A shocking request
The aftermath of Shen Yan's forced marriage to Shen Hong and Shen Suihe had not yet subsided, and the subtle atmosphere that was quietly growing in the mansion due to the "rotating master of the house" was particularly acute in Su Wan.
The clamor and praise of the "Jingchen Pavilion" in the capital city were like a gorgeous robe, but inside it was crawling with lice called "unwillingness," gnawing at her heart day and night.
Ling Feng's existence is the most complex fold in her heart.
That brief eye contact at the entrance to the Qixia'ao passage that night was like opening a long-sealed door, bringing back to life the dark past we had shared. This resonance of kindred spirits amidst the darkness was especially precious in the cold, power-hungry atmosphere of the capital.
Su Wan couldn't deny that Ling Feng's gaze, that silent, mountain-like protection, was like the only undying embers in winter, always bringing her an indescribable warmth when she was most lonely and exhausted.
He understood her. He understood her stubbornness, the scars beneath her smile, and her pride in blooming even in the mud.
This understanding transcends words; it is an imprint etched deep within the soul.
Sometimes, when she sat alone in the courtyard late at night, watching his tall, pine-like silhouette as he patrolled under the moonlight, a strange peace would well up in her heart. Even more so, an uncontrollable thought would pop into her head: perhaps... it would be warm to spend the rest of her life with someone like him.
That silent reliability, that unspoken understanding, was the harbor she had longed for after a life of wandering.
However, this idea was quickly thwarted by the harsh reality.
Who is he? He's just the Shura Guard Captain of the Shen family! A mere guard commander!
Su Wan, born into a renowned textile family in Jiangnan, is the manager of the famous Jinyun Manor and Jingchen Pavilion in the capital, and is known as "Master Su" among the noble ladies! Is all the respect and influence she has worked so hard to achieve just to marry a... bodyguard? Even if this bodyguard is Ling Zhan's confidant and Shen Yan's trusted right-hand man, how can she overcome the insurmountable barrier of their social status?
That deep-seated pride and yearning for greater heights made it impossible for her to accept this "marriage down."
The partner she desired was someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her on a cloud, looking down upon all living beings, not someone who could only look up at her skirts. No matter how good Ling Feng was, no matter how well he understood her, he couldn't erase the enormous gap brought about by their "status." This resentment, like vines, entwined that faint affection, making her eyes always flicker with complex emotions when facing Ling Feng—admiration, dependence, and even a hint of disdain that she herself found hard to hide.
That indescribable barrier didn't stem from Ling Feng himself, but from the cold, high wall erected between them by worldly perspectives. What she loathed was that when this wall forced her to examine him, she first saw his uniform, the symbol of his status, rather than him as a person.
This hidden contradiction led her to enjoy Ling Feng's silent protection while subconsciously maintaining a distant politeness towards him.
She was grateful for the food he sent, but never invited him into the courtyard; she knew about the additional guards he had assigned, but never thanked him in person; she understood the concern in his eyes, but always responded with a reserved and proper smile, nipping any potential transgressions in the bud.
Where is Ling Feng?
He was like a silent fortress, burying all his emotions deep beneath his cold, hard exterior.
He clearly sensed the fleeting detachment and... indescribable distance in Su Wan's complex gaze. He understood, yet felt no resentment. His wife had given him a new life and dignity; to be able to watch over this woman, who had also crawled out of hell, from afar, and to see her live a life of radiant glory, was, to him, an extra blessing from fate.
He faithfully adhered to his duty as a guard, staying within that invisible line, never approaching it, and never overstepping his bounds in words or actions.
That protection is pure and silent, seeking no response, only peace of mind.
This repressed and entangled emotion, like a silent mime, quietly unfolded in a corner of the Shen residence.
Until one person, in the most unexpected way, broke this delicate balance.
That afternoon.
Shen Yan lay sprawled on the soft couch in Ling Zhan's study, chattering incessantly as Ling Zhan read a book by the window.
"I'm absolutely furious! Ling Zhan, you be the judge! That good-for-nothing Hong'er, when he received the marriage invitation from me to arrange his marriage with Sui He, all he said when the messenger came back was three words—'Your son obeys!' Cold as ice, not even a 'thank you, Father, for your kindness!' This son is a complete waste! He's like a rock that can't be warmed up!"
Ling Zhan turned a page of his book without even lifting his eyelids.
Knock knock knock.
"Father, Mother," came Shen Wansu's calm voice from outside the door.
Ling Zhan put down his book: "Come in."
Su Su pushed open the door and entered, her moon-white brocade dress accentuating her graceful figure. She bowed to her parents, her gaze landing on Chen Yan, who was still sulking, and cut to the chase:
"Father, Mother, your daughter has come today to discuss her life's most important matter."
Shen Yan sat up straight instantly, his eyes wide open. His previous anger vanished, replaced by excitement: "A lifelong commitment? Su Su?! You have someone you like? Quick! Tell your father! Which family's good young man is it? Your father will arrange it for you right away!"
Ling Zhan's gaze also fell on his daughter, carrying a silent question.
Meeting her parents' gazes, Su Su remained calm and spoke with a clear and firm voice: "The person I admire is Ling Feng, the Commander of the Asura Guard."
As the words fell, time in the study seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible hand. Shen Yan's hand, holding a teacup, hovered in mid-air, oblivious to the tea spilling from her slightly parted lips. The noisy cicadas outside the window suddenly vanished, leaving only the soft rustling of pages falling between Ling Zhan's fingers. The air felt heavy, as if filled with molten lead.
He jumped up abruptly, his finger pointing at the air, his voice trembling: "Who?! Ling Feng?! That...that wooden stake?! Su Su! Have you gone mad?! Who is he?! He's your mother's bodyguard! He's a retainer of our family! You are the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Anping! You are the owner of Yunshangji in Linzhou! How could you...how could you possibly be interested in him?! What makes him worthy of you?!"
His face turned bright red, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Su Su remained calm and stated, "Father, please calm down. I am perfectly clear-headed. Captain Ling Feng is loyal, reliable, highly skilled in martial arts, and of upright character. He has protected everyone in the manor on numerous occasions and is utterly devoted to Mother. In managing Yunshangji, escorting goods, and handling disputes, I have relied heavily on Captain Ling's meticulous arrangements and protection. His actions have given me a deep sense of security and trust. Time will tell, and my heart belongs only to him."
"An Xin reliance?! You still can't marry him!" Shen Yan stamped her feet anxiously. "No matter how good he is, he's still a guard! His background is what it is! They're not a good match! Su Su, listen to your father, I'll find you someone better! Young masters from noble families, promising young talents, you can choose any you like! Why bother..."
“Father,” Su Su interrupted him, her eyes clear as a spring, “what does ‘marrying someone of equal social standing’ mean? Power? Family background?”
She paused, looking into Chen Yan's eyes, her voice low but clear, "Father, have you forgotten? Your daughter is just an orphan. If you hadn't taken me from a pile of corpses when I was barely alive, raised me with care, taught me to read and write, and given me a place to live, how would I be alive today? How could I have the status of the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Anping's mansion and the prestige of managing Yunshangji?"
Shen Yan was speechless when asked the question.
Su Su continued, her tone serene and detached: "My life and dignity are gifts from my father. In my heart, I have never felt superior to anyone. Captain Ling Feng has earned his position through his own abilities and is commendable for his loyalty and courage. Whether he is worthy of me is not a matter of social status, but of his character. My mind is made up; I will marry no one but Ling Feng in this life. Please grant my request, Father and Mother."
Shen Yan was speechless after being silenced by her daughter's "forgetting one's roots" argument.
Pointing at her and stammering "You...you..." for a long time, she turned to Ling Zhan in a fit of rage:
"Ling Zhan! Listen to this! Listen to what Su Su is saying! You need to control her! This...this is outrageous!"
Ling Zhan's gaze remained fixed on Su Su, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny or understanding.
She spoke slowly, her voice devoid of emotion: "Susu, does Lingfeng know about this?"
Su Su shook her head slightly: "I haven't told Captain Ling about my feelings yet. But I believe that if my parents agree, given his loyalty to my mother, he will not dare to disobey." She cleverly took advantage of Ling Feng's loyalty.
"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
Shen Yan paced restlessly in the study. "Even if he doesn't dare to disobey, it's because of his status! A forced marriage won't be happy! Su Su, how can marriage be treated so lightly? You..."
“Father,” Su Su spoke again, her gaze fixed on the window, seemingly piercing through the courtyards, a barely perceptible sigh in her voice, “My actions might… also alleviate the predicament of others. I see Aunt Su’s thoughts clearly. She cares for Captain Ling, yet is constrained by her social status, hesitant and unable to move forward, her heart filled with unresolved issues. My initiative to propose marriage will extinguish Aunt Su’s inappropriate thoughts and spare Captain Ling from the dilemma he might face. For both of them, it might be a relief. I won’t have to go to the palace either; Father can use the childhood betrothal as a justification, which is reasonable and justifiable.”
After speaking, she looked out the window, her voice carrying a barely perceptible sigh, but her gaze was exceptionally clear and firm.
These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving Shen Yan dumbfounded.
Even Ling Zhan's calm eyes flashed with genuine surprise as he re-examined his shrewd and decisive daughter.
Shen Yan fell completely silent. He looked at Su Su's resolute face, then at Ling Zhan's unreadable expression, his mind a complete blank. He had forced his son into a marriage, yet his daughter was willing to "marry down" to a guard? And he put it so grandly?!
"You...you let your father think about it! Think about it!" He waved his hand irritably, feeling a deep sense of defeat in front of his children for the first time.
Su Su bowed calmly and said, "Your daughter's mind is clear. I await Father and Mother's decision." After saying this, she turned and left, her steps steady as usual.
The study was completely silent.
Shen Yan slumped back onto the soft couch, rubbing his throbbing temples and wailing, "They've all gone mad... madmen! Hong'er is cultivating Taoism, and Su Su wants to marry the guard! What kind of father am I..."
He looked up abruptly, staring at Ling Zhan in horror. "Ling Zhan! You...you wouldn't really agree to her request, would you?"
Ling Zhan didn't answer. She walked to the desk and picked up the newly drawn silk tapestry pattern of flowers and birds representing the four seasons that Su Su had left there when she came in. Her fingertips traced the intricate, exquisite, and lifelike lines, a faint, almost approving glint flashing in Ling Zhan's eyes. She looked up at Chen Yan…
"Su Su has been in charge of Yunshangji for three years and has never made a mistake. When has she ever had a bad eye for patterns, fabrics, and styles?"
Shen Yan: "..."
He looked into Ling Zhan's calm, almost terrifying eyes, then at the exquisitely crafted pattern in his hand, and a chill instantly ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. It's over! Ling Zhan means… she actually thinks Su Su's taste in men is as accurate as her choice of embroidery patterns?!
He could almost see the winking faces of his colleagues in the court tomorrow, and hear the spittle flying and deafening laughter in the teahouses and taverns—'The eldest daughter of the Marquis of Anping is marrying a guard! Haha!'
Chen Yan covered her face in anguish. She couldn't bear this peaceful life anymore!
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