Wu Ziyu chuckled softly, his voice deep and resonant like a zither string. No wonder he's so popular with women; this must be a special skill of a scumbag.
“Miss Jiang is quite interesting. We’ve never met before. I’m sure you don’t have a good impression of me. Outside the Jiang family, any woman who wants to marry me only needs to say the word and I’ll agree. Although Miss Jiang has a good reputation in this city, I really can’t think of any reason why I would insist on marrying you, except for a shotgun wedding.”
After Xiang Wan waited until he had finished laughing, she stood up and walked a few steps around the stone table: "Young Master Wu is the only son of the Wu family. He has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, especially in his studies. He was also among the first to go abroad to study. Your knowledge and learning are naturally outstanding, but because of this, you are not satisfied with just reading the classics."
In this world, warlords hold sway, and the people are disunited. Anyone with a modicum of ambition wants to achieve something, either to save the nation from suffering or to serve their country. When the country is in chaos, families cease to exist, so how can families be established?
Young Master Wu has seen the situation abroad and understands the domestic situation. For a man of stature, especially one with ambition, the greatest ideal is to serve his country. While I don't fully understand how he intends to serve, I can guess a thing or two. Young Master Wu wants to save the country, but he also needs to consider his family. The best way for him to do this is to marry a daughter-in-law who satisfies his parents. Otherwise, they would likely never agree to him pursuing his own ambitions.
"Who do you think this person is, someone who pleases the Wu family and whom Young Master Wu has no choice but to marry?"
Xiang Wan stopped beside Wu Ziyu, turning her head to look at him with a smile. Given her grasp of the plot, it wasn't hard to guess Wu Ziyu's thoughts. Right now, he simply wanted to find someone to help him escape; once his family was secure, he could comfortably join the army. The original owner of this body, so proud and arrogant, wouldn't have met such an end if she hadn't fallen in love with him. In chaotic times, survival is paramount; love is a luxury in turbulent times, something not everyone can afford.
Wu Ziyu looked up at Xiang Wan, his eyes flickering for a fleeting second. Xiang Wan noticed but didn't dwell on it. She was waiting, waiting for Wu Ziyu's reaction. Would this cold-hearted man, remembered as heartless by the original owner, turn hostile after hearing her words? After all, before marrying the original owner, she had never heard of him wanting to join the army. If his parents knew he was going to join the army but still kept it a secret from Jiang's parents when they came to propose marriage, then their intentions were far too cunning.
Although the Jiang family is a scholarly family, they are also quite wealthy in the county. If they are after the money, Xiang Wan's decision has disrupted his plans. Will Wu Ziyu still follow the script?
Wu Ziyu straightened his back, gestured to the stone bench in front of him, and said, "It is said that Miss Jiang is well-read and knowledgeable, but it seems that she is even more adept at doing business."
Xiang Wan remained noncommittal, picked up her hand to pour a cup of tea, and said, "Young Master Wu, you flatter me. I have never seen anyone in my life who would use such an important matter of their life as a bargaining chip. We are alike."
"Since we've come this far, I might as well be frank. Miss Jiang, you guessed correctly. I did agree to meet you to put my parents at ease. But now it seems that this marriage is a good choice. With your intelligence, Miss Jiang, I can rest assured that the Wu family will be in your hands from now on."
"Ha!" Xiang Wan scoffed, half-jokingly saying, "Aren't you afraid I'll tear the Wu family down?"
"Hehe!" Wu Ziyu chuckled, then suddenly reached out and lifted Xiang Wan's chin. "Can you do it?"
Xiang Wan, still in that position, looked into Wu Ziyu's eyes and said with a smile, "Everything has a cause and effect, debts and repayments. Never underestimate a woman!"
These words drew another chuckle from Wu Ziyu. He leaned forward, his breath brushing against Xiang Wan's face: "Since it's a transaction, it's perfectly reasonable for both the buyer and seller to be together. So where does the debt come from, and where does the repayment come from?"
Xiang Wan raised her hand and slapped Wu Ziyu's hand away. She then imitated him, lifting his chin and exhaling softly, "Try it, and you'll know."
The two stared at each other, neither speaking, their eyes conveying a meaning only they understood. Xiang Wan saw it: Wu Ziyu's eyes held a man's desire to conquer, while hers, Xiang Wan's, held a playful and teasing quality, like a rebellious little devil. Men, after all, the easier something is to conquer, the less they value it—it's their inherent weakness, always has been this way, and it's even more pronounced in scoundrels.
"Ah~, I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything." Huan'er suddenly covered her face and turned around, interrupting their eye contact. The timing couldn't have been better.
Xiang Wanzhuang was exhausted from all that, and it was a relief that she no longer had to deal with Wu Ziyu. A fleeting look of joy crossed her eyes. But Wu Ziyu noticed this and suddenly felt a surge of curiosity, wanting to know what the person in front of him was like in normal times.
Xiang Wan sat up straight and turned to instruct Huan'er, "Huan'er, go and make another pot of hot tea. We can't neglect our guests."
Huan'er answered "Yes," then turned around, her cheeks flushed, picked up the teapot, and ran outside, almost bumping into a pillar. Xiang Wan burst out laughing, nearly spitting foam all over Wu Ziyu's face.
"Your little girl is quite interesting." Wu Ziyu resumed his lazy and indifferent expression, his tone carrying a slightly frivolous air.
"You like it? I still can't give it to you. It's priceless." Xiang Wan joked.
Wu Ziyu smiled and said, "Her mistress is going to marry me, how could a little maid like her not follow?"
"That reminds me," Xiang Wan said seriously. "Then let's add another clause: no one is allowed to touch anyone around me, especially my personal maid, otherwise..."
"Or what?"
Xiang Wan stared intently at Wu Ziyu and said, "Otherwise, I'll eat you up."
"Hahaha," Wu Ziyu was completely amused. He turned to the side, his right hand clenched into a fist and pressed against his lips. "Miss Wan'er is too interesting. If we get married and she accidentally falls in love with you, I'll have to make Wan'er a real wife."
"Is that so?" Xiang Wan looked up into the distance and murmured softly, "Then I have to fall in love with you first."
Wu Ziyu turned her head and looked at Xiang Wan, who was lost in thought. She was gentle and beautiful, poised and graceful, yet with a touch of playfulness that set her apart from other women. For a moment, Wu Ziyu's breath caught in her throat.
Thanks to Huan'er's big mouth, before Xiang Wan and Wu Ziyu even left the pavilion, everyone in the Jiang family knew that the young lady and her future son-in-law were whispering and doing intimate things. Of course, Jiang's parents were delighted, and the Wu family elders were beaming with joy. This marriage was settled.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
