Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Then...” What about her engagement to Wei Jingxian?
Perceiving her confusion, Liu She recalled the past and was upset by the memories.
“The lady of the Wei family proposed the arrangement. We accepted it only because our relationship with their house has always been close. But when we lost your brother, Gu Min wanted to end the engagement. The Wei lady declined, however, and she said that we should leave the engagement until the children grew up.”
Jiang Pengji could hardly comprehend. “Why did she reject that? Wouldn’t it be worse for their reputations if they broke off the engagement when they were older?”
“It would be equally awful if people knew that Wei Jingxian’s spouse, who had been arranged from birth, died. People would think that she brought bad luck.”
“Huh?” This was another case in which she was unable to understand the logic of ancient people. “That must be an exaggeration. Jing’er was only three or four years old at that time! How could people think that that?”
But then she reflected on the superstition of that time. If a girl was rumored to bring misfortune to her husband, that could have fatal effects on her marriage prospects.
“Well... Your brother drowned the day after we exchanged tokens of the agreement.”
Sometimes Liu She could not help but to blame his son’s death on Wei Jingxian. Still, the sensible part of him knew the girl was innocent. Maybe his son was simply an unlucky child, and he was an unlucky father.
Jiang Pengji did not speak. She pitied Wei Jingxian because the untimely accident had coincided with the agreement.
In the monastery, they offered money to Buddha as a symbol of respect. Then they said a prayer for continual blessing before leaving.
Liu She handed Jiang Pengji a brand new pair of straw sandals, which he had obtained from the housekeeper. He placed them at her feet. “The slope is steep and can be slippery. It is better to wear these than your wooden sandals.”
The new sandals was surprisingly soft and comfortable. She smiled. “Father, you have had some unhappy experiences walking here, haven’t you?” She could tell by his considerate preparation of the sandals.
Liu She neglected her teasing and explained with overloading tenderness. “It was your mother. She had a bad fall on the steps that almost left a scar on her face.”
The sun was setting, drawing tall shadows of them on the ground. Liu She suddenly sighed at the sight. “I am really getting old. If I were still young, I could have carried you on my back.”
He knew well that his health was deteriorating. Years before, Gu Min had urged him to train his body with the exercises that she suggested. Even though he found the movements ridiculous, he complied, and his health did improve a lot.
Now, however, he could do no more than climb a hill with his daughter. Lanting was becoming an adult, and carrying her would require more energy than he currently possessed. He would not take the risk of them falling down the hill together.
“I would not mind carrying you, though,” she said.
Liu She gave her a smile and touched her head again.
Liu Lanting was raised as a boy, but that did not mean that she was stronger than other girls. As Liu She thought about this, he intentionally forgot what his second wife had told him earlier about his daughter defeating a bunch of bandits on her own.
Their walk was relaxed, and the two chatted and joked the entire time. It was a warm picture under the evening sky.
As their conversation turned to Lanting’s study, Jiang Pengji remembered Master Yuanjing’s institution. Observing her father’s expression, she asked, “A friend told me that my mother was acquainted with Master Yuanjing. Is that true?”
“Which friend? Only a few old men know this, and it is very unlikely that you would call them your friends.” He was calm as usual. “Your mother helped Master Yuanjing financially when she was little, and we all met from time to time when Amin was alive.”
“Feng Jin told me. He thought Master Wei Yuan was not a suitable teacher for me, and he recommended that I visit Master Yuanjing in Langye. Perhaps if I became his pupil, it would help me in my studies...”
Before she could finish, Liu She, who had been attentive to each word, abruptly stopped in his steps. His expression was unnaturally repressed. “Who, did you say?”
She soon realized that he was talking about her friend. “Oh! It was Feng Jin.”
“The one also known as Huaiyu?” The thoughts that arose in his mind irked him.
“That is him... Is everything alright?”
She suspected that it would be like a dramatic television show; perhaps the Fengs were political rivals of her father. But Liu She did not seem like he would be narrow-minded enough to dislike a competitor’s entire family.
“Hmph! He is a simpleton! Do not get too close to him. Being civil is enough.” He was now the composed Master Liu again, as if he were a different person from the one who had just been frowning with dismay.
Jiang Pengji took note of his attitude. He would not make such comments without reason, especially about a teenager who was much younger than him.
They took several more steps and then Liu She asked, “How do you and Feng Huaiyu know each other?”
She told the story briefly. “It happened on the third of March, when the girls and I were kidnapped. Feng Jin and his companions were being chased by somebody. They found the bandit village and sought accommodation there, which is how we met. There were some misunderstandings on both sides, but they were all settled afterwards.”
“And what do you think of his temperament?” Liu She asked, hiding his emotions with calmness.
If he had asked for Feng Jin’s capability, she would have complimented him. But if she had to comment on his temperament... then most of her opinions would be negative.
“He is decisive, smooth, and observant. But at the same time, he’ll take any cold-hearted measure to achieve his goal, as long as it is necessary.”
“‘Decisiveness and resolution make a man.’ Those who are too thoughtful of others are prone to die early.”
“...”
So was that a praise for Feng Jin?
“You may visit Master Yuanjing in Langye if you wish to. In the former dynasty, children at your age would leave home to learn in various cities while traveling. I am glad you are studious, but it would be unwise to declare your background. Master Yuanjing has a strange temper and will not be moved by your connection to Gu Min. Besides, you are as intelligent as his other pupils. I am confident about that.”
He then changed the topic to avoid mentioning Feng Jin again. In Jiang Pengji’s eyes, Liu She was as enigmatic as a woman.
Their journey downhill took less time and effort than their ascending climb. Before long, they saw their carriage.
After getting in the cart, Liu She contemplated for a moment and then asked, “Lanting, has Master Liaochen told you everything?”
“Yes. Everything I need to know, I suppose,” she replied.
“Then... what are your thoughts about that fate of yours?”
“It is too early to talk about that. Still, if I choose to do it someday, I must strive for victory.”
Jiang Pengji would not submit to a brainless leader when she herself could sit on the king’s throne. Though she seldom started chaos, she was not afraid of being involved in a whirlpool of mess.
Her father closed his eyes. “Very nice. And from now on, talk about it to no one else. We must keep the secret to ourselves.”