Chapter 1395 – Southern Prosperity, The Chaos of Autumn (Part 21)
Liu Zhao couldn’t help but feel moved, “Eldest Sister, you were so charming just now!”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow, playfully patting the dog’s head.
Kid, your taste is on point!
The idle viewers in the live stream couldn’t help but cheer Liu Zhao’s desperate attempt to survive; for the sake of his little life, this kid was spewing every sweet lie he could muster.
[Star Abyss Meow]: It’s tragic, but it seems Liu Zhao’s the first to praise the host’s charm.
[Drifting Feather and Wine]: Host, after ten years of not knocking down a single frog, how about changing your target? Ever heard of German orthopedics?
[Delicate Cloud and Flying Star]: Oh! The rare pairing finally gets attention? I absolutely love the Queen Eldest Sister vs. the sycophant younger brother pairing. When the host interacts with Liu Zhao, her aura feels much softer; I really enjoy their dynamic!
[One Summer’s Star]: The host truly dominates; no matter who the pairing is, she can always take charge. But Liu Zhao is way too weak; not a fan.
Suddenly, Liu Zhao shivered, trailing behind Jiang Pengji like a timid young wife, fearing more the impending meeting with Liu Zhi.
“Eldest Sister, why do you think Father came to Wanzhou?”
Jiang Pengji replied with a smile, “Weren’t you running away from marriage last time? Maybe he’s coming to revisit old matters?”
Liu Zhao stumbled over his own feet in fright; if not for Jiang Pengji catching him, he might have performed an embarrassing fall on flat ground.
“A-Ah, Eldest Sister… Please don’t scare me! I don’t like the person Father arranged…”
Jiang Pengji asked casually, “You don’t like the person he arranged, so who do you like instead? You’re not that young anymore, and if you’re still single, people will say I’m a terrible sister, mistreating my brother.”
Liu Zhao felt his scalp tingle; Eldest Sister’s question was a death sentence. There was no good way to answer it.
“I, um, I don’t really have someone I like…” Liu Zhao awkwardly mumbled, “I’m still young, just give me a couple more years!”
Jiang Pengji let out a meaningful hum, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
When the siblings saw Liu Zhi, he was seated across from Gu Zhen, sharing a drink, the faint aroma of Pear Blossom Brew filling the air.
“The brewing skills of Brother-in-law are as good as Eldest Sister’s.”
Gu Zhen, in her casual home attire and a touch of makeup, looked several years younger, living up to the saying—”An older lady still has charm.” Across from her, Liu Zhi wore a dark green scholar’s robe, his gray-streaked hair giving him an air of relaxed ease.
He said, “Being similar doesn’t mean identical; in the end, it’s different—I can’t brew her flavor.”
As they spoke, Jiang Pengji entered with the timid and weak Liu Zhao, performing their family greetings.
Liu Zhao obediently followed her lead, wishing he could shrink away into the shadow of his older sister’s robust figure.
“Father, Mother.”
Gu Zhen smiled in response, while Liu Zhi coldly huffed, slamming his wine cup down on the table, making Liu Zhao’s heart tremble.
“Why has Father suddenly come? At least give your daughter a heads-up to send someone out to greet you.”
Seeing Jiang Pengji speak, Liu Zhao secretly rejoiced at the diverted attention; who knew Liu Zhi wouldn’t let him off that easily?
“I’m here for the disgraceful marriage of my son; it’s just trivial family matters. You focus on your own affairs, no need for a grand commotion.”
Liu Zhi’s pitch-black eyes, as dark as lacquer, held a hidden sharpness that made Liu Zhao incredibly uneasy; he would’ve rather found a hole to hide in. He was terrified of Liu Zhi, and without Jiang Pengji blocking part of his view, Liu Zhao didn’t know if he would embarrass himself in public.
“For Liu Zhao’s marriage?” Jiang Pengji tilted her head to glance at the pitiful Liu Zhao, saying, “Marriage relies on fate; Liu Zhao still wants to enjoy life and isn’t keen on settling down. Why force him? It’s better to let him play, and when the time comes, he’ll want stability by himself.”
Playing for three or four years, once Liu Zhao tires of it, he’ll naturally think about finding a reliable person to take over.
Liu Zhi replied, “Lan Ting spoils him so much! Marriage is a big deal, and it should be decided by parents. He’s not considering how old he is this year, playing around every day—when will he ever be independent enough to start a family and not be a burden?”
Jiang Pengji dismissively noted, “The daughter has some standing, let alone just Liu Zhao. I could support ten more if needed.”
Liu Zhao was so moved he was practically in tears; Eldest Sister—
This was definitely a real sister, standing up against their father Liu Zhi for her little brother.
Liu Zhi sighed, “If it’s about support, I can provide that too; I’m not lacking in food for him.”
He came here this time to finalize Liu Zhao’s marriage, fulfilling a wish of his own.
Seeing his father’s firm stance, Jiang Pengji had no choice but to ask Liu Zhi, “Since Father is so determined, I won’t hinder or turn down your good intentions. Do you have candidates for Liu Zhao’s marriage?”
Liu Zhao’s heart sank instantly; Eldest Sister, please hold steady under the pressure!
Liu Zhi shot Liu Zhao an eye roll, saying irritably, “There are indeed several suitable candidates; families and temperaments are well-matched. However… I still need to ask this disgraceful son if he has someone in mind. Otherwise, why did he run off to Wanzhou without a word last time?”
Liu Zhao suddenly found himself the center of attention, his heart racing in panic.
He weakly added, “I… indeed have someone I like, but…”
Jiang Pengji was not surprised, pushing Liu Zhi for more, “But what? Is she perhaps already married?”
“Cheng Cheng’s youngest daughter.” Liu Zhao mustered his courage, “I’ve seen her a few times, but… that’s just my one-sided affection; she doesn’t know how I feel. I also don’t know if Mr. Cheng has engaged her yet, so I’ve been too scared to bring it up…”
Jiang Pengji said, “If I had known you felt this way, why not say it sooner? I could have spoken to Mr. Cheng for you!”
Liu Zhi coldly interrupted, “How could he deserve her?”
“Liu Xi’s younger brother? There’s no one who isn’t deserving of him!” Jiang Pengji chuckled, “Liu Zhao, just wait for news at home; I’ll go to Mr. Cheng’s house to sniff around. If that Cheng Lady isn’t married yet, this marriage might just work out!”
Liu Zhao was utterly confused; it seemed like the roles of Liu Zhi and Jiang Pengji had reversed.
According to his calculations, shouldn’t Liu Zhi be eagerly setting up the marriage while Eldest Sister argued against it or tried to mediate?
As for Mr. Cheng’s daughter, given Liu Zhao’s current status, it was indeed politically awkward and really didn’t match well.
After Jiang Pengji dismissed Liu Zhao, Gu Zhen smartly made room for the father-daughter duo.
Jiang Pengji sat down in Gu Zhen’s previous chair, picked up a clean wine cup, and began drinking, pondering, “Why has Father suddenly come?”
It was a question she had asked once before.
The first time, the livestream was still running.
The second time, she had turned off the stream.
Liu Zhi replied, “I came for this disgraceful son Liu Zhao.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, “I thought you had given up on Liu Zhao, leaving him to face all these dangers alone.”
