The Dawn of Divorce (Part 1)
Finally! After some effort, she finally returned to her residence! The Tranquil Abode!
In the end, she still sneaked in through the back door and then climbed through the window of the main courtyard. What a miserable life for such a young lady!
She lay wearily in the rocking chair, closing her eyes. Before her knelt a noblewoman in a flowing robe, her face filled with fear and unease, her beautiful features paling.
"I've met you, Miss." She suppressed her fear.
"Hmm..." She slowly rested her hands behind her head and sighed a few times, "I've actually turned misfortune into blessing, now I understand Peng Feizhe as a person." She suddenly called out to the noble lady, "Zhi Qiu."
"This servant is here."
She sat up, looked down at her, and asked, "June 14th, that guy's birthday. Are you going, or should I dress up as you?"
"This...Miss..." Her body trembled slightly, as if she were somewhat afraid: "If...if I go...will I really not be discovered?"
Seeing how frightened she was, she waved her hand and lay back down: "Fine, I'll go for you. You should practice your sweet talk and try to win that guy's favor." She rubbed her temples again, "Get up, is there anything you want to give him?"
Zhi Qiu stood up, head bowed, hands clasped awkwardly. "Well, this servant... has nothing of value... only..." Her face flushed, she seemed embarrassed. "Only a small purse that I embroidered by lamplight, and I hope, Miss... can..."
Zhi Qiu handed the pale green purse embroidered with a few flowers to Pang Zhichun. She glanced at it indifferently, then took it: "I understand. Now pack your bags. Return to the capital as soon as possible, and avoid showing your face in public."
"Here." Zhi Qiu squatted slightly and turned to go into the house.
After several light drizzles, the bright sun finally arrived.
June 14th was truly a lively and extraordinary day.
Today is the coming-of-age ceremony of that young luminary, and officials from all over the court have flocked to his door to congratulate him, offer their best wishes, and try to make his acquaintance.
On that day, the mansion was filled with tables and banquets, and was packed with distinguished guests. Peng Feizhe was beaming with joy, wearing a high crown and a festive red brocade robe.
Mr. Peng happily invited the officials and guests to sit down and offered them wine, saying, "Today is my son's coming-of-age ceremony, so I will accept your congratulations on his behalf."
He raised his cup to the crowd and said, "Today, it is time for my son to be bestowed with a name. What are your thoughts?" He sat in the main seat and looked at the high-ranking officials and guests on his left and right.
A young man in fine clothes clasped his hands in congratulations and said with a smile, "Brother Zhu, your son is truly blessed with both wealth and martial prowess! He has achieved such glory at such a young age; he will surely be able to hold up half the sky for our dynasty in the future."
"Yes! He has won many battles in his youth, but he is still too young. Please bestow more words of peace upon him, so that his future days may be peaceful and stable."
“Husband, I think this official is right. Why not bestow upon Zhe’er…” Madam Peng’s eyes flickered, and she smiled gently: “How about we name him Xuan’an? Xuan means triumphant, and An means safe. I only have one son, and he must return safely to be with us two old folks.”
The guests raised their glasses and chatted for a while, but Peng Feizhe himself was nowhere to be seen. It turned out he was a temporary guest, and soon a major guest arrived.
An emperor arrived, and Peng Feizhe personally led the way to the banquet. Upon seeing the emperor in his yellow robes, walking over with his hands behind his back, everyone stood up to pay their respects.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
The emperor, in his forties or fifties, saw everyone bowing respectfully before him. He smiled kindly and waved his hand, saying, "Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for Major General Fei Zhe. My lords, there's no need for such formality. Let's have a joyful banquet!"
Mr. Peng hurriedly went to greet the distinguished guest, moving him to the seat of honor, and then instructed the servants to bring the best dishes. Peng Feizhe also took his seat, sitting dignifiedly to the left of the head of the table, his eyes revealing his inner turmoil.
He didn't know what was wrong with him. He looked up at the archway leading to the guests, but all he saw were servants coming and going, carrying dishes. Who was he waiting for? And what was he worried about?
He completely ignored the laughter and chatter at the banquet, as if he were blocking out the whole thing.
"Xuan'an, Xuan'an," the emperor called out, turning his head to him.
He snapped out of his daze and hurriedly stood up, clasped his hands in apology, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty... I was in a daze... What can I do for you, Your Majesty?"
The emperor simply smiled kindly, clearly fond of the young man: "It's nothing. I thought since you've already been given a courtesy name, I should also bestow a title upon you."
He stood up and recited his illustrious military achievements over the years: "Fei Zhe has rendered great service to my Tao Jin Kingdom. Today, I have decided to appoint you as General Hong Sheng, and bestow upon you a hundred catties of gold, a thousand taels of silver, and a fief of three thousand households..."
After the emperor finished giving his rewards, he put his hands behind his back and turned to leave. Everyone followed him to see him off, saying all sorts of nice things afterward.
Before they knew it, the lively banquet had ended, and the gates of the mansion had been closed.
It was night, with only a cold moon hanging high in the sky, and a gentle breeze caressing him. The door was closed, and among the passing guests, she was nowhere to be seen. He accepted the reality with disappointment and turned back to his courtyard.
He returned to the spacious courtyard, where servants were cleaning; it was neither lively nor deserted.
He recalled the guest he had greeted, the head of the Pang family, Pang Zhichun's father. He greeted him with a beaming smile, observing the rather thin head of the Pang family, and not a single one of his attendants and maids was her.
He asked curiously, "Father-in-law, where is Miss Pang? Are you alone?"
The Pang family head laughed out loud, thinking that he was eager to see her, and patted Peng Feizhe on the shoulder: "Young man, young man, why are you in such a hurry? The day of your marriage is not far away. Zhichun is naturally staying in her boudoir, weaving her wedding dress and waiting to marry a good man. I didn't expect that you two have never met, yet you are so looking forward to her."
He smiled gently and said, "Father-in-law is right. The son-in-law was too eager and forgot that the wedding was imminent. He also forgot the rules that a soon-to-be-married couple should not see each other or inquire about each other's whereabouts."
"It's alright, I just want you to treat her well." He nodded with satisfaction.
Just as the Pang family head was about to walk into the banquet, Peng Feizhe suddenly asked, "Father-in-law, do you have a woman named Zhi Qiu in your household?"
The somewhat aged-looking head of the Pang family suddenly turned to look at him. "Zhi Qiu?" He thought for a moment, then squinted and pondered, "There seems to be such a person in the manor."
Upon learning of this person's existence, he quickly asked, "Then why didn't she come with her father today?"
"Her?" The Pang family head looked at the person in front of him with a puzzled expression, but felt that he should not ask too many questions in this situation. "She is Zhichun's person, and I guess she is with my daughter."
After listening, Peng Feizhe sighed softly and smiled calmly: "I see. Then father-in-law, please come to the banquet. My father has been looking forward to seeing you for a long time."
Then the head of the Pang family took his seat at the banquet…
"You may all leave," he said, dismissing all the servants in the courtyard, leaving him alone, where he felt utterly lonely.
Suddenly, a cheerful and familiar voice broke the silence: "General! General!"
It was her!
Peng Feizhe looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man dressed in plain clothes walking towards him. He had a clean face and a light pink scar on his right cheek.
"General! Happy birthday!" She smiled broadly and quickly walked up to him.
He seemed a little angry, crossed his arms over his chest, and complained resentfully, "So you do know it's my birthday today."
With a playful smile, she took a few breaths and said, "General... no, Xuan'an... I'm so sorry for what I did to you today..."
"Sorry?" He raised an eyebrow, looking suspicious.
She lowered her head, as if admitting her mistake: "It was my fault that I couldn't attend the banquet during the day." She looked up at him with bright eyes: "I begged Miss for a long, long time, and she finally let me out after all my pleading!"
Peng Feizhe looked displeased after hearing this, his brows furrowing slightly. "You went to beg her?"
She didn't quite notice the displeasure and hint of jealousy in his words, and quickly took out a purse from her waist, presenting it to him with both hands: "Xuan'an, I'm sorry... I don't have any expensive gifts for you, but this is something I embroidered myself..."
Before she could finish speaking, Peng Feizhe suddenly lunged at her, pulling her into his arms. He held her tightly, burying his head in her shoulder, his arms around her close, greedily inhaling her fragrance.
Anyway, this operation caused Pang Zhichun to crash.
Wait, what are you doing, bro?
"Zhi Qiu...marry me, okay?" he whispered in her ear, his voice pleading.
Her eyes widened. She'd rather it be a joke to scare her than face this confession. Marry him? Marry a bird!
She swallowed hard, unable to contain her surprise. "...You...what did you say?" She pushed him forcefully, but found she couldn't move him.
"I said, will you marry me?" His voice was filled with deep love, and he released her.
His eyes were fixed on her, and he gazed at her tenderly.
He took her hand again, his expression earnest and affectionate, his words filled with tenderness: "Marry me, I will not marry Pang Zhichun, will you marry me, Zhi Qiu?"
She was startled by this action again, and halfway back, she tried to quickly pull her hand back, but then her face showed a troubled expression and a bit of sadness: "But... Xuan An, I... am of lowly status, how... how can I be worthy of you?"
Peng Feizhe didn't care at all: "It's alright, I have plenty of ways and means to make you worthy of me, you don't need to worry about this."
She was filled with questions.
"But..." Beads of nervous sweat began to appear on her forehead. Her mind raced as she tried to get rid of him.
"What about Miss Pang?" She lowered her eyes again, as if to say, "I'm willing, but what about her? I don't want to be the third party."
He replied decisively, "Let's break up. Neither of us likes each other anyway, so why force it? You've said before that she already has someone else in her heart."
Her hands were sweating! She felt nauseous, but still smiled and said, "Yes, but what if she gets married and can't get out?"
Peng Feizhe interjected, "You don't need to worry about whether she can get married or not. I'll personally go and act as matchmaker. If all else fails, we can just find her another good family!"
Her eyes lit up. That really might be possible!
He thought to himself, "You'd better remember what I said today."
Peng Feizhe released her hand, leaving it resting on her chest: "Why should I abandon the person I love to live a heartless married life with someone who has no feelings for me?"
She nodded in agreement.
She was secretly thrilled! She laughed wildly, unable to suppress the joy in her eyes!
He won! Finally! She saw a glimmer of hope for divorce!
She turned her head away, feigning sadness, and said, "But...didn't you say before...you didn't like me?"
"I was wrong." He looked at her tenderly.
"During the day, my heart is always on edge, I can't put it down. I often look towards the place where guests are received, but I never see you..."
He found it somewhat amusing, and his smile became even more charming and gentle: "It was then that I realized I actually liked you... My heart had been hanging high, making me uneasy for a long time. What would I do if you didn't come? Until... until you... you appeared. My heart finally found its home and calmed down."
Her heartfelt words left her speechless. She gritted her teeth, hating herself for coming in place of Zhi Qiu. She should have come herself!
Hearing such heartfelt words, she would surely weep uncontrollably, but instead, listening to them gave her goosebumps and made her want to die. Why did this time feel so agonizing? After hearing his heartfelt words, she would already be dead. The more he spoke, the more it sounded like he was whipping her corpse.
All she begged was, "Please, let me go!"
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