Girl, There's Something Wrong With You - Chapter 38
At the ancestral estate of the Taiyuan Wang family, a group of scholars were gathered in the courtyard, engaging in leisurely conversation. Among them, two individuals received the most attention: Wang Maohong, the patriarch of the Taiyuan Wang family and the current Chief Minister of Taicheng, and Xie Anshi, a prominent figure from the Fufeng Xie family.
Wang Maohong was nearly sixty years old, while Xie Anshi was thirty-seven. Despite the considerable age difference, it was said that Wang Maohong had deeply admired Xie Anshi since his youth, when Wang Maohong had just embarked on his political career.
Later, when Wang Maohong rose to power, he recruited Xie Anshi, who currently served in the Secretariat as a “Zuozhuzuo Lang.”
This ancient title was known for its prestige, though it had evolved over time into a stepping stone to joining the cabinet. To enter the cabinet, one had to first pass through the Secretariat, so people jokingly referred to the secretaries as “prospective ministers” and the editors as “deputy candidates,” with entering the Secretariat likened to “ascending to heaven.”
As a “prospective minister” with a promising future, Xie Anshi’s eldest son was now set to marry the Chief Minister’s youngest daughter. His career path seemed assured, so amidst the conversation, various flattering and ingratiating remarks were made. He responded with humble smiles.
“You see, my uncle’s graceful and gentle demeanor is so similar to Lord Wang’s,” whispered Xie Lingjiang from the distant corridor. “No wonder Lord Wang holds him in such high regard.”
“Admiring his political acumen doesn’t necessarily mean Lord Wang has to marry his daughter to his son,” said Cheng Jinyang coolly.
“But a marriage alliance would certainly be more secure,” Xie Lingjiang said worriedly.
“First, let’s find Wang Wanrou,” Cheng Jinyang said impassively.
They continued forward, encountering many members of the Wang family along the way. Most of them glanced at Xie Lingjiang, the young lady of the Xie family, and then quickly lowered their heads and hurried off.
Xie Lingjiang had said the Wang and Xie families were closely related through marriage and well-acquainted, which reassured the somewhat anxious Cheng Jinyang.
After about ten minutes, Xie Lingjiang grew tired, her neck sweating and breathing heavily, and said:
“It’s just ahead, we’ll be there in half a minute…”
Before she finished speaking, someone suddenly blocked their path:
“Cheng Jinyang, I’ve been waiting for you!”
Cheng Jinyang was startled. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was Wang Wanrou’s brother, Wang Xinzhi, holding a gray-green fishing rod in his left hand and a small bag of fish food in his right, with the label “Elite Fishing Feed.”
“Just back from fishing?” Cheng Jinyang asked, relieved.
“You’re mistaken, Jinyang,” Wang Xinzhi smiled slightly. “I came here specifically to intercept you.”
“Brother Jinghe!” Xie Lingjiang was also anxious, even calling him by his formal name. “You’ve locked up Sister Wanrou, haven’t you? Forcing her to marry someone she doesn’t love!”
“Little Lingjiang,” Wang Xinzhi bent down, speaking gently to her. “With the status of the Taiyuan Wang family and my father’s position, there’s no need to force Wanrou into a marriage alliance. Wanrou herself hasn’t opposed it.”
Cheng Jinyang: ???
“Understood?” Wang Xinzhi straightened up, addressing Cheng Jinyang seriously. “You also have a fiancée now. Treat Yuanzhi well and stop bothering my sister.”
Cheng Jinyang stared at him for a moment, then laughed:
“Brother Xinzhi, you exaggerate. Whoever Wanrou chooses to marry is your family’s business. As an outsider, how could I interfere? I came here today upon hearing the joyous news, merely to congratulate Wanrou.”
Wang Xinzhi was astonished. This guy has some nerve! Charging from the gate all the way to my sister’s room, yet still claiming to be here to “congratulate”… Wait, with this excuse, it’s hard for me to object without seeming unreasonable and villainous.
“Fine,” Wang Xinzhi smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll let you see Wanrou, so you can give up this idea.”
His confidence made Cheng Jinyang even more uneasy, but he maintained a calm demeanor, smiling:
“Please lead the way, Brother Xinzhi. Lingjiang, let’s go.”
The three arrived at Wang Wanrou’s residence, a uniquely styled building in the corner of the estate, surrounded by gardens, bamboo groves, and a fish pond, with running water connecting to the Qinhuai River outside.
What a lovely place. Under normal circumstances, Cheng Jinyang would have remarked on the Wang family’s daughter’s refined taste.
But now he had no time for such thoughts, following Wang Xinzhi inside, seeing the living room lined with three rows of tall bookcases against the walls, a tea table, cushions, recliners, and greenery.
Climbing the stairs to the second floor, Wang Xinzhi knocked on a door, calling softly:
“Sister, it’s me.”
“Come in,” came Wang Wanrou’s voice from inside, sounding normal, not like someone under house arrest.
So Wang Xinzhi pushed the door open and entered, followed by Cheng Jinyang and Xie Lingjiang, and saw Wang Wanrou lying on a couch by the window, hugging a cushion with her eyes half-closed, like a lazy cat basking in the sun.
She turned her head and squinted her eyes the moment she saw who had come, frowning as she said:
“Get out!”
Wang Xinzhi sighed, turned around, and said to Cheng Jinyang:
“You heard her. My sister doesn’t want to see you. Leave.”
“Brother, I’m asking you to leave,” Wang Wanrou said again.
Wang Xinzhi: ???
He turned around in disbelief and pointed at himself.
“Yes, Wang Xinzhi, Wang Jinghe,” Wang Wanrou said again, “Give us some space to talk, will you?”
Wang Xinzhi left in bewilderment, even closing the door behind him.
The room was silent for a moment, then Cheng Jinyang smiled and said:
“Wanrou, Lingjiang said that the Xie family proposed to your father?”
“That’s true,” Wang Wanrou said indifferently.
“And did you refuse?” Cheng Jinyang asked.
“Why should I refuse?” Wang Wanrou retorted.
“Why wouldn’t you refuse?” Cheng Jinyang asked calmly, “You don’t really like that Xie Chaodu, do you?”
“It’s Xie Qiudu,” Xie Lingjiang corrected.
“Liking or not liking someone is one thing, marrying them is another,” Wang Wanrou said coldly, “Who said you can’t marry someone you don’t like?”
“That would be Qingqing, not you,” Cheng Jinyang was still smiling, “With your pride, you wouldn’t like someone without talent, let alone marry such an outsider.”
“You think you understand me?” Wang Wanrou sneered.
“Wanrou,” Cheng Jinyang smiled, “From beginning to end, you haven’t refuted my words, only questioned them. Do you think I can’t understand your meaning?”
“I was just toying with you,” Wang Wanrou stared into his eyes.
“Then say this: you are willing to marry that debauched playboy Xie Qiutu, and I’ll leave immediately,” Cheng Jinyang’s smile remained unchanged.
“It’s Xie Qiudu,” Xie Lingjiang corrected again, “Stop getting it wrong.”
“Fine.” Wang Wanrou slowly smiled, but her eyes were cold, “Cheng Jinyang, you think you’re smart, don’t you?”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop, Xie Lingjiang’s face turned pale, and she quietly shrank behind Cheng Jinyang.
“Proximity to vermilion makes one red, to ink makes one black,” Cheng Jinyang said.
“Superficial.”
“Why would I be superficial with you?”
“As you said, questioning doesn’t equal denial.”
“This is a fine art of conversation, learned from you.”
“Trying to carve a swan ends up as a clumsy goose, painting a tiger ends up as a dog.”
“Miss Wang’s criticism, though as poisonous as hemlock, I gladly accept.”
“Licking dog.”
“If I were truly a licking dog, I could use my tongue to tear your clothes off, believe it?”
“So I’ll ask one more time, you think you’re smart, don’t you?” Wang Wanrou rarely got angry, “Last chance, if you can’t think of what to say, get out!”
Her chest heaved with her breathing, her teeth clenched, and her eyes reddened with anger. Xie Lingjiang, already hiding behind Cheng Jinyang, clutched his clothes and trembled.
Cheng Jinyang stared at her, seemingly not expecting such a strong reaction.
Footsteps sounded outside, likely Wang Xinzhi rushing upstairs after hearing the commotion.
“Don’t be angry,” Cheng Jinyang smiled bitterly, “I came to see you because…”
“Because of what?” Wang Wanrou asked coldly.
“Because I don’t want you to marry Xie Qiudu,” Cheng Jinyang said honestly.
“Wanrou?” Wang Xinzhi knocked on the door from outside.
“I’m fine, brother,” Wang Wanrou called out.
Then her icy expression suddenly softened, turning towards the sunlight streaming through the window, she showed a warm, perfect smile with a hint of smugness:
“Now you’re finally telling the truth, hmm?”
We are currently recruiting. CN/KR/JP Translators/MTLers are welcome!
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/HGaByvmVuw