Chapter 49 Confessing My Love: I Cherish Her Like a Precious Jewel
Go to Beijing.
The news of the Liu family's affair had already spread throughout the capital.
Yan Ning sat in the study, feeling inexplicably uneasy.
Liu Yanheng's remarriage to Wang Wu was something that most aristocratic families knew before Emperor Xuan's death. At that time, the Liu family took the initiative to write to Wang Wu, but Wang Wu was still considering it and had not yet made a decision.
After the New Year, not knowing what to consider, this was the last time a decision was made.
The Liu family was not prominent among aristocratic families. They only rose to fame by getting involved with the royal family, but this was tantamount to betraying the aristocratic family. When the conflict between the two sides intensified to the point of no return, the head of the Liu family saw that something was wrong and withdrew with his daughter in time. Later, when he discovered that Liu was pregnant, he used force to make her abort the child.
These extreme behaviors are a way for them to pledge their allegiance to the powerful families once again.
However, such two-faced, shrewd, and unscrupulous behavior is simply despicable.
He was looked down upon by the various powerful families, so he offered his daughter as a pledge of loyalty to marry into the Wang family in exchange for protection, but the Wang family still refused.
Wang Wu's letter had previously condemned this kind of behavior, saying, "The Liu family really has a good plan. What do they take me for, Wang Wu? Do they think I'll just pick up any kind of junk?"
The words were extremely harsh.
Wang Wu is different from Huan Da. He says what he thinks and is consistent inside and out. This is his nature. In public, he is a dignified and refined young gentleman, gentle and polite. Only a few close friends from noble families know this side of him.
This is not good. However, people have different temperaments, and besides, in his position, he needs to consider his family more. Since this matter has not been brought to the forefront, he can only offer advice as a friend and cannot say too much.
It's truly regrettable that things have turned out this way.
Liyang was eccentric and flamboyant, but there's a saying that's true: powerful families are often willing to do anything for profit. Gentleness and righteousness are just a disguise beneath their wickedness.
This tragedy has now occurred, whether we wanted it or not.
He was very worried.
His wife, Li Yunru, was very close to Li Xun, like a brother and sister. Li Xun and Liu Jianu were also bound by a vow of eternal love. Given the messy situation, Li Xun, who was in the imperial mausoleum, was bound to receive some news, as was Li Yunru.
He was just starting to feel better, how could he possibly take this blow?
She will definitely go to Beijing!
If Li Xun were to do something with her about this...
Yan Ning fiddled with the white jade thumb ring on her thumb, again and again, her expression solemn.
Chen Jingsheng served tea silently, remaining on high alert, ready to give his master any instructions at any time.
A spring rain had just passed, and the evening breeze carried a refreshing coolness as it drifted in through the window. After flipping through a few books, Yan Ning's gaze followed the breeze to the open pages, and she made a decision in a moment.
He stood up, spread out the paper, and with a flourish, picked up his brush and wrote in one go. He then handed the paper to Chen Jingsheng, who was waiting quietly to the side, and instructed him: "Take my letter and the Yan family's token and go to Qianling."
Someone reminded him, "Remember, you must personally hand it over to the Imperial Envoy, Lord Lu, and never give it to anyone else."
"yes."
Chen Jingsheng left under cover of night. Yan Ning walked around the desk to the window. Outside the window, hundreds of flowers were in full bloom. The sky was dark and moonless, with only gusts of mournful wind. The brightly colored flowers swayed in the wind, stubbornly endearing her.
"cousin."
Lost in thought, a clear voice broke the tranquility of solitude.
Yan Ning turned around and saw Cui Wan, dressed in a green feather robe, walking towards him with graceful steps. Behind her was a maid carrying a lacquered tray with a milky white porcelain cup on it.
When the person approached, he said in a gentle voice, "I heard from the maids in the courtyard that you haven't eaten anything since you came back from the Wang family, so I specially cooked some food for you to try."
"Wan'er is so thoughtful." He glanced at the porcelain bowl but didn't touch it. He said, "Just leave it there. I'll use it when I have an appetite."
Cui Wan lowered her eyes, a hint of disappointment in them, but she didn't show it on her face. She walked to the window and stood beside him, looking in the direction he had been looking, her voice deep.
"The matter of Miss Liu is truly pitiful and lamentable."
She said, "We noble ladies from aristocratic families may seem high and mighty, receiving endless admiration, but in reality, we're nothing more than tools for our family's profit. From childhood, the books we learn, the calligraphy we practice, the etiquette and rules we learn, the abacus we use, the account books we read—all of these are simply adding more usable bargaining chips to this glamorous tool. If we're lucky enough to marry a reliable husband, that's fine, but most of us are unreliable..."
Cui Wan sighed, "Actually, I envy her a little. At least this time, she made a decision for herself. Her passing will make the world remember her, and her lover will never forget her. She had a loving husband and several happy years in life, and she will be remembered after death. That's worth it."
Yan Ning did not respond to this. Born into a noble family, this was their mission. Many things were never up to them. Men and women were the same, except that men... had a wider path. Even if they married against their will, they could take concubines or go out to make a name for themselves. Women, on the other hand, were confined to the inner quarters for their entire lives. Perhaps the only way to break free from this predicament was like the Liu family girl...
But that was far too tragic.
Is it really worth it?
He thought of his Liyang. If he hadn't let go back then, would the outcome have been the same?
But if they let go, where will their relationship ultimately go?
If she comes back, under such strict rules, can he really protect her and let her maintain her carefree and innocent nature as before?
He had never doubted this before, but Liu Yanheng's situation has left him confused; her temperament is so strong...
The topic was too heavy, and the room suddenly fell silent, with only the whistling wind rustling the leaves of the trees in the yard.
Cui Wanning's white fingers gripped her sleeves tightly. She looked at the person several times and then lowered her head. After a long period of this struggle, she finally made up her mind.
She looked up at Yan Ning and called out, "Cousin."
"Um?"
Yan Ning was brought back to her senses by her voice, turned to look at him, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Taking advantage of the opening, Cui Wan rushed over and wrapped her arms around his waist. Their bodies fit perfectly together, and she buried her head in his chest. Her spring clothes were thin, and she could clearly feel his burning body temperature and his pounding heartbeat.
Seeing this, Zhu Xiang sensibly put down her things, went out, and closed the door behind her.
"Ah Wan?"
Yan Ning was stunned for a moment by her sudden action, then reacted and pushed her away.
Still shaken, he turned and sat back down at the table. It took him a while to calm down before he looked up at the man again and said, "Actually, I was just about to find an opportunity to talk to you about this, but I've been too busy with other things lately."
Yan Ning said, "I will find an opportunity to talk to my uncle's side and explain the current thoughts of both families. Don't worry, this is my problem, and I will definitely not shirk my responsibility and make things difficult for you, sister, or damage your reputation. You can also be more open-minded, open your heart, and meet a good man again. Don't be bound by the words of the two elders and ruin your own life."
Cui Wan had anticipated this, so she didn't appear too flustered. She found a seat closest to the others and sat down, quietly shedding tears. After a while, she raised her tear-streaked eyes to look at Yan Ning and said, "Cousin, it's easy for you to say. You are a young man, and the eldest son of a noble family, enjoying all the respect you deserve. If you speak up, they won't say anything about you, they might even say you're young and flirtatious. But this is a marriage arranged by our two families. Even if I don't want to, you can't just refuse. What will my parents, relatives, and the world think of me?"
“Indeed, you are not the only good man in this world, but my entanglement with you is too deep, and it cannot be resolved in a few words. You have also said how important a woman’s reputation is. How am I supposed to deal with this?”
She sobbed, “Actually, this matter is quite easy to resolve. My brother has no feelings for me, and I have no feelings for him either. It’s just that we have to be together because of family ties. It’s not a big deal. What my brother is worried about is only Lady Liyang. You and Lady Liyang are deeply in love, and I have no intention of interfering. It’s just that Lady Liyang is arrogant and self-centered, and she lacks talent and virtue. She is not suitable to be a principal wife. My brother knows this better than I do.”
“I will not be like the Liu family’s daughter, willing to die for love. What I want is the glory of being a noble lady. My status can help my brother’s career advance further, and I can also help him manage the household and stabilize the home, so that you have no worries. I am your best match, so we can think about it from another angle and compromise. You marry me, and I may let you have the Lady of Liyang County as your secondary wife. You two can be deeply in love, and I can enjoy my supreme glory. We can both pursue our own interests and not interfere with each other. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?”
"Liyang is my wife, my only wife. She will never be a concubine."
Yan Ning was initially moved by her tears and didn't know what to do, but after hearing her say this, he calmed down, insisted on his own opinion, and told her his attitude word by word.
Cui Wan hadn't expected that even after she humbled herself to this extent, she still couldn't change his mind. She felt both sorrow and resentment.
She, a noble lady raised with the full resources of her family and outstanding in every way, lost to Liyang, a good-for-nothing who couldn't even read a poem.
What a joke!
Previously, her desire to marry was simply a calculated move to make the best choice in this marriage. If it didn't work out in the end, it wouldn't matter. But now, hearing these words, she suddenly felt a competitive spirit.
Even if she doesn't want to, doesn't like, or is unwilling, she has no choice but to take that position!
She was the most privileged young lady from a prominent family, and she wanted everything!
The man wept again, sobbing for a long time before finally stopping and asking, "Brother, your heart is so sincere towards Liyang, but have you ever thought about how Liyang treats you?"
She once said that what she treasured was less important to her than the paving stones under her feet.
Yan Ning said, "She treats me the same way, and I am happy from the bottom of my heart. If it is not like this, I will still regard her as a precious gem and my heart will not waver."
Oh!
Cui Wan smiled, though she didn't know why she was smiling.
It's utterly absurd! A young man from a prominent family has lost his mind for a young woman and uttered such words!
She gritted her teeth and said, "My brother and the county magistrate have a deep and abiding affection for each other. I was being presumptuous."
She stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "Wan'er understands what you mean, brother. Don't worry, I will not make things difficult for you again. Today's incident was just because of the Liu family girl. I was moved by her feelings and forgot my limits. I hope you won't hold it against me."
After she finished speaking, she added, "I have been away from home for many days and miss my family very much. Since my brother is so frank, I will not make trouble for you. I will pack my things and leave the mansion in the next few days."
Even so, she still couldn't help but hope that he would ask her to stay. She stood there, her lowered gaze occasionally glancing at her husband on the desk, capturing every expression on his face.
"Um."
Yan Ning did not try to stop him. He said in a calm tone, "Choose a date you like, and I will send someone to escort you back."
Oh!
How ruthless!
Since that's the case, there's no need for her to dwell on her childhood sweetheart relationship anymore.
"No need. Brother is busy with official duties. Besides, the Lady of Liyang County will certainly not ignore the Liu family's matter. She may come to the capital at any time. Brother should focus more on this. Since Wan'er came on her own, she can go back on her own."
"It's alright."
He was about to say that this wouldn't work, that it was too far and unsafe for her to go back alone as a young woman, but Cui Wan interrupted him, saying, "Brother, since you have no feelings for me, don't do anything that could cause misunderstandings, or I'll start having wild thoughts again."
Cui Wan looked at him and smiled, "Brother, you may not know, but sometimes your loyalty, integrity, and kindness can become a thorn in your side, hurting others, hurting yourself, and even... hurting your Lady of Liyang County."
Yan Ning remained silent, and finally could only say, "Alright, then brother congratulates sister on her safe journey."
Cui Wan smiled and accepted the question, then walked out of the study. A moment later, her face fell as she turned away, thinking to herself, "While I'm fine, you and your Liyang might not be so well!"
Upon receiving the news from Moling, Li Yunru immediately changed her route and headed to Shangjing. She traveled at a great pace, stopping only occasionally to replenish supplies and provisions. After three to five days, she finally arrived at the foot of Shangjing, the capital city of the emperor. However, for some reason, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine and shivered inexplicably.
"What's wrong?" Yan Sheng asked.
"But we're exhausted and sick. How about we rest for a day and go into town tomorrow?"
"No."
Li Yunru refused, saying, "Let's keep going."
April 15th.
Fourteen days after the incident, Liu and her entourage re-entered Shangjingcheng.
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