Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 286 Another Encounter with a Broken Engagement

“Father, I think Gu Jingnian is not sincere at all. We should be wary of him.”

After a welcoming banquet, Han Jia watched Gu Jingnian's departing figure and muttered to herself.

Han Youxin nodded casually, a thoughtful look in his eyes, and replied, "Yes."

Han Qia said, "Shouldn't we contact another spy in the city?"

"Give it a try," Han Youxin said, "but we might not be able to get in touch."

They were men of Min Yuanxiu, the Southern Garrison Commander, while the other man seemed to have been sent by the Deputy Commander. Although both worked for the Kaiping Division, they had never met before.

The next day, after getting up, Han Youxin took a walk alone in the city of Jusai.

Somewhat surprisingly, he actually saw a familiar sign in a small alley in the city.

So he took a stone from his sleeve and left it under the mark.

The stone looked ordinary, but when it was cut open, it contained half a piece of stolen jade, and Han Youxin himself had hidden the other half.

That afternoon, Han Youxin heard a sound coming from the jade-stealing process.

"Rainbows flow and clouds swirl, Heaven favors the prosperous nation with auspicious jade unicorns."

Upon hearing this, Han Youxin immediately replied, "The celestial pivot is auspicious, indicating that the wise ruler cares for the people and is ushering in an era of peace."

The other party then said, "I am Xingmou, the commander of Kaiping Division, dispatched by Commander Li."

Han Youxin knew that "Starry Eyes" was a code name and not the other party's real name, so he replied: "I am a subordinate officer under the Minzhenfu Envoy of Kaiping Division. Please be clear."

"I have received information that Gu Jingnian will capture Womin."

Is this really true?

"It is true."

Han Youxin then said, "According to my investigation, I also believe this to be true. Can the department send an expert over?"

"I don't know."

Han Youxin said, "I have already requested support from the Southern Garrison Commander, but have not received a response. Do you know why?"

"I don't know."

"What else do you know?"

After a moment of silence, the other party said, "I have been instructed to 'observe the situation and not act rashly.'"

Han Youxin was taken aback and was quite surprised.

The Kaiping Division has been searching for Womin for a long time. Now that they have finally found a clue, it should be time to go all out to seize it. So why did they issue such an order?
Did Gu Jingnian's plan get leaked? Or did the Kaiping Division simply not believe that Gu Jingnian could capture Womin? Or perhaps, the Kaiping Division had other plans?

Han Youxin wanted to ask more questions, but there was no sound from the jade-stealing side.

This contact diminished his confidence in Gu Jingnian considerably, and the fact that Kaiping Company was planning to return his two children to him made him waver.

The problem was that Yin Wanqing already knew about his identity as a spy, so escaping was the best option. After much deliberation, he once again used telepathy to send a message to Gu Jingnian.

"Wait and see? That's the attitude of the Kaiping Division."

Despite learning of Kaiping Division's attitude, Gu Jingnian remained steadfast in his convictions and continued to execute his plan methodically.

Gradually, the Marshal's Mansion in Jusai City was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, and was covered with red silk.

Just as Gu Jingnian and Pei Nian's wedding date was drawing closer, a group of people arrived in Jusai City from the east.

--------

That morning, Pei Nian had a dream.

She dreamed that she lived on a glacier, lying in the snow and ice all year round, warming herself by covering herself with her furry tail.

This dream made her uneasy, and she tried to break free from it several times, but failed each time.

Until a gentle voice asked in my ear.

"what happened?"

Pei Nian opened her eyes and realized that the tail she was hugging was Gu Jingnian.

She snuggled closer to him and said, "I had a dream."

Gu Jingnian gently patted her back.

"Don't be afraid, you'll forget the dream soon."

"I remember... last night felt so good," Pei Nian whispered.

This didn't sound like something she would say. Gu Jingnian was slightly taken aback and said, "Me too."

"If one day you grow tired of me, will you remember how good we are now?"

"No," Gu Jingnian said. "I mean I won't get tired of you, no matter what."

"You've also learned how to use sweet talk."

The two of them would only say such sweet nothings when they were hiding under the covers, but fortunately they were quickly disturbed.

Feng Niang's voice rang out from outside. "Pei Nian, a guest is looking for you."

Pei Nian asked, "Looking for me?"

“You can say you’re looking for Gu Jingnian.” Feng Niang’s tone was tinged with schadenfreude. “Gu Jingnian, your future father-in-law has arrived.”

With that, the two people in the room finally sat up, looked at each other, and quickly began to tidy up.

Half an incense stick later, they met Pei Wugou in the main hall of the Marshal's Mansion.

Pei Wugou was still nominally the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review of Rui Kingdom, and also Gu Jingnian's prospective father-in-law, so Gu Jize personally accompanied him.

After a long time, Pei Wugou hadn't changed much. His hair and beard were neatly combed, and he still looked like a handsome middle-aged man, with a touch of official authority.

He sat upright, and when he saw Gu Jingnian enter, his gaze darkened, and he immediately showed his displeasure.

But when he opened his mouth, he first cursed Pei Nian.

"You unfilial daughter!"

In the past, when she was in Zhuojing, Pei Nian would have ignored such a reprimand, but this time she hadn't seen her father for so long, and she was genuinely worried about him, so she finally lowered her head and responded.

"The daughter is unfilial."

Pei Wugou was about to continue cursing when he saw Pei Nian's reaction. He paused for a moment, then composed himself and said, "Come with me to the inn, and I'll teach you a lesson later."

Having been constantly contradicted by Pei Nian, he quickly added another sentence before Pei Nian could speak.

"You're not even married yet, this is outrageous!"

Pei Nian was not a weak person and did not feel wronged by these words. Her eyes showed a thoughtful look. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "Yes, daughter will obey Father's command."

Gu Jingnian also knew that it would be more respectable for Pei Nian to live outside with Pei Wugou before the marriage, so he did not object.

Pei Wugou accomplished his first task upon arrival, breathed a sigh of relief, and instructed his subordinates to take Pei Nian to the post station. He himself remained at the Marshal's Mansion, expressing his desire to speak with Gu Jingnian alone. He even sent Gu Jize away.

Only when there were only two people left in the hall did he pat his knees and speak.

"I oppose your marriage to Nian'er."

Gu Jingnian was somewhat surprised, but he still maintained a respectful tone and said, "Lord Pei, things have come to this point, and I'm afraid your objections are useless now."

“I know that if Nian’er doesn’t marry you, her reputation and the Pei family’s honor will be ruined.” Pei Wugou sighed and said, “Even so, this marriage still cannot go through.”

"Why?"

"You and she are not on the same path."

“If that’s all there is to it, then Lord Pei is being rather old-fashioned,” Gu Jingnian said. “Although I am an extraordinary person, I share the same heart as Pei Nian.”

Pei Wugou said, "I ask you, if my daughter and I wanted to eliminate all extraordinary individuals from Zhongzhou, would you agree?"

Gu Jingnian was about to answer when he met Pei Wugou's eyes, which were full of deep meaning and insight, and stopped talking.

He had recently told Gu Beiming that, as an extraordinary person, he would not allow the breach in Zhongzhou to be closed.

How can we be sure that Pei Wugou isn't here to test him?

“That’s not a reason,” Gu Jingnian said. “There are many people in the world who marry people of different social classes.”

“Then I’ll give you another reason,” Pei Wugou said. “You’re a troublesome person. I’d rather my daughter and the family’s reputation be ruined than have her get involved with you.”

He raised his hand to stop Gu Jingnian from speaking.

“Young man, if you trust me, let me take Nian’er away as soon as possible. It will be the best outcome for both of you.”

Having said that, Pei Wugou stood up, intending to leave, as if he had made the decision for the matter.

If it were the old Gu Jingnian, he might have hesitated because of Pei Wugou's words, but now he was unmoved.

“That’s too arbitrary,” Gu Jingnian said bluntly. “Pei Gong, your troubles and Rui Kingdom’s troubles are no less than mine. The reason I’m a troublesome person is because the world is greedy and despicable, but I have now learned to use any means to achieve my goals, and the same applies to Pei Nian. I will use any means necessary to make her live well, and that is the best outcome.”

Pei Wugou stopped getting up because he saw confidence and determination in Gu Jingnian's eyes, completely different from before, possessing an undeniable strength.

"What if I insist on taking Nian'er away?" Pei Wugou asked.

“Pei Gong cannot do it; this is Jusai City,” Gu Jingnian said.

Pei Wugou sighed and said, "There will naturally be people who want to marry their daughters to you, so why must you insist on marrying my daughter?"

"Because I like her."

"Does it matter?" Pei Wugou was both amused and exasperated.

"important."

Gu Jingnian uttered two words, his voice not loud, but very weighty.

In the past, he would back down before difficulties arose, and he would proactively annul the engagement before any problems even occurred. But now, no matter what threats he faces, he will not be annuled.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Gu Jingnian, Pei Wugou sat down again and spoke, his tone now different.

"Since that's the case, let's get down to business first. I'm here on behalf of the Kaiping Division. You hand over Womin, and I'll give Gu Caiwei and her daughter to you..."

(End of this chapter)