Chapter 87 - 84: Two Years
Chapter 87: Chapter 84: Two Years
"A pleasure, a pleasure."
When Scholar Liu arrived with his son, Fang Yue immediately invited them inside.
Admittedly, he and Liu Chuanzhi didn’t get along, and the young man was clearly hostile toward him.
But one doesn’t turn away a smiling guest.
Scholar Liu was always impeccably polite, so Fang Yue couldn’t very well be discourteous in return.
"Haha, I’ve come to visit you, Fang Wuju, to propose a marriage for your esteemed sister." After showering Fang Yue with praise for his youth and achievements and exchanging a few more pleasantries, Scholar Liu got straight to the point.
Fang Yue was surprised; he hadn’t expected Scholar Liu to come to his door to discuss his sister Fang Lan’s marriage.
His gaze then shifted to Liu Chuanzhi, who stood behind Scholar Liu.
He instantly understood Scholar Liu’s intentions. ’He’s trying to arrange a marriage for his son?’
’He wants Liu Chuanzhi to marry my sister, Fang Lan?’
Seeing from Fang Yue’s expression that his intentions were already clear, Scholar Liu saw no need for further preamble and spoke directly. "Oh, haha. You see, Fang Wuju, my son, Liu Chuanzhi... while he may have failed the civil examination this time, it was simply a matter of bad luck. He is certain to pass and become a Civil Scholar next year."
"In that case, his status would hardly be an insult to your esteemed sister. What do you think of this match?"
"Unsuitable, quite unsuitable. My sister’s marriage is a matter for her to decide. I cannot be the one to make that choice."
Fang Yue rejected the offer without a second thought. ’What a joke! How could I let my own sister marry Liu Chuanzhi?’
’The man’s character is obviously flawed. A petty man who plagiarized my poetry.’
’There’s no way I’d ever agree to my sister marrying him.’
"I see. What a shame. Ah, I’ve just remembered I have some matters to attend to at home, so I won’t impose any longer. Farewell."
"No need to see us out, Fang Wuju."
Scholar Liu was a shrewd old fox. He could tell from Fang Yue’s attitude that the matter was hopeless.
There was no point in staying any longer, so he promptly took his leave with Liu Chuanzhi.
On the way back, Liu Chuanzhi said indignantly, "Father, you see? The Fang Family is utterly ungrateful! They refused without a second thought. They’re looking down on our family."
He had been quite unwilling when his father first proposed arranging the match with the Fang Family.
But under his father’s intense pressure, he’d had no choice but to agree.
Now, being rejected so bluntly by Fang Yue made Liu Chuanzhi feel even more humiliated.
In his eyes, the Liu Family’s willingness to ally with the Fang Family through marriage—his willingness to marry Fang Yue’s country bumpkin of a sister—was already granting the Fang Family a tremendous honor.
He hadn’t even had a chance to show his own dissatisfaction, and yet they had been the ones to refuse.
How could he not be furious?
"Hmph. Control your temper. The match may be off, but goodwill should remain. Even if you resent the Fang Family, you absolutely must not show any sign of it in front of them."
Scholar Liu admonished his son, frustrated by his lack of discipline.
’We are both Scholars, but he is younger, and a more prestigious Martial Scholar at that.’
’For me to try and scheme against him right now would be a fool’s errand.’
’So, when you are weaker than your opponent, you must hide your fangs.’
’That is the way to survive.’
’Otherwise, you carelessly reveal your hostility—are you afraid they *won’t* notice and take revenge on you?!’
"I understand, Father. I’ll be more careful."
~~~~~~
’So that’s the kind of person he is. Truly two-faced. It seems I’ll have to be more wary of that old fox from now on.’
From the shadows of an alley corner, Fang Yue watched the retreating figures of the Liu father and son.
He had heard every single word of the conversation between them.
He had originally been on his way to see Nu at Widow Yu’s home.
He was very fond of Nu and, not having seen her for several months, had brought her some tasty treats.
He hadn’t expected to overhear the Liu father and son talking on the way.
Only now did he see Scholar Liu’s true colors.
’Now that I know what he’s really like, if an opportunity arises in the future, I wouldn’t mind... seeing the Liu father and son off.’
After watching them disappear into the distance, Fang Yue turned and headed for Widow Yu’s home.
~~~~~~
In the yard of the Yu home, Widow Yu peered cautiously past the wicker fence.
"You’re...? Are you Lan?"
She looked at the beautiful young woman at the head of the group, dressed in a cotton robe and fur-lined cloak, and saw a hint of familiarity in her face.
"Aunt, it’s me."
Wen Lan nodded slightly. Her gaze swept over the thatched hut and its small yard, then settled on her aunt. The woman before her was a far cry from the valiant, dazzlingly beautiful figure she remembered.
Growing up, her aunt had been someone she’d always looked up to; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come this time.
"In the blink of an eye, the little girl from all those years ago is all grown up."
Widow Yu sighed wistfully. It had been ten years since she had last seen anyone from her family.
The little girl who used to trail behind her, the one with the perpetually runny nose, was now a young woman herself.
"This must be Nu, then." Wen Lan looked at the thin little girl clutching Widow Yu’s sleeve, took out a specially-made osmanthus pastry, and offered it with a faint smile. "Come, I have something tasty for you."
Nu, however, didn’t reach out to take it. Her little nose twitched as she took in the unfamiliar, fragrant scent. As much as she wanted to eat it...
...she just looked up at her mother, unmoving.
"Lan, why have you come here?" Widow Yu asked, seeming not to notice her daughter’s hesitation, her eyes fixed on Wen Lan.
’The Wen Family... one of the most prominent families in Shanyang Prefecture City.’
’Why would they suddenly remember her, a disgraced woman who had married out, been cast from the family, and with whom they had long since severed all ties?’
’Back then, if the family had only been willing to help, perhaps she and her daughter would never have ended up like this.’
Thus, she harbored a deep resentment for this cold, unfeeling family.
"Aunt, Grandfather has forgiven you. He sent me to bring you home," Wen Lan said with a slight smile.
It was a formulaic smile, devoid of any warmth.
"Regarding what happened back then, the family’s hands were tied. Now that the situation has changed, Grandfather immediately sent me to bring you home, Aunt."
"Go back and tell him that I’m already dead here."
Widow Yu shook her head and turned to take Nu inside.
Just then, however, the guards at Wen Lan’s side moved to block Widow Yu’s path.
Clearly, they were prepared to use force.
"Well, if it isn’t Miss Wen. What do you think you’re doing, trying to take someone from my home?"
It was Fang Yue. He didn’t know exactly what was happening, but he could guess from the scene before him.
’Miss Wen and her entourage, the ones I ran into on the road, are actually here for Widow Yu.’
’Figures. This is what I get for being exiled to this place.’
"You are mistaken, Young Master Fang. I am here to escort my aunt home." Wen Lan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She hadn’t expected to run into Fang Yue here again.
’But Mr. Wen still hasn’t returned today.’
"This doesn’t look like a polite invitation to me. I suggest you all leave quickly. Otherwise, my fists might have something to say about it."
Fang Yue shook his head. Now that he’d seen this, he couldn’t just walk away.
Besides, he’d already clashed with these people back at the ruined temple.
"You! How dare you speak like that! Do you have any idea who our Miss is? Offend us, and things won’t end well for you. If Mr. Wen were here, we’d never let you act so insolently!"
Before Wen Lan could speak, her round-faced maid couldn’t hold back any longer.
Her mouth rattled on like a machine gun.
"Noisy."
Fang Yue snorted and shot her a glare.
By now, Fang Yue’s Martial Dao cultivation had brought his White Tiger Fist to a formidable level. As his Fist Intent flared, it was as if a ferocious tiger had descended upon them.
The savage aura instantly terrified the round-faced maid.
And then, the young maid let out a "WAAAH!" and burst into tears.
This completely wrong-footed Fang Yue, and his imposing aura instantly dissipated.
"Yue, don’t. It’s alright. I’ll go back with them."
At this, Widow Yu spoke up, afraid that a conflict would break out between Fang Yue and the visitors.
No matter the outcome, it would surely bring disaster upon Fang Yue.
The Wen Family wouldn’t move against a Martial Scholar openly, but with their power and influence, suppressing one covertly would be all too simple if they wished it.
They could easily hold him down for a few years until his potential was exhausted and all hope of advancement was gone. Wouldn’t that be the greatest revenge of all?
Fang Yue took a deep breath and nodded.
’In truth, I don’t know anything about this Wen Family.’
’But judging by that little wench’s attitude, I can tell the Wen Family is no simple affair.’
’So, it’s best not to offend them if I can help it.’
Since Widow Yu herself had offered to go with them, he had no reason to stand in her way.
"It is for the best that you see it this way, Aunt. Please, come with us."
Wen Lan smiled faintly at this.
Although there were some complications, the task was accomplished.
After all, if they had been forced to use violence, it would have gotten the job done, but it might have caused further complications back home.
"Wait. I need to pack a few things. You can wait for us up ahead. Don’t worry, my daughter and I will definitely come with you."
Widow Yu spoke as if she had resigned herself to her fate.
"Very well. We will wait for you up ahead, Aunt. If you need anything, feel free to call for us."
Naturally, Wen Lan had no reason to refuse such a small request.
~~~~~~
"You’ve taken such good care of my daughter and me these past few years, Yue. Now we have to leave, and I don’t know when we’ll be able to see you again."
"This was my late husband’s. It’s no use to me anymore, so I’m giving it to you, Yue. Consider it a token of my gratitude for all your care over the years."
"Nu, come say goodbye to your big brother Yue."
A moment later, Widow Yu emerged from the thatched hut carrying a bundle.
She walked over to Fang Yue and handed him a box.
"Big brother Yue... Nu... Nu will miss you," Nu said, as if she understood she was about to leave for a place far away.
"Alright, then. It’s a deal. Big brother Yue will come find you in the future. You have to listen to your mother, and no crying, you hear?"
"Okay, big brother Yue."
Not long after, Widow Yu and her daughter departed with Wen Lan’s group.
~~~~~~
Fang Yue watched them until they were out of sight, then turned and left.
Though he was sad to see Nu go, there was no need to put himself in danger over it.
’In the end, it all comes down to my own lack of strength. If my cultivation had reached the level of Qi Sensing, or even higher, would I have needed to be so cautious today?’
’I have to redouble my efforts in my martial arts training.’
Fang Yue’s life gradually settled into a peaceful routine. In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.