Chapter 117 – Unexpected Turns (5)
Jiang Pengji nodded, acknowledging his guess.
“My father says the Wei family seems to have taken a liking to Wu Ma Jun and intends to arrange a marriage for Jingxian. It’s not that I’m badmouthing anyone behind their backs, but Wu Ma Jun is really not a good choice. If Jingxian marries him, she’ll surely suffer later on. How can I bear that?”
Jiang Pengji had an abundance of patience for her soft and adorable little sister. Most of the time, she treated Wei Jingxian with affection and care, even though their interactions were limited. However, for the original Liu Lanting, she was as significant as a sister.
Feng Jin was at a loss for words. Although he didn’t hold Wu Ma Jun in high regard either, he didn’t think quite as poorly of him as Jiang Pengji did.
“I wonder what Zhengze did to get on your bad side. You seem to have some grudges against him.”
“Don’t you dislike him too?” Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. “I see Jingxian as family. If you put yourself in my shoes, would you be willing to hand your beloved sister over to someone like him?”
Feng Jin joked, “While I indeed don’t hold him in high regard, apart from a few people, even Zhengze himself is unaware, but Lanting has good taste. Surely, if it were me, I’d also be uneasy. However, if it were entrusted to me, wouldn’t you also feel at ease?”
“Though I don’t pay much attention to the young talents of Dongqing, I can guess you must be the dream son-in-law of many families, certainly a fine choice,” Jiang Pengji said seriously. “But this is merely my one-sided opinion. As you said, it’s the parents who decide on their children’s marriage; discussing it here seems pointless.”
Feng Jin smiled without replying.
To him, Jiang Pengji’s mention of this was somewhat odd but entirely human.
Several classmates had previously tried to introduce him to their sisters, but he had refused them all.
How could one marry and settle down without a solid foundation?
Liu Lanting regarded Wei Jingxian as kin, so his worry about her marriage was understandable.
The only awkward part was—
Wei Jingxian was someone else’s daughter, and her parents were still alive.
Feng Jin silently turned away, but his mind drifted to brief memories linked to Wei Jingxian; she was indeed a quick-witted woman.
But when it came to quick wit, none could compare to the one next to him.
Unfortunately, as per the governor Liu’s intention, there was no plan to restore his identity.
If restored… that wouldn’t do; if it became public knowledge, Liu Xi’s reputation would be utterly ruined.
Feng Jin offered a comforting remark, “Everyone has their own fate; Lanting needn’t worry too much.”
“I hope so.”
Jiang Pengji scoffed at that. Reliable men were scarce in ancient times, but she couldn’t expect women to rely solely on themselves—it wasn’t realistic. To put it plainly… she found everything about this era unbearable, especially how women were treated like weeds.
While they chatted, the carriage came to a halt in front of the Welcome Spring Tower.
Yes, they didn’t go to the Liu Residence or Feng Jin’s lodging; they had headed to the Welcome Spring Tower instead.
Now it was deep into the night, but this street was still brightly lit, with fleeting shadows appearing particularly ethereal in the candlelight.
Jiang Pengji headed straight to the private room, where Liu Zhi was leisurely seated by the table, holding a scroll of exquisite text. His eyes were slightly lowered, deeply engrossed in reading, while a performer in the corner sang softly in a gentle Wu dialect.
Beside him sat Wu Ma Jun, wearing a somewhat cheerful expression, suggesting the atmosphere between the two was relatively pleasant, and there was hope for bonding.
“Back already?” Liu Zhi put away the scroll and looked up at Jiang Pengji. “Did you have fun?”
“Not bad.”
Wu Ma Jun almost lost his smile upon hearing the questionable conversation between the father and son, unable to maintain his composure.
His son was cavorting in a place like this, and instead of scolding him, his father appeared gentle and concerned.
What a sight to behold!
It seemed the rumors outside about Liu Zhi valuing his legitimate son were not without basis.
With thoughts swirling, Wu Ma Jun couldn’t help but regard Jiang Pengji as even more important.
The worried inquiry Feng Jin had anticipated didn’t occur; otherwise, he would have reason to believe this sidekick would push him forward as a “scapegoat.”
“Since that’s the case, let’s head back,” Liu Zhi said while rising, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin before furrowing his brow slightly, maintaining a cold demeanor. “If you wish to come listen to music and relax in the future, remember to inform your mother first.”
Jiang Pengji responded with an “Oh.”
Feng Jin secretly felt suspicious. Was it just his imagination, or did Liu Zhi’s attitude toward him seem increasingly frosty?
Wu Ma Jun, wanting to keep Liu Zhi around, realized this was the Welcome Spring Tower and not a proper place. If he truly did something like that, it would be ridiculous, so he could only watch Liu Zhi leave with his son and get into the carriage.
“Huaisun and the son of the Liu governor have quite a good relationship.”
“They hit it off right away,” Feng Jin smiled and said, “But it’s getting late; I’ll head back first. Zhengze, are you staying here?”
Wu Ma Jun shook his head. He had originally come to seek fun and relaxation, but now, with the main subject leaving, there was no point in sticking around to fool around, so he opted to return with Huaisun. “No, I’ll go back with Huaisun.”
In the carriage, Liu Zhi furrowed his brows while Jiang Pengji sensed his father’s restlessness—clearly, he was just pretending.
“You can ask me whatever you want, Father; no need to hold back,” Jiang Pengji said, pulling out some dried fruits from the carriage’s hidden compartment and tossing some into her mouth. “Since I’ve returned, I know you’ve got questions hiding in your heart, related to me.”
With that, Liu Zhi dropped his pretense.
His expression was conflicted as his gaze landed on a certain part of Jiang Pengji’s attire, hesitating to ask, “Do you have feelings for that Feng Huaiyu?”
Jiang Pengji: “… No, why would you think that, Father?”
It was obvious to anyone that Feng Jin viewed her as a buddy. How could she see Feng Jin as anything but a friend and confidante?
“But you two…” Liu Zhi trailed off, his expression twisting even further. If his daughter were his son and that Feng Jin were a girl, as a father, he could at least subtly ask… You two went out earlier, didn’t you sneak off to do something inappropriate?
But… he couldn’t ask that of his daughter, no matter how thick-skinned he was.
Liu Zhi couldn’t voice it, but Jiang Pengji wasn’t simple.
Following her father’s gaze, she looked down at her clothing, noticing some wall dust smeared on the hem…
Oh… so that’s what it was; even a savvy driver could understand.
“I didn’t pin Feng Jin against the wall or anything, you’ve overthought it, Father.”
Jiang Pengji explained with a straight face.
Liu Zhi: “…”
Sometimes, it was better not to explain. The more he explained, the more it seemed like there was really something going on.
