MYUFPC CHAPTER 22
In this world, perhaps nothing could truly be hidden for a lifetime
Special fondness for sister, these four words have a different meaning.
Jiashan's expression changed several times before she finally calmed down. However, her voice was still unexpectedly hoarse.
She softly asked, "What else did he say?"
"There was also the hairpin," Zhao Youze said. "When Elder Sister went to see Aunt that day, she wore a new hairpin, right? That was from the maternal grandmother of the Zhan Daren, passed down to her granddaughters-in-law."
Jiashan subconsciously felt the fingertips that had touched the hairpin start to burn.
She had never thought, never imagined that Zhan Yue would...
Jiashan felt as if there was something stuck in her throat. Her face turned crimson.
In her previous life, Jiashan had also met Feng Shi. Feng Shi was a woman, and she also loved to wear fine silks and satins and adorn herself with jewelry and hairpins, but she had never seen Feng Shi wear this hairpin, which was why she had been so careless.
Was Zhan Yue doing this out of long-standing plans, or was it a sudden decision?
Thinking back to the Zhan Yue of before, he had said that he had a girl in his heart, and that she would probably regret it once she knew who the girl he liked was... Thinking back to when they had met in front of Dongzhimen in her previous life, he had told her the emperor's last words and asked her to take good care of herself in the future.
Had it started from then?
Jiashan's nerves tightened. She dared not think any further, afraid that she would dig up more detailed things that existed in her memory.
In this world, perhaps nothing could truly be hidden for a lifetime.
She didn't understand before, but now she did.
Seeing that Jiashan was silent, Zhao Youze tactfully didn't disturb her. It was a long time before he finally asked, "I've told Elder Sister everything I know. What does Elder Sister think?"
Jiashan's tongue felt a bit dry. Her mind was a complete mess right now. Pei Yuantang was one thing, he had shown some signs, but Zhan Yue was truly caught her off guard.
Did he like her? Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
After a moment of silence, Jiashan answered honestly, "I don't know."
"Well then, why don't you listen to my opinion?" Zhao Youze cupped his chin with both hands and lowered his head. "I actually think Cousin's words were right."
When Pei Yuantang came that day, he didn't avoid Zhao Youze. He casually expressed his opinion about Emperor Zhanghe's choice of a husband for Jiashan, saying, "Those high-ranking noble sons, apart from their hereditary titles being a bit flashy, are all a bunch of nonsense. None of them are worthy of you."
For this bold statement, Pei Yuantang had been lectured by Jiashan. She told him to be careful in officialdom and not to give others a handle by speaking rashly.
Now, when Zhao Youze said that his cousin was right, he was probably referring to that statement.
Zhao Youze's tone was steady, without much fluctuation. His voice was still a bit young, not yet changed. "Compared to marrying those unfamiliar sons of noble families, Cousin is a much safer choice. If Elder Sister marries into the Pei family, at least, Aunt won't make things difficult for Elder Sister, and with Uncle's temperament, he wouldn't allow Cousin to take on additional concubines."
"Cousin entered officialdom through the imperial examinations and is very likely to become a pillar of the state in the future," Zhao Youze said. "Elder Sister marrying Cousin would be the most foolproof choice."
He analyzed it for Jiashan clearly in a logical way, almost like a little military strategist. Jiashan was too astonished to be surprised anymore. She looked at Zhao Youze meaningfully, her eyes slightly narrowed, "What about Zhan Daren?"
"Well, Zhan Daren," Zhao Youze paused slightly, "I guess Zhan Daren will likely have a brilliant future, no less than Cousin."
He steadied himself and continued, "The Duke of Anguo has already established a heir, but I heard that Zhan Daren seems to have been recorded as a legitimate son as well. Although everyone knows that Zhan Daren is not truly a legitimate son, if the Emperor is willing to use him, others will naturally not be so impolite as to mention it."
"Military officers are ennobled through their merits," Zhao Youze said. "Even if he doesn't inherit the Duke of Anguo's title, he may be able to earn a noble title of his own in the future."
Jiashan took a deep breath. She had always known that Yuan Kang was intelligent, but she had not expected his thoughts to be so far-reaching. He had actually helped her plan for the future.
Zhao Youze said indifferently, "Actually, although Zhan Daren is not as close to Cousin and Elder Sister as you are. But I think his personality might be more suitable for Elder Sister."
"Marrying Cousin would require a lot more effort," Zhao Youze said.
After all, Pei Yuantang had always been a bit unruly since he was young.
Jiashan glanced at Zhao Youze. Her lips parted slightly, then paused, and she swallowed her words. Her younger brother was an ordinary person, but she was different. She knew how the situation would change after learning the truth.
She knew that Zhan Yue would rise to a high position and marry Feng Shi, and she also knew that Pei Yuantang would become the Vice Minister of Personnel. He wouldn't marry a wife, but the women he kept as mistresses were equally formidable.
These two people, who should have lived their own separate lives, now had different intersections with her in this life.
Was this called changing one's fate?
How could this be? What should she do?
Jiashan pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes slightly.
As soon as she closed her eyes, a tall figure appeared in her mind, and Yuan Kang's words, "Special fondness for sister," echoed in her ears again. Jiashan felt even more frustrated.
She rubbed her temples.
Actually, she knew deep down that Yuan Kang's words made sense.
Compared to marrying unfamiliar noble sons, Pei Yuantang and Zhan Yue were both the best choices.
The Pei family were her relatives, and Zhan Yue, he would definitely become powerful in the future...
With his protection, even if Yuan Kang's eyes couldn't fully recover, she wouldn't be helpless and at the mercy of others.
It's just... just thinking about Feng Shi appearing in the Duke's manor with Zhan Yue in her previous life; thinking about the women Pei Yuantang kept as mistresses; thinking about the dagger Zhan Shaoying had plunged into her chest.
Jiashan hesitated to take the next step.
Could her life truly go as she wished?
Jiashan's eyes were vacant.
Just then, Su Yu walked in. It seemed to have become a habit. Ever since Zhao Youze had arrived, in order to give the siblings some private space, the maids would often retreat first.
Therefore, no outsiders had heard this conversation.
"Your Highness, the Commander is here," Su Yu said. "He said he would be returning to the palace in two days and has many things he would like to discuss with you."
Jiashan's eyebrows jumped.
Some things could never be untangled, and love was the most complicated of them all.
I can't offend him, and I can't marry him. So how should I tell Zhan Yue?
Jiashan steeled herself and said, "Please ask him to come in."
"Yes," Su Yu replied, and soon brought Zhan Yue in.
Zhan Yue was wearing a black official robe today. Perhaps he had just returned from an official business and hadn't had time to change. This attire made him look serene and cold, and his features appeared even more refined.
Not expecting Zhao Youze to be there, Zhan Yue gave an extra greeting, "Fourth Prince, peace be with you."
Zhao Youze invited him to sit down and picked up a pen, pretending to ignore everything outside and only wanting to bury his head in copying scriptures.
Zhao Youze looked gentle and harmless, not even reaching Zhan Yue's chest. When he wasn't speaking, he really wasn't a very imposing figure.
Zhan Yue looked directly at Jiashan. His eyes were dark, his expression almost gentle. "When I left the palace, His Majesty instructed me to return to the palace by the twentieth of September. Today is already the fifteenth of September, and I plan to set off the day after tomorrow. Your Highnesses, what do you think?"
Zhao Youze didn't speak, and Jiashan said, "As Daren wishes."
"Good," Zhan Yue replied.
His "good" sounded a little light, and Jiashan couldn't help but raise her eyes slightly, just in time to meet Zhan Yue's gaze. His eyes curved slightly, his gaze focused and attentive, and in those deep eyes, it seemed like only Jiashan could fit.
The strings in Jiashan's heart tightened abruptly. She smiled brightly and said, "I've troubled Daren for all these days at Changchun Temple."
"It's nothing," Zhan Yue continued to look at her steadily. He opened his lips and said, "In the future, I may have many more dealings with Your Highness."
"The favor is mutual," he curved his lips.
Jiashan was slightly stunned.
Zhan Yue turned his head and stared at her intently, "Do you like the hairpin I gave you, Your Highness?"
Jiashan raised her head and saw that Zhan Yue's gaze had been on her the whole time. Her lips were dry, and she licked her lips. "It's very beautiful. Even my maid said it was an old thing. Your Excellency is thoughtful."
Zhan Yue smiled, and his gaze slowly fell on Jiashan's lips.
Taking advantage of Zhan Yue's distraction, Jiashan took the initiative and said, "It's just, it's a little too precious."
"I have nothing to offer," Jiashan looked at him, her cheeks flushed, and her voice was clear. "I don't have anything good to give you in return."
Zhan Yue's eyes remained fixed on her without moving.
The sound of a strong heartbeat came slowly from his chest. Zhan Yue's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he said, "There's no need for the Princess to return anything that was given willingly."
Jiashan pursed her lips and smiled, her heart pounding like a drum.
She examined him carefully. His pupils were clear and transparent, but deep in his eyes, it seemed like there was always a small part of herself.
Suddenly, Jiashan couldn't say the words she should have to refuse. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Zhan Yue looked up, his face pale and handsome. "The other day, Your Highness said that you hoped I would get my wish."
He gazed at Jiashan intently and said "I wonder if those words still hold true?"
He spoke very slowly, and one could hardly hear any tension in his voice.
However, when Jiashan lowered her head, she happened to see that he had quietly clenched his right hand, which was bent at the knee.
Even a heart as hard as iron couldn't resist such tender affection of this cold man.
Jiashan's lips moved slightly. She opened her mouth several times and finally managed to say, "What do you think, Daren?"
Zhan Yue looked at her earnestly. "I think it does."
Jiashan pursed her lips and turned her head slightly. She smiled sweetly and said, "My maid has made a lot of mung bean paste buns. Daren, please take them back and let your subordinates try them."
"Don't be so polite with me," Jiashan's face was as white as snow, and she smiled brightly, her tone a little soft.
Zhan Yue stared at her without blinking for a long time. He nodded, "Good."
With Jiashan's words, Su Yu quickly brought out several bags of food from the kitchen.
Zhan Yue held them in his hand and stared at her intently. "I will escort Your Highness back to the palace in two days."
Jiashan smiled softly and said, "Thank you."
"After returning to the palace, Your Highness should probably start making plans for your marriage," Zhan Yue curled his fingers holding the bag slightly and said slowly.
Jiashan forced a smile and said "Thank you for your concern, Daren. I already have a plan."
Zhan Yue stood tall and straight. His voice was low and hoarse, "I will await the good news from the Princess."
Jiashan's lips trembled. She hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she said nothing.
For a moment, there was silence.
After a while, Zhao Youze suddenly looked up. He said, "Is Daren leaving? I'm leaving too, so let's go together."
Zhan Yue nodded and he and Zhao Youze slowly walked out, leaving only a dark silhouette for Jiashan.
Jiashan's gaze did not leave him. Her mind was in turmoil, and she couldn't say what she was thinking. She picked up the brush that Zhao Youze had left on the desk and began to draw lightly.
With her first stroke, she depicted the color of a suit of armor, the same one Zhan Yue was wearing when she met him at Dongzhimen gate in her previous life.
Jiashan paused, crumpled the paper into a ball, and dropped her pen in frustration.
She bit her lips with her pearly teeth and pushed all these random thoughts out of her head, and found a copy of the "Tao Te Ching" to copy.
Meanwhile, Zhan Yue and Zhao Youze were walking together on a small path. Zhao Youze had shorter legs and walked slower. Zhan Yue seemed to be deep in thought, and his pace was also very slow.
Hearing Zhan Yue's breathing close by, Zhao Youze moved his ears and said, "The road ahead is long and arduous, Daren still needs to work hard."
Zhan Yue was stunned for a moment. He turned his head and looked at Zhao Youze.
Zhao Youze made it clear, "My elder sister."
Both of them stopped. There was no one around, only the wind blowing through the leaves.
A hint of tough tenderness flashed in Zhan Yue's dark eyes. He squeezed out two words, "Naturally."
Zhao Youze grinned at him.