Chapter 142: Who Exactly Did He Marry?

The eunuch who arrived said that Hu Dapao had requested to be deployed to safeguard Northern Xinjiang. His words made all the military and civilian officials in the main hall gawk at him as they broke out in whispers.

Nangong Shu turned around abruptly, completely flabbergasted.

Qiao An’s facial expression also changed slightly. He took a deep breath but still failed to suppress his anger and despair. He wished that he could run out of the palace right now and give Hu Dapao a beating in to clear his mind.

The Emperor was momentarily stunned, before laughing frostily and saying in an ominous tone, “How daring of him! I will remember his name now, Hu Dapao! In that case, I shall grant him his wish and let him set off tomorrow, and he does not have to come back any more!”

The entire main hall fell into a silence, so deafening that a dropping pin could be heard. All the officials knelt in fear.

“Emperor, please be appeased!”

Prince Zhao, also known as Xiao Jing, knelt on the floor as his lips curled into a smile. Although he gloated at Hu Dapao’s misery, he was still not satisfied with this outcome. Why did his father not have Hu Dapao killed instead!

However, he truly did not expect Hu Dapao to be such a stubborn fool. What made him so reluctant to marry Nangong Bi? He would rather be deployed to safeguard Northern Xinjiang than to marry her!

What a pity for Nangong Bi…

The eunuch who was tasked to deliver the imperial decree shivered slightly and quickly headed off to convey the Emperor’s message. The Emperor got up abruptly, gave a strong flick of his sleeves, and strode out of the hall.

“Dismissed!”

Qiao An headed out of the palace hastily after leaving the main hall. Ah Shu hurried over with a worried expression as he walked out of the palace gate. “I have just received the news. What on earth has happened?”

Hu Dapao received the imperial decree and was about to get up when he stumbled and almost fell, as his legs were numb from the long period of kneeling. Chang Huan and Ah Shu got hold of him just in time.

Even though Hu Dapao appeared pale with handprints still deeply imprinted on both sides of his face, he looked relieved as he said, “Everything is fine! Everything is fine now!”

Ah Shu saw that the imperial officials were starting to stream out of the palace after the morning meeting and quickly exclaimed, “Chief is still waiting for us in the horse carriage! Let’s go over!”

The few of them quickly walked towards the horse carriage waiting outside the palace.

Er Mao drove the carriage away from the palace gate after they got in.

“How was it?” Su Jiu asked eagerly when she saw Hu Dapao entering the carriage, hurriedly wrapping a cloak around his shoulders.

Qiao An’s face turned grim, and he turned his face away. Chang Huan stayed silent as he looked down.

Hu Dapao chortled and said, “Chief, I have requested to be deployed to Northern Xinjiang and the Emperor has agreed! I will be leaving tomorrow!”

Su Jiu was astonished for a brief moment and stared at Hu Dapao in disbelief. She did not say anything and merely took a deep breath as she turned around and looked out of the window.

Among the shadows, her face was tight, appearing vengeful and hurt at the same time.

Ah Shu fell into a daze for a while, before abruptly grabbing onto Hu Dapao’s collars. He gritted his teeth and bellowed menacingly, “What are you talking about? For heaven’s sake, do you know what it means to safeguard Northern Xinjiang? Do you know that you may have to stay in that inaccessible and forgotten place forever? Do you know that?!”

It also meant that they might not be able to see each other again for the rest of their lives!

A stubble beard had grown on Hu Dapao’s chin overnight, which made him look down and out. He lowered his head and replied, “Sorry Chief, I made the decision selfishly without asking for your opinion. You can give me a few punches if you are angry with me!”

“You…!” Ah Shu raised his fist in a fit of anger and glared at him in rage. However, his fist ultimately landed on the wall instead, causing the horse carriage to tremble.

The carriage fell into silence and nobody spoke again.

Hu Dapao had to return to the military camp at night and leave from there with his soldiers the next morning.

Qingyuan Tavern remained closed for business the entire day and its doors were shut tightly. The five of them sat in a row on the rooftop of the restaurant, gazing down at the wide and vast Shengjing City.

Each of them held a jar of wine in their hands, but none of them drank. They were afraid of spending the day being drunk and muddleheaded.

This was the last day that the five of them from the Dragon Conqueror Gang would be together.

Previously, when Hu Dapao had gone to war in Northern Xinjiang, the rest of them were hopeful and knew that Hu Dapao would be back, as long as he survived the war and the war was over.

This time, however, it was a solemn matter, as if they would be separated in life and death.

Autumn would be ending after the rain had passed. Within the city, chrysanthemum flowers were sprinkled in the air, floating and dancing wildly among the cooling gust, as if they were frantically celebrating the last few moments of life.

Qiao An looked down at the view of Shengjing City underneath his feet and asked softly, “Chief, was I wrong to have suggested that we all come to Shengjing City previously?”

They would still be poor and starving had they not come to Shengjing City, but they also would not be going through such tough times and separation. They would still be living carefree lives, content with just having their stomachs filled every day.

Su Jiu looked up at the Yuhu Mountain range far away, her heart filling with melancholy.

“You were not wrong!” Hu Dapao said naively and chugged down a mouthful of wine from his jar. “I did not regret it!”

He did not regret enrolling in the military, and he did not regret letting his heart flutter back previously at the osmanthus tree. He would not regret requesting to go safeguard Northern Xinjiang as well.

Chang Huan chuckled lightly and said, “It doesn’t matter if you were wrong or not, we can no longer turn back time!”

They could not go back anymore; they could only look forward.

“Don’t talk about useless stuff. You just focus on surviving in Northern Xinjiang! There will be a time when either you come back to us or we will go looking for you!” Ah Shu slapped on Hu Dapao’s shoulders.

“Wait for a few years! I will be married and have kids in Northern Xinjiang, and I will bring them back for a reunion with everyone!” Hu Dapao broke into a huge grin.

“You are such a rascal to already be thinking about having a wife and kids before you even leave. Tell us the truth, have you met someone when you went to Northern Xinjiang previously?” Ah Shu joked in an attempt to lighten up their mood.

Su Jiu turned around and glanced at Hu Dapao.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Hu Dapao caught Su Jiu looking at him, and he quickly lowered his head out of guilt. He did not dare to look at her as his knuckles turned white from clutching his wine jar too tightly.

“I will be leaving from the military camp tomorrow. You all don’t have to come to send me off!”

…

Hu Dapao looked for Su Jiu in private as he was about to leave the city. He spoke with much effort, “Chief, please let Lady Nangong know that I will bring up the matter about canceling the wedding to the Emperor again in two to three years. It cannot be expected of Lady Nangong to wait for me if I am unable to come back, so the Emperor will agree to the cancelation at that time!”

Su Jiu felt her throat tighten as she nodded her head bitterly. “Noted!”

Hu Dapao reached for Su Jiu and hugged her tightly as he said in a strangled voice, “Chief, please take care of yourself! Dapao is leaving!”

Su Jiu looked towards the gate of the city as her eyes fogged over with tears, finding difficulty to speak.

Hu Dapao got up onto his horse and galloped away without looking back, just like how he did the last time when he left for war. The view of his back got further and further away until it disintegrated into the night and could no longer be distinguished.

Nangong Bi was waiting for Nangong Shu as he returned to their manor after the meeting with the Emperor. She had not slept the entire night and appeared fragile with her swollen eyes.

She quickly stepped towards Nangong Shu and grabbed onto his arms as she asked, “Brother, did the Emperor agree to cancel the wedding?”

Nangong Shu’s brows knitted tightly, and he shook his head slowly.

Nangong Bi’s hands fell to her side with disappointment.

“However, Hu Dapao had requested to go safeguard the Northern Xinjiang, and will be leaving tomorrow.” Nangong Shu said with a deep voice.

“Huh?” Nangong Bi exclaimed in surprise and gaped at him in shock. “He…”

It would be impossible for Hu Dapao to return to the city once he was deployed to safeguard Northern Xinjiang unless the Emperor gave his special approval. As such, their wedding would not be possible, even if the Emperor did not agree to cancel it.

Nangong Bi did not feel relieved though she heard the news. Instead, her head was in a mess after receiving such a surprise.

Hu Dapao went to Northern Xinjiang because of her?

Nangong Bi took a step back and leaned against the pillar. She suddenly recalled the day when the military returned from Youzhou after winning the war. Hu Dapao had followed behind Nangong Shu and had a foolish grin on his face upon hearing their cheers. He appeared valiant and heroic as he smiled.

Now, he had gone back to that place because of her.

She had always heard about the suffering in Northern Xinjiang from her father, where the wind was always cold and bitter and the place was enshrouded with sand in the air. No one was willing to head there as sand could fill up your lungs once you inhale the air.

Nangong Shu sighed as he looked at the barren acacia tree standing outside the corridor. He said softly, “Maybe Hu Dapao truly likes you!”

Otherwise, he did not need to do this at all.

It was considered an extremely great honor for the Emperor to arrange for his marriage. Why should he care about whether Nangong Bi liked him or not? He could have just accepted the imperial decree and become the Nangong Manor’s son-in-law. He would soar and become successful in the future once he did so.

However, he chose to leave Shengjing City and head to the faraway Northern Xinjiang because he did not want Nangong Bi to be upset. He may have to stay in that cold and bitter place for the rest of his life.

At the end of the day, it was all because of her.

How could he have chosen this path if he did not have feelings for her?

Nangong Bi was stunned, and she looked up at Nangong Shu in astoundment.

All of a sudden, tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her face without a sound.

In Hualin Palace, Prince Zhao, also known as Xiao Jing, had come to visit Imperial Concubine Xian right after the morning meeting with the Emperor. He sat on the chair as he sniffed grumpily.

Imperial Concubine Xian was soaking her hands in a basin of water infused with rose oil. She turned around and smiled at him. “Who had provoked our Prince Zhao this time?”

“Mother, did you know that Father had dedicated Nangong Bi to be married to Hu Dapao and that the rascal disagreed? He knelt outside the palace overnight in a bid to have their wedding canceled. Father did not agree to do so and Hu Dapao requested to be deployed to safeguard Northern Xinjiang instead!” Xiao Jing scoffed furiously.

Imperial Concubine Xian chuckled. “This man does not know what’s good for him and rejected such a good deal. However, you should be happy now that he has gone to Northern Xinjiang and their marriage is impossible!”

“I am glad but enraged at the same time. It was something that I had wanted but unable to get even after trying all means. Now, somebody else was able to get it easily, and yet he rejected it. Mother, don’t you think that this is infuriating?!” Xiao Jing felt psychologically unbalanced.

Furthermore, even though everyone was aware that Nangong Bi’s marriage was now made impossible, the imperial decree set by the Emperor regarding the marriage was still in place. As such, Nangong Bi could only be able to marry after another two years, and he couldn’t wait that long.

“Don’t think about Nangong Bi anymore. The Emperor did not want to let you marry Nangong Bi and will let her be married to someone else even if Hu Dapao didn’t exist. It’s no use for you to be angry about it!” Imperial Concubine Xian removed her hands from the basin of water, and her servants immediately wiped them dry with a piece of soft brocade. Thereafter, her hands were lightly massaged with rose oil.

The aroma of the rose oil filled the room.

Xiao Jing frowned and asked, “Is Father bent on passing the throne to Third Brother since he is so wary of me?”

“That may not be the case!” Imperial Concubine Xian sniggered, “The Emperor may not have arranged for Nangong Bi to marry you, but he didn’t marry her to Prince Rui either, which meant that he treats both of you equally! Don’t waste your time on Nangong Bi anymore, You have already reached the age to marry, and I think the granddaughter of Teacher Zhang is a good choice.”

Teacher Zhang was a veteran within the three dynasties, and he had a powerful influence in the imperial court. He would be useful towards Xiao Jing’s run for the dragon throne in the future.

Xiao Jing answered lazily, “I don’t intend to hide from you that I already have feelings for Nangong Bi, Mother. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so upset about that matter. I don’t have the mood to consider anyone else right now, we shall talk about it next time!”

Imperial Concubine Xian glanced at him and shook her head slightly.

The next day, Su Jiu found Nangong Bi waiting for her when she arrived at the commercial house.

Nangong Bi would usually be quarreling and fighting with Chang Huan whenever she visited the commercial house. Chang Huan kept himself in the study room today, which showed that he was upset with Nangong Bi.

“Has he been gone?” Nangong Bi had not slept well the past few nights and lost her usual radiance. She appeared listless and depressed.

Su Jiu nodded lightly. “He should already have set off!”

Nangong Bi turned around and looked out of the window in an attempt to see beyond Shengjing City to a place far away. Yet, she could not manage to catch a glimpse of that man’s silhouette.

“Su Jiu, do you hate me?” Nangong Bi lowered her head and asked softly.

Su Jiu looked at Nangong Bi in front of her. She had always thought of her as a kind lady ever since she knew her, and she knew that it was not her fault that Hu Dapao ended up in that plight. However, it was natural for her to be biased and she could not deny that she bore a grudge towards Nangong Bi.

At least for now.

“Dapao is a boor and indeed is not a good match for you, Lady Nangong!”

Nangong Bi shook her head in a panic and choked back on her tears. “Su Jiu, you know very well that I did not look down on Hu Dapao, I just wanted to marry someone that I like!”

“I know.” Su Jiu nodded her head lightly. “Dapao wanted me to let you know that when he’s not back after two to three years, he will bring up the cancelation of the marriage to the Emperor again. Both of you will be able to marry the person of your choice by then and will not be related to each other anymore!”

Nangong Bi looked up at Su Jiu as huge drops of tears rolled down her cheeks. She appeared like a pitiful and delicate young lady.

She seemed to be crying continuously for the past few days. She had originally cried as she felt mistreated, but now she was crying due to guilt. The number of tears she had shed for the past few days had superseded those that she had accumulated for the past ten plus years.

She felt vexed, helpless, guilty, and confused at this moment, and was not sure of what to do. She could not help herself but step forward and hug Su Jiu before weeping in her arms.

“Su Jiu, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! When the Emperor agrees to cancel the wedding after two years, I will let my father think of a way to get Hu Dapao back to Shengjing City! I will also let my mother arrange for a marriage for him and find a girl better than me. I will compensate Hu Dapao to the best of my ability, trust me!”

Su Jiu listened to the woman’s rant and intermittent cries, before reaching out her arm and patting her shoulder gently. She wanted to tell her not to arrange for marriage for Hu Dapao, as he would rather not marry than accept her help.

However, she said nothing, because who knows what was going to happen after two years?

Maybe it would be like what Hu Dapao mentioned, that he would have forgotten about Nangong Bi and married someone else in Northern Xinjiang. He would have had kids and led a blissful life.

As such, it would be of no use to say anything right now.

In mid-September, Su Wenqian brought his Second Mistress, Madame Su, into Shengjing City.

Lan Zhihui had received the news of his arrival earlier on, and she waited at the gate of the city to welcome them. She smiled upon seeing them and greeted, “I am Miss Su’s friend, and I have come specially to wait for the both of you!”

Madame Su, who had been missing her daughter, asked hastily, “Is Yuejiu doing well? Is she adapting well to the life inside the Ji Manor?”

Su Yuejiu had been married into the Ji Manor for almost a year, and they had been unable to receive news of her being pregnant. They were worried that their daughter was not well received by Ji Yuxian and as such, they had postponed their family’s trip back to the city.

Su Wenqian and Madame Su were both elated when they received the letter from Shengjing City. They thought that their daughter was pregnant and had invited them into the city for a visit.

Lan Zhihui smiled and avoided her question. “Where is the Eldest Mistress?”

Madame Su’s smile froze on her face as she quickly replied, “The Eldest Mistress was not feeling well and couldn’t stand the long ride to the city. As such, she had informed me and the Old Master to come to visit Yuejiu in Shengjing City instead. Oh yes, Yuejiu had mentioned the urgency for us to come to the city, has something gone wrong?”

“Uncle and Auntie Su had just arrived in Shengjing City. I think it’s best for both of you to meet Miss Su first!” Lan Zhihui smiled and said gracefully.

“Sure, sure, we shall go meet Yuejiu now!” Madame Su said excitedly.

Su Wenqian was a shrewd man. His eyes sparkled as he felt that something was not right. Who was this lady?

Why had the Ji Manor not sent people to meet them instead?

Moreover, this lady had been referring to Yuejiu as Miss Su, when Yuejiu had been married into the Ji Manor for a year and should thus be referred to as Young Mistress instead.

He was skeptical but still decided to meet his daughter before clarifying his doubts. He led Madame Su into the horse carriage and allowed Lan Zhihui to lead them over to the intended place.

Lan Zhihui did not bring them to the Robes Square as it belonged to the Ji Family. There was still a need to keep Su Yuejiu’s fake identity a secret and she could not let other people realize that the Su family was here. As such, she had chosen another place that was more appropriate and hidden for Miss Su and her parents to settle down in.

Lan Zhihui’s horse carriage was at the front to lead the Su Family towards the direction of the east of the city. They went through several streets and alleys, their surroundings appearing more and more discreet.

Madame Su gradually realized that something felt wrong, and she quickly called for the carriage driver to stop. She asked, “Aren’t we going to the Ji Manor? This doesn’t seem like the route to the Ji Manor!”

Lan Zhihui got off the horse carriage and headed over towards them as she explained with a smile, “Don’t worry Second Mistress, we are indeed not going to the Ji Manor. We are going to meet Miss Su and both of you will understand when we have arrived!”

Su Wenqian frowned and asked, “What exactly is going on? Who are you?”

“Uncle Su, please trust that I bring no harm, I am only a woman and won’t be able to harm anyone. Furthermore, the letter was personally handwritten by Miss Su, and I suppose you trust her.” Lan Zhihui spoke at a steady pace, appearing elegant and dignified with her white, flower-patterned long dress and jade hairpin.

The two members from the Su family looked at each other and decided to talk only when they had met their daughter. They nodded and continued their way in the horse carriages.

When the two carriages stopped outside an estate in the east of the city, Lan Zhihui got off her carriage first and walked through the gate, saying, “Uncle and Auntie Su, please follow me! Miss Su is right in this courtyard!”

Su Wenqian and Madame Su scanned around their surroundings and felt more and more dubious about the situation.

Why was Yuejiu meeting them at such a place?

There were two guards at the entrance who opened the gate and welcomed Lan Zhihui into the estate respectfully upon seeing her arrival.

The courtyard had two sections, whereby the front yard was not occupied by anyone and did not have any servants present. They entered through the screen door and saw that the back yard had several willow trees planted and dried leaves had scattered all over the ground. A maidservant was cleaning up the area, and a woman sat at the corridor a distance away while she stared blankly at the chrysanthemums outdoors.

Su Yuejiu’s parents were finally relieved when they saw their daughter. Madame Su hurried over and called out for her, “Yuejiu, Father and Mother are here to see you!”

The woman seated at the corridor got a shock upon hearing her words and looked up abruptly. She got up and leaped over to them as she cried out, “Mother! Father!”

The woman ran into Madame Su’s arms and wailed as a surge of despair washed over her.

“Mother, I can finally meet you, Mother!”

Lan Zhihui felt rest assured as she watched them, her lips curling into a smile as excitement washed over her.

The truth about the Young Mistress back at the Ji Manor would be revealed very soon, and she could not wait for that to happen.

However, Lan Zhihui felt skeptical soon after watching the mother and daughter duo crying so badly in each others’ arms. If Su Yuejiu was the daughter of the Eldest Mistress, why was she so closely related to Madame Su as if she was her daughter?

Would it be because the Eldest Mistress had always been unwell and Madame Su was the one who raised Su Yuejiu?

Lan Zhihui’s eyes twinkled as she thought that this was an ideal situation as well, since Madame Su was, after all, from the Su family, even though the Eldest Mistress did not come. She had the right to speak up for Su Yuejiu.

Madame Su and Miss Su cried for a while more before Madame Su finally looked up at her daughter in detail and said, “I missed you terribly! Why did you not write back to us? Are you coping well at the Ji Manor? Is the Eldest Young Master treating you well? Oh yes, why are you here instead of the Ji Manor?”

At the next instant, Madame Su asked with concern, “Did any conflicts happen back at the Ji Manor?”

Miss Su could hardly catch her breath from the crying and only shook her head. She choked back on her tears and said after a while, “Mother, I, I did not even marry into the Ji Manor in the first place!”

“What?” Madame Su received a rude shock and stared at her blankly. “What, what do you mean?”

Su Wenqian, who was standing by their side, was equally shocked. He took a few steps towards Su Yuejiu to look at her.

“Please don’t remain standing in the courtyard, let’s head back into the house to talk! Miss Su, don’t cry anymore. Now your parents are here to back you up, you can let us know what has happened slowly!” Lan Zhihui said as she led the three of them into the house.

After they arrived in the house, the servants retreated and shut the doors tightly after serving them tea.

Madame Su and Su Wenqian were anxious and uneasy after hearing the confusing statement from their daughter. They then asked immediately upon sitting down, “What did you mean just now? What did you mean by you did not marry into the Ji Manor in the first place?”

They had personally watched Ji Yuxian lead their daughter into the bridal sedan on the day of their wedding.

Both young masters from the Su Family had also reported that everything went well when they returned!

What exactly had happened?

Miss Su’s face was drenched with her tears, and she wiped them off with a handkerchief handed over to her by Lan Zhihui. She finally calmed down and looked at Madam Su and Su Wenqian with teary eyes. “Mother, Father, the mountain bandits had attacked us when we went past Yuhu Mountain with the dowry last year. The dowry had been stolen and the servants were all killed!”

“What?!” Madame Su and Su Wenqian were flabbergasted.

Miss Su wept and continued pitifully, “I was also hacked by the mountain bandits and was severely injured. I nearly died before a woodcutter passed by and rescued me back to his house. I had been recovering from my injuries at that place, until recently when I had a chance to enter the city and meet Lady Lan. I only knew then that someone else had impersonated my identity to marry into the Ji Manor!”

Madame Su and Su Wenqian heard their daughter’s words and were shocked speechless. They would not believe in such an absurd incident if they had not heard her talk about it in person.

“Yuejiu, were you confused? What are you talking about? Your father and I were present when you were married last year and had even seen you enter the bridal sedan? How, how could it be?” Madame Su asked in fright.

“That was a fake, that person wasn’t me!” Miss Su cried out loud.

“Fake?” Madame Su stared at her in disbelief, unable to accept the truth within such a short timeframe.

“Second Mistress!” Lan Zhihui, who had been sitting quietly beside them, suddenly spoke up. “Please think about it carefully. Did you personally see Miss Su’s face when you and Uncle Su came to the city previously? Were you a hundred percent sure that that person was truly your daughter?”

Something snapped within Madame Su’s mind as she turned pale and recalled that she had indeed not seen her daughter’s face previously. The woman had laid in bed with her face masked ever since they entered the city, and the nanny had said that the young lady had fallen severely ill and was suspected to have Tuberculosis. Because of that, she was not able to remove her mask.

Furthermore, when she arrived the next day on the day of the wedding, the woman had already put on her bridal veil and her face could not be seen.

However, she had never suspected anything as she was worried about her daughter’s illness, and the nanny, who had served the Su Family for a long time, was also present. She had also been too excited about the Ji Manor agreeing to the marriage!

Madame Su’s face turned ghastly as she abruptly got up and turned around to look at Su Wenqian, her voice trembling as she said, “Old Master, we have been too foolish!”

If all these were true, they had sent a fake daughter into the Ji Manor with their own hands.

Su Wenqian’s face was green with anguish as he said hatefully, “You dare to bring this up! You were the one who went into the room to see our daughter and had accompanied her throughout, yet you didn’t manage to realize that she was a fake!”

He was a father and was forbidden to enter his daughter’s room, but Madame Su had always been visiting their daughter. How could he have thought that such a thing would have happened?

Madame Su cried, “She was so sick at that time and couldn’t even speak! How would I know that she’s a fake? Moreover, the nanny was present, so how would I have expected that she had colluded with someone else to deceive me?!”

Madame Su turned around and hugged Miss Su as she spoke gently, “Daughter, you have suffered, Father and Mother were too foolish! Where are your injuries? Have you recovered? Let me take a look!”

Miss Su started weeping again in Madame Su’s arms and shook her head. “I have almost fully recovered, but I am unwilling to resign to fate!”

How could she accept the outcome?

She was supposedly the Young Mistress of Ji Manor and had instead been substituted with a fake. Her parents were also deceived, and the entire incident was maddening!

Su Wenqian slammed his hand onto the table, his body quivering with anger as he said furiously, “Who? Who was the one that dared to impersonate my daughter and deceived our Su family? I will drag her out and cut her into a thousand pieces!”

Lan Zhihui said, “Miss Su said that the mountain bandits were the ones who had attacked them. According to my knowledge, the lady who had impersonated Miss Su was also a mountain bandit, and she should be from the same gang of people who attacked and robbed your people at the mountain. They realized that Miss Su was entering the city to get married after killing everyone and hence went along with the plan. They might also have forced the nanny to enter the city together with them. I do not intend to hide from you, but the fake Young Mistress is doing very well in the Ji Manor right now and is much doted on by the Eldest Young Master Ji. Your Su family had been victimized, and the Ji Manor had also been deceived!”

The hatred in Miss Su’s eyes intensified when she heard that the fake Su Yuejiu was very much doted on by the Eldest Young Master Ji. This was all supposed to be hers!

“I will go to the Ji Manor now and reveal that thief! I will report the case and send them all to jail!” Su Wenqian was infuriated, and he stood up to leave.

His daughter had been suffering for the past year and yet, that thief had impersonated her and had been living a lavish life in the Ji Manor. It was unfair!

“Uncle Su, please hold on!” Lan Zhihui stood up all of a sudden and stopped Su Wenqian.

“Is there anything Lady would like to say?” Su Wenqian turned around and asked.

“If you break into Ji Manor in such a fury and Ji Yuxian or the fake Miss Su happened to be absent, how are you going to continue with the confrontation? If they’re not in the manor, they would also probably run for their lives or think about another solution once they got hold of the news of your arrival, and all our efforts would go down the drain. If you trust me, let me arrange everything. I will make sure that Eldest Young Master Ji will start his marriage anew with Miss Su!” Lan Zhihui said confidently.

Miss Su quickly continued, “Father, it was Lady Lan who had saved me and helped me send my letter to you! She is a good person, please trust her!”

Su Wenqian understood that he had been impulsive when he first heard about the truth, and he subsequently contained his rage as he heard Lan Zhihui’s words. He took a deep breath and suppressed his anger before looking at Lan Zhihui. “Thank you, Lady, for saving my daughter. May I know what your name is?”

Lan Zhihui smiled demurely and replied, “My surname is Lan, and I am the proprietress of the Ji Family’s Robes Square. I had saved Miss Su unintentionally and was extremely shocked when I heard her story. I had helped Miss Su with the hope that the thief could be sent to justice. Furthermore, Miss Su should have been the true Young Mistress of the Ji Manor!”

Miss Su wiped off her tears and smiled gratefully at Lan Zhihui.

Su Wenqian thought about it for a moment before asking hastily, “Lady, are you from Official Lan’s family?”

Dejection flashed across Lan Zhihui’s eyes as she replied, “My father had passed away for many years… It’s rare that Uncle Su still remembers him!”

Su Wenqian said, “Official Lan was an honest and upright official, but was harmed by an evildoer at the end. Every citizen from Daliang Country knows about this man. Never would we expect Lady Lan to also be a righteous and courageous woman! You deserve our respect and admiration!”

Lan Zhihui smiled humbly. “Uncle Su, you flatter me!”

Madame Su also said, “Lady, it’s all thanks to you for saving our daughter! We will treat you as one of our own when Yuejiu becomes the Young Mistress in the future!”

“Second Mistress, you are welcome!” Lan Zhihui lowered her gaze and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind staying here for the time being. I will quickly go ahead with the arrangements and let Miss Su enter the Ji Manor!”

“Sure! Thank you, Lady Lan, for going through all that trouble!” Madame Su smiled gratefully.

“Uncle and Auntie Su had traveled for a long day and must have had a lot to say to Miss Su, I shall take my leave! The servants in this estate are all trustworthy people, you may let them know if you need anything and I will rush over. However, given the current situation, I hope that the three of you can stay within the estate and not head outside to avoid being noticed by other people and getting yourselves into danger!” Lan Zhihui said seriously.

Su Wenqian asked angrily, “Don’t tell me they dare to kill people in Shengjing City?”

“They are mountain bandits and will kill without batting an eyelid, why won’t they dare? I am also concerned about your safety!”

“Yes, Lady is right!” Madame Su hurriedly bobbed her head. “Lady, please be assured that we will not step out of this estate without your permission!”

“I shall take my leave then!” Lan Zhihui gave a slight nod and turned around to leave.

Madame Su sent her to the door before returning, and she cried in Miss Su’s arms again upon mulling over her sufferings.

“It’s a blessing that you are still alive!” Madame Su caressed her daughter’s hair lovingly and said with teary eyes. “It’s all my fault for being so careless! I would have found you earlier if I had realized that woman was a fake, and you wouldn’t have suffered so much!”

“I am content as long as I can still reunite with Mother and Father!” Miss Su thought about the sufferings she had endured for the past year and helplessly wailed.

“Where is the woodcutter who saved you? Your father and I should go thank him personally!” Madame Su asked.

The woman froze, biting her lower lips. She hesitated to tell the truth about her being forced to marry the woodcutter and giving birth to his son. She was afraid to implicate more matters and that child…

Her eyes then twinkled as she lowered her head and said pitifully, “I have stayed there for a year to recuperate and they had wanted me to marry the woodcutter. As such, I had to escape and I don’t want to go back again!”

“How could such a thing happen?” Madame Su was slightly shocked. She briefly turned around, seeing that Su Wenqian was standing far away outside the door before she asked softly, “Were you… married to him?”

The woman looked down with a guilty conscience and pretended to be embarrassed. “Mother, what are you talking about?”

Madame Su heaved a sigh of relief. “As long as you weren’t! My daughter was meant to be Young Mistress Ji, how could she be married to a woodcutter? They must be daydreaming!”

The woman remained silent as she continued to look down.

“As the saying goes, ‘no pain, no gain’! Don’t worry too much, you will become Young Mistress Ji after a few days. I’m sure Eldest Young Master Ji will love you more based on your ravishing looks!” Madame Su consoled her with a smile.

The woman curled up in Madame Su’s arms and nodded bashfully.

Su Jiu had slept early at night. After a shower, Ji Yuxian joined her in bed and circled his arm around the young woman’s waist. He leaned onto her and kissed her passionately on her lips.

Su Jiu shut her lips tightly in an attempt to pretend that she was asleep. The man, however, did not intend to let her off, and instead continued to kiss her as he waited patiently for her to respond.

Masculine hormones filled the air around her. Several loose strands of dark hair hung by the side of Ji Yuxian’s face and landed on her face, tickling her unbearably.

Su Jiu panted all of a sudden and opened her mouth. The man shoved his tongue in within the next moment and brutally swirled it around her mouth. Something cold slipped in together with his tongue and contained a sweet, fragrant aroma.

Su Jiu opened her eyes and gazed at the man curiously.

Ji Yuxian’s upper body hovered above hers as his red middle coat embroidered with lotus patterns loosened up and revealed his fair and toned chest. His dark, black hair was set loose and was in contrast with his red robes, causing him to appear like a charming and seductive blooming lotus flower.

His long eyes were half-shut, and his lavish eyelashes masked the dark and intense pupils underneath. He looked so alluring and charismatic that Su Jiu momentarily got into a daze.

The item in her mouth was sphere-shaped and smelt like a flower bouquet. It was not greasy and instead tasted like a pool of cool spring water. Ji Yuxian’s tongue entangled with hers and maneuvered the ball of sweet around her mouth until her saliva was filled with its sweetness. She had to struggle to gulp it down.

Su Jiu looked as if she was bewitched, staring at him blankly. She felt like her soul had been sucked away by this evil spirit, as heat quickly ran through her body and made her unbearable.

As the ball of sweet melted and became smaller, Su Jiu’s clothes were taken off unknowingly, and the man gradually leaned onto her and planted his aromatic kisses down her body.

Su Jiu seemed to have also melted under the constant attack of his lips and tongue, her body too weak to put up a resistance against Ji Yuxian’s actions. Su Jiu craved and yearned for more from Ji Yuxian, and she did not know how to stop.

Humans were always dissatisfied with what they possessed.

She was already enjoying Ji Yuxian’s protection and love. Why should she care about whether he had lied to her in the past?

Was it important?

Why could she not let it go?

If she was the real Su Yuejiu, would he bear to make use of her, or leave her to fend for herself under the attacks of the others?

If she was the real Young Mistress Ji, the proprietress of the Ji Manor, would he do that?

Would it be true that they were, at the end of the day, just partners who had cooperated to get the things they wanted, regardless of how intimate they got?

The man’s deep breaths filled the air within the bed canopy as the ambiance became increasingly sensual. He placed his hands on her undergarment pants and slowly tugged it down.

Su Jiu pressed onto his shoulders abruptly as clarity took over the fogginess in her eyes. She proceeded to say softly, “Ji Yuxian, I’m not in the mood for this!”

The man stopped moving and embraced her gently.

His thin lips kissed onto her ear as he said hoarsely, “Babe, how do you think I feel to see you upset over another man? I couldn’t help but feel jealous even if he works for you or likes another woman.”

Su Jiu was startled for a moment, before realizing that Ji Yuxian had thought that she was distracted due to Hu Dapao.

“Su Jiu, give yourself to me!” The man leaned onto her deeply and kissed her wildly. His voice was hoarse and his robes had slipped down to his lean and strong waist, revealing his broad and sexy shoulders and amplifying his allurement.

Su Jiu opened her mouth and bit fiercely onto his collarbones.

Ji Yuxian’s gaze darkened and he slipped his fingers through her dark hair. He allowed time for her to vent her frustrations, and he hooked his strong, lean legs onto her waist.

Su Jiu stopped only when she tasted blood. She lowered her head and kissed onto the man’s crimson lips. They got entangled in a hot and passionate kiss shortly after.

“Su Jiu, say that you want me!” Ji Yuxian kissed her so passionately and fiercely as if he wanted to absorb her into his bones and blood.

Su Jiu, however, retreated from his lips and moved slightly away from him. She stared at him with bright and clear eyes as she asked, “Ji Yuxian, how would you behave if I was the real Su Yuejiu?”

Sensuality filled Ji Yuxian’s misty eyes as he looked at the woman’s serious facial expression. He felt uneasy all of a sudden.

She had asked this question before, so why was she asking again?

“I only want Su Jiu, not Su Yuejiu!” Ji Yuxian caressed her brows and said sternly.

“I am talking about an imaginary scenario…” Su Jiu continued stubbornly.

“You know that the scenario is not possible. The person I want to marry is you, and the person I want is you!” Ji Yuxian’s brows knitted together tightly.

Su Jiu stared at him with frustration, seeming unhappy with his answer.

She turned around forcefully to face the wall and declared, “I am tired!”

Ji Yuxian looked at the young woman’s back view before taking a deep breath. He shifted nearer to her and hugged onto her waist.

“I said that I am tired!” The young woman sounded annoyed.

“I won’t do anything else, can I just hug you?” The man remained unflappable. He could only suppress his anger and attempt to soothe her tenderly.

Su Jiu did not move, and her breaths sounded slow and steady after a while.

Ji Yuxian’s body leaned onto her back as his gaze darkened under the dim lights. He had roughly guessed what the girl was upset about – she was feeling insecure as she was living with a fake identity.

In the past, she had planned to leave upon getting what she wanted and hence was not aware of her insecurities. However, now that she had considered staying, she became increasingly mindful of her real identity as his wife.

He could no longer wait. He had to quickly let Su Jiu regain her real identity and let the rest of the world know that the woman he married was Su Jiu.

“Su Jiu, I only want you! Even if the person I married was Su Yuejiu, I will still go find a person named Su Jiu and put her deep within my heart.”

The man whispered in her ear after a long while.

Su Jiu had already fallen deeply asleep, and she did not seem to hear him.