Chapter 200 – Unconvinced? Hold It In (Nine)
Han Yu raised an eyebrow, teasingly asking, “So, what does Huaiyu want me to help with?”
“He doesn’t know you well; if he wants you gone, just pretend you didn’t understand…”
Wu Ma Jun frequently ran around in the mortal realm, often seeking connections with Liu Zhi, and always calling for Feng Jin.
Now that Han Yu was here, Feng Jin had an excuse to slip away.
“You know, you could just refuse outright. What can a fourth prince, who’s not even taken seriously, do to you? It’s just painful to save face and live like that,” Han Yu said casually. Feng Jin wasn’t really valued, but he was still the second son of the Feng family.
If he didn’t want to do something, could that Wu Ma Jun force him?
Feng Jin forced a smile; old habits die hard. This was just who he was, and changing it wasn’t that easy.
While Wu Ma Jun was indeed annoying, Feng Jin didn’t want to burn bridges with the fourth prince just yet; there was no need to make things awkward.
But Han Yu, with his usual temperament, said, “It’s been years; I thought you’d be more restrained after apprenticing under Mr. Yuanjing, but it seems you’ve only gotten worse. Your temperament… resembles that of a friend you’ve recently made. You two might just hit it off.”
Han Yu raised an eyebrow with interest, “It’s rare for you to praise someone like that, Huaiyu.”
Not to mention someone with a similar temperament.
“That person is quite remarkable.”
Feng Jin thought of Jiang Pengji, and a more pronounced smile crept onto his face, which left Han Yu astounded.
“Wow, could it be that the friend you mentioned is a stunning beauty? Your confidante? I see, you want me to help you dodge the fourth prince just to make time to meet your ‘fair friend’?”
That smile was so sweet it nearly blinded Han Yu.
Feng Jin, caught off guard by Han Yu’s comments, wore an even more helpless smile.
While his friend was indeed a woman, she was not a confidante, and he had no idea what Han Yu was thinking.
“She’s definitely not a beauty, nor a confidante. She’s a completely legitimate friend. Wenbin, don’t slander Jin just because you happen to have such experiences. I was actually thinking of introducing you two, but after seeing you talk without a filter, maybe I should pass.”
Feng Jin and Han Yu had grown up together as friends, their bond akin to brothers, and they would occasionally indulge in harmless banter.
“Hey, don’t! Anyone praised by Huaiyu must be a remarkable young talent; I want to get to know them too.”
Feng Jin finally relented, “If Wenbin had come a bit later, Jin might have already gone to find Lan Ting.”
Naturally, Han Yu became greatly interested in this ‘Lan Ting.’
He wanted to see what talents and merits this ‘Lan Ting’ possessed.
As a student of Mr. Yuanjing, Han Yu had encountered many self-proclaimed ‘genius youths’ seeking to apprentice under him. What happened? They were either exaggerating or not living up to their claims; very few actually caught Han Yu’s eye.
Han Yu said, “It’s not too late to pay a visit now.”
Feng Jin hesitated before nodding, “Alright.”
Since Han Yu was joining, Feng Jin even took the trouble to write an invitation, otherwise bringing an unfamiliar person would be rather rude.
Unfortunately, the doorkeeper informed Feng Jin that their Young Master had already been gone for some time.
“This… did Lan Ting say when he would return?” Feng Jin asked graciously.
The doorkeeper thought for a moment and said, “The Young Master only mentioned he’d be back before the city gate keys are locked.”
Before the city gate keys are locked?
Looking up at the sky, it was clear they could not wait.
“Then please help me convey a message to Lan Ting, just tell him I stopped by.”
The doorkeeper respectfully replied, “Not a bother at all; Young Master Feng is a friend of our Young Master, it’s only right.”
With no choice but to return to the carriage, Han Yu languidly played with the tassel dangling from the jade pendant at his waist.
“Not at home?”
Feng Jin nodded, thinking for a moment before saying, “Since we’re here, why not swing by and find Yao Zhi?”
Yao Zhi?
Another unfamiliar name.
It seemed that during his absence from the capital, Huaiyu had made quite a few friends.
Seeing Han Yu look confused, Feng Jin explained, “Yao Zhi is a friend of mine, named Liu Heng; he’s also a cousin of Lan Ting.”
Han Yu candidly remarked, “Well, since we have nothing else to do, we might as well head over there.”
Feng Jin couldn’t help but secretly sigh and shake his head at Han Yu’s attitude.
With a temperament like Wenbin’s, he was bound to face some serious setbacks down the line.
Jiang Pengji returned home half an hour before the city gates were locked, leisurely riding back to the Liu Residence.
As soon as she arrived, the doorkeeper informed her that Feng Jin had come looking for her.
“Huaiyu?” Jiang Pengji asked, “Did he leave any other messages?”
The doorkeeper thought for a moment and shook his head, “Young Master Feng just wanted me to tell you he stopped by, nothing else.”
“I see, I understand.”
Jiang Pengji felt assured that it was a completely normal visit, and he hadn’t encountered any difficulties.
“However…” The doorkeeper hesitated to say something.
“What is it?”
The doorkeeper awkwardly said, “The one who often comes and goes with Young Master Feng has come looking for the master again.”
Jiang Pengji tried hard not to jump to conclusions. What did it mean to be seen often with Feng Jin?
It felt like there was something shady going on.
“You mean that Wu Ma Jun is here again today?”
Since the last time at the Welcome Spring Pavilion, Wu Ma Jun’s visits had become alarmingly frequent.
However, Jiang Pengji had been out often and hadn’t encountered him.
The doorkeeper said with difficulty, “Yes, I’ve heard from the other servants that… he seems to be looking to propose to the second lady…”
What?!
Propose to the second lady of the household?
Jiang Pengji was stunned for a moment before realizing that the Liu Residence had a younger sister who had never made an appearance.
But her younger sister was only just under nine years old, right?
Wait, wasn’t this Wu Ma Jun trying to propose to Jing Xian before?
Why was he suddenly targeting her younger sister?
Or did he plan to go after both?
Jiang Pengji’s expression grew icy, her lips pressed together, clearly displeased.
Once back at the estate, she immediately sought out Liu Zhi, who was diligently reading a document.
“Lan Ting has returned.” Liu Zhi set the paper aside, a weary smile lighting up his face, “Come sit beside your father.”
Jiang Pengji bluntly asked, “What does father mean by this?”
If it weren’t for Liu Zhi suggesting or misleading Wu Ma Jun, he probably wouldn’t even think of Liu Residence having a younger daughter.
For some reason, their younger brother and sister, despite being present, were inexplicably overshadowed in the eyes of others.
Clearly, someone was orchestrating this.
Liu Zhi asked, “What do you mean?”
“There are rumors among the servants that Wu Ma Jun seeks to marry the second younger sister.”
Liu Zhi said, “That is not just a rumor; I have indeed agreed.”
Jiang Pengji: “!!!”
“Lan Ting, your father made a vow before your mother’s grave,” Liu Zhi said. “I won’t let anyone who would harm her or this family off the hook!”
“But the second sister…”
Liu Zhi said meaningfully, “In my life, there has only been your mother.”
Jiang Pengji understood instantly.
So, the younger siblings were not Liu Zhi’s biological children?
But with that said… she couldn’t help but glance at Liu Zhi’s head.
Was there some infidelity going on?
