Free Web NovelChapter 852: Chapter 106: The Bird of Winter Marsh (Extra update for Alliance Hierarch doing bad deeds without divine retribution!)
In the banquet hall.
Yang Liu was naturally confused, but realizing something was off about the atmosphere, she did not speak out.
Zhao Wuyan was still weighing the situation at sea in her mind and did not make light comments.
And Zi Shu, who didn’t concern herself with the affairs of the world, noticed that the few people opposite her were all acting a bit strange.
At this seafood feast, the male and female guests were seated separately; Jiang Wuyou was sitting at the head table on one side, followed by Zhao Wuyan, and then her.
The host, Jiang Wang, sat opposite Jiang Wuyou, then next to him was Xu Xiangqian sitting opposite Zhao Wuyan, with Li Longchuan facing Zi Shu, and Yang Liu sitting all alone at the very end, with no one opposite her—who asked him to brazenly attach himself like that?
When that gentle-mannered rich young master entered, Zi Shu noticed that the three men opposite her, Jiang Wang, Xu Xiangqian, and Li Longchuan, changed in an instant.
Their postures became more upright, their expressions more solemn, all of them on tenterhooks, looking as though none of it was their business, yet their eyes all betrayed the same emotion... excitement?
What were they excited for? Zi Shu couldn’t understand at all.
However... the Lord Huaying was so impressive!
Jiang Wuyou was seen sitting cross-legged on the leftmost high seat, one hand on her knee, tilting her phoenix eyes slightly, gently lifting her chin, and looking askance at Yan Fu who had abruptly stepped into the hall.
She emanated a dominant aura from above, "Faithless scoundrel, you still dare to appear before me?"
Yan Fu, ever so clever, instantly understood upon seeing this setup that his so-called friends had set him up.
He cursed in his heart, but on the outside, he could only wryly smile and explain, "Your Highness, it’s really, been a long time! Earlier, I had already expressed my apologies to Miss Liu, and she has already shown leniency. This matter is really..."
Of course, he couldn’t say it wasn’t his fault.
If it wasn’t his fault, then it would be his grandfather Yan Ping’s fault.
So however Jiang Wuyou scolded him, he just had to take it. He had even fled overseas for some peace, but alas... there was no escape.
"Xiu Zhang is kind-hearted and chose not to hold a grudge against you. However, I cannot stand to see her being bullied!"
Jiang Wuyou’s presence was fully unleashed, her phoenix eyes contained authority, "If Liu Shentong were still alive, would you dare show up to cancel the engagement? Yan Fu, you tell me!"
Zi Shu watched, her heart pulsing with excitement. This sister, a palace master from the Qi Royal Family, was so commanding!
The gathered guests, either prodigies or from famous families, but with just a move or a gesture, she naturally exuded a temperament that could suppress all, truly nobility of the highest order!
But speaking of Yan Fu breaking off the engagement, it was entirely a muddled affair.
What Jiang Wuyou said was not wrong, but Yan Fu indeed had no control over his own marriage. Behind this was the family’s long-term plan, which did not consider his personal honor or disgrace. Even if he was labeled as faithless, if a time came for him to make even greater sacrifices, it would be difficult for him to say "no."
Since birth, he had enjoyed the glory that the "Yan family" brought him, and he must also bear the responsibilities entrusted by the family.
This was not only the case with Yan Fu but also with the Yan family and all others.
Even a peerless prodigy like Zhongxuan Zun, who unquestionably defied his family’s wishes, had to face Zhongxuan Sheng’s challenge, right?
"Alas!"
Faced with Jiang Wuyou’s questioning, with Yan Fu’s character, he could only sigh deeply, unable to defend himself.
He had already scoped out an escape, ready to slip away at any moment. ƒreewebɳovel.com
But unexpectedly, Jiang Wuyou suddenly waved her hand, "Enough, for the sake of Jiang Qingyang today, I’ll let you off. Go where it’s cool and stay there!"
Jiang Wuyou was always as good as her word, saying she would hit him every time she saw him had never been vague before.
Yan Fu glanced at Jiang Wang in surprise, not expecting Jiang Wang to have this much face, but he didn’t say anything. After all, both Jiang Wuyou heading to Jueming Island for official business and Jiang Wang coming to the sea as a Qing brand catcher were very normal—He didn’t realize for a moment that he had been sold out back in Linzi.
The maid of Sanwei Manor brought over another dining case and placed it beneath Yang Liu’s seat.
Yan Fu took his seat with a grimace, lonelier than Yang Liu, the only Fishing Sea Tower Disciple present.
Seeing Yan Fu sit down safe and sound, Xu Xiangqian sighed with some disappointment. Naturally, only his two other partners in crime could understand this regret.
After all, among this group of people, the only one who had truly seen Yan Fu take a beating was Zhongxuan Sheng, and it was purely a matter of luck which was indeed enviable.
However, their tacit reason for tricking Yan Fu to return was certainly not just to see him become a laughingstock. Wanting to see Yan Fu get beaten up was true, but wanting friends to come together to help resolve the dispute between Lord Huaying and Yan Fu was also true.
Otherwise, what was going on with the son of the distinguished Yan family being chased by Lord Huaying all day long?
"Ahem," Xu Xiangqian cleared his throat, "I heard that there is a bird at sea with three wings on its back that can fly a thousand miles. This bird can only mate with another three-winged bird in its lifetime, and if it mates with a normal sea bird, it will immediately lose balance and its ability to fly. Naturally, death is the only outcome."
He looked towards Yang Liu, "Is this true?"
When it came to overseas experiences, Yang Liu naturally would not admit defeat, "Brother Xu is indeed very knowledgeable and informed. This bird is called Dongze, pure white in color, and is a seasonal bird. Without a winter near the sea, it is common to know the arrival of winter by seeing this bird. It cannot be seen at this time."
Xu Xiangqian smiled, then turned to Jiang Wuyou and asked, "What does the Palace Master think about this bird?"
His overt mention of the Dongze bird was, in fact, about Yan Fu and Liu Xiuzhang.
Three-winged birds can only pair with three-winged birds and not with two-winged birds. Just like the direct lineage of the Yan family cannot possibly become related by marriage with the Liu Family’s line of Liu Xiuzhang anymore.
It was not something they could decide by their own wishes.
Jiang Wuyou obviously understood.
But she simply asked, "Birds are heartless, following only their instincts for life. Are humans heartless? The Dongze bird might lose balance, but if another bird loves it, feeds it by carrying food, can it die?"
She continued, "The bird mispaired loses balance, but if people are wrongly paired, do they lose their lives? How can these be discussed as equals!"
Her questions left Xu Xiangqian speechless. He was not usually at a loss for words, but when it came to matters of emotion, especially with Zhao Wuyan present, he couldn’t bring himself to utter his usual slippery banter.
Hearing up to this point, people like Zhao Wuyan couldn’t help but understand that there was a deeper story, so each of them shut their mouths and silently observed.
Li Longchuan supported his knees with both hands, looking towards Jiang Wuyou, "Your Highness. Even if another bird loves it and feeds it, perhaps it may not die. But if it can’t spread its wings, is that the Dongze’s wish? Who could live a life groveling on the ground?"
He spoke with righteous articulation, stemming from ideals and commenting on the future, with a clear and resonant voice, like the clash of gold and stone.
Jiang Wuyou just scoffed, "Birds have no promises, but humans have their word. Is groveling considered living carelessly, but is breaking one’s word not?"
Liu Shentong was her prodigy, Liu Xiuzhang her close friend. Both morally and emotionally, she needed to stand up for Liu Xiuzhang, to get this off her chest.
Otherwise, why would she, the great Lord Huaying, how busy must she be, have the time to chase and beat a faithless man all day?
Li Longchuan also fell silent.
Jiang Wang sighed deeply, bowed from his seat to Jiang Wuyou, "The Palace Master’s words are all reasonable and irreproachable. But the Palace Master also knows. A three-winged bird pairing with a two-winged bird is a mispair. Life is long, year after year. Life is short, fleeting like a swift steed. If it can be correct, why choose wrong?"
After a moment of silence, Jiang Wuyou finally spoke, "Whether it is right or wrong, only the parties involved know. But since you, Jiang Qingyang, have spoken, I will no longer interfere in this matter."
Her gaze never wavered, she did not look at Yan Fu, but said, "Yan Fu, you’re on your own now."
Yan Fu drained the wine in his cup in one gulp.
This famous idler of Linzi finally just stood up, bowed to Jiang Wuyou, and sighed, "Shame on me!"
It was unclear whether he was speaking to Jiang Wuyou, or to Liu Xiuzhang. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Or perhaps, to himself.
