Chapter 49 – Feng Jin? Hehe
“But… what about Wei Jingxian’s engagement?”
Liu Zhi noticed the question brewing in her mind, raising an eyebrow with a hint of displeasure.
“This arranged marriage was originally proposed by the lady of the Wei family to facilitate ties between the two families, and it was ultimately agreed upon. Later, your elder brother passed away, and A Min also wanted to withdraw from the engagement to retrieve the engagement token, but the lady of the Wei family refused, saying they would deal with it when the children were older.”
Jiang Pengji listened in silence, “Why not agree? Isn’t it bad for the reputation to be rejected when they grow up?”
Liu Zhi replied, “Isn’t having the name of bringing misfortune to one’s husband since childhood just as bad?”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
The ancient way of thinking was indeed incomprehensible to her—completely in another dimension!
“That can’t be, he was only three or four years old at the time! How could such a young age carry the stigma of bringing misfortune to someone?”
Jiang Pengji deeply lamented the irrationality of this era; the notion of bringing misfortune really could be deadly for a girl, causing tremendous harm.
“Your elder brother drowned the day after the engagement token was exchanged…”
Bringing this up, Liu Zhi also felt a twinge of resentment, often unconsciously attributing his child’s demise to Wei Jingxian, but he remained rational, knowing that this was not the girl’s fault—he could only blame the child’s frail fate for their lack of father-son bond.
Jiang Pengji fell silent; Wei Jingxian was wholly innocent, but with the timing of events, how could they have been so unfortunate?
After donating for oil lamps, the matters of “father and son” concluded for the day. As they descended the mountain, Liu Zhi took two pairs of brand-new straw sandals from the steward, placing one pair at Jiang Pengji’s feet, saying, “Going downhill is different from going uphill. Wearing wooden clogs makes it easy to trip.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, putting on the straw sandals, which were surprisingly soft and comfortable, not at all prickly.
“Did father suffer losses before?”
His smooth movements suggested he was quite experienced.
Ignoring Jiang Pengji’s teasing tone, Liu Zhi affectionately said, “Your mother once had a mishap and almost spoiled her appearance.”
By the time they descended, the sun was already beginning its descent. Watching their long shadows stretch on the ground, Liu Zhi suddenly sighed.
“I truly am getting old. If I were younger, I might have been able to carry you down the mountain.”
He was aware of his own body. When he was younger, he had been pushed by Gu Min to train vigorously. He had always felt that those exercises were embarrassing and silly, but thanks to that, he had greatly improved his health after his periods of sickness.
However, now, just climbing a mountain was tough enough; with a nearly adult daughter, he couldn’t possibly carry her without risking both of them tumbling down.
Jiang Pengji said, “I wouldn’t mind carrying father down instead.”
Liu Zhi could only smile without a word, giving her a gentle head pat.
Although he raised her like a son, she was essentially still a daughter, how could her strength compare to a man’s?
At this moment, Liu Zhi unconsciously overlooked the fact that the stepmother had once told him how Jiang Pengji single-handedly dealt with an entire bandit stronghold.
The journey down the mountain was quite easy; Jiang Pengji chatted and joked with Liu Zhi, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
But when they spoke of studies, she suddenly recalled Mr. Yuanjing, whom Feng Jin had introduced.
Jiang Pengji asked, observing Liu Zhi’s expression, “Father, I heard from a friend that mother had a past with Mr. Yuanjing?”
“Heard it from your friend? Only a few know about this; your friend is surely not one of those old folks,” Liu Zhi’s expression remained calm. “Your mother had supported Mr. Yuanjing in her youth, and when A Min was around, they exchanged pleasantries occasionally.”
“Indeed, that friend’s surname is Feng, with the given name Jin. He said my studies are lacking, and that Wei Yuan, the scholar, wouldn’t suit me. If there’s a chance, I could visit Langya County to meet Mr. Yuanjing, and perhaps see if I could become his disciple to salvage my academic path…”
Before Jiang Pengji could finish, Liu Zhi suddenly stopped, a brief stiffening visible in his expression, as he turned to look at her, “Who?”
“What?” Jiang Pengji was confused until she realized Liu Zhi was referring to her friend, “Feng Jin.”
“Feng Jin? The one with the courtesy name Huaiyu?”
Liu Zhi’s expression darkened, as if he recalled something troubling.
“Yes, Huaiyu… Father, does he have a problem?”
Jiang Pengji’s heart skipped; was it dramatic? Was Feng Jin’s family Liu Zhi’s political enemy?
Liu Zhi didn’t seem like the type to hold grudges, so why would he extend his grievances to the child of a rival?
“Hmph, just a kid… Liu Ting should only maintain a gentlemanly friendship with him, no need for deeper ties.”
Liu Zhi’s expressions returned to neutrality, as if the displeasure from moments ago had never existed.
Though Jiang Pengji didn’t understand, Liu Zhi was not one to slander others behind their backs, especially not someone as young as Feng Jin, who couldn’t possibly pose a threat compared to Liu Zhi. He must have his reasons for saying so.
After a few more steps, Liu Zhi suddenly asked, “How did Liu Ting and that Feng Huaiyu get acquainted?”
Jiang Pengji briefly explained, “On the third day of the third month, he and his companions were chased and accidentally stumbled into a bandit stronghold, just in time for me and Jingxian to be there, leading to some misunderstandings, but we sorted it out afterward.”
Liu Zhi probed further, his expression calm, “Then what do you think of that fellow’s character?”
If Liu Zhi had asked about the other’s abilities, Jiang Pengji would have praised him a bit, but as for character… she felt it was less than flattering.
“Decisive in actions, treats people with an appropriate balance… but sometimes, to achieve an end, he might resort to unscrupulous means…”
“No ‘man’ comes without a bit of ruthlessness; how can you not be decisive and bold in the path of life without knowing how to survive?”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Was this supposed to be a compliment to Feng Jin?
“If you want to visit Mr. Yuanjing in Langya County, why not give it a try? If it were in the previous dynasty, at your age, it would be time to leave home for study—having the ambition to seek learning is a good thing. But don’t reveal your identity; that man has a peculiar temperament and doesn’t care for personal connections. With my son’s talent, you are not inferior to his disciples.”
Liu Zhi changed the topic, showing no desire to continue discussing Feng Jin.
They say a woman’s thoughts are hard to decipher, but she felt a man’s mind was just as impossible to plumb.
The Liu family carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain. Descending was much easier than going up, and soon they could see the familiar silhouette of their cart.
Once aboard, Liu Zhi appeared lost in thought.
“Liu Ting, did Master Liaochen inform you about everything?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Yes, everything that needed to be said has been said.”
Liu Zhi asked, “And your thoughts on that matter?”
“It’s too early to say… if one day I really walk that path, I must be the ultimate victor.”
Instead of crawling on the ground beneath an inept fool, why not sit upon that throne myself?
Jiang Pengji was not the type to stir up trouble, nor was she one to shy away from it.
Liu Zhi closed his eyes, “Hmm, these words—once you step out of this carriage, don’t mention them to anyone else; keep them to yourself.”
