Chapter 40 Unacquainted yet meeting, we should not recognize each other; old promises have been swept away by the dust of time. ...
Wen Shiqin seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.
In the past few days, Su Jinxiu first went to the Prince of Jing's residence, hoping to subtly inquire about the county princess, but the princess was out and had not returned. Since the Prince of Jing was a complete stranger to Wen Shiqin, she had no choice but to return disappointed. Wen Shiqin's confidante at the Mu residence also happened to be away on a long journey, so in the end, she could only place her hopes on Ying Bumei.
This was the first time Su Jinxiu had ever hated herself so much.
I don't hate Wen Shiqin for leaving without saying goodbye, I only hate my own incompetence, I hate that I didn't write more letters to remind him, I hate that I didn't let him tell me his whereabouts in detail, and I hate that after he disappeared, I could only bump around like a headless fly.
She suddenly thought that she might find clues in the miscellaneous notes, but when she opened the acrobatics book, the last few pages of notes seemed to see through her thoughts, with only one line: "After I heard that Shi Qin had entered officialdom, I continued to record this."
These few numbers almost drove her crazy.
Just as she was fiddling with the needle in Huayun Pavilion for a long time, unable to find a way to start, Linlang suddenly ran over and said, "Jinxiu, Master Ying is here."
Su Jinxiu rushed to the outside of the mansion and, upon seeing Ying Bumei, anxiously asked, "Is there any news?"
Ying Bumei stared at her for a moment, as if he had been considering his words for a long time before speaking: "Come with me."
His appearance clearly indicated that he knew Wen Shiqin's whereabouts, so Su Jinxiu quickly lifted her skirt and got into the carriage. On the way, she clenched her hands tightly, countless questions swirling in her mind. Forcing back tears, a thousand thoughts flashed through her mind, but in the end, she only asked, "Is he alive or dead?"
Ying Bumei simply said, "He is doing very well."
Su Jinxiu breathed a sigh of relief, but tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.
When Ying Bumei saw her like this, he frowned and subconsciously wanted to wipe her tears, but he withdrew his hand halfway through and just threw a handkerchief onto her lap.
"Damn it, don't embarrass me when you get off the bus."
Once the carriage had come to a stop, Su Jinxiu took a deep breath and, along with Ying Bumei, stepped down from the carriage after lifting the curtain. The sunlight was dazzling, so she raised her hand to shield her eyes. When she lowered her hand again after her eyes adjusted to the light, a magnificent mansion gate came into view.
The imposing vermilion gate, as heavy as a city fortress, was inlaid with gilded bronze nails the size of bowls, arranged in an imposing array. Above the gate hung a huge black plaque with gold lacquer, inscribed with two powerful characters in bold, iron-like strokes.
Fengfu.
On either side of the gate, two lifelike stone lions with bared teeth and claws crouched, their cold stone eyes glaring at the visitors.
Su Jinxiu murmured in a daze, "Feng Mansion..."
Ying Bumei stepped forward and showed the token of the King of Jing. Upon seeing this, the gatekeeper bowed and led the way, not daring to obstruct them in the slightest. The two walked through courtyards and arrived at the outside of a banquet hall.
Guests moved about the hall, all dressed in fine clothes and exuding respect. The eight-immortal tables were neatly arranged, laden with cups and plates, the air filled with the aroma of wine. The central seat, elevated above the others, was covered with bright yellow brocade, clearly reserved for the most honored guest. Attendants moved nimbly among them, each performing their assigned duties.
As Su Jinxiu passed by the side corridor, she vaguely heard the steward whispering a warning to the maid: "You little girl, be careful! The Qionglin Banquet is the most important event in the manor. If there is any mistake, you'll be in big trouble!"
"Qionglin Banquet?"
Ying Bumei then explained, “Although His Majesty will hold a banquet for the top scholars in Qionglin Garden in five days, given that our family’s influence is overwhelming and our two sons have both achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, we should celebrate in advance. It is truly a case of adding fuel to the fire and adorning the flowers with brocade.”
Su Jinxiu really didn't understand his intention in saying all this, so she asked directly what she cared about most: "Then... what does this have to do with Aqin?"
Ying Bumei remained silent, only leading her inside and finding her a seat in a corner. Su Jinxiu was burning with anxiety, utterly bewildered as to why he was beating around the bush; she only wanted to know Wen Shiqin's whereabouts immediately. She anxiously grabbed his sleeve: "Tell me quickly!"
Ying Bumei turned to look at her: "You can't know this without seeing it with your own eyes. Even if I told you, you might not believe me."
"See? See what?"
Feng Mansion is the residence of the Grand General who protects the country. How could Aqin be here? And what could she possibly see?
Amidst the anxious wait, the guests took their seats in order, and the dancers soon entered, their robes fluttering and their dances graceful.
Could it be that Ying Bumei meant that Aqin would also be at this banquet? She quickly looked around, her gaze sweeping over every face present, men, women, young and old, but she still couldn't find the face that haunted her dreams.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the hall, and everyone stood up to pay their respects. Although Su Jinxiu was sitting in a corner, she dared not be impolite and quickly stood up as well. She secretly looked up and saw a burly general with a resolute face walk in, exuding an aura of authority. It was none other than General Feng Yanting, the Grand General Who Protects the Nation.
"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities." Feng Yanting's voice boomed as he swept his gaze over the crowd. "Today is a day of great joy for my son, Fengchen, who has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination. However, he was injured in an accident half a month ago and has not yet recovered. He is feeling unwell and unable to personally greet us. We apologize for keeping you all waiting. Let's enjoy the song and dance for now and go home satisfied."
After the singing and dancing ended and several rounds of drinks were consumed, everyone dropped the formalities and raised their glasses. Officials eager to curry favor with the Feng family took turns stepping forward to toast the general.
Su Jinxiu had no other choice but to wait; all she could do was wait.
She gazed at the throngs of people rushing about, her heart burning with anxiety, yet she could only patiently wait.
Suddenly, someone outside announced loudly, "The Second Young Master has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yanting said loudly, "Oh? What brings you here?" With that, he got up and led everyone into the courtyard. Su Jinxiu and Ying Bumei followed at the back. She stood at the threshold and looked out, only to see everyone raising their cups, another round of toasting ensued.
At this moment, three people entered through the courtyard gate.
A woman in pink and a man in black stood there, but her gaze swept over everyone else, causing the world to lose its color, and fixed firmly on the man in red in the middle.
It was him.
Ying Bumei did not lie to her; Ying Bumei had said that he was living a good life.
He wore a crimson cross-collar robe with dark gold embroidery on the hem, and black leather boots. Since it was early spring, he also wore a dark fox fur cloak draped over his shoulders. A black jade belt was tied around his waist, with a gilded buckle, and a matching red silk headband covered his head, which further accentuated his youthful spirit and handsome demeanor.
Ying Bumei said in a low voice, "Whether the second young master of the Feng family, Feng Chen, is Wen Shiqin, you can find out for yourself."
Why bother arguing?
His eyebrows were like swords reaching his temples, his eyes were like bright stars, and his gaze was full of spirit.
She had worried, loved, and been heartbroken over such a face; she would recognize it even if it turned to ashes.
Feng Chen raised his glass and said loudly, "I am honored to have you all here today. I would like to offer this glass to everyone present."
During the banquet, someone joked, "General, our Erlang is so outstanding in appearance, talent, and character. I heard today that the newly appointed third-ranked scholar is surrounded by several gentlemen who want to find him a husband. Why haven't we seen any distinguished person come to matchmake for Erlang?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yanting laughed heartily, his voice resounding throughout the banquet hall: "What a coincidence! Siyuan has not yet left his seat, and today I must announce something even more joyous: my son Siyuan has been betrothed to the Princess of Qingping County!"
Cen Wanying had only briefly appeared at the banquet before quietly retreating to the corridor. As soon as the General finished speaking, Feng Chen's gaze swept past the crowd and fell upon the corridor. Cen Wanying, standing below, also looked up at him; their eyes met, and their feelings flowed between them.
They were truly a perfect match, a pair of enchanting children, and a couple well-matched in terms of social standing.
These words, these glances, struck Su Jinxiu's heart like a thunderbolt. She suddenly lost all support, her legs buckled, and she was about to kneel on the ground. Ying Bumei reacted quickly, stepping forward to steady her by the arm, half-helping, half-supporting her as they walked into the house, finding her a seat.
A thousand, ten thousand questions I wanted to ask, I no longer wish to ask. The facts are before me: he has been reborn, a dragon soaring in the sky, mortals now beneath his feet; his family is of the highest rank, his wife is a county princess, and he is the top scholar in the imperial examinations. What more is there to ask?
Su Jinxiu suddenly longed to return to Xiuxiang. She yearned to go back to those impoverished days when they depended on each other for survival, to long for those long nights of anticipation, and to those nights of gentle, drizzling rain.
Once upon a time, when flowers fell under the eaves, who promised forever?
Once she could breathe properly, there was nothing else she could do; she had accepted the fact.
Women abandoned by unfaithful lovers, from Zhuo Wenjun to Huo Xiaoyu, have been warned a thousand times in literature. Yet, infatuated girls insist on being like moths drawn to a flame, knowing full well that the road ahead leads to their destruction, yet they willingly accept it, drinking poison to quench their thirst.
Su Jinxiu had regained some of her composure. She looked at Ying Bumei and asked directly, "Second Master Feng, is there really no one in the capital who recognizes what he originally looked like?"
Ying Bumei explained in a low voice, "Feng Erlang was raised away from home since childhood because of the saying about fate, and very few people in the capital have seen his true face. It wasn't until last month that he was brought back to Bianjing."
Yes, replacing a young master from the Feng family wouldn't be difficult for him. When he was a commoner, he had the ability to befriend the Empress's younger brother and a royal county princess, so arranging a substitution for the crown prince would probably be a piece of cake for him.
He was stingy with even a decent farewell, probably because this past was insignificant to his magnificent life and there was no need to bother ending it.
Su Jinxiu wasn't the type to cling on. If he could say "let's part amicably," she would turn around and leave immediately, never looking back.
All she needed was that one sentence.
Ying Bumei helped her again, and she was very grateful, saying she would definitely treat her to the meal at Fanlou that she owed him. Ying Bumei just smiled and left her there in the corridor.
People from afar are coming; this is the only way they can pass through.
Feng Chen arrived under the influence of alcohol. He was quite drunk that day, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, so he left his seat first. As he walked to the corridor, he saw someone blocking his way, assuming it was some rude servant, and didn't intend to argue with him. He frowned and rubbed his forehead, moving to the left to avoid the person, but the person followed closely. He moved to the right, but the person was still right behind him.
He finally lowered his hand, raised his eyes, and carefully examined the person in the flickering lamplight of the corridor, wanting to see which audacious servant dared to block his way.
A pair of clear, bright eyes, delicate eyebrows, full almond-shaped cheeks, and small, pretty lips.
Feng Chen's anger subsided almost instantly.
He couldn't explain why, perhaps it was because the woman's appearance was just right for him?
He wanted to scold her and tell her to get out of there, but the words softened involuntarily as he asked, "What is it?"
Hearing his calm demeanor, Su Jinxiu felt a mix of emotions. She gave a helpless smile and said softly, "Wen Shiqin, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Upon hearing the name "Wen Shiqin," Feng Chen instinctively assumed someone was behind him and whirled around, only to find no one there. He was startled and silently repeated the name to himself.
Su Jinxiu found it amusing: "...Oh no, I forgot, your name is now Feng Chen, Feng Siyuan, Feng Erlang, right?"
Feng Chen was completely bewildered by the question. At this moment, his head was throbbing with pain and he was also unable to hold his liquor. He was extremely irritable, but a strange sense of patience arose within him. He said in a deep voice, "What is it that you want? Tell me quickly."
Su Jinxiu smiled and smiled, but tears involuntarily streamed down her face. She wanted to end it gracefully and told herself that she must not cry, but in the end she couldn't hold back.
Feng Chen stood there in a daze, feeling even more confused by her appearance, yet a sense of pity and heartache involuntarily rose in his heart.
"Why are you crying? I didn't bully you."
"Yes, you didn't bully me." Su Jinxiu stubbornly wiped away her tears. "I only have one question for you today: is this how it ends between us? Give me a straight answer, and I won't resent you or pester you. I just need you to give me one sentence."
Meeting Chen felt like being lost in a fog.
They're done? He'd never seen this woman before, so why was she saying such absurd things?
Feng Chen honestly replied, "I am already engaged."
Upon hearing this fact, Su Jinxiu lost the will to question him further, and couldn't even manage the graceful departure she had envisioned.
Suddenly, a hand firmly supported her waist. Su Jinxiu looked up and saw that it was Ying Bumei who had followed her.
Ying Bumei didn't look at her, but coldly turned her gaze to Feng Chen, her words piercing: "Young Master Feng is quite fortunate. Once you've climbed up to a high branch and entered into a marriage agreement, you've even abandoned the friendships of the past?"
"In that case, you should dress plainly and enjoy this stolen wealth and luxury to the fullest."
After Ying Bumei finished speaking, she intertwined her fingers with Su Jinxiu's and raised their clasped hands in front of Feng Chen so that he could see them clearly.
Then, he and Su Jinxiu walked past each other.
Seeing this, Fengchen felt a surge of anger rising within him for no apparent reason. He watched the two walk away hand in hand, their backs turned intimately, but he couldn't quite put his finger on where this anger came from. In the end, he could only rub his chest in frustration and return to his own courtyard in a huff.
Author's Note: Yeah, that's right, it's basically the time for the "King of Bargains" to be online. [Okay]
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