Chapter 1398 – Southern Prosperity, Autumn of Chaos (Twenty-Four)
Liu Zhi said, “Don’t speak so confidently. Even if you and I form an alliance, how easy do you think it is to kill someone on par with a god?”
“God? Ha—” Jiang Pengji replied coldly, “Just a stray dog! Apart from barking like crazy and hiding all over, what else can he do?”
Liu Zhi: “…”
That was a solid point; he couldn’t argue against it, considering the current state of the system’s main entity.
Liu Zhi maintained a stoic expression and said, “In that case, I won’t waste more words. I wish you good luck. Just hope you can get what you want and not end up like me, outsmarting yourself and losing what you love… Oh wait, maybe you don’t have any ‘loves’ at all.”
Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her hand and replied, “Who said that? How could someone as charming and adored as me be a singleton!”
Liu Zhi couldn’t take it anymore and exclaimed, “Will you just shut up!”
Jiang Pengji finally burst out laughing; it was the first time she saw Liu Zhi on the verge of a breakdown.
Liu Zhi said, “According to the latest information, that person is likely hiding around you, possibly among your close ones.”
One slip, and Jiang Pengji might lose that person. Let’s see if she’d still be laughing then.
“I know full well, and I have roughly locked onto the target. No one can take my things or people away from me!”
Jiang Pengji spoke confidently and arrogantly. Liu Zhi endured but ultimately refrained from launching a verbal attack.
Bidding farewell to Liu Zhi, Jiang Pengji took her nervous mushroom-picking younger brother, Liu Zhao, and left.
“Eldest Sister, what did you and Father talk about? Father’s expression doesn’t seem too good.”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Just some adult matters, kids shouldn’t pry.”
Liu Zhao pouted, trying hard to suppress his curiosity, lest curiosity kill the cat.
“Are you serious about the youngest daughter of the Cheng family?”
Jiang Pengji’s tone was pleasant, devoid of any anger, but Liu Zhao dared not respond casually. The father of the youngest daughter is Cheng Cheng, a heavyweight in the entire Wanzhou group, and Liu Zhao didn’t want to attract unnecessary suspicion.
Liu Zhao commented bitterly, “Isn’t that just to placate Father’s pressure for marriage? Besides, the Cheng family’s youngest daughter is getting on in years; surely she’s already betrothed. Little brother was just pulling something out of thin air, acting as a shield. Father won’t stay in Wanzhou long. Once he returns to Chongzhou to retire, I’ll have escaped by then. Eldest Sister, you aren’t trying to toss me out because I’m a financial burden, are you?”
Liu Zhao was leeching off Liu Zhi in Chongzhou and Jiang Pengji in Wanzhou; his monthly expenses were no small matter.
He had reasons to suspect Jiang Pengji was displeased with his spending habits.
Jiang Pengji playfully kicked his calf, her movement slow and gentle, otherwise he’d have been in real trouble.
“Liu Zhao, have you got any manhood left? If you like her, just say you like her; if not, then don’t dwell on it so much!”
Jiang Pengji casually draped her arm over his shoulder, acting like the best buddies they were.
“If you like her, I’ll go propose to her right away; if you don’t, I’ll get Mr. Cheng to propose for her. No point in letting a single man and woman get all flustered with each other,” she said ruthlessly. “After this year, I might have to head off to conquer the Southern Prosperity, and it could be a year or two before I return. By then, the kids might be walking and talking; you really wouldn’t regret it?”
Liu Zhao fell silent as Jiang Pengji pressed his head down, making him bend at the waist.
“At your age, you’ve got a lot of thoughts swirling in your head. Stay out of the adults’ business and focus on your own little life.”
Jiang Pengji had always been alone; she had no siblings, and Liu Zhao, being both timid and weak, found himself especially endearing in her eyes. Liu Zhao had no conflicting interests with her, and he had never harbored any ill will toward her, so Jiang Pengji naturally had a soft spot for him.
Not to mention, out of consideration for Gu Min, that devoted fan, she had to show a little mercy.
After walking a short distance, Liu Zhao stammered out a few words.
“Then, uh, I’m sorry to trouble you, Eldest Sister… Can you help me find out if she’s already promised to someone?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled, “What if she is?”
“Then ask if she likes her future husband.”
Jiang Pengji asked again, “What if she does?”
“Then ask if her future husband is short-lived.”
Jiang Pengji laughed and queried, “What if he’s a long-lived one?”
“Then ask if she’s considered having a daughter or something…”
Jiang Pengji pointed out, “What if it’s just boys?”
“Eldest Sister, you’re trying to kill me here!”
Jiang Pengji replied, “If you really have that kind of interest, I might as well take you out right now.”
Stop living and causing trouble for others.
Liu Zhao shivered.
Could he be blamed for that?
It was entirely Eldest Sister’s playful banter; he was merely responding in kind.
Jiang Pengji wasn’t too busy lately, so the next day she prepared generous gifts and visited Cheng Cheng’s residence.
The Cheng couple was unaware of her intention and were secretly guessing why she had come, only to hear Jiang Pengji mention the youngest daughter of their family.
Both were astute individuals; how could they not understand Jiang Pengji’s purpose?
She intended to propose a marriage for her bastard brother, Liu Zhao.
Even though Liu Zhao was a lowborn child, this kid knew how to hitch a ride on the coattails of others, making him quite sought after in the marriage market.
“I already understand Lord Lan Ting’s meaning. Liu Sanlang is certainly not bad; I’ve met him before,” Cheng Cheng said. “While parental consent is important in matchmaking, the children’s opinions must also be considered. If my daughter shows interest, I would be happy to connect families with Lord Lan Ting.”
Cheng Cheng’s daughter was indeed betrothed, but that engagement had ended soon after.
Years back, Huang Song covertly hoped Cheng Cheng would fallback on him; however, Cheng Cheng refused and stood his ground.
Little did they know the in-laws would fear retribution from Huang Song after Cheng Cheng declined him, and they took the initiative to pull out of the engagement, nearly causing Cheng Cheng to faint in anger. Later, as Jiang Pengji established herself, her status continued to rise, and the in-laws had the audacity to come back, claiming their son was lovesick for Cheng Cheng’s daughter, unable to eat or sleep without her, much to Cheng Cheng’s disgust. Because of this, the Cheng couple found it difficult to continue matchmaking for their daughter, so they decided to wait another two years.
Cheng Cheng had met Liu Zhao; given the current situation, Liu Zhao seemed to have no ambition—a “wealthy layabout” who wouldn’t go anywhere.
With a simple family structure and an open-minded leader, their daughter wouldn’t have to suffer if she married.
Cheng Cheng was quite pleased with this idea.
He didn’t hide any details from Jiang Pengji, proactively explaining this particular situation.
Jiang Pengji remarked, “That’s fine. These people are indeed shameless; if they dare spread rumors again, I’ll find some reason to send them packing.”
Cheng Cheng’s status in Wanzhou was decent, but in terms of real power, he didn’t have much; he was quite straightforward, which is why he often got bullied by petty people.
As long as Cheng Cheng’s youngest daughter gave her approval, the marriage would be a sure thing.
He thought it would take some back-and-forth, but as soon as he spoke, his daughter readily agreed.
“Daughter, this is a lifelong matter; I’m not forcing you to do anything, it all depends on your preference. Don’t you want to think it over a bit more?”
Her quick agreement caught him off guard.
“Liu Zhao? My daughter has met him, too; his temperament isn’t bad, and he’s somewhat charming. He’s certainly easier to manage than others.”
Ultimately, they would get married, and she would hate for her parents to worry over her marriage, especially having met someone appealing with a strong background. Marrying him would be a good choice.
