Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 62

Zhao Yu pouted and said, "Sister isn't marrying off her younger sister, she's just giving her away like a piece of merchandise. Brother-in-law, you can't let sister do this."

Mrs. Su was furious and scolded, "Shut up! You're not allowed to speak. You've been so picky, wasting your time still not getting married. You don't like this one, you don't like that one. Qing Jianyue was your own choice, so you have nothing to say now, right?"

Zhao Yu blushed and said coquettishly, "Brother-in-law, what did you hear my sister saying?"

Su Haibo smiled and said, "Your sister is worried about you. Men should marry when they are of age, and women should marry when they are of age. It's not that your brother-in-law and sister want to drive you away. When a girl grows up, she should get married."

"My husband, you're the best. Every word you say touches my heart. I love hearing it."

Mrs. Su, like a sticky rice cake, clung to her husband, her eyes sparkling with "I love you to death!" Su Haibo looked at his wife affectionately, just smiling but saying nothing. Zhao Yu wore an expression of utter exasperation. Cai Bo'an and his wife seemed unfazed by this.

Lei Yongxiang and his wife exchanged a smile. Lu Qingcheng, Qingfeng, Qing Jianyue, and Liu Xicheng, however, were itching for a beating. But when Mrs. Su turned her gaze to them, she seemed like a completely different person.

"Qing Jianyue, my younger sister is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; she is also skilled in needlework and cooking. She is intelligent, kind-hearted, and pure. If you don't love such a wonderful girl, there must be something wrong with your eyes."

Kiyomi Tsuki quickly shook her head, "My eyes are fine."

Mrs. Su exclaimed happily, "Great! Since your eyes are fine, it means you admit that you've been in love with my sister for a long time, but you were just too embarrassed to say it."

Kiyomi Tsuki's mouth immediately gaped open, thinking to herself: I always thought I was a first-rate liar, but I never expected her to be even better at making things up than me.

"In short, everyone in Lu Family Fort already knows that my sister is going to marry you. Since that's the case, there's no need for further notification. There's no better time than today, so let's get married tonight." Mrs. Su clapped her hands and laughed, "Bow to heaven and earth, enter the bridal chamber, and live happily ever after as husband and wife. Oh my, I've finally married my sister off."

Qingjian Yue nearly fell off the table, but was caught by Lu Qingcheng and Qingfeng.

Lu Qingcheng smiled calmly and said, "Mrs. Su is too impatient. Marriage is a major event and should be taken seriously. I think it would be better to choose an auspicious day for them to get married."

Qingfeng laughed without any politeness, "Jianyue, I never thought you'd get married one day. Don't be so scared you'll wet yourself."

Kiyoshi looked distressed.

Zhao Yu glanced at him, then, carrying the white fox, gracefully returned to her sister's side, and said reproachfully, "Sister, it's all wishful thinking on my part. Even if I like it, what's the use if he doesn't?"

Mrs. Su exclaimed, "Nonsense! Qing Jian Yue, tell me, were you lying when you said you loved my sister?"

Qing Jianyue thought to herself: You said it all, I didn't say anything. But facing Mrs. Su's shrewish face, Qing Jianyue didn't dare to refute. On a whim, she laughed and said, "Love, of course I love. But this kind of love is different from that kind of love. For example, I also love Qingfeng very much."

Lu Qingcheng's heart suddenly pounded wildly, as if it had gone out of control; jealousy surged and raged within him like a demon. Damn it! He cursed himself. Calm down!

Qingfeng was moved to tears. "Jianyue, I never imagined you loved me so much. For you, I'm willing to give up everything. Let's wander the world together."

"Like brothers. My love for my sister is the same as my love for Qingfeng, like that between siblings."

With a beaming smile, Kiyoshi pushed away Qingfeng's face that was leaning in.

"Unlike Brother Su and Sister, your love is as deep as the sea, so intense it's a matter of life and death. Before you, you utter a thousand vows, 'Let the green hills crumble and the waters overflow with a weight, until the Yellow River dries up.' In the boudoir, on the mandarin duck pillow, Brother Su and Sister embrace, making vows of eternal love. 'My husband, I love you forever, never to be separated. If I dare to betray you, may the green hills rot and the waters overflow with a weight. If you dare to betray me, hmph, I'll drink the Yellow River dry and spit it in your face.'"

Qing Jianyue imitated Mrs. Su's coquettish tone when she spoke to her husband with remarkable skill and lifelike realism, making everyone in the hall laugh heartily.

Mrs. Su, feeling both angry and shy, nestled into her husband's arms.

Su Haibo laughed and said, "No wonder Brother Bo'an always scolds you for being naughty; you really are mischievous. Alright, alright, we won't pressure you anymore. How about this, we'll give you some time, until you're both in love, then we'll discuss the marriage, how about that?"

Qing Jianyue was moved to tears. Zhao Yu smiled broadly, her face beaming. In any case, both sides had finally achieved their goals. Just as the hall was filled with joy, a sudden announcement came: "The Madam has arrived!" The loud voice, one after another, sounded like a death knell, making one's heart race with unease.

People rose to greet them.

Qingjian Yue couldn't help but think to himself: This is really quite a show! I wonder what kind of schemes Lu Qingcheng's mother will come up with to frame Miss Zhao Yu? He looked at Lu Qingcheng. Although the smile on Lu Qingcheng's face had not diminished at all, her dark eyes, which always exuded a strong will, had begun to freeze.

Madam Lu arrived like an imperial concubine, accompanied by Tong Fengrui and her son, Xu Lan and his sister, He Yunya, and four personal maids. Su Haibo and his wife greeted her with proper etiquette.

Madam Lu glanced around and said with a haughty smile, "You're all here."

"Mother, I am so sorry for not greeting you properly. Mother, please let me help you to your seat." Lu Qingcheng came over to greet her.

Looking at her only biological son, Madam Lu's well-maintained face blossomed into a gentle and loving smile as she extended a delicate hand. Lu Qingcheng, whose handsome face bore a striking resemblance to his mother's, also smiled broadly and respectfully took his mother's hand.

This is a picture of a loving mother and filial son. Ironically, however, no matter how brightly the mother and son smile, the cold light in their eyes remains unchanged.

"Which one is Xu Lan?" Liu Xicheng stared back and forth.

Lei Yongxiang, supporting his wife, said, "It's the one carrying the sword, dressed in black."

Liu Xicheng spat, "He really does have a face that's so annoying and irritating."

"Don't cause trouble," Lei Yongxiang warned. "According to Lin Feng, this man's swordsmanship is unparalleled, and his skill is unfathomable. Lin Feng fought him for dozens of rounds, but he was defeated before he could even figure out his swordsmanship."

"Since that's the case, I'd like to experience it for myself," Liu Xicheng said defiantly.

Yang Xueli asked anxiously, "Has something happened?"

Lei Yongxiang gently comforted him, "It's alright, don't worry."

After they were seated, Mrs. Su exclaimed, "Madam, the Lord of the Fortress has already generously forgiven our Xiaoyu. He even said he would like to match Xiaoyu with Young Master Jianyue."

Madam Lu smiled and said, "Ah Jing, you misunderstand. I'm not here to punish you. I don't blame Xiao Yu at all. In fact, it's my fault for not getting your consent before making the decision to arrange Xiao Yu's engagement for Qingcheng, which almost led to a big mistake."

"Isn't that right?" Mrs. Su blurted out, then covered her mouth in shock.

Madam Lu pretended not to hear and continued with a smile, "Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, it has not affected the master-servant relationship between Qingcheng and Haibo, which has greatly relieved me."

Su Haibo smiled and said, "The child is ignorant and doesn't know his place, offending Madam. Madam is so magnanimous, my wife and I are truly grateful."

"Manager Su, let's cut the formalities. You've been in this fort for so many years and are always highly respected. I'm very grateful to you for returning to assist Qingcheng in revitalizing the Lu Family Fort, which is why I wanted Qingcheng to marry Xiaoyu. Unexpectedly, things have backfired. Fortunately, nothing too serious has happened." Madam Lu's gaze searched, and she asked, "Where is Qing Jianyue?"

Qing Jianyue hurried over and said, "Greetings to Madam. May you be blessed with good fortune and longevity."

Madam Lu smiled slightly and said, "Qing Jianyue, since you entered this castle, you have not only gained the favor of Qingcheng Hai'er and the praise of the Grand Enforcer and all the lords and supervisors, but now you have also won the favor of Miss Zhao Yu. You are really lucky!"