Chapter 1 (1/2)

In this world, what is the hardest to be cover?

It would be rumors.

The news that the Emperor and Empress Dowager want to bestow an engagement for Su Feng Nuan didn’t take days to spread out of the Southern Qi Imperial City and gradually spreading further towards the border.

Su Feng Nuan was sitting inside the old cattle carriage on her way back to the Imperial City when she heard the news.

The old cattle was slow and swayed as it walked, three shakes with each step along the way as if it would collapse at any time. Yet, she didn’t seem to be worried, just holding onto the book she had in her hands that she was reading casually while she sat with her legs slightly folded, inside the wagon which covered the heat of the sun.

There was also a handsome young man of similar age as her, about 16 or 17. He sat in front of her in the wagon, holding a broken whip woven from a bad rope, bored from rushing the cattle.

The mountain road was clear of commuters, only the sound of the old cattle wagon ‘kazhi kazhi’ echoing as the wagon moved.

Near noon, the old cow was tired, and couldn’t move. After the young man waved a few whips, he glanced back and muttered, “What useless book is that? You look so revel in it .”

Su Feng Nuan raised her head, her eyebrow also lifted as she smiled, she reached out and tapped at the book in hand, pointing to a spot in it with a smile. “Reading literature and poems in vain, a waste of talents; being merry in the clouds. This poem is too accurate!”

The young man scoffed, rolling his eyes, “Indeed, a useless book.”

Su Feng Nuan shook her head, “This isn’t a useless book, I think this book is the most interesting.”

The young man lightly laughed again, “Absurd statements made in the marketplace, random writings, what use is it being interesting? After all, it is not serious material.”

This time, it was Su Feng Nuan’s turn to roll her eyes, “In Third Brother’s eyes, only the Four Books and Five classics1 are good stuff.”

This youth was Su Feng Nuan’s third brother, Su Qing.

“Of course!” Su Qing said merrily, “It’s my little sister that knows me well.”

Su Feng Nuan lightly snorted. “You are so pedantic at a young age. I have to see what kind of wife you will find in the future.”

“You’re worried that I can’t find a wife?” Su Qing glanced at her. “You should be the one to be careful that you can’t get married off. Running east and west every day, can’t even see you all year long. A wild girl no one wants.”

Just when Su Feng Nuan wanted to talk back, a crow flew over and landed on her shoulder. She extended her hand to take off the piece of paper from the bird’s leg. Opening it, she suddenly becomes cheerful and said to Su Qing, “You don’t need to worry about me not marrying off, I’m afraid that all of the world’s men will be for my choosing.“

Upon hearing, Su Qing’s eyes rolled, almost like it was going to roll up to the skies. Grabbing the piece of paper from her hand and took a look. Clicking his tongue and said, “What northeast or northwest wind is blowing the Emperor and Empress? Don’t they know you are a wild girl? Want to bestow an engagement for you?”

Su Feng Nuan shrugged.

Su Qing casually crushed the piece of paper, “Don’t know who is the unlucky one to marry you.”

Su Feng Nuan raised her feet to kick him.

Su Qing sensed and quickly jumped off the wagon. Putting his hands to his waist, “Wild girl, you kick me again, you want to fight?”

Su Feng Nuan extended her head out, looking at him, “You can win over me?”

Su Qing choked, after a split moment said, “I’m your third brother! Older brother is like a father! If you hit me, it is like hitting our father!”

Su Feng Nuan laughed, “It’s elder brother is like father, and you aren’t big brother!”

Su Qing glared at her, “Father had me follow you, is to manage you! Even though I am only third brother, but they are not with us, so I am oldest, so you should not be disrespectful to me!”

Su Feng Nuan pouted, “It doesn’t even take my fingers to hit you.” After saying so, she glanced at the burning sun, and again retreated back into the old wagon.

“Wild girl,” Su Qing muttered, asking impatiently, “We’ve been riding this useless old cattle wagon for half a month already and we only have gone 200 miles, if we continue like this, how long until we reach the Imperial City?”