Chapter 50: Zhao Yunjing tries to push her away.
Zhao Yunjing remained silent, his head bowed, his figure appearing utterly dejected in the dim light.
"I heard it from Xiaoya, you and Ajiao hugged each other." Aunt Zhao sighed, "Since you've made up your mind, then treat her well."
“Mother, I…” Zhao Yunjing raised his head, “She’s fine. But I…”
"You're not sure if you can protect her, you're not sure if you can give her the life she wants, are you?"
"……yes."
Aunt Zhao sighed again: "Yun Jing, you're really head over heels in love with A Jiao. Ordinary men who like a woman only think about how to marry her, without considering what they can offer her after marriage. But you're thinking about whether you can give her something better... Your father was like that back then, and even considered giving up several times..."
"But Gillian isn't me. Your father could still catch up to me with a little effort, but Gillian is too good, she knows too much, and her secrets would be a great asset to any family she'd be in. Are you worried that Gillian might think you like her because of her secrets?"
Having been bluntly told the truth by his mother, Zhao Yunjing had nothing to say.
"If you've decided to give up, now's a great opportunity."
Aunt Zhao said, "I think that Xiuxiu is not very smart, but she is tall and good at working. After Ajiao leaves the Zhao family, our family will definitely be as poor as before. I think that only Xiuxiu is willing to marry into the Zhao family."
"Mother, I can't be with anyone else!"
"I'm not telling you to stay with her. I just think that Ajiao has a strong temper. If she sees you talking to Xiuxiu, she will definitely get angry. Once she moves away, your heart will be drawn back. But if you really drive her away, don't regret it."
"Mother, I—"
"Perhaps you could help her find someone who is a good match for her, then you'll finally give up."
After Aunt Zhao finished speaking, the image of Young Master Chen appeared in Zhao Yunjing's mind.
Young Master Chen is the son of the county magistrate. He comes from a good family and is certainly learned and talented. He also has deep feelings for Ajiao. If Ajiao were to be with him, she would definitely have no worries about food and clothing.
But then she thought again, the Chen family is an official family, and there are many rules in the inner quarters of an official family. If Ajiao enters the Chen family, she probably won't be able to freely enter and leave the mansion or even open the embroidery room as she does now. Besides, Miss Chen doesn't get along with her. If she really marries into the family, Miss Chen will definitely make things difficult for her.
As for the Zhou family, Ajiao can't be relied on. At that time, the Zhou family will probably only try to cling to Young Master Chen's coattails, and not only will they not support her, they might even send her cousins to Young Master Chen's room. Given Ajiao's temper, if she were to ask her sisters to share a husband, she would definitely kill someone.
No matter how skilled Ah Jiao is in combat or how deep her secrets are, she can't fight alone. If she's imprisoned, that's already a good outcome. If that young master Chen is heartless, he might just take her life.
No, no, Young Master Chen won't do it.
Zhao Yunjing stood there, his mind in utter turmoil. He couldn't come up with a solution for a long time. Instead, his mind was filled with the scene from that afternoon when he was holding Zhou Mujiao, and Zhou Mujiao was holding his head, their foreheads touching.
His heart was pounding, burning with emotion, and a surge of feeling was about to burst forth from his control.
Zhao Yunjing clenched his fists, turned around and went back into the house. He looked at the woman talking to his father under the lamp, his eyes deep and unfathomable. After a long while, he regained his composure.
Zhao Yunjing took down the books that were hanging on the high cabinet, glanced at them, and then put them back on.
Besides Young Master Chen, there should be some other fine young men in Peach Blossom County. Let him search and search some more.
Daylight broke.
Voices began to come from outside. Zhou Mujiao hadn't slept well last night and was still very tired. She didn't really want to work today.
She dreamt of her past life—let's just call it that for now, since she couldn't tell anyone about it anyway.
In her previous life, before she officially took over the Shengshi Group, everyone except her elders in the family wanted to introduce her to potential partners. They said that once she took over the Shengshi Group, it would be too tiring for her to handle everything alone. With more help, no matter how much work she had, it wouldn't affect her ability to have children and take care of her parents.
She was completely speechless. She went to her parents and asked if not getting married and having children meant she was disrespectful to them and her elders. Her elders burst into laughter.
Her mother earnestly told her, "Ajiao, we brought you into this world not so that you could have children, but so that you could experience the beauty of this world. If you think marriage and having children are more interesting, then go ahead and do it. If you think work makes you happier, then Shengshi Group will double your happiness."
Gillian, no one is more important than yourself. Even if you meet your true love one day, don't give up everything to be with him. Because the person who truly loves you won't ask you to give up yourself, but rather will strive to become better to be worthy of you.
Zhou Mujiao felt that her mother was right, so after careful consideration, she threw herself into her work. Her work was her lover, and everyone else was either a subordinate or a work partner. Until her sudden death, she never regretted her choice.
Love is something you can have or not have, so what's there to regret?
However, upon arriving in the Great Liang Kingdom, she met Zhao Yunjing, and suddenly had the idea of choosing another possibility.
Zhao Yun Jing has fallen for her, but his behavior is truly baffling to her.
Zhou Mujiao rolled around in bed, waking up Shiba. Usually, Shiba would playfully fight with her before getting up. Thinking about her promise to Butterfly last night, Shiba hurriedly kissed Zhou Mujiao and got up, leaving Zhou Mujiao feeling a little heartbroken.
Now, not only Zhao Yunjing wants to push her away, but even Shiba can put her aside for a few butterflies.
The bok choy is turning yellow in the field...
Zhou Mujiao dawdled and got up an hour later than usual.
Eighteen has been dancing with butterflies for quite a while, and even Fifth has danced through the "Compendium of Materia Medica" several times. Sixth and Ninth are practicing calligraphy. They are small, but their hands are very steady when holding the pen. Although their characters are still immature, they are already showing their potential.
The embroiderers had already started their work; no one spoke as they threaded their needles, creating a serene and beautiful scene.
Zhao Yunjing was planing wood not far away. The sunlight fell on him, as if he were draped in a layer of golden light. Zhou Mujiao glanced at him, then looked away, feeling somewhat unhappy.
She was certain that her "golden finger" was what she wanted, but it seems that this "golden finger" didn't play its due role in her love life.
At the foot of the mountain, a group of people were walking uphill. The one leading them was Uncle Zhao. It seems that Uncle Zhao is a man of action. The plan was only finalized last night, but he had already gathered everyone so early in the morning.
Ma Dalang walked at the back of the crowd, feeling uneasy the whole way. He was worried because he had bullied too many people in the past, and he wasn't sure if the villagers in this village had been bullied by him. Therefore, he was always worried that he would be recognized and beaten up. Fortunately, he arrived at the Zhao family without any major incidents and met Zhou Mujiao.
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