"Cough." Jiang Wang gave a slight cough, "Miss Wen is right, there is indeed a certain acquaintance between Yan Brother and me. That being said, I’d like to speak a word of justice..."

Wen Tinglan interrupted him very gently, "Usually, the words that follow that phrase aren’t very just."

Jiang Wang was defeated.

"That’s too much!" Yan Fu rose in anger, flipping his sleeve as if poised to head out the door in search of vengeance, "Who has been whispering in your ear? Tell me, and I will surely teach those people a lesson!"

Wen Tinglan cast a glance at him, "Sit down and talk."

Yan Fu obediently sat down.

Only then did she ask, "Why don’t you ask what exactly was said about you?"

"What else could it be?" Yan Fu seemed to be seething with a rage fire in his heart, especially indignant, "They’re nothing but jealous of your beauty and grace, your dignified and decent manner, your gentle and virtuous nature! Tinglan, don’t take it to heart. A girl as excellent as you is bound to provoke the envy of gossips!"

At this moment, Wen Tinglan was not buying it, simply saying, "Oh. I haven’t heard those things you mentioned. I’ve only heard people say things like taking a lover by force, bullying with power, and shameless indecency."

She still had a gentle smile on her face.

But Yan Fu could no longer evade the issue.

Jiang Wang sat next to them, his body rigid.

He was aware of the ins and outs of Yan Fu’s marriage situation.

The Yan family had engaged in marriage with the Imperial Court Adviser, Wen Yanyu, only after they had broken off the previous engagement with the Liu Family.

Throughout the whole event, Yan Fu was involuntary.

But no one could say, in all fairness, that the girl from the Liu Family named Liu Xiuzhang was unharmed. In fact, she was the most innocent and the most hurt.

It was normal for some people to feel indignant about Liu Xiuzhang’s treatment. Her close friend Jiang Wuyou had chased after Yan Fu to beat him up several times, hadn’t she?

But when words like those reached Wen Tinglan’s ears, they clearly couldn’t be pleasant.

Yan Fu started to speak, "Tinglan, about this..."

"Heh." Wen Tinglan laughed softly as though she hadn’t heard him, and then looked at Yan Fu to ask, "Master Yan, I don’t deny that I’m fond of you, and there’s nothing shameful in liking someone. But tell me, did I force you to come and ask for my hand?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

In her tender eyes, there was no trace of grievance.

Yet, her gentle smile was, for some reason, heartbreakingly poignant.

Yes, Liu Xiuzhang was indeed pitiable.

But what was wrong on Wen Tinglan’s part in this marriage situation?

The marriage between Former Minister Yan Ping and Imperial Court Adviser Wen Yanyu was a major event that caught the attention of the entire court and country.

Yan Fu had no autonomy in this matter; he could only implement the interests of the Yan family.

And Wen Tinglan should have been fortunate, for she was to marry the man of her affections. But idle gossip cuts like a knife, and whispers sting like awls. They cut into the flesh and pierce the heart, causing suffering, causing pain.

Why couldn’t Jiang Wang talk them out of it? Because he couldn’t say that idle gossip didn’t matter.

Idle gossip hurts, and, unfortunately, it isn’t so easy to deal with.

He had managed to stop Lord Huaying, Jiang Wuyou, from continuing her outbursts overseas, but he couldn’t possibly silence everyone’s chatter.

"Tinglan."

Yan Fu no longer avoided the issue and looked at Wen Tinglan seriously, "It was I who came to the Wen Family to ask for your hand in marriage, and it was also I who called off the engagement with the Liu Family. I will give you an explanation for this matter."

Wen Tinglan averted her gaze, stood up, and only offered Jiang Wang a bow, "Master Jiang, I was rude today, making you witness this farce. I shall apologize another day."

"I wouldn’t dare say that," Jiang Wang quickly stood up as well.

Wen Tinglan said no more, nor did she glance at Yan Fu again as she turned and left.

Yan Fu remained seated in the place of honor, motionless.

Jiang Wang sighed, "Are you alright?"

Yan Fu lifted his hand slightly, "I’m fine."

"What do you plan to do?" Jiang Wang asked.

"I’ll write you the letter right away, don’t worry, there won’t be any problem with the Yellow River Gathering," Yan Fu answered irrelevantly.

"Okay, good," Jiang Wang said, somewhat worried, but he had no choice but to say so.

Yan Fu steadied himself, pushed aside his teacup, and immediately took out paper and ink, spreading them on the table next to him.

The paper was high-quality Xueying paper, named for its reflection of snow and hint of mist. The writing brush, even more so, shimmered with a precious light; as he began to write, his movements were like clouds flowing through the sky—smooth and natural.

Although he carried obvious concerns in his heart, his demeanor remained impeccable.

After he finished writing, he tapped the table with his fingers, and a servant immediately entered.

Yan Fu handed over the finished letter and ordered, "Give this to Master Wu; he will know what to do."

The servant carefully folded the paper and silently left the room.

Yan Fu rested his head on his hand, staring into space, lost in thought.

It was only after sorting out the matter he had promised to Jiang Wang that he fell back into his worries.

Jiang Wang sat quietly by his side, keeping him company. There was no good solution he could think of for such matters.

After what seemed like a long time, Yan Fu seemed to have come to a decision. He looked up and saw Jiang Wang.

Still in his gentle manner, he asked, "How about you accompany me to Fufeng Commandery?"

Before Jiang Wang could say anything, Yan Fu added, "I dare not go alone."

The legitimate son of the Yan family from Bei County, the direct grandson of the former Prime Minister Yan Ping—what could possibly frighten him within the boundaries of Qi Country?

The word "dare not" from someone like Yan Fu could never be about power or money.

In Fufeng Commandery, there was a person who made him feel remorseful.

Jiang Wang simply said, "Let’s go."

It was an opportune moment, and naturally, he would accompany him.

Moreover, this journey...the real difficulty was for Yan Fu to face himself. No matter how close their friendship was, Jiang Wang could only be an observer in this matter.

The trip from Linzi to Fufeng Commandery, located in the western part of the empire, would cross several prefectures.

Jiang Wang did not have the chance to experience the luxury of the Yan family’s carriage this time, as Yan Fu had pulled him along and flown directly,

Jichuan, Qiuyang, Yinqiao, Baolong, Chang Ming, Fufeng—soaring above the Qi Boundary’s high altitude, tracing a straight line.

Merely Jiang Wang’s current status was enough to fly directly over most areas within the Qi Boundary without being intercepted, not to mention Yan Fu’s background.

To the north of Fufeng Commandery lies Donglai, to the south Qing Tou, and to the west, bordering Pingxi—it was a relatively affluent prefecture.

Although the Liu Family had declined on the national level of Qi Country, they were still an undisputed prominent family locally.

Yan Fu did not visit them directly.

Now that the marriage contract between the Yan and Liu families had been dissolved, showing up uninvited would be impolite.

Despite Yan Fu’s eagerness to settle the matter as quickly as possible, he still followed standard etiquette and sent an introductory letter first, seeking the host family’s agreement.

He and Jiang Wang found a random tavern to sit down and wait for news.

Yan Fu talked all the way there—about the legends of Baolong Prefecture, the history of Fufeng Commandery, and his opinions on the administrative abilities of the past prefectural governors. But once in Fufeng Commandery, he rather fell silent.

Jiang Wang could feel his tension but was truly powerless to do anything; he could only accompany him in drinking.

What neither of them expected was that the Liu Family Head himself would come to meet them...

The two were drinking one cup after another, when suddenly a few people entered the tavern and negotiated with the establishment. In a short time, the other customers in the tavern had all cleanly left.

Afterward, several teams of fully-equipped guards started setting up defense outside the tavern, guarding all the strategic points.

The display was as if some noble was on an expedition.

When the middle-aged man – who still bore a touch of suavity – walked into the tavern, and Yan Fu hurriedly stood up to greet him, Jiang Wang realized that this man was none other than the current head of the Liu Family...

Liu Yingqi!