mtl008 Chapter 126 Reunion with Uncle 3
Chapter 126 Reunion with Uncle 3
In the bustling world of martial arts, Jeju City shines like a bright pearl, attracting heroes from all directions.
Wang Jinqian, born into a noble family, was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from a young age. Her elegant demeanor was like that of a blooming peony. She had been secretly observing Shi Wanxia, her heart filled with doubt.
What is it about this seemingly ordinary country girl that has captured Shen Yanchu's eye? Shen Yanchu is aloof and of noble birth, and many women in the capital are infatuated with him, yet he is only interested in Shi Wanxia, this country girl.
On this day, Shi Wanxia was having a meal at Wang Jinqian's villa. Wang Jinqian's maids orderly washed her hands, rinsed her mouth, and served her tea and water. The scene was exactly the same as the scene in Dream of the Red Chamber, making Shi Wanxia sigh that TV dramas sometimes really do live up to their reputation.
After Wang Jinqian finished her meal, she raised her hand to signal, and the maid beside her obediently offered her right hand. She slowly rose, her lotus-like steps light and graceful, her clothes fluttering. She told Shi Wanxia that she could wander around the courtyard at will, and then, supported by her maid, she left to do her daily homework—practicing the zither.
Shi Wanxia watched Wang Jinqian's departing figure, her mind filled with countless thoughts. She had actually guessed somewhat of it; she shouldn't have come to Jizhou City! With their abilities, they wouldn't need our escort.
These Brother Shen and Young Master Cui are elusive figures, and this villa is Miss Wang's private residence. It's indeed strange for an outsider like myself to bring people here to stay.
"Qingqing, go and call Brother Li over. I'll wait for him here. Tell him I have something to discuss with him!" Shi Wanxia instructed. Li Qinglan nodded, pulled over a maid, and led her to find Li Changyu.
Shi Wanxia sat in the main hall, pondering her next move. She knew all too well that Young Master Shen and Young Master Cui were people of noble birth and extraordinary bearing, people like them who were not to be trifled with.
Moreover, last night, Young Master Shen proposed to her, but she refused, and Young Master Cui is also interested. This makes her very uneasy, and she must find a way to leave here as soon as possible.
A short while later, Li Changyu arrived at the main hall. As soon as he arrived, he heard Miss Shi say that she was engaged to him. Li Changyu was terrified and quickly said, “Miss Shi, this is inappropriate. It would damage your reputation. You are not yet married, and I, a man who lives a life of constant danger, cannot possibly burden you. Please, Miss Shi, do not say such things. I am unworthy of you.”
Shi Wanxia looked at Li Changyu and said firmly, "Brother Li, we must find a way to deal with the current situation. We can't stay here forever; it's not good to take advantage of someone's kindness. I've decided that we should move out. Moreover, to avoid unnecessary trouble, we need to agree on a story and tell everyone that we are engaged."
Li Changyu shook his head helplessly. He knew that Shi Wanxia had been frightened by Young Master Shen's words and actions last night, which was why she resorted to this tactic. But it wasn't a good idea! However, he also understood that Shi Wanxia was right; they couldn't keep troubling others here.
Just as they were discussing, Shen Yanchu and Young Master Cui suddenly appeared. Shen Yanchu looked at Shi Wanxia, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He couldn't understand why this woman would refuse his marriage proposal. He believed himself to be of noble birth, capable of protecting her and giving her happiness. Young Master Cui, on the other hand, wore a mocking expression. He found Shi Wanxia amusing, finding her to have come up with such a scheme to deal with Shen Yanchu.
"Miss Shi, why are you doing this?" Shen Yanchu asked.
Shi Wanxia stood up and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Young Master Shen, Young Master Cui, thank you for your care. But we can't stay here forever; we have our own lives to live. Moreover, I am engaged to Brother Li, so please stop bothering me."
Shen Yanchu felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing her words. He looked at Shi Wanxia, wanting to say something, but unsure where to begin.
Young Master Cui laughed and said, "Miss Shi, that's not right. You're engaged to this Brother Li, so why have we never heard of it before? Could it be a lie you made up to reject Brother Shen?"
Shi Wanxia blushed and said, "Young Master Cui, everything I said is true. We are indeed engaged, but we have not announced it to the public."
Shen Yanchu and Young Master Cui exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat resentful. They didn't believe Shi Wanxia was really engaged to Li Changyu, but they had no evidence to refute it.
“Since Miss Shi says so, we won’t force you. But if Miss Shi encounters any difficulties in the future, she can come to us at any time,” Shen Yanchu said.
Shi Wanxia gave a slight curtsy and said, "Thank you, Young Master Shen. We will remember your kindness and will repay you if we have the opportunity."
After saying this, Shi Wanxia led everyone away from the villa. They found an inn in Jeju City to stay at.
Li Qinglan and Qin Xin didn't understand why Sister Shi rejected Young Master Shen. Young Master Shen was elegant, humble, and gentle, like a refined and noble young master from a prestigious family.
Although Young Master Li has a somewhat rugged appearance and a robust physique, he looks like a brute. How can he compare to Young Master Shen and Young Master Cui? I wonder what Sister Shi is thinking.
After quickly tidying up, Shi Wanxia got up and went to Li Changyu's room to find him. It was not advisable to stay here for long, so she should go to Cangling Kingdom first. However, she would not travel with Young Master Shen and the others.
It's best to avoid traveling with Young Master Shen and his companions if possible. That Miss Wang seems easy to talk to, but her words are subtly probing. She dislikes this kind of environment; their identities are not simple, and she doesn't want any involvement with them.
As soon as she pushed open the door, another person appeared in Li Changyu's room—an elderly woman in her fifties or sixties with white hair. Upon seeing her enter, she bowed and greeted her. Shi Wanxia waved her hand, scrutinizing the old woman for a long time. The old woman looked strangely familiar; she seemed to have seen her somewhere before.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he exclaimed with delight, "I remember now! I saw you at the City Lord's Mansion in Sangluo City, Brother Li! Who is this old man? Is he an old acquaintance of yours?"
Li Changyu was surprised that the girl still remembered his third uncle's appearance. He paused in his tea drinking. The girl sat down without ceremony, poured herself a cup of tea, and drank it by herself.
Li Changyu smiled helplessly at her: "You! This is my old housekeeper. Later, my family fell into poverty, and I got separated from him. He only found me a few days ago. I've met him in Sangluo City too!"
Li Changyu wanted to introduce Miss Shi to his third uncle, but he didn't know how to introduce her. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke: "Third Uncle, this is Shi Wanxia, Miss Shi. And this is... I am..."
"I am his betrothed, Third Uncle." Seeing that he didn't know how to start the conversation, Shi Wanxia spoke first. Now, this was the only way to dissuade Shen Yanchu and the others from offering themselves in marriage. She could only make a small sacrifice for Brother Li. Brother Li was a man of the martial arts world; he should be able to accept this fake marriage!
"Cough cough... Miss Shi, you..." Li Changyu coughed incessantly, choked by her abrupt introduction.
"Really? That's wonderful! This old servant greets the young mistress. I never expected that the young master would find someone like you. Such a clever and gentle girl, this is truly a blessing for our young master!" The third uncle had known the girl's identity for a long time, but the young master had not told him that she was the young mistress.
Moreover, this girl's demeanor and speech lack any airs of a distinguished family, and she has no background or family connections whatsoever. How could she be worthy of the young master? The young master's original fiancée was the eldest daughter of the Zheng family of Xingyang.