Chapter 259 – Who is Cheng Cheng? (3)
Cheng Cheng was puzzled, but after Jiang Pengji mentioned it, he suddenly had a suspect in mind.
Noticing Cheng Cheng’s change in expression, Jiang Pengji casually asked, “Have you thought of someone, sir?”
Even if he had a slight suspicion, Cheng Cheng couldn’t directly say it out loud.
Jiang Pengji didn’t press on, instead glancing at Cheng Cheng’s wife.
This couple had lived in comfort; they were far from the chaotic and embarrassing situation they faced today.
She posed a very practical question, “Earlier, you mentioned that all your guards fell to the assassins. We’re still in the wilderness, with no village in sight and the nearest station several days away… I wonder what your plans are, sir?”
Cheng Cheng was injured, and his wife was soft and delicate; it was unclear how the two would survive in this remote area.
With that question, Cheng Cheng showed a troubled expression.
Before he could answer, Jiang Pengji added, “If you don’t mind and trust me, why not let me escort you both to the nearest station where you can settle down first, then contact your family? The assassins are still a threat, and you two are in danger.”
Cheng Cheng thanked Jiang Pengji for her kindness, feeling ashamed.
If they didn’t take this free ride, even without the assassins, they wouldn’t last long on their own.
Compared to Cheng Cheng’s hesitance, his wife was much more straightforward. Having witnessed Jiang Pengji’s prior actions, she liked her a bit more.
“The Young Master is quite capable and has an impressive presence. I wonder which family you belong to?”
“The Liu Clan of Hejian, simply named Xi. My father is Liu Zhi. You may call me Lan Ting if you don’t mind.”
Upon hearing this, both Cheng Cheng and his wife felt surprised, but their focuses were different.
Cheng Cheng’s wife was fixated on “young talent, suitable as a husband.”
“You are actually the son of Liu Zhongqing?”
Liu Zhi was indeed a heartthrob for many young ladies in his youth, and his story with his wife, Gu Min, was legendary.
Though Cheng Cheng’s wife had never met him, she had heard of him and didn’t expect such a strong son from such a talented man.
The assassins had pushed this couple into a corner, yet this young man seemed almost invincible before them.
In a moment of thought, Cheng Cheng’s wife’s mind took a turn, and she mentally labeled Jiang Pengji as a “catch,” thinking about how lucky any daughter would be to marry the son of Liu Zhi.
It was a pity that her own daughter was still too young; otherwise, she would want to arrange a match.
Cheng Cheng’s focus was unrelated to Liu Zhi and was purely about “Liu Xi.”
“Are you already of marriageable age?”
He looked young, appearing no older than twelve or thirteen.
Jiang Pengji was momentarily stunned but quickly understood the reason for Cheng Cheng’s question and explained, “The name ‘Lan Ting’ was given by my deceased mother, meant for when I come of age. After my mother passed, my father continued to call me ‘Lan Ting’ in remembrance of their deep love.”
Since the name was already chosen, why not just use it? It saved the trouble of picking a nickname.
Cheng Cheng: “…”
This wild and carefree attitude was indeed something Liu Zhi’s son would have.
The blood on Jiang Pengji’s body had dried substantially, barely showing its original condition. She instructed her guards to protect Cheng Cheng and his wife properly and found a secluded spot to wash her face. While the other blood stains couldn’t be scrubbed off, she had to clean the blood from her face.
“The Young Master truly has good looks. I wonder if you are betrothed?”
Cheng Cheng’s wife grew more fond of Jiang Pengji as she observed her refined features and handsome appearance. Although Jiang Pengji had somewhat feminine traits, they aligned perfectly with the current trend of alluring young men. Cheng Cheng’s wife immediately felt like playing matchmaker.
Jiang Pengji shook her head and nodded, “There was once a marriage proposal, but Master Liaochen divined that an early wedding would be harmful, so I regrettably had to back out to avoid holding back the other party.”
Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng’s wife immediately shelved her matchmaking plans, feeling a bit regretful.
She didn’t doubt the truth of Jiang Pengji’s words.
Marriages among noble families are not trifles; typically, proposals are not retracted unless there are unavoidable reasons, and Jiang Pengji’s explanation was impossible to refute.
Cheng Cheng, however, looked at Jiang Pengji’s face, deep in thought, until his wife discreetly pinched him.
Her husband loved to lecture, and she hoped he wouldn’t jump at the chance to discuss lofty philosophies with Jiang Pengji and ruin the mood.
Cheng Cheng chuckled wryly, “My lady has misunderstood. I’m just thinking that the young friend’s face seems very familiar, as if I’ve seen it somewhere.”
“Since Lan Ting is the son of Liu Zhongqing, of course, he resembles him. What are you pondering, sir?”
Cheng Cheng was speechless. He had never truly met Liu Zhi; they were merely acquaintances through mutual connections.
While the circles of nobility aren’t tiny, he and Liu Zhi had not crossed paths directly, but they shared common friends who had mentioned one another.
Thus, when Cheng Cheng said Jiang Pengji looked familiar, it didn’t even relate to Liu Zhi.
Deep in thought, he suddenly recalled an unfinished painting he’d seen months ago from a friend several years younger than him.
If the young woman’s appearance in the painting were a few years younger, with softer features, wouldn’t that be Liu Xi?
But Liu Xi was Liu Zhi’s second son, and the Liu family’s illegitimate daughter had been raised in seclusion.
Uh… could it be that the young friend’s painting showing a girl napping among flowers was actually Gu Min, who had passed away?
Thinking further made him anxious!
But it wasn’t impossible… This friend of his was a disciple of Yuan Jing, who had been acquainted with Gu Min in his youth. It was possible he learned of her looks through Yuan Jing…
“Is something troubling you, sir?” Jiang Pengji, leading the way with her sword, had cleared a little path through the bushes more thoroughly than before, making it easier for the injured Cheng Cheng and his wife to walk behind her. “You look troubled.”
Cheng Cheng: “…”
He felt it might be better not to tell this young man about the fact that a guy just a few years older than him had painted his late mother.
“It’s nothing, just mulling over who would go to such lengths to put Cheng Cheng in danger…” Cheng Cheng found an excuse that made sense. “I have some guesses, but upon deeper consideration, I feel that person wouldn’t resort to such actions…”
Ah, so that was what was bothering him.
Jiang Pengji didn’t pry further; even if she sensed a hint of evasiveness in Cheng Cheng, it was a personal matter, so she refrained from questioning him.
“Young Master, you’re back at last… The guards found signs of a struggle nearby…”
In the distance, Xu Ke spotted several figures emerging from the forest and quickly jogged forward, swallowing whatever he was about to say.
Could someone tell him why the Young Master was just out fetching water… even if fetching water took a bit longer… how did he come back looking like a blood-soaked mess?
After being away for just over half an hour, it felt like he had missed out on a lot of drama.
