Jiangnan Gaiden - Capítulo 28
That night, we stayed at another villa belonging to the Shi family. It lacked the grandeur of the ranch, but possessed a unique and elegant charm. The lotus flowers filling the pond added to the refreshing coolness.
During the meal, Huan'er unexpectedly spoke up:
"Wuji, Wuxia will be eighteen in three months. Keeping a girl here for so long is bound to cause gossip. How long are you going to keep her here?"
Shi Wuji pretended to hesitate before speaking:
“When I go back this time, I plan to handle her wedding arrangements. However, the choice of groom is still undecided. Ma Shengwen, the son of the coal mining tycoon, is the most diligent. I didn’t refuse last time, and this time when I go back, he will probably send someone to propose marriage.”
All the astonished and disbelieving eyes were fixed on Shi Wuji.
Wu Jie was the first to jump up and object!
"That shameless lecher? He's a scoundrel. Brother, have you forgotten that last time Wuxia went to Yiyuan to admire the flowers, Ma Shengwen cornered her and tried to take liberties with her? Luckily, I arrived in time, and Wuxia was so frightened that she was bedridden for three days!"
Huan'er noticed that Leng Gang's cheek twitched, and his expression became even colder and harder.
Wuhen squinted and said:
"None of the suitors who come to propose marriage are any good. Gao Daping, Fang Tianen, and Ma Shengwen even made a bet on who could get Wuxia first and who could flirt with her without us finding out. I don't think my brother would consider this person."
Wuxia's resentful eyes were lowered, and she didn't realize it was a scheme, believing it to be true. She was so anxious that she almost cried, but she couldn't resist.
Shi Wuji then said:
"These few are fairly well-matched. If not, do you have any other good options?" A name came to mind. "Du Ziqi? How about it?"
"That scholar who has failed the imperial examinations year after year? His body is so sickly he's practically inhuman. He drooled over Wuxia after just one meeting, and he's gone mad with greed. Brother! Aren't you always wise? Don't just choose scum to fill the positions! Our little sister's happiness is no joke!" Wujie spoke up righteously, unafraid of his elder brother's authority, and vowed to fight to the death.
Wuhen finally understood his elder brother and his wife's tricks, and he began to fan the flames and join in the scheme.
"I think Fang Zhiji is quite good."
Only Wu Jie was still confused and started yelling:
"Second Brother! Have you lost your mind too? Fang Zhiji's family fortune is completely ruined, yet he still pretends to be a rich man. His last wife was sold into prostitution for his own pleasure. Wuxia can't be entrusted to such a person; he looks refined on the outside, but he's full of evil!" He looked to Leng Gang and his sister-in-law for help. "Brother Leng, say something! Don't tell me you've also lost your mind and think that it's suitable for my sister to marry such scum. Sister-in-law, why aren't you saying anything?" Everyone remained unmoved, making Wujie extremely anxious.
Huan'er stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Wu Jie.
"Get this straight, most people of Wuxia's age should have had babies by now. If she's still unmarried and someone wants her, she has to make do. Otherwise, tell me, who's suitable?"
Shi Wujie couldn't think of a suitable candidate for the time being, and was so anxious that he couldn't speak, so he could only stare blankly.
Wuxia rose and ran to the backyard, her sobs heart-wrenching. The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, and after a long silence, Leng finally spoke:
"Don't hurt her."
Huan'er stood up and said: