Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 85 Akizuki Makoto is Unable to Respond

Ji Yelongjun stared in astonishment at Qiuyue Cheng, who was pointing his bamboo sword at him. After a moment of stunned silence, he suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha, good! With such perseverance, then this old man... will admit defeat."

After saying that, he threw away the bamboo knife in his hand, his aged face revealing an irrepressible joy and satisfaction.

"You flatter me, Grandpa."

Even though he was in so much pain that he couldn't help but tremble, Akizuki Makoto still managed to bend down and bow in respect.

"What a pity, my foolish granddaughter, she didn't know how to seize the opportunity..."

Ji Yelongjun sighed and left alone, not so exhausted that he couldn't even walk.

Before leaving, he glanced at the group of people who were still standing there, stunned and at a loss, and frowned as he scolded them, "What are you all standing there for? Help them to rest."

"Yes Yes!"

Mrs. Hime hurriedly responded, stepped forward to help Akizuki Makoto up, and said with concern, "Akizuki-kun, you've worked hard."

When she saw Himeya Ryushun voluntarily concede defeat and declare Akizuki Makoto the winner, she was so shocked that she was speechless.

She never expected that her invincible, undefeated father would voluntarily admit defeat.

Anyone could see that Ji Yelong was still holding back some strength.

Under such circumstances, he would actually admit defeat, which is absolutely impossible for those who know him.

After all, he was someone who valued victory and glory more than his own life.

It was at that moment that Mrs. Himeya suddenly realized just how much Himeya Ryūhō valued and admired Akizuki Makoto.

He even went so far as to deliberately orchestrate a sword duel, making himself the villain to create a possibility for Akizuki Makoto and Hime Yuki.

Himeya Ryushun believed in Akizuki Makoto's determination to protect Himeya Yuki, and also believed in his character and perseverance, which is why he formulated duel rules that were favorable to him.

Regardless of the outcome, whether Akizuki Makoto wins or loses, Himeya Ryushun has achieved his goal.

All he needed to do was make Ji Yexue realize how desperately Qiu Yuecheng was working for her; the rest was up to the younger generation.

……

"Xiaoxue, what are you looking at? Come and help Qiuyuejun."

Mrs. Ji Ye looked at Ji Yexue, who was standing to the side, staring blankly at Qiu Yuecheng, and said reproachfully.

"..."

Ji Yexue silently reached out and placed her hand on Qiuyue Cheng's shoulder.

"hiss!"

Immediately, Akizuki Makoto gasped in pain, grimacing as he said, "President, you're hurting me!"

"……Feel sorry."

Ji Yexue apologized softly, withdrew her hand, and then her hand hung in mid-air, unsure of where to place it.

Upon seeing this, Akizuki Makoto immediately said with a grin, "Why apologize? I was just joking. Actually, it hurts all over."

He was just joking with Ji Yexue, trying to bring their relationship back to the way it was before, when they would banter without any inhibitions.

The somber, cautious atmosphere made him very uncomfortable; something felt off.

Ji Yexue suddenly became less arrogant, which surprised him.

This woman, whether she's hiding or not, is clearly the kind of arrogant and nasty woman who looks down on everyone.

Mrs. Ji blinked, looking back and forth between Qiu Yuecheng and Ji Yexue, and chuckled, "Alright, let's go back first. Resting and healing are the most important things."

I know my own daughter better than anyone.

Ji Yexue must be very confused right now, not knowing how to face Qiuyue Cheng, which is why she seems a little dazed and at a loss.

Just give her some time to think things through and clear her head.

Presumably, after this, she will be able to face up to her feelings for Akizuki Makoto and then make a decision.

Thus, Akizuki Makoto was helped away by Mrs. Himeya and Mr. Himeya and entered a Japanese-style room used for entertaining guests in the mansion.

Since Ji Yexue's thoughts were still in disarray, Mrs. Ji told her to go back first and be alone for a while, and to come back to find Qiuyue Cheng after she had thought things through.

Anyway, Akizuki Makoto isn't going to run away, so he'll have to stay here for at least one night. After all, he's quite badly injured, with his whole body covered in shocking redness and bruises.

When the maids applied medicine to Qiu Yuecheng, he twitched in pain, his face contorted and contorted in agony.

After the maid finished applying the medicine and left the Japanese-style room, Mrs. Himeya, who was kneeling to the side, said softly, "Akizuki-kun, you've really worked hard."

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto, who was lying on the mat, smiled and gently shook his head, saying, "It's not hard work at all; it's what I should do."

"No, it's entirely Xiaoxue's fault. She dragged you into this. As her mother, I feel truly ashamed."

Mrs. Ji lowered her head, sighed softly, and continued, "Just like her grandfather said, she is not mature enough and cannot even properly convey her own thoughts."

"This one……"

Just as Akizuki Makoto was about to say something, Mrs. Himeya interrupted him again, saying, "But I can understand why she became like this, and I feel that way deeply as well."

"Xiaoxue was severely reprimanded and taught by her grandfather since she was a child, which gradually closed her heart, made her numb, and stopped her from expressing her own thoughts."

"She never said anything, but her expression was always so depressed and sad."

“I saw all of this, but I was powerless to do anything about it, because Xiaoxue felt that I was just like her grandfather, controlling and forcing her.”

“Even when I ask her if she has any complaints or is under pressure, she always forces a smile and won’t tell me anything…” As she finished speaking, Mrs. Ji’s eyes reddened, and she couldn’t help but sob softly, heartbroken over her daughter’s plight.

She really wanted Ji Yexue to open up to her, vent her frustrations, and act spoiled.

However, Ji Yexue assumed that she was in cahoots with her grandfather and that they were persecuting her, so she kept quiet and kept all her grievances and dissatisfaction to herself.

She had no way to explain this to Ji Yexue.

"..."

After listening quietly, Akizuki Makoto could only sigh softly, unsure of what to say next.

Ji Ye's family affairs and education methods are not something an outsider like him can interfere with or criticize.

Was Himeya Ryushun wrong?
It's wrong, but it's not wrong either.

He lived in the past, his thinking was outdated and rigid, and he regarded the honor and prosperity of his family as everything.

He has dedicated his life to the family without reservation, so he is willing to sacrifice the happiness of his daughter and granddaughter as long as it can revitalize the family!

Was Mrs. Himeya wrong?

It is both wrong and not wrong.

She felt heartbroken about what her daughter had gone through, but she also understood Himeya Ryushun's position.

She was torn between her father and family on one hand, and her daughter on the other.

Mrs. Hime wanted to find a balance, but her daughter had already developed a rift with her and was unwilling to open up to her.

Every family has its own problems, and when three generations cannot reach a consensus, the outcome is already predetermined.

"Qiuyue-kun, I'm entrusting Xiaoxue to you. If she throws a tantrum or acts childishly, please tell me, and I will apologize on her behalf and talk to her."

Mrs. Ji Ye wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and whispered, "Please, please don't... leave Xiao Xue."

Although she had only known Akizuki Makoto for less than half a day, she was already deeply impressed and captivated by his personal charm.

Ji Yexue will never meet a man like that again in her life.

If she missed it, she would live with regret for the rest of her life.

Looking across the entire island nation, is there anyone more outstanding and more suitable for Himeyasuki than Akizuki Makoto?

In order to prevent Ji Yexue from being punished, he spared no effort, even inflicting injuries all over his body.

Most people would be trembling with fear and not daring to breathe loudly when facing Himeya Ryusuke.

Even they dared not disobey Ji Yelongjun, let alone an outsider.

"..."

Akizuki Makoto stared silently at the ceiling, unable to respond to Mrs. Himeya.

He was caught between agreeing and refusing, his feelings were complicated.

"...I'm sorry, I've been talking to myself for too long. You should get some rest."

Finally, Mrs. Himeya took a deep breath, got up, and left the Japanese-style room.

She felt that she was so ugly that she had asked Akizuki Makoto in such a way. How was this any different from moral blackmail?
Even if she was considered despicable, she was willing to do it so that Ji Yexue could be happy.

Just like what my father did.

In order to ignite Ji Yexue's feelings for Qiuyue Cheng and create an opportunity for the two to deepen their relationship, he proposed a sword duel, setting out a vast ocean as the venue.

From beginning to end, he never really fought. Otherwise, how could Akizuki Makoto have gotten close to him and gotten into a fierce battle with him?

Although he was old, he was still in good health. Moreover, swordsmanship is something that doesn't weaken with age; on the contrary, it gets stronger.

Like fine wine that has aged over time, it becomes even more powerful with the passage of time.

After leaving the Japanese-style room where Akizuki Makoto was, Mrs. Himeya arrived at a Japanese-style room deep inside the mansion, filled with a faint fragrance, elegant and exquisite furnishings, and a distinctly feminine atmosphere.

This Japanese-style room is the one that Akizuki Makoto entered when he took a bath earlier, and it is also Himeyasuki's room.

When Mrs. Himeya pushed open the screen, she immediately saw Himeya Yuki kneeling on the tatami with her head down.

"Little Snow."

Mrs. Hime called softly, drawing Hime Yuki's attention, and then sat down beside her, stroking the hem of her kimono.

Are you feeling conflicted right now?

"……Um."

Ji Yexue nodded gently. In just that short time, she had thought about many things.

Without exception, they were all thinking about Makoto Akizuki.

She didn't understand why Akizuki Makoto would go to such lengths for her.

Mingming, she had already shown her true colors in the bath, scolding him mercilessly and ending the conversation on bad terms.

Shouldn't Akizuki Makoto find her behavior inexplicable?

Just to save face, she lied to her family and to him, even coming up with the ridiculous excuse of "blind date".

As a result, Akizuki Makoto saw through her lie at a glance, and then, out of fear of her lie being exposed, coupled with shame and indignation, she lost her temper and started cursing.

(End of this chapter)