Chapter 870 – Northern Overlord (7)
“What’s there to be afraid of when death itself holds no terror?”
Wei Ci was feeling frustrated and slightly swayed by Feng Zhen, but rationality pushed those feelings down hard.
“It’s too early for that…”
With Feng Zhen, the prodigal, knowing about this, Wei Ci had already prepared himself to be widely discussed by him.
“Right now, our Lord’s ambitions have just begun to take shape; it really isn’t the right time to consider personal matters. If others find out, it won’t just incite gossip from outside, but even strategists and military generals under our Lord might start thinking along those lines.” Wei Ci couldn’t help but warn Feng Zhen.
Feng Zhen, holding Wei Ci’s secret, was in a particularly good mood.
“Is it that serious?”
Even realizing Feng Zhen was feigning ignorance, Wei Ci had to exercise patience.
“Much more serious than that.”
The world is filled with treachery, and people are quick to wield their most vile thoughts to speculate about others.
The common people are mostly gullible; once someone takes the lead with malicious intent, it won’t be long before the tales of our Lord and his subordinates’ romantic escapades spread everywhere. Know this: rumors run rampant, but dispelling them requires far more effort. Wei Ci could easily imagine how humiliating it would be to have such scandalous tales written, and how maliciously the commoners would speak.
And that’s not even considering the unrest it would stir within Wanzhou itself.
Wei Ci being grilled was one thing; what terrified him more was the possibility of others feeling resentful, thinking Jiang Pengji unfairly favored Wei Ci.
Once others entertain such thoughts, trust would dissipate, and the unity of Wanzhou would be lost.
Having been reborn, Wei Ci often pondered his past life from an outsider’s perspective, discovering different revelations each time.
In his previous life, the Lord treated his subordinates fairly, with a clear system of rewards and punishments, which was a significant virtue.
If he wanted to reach that peak again, that virtue had to be upheld.
Feng Zhen, quick to pick up on nuances, said, “Zixiao doesn’t trust me? I only speak of what can be spoken, and I won’t leak a single syllable of what shouldn’t be.”
Wei Ci huffed; he knew Feng Zhen seemed frivolous but was actually quite restrained.
“Let’s hope so.”
Feng Zhen continued, “I’ve felt something was off for a while. Though you haven’t said much, it seems you carry a heavy heart. Being overly sensitive is both your strength and weakness. If you have anything difficult to express, you can always confide in me.”
No matter what troubles he faced, speaking them out would surely bring relief.
Wei Ci coldly scoffed; if he treated Feng Zhen as a confidant, wouldn’t he end up with countless liabilities?
What if Feng Zhen used this knowledge to blackmail him into covering for him, helping him skip work, drink secretly, or sneak into a brothel?
Don’t think Feng Zhen wouldn’t dally in such mischief.
Wei Ci thoroughly understood the unreliable antics of that rascal in his past life.
He had bullied Li Yun, Dian Yin, and all those honest military generals, tricking them into squandering their salaries on booze, often skipping work.
An endless list of his transgressions!
“Live for pleasure, why wait for tomorrow?” Feng Zhen said, “Living a hundred years, all one seeks is a carefree life and timely joy.”
He just couldn’t comprehend Wei Ci’s cautiousness and desire to have it both ways, only to end up with nothing.
Being overly sensitive doesn’t lead to longevity.
Maybe there was more to it he didn’t know, but from Feng Zhen’s perspective, if Wei Ci continued like this, it would only bring harm to him—definitely to himself, if not to others.
He rolled himself up in his bedding and went to sleep, leaving Wei Ci lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Li Yun had properly invited the Ice Person and personally hunted a pair of geese.
All the traditional ceremonial rites were not lacking.
Given the special circumstances, only half a month had passed since the process began.
Cheng Jing had successfully completed the task Huang Song assigned and quietly returned with the secret letter from Jiang Pengji; he hadn’t attended this wedding.
Despite the tight schedule, Jiang Pengji didn’t neglect Shangguan Wan, ensuring everything needed for her was readily prepared, almost like preparing for a sister’s wedding. Speaking of “marrying off a sister,” Jiang Pengji was seasoned in this; she simply coordinated everything while others handled the details.
In the days leading up to the wedding, Li Yun wore a constant smile, walking with an air of confidence, practically floating.
Shangguan Wan felt uneasy these days, as though everything was too beautiful, like an ethereal dream.
Once this dream was punctured, she’d be cast back into a harsh reality, continuing as that impoverished woman with no hope.
To put it in the words of the Audience, Shangguan Wan was experiencing “pre-wedding anxiety.”
Jiang Pengji, busily occupied, could only delegate Hui Jun to help calm Shangguan Wan down to prevent her overthinking.
Hui Jun was clever and sensitive, perfectly in tune with Shangguan Wan’s worries.
With the two anxious new couples anticipating what lay ahead, finally, the wedding day arrived.
As the first single dog in the Wanzhou clique to find love, Li Yun, handsome and charming, also had a great reputation, so nearly all his colleagues came to attend. Feng Jin’s wife, Wei Jingxian, even played the role of a “face-opening” matchmaker for Shangguan Wan, helping her with the dough.
“Elder Sister Jingxian, I-I’m feeling a bit anxious—”
Shangguan Wan was no longer the naive girl she once was; during her last wedding, all she felt was that she was attending her own funeral, but today—oh, her little heart was racing uncontrollably, leaving her flustered and confused.
“Today is your wedding; don’t speak carelessly,” Wei Jingxian said with a smile, “Forget everything from before.”
Shangguan Wan was still nervous, instinctively tightening her hands beneath her wide sleeves, leaving shallow impressions with her nails.
Li Yun arrived on time to fetch the bride, his smile growing even brighter.
His life goals were simple: support his master, marry, and raise children.
Now with both sorted, he was naturally full of joy, grinning ear to ear.
Changsheng from Feng Jin’s family and Feng Zhen’s son, Feng Yi, played the roles of child at the wedding. Changsheng was young, merrily rolling around the marriage bed, while Feng Yi, stern-faced, quietly sat on the bedding, briefly staying before hopping down.
Feng Yi was the son of Feng Zhen’s late wife, resembling Feng Zhen but inheriting his mother’s reserved temperament.
He seemed somewhat frail, rarely appearing before people.
Everyone was astonished to see the serious little boy and couldn’t help but a gasp!
The frivolous Feng Zhen produced a solemn and composed son—what a genetic mutation!
“Hello, esteemed uncles!”
Feng Yi bowed politely, his age belied the budding gentlemanly demeanor.
“Today is your Uncle Han Mei’s big day; you needn’t be so formal.” Feng Zhen tousled his son’s hair casually, sending him off, for he couldn’t indulge too much with his son around; he needed to let loose and drink heartily, “Be a good older brother, and do not bully the weak.”
Feng Yi’s appearance was delicate, but he carried himself with a graceful demeanor, truly living up to the name Feng Zhen gave him.
Everyone was left bewildered.
They expected the son of such a carefree rascal to be a reckless young lord, daring enough to dance on graves.
And yet?
“Good bamboo produces good shoots!”
Feng Zhen’s face immediately darkened. Who was he calling “bad bamboo”?
Meanwhile, Wanzhou was bustling with excitement, while elsewhere, the ambiance was tense.
“Are you unhappy?”
Liu Zhi had a letter resting beside him, the same one Jiang Pengji had rushed to send over half a month prior.
Before him knelt a striking young boy around thirteen or fourteen years old, his features bearing resemblance to Jiang Pengji.
“Your son dares not.”
“Good, that’s what I like to hear.” Liu Zhi replied, picking up his brush to write a character at the end of the letter.
【Okay.】
