Chapter 498 – Yesterday Once More at the Xu Estate (2/2)
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The true confluence of north and south, the general trend, the scene that all people wished to see—for these reasons, this marriage must continue.
Chen Changsheng felt that these words were rather familiar, then he remembered that upon entering the capital, he had often heard similar phrases. That maid called Shuang'er had said it, that nanny had said it, and many people at the Ivy Festival had also said it. Even Tang Thirty-Six said it. It was just that during these times, the name paired with Xu Yourong had not been his.
He was not a person who wished to conceal his true thoughts. Raising his head, he said to Xu Shiji, ”Back then, all of you used to talk the same way about Qiushan Jun.”
”In my view, if I were looking for a marriage partner, Qiushan is definitely a better choice than you, even in your present state. The problem is that he's already inferior to you.”
A better choice and inferior—these were two ideas at odds with each other.
Chen Changsheng thought of the news that had come from Mount Li. Under the sunlight on the main peak of Mount Li, Qiushan Jun had calmly and casually stabbed himself with his sword, thus resolving this massive conspiracy planned for many years in an understated manner. After a moment of silence, he shook his head, ”I'm inferior to him.”
Xu Shiji did not comprehend his meaning. ”His Holiness is your martial uncle. Based solely on this point, he can never match up to you.”
Just as Qiushan Jun had said to his father atop the main peak of Mount Li, the young and the old really could never walk the same path.
Chen Changsheng didn't know that such a thing had been said, but he had a similar feeling. He stood up and prepared to leave, simultaneously taking out the marriage contract and placing it on the table.
His actions were not very solemn, nor could they be considered casual. There was neither pride nor humility. He only took it out then placed it down.
He had already come to this Divine General's estate three times, each time to end the engagement. Perhaps it was for precisely this reason that he was no longer as nervous and awkward as at the very beginning.
Xu Shiji's face also showed no sign of awkwardness. Upon receiving the letter from the Orthodox Academy saying that Chen Changsheng wished to pay a visit, he had already guessed at the purpose of the visit.
”As I said before, if you insist on ending the engagement, stand in front of Little Rong and return it to her.”
In the Garden of Zhou, Chen Changsheng truly had intended to do this, but he never had the chance to meet up with Xu Yourong. Then he became somewhat confused. Why was it that both Xu Shiji and Tang Thirty-Six had said similar things, as if they had determined that he only needed to witness Xu Yourong's true appearance to utterly dispel any thoughts of ending the engagement? Even if Xu Yourong was truly as beautiful as a goddess, so what?
He even felt that for other people to regard him as such would be looking down upon him.
”I hear that Young Lady Xu will return to the capital in the few days. I will first leave the marriage contract in Sir's honorable home. If Young Lady Xu has any opinion, please send a letter to the Orthodox Academy.”
He paid no attention to Xu Shiji's words, continuing, ”I request that Sir not send the marriage contract to the Orthodox Academy again, or else it really might get lost. That would truly be unsightly.”
Xu Shiji was infuriated at these words, thinking, you dare to threaten me? But his face showed none of this emotion.
Chen Changsheng was not threatening, but giving sincere advice. This marriage contract really had almost been lost in the Garden of Zhou.
Back when he had been in the lake bottom, fighting with Nanke's two wings, he had emptied out all the contents of his sword sheath in order to break through the wings of light. Among these items was the marriage contract. However, he had already lost any sort of interest in this marriage and even cared very little for the marriage contract. It was only in the past few days when he had prepared to go to the Xu Estate to the end the engagement that he had remembered this matter.
He had originally planned to say something more to Xu Shiji, but dropped the matter after further contemplation. Without any further words, he bid farewell and departed.
Xu Shiji expressionlessly watched his back fade into the darkness before finally withdrawing his gaze. Turning to the marriage contract, his expression grew somewhat focused. He was rather confused as to why the edge of the marriage contract was rather wet.
Walking through the garden of the Divine General of the East's estate, Chen Changsheng used the light of the lantern carried by the servant girl before him to look at the straight trees and gray rocks which had left some impression on him. He very naturally began to recall those encounters he had at this place.
When he was bidding farewell, he truly had wanted to say something more to Xu Shiji, but he had momentarily been unable to find the right words nor how to form the sentence. If Tang Thirty-Six were here, he would presumably bluntly ask Xu Shiji: ”You're so shameless, does your daughter know?” But it was impossible for him to say these sorts of words. He was just suddenly rather sympathetic for Xu Yourong.
Xu Shiji said that he persisted in this marriage for the sake of his daughter, but everything that came out of his mouth was about the general trend, the confluence of north and south, leaving a name in history, and other such phrases, not in the least concealing his true opinion. Chen Changsheng thought to himself, it's only a fame-seeking individual who would think about bringing honor to one's family, for the persistence of the Xu clan throughout the ages. In your eyes, how is your daughter any different from a memorial gateway?
If thought about in this way, Xu Yourong truly was somewhat pitiful.
As he muddled through his thoughts, he arrived before a stone arch.
A lady stood at the stone arch.
It was very similar to a scene from a year and a half ago.