Wish You All the Best - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Only Pei You'an and Old Madame Hu remained in the hall.

The old lady smiled. "What virtue or talent does my granddaughter possess to deserve the favor of the eldest young master? How could I have any reason to refuse? However, I have a few words—I wonder if I should speak them or not?"

Pei You'an replied respectfully, "Old Madame, please speak your mind. There is no need for hesitation."

"I understand the eldest young master's intentions. The world outside is destined to be chaotic for a while. I do not understand these courtly matters. Your affairs must be of great importance, and I will not pry. I can certainly empathize with the inconveniences you face. However, I will not hide it from you: although my granddaughter's previous marriage arrangement did not come to fruition, it so happens that just these past few days—before you arrived—my family was preparing to find her another match. It is a family in our local prefecture, officials by trade, who took a liking to my granddaughter for their son. They sent someone to inquire about the prospect some time ago, and I was just considering how to reply. Unexpectedly, it is such a coincidence that you arrived today..."

The old lady paused.

Pei You'an’s gaze flickered, but he remained silent, waiting for the old lady to continue.

"That family, naturally, cannot compete with the prestige of a Duke's manor, but in our parts, they are considered one of the foremost families of status and influence; several members of their clan are officials..."

The old lady sighed.

"I should not be speaking of such things to an outsider, but because you have long-standing ties to the Zhen family and have visited us today, you are certainly no stranger. I am not afraid of being laughed at by you, so I will speak plainly. You likely know a bit about the situation of our Zhen family; it is never easy to do business, we lack a strong pillar of support, and my grandson still needs time to grow. After much deliberation, I felt this marriage was a viable path. Firstly, for my granddaughter, it is truly a good match. Secondly, the other party is sincere about marrying her; if the union were to be finalized, it would naturally be a good thing for the Zhen family. I did not expect you, Eldest Young Master, to arrive, and to be so kind as to make such an offer. I naturally have no reason to decline; I shall simply refuse the other party. However, regarding your side, could you provide us with a firm assurance? Afu is not exactly old, but she is of prime marriageable age—a girl’s best years for seeking a match are really only these one or two years. If we have a clear idea in our hearts, then nothing is a problem. Even if we have to wait three or five years, we can rest easy waiting for the future Old Madame Pei to come and make the formal betrothal. Don’t you agree, Eldest Young Master?"

Old Madame Hu had been shrewd her entire life; naturally, she had to calculate her granddaughter’s marriage prospects clearly from all angles. Since the match with the Duke's manor had fallen through earlier, she had only been able to settle for second best. Yet, Pei You'an’s sudden visit had allowed the old lady to sniff out a different scent.

The Emperor and the Prince were about to go to war, naturally to fight for the throne. But why did Pei You'an say he had no time for marriage? Since he had visited personally, his seriousness regarding the marriage was evident.

The old lady also knew of the glory of this former heir to the Duke's manor in his early years, a once-favored confidant of the Son of Heaven; he was certainly no ordinary man. Linking the two matters, she vaguely guessed that he must be involved in the conflict.

This made things easier.

Agree to it privately for now, without letting the news leak out. If, in the future, he could ride the winds of fortune like a dragon soaring to the clouds and regain his path to success, the Zhen family would naturally be happy to see such a good outcome. If he were to fail, the family would not be implicated.

It was like a business deal: if it succeeded, the profits would be astronomical; if it failed, the Zhen family's only loss would be the delay of Jiafu’s marriageable years—a trifling matter compared to the benefits the entire family could have gained.

Why would the old lady turn down such a business deal? Moreover, beyond that, the old lady was very satisfied with Pei You'an as a person.

She could see that Pei You'an himself likely had similar concerns, which was why he had not immediately arranged for a formal proposal.

To be so considerate of the Zhen family and her granddaughter already showed that such a man was worth trusting.

All that was needed now was a reassurance.

After the old lady finished speaking, she looked at Pei You'an with a smile.

Pei You'an was an exceptionally intelligent man. Before the old lady had even finished her words, he had already sensed her intent. He smiled slightly and said, "I thank you, Old Madame. Please rest assured: if one day I find myself in dire straits, I will inform you early so you may choose another suitable match for my cousin. If I am fortunate enough to marry her, the Zhen family will be as my own family."

He reached into his robe and took out a small black pouch he kept close to his body. He opened it, retrieved a jade pendant from within, and offered it with both hands, saying respectfully, "Words are not enough to prove my sincerity. This was a legacy gifted to me by my late father on his deathbed. I have treasured it for many years; today, I leave it as a token of my visit. Please accept it on my behalf."

The old lady took it into her palm. She saw that the jade was carved with interlocking branches and vines, hollowed out in the center with orchid patterns; it was warm, lustrous, and pure—at a glance, one could tell it was a top-quality piece of jade. She carefully put it away and smiled, "Eldest Young Master is very thoughtful. I shall keep it safe for you for the time being."

...

Madame Meng held her daughter and offered a few words of soft comfort, then suddenly remembered, "The Eldest Young Master’s meaning seems to be that he is currently inconvenienced and wants us to hold onto you for him, waiting until he can come back formally to propose later. Just as we were discussing this, your grandmother sent me out; I don't know what she wanted to say. If it turns out to be unfavorable, I should go back and check."

Jiafu grabbed her sleeve and shook her head. "Mother, if Grandmother has refused, then so be it. You don't need to go back and say anything."

Madame Meng looked at her daughter suspiciously. "Are you saying you don't wish to marry him again?"

Jiafu said softly, "I am not worthy of him."

Madame Meng was stunned, but immediately understood. Suppressing her sadness, she held her daughter’s shoulders again and comforted her softly, "Afu, your Elder Cousin saved you; he must know of your ordeal. Since he came here personally to propose, it means he doesn't mind. Where would you find another man like this? Don't obsess over these thoughts. Mother will go see."

She rose to leave, just as her son’s voice drifted in from outside: "Mother, the Eldest Young Master is leaving. Grandmother told me to call you."

Madame Meng was surprised and immediately opened the door. "He just arrived, he hasn't even finished a cup of tea; why is he leaving so soon?"

Zhen Yaoting scratched his head. "I don't know."

Madame Meng hurried out and returned a moment later. She dismissed the servants, closed the door, and appeared radiant with joy. "It's good news! Your grandmother agreed to the Eldest Young Master! She said we will wait for him to come back and propose in the future. She also warned me that this matter must not be leaked—aside from you, I am not to let a second person know!"

Madame Meng was extremely satisfied with Pei You'an. The fact that he wanted them to keep her daughter until he could return to formally propose was somewhat unusual, and she had worried she would have to spend effort persuading the old lady. Unexpectedly, everything had been settled so smoothly. Beyond her surprise, she felt boundless joy. She had rushed back to convey the news to Jiafu personally to put her mind at ease, adding, "I tried to urge the Eldest Young Master to stay, but he said he had other urgent matters and had to leave. Mother will go see him off now. Set your mind at ease, and don't let your imagination run wild!"

Madame Meng hurried off again, leaving Jiafu alone with a heart in turmoil. She paced the room a few times, finally made up her mind, and hurried to the front hall, stopping outside the door.

Pei You'an had his back to her. Her grandmother was being helped up from her seat by her mother, saying to him with a smile, "Since the Eldest Young Master has urgent matters, I will not force you to stay. Go safely, and I look forward to receiving your good news soon."

Pei You'an performed a parting bow to the old lady. The old lady wanted to see him out personally, but Pei You'an declined. Jiafu stepped inside and said, "Grandmother, Mother, I want to speak with Elder Cousin alone."

In the hall, aside from the old lady, Madame Meng, and Zhen Yaoting, there were Zhang Da and several servant women. Caught off guard by her words, everyone looked over, all with expressions of shock.

The surroundings went quiet.

Pei You'an turned his head and glanced at Jiafu behind him; their eyes met.

From the moment he was welcomed through the gate, he had worn a smile, and it remained so now.

But Jiafu clearly saw that the gaze he turned toward her was no longer the warmth of the past.

He was smiling, but the way he looked at her was quite cold and tinged with surprise, as if he hadn't expected her to appear so suddenly.

Jiafu took this in, and her heart felt as if it were churning with tumultuous waves.

The days spent in the little round tower in Wuding Prefecture, though brief, were filled with her foolish schemes in front of Pei You'an, but looking back now, they were so heartwarming.

His protection and tolerance toward her had caused her to regress in front of him, regressing into a bold, reckless child.

He had given her the intuition that he would always tolerate her, no matter what she did.

It was precisely because of this intuition, and borrowing the courage he had given her, that on that night when she suddenly learned she would be sent away and saw no other path, she had done that thing.

His visit today had once again proven her intuition correct.

She had indeed succeeded, even though some time had passed.

In the end, she had won and achieved her goal.

Yet she felt so incredibly sad.

She hadn't expected this—that even after winning, she would feel this much sorrow.

Jiafu did not look at the others, nor did she avoid his gaze. She looked straight at him and said softly, "Elder Cousin, I have something to say to you. It is very important."

Old Madame Hu frowned slightly.

How could she not guess? During the days her granddaughter was missing and rescued by Pei You'an, something must have happened between them, which was why Pei You'an could not stop thinking of her, to the point of visiting today to propose.

Whether her granddaughter was willing or not, the old lady had accepted it and told her daughter-in-law, so her granddaughter must know now.

For her to suddenly pop out like this—not to mention the lack of etiquette—looking at her, it seemed something had changed.

The old lady glanced at her daughter-in-law.

Madame Meng hurried forward and lowered her voice, "Afu, what is the matter? Come with Mother first..."

Jiafu did not move, still looking at Pei You'an.

Pei You'an turned his head and said to the old lady, "If you trust me, Old Madame, would you allow me to hear what the cousin has to say first?"

The old lady paused and smiled. "That is only natural. Speak here, then. But Afu has been spoiled by us; if she says anything wrong, please bear with her."

Pei You'an smiled. "The cousin is gentle and sensible, virtuous and kind; you worry too much, Old Madame. I thank you for your convenience."

Old Madame Hu glared at her granddaughter once, then led her daughter-in-law out. The others followed suit, and soon they were all gone.

Once the people left, the vast guest hall was left only with Jiafu and Pei You'an, and it instantly became quiet and desolate.

Jiafu did not know he would be coming today and had no preparation for receiving guests. She wore only a set of casual house clothes: a plain-colored silk blouse over a long, finely pleated skirt made of gauze, completely unadorned, save for a ring of embroidered begonias around the hem. Standing within the threshold, a breeze blew in from the nearby window, catching her pleated skirt. Pale and fragile, she looked like a lotus flower swaying in the water’s ripples, truly a pitiful sight to behold.

She took a step and, under his cold gaze, walked slowly toward him. Finally, she stopped beside a standing screen a few paces away. She was silent for a moment before saying, "Elder Cousin, I heard from my mother the purpose of your visit. I am very grateful, but let us call it off. I will speak to Grandmother about it again myself. As for you, there is no need to keep this matter on your heart."

Pei You'an’s brow furrowed slightly, but he did not speak, his eyes resting on her face.

Jiafu lowered her eyelids.

"This whole thing was my scheme. At the time, I was too afraid and just wanted to cling to you, disregarding everything else, without even considering you, Elder Cousin. These past few days, after returning home, I have thought it through clearly, and there is nothing to be afraid of. I am deeply regretful. Anyway, it was all my fault. You didn't do anything, Elder Cousin. If you were to marry me like this, it would truly defy the heavens..."

The man opposite remained silent, letting her ramble on. Jiafu felt the atmosphere between them growing more stagnant and could not help but feel short of breath. She lifted her eyes again, only to see his brows tightly knitted and his gaze even gloomier than before. She said awkwardly, "Elder Cousin, I am not lying to you this time; what I just said is the truth... please believe me..."

Her voice trailed off into a whisper.

"Is this what you wanted to tell me?"

After a moment, she heard him ask.

Jiafu gave a faint sound of agreement.

Pei You'an nodded, his tone softening slightly. "I ask you, if the Heir-Apparent targets you again, what do you intend to do?"

Jiafu was silent for a moment before saying in a light tone, "Heaven never leaves a person without a way out; I will take it one step at a time when the time comes. Besides, those were all my own wild imaginings. Since it didn't succeed last time, perhaps he has already forgotten all about me by now and won't look for me again..."

She did not want to continue this topic, so she turned her face away, staring out the window.

"...In any case, I truly regret my previous actions. I don't care about that matter myself; saying those things back then was just to cling to you. I have changed my mind now; I don't want to cling to you anymore... You didn't do anything, Elder Cousin, so you really don't need to hold it on your heart..."

Pei You'an followed her gaze out the window, looking at a cluster of banana trees. He frowned and said, "I know what should be done. Let it be! I have already settled things with your grandmother. In the future, if I am lucky enough to return, I will fulfill my promise and marry you. I have other matters to attend to; I am leaving now."

Having said this, he walked past Jiafu and stepped over the threshold.

Jiafu turned her head, watching his silhouette gradually disappear at the end of the courtyard path, never once looking back. A sting of bitterness rose in her nose, and with a sudden, soft sound, tears fell once more.