng Jin might overthink.
To this, Jiang Pengji could only facepalm and say, “Overthink what?”
It’s not like this is a time when everyone’s minding the same business! Just because two same-gender friends get along well, must you assume something unclean?
Liu Zhi still didn’t know that Feng Jin already knew Jiang Pengji was a woman.
Whoever married Wei Jingxian might feel some discomfort, but Feng Jin wouldn’t.
Jiang Pengji was adamant, “That won’t be a problem. Huaiyu isn’t that kind of mediocre, ordinary man.”
She wasn’t worried Feng Jin would be uncomfortable, but she was concerned that Wei Jingxian would be.
If these two genuinely had a matrimonial affinity, she and Feng Jin would have to maintain some distance; after all, she couldn’t cause conflicts in others’ families, right?
But for now, there was no need to worry too much; nothing had even started yet.
Liu Zhi praised, “Feng Huaiyu truly is remarkable.”
Regrettably, just based on his eminent status as a member of the Feng family, he was bound to operate on a different level than his daughter.
Unless she ultimately made it to the top, maybe Feng Jin would think differently. There might even be a good outcome.
