Girl, There's Something Wrong With You - Chapter 45

Descendants of noble families are a unique group in this world. They live under extremely privileged conditions: monthly allowances, assigned housing, free meals, and if you’re outstanding enough, even a spouse is provided. It’s the ideal choice for a freeloader.

On the other hand, their personal freedom is also severely restricted. To put it bluntly, family members are not independent individuals but part of the family’s assets. As long as the demands are not excessive, they must obey the orders of the family leaders unconditionally.

For instance, you have no choice but to comply if you’re told where to work, who to befriend, or even who to marry. Otherwise, you face extremely harsh punishments. A family is not a company where you can resign at will. Once you’re registered in the family, there’s no way out. Moreover, the rule that “bloodline talent determines family status,” which is entirely a matter of birth, leads to a high suicide rate among noble descendants.

Of course, many commoners cannot comprehend these pressures.

However, whether noble or commoner, reaching the top position within your circle is always incredibly rewarding. For example, Cheng Jinyang, who dominates the Shendu Cheng family, or Xing Yuanzhi, who is second only to one person in the Hejian Xing family, are much happier than Chu Qingqing, born into a prestigious family, and Lu Qingyun, a daughter of the Five Great Families.

The saying “better to be a chicken head than a phoenix tail” holds true.

With this in mind, Miss Qingqing felt a sympathetic pity for Lu Qingyun. Of course, sympathy is one thing, but competing in love is another. For the person she loves, she would betray even her family and father. The daughter of the Five Great Families stands no chance!

“By the way, the Lu family hasn’t explicitly told you who to marry, right?” Miss Qingqing attempted a psychological tactic.

“Naturally,” Lu Qingyun responded with a slightly bitter smile.

“In that case, why not delay as long as possible?” Miss Qingqing suggested with a smile.

“Hmm,” Lu Qingyun pondered. Indeed, the Shendu Cheng family is eyed by more than just the Lu family.

Can Cheng Jinyang really delay getting married forever? Once he decides on a spouse, the family won’t continue to force me, right? A Lu family daughter can’t become someone’s concubine!

“I see,” Lu Qingyun said with a smile. “You can see things clearer than me, who is directly involved. I’m ashamed… Oh, by the way, does the Cheng family head currently have someone in mind? When does he plan to get engaged or married?”

Hearing this, Miss Qingqing knew her tactic had worked and smiled confidently, puffing out her chest. “Yes, it’s me. As for the engagement, it’ll happen after the war ends.”

“So you two are a pair!” Lu Qingyun feigned surprise. “I didn’t expect that… but now that I think about it, you two do make a good match.”

This was pure flattery. She had just asked how the “Cheng family head” was as a person, and now she was calling them a good match. The secret of flattery lies in making it enjoyable, even when you know it’s happening.

Thus, Miss Qingqing smiled and said, “Indeed, but Jinyang is too shy, and he fears causing dissatisfaction among other girls, so we’re keeping our relationship a secret for now.”

“I see,” Lu Qingyun smiled slightly, unsure if she believed it or not. “That must be tiring for you.”

Miss Qingqing pretended not to catch the double meaning in her words and said, “There’s no other choice. Despite being a family head, he has to set aside personal feelings and consider things from a political standpoint…”

She was about to shamelessly add, “Actually, Jinyang can’t sleep without me holding him every night,” when they heard Zheng Qiupei’s laughter from outside. “Yunyun, are you home?”

Zheng Qiupei, because of her “approachable” personality, had a wide social circle among noble families.

Among the daughters of the Five Great Families in the Jingkou family land, Cui Xiaoniang and Great Miss Wang only knew Teacher Li, while Lu Qingyun knew no one except Sister Xiao Pei. But Mama Pei knew everyone…

Li Qingwan and Zheng Qiupei pushed the door open and greeted Miss Qingqing. The latter maintained a calm expression but felt slightly uneasy, worried that these two girls might reveal some information that would embarrass her in front of Lu Qingyun.

However, Lu Qingyun didn’t ask any awkward questions and just chatted with Zheng Qiupei and Li Qingwan about daily life, including the war in Jiankang City. Currently, the Shenwu and Yulin armies were engaged in a prolonged urban warfare against the Liyang army.

Although it was supposed to be a home advantage, the Liyang army seemed to be using a “unlimited reinforcements” cheat, resulting in a deadlock where Jiankang was slightly on the losing side and showing signs of running out of steam.

Zhongshu Yu had urgently sent letters to the regional military garrisons, requesting support once again.

The Feixiong Army had responded, but the Xiaoqi and Longxiang armies had yet to reply.

It was rumored that Longxiang Army’s commander, Tao Shixing, privately complained that if Zhongshu Yu was so capable, why not just order the Liyang rebels to surrender?

Tao Shixing, who guarded Jingzhou, had a grudge against Yu Yuangui in the central government.

This stemmed from the fact that when the late emperor suddenly passed away, Tao Shixing’s name was absent from the list of regent ministers drafted by Zhongshu Yu.

This exclusion from the future central cabinet naturally made Tao Shixing resentful, and his criticism of Yu Yuangui was no secret among the aristocracy.

This news reached Jiankang, causing Yu Yuangui to regret it deeply. He immediately sent Wen Taizhen to rush to Wuchang to persuade Tao Shixing to set aside their differences for the sake of the nation.

“Tao Gong may be unrestrained, but he can distinguish right from wrong,” Lu Qingyun said with a smile. “These remarks are just to pressure the central government for more political leverage.”

[T/N: Gong=Lord.]

“Exactly,” Chu Qingqing agreed. “Tao Gong is nearly eighty years old. He is not one to cling to power but seeks a posthumous reputation. If Zhongshu Yu can lower his stance and grant Tao Gong an honorary title, allow him to pay respects without naming him, and grant him the honor of attending court with a sword, wouldn’t the Longxiang Army come to support?”

“I’m afraid Zhongshu Yu can’t lower his stance,” Li Qingwan sighed.

Everyone fell silent. They had all heard of Zhongshu Yu’s reputation for being decisive but impulsive, making decisions in the heat of the moment. If Wen Taizhen failed to persuade Tao Shixing, and Zhongshu Yu broke ties with Jingzhou in anger, the war would indeed be lost.

“By the way, where is Jinyang?” Zheng Qiupei asked curiously. “I made some snacks and took them to his office, but he wasn’t there.”

“I saw him this morning, but I don’t know where he went after lunch,” Miss Qingqing replied, suddenly feeling a pang of anxiety.

Wait, I haven’t seen Xing Yuanzhi either!

Wasn’t she supposed to take a bath after lunch? Could they have eloped?

She instinctively reached for her phone to call Cheng Jinyang but then suddenly remembered something. Cui Jinqi was also missing. Didn’t she nap every afternoon?

That was close. If only Yuanzhi and Jinyang were missing, I would have to find them no matter what. But if Jinqi is with them, it’s somewhat better—they can at least keep each other in check.

Thinking this, Qingqing silently sent Cheng Jinyang a text message with a smiley face emoji: Jinyang, I Miss you. Where are you~?