Chapter 238: Chapter 146: Miss Wang, You Wouldn’t Want...
’Prepare a carriage with a Silence Array?’
’What does he mean by that?’
Inside a boudoir that was both antique and lavish, Wang Zilan frowned in confusion after reading the letter her clan sister had brought from Chen Sheng.
In her letter to Chen Sheng, she had detailed her current predicament and asked for his help, but his reply was remarkably simple.
Aside from acknowledging the situation and telling her not to worry, he simply instructed her to prepare a carriage and arrange for some people in advance.
"Tao, did Chen Sheng give you this letter himself?"
Wang Zilan folded the letter and looked at her young cousin.
The young woman was also from the Wang Family, but as a member of a side branch, she had never been valued by the clan and had even been treated harshly. Wang Zilan was the only one who had never looked down on her; in fact, she had always supported her.
As a result, their relationship had always been very close.
Thus, Wang Zilan trusted her.
The pretty, demure Tao nodded nervously.
"Sister, he... he gave it to me himself."
"Did he say anything else?" Wang Zilan pressed.
"N-no. He just thanked me for delivering the letter and gave me an Elemental Crystal as a reward," Tao said quickly.
Wang Zilan nodded, her gaze turning grave as she began to ponder the meaning behind Chen Sheng’s words.
After a long moment, realization finally dawned on her.
She understood the reason behind Chen Sheng’s instructions.
’Perhaps Chen Sheng means to switch me with a double during the engagement procession and sneak me away. But as I think about it, that plan seems too risky.’
’After all, judging by how the family is treating me, there will surely be powerful experts escorting me on the engagement day.’
’Unless... Chen Sheng plans to crash the procession and take me by force?!’
’The Silence Array... it must be to protect me from being caught in the crossfire.’
Wang Zilan was startled by the thought.
She hadn’t come to this conclusion because she thought Chen Sheng was particularly devoted to her, but because she believed he would never pass up the chance to obtain her Profound Yin Qi.
And given his audacious and unscrupulous methods, it wasn’t an impossibility.
Still, Wang Zilan hesitated.
In truth, the best-case scenario Wang Zilan had envisioned was for Chen Sheng to ask Nie Xuanfeng to demand her from the Wang Family. In that case, her family might compromise, allowing them to save face.
By finding a substitute bride in time, they could also appease Luoyun Manor.
But she knew the Wang Family would most likely refuse.
That left only the last resort.
That would be for Chen Sheng to rescue her, creating a situation that couldn’t be undone and forcing her family to back down. While this would still be a great blow to the Wang Family’s reputation, it was something they could potentially work around.
Perhaps the Wang Family would just hold their noses and accept it.
But if he were to take her by force, the consequences would be far more severe.
She could even be expelled from the family, cast adrift with no support. Then, she would have to place all her hopes on Chen Sheng, unless he could one day become a figure so powerful that even the Wang Family would be forced to acknowledge him.
Only then might the Wang Family formally accept the situation.
The thought left Wang Zilan deeply conflicted.
"Sister, is there... something between you and this Captain Chen?" Tao couldn’t help but ask.
Her trip to the Jingwu Bureau to deliver the letter felt just like a scene from a romance novel, where the rich young lady elopes with a poor scholar.
"What silly ideas are you getting?"
Wang Zilan smiled and explained nonchalantly, "Captain Chen and I are merely old acquaintances. I was just planning to invite him for a celebratory drink at my engagement."
"Sister, I’ve heard that Lu Maozhi... isn’t a good man," Tao changed the subject, whispering nervously.
"It’s a command from the family. Even if I know that, what can I do?" Wang Zilan said with a helpless smile.
Of course she knew what kind of man Lu Maozhi was.
Profligate, lecherous, a bully who preyed on the weak and feared the strong, and a coward at heart despite his fierce posturing.
If Lu Maozhi weren’t such a despicable person, she wouldn’t be resisting the arranged marriage so fiercely, even if he were merely mediocre. As a member of a Noble Family, such alliances were unavoidable.
It was her fate.
But she simply could not accept marrying a man of his character. She even believed that an alliance with the Lu Family was not a good thing for the Wang Family.
That was precisely why she had turned to Chen Sheng for help.
As long as she could secure a legitimate position with him, she would willingly offer him her Profound Yin Qi.
However, she kept these thoughts to herself. She would never confide them in Tao. As close as they were, there was no guarantee the girl wouldn’t accidentally leak the secret to the clan elders.
"Yes... born into a Noble Family, this is our fate." At these words, a flicker of sadness crossed Tao’s eyes.
She was from a side branch and had average aptitude, so she had never received any of the clan’s resources. Yet, her future would still be to be married off for an alliance, perhaps even to someone in an Outer Mansion.
"My Lady, a messenger has arrived from Young Master Lu," a maidservant reported from outside the door.
"What does he say?"
Wang Zilan asked coolly.
"Young Master Lu says that Chen Sheng of the Jingwu Bureau is as timid as a mouse for not daring to accept Li Xuance’s challenge. He claims that while the Song Family’s past shame has not yet been avenged, this cowardice is enough to restore some of their honor. Once his elder brother returns, they will go to the Jingwu Bureau to wipe the slate clean."
"I see."
A flicker of disgust flashed in Wang Zilan’s eyes as she replied coldly.
’Whether Chen Sheng accepts the challenge has nothing to do with him, yet he has the gall to boast about it. Worse, he’s pinning all his hopes of avenging this shame on his older brother.’
Comments