Su Majestad

Capítulo 43

Tang Congrong hurriedly said, "Sir, please get up. Please speak."

"Please ask the head of the family to annul the engagement in Sading City."

Upon hearing this, Tang Congrong subconsciously glanced at Tang Qiefang, whose eyes were also filled with shock.

"What happened to Xiao Qianchu?" Tang Qiefang asked. "Does she not want to marry Baili Wuyou?"

"Yes," Yan Shengjin said calmly, "the person Qianchu is going to marry is me."

Chapter Seventy-Eight

The two were stunned once again.

Yan Shengjin's words were increasingly shocking. Tang Qiefang was almost stunned into fainting. "Did I hear that right?"

Yan Shengjin is the son of the old steward of the Hua family. Although they are nominally master and servant, the Hua family has always valued him and calls him "brother". In fact, he is Hua Qianchu's uncle.

Moreover, after the fire at the Hua family home, Hua Qianchu lost both her parents and was almost raised by Yan Shengjin. How could these two people actually get married?

Tang Congrong's expression changed. "What exactly is going on?"

“...Uncle...Uncle…” A clear voice came from the lakeside. It was Hua Qianchu. The old woman took her over. When she saw Yan Shengjin kneeling on the ground, she jumped up with a “thump”. Her eyes were clear and bright, so clear that one could see their own reflection in them. “Uncle, don’t blame Brother Jin. It was my idea.”

Tang Congrong gasped, "You're the one who wants to break off the engagement? You want to marry Yan Shengjin? Do you even know he's your uncle?"

“He’s not even my uncle, so what’s the difference?” Hua Qianchu said naturally. “In short, if I’m going to marry in this world, I’ll only marry Brother Jin. Or, I’ll never marry and stay in the Hua family forever, being a young lady of the Hua family for the rest of my life. That way, I’ll still be with Brother Jin. It was Brother Jin who said he had to give the Tang Clan and Suoding City an explanation, which is why we came here. Uncle, I’ve already thought it through. Whether you agree or not, whether you’re happy or not, I’ll be with Brother Dingjin for the rest of my life.” As she spoke, she gently took Yan Shengjin’s hand.

Her voice was clear and melodious, each word like pearls falling on a jade plate, every syllable a genuine expression of her innermost thoughts, so genuine that it was impossible to refuse.

Hua Qianchu, as innocent as a child, never hides her thoughts.

Yan Shengjin gently squeezed her hand, his eyes meeting hers in a single, simple glance, yet overflowing with doting affection. He turned to Tang Congrong, "Patriarch, I know that the marriage alliance between the Hua family and Suoding City is essentially a marriage alliance between the Tang Clan and Suoding City. If the engagement is annulled, Suoding City will inevitably seek trouble with the Tang Clan. I also know that with my status, marrying Qianchu will inevitably draw criticism. But none of this is as important as Qianchu's happiness. I hope Patriarch will grant my request." With that, he bowed slightly.

Qian Chu also kowtowed.

For no apparent reason, the way the two of them bowed their heads together reminded one of newlyweds paying respects to heaven and earth.

Their hands clasped together, their eyes gazing at each other, a sweet and happy feeling, like tangible smoke, drifted towards Tang Qiefang.

"Calm down..." Tang Qiefang said softly, "How many people in this world can meet someone they like who also likes them? And how many people who love each other can be together? She is your niece, help her out."

Tang Congrong frowned slightly. "She has made up her mind that whether she marries Yan Shengjin or not, she will not marry anyone else... It's just that it's hard to explain to Suodingcheng..." She couldn't help but sigh. "You two, get up!"

Hua Qianchu blinked and hugged him, "I knew Uncle was the best to me." Then she clung to Tang Qiefang and laughed, "My great-uncle pleaded for me, I have to repay him! Winter is coming soon, I'll make you two sets of winter clothes!"

Tang Qiefang smiled slightly, "You are happy, but your uncle's hair is turning white with worry."

Chapter Seventy-Nine

Yan Shengjin said, "If you want to make some compensation to Suoding City, the Hua family is willing to do its best."

The Hua family was arguably the richest family in the Great Yan Dynasty, and Tang Congrong naturally understood the meaning behind Yan Shengjin's promise.

After discussing the matter and arranging the return of the betrothal gifts to Suoding City, as well as the apology gifts, Tang Qiefang wrote several poison formulas for tempering weapons and sent them to Suoding City.

The next day, Tang Qiefang and Yan Shengjin went to Suoding City together.

That entire day, Tang Congrong felt somewhat uneasy. When the various lords came to discuss matters, her gaze would involuntarily drift away, landing on the spot where Tang Qiefang often sat. If she didn't see him immediately, her eyes would search outside the Listening to the Water Pavilion, only remembering after a moment that Tang Qiefang had gone to Suoding City. This feeling was just like when Tang Qiefang left. She would always subconsciously look for him, call his name, and then tell herself that he was gone.

They are no longer by my side.

I can't find him... It's a kind of emptiness, a heart with nowhere to rest, feeling empty no matter where it is.

Today, I know where he went, what he did, and that he will come back, but this feeling is still there.

Only after losing something do you truly understand what loss means. And when you regain it, you're afraid to get too close.

Because I know that once I get close, I will give myself completely, entrusting my whole being and my heart to him. What will happen if he leaves again?

Once bitten by a snake, one is afraid of even a rope for ten years.

Therefore, one must exercise extreme restraint and indifference.

That day felt incredibly long, and we knew it would last for at least another twenty days.

I went to bed early that night, but suddenly heard a whistle from the lakeside and couldn't help but wake up. It was Tang Qiefang's unique way of summoning the Mulan Boat.

You're back?

No, how could that be? Even at top speed, it would take nearly a month to travel from Tangmen to Suoding City and back.

He was dreaming; he closed his eyes again.

The night was extremely quiet. He heard the sound of the orchid boat docking, and footsteps. The old woman said, "The master has gone to sleep."

"So early today?" the voice said. "Then I'll come tomorrow morning."

Tang Congrong immediately sat up, "Qiefang—is that you?"

Tang Qiefang pushed the door open with a creak, "You're not asleep?"

"I didn't," Tang Congrong said quickly.

Tang Qiefang came in, and although only a day had passed, it felt like half a month. Tang Congrong looked at him, and at this moment, she couldn't hide her emotions and reached out her hand to him.

Tang Qiefang was stunned. She hadn't done this to him in a very, very long time. However, hands remember better than the brain, and just like countless times before, he grasped that hand and sat down beside the bed.

—Only then did the sensation in his hand reach his mind. The hand he was holding wasn't cold at all; it was warm, soft, and boneless. His eyes widened. "Your hand—"