Chapter 303 - 302: Kindred Spirits
The Young General Wei was forced to marry, and he had been holding back his anger, believing it to be Zhao Yuqing’s plot.
He wished he could immediately divorce Zhao Yuqing to reclaim his freedom.
But his mother was adamantly against it, even having his sister write to reprimand him.
Everyone was pressuring him, forbidding him to separate, and forbidding him to divorce his wife, which made Young General Wei even more dissatisfied.
To vent his grievances, he deliberately spread those rumors.
The previous plans had long been abandoned by him.
Now he had only one thought: since he couldn’t marry Xie Yunling, others shouldn’t think about marrying her either!
He originally thought that spreading rumors would affect the Duke Mansion’s decision, but instead, he waited and waited for the result of Lan Ci proposing to the Duke Mansion.
Standing on a high building, he personally watched gifts being carried into the Duke Mansion.
The sound of firecrackers kept drilling into his ears, causing him to angrily smash the teacup he was holding.
He stormed back to the estate, and upon seeing Zhao Yuqing, his rage erupted immediately.
Without thinking, he flipped the tray in her hands, causing the soup to spill all over the ground, some even splashing onto Zhao Yuqing’s skirt.
It was a complete mess.
A look of disgust flashed in Zhao Yuqing’s eyes.
If not for intending to use the Wei family’s influence to deal with her father, who was blinded by power, she would have long initiated a separation.
Whoever wants this capricious man, can have him!
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Zhao Yuqing’s face showed obvious concern.
She kindly asked, "Young General, has something unfavorable happened?"
Today, it was well-known throughout the capital that Lan Ci was proposing to the Duke Mansion.
In Young General Wei’s eyes, Zhao Yuqing’s actions appeared to be a pretense.
He mocked, "You ask even though you know, does it amuse you?"
Zhao Yuqing bit her lip, "I was only concerned about you. If you feel unhappy, you can scold me a few times to vent it out. Don’t keep it to yourself and make yourself sick."
She said this, but was thinking to herself.
He has such a violent temper, who knows if he might infuriate himself to death.
If that were the case, she wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of separating.
How nice!
Young General Wei originally wanted to scold a few more words, but Zhao Yuqing’s submissive demeanor made him lose interest.
Leaning against the back of his chair, he muttered to himself, "What’s so good about a son from a humble family, why does the Duke Mansion favor him?"
"Even if Lan Ci became the top scholar, what’s so special about it? After all, there’s one every three years, and he has a child bride; it’s a chaotic situation, obviously a pitfall!"
While the noble family’s relationships are complex, the family network and wealth... how can a mere scholar compare?
Xie Yunling following Lan Ci is nothing short of hardship.
Young General Wei knew that the Xie family cherished Xie Yunling, so he steered the rumors towards Lan Ci’s questionable character.
Unexpectedly, despite his efforts to fan the flames, it proved entirely useless.
The more he thought about it, the heavier his breathing became.
Zhao Yuqing consoled him, "Our agreement still stands. Young General, don’t worry, once we separate, you can still marry Miss Xie."
The enraged man was momentarily choked.
If he had a choice, he wanted a spotless Xie Yunling!
He didn’t know where the rumors of bloodshed had come from.
And those who set him up better not let him find out; he wouldn’t let it go easily!
If not for that incident, he wouldn’t have had to marry Zhao Yuqing.
All of this was ruined by that rumor!
Young General Wei looked gloomy, initially suspecting Lan Ci, but later found it unlikely.
Although Liu Xu made some silver, she couldn’t manipulate the connections to set him up!
With a solemn face, he stared in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
Could it have been the Emperor’s doing?
After all, the one most eager for him to marry Zhao Yuqing was that person in the palace.
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Young General Wei’s anger intensified, but he was helpless against the people in the palace, angrily slamming his hand onto the table, creating a dull sound.
Although she had mentally prepared, Zhao Yuqing was still startled.
She touched her neck.
The Young General is so irritable, if he knew she had dealings with Liu Xu, would he strangle her?
With this in mind, Zhao Yuqing began to panic.
She just wanted to resolve her affairs quickly and separate.
"Young General, I have a favor to ask."
Upon hearing this, the man’s expression visibly darkened, his aura was even colder.
He sneered, "Trying to scheme benefits for your father again?"
He had never met such a vain woman before.
She asked for this and that for her father just upon entering the Wei family.
Even his father had criticisms of Mr. Zhao.
Families by marriage are supposed to be on the same side. If Mr. Zhao acts recklessly, it would implicate the Wei family in the future.
The Zhao family was dragging them down.
Zhao Yuqing was trouble too.
Facing such a marriage arrangement, Young General Wei felt he was greatly wronged.
The Wei family hadn’t done anything wrong, why was the Emperor punishing him like this?
Marrying a wife is about marrying virtue; if not for the Wei family’s prestige and control over Zhao Yuqing, his life would have been ruined!
Before Zhao Yuqing spoke, he said, "Your father promoted a mistress, causing both the Wei family and Empress to be disgraced; I haven’t settled this score with you, yet you still dare to make demands?"
Zhao Yuqing lowered her eyes, hiding a fleeting smile.
"Young General, you misunderstand. I just wish to visit my parents’ home, and I fear my mother-in-law might not agree, so I came to seek your opinion."
Young General Wei was feeling agitated and didn’t want to see Zhao Yuqing.
"Get out!"
Zhao Yuqing bowed, "Thank you, Young General. Once I finish my business, I will return to serve you promptly."
The man’s lips moved, still saying that one word, "Get out!"
This time Zhao Yuqing walked out without hesitation.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Though his temperament is bad, compared to some deep-minded men, he’s rather easy to manipulate.
Once the family affairs are settled, she will surely leave the Wei family!
In contrast to the disputes at the Wei family, the atmosphere at the Duke Mansion was excellent.
Xie Yunxuan returned from Shu and coincidentally timed it with the celebration in the mansion.
He hadn’t met Lan Ci, but since Lan Ci’s fame spread after the spring examination.
Driven by empathy, Xie Yunxuan was very pleased with this brother-in-law.
Upon learning that the gifts sent today were personally hunted by Lan Ci, Xie Yunxuan had an even better impression of him.
This showed that he was in good health and not a frail scholar.
A good constitution ensures he can protect Yun Ling in the future!
Of all, Mrs. Guan was the happiest at her son’s return, "Ah Zhen said you’d return this year, and he wasn’t wrong."
After traveling, Xie Yunxuan had moved past those feelings.
Now talking about Xie Yunzhen, he no longer felt resentful.
"I heard elder brother had dragon and phoenix twins, Mother, do you have any portraits? I’d like to see them."
"I do! I’ll show you once the main affairs are settled."
Mrs. Guan carefully assessed his expression.
Seeing his relaxed demeanor, unlike forced cheer, she felt happy for her son.
Thinking to herself, she knew Yun Xuan and Mingzhu weren’t suited for each other, and looking back now, her feelings were right!