Chapter 312 – The Unwantable Woman, the Shameless Man (2/2)
Perhaps because the emotions in his voice were too obvious, anybody could hear his sadness and disappointment, so when Xu Yourong's second sentence followed, she said it somewhat quickly. Her words were rushed, but the meaning in her words was very definite with no wavering.
”But I don't want to marry him, moreover, I definitely won't marry him.”
Similarly, this was an explanation, a supplemental, a declaration, then… was it a promise?
The high platform enveloped in darkness once again grew quiet. After a while, Chen Changsheng began to laugh.
Xu Yourong was somewhat angry and ashamed. ”What are you giggling about?”
Chen Changsheng replied, ”Nothing.”
If Tang Thirty-Six were here, he would almost certainly say something at this time: Who would believe that there was nothing between the two of you!
Chen Changsheng very quickly returned to his senses as he thought to himself, her situation is not at all like mine. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. Curious and also uneasy, he asked her, ”Your… your fiancé, what sort of person is he?”
Xu Yourong softly said, ”We've known each other for many years. Although later on, I would almost forget that he existed, I really did know him when we were both young. I remember very clearly that back then, he was a very annoying child.”
Chen Changsheng pretended to defend him, ”Little boys often cause others to feel very annoyed… I'm no exception.”
Xu Yourong said, ”Anyhow, because of a certain matter, I determined to have nothing more to do with him. I didn't imagine that after several years, he would come back to pester me again.”
Chen Changsheng thought to himself, to conduct oneself in such a manner was truly lacking in self-respect and self-esteem.
”Over there… the engagement is a very important matter. In addition, that engagement was decided by our elders, so it's very difficult to end the engagement.”
Xu Yourong thought he was a disciple of the Snow Mountain Sect in the northeast, so the 'over there' naturally indicated the Central Plains. Meanwhile, Chen Changsheng heard it as the place in the demi-human domain in which the elves had settled.
He thought to himself, the elves have suffered so many tribulations throughout their history and now very few of them remain. To reproduce and flourish was their first priority, so they could only permit marriage amongst fellow elves. This policy is inevitably somewhat harsh, but to a young woman that yearns for true love, it truly seems rather cruel.
”Since so many years have passed… could it be… your fiancé hasn't gotten a little bit better?”
”He has not. That fool's nature has not improved one bit, or has even gotten worse.”
Xu Yourong thought of those matters Shuang'er had brought up in her letters and she grew increasingly downcast. ”I must admit that that fool is really outstanding in some areas, but… he has many unacceptable shortcomings.”
This was the first time Chen Changsheng had heard such bitterness in her voice. He thought to himself, it seems that she really hates her fiancé.
”He gives the appearance that he doesn't care about worldly matters, that he's honest and benevolent, but in reality, he is a deep schemer and abuses money and power to meet his ends.”
As she said these words, Xu Yourong was thinking about when that man first entered the capital. He had somehow managed to get in the good graces of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education and become a student of the Orthodox Academy. Then by making use of the conflict between the old Imperial Clan and the Divine Empress, and stirring up countless storms, he managed to stand firm in the capital and obtain massive benefits. How could such a person be some unworldly young boy from the countryside?
Chen Changsheng thought about it, then said, ”To act in such a hypocritical manner is truly unbecoming.”
Xu Yourong said mockingly, ”And it doesn't stop there. This person is also a social climber. I don't know what… methods he used, but he managed to get in the good graces of some noble. As for further details, not even I am willing to speak more about it.”
These words were obviously speaking of that person's relationship with Luoluo. Chen Changsheng sincerely said, ”Logically, an acquaintance shouldn't sow discord amongst intimate friends, so I shouldn't say anything, but… this sort of man is truly unacceptable.”
As he was saying these words, he was rather interested. These so-called… methods, what exactly were they?
In his view, her fiancé was an even more dangerous enemy than that senior brother of hers. She angrily complained and criticized him, but it is said that only with hope can there be disappointment. Didn't her complaints and critiques indicate that deep within her heart, she still faintly held some sort of expectation for her fiancé? He naturally wanted to know more.
Xu Yourong did not immediately answer to what he said, choosing to remain silent.
Chen Changsheng thought to himself, don't tell me that those methods are so shameless that they are even hard to talk about?
Xu Yourong was thinking about those letters that had come from the capital.
Those letters came from her dearly-trusted Shuang'er as well as Mo Yu.
In Shuang'er's letter, she had described a certain scene.
Under the lovely spring sunshine in the Orthodox Academy's library, he and that young demi-human princess were embracing each other.
In Mo Yu's letter, she had described a certain scene.
In that dragon cave below the well at New North Bridge, he and the Black Dragon turned into a girl were embracing each other.
Yes, even if he had even more faults, they could all be explained. At most, she would just end the engagement and they would become strangers to each other, but there would be no need for such a rejection. Only due to these events was she unable to accept it. If she could accept such a thing, it would inflict the greatest humiliation upon herself.
”He likes to pick the flowers and trample the grass.”
(TN: womanize with others.)
She tried as much as possible to calmly and objectively state, ”Moreover, he only does so with uncomprehending young girls.”
The dark mausoleum platform was quiet.
After some time had passed, there was a sudden heavy strike, and then Chen Changsheng's angry voice rang out.
”Truly a shameless piece of scum!”