PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 23.2

 Jiang Hongqing glared at him: “Do you think I am discussing it with you? If this is not done properly, it is your family will face difficulties. Why don’t you understand? Think about it. Your eldest girl is a witness in the espionage case. She wanted to report to the county government office but was locked up at home and injured her leg. You explain to the public that you were only disciplining the daughter who wanted to escape from marriage. Who knows whether it is true? Was it to prevent her from running away from marriage or to make it impossible for her to report the case to the government? What is the relationship between your family and the spy? In addition, there are so many matchmakers in the city. Why did you use Xu Matchmaker? Xu Matchmaker often interacted with your family, and you know nothing about her? Your eldest girl could identify Xu Matchmaker as a spy but was imprisoned and beaten. The wedding date was moved up, and Xu Matchmaker also killed herself. Think about it, if a detailed examination along these lines continues, can you argue your innocence clearly?”

An Zhifu opened his mouth wide in fear.

Jiang Hongqing lowered his voice and said: “It is better to be cautious during this period of time, Master An. Your jade business depends on the South Qin State. There are layers of relationships here, and it will not be clean. Think carefully. Is this logical?”

These words hit An Zhifu’s soft spot. He swallowed his saliva, not daring to speak.

“Do not only care about the money and profits. Withdraw from the marriage. Miss An is going to leave your family to follow General Long. If some problems arise from this in the future, your family can steer clear of it. But, if she achieves merit, that would still be done by a Miss from your family. Isn’t it a good thing that you can get rid of the relationship and share the glory at the same time? I am saying this because of our friendship.” Jiang Hongqing looked at An Zhifu and said: “Think about it, the rank of General Long is one level higher than the Lord Governor, and he is here with the imperial order. The Lord Governor will not oppose him. Now this person said he wanted to call on your girl to serve, and you wish to object. Do you not want your head anymore?”

An Zhifu hurriedly said, “I didn’t say I object. I am happy General Long has taken a fancy to my daughter. But how can I tell Master Qian about dissolving this engagement?”

“The Lord Governor has spoken clearly with Master Qian. He knows what happened, and that the marriage is impossible to happen. I’ll be honest with you. With the Lord Governor and Master Qian’s friendship, the Lord Governor hopes he will withdraw from the marriage to end things cleanly. But Master Qian wants to save face and insists that we reconsider. Master Qian’s identity is not ordinary. He is now dragging and unwilling to withdraw from the marriage. If you step in right now, there are benefits for you. Think about it, many people in Pingnan County look at Master Qian’s face. He was engaged to your two girls. No matter what the reason, suddenly, he withdraws. How will the outside world speculate? Those who do not know would say there must be something wrong with your girls. In the future, if your family wants to discuss your daughters’ marriage again, it will not be easy.”

An Zhifu’s heart thumped. It was true.

”Now, the initiative is at Master Qian’s side. You have to seize the opportunity. You can say the fourth girl is missing, and the first girl has become a witness in a serious case. Dragging on like this will delay Master Qian. So, you can be the first one to withdraw from the marriage. When the time is right, and Master Qian still intends to become in-laws with you, you two can discuss things again. This solution leaves you all a way to live. What do you think?”

An Zhifu listened attentively and nodded repeatedly. Jiang Hongqing struck while the iron was hot. He called in a clerk and immediately prepared a brush, paper, and ink stone for An Zhifu to write a withdrawal letter. An Zhifu carefully read it several times. He thought there was no problem with it, signed the name, and pressed the seal.

Next, Jiang Hongqing brought the paperwork, which would remove An Ruochen from the An family, so she would no longer be recognized as its member, to An Zhifu. The other hesitated, but Jiang Hongqing urged him with a few words. An Zhifu panicked, hurriedly signed, and pressed his handprint on the documents. Jiang Hongqing was satisfied. He let An Zhifu wait while he took the paperwork and proceeded to make the necessary arrangements.

An Zhifu waited in the room. The more he thought about it, the more he felt at a loss, but he still had to admit that what Jiang Hongqing said made some sense. In short, to be forced to encounter this terrible matter, it was suffocating. Thinking about it, he hated An Ruochen. He really hit her lightly, she gave him so much trouble for nothing. In the end, he had to deal with offending the government, offending Qian Pei, losing money, and also losing his daughter.

Meanwhile, An Ruochen took a rest in a room. For a while, she was sitting and waiting patiently, but with her body hurt and tired, she finally could not stay awake and fell asleep. When Big Long came over to take her away, he saw her curled up in bed with a frown.

Before he could say anything, the officer guarding An Ruochen stepped forward and tapped her a few times: “Wake up, General Long is here.”

An Ruochen was dazed and did not move for a while. The officer pushed her a few more times.

Big Long had his hands behind his back, his face sternly watching. Zong Zeqing was afraid that he was growing impatient, so he went forward and pulled An Ruochen to help her up. “Miss An, wake up. Time to leave.”

An Ruochen was still running away in her dream, her brain muddled, and she subconsciously asked, ”To go where?”

Zong Zeqing softly explained: “To the Purple Cloud House. I won’t let you go back home to be bullied again. Are you awake? Slowly, be careful.”

Zong Zeqing helped An Ruochen stand and turned his head to Big Long to say well, well, there is no hurry, we’ll go right now. Yet, before he managed to say anything, he saw Big Long turn his head and go out without saying a word.

Zong Zeqing held An Ruochen and followed behind. He disapproved of Big Long’s lack of even half-hearted pity for the beautiful girl in his heart.

After walking for a while, An Ruochen completely sobered up. She asked Zong Zeqing softly: “General Zong, is everything done?”

“Of course. The engagement is dissolved and the paperwork completed. The governor has spoken with your family. Qian Pei can’t come back to trouble you. From now on, you will work for General Long. You do not have to worry, although General Long acts a bit harshly but is still good to people ……”

Before he finished speaking, he heard An Ruochen exclaim in surprise, “Thank you, General!” While saying that, she fluttered down and fiercely kneeled. ”I will repay the General’s great kindness even if I need to risk my life. I kowtow to the General.”

Zong Zeqing was shocked and embarrassed, reaching out to help her up: “How can this be so serious ……”

Wait, the direction of this kowtow is not right, ah. Zong Zeqing looked again. An Ruochen bowed toward the serious Big Long in front. He stood in front of An Ruochen with his hands behind his back and accepted her salute.

Zong Zeqing retracted his hand. He also imitated Big Long with his hands behind his back. She didn’t kowtow to him. So, he didn’t need to help other generals be polite.

“Get up.” The ‘other general’ said.

“Yes.” An Ruochen answered but she stayed on the ground for a long time without moving.

“What’s wrong?” The ‘other general’ asked.

An Ruochen could not answer, too embarrassed to raise her head. Her face wrinkled into a ball, and she murmured: “Allow me to slow down for a while.”

Zong Zeqing froze for a moment and laughed out loud. He laughed so much that he bent his waist.

Too anxious to kneel, knocked herself out, could not get up for a while?

Too funny, too funny …… uh ……

An Ruochen stared at him miserably. Big Long stared at him seriously. Xie Gang stared at him in contempt.

Zong Zeqing’s smile froze on his face and he choked. He touched his nose and helped An Ruochen up carefully. “Okay, okay. How could you be so stupid? Even though you are happy, you should be more reserved. Don’t get too excited. Have you forgotten that you have injuries on your body?”

Big Long turned his head with a stern face and walked away again.