Chapter one hundred and ninety-nine
Yu Ying stayed in the Duke's Mansion for less than half an hour before returning.
She didn't know what Zhou Ling was thinking. The best she could do was to let her think carefully before making a decision.
Then you won’t be able to blame anyone.
When he was about to close the shop on the third day, he saw a carriage parked outside the shop.
Looking at the girl wearing a veiled hat getting off the carriage, Yu Ying recognized her as Zhou Ling at a glance.
Has this been discussed with King Pengcheng?
Yu Ying asked those who were on duty to go on duty, and then took her to the private room upstairs to talk.
Only when they arrived at the private room did Zhou Ling take off her veil.
When Yu Ying saw her, she was stunned for a moment: "You didn't sleep all night?"
Even with makeup on, it couldn't completely hide the dark circles under her eyes.
Zhou Ling nodded, a look of resentment on her face. "I haven't slept for almost two nights. Yesterday morning, I left the house with my father and his family and went hunting in the suburbs."
"Did you not sleep last night because you met King Pengcheng?"
Zhou Ling hummed a "hmm," lifted her skirt, and sat down. Perhaps because of the lack of sleep in the past two nights, and also because of the arranged marriage, she felt very uneasy. Her hands were tightly clenched around her handkerchief, her knuckles turning white.
Yingxue lit the stove, boiled some water, and asked, "So what's going on now?"
Zhou Ling said in a daze, "King Pengcheng did ask me if I would marry him if we arranged a marriage."
Yu Ying studied her for a moment and guessed, "But you hesitated?"
Zhou Ling remained silent.
Yes, she was very determined.
But I was thinking about what the gentleman said, so I secretly became concerned.
She actually saw a hint of tenderness in the man who, in her eyes, was cruel and barbaric when he treated his mount.
Most of the time, he would sit in silence in a corner, just listening to others talking, like a lone wolf.
Occasionally, when he looked up at her, she would tremble with fear.
After observing for a long time, she naturally saw the eighth sister, that is, the legitimate sister, moving towards King Pengcheng with disgust and fear, and she roughly guessed that it was her legitimate mother's intention.
There were also girls from side branches who were just as close to King Pengcheng as the legitimate sister.
Yes, just as my husband said, there is no shortage of marriage partners. As long as she is more decisive, it will not be her turn.
But when she becomes resolute, things will definitely not be easy for her in the future.
So she was shaken by her husband's words and these things.
When her father deliberately ordered her to be alone with King Pengcheng, she suppressed her fear and the urge to escape, and brought food to King Pengcheng who was combing his horse's mane.
Looking at the tall man, Zhou Ling's body couldn't stop trembling, and even when he spoke, his voice was trembling. "I made some cakes and sent them to King Pengcheng. I hope King Pengcheng will not despise them."
Heng Ji had already heard the noise and the voices. He looked up at the master and servant who were a few steps away, both with pale faces. He then lowered his head again and stroked the black horse twice nonchalantly.
After a while, there was still no response. Just when Zhou Ling thought that Mr. Fu's expectation was wrong, he put the pastries on the stone beside him and turned to leave when a low voice came from behind him.
"Yuzhang and Pengcheng have formed a marriage alliance. Your father wants to marry you to me. Are you willing?"
Zhou Ling, who had his back to King Pengcheng, widened his eyes when he heard this.
It turned out that what Mr. said was correct.
She didn't dare to say anything to King Pengcheng, so she turned around and lowered her head and said, "What if I don't want to?"
King Pengcheng did not hesitate at all: "Then let it be."
As he spoke, he continued to comb the horse's mane.
The words "I don't want to" were stuck in my throat and I couldn't say them.
She didn't know that since she had displeased her father this time, her next marriage would be to a man in his forties with many wives and concubines.
Raising her eyes to steal a glance at the man not far away, she timidly asked, "Will King Pengcheng..." She glanced at the big knife beside her and said in a trembling voice, "Will he kill me?"
Hengji paused and looked up at the little girl silently.
Such a delicate and timid girl is indeed not suitable to be his wife.
After being stared at for only a few moments, Zhou Ling felt a lump in his throat, as if a long time had passed.
Heng Ji looked at her increasingly pale face, then withdrew his gaze, his voice already indifferent and calm: "No."
Zhou Ling thought he said he wouldn't kill her, but she heard him add, "The marriage won't be you."
Zhou Ling opened her mouth slightly, not knowing what to say for a moment. She was silent for a moment. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she turned around and left embarrassedly.
Then she didn't sleep all night, and her father didn't say anything to her, but let her cousin get close to him.
My cousin is good at wielding swords and sticks and is quite courageous.
Zhou Ling hesitated for a long time before telling the teacher about these things.
After hearing this, Yu Ying was silent for a moment, then asked, "You should be happy, so why are you still so unhappy?"
As he said this, he poured the boiled tea into the teacup and handed it to her.
Zhou Ling said "thank you" and, holding the warm cup, said quietly, "I've been asking about King Pengcheng these past two days, according to you, sir. I know he didn't form an alliance solely because of Yuzhang's strength, nor because of the gold, silver, treasures, and grain Yuzhang sent him, but because Yuzhang proposed something that would improve the lives of the people and remedy the flawed laws of the previous Liang Dynasty."
At this point, she looked up at Yu Ying, and asked with a puzzled look, "Why would such a murderous and vicious person do this?"
Yu Ying stroked the cup and said slowly, "Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. Maybe he really killed countless people, but in this world, there is no soldier without blood on his hands."
Zhou Ling was silent.
She picked up the tea and took a sip.
There was silence in the private room for a long time. Yu Ying said nothing, leaving the little girl alone to think.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Ling looked up at Yu Ying and suddenly smiled bitterly: "I was so scared that I ignored the fact that King Pengcheng might not really be a murderer, and I also ignored the benefits of the marriage."
Yu Ying frowned slightly and said gently, "Think twice before doing anything."
Zhou Ling shook her head: "It is because of Sansi that I feel that marrying to Pengcheng would be a good idea."
"I heard that King Pengcheng doesn't have any concubines yet. And although King Pengcheng is scary, he's not too ugly, and he's not even thirty yet."
Yu Ying Anfu is not ugly, and this style is quite popular in later generations.
Zhou Ling tried to comfort herself, but her eyes turned red unconsciously, and she gradually collapsed: "In Runan County, the King of Runan wants to marry Yuzhang and marry a queen, but the King of Runan is already fifty years old. I'm afraid that I..."
Yu Ying was startled and frowned: "Who told you that?"
Zhou Ling wiped her tears and choked up, "I overheard my third sister-in-law and her family yesterday. They said that my eighth sister should marry into Pengcheng for a marriage alliance, and the best option would be for me to marry into Runan. Although I won't be the Princess of Runan, Runan's power is no match for Pengcheng."
"Their plans are not the Duke's plans. Don't be too anxious. If that's the case, Master will definitely not sit idly by."
Zhou Ling shook his head and said, "According to my father, the alliance has already been signed, and he will soon bring up the matter of marriage with King Pengcheng. Once King Pengcheng agrees, there's no changing it."
She put down the cup, bit her lip and said, "Sir, I have thought it through."
Finally, Yu Ying sent Zhou Ling away.
Looking at the dim sky, I sighed secretly.
This is truly a suffocating era.
Just as he was about to go back, he saw someone coming on horseback. He looked closely, smiled and waved.
After a while, Fu Wei arrived in front of the clinic, dismounted and walked closer.
Yu Ying asked, "Why are you here at the clinic?"
Fu Wei: "I saw the doctor on duty on the road and asked him about it. When I found out you were still here, I came here."
He paused, looked at the carriage that had just passed by on the street, and asked, "Are there any guests?"
Yu Ying nodded: "It's the Sixth Miss. She seems to be accepting reality."
Fu Wei retracted his gaze: "Then you don't have to worry so much."
Yu Ying shook her head: "Who knows?"
Fu Wei said, "The King of Pengcheng will leave Yuzhang the day after tomorrow. The marriage will probably be arranged tomorrow. I can't guess who it will be in the end."
Then he added, "There is a small banquet at the Duke's Mansion today. Go home and change your clothes before coming with me."
*
As soon as Miss Zhou returned home, she heard that her biological mother was anxiously looking for her.
When I arrived at my biological mother's place, I learned that King Pengcheng was about to leave. My father had invited all the relatives to his house.
After tonight's banquet, I will probably discuss the marriage with King Pengcheng tomorrow.
The mother said in a daze, "We will just have to fend for ourselves from now on," and then left.
Zhou Ling sat in the room. After a long time, a maid came to tell him that there would be a small banquet in the mansion tonight and all the young men and women had to attend.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Ling took a deep breath, put on some simple makeup, then got up and left the room.
Although it was a simple banquet, it was not too grand.
She sat quietly by the side, looking into the crowd. Her father had not arrived yet, and even King Pengcheng was not there.
After asking others, I found out that my father was talking to my second uncle in the study. I also learned indirectly that King Pengcheng was not with my father.
The maid went to ask around and came back, whispering, "I heard someone seemed to have seen King Pengcheng go to the back mountain."
King Pengcheng's mount is in the back mountain.
Zhou Ling suddenly remembered that King Pengcheng seemed to cherish his mount very much.
The little maidservant lowered her voice and trembled as she asked, "Young lady, you really don't want to go look for King Pengcheng, do you?"
The little maid was afraid, and Zhou Ling was also afraid, but the fear was less.
If she had to choose between Runan and Pengcheng, she would choose Pengcheng.
I can only take a gamble.
She stood up and said, "You go with me."
Little maid...
My hands shook even more.
As the sky gradually darkened, the master and servant held lanterns and stood guard on the road leading to the back mountain.
Until I saw a fire coming from the distance.
When people walked in, they saw that it was indeed King Pengcheng and his entourage.
Zhou Ling came forward, and just as his followers were about to step forward to speak, King Pengcheng raised his hand.
He glanced at the little girl calmly: "What's the matter?"
Zhou Ling glanced at the attendant beside him, guessing that he was a confidant, and then he spoke directly: "I would like to speak with King Pengcheng about the marriage."
King Pengcheng tilted his head slightly and glanced at his followers, who understood.
King Pengcheng took the lead, and when Zhou Ling saw his followers squatting down, he knew that he agreed.
She also signaled to the maid not to disturb him, and then she followed in small steps.
Walking behind King Pengcheng, she didn't notice the light growing dimmer and only whispered, "Can I return to my original intention when King Pengcheng asked that day?"
King Pengcheng said nothing. After walking for a while, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at the little girl.
After stopping, Zhou Ling realized that the surroundings were dark and he could only vaguely see the outline of a black shadow in front of him.
She felt fear in her heart and took a small step back timidly.
Heng Ji took a look and said, "Not suitable."
Zhou Ling widened his eyes.
She hadn't despised anyone yet, but she was completely despised by others.
Before I could even say anything, I was rejected for the second time!
After a moment of shock, her fear subsided a little, and she asked, "Why is it inappropriate?"
"Fear," he said.
After saying that, he walked out towards the bright bronze lamp.
But the next moment, his sleeve was grabbed. He stopped and looked aside.
All I could hear was the girl's soft, trembling voice saying, "Yes, I am afraid, but if I really want to marry the King of Pengcheng, which girl wouldn't be afraid?"
"Then?"
Then?
Then, he thought quickly and said after two breaths: "But I will definitely not be afraid in the future."
Heng Ji said in a low voice: "This answer doesn't convince me."
His eyes fell thoughtfully on the sleeve she was pulling.
"Let go." The voice was cold and stern.
Zhou Ling was startled and quickly let go of his hand. Fearing the oppressive feeling of the man without anger, he dared not chase him anymore and just watched him leave.
After a long while, the little maid hurried over and asked, "Miss, what's wrong?"
Zhou Ling shook his head.
When Yu Ying arrived at the Duke's Mansion for the banquet and saw Zhou Ling again, the little girl was even more taciturn and depressed than an hour ago.
When she approached, Zhou Ling said dejectedly, "It's not going to work."
Yu Ying raised her head and looked in the direction of King Pengcheng. Unexpectedly, King Pengcheng seemed to have noticed something and also raised his eyes and glanced in her direction calmly.
Then he spoke to Fu Wei beside him.
"Do you think there's a need for a marriage between Pengcheng and Yuzhang?"
Fu Wei followed his gaze, saw his wife, and smiled.
"If Prince Pengcheng is interested in starting a family, you might consider it."
Although it has not been exposed yet, Sect Leader Zhou's meaning is already obvious.
Heng Ji picked up the wine and drank it all, thinking of what the little girl whose name was unknown had just said - if she really wanted to marry King Pengcheng, which girl would not be afraid?
It seems that this is really the case. Among women, there are very few who are not afraid of him.
Fu Wei's wife was counted as one, but she was already married and therefore not included.
The little girl said with certainty that she would not be afraid in the future.
If not, give it a try.
Fu Wei withdrew his gaze from his wife and saw that King Pengcheng had a very calm look, so he knew that he already had the answer in his heart.
Although they had not known each other for long, he knew that King Pengcheng was a decisive man.
Once a decision is made, there will be no delay.
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