Chapter 760:1 Believe in Him
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Yan Yixian, known for his soft heart, couldn’t resist the pitiful look of the servant and said, “If you choose to stay, you must do your duty well. I don’t tolerate people of bad character. Think it over.”
The servant knelt before Yan Yixian, “Master, please rest assured, I will fulfill my duties and do what needs to be done.”
Yan Yixian helped the servant up, “It’s just the two of us in this house, from now on, we’ll rely on each other.”
The servant joyfully replied, “Yes, Master.”
Yan Yixian said, “There’s not much to do now, help me clean out the east wing room. It will be used for Xu Yuan and Xu Yao’s studies.”
The servant crisply answered, “Yes, Master.”
Lu Yichen and Wu Yaqing spent the day enjoying various entertainments, including street performances, ancient temples, operas, and ended with dinner.
After dinner, Lu Yichen escorted Wu Yaqing back to Wu Wenyu’s place.
Outside the inn, Lu Yichen hugged Wu Yaqing, showing his reluctance to leave, “I’ll be setting off tomorrow. Once I’ve finished my tasks, I’ll come to Anhuai Country to find you.”
Wu Yaqing placed her princess token in Lu Yichen’s hand, “Make sure to come find me after you’re done. I’ll be waiting for you in Anhuai Country for the New Year.”
Lu Yichen smiled, a rare gesture for him, making his smile exceptionally bright, “Okay.”
Hearing their conversation, Wu Wenyu came out from the inn and pulled Wu Yaqing to her side, “You and our Yaqing are from two different worlds. Don’t think about taking her away.”
Then, dragging Wu Yaqing into the inn.
Forced to walk away, Wu Yaqing turned her face towards Lu Yichen, “Yichen, I’ll wait for you.”
Lu Yichen nodded to Wu Yaqing.
Wu Wenyu took Wu Yaqing into a room, then closed the door, advising, “Calm down a bit. Don’t let a moment of infatuation cloud your judgment.”
Actually, hearing Lu Yichen mention going to Anhuai Country himself to find the queen, Wu Wenyu’s opinion of him improved slightly. If he really did so, it would demonstrate his determination.
But her opinion only changed a little since Lu Yichen hadn’t acted yet. What if it was just lip service?
Wu Yaqing remained optimistic, sitting on the bed and swinging her legs confidently, “Aunt, Yichen will definitely come to Anhuai Country to find me.”
Wu Wenyu was frustrated, “What makes you so sure?”
Wu Yaqing said, “Yichen won’t promise what he can’t deliver. Once he says something, he will do it.”
Wu Wenyu countered, “Men’s words are deceiving.”
Wu Yaqing pleaded, “Aunt, don’t be so pessimistic. Also, why doesn’t my mother want me to be with Yichen?”
Wu Wenyu bluntly said, “Simply put, he’s not worthy of you.”
Thinking of what Chu Qingzhi told her, Wu Yaqing asked, “In what aspects specifically?”
Wu Wenyu, seeing Wu Yaqing’s eager face, decided to explain, “In terms of family background, he’s an orphan. In terms of status, he’s a killer who can’t show his face. In terms of character, he’s cold-hearted and ruthless, a mass murderer. He’s unsuitable in every aspect.”
Wu Yaqing couldn’t help saying, “Aunt, he’s not an orphan; he’s the son of a non-royal king.”
Wu Wenyu insisted, “His parents abandoned him; he’s an orphan.”
Wu Yaqing defended, “He didn’t choose that, it’s not his fault. You said he’s a killer, but he was forced into it, and he never killed the innocent. Those he killed deserved it.”
Wu Wenyu continued, “Okay, I admit that. But have you considered, if the princess of An Huai Country marries a disreputable killer, where would your mother’s face be?”
Wu Yaqing paused, then asked, “Is status that important?”
Wu Wenyu assured her, “Of course it is. If you don’t believe me, look at those mismatched marriages. How many are happy? Of course, there are exceptions, but most are not. How can you be sure you’ll be one of the lucky few?”
Wu Yaqing had no comeback, “Aunt…”
Wu Wenyu earnestly said, “Yaqing, your mother definitely won’t harm you. Listen to her more. Life only comes once. If you choose the wrong path, you might regret it for a lifetime.”
Wu Yaqing still believed in Lu Yichen, but she thought Wu Wenyu’s words also made sense. Besides, her mother had raised her so well and treated her so kindly. She couldn’t be so selfish.
“Aunt, let’s not argue anymore. Yichen couldn’t choose his past, but let’s see his actions in the future, okay?”
Seeing Wu Yaqing taking her advice, Wu Wenyu breathed a sigh of relief, “Okay, let’s make a bet. If Lu Yichen really goes to An Huai Kingdom to find you, your aunt will support you. If he doesn’t, don’t blame us for opposing.”
Wu Yaqing was utterly confident in Lu Yichen, “Deal.”
Wu Wenyu said, “If he turns out to be that responsible, then the other shortcomings might not matter so much.”
Wu Yaqing nodded, “I believe in him.”
Wu Wenyu touched Wu Yaqing’s head, feeling for the child she had watched grow up, “Your aunt also hopes you marry someone you love and who treats you well.”
Wu Yaqing hugged Wu Wenyu, “Yichen is that kind of person.”
Wu Wenyu patted Wu Yaqing’s back and said nothing more. By New Year, they would know what kind of man Lu Yichen was.
In Chu Village, at the workshop area.
Chu Qingzhi was making walnut crisps.
Li Qingyu and Xiao Chen had shelled all the walnuts, eaten some, and left plenty. Chu Qingzhi decided to use them all to make walnut crisps for Tang Jinghong to eat on the road.
Tang Jinghong was helping Chu Qingzhi. From time to time, he glanced at her, thinking to himself how Chu Qingzhi was becoming more versatile.
Suddenly, Shuang’er flew over and perched on the window, “Qingzhi, Qingzhi…”
Chu Qingzhi looked over, smiling, “Why are you here?”
Shuang’er raised its neck, “Just looking at you, looking at you…”
Tang Jinghong, watching Shuang’er, smiled, “Qingzhi, is it competing with me for you?”
Shuang’er quickly responded, “Mine, mine…”
Tang Jinghong laughed at Shuang’er’s antics, reaching out to grab it for a closer look. After a while, the black Shuang’er turned the same color as his skin. “Shuang’er can change color?”
Chu Qingzhi nodded, “It’s a chameleon parrot. It can hide well, making it hard for others to spot. It’s great for gathering intelligence.”
Tang Jinghong was amazed, “That’s perfect.”
Shuang’er flew towards Chu Qingzhi, pecking and eating the walnut crumbs that fell on the cutting board, chirping, “So fragrant, so fragrant…”
Tang Jinghong watched Shuang’er, “Does it understand what it’s saying?”
Chu Qingzhi explained, “Of course, Shuang’er’s intelligence is equivalent to that of a five or six-year-old child. You can imagine how smart it is by looking at children that age.”
Considering it has absorbed so much spiritual energy, its intelligence could even be as high as that of a six or seven-year-old child..