flstandardbreds Chapter 154 Blatant Scheme
Chapter 154 Blatant Scheme
"What's with that expression? Do you think it's beneath you to marry my little brother?"
The woman in black, who entered with them, Ji Wan, looked displeased and glanced sideways at Lin Shu.
She had never agreed to the matter, but her younger brother had taken a liking to Lin Shu and even wanted to hold a civil and military marriage contest for her. Not only did her grandmother not object, she seemed quite supportive...
How could Lin Shu be worthy of her pure and noble younger brother?
She's just pretty... her martial arts skills are probably decent... and she's fairly clever, able to create weapons like the "Thunderbolt Cannon"... well... thinking about it that way, she's not bad at all!
Lin Shu quietly looked at Ji Wan, whose expression was constantly changing, then shifted her gaze to Ji Heng, the gentle man in blue beside her, and sighed helplessly, "I'm sorry! I can't agree!"
"You...you actually refused!" Ji Wan's eyes widened upon hearing this. Just as her younger brother had guessed, she was indeed unwilling.
This Lin Shu! Her own little brother is always the center of attention wherever he goes, yet today he was rejected when she proposed to him.
Ji Heng reached out and tugged at his older sister's sleeve, a gentle smile playing on his lips, his face showing no sign of embarrassment at being rejected.
"Sister, please wait outside for a moment. I need to speak with Miss Lin alone for a few minutes."
"Hmph! If I weren't getting on in years and couldn't find a suitable candidate, do you think such a good thing would have fallen into your lap?"
Helpless, Ji Wan could only glare fiercely at Lin Shu, utter a harsh remark, snort coldly, and then turn and leave.
Watching Ji Wan's indignant departure, Ji Heng's smile deepened. Then he turned back, looking intently at Lin Shu, his voice as clear and crisp as jade breaking through ice:
"Miss Lin, I wonder if what you said when we first met still holds true?"
Lin Shu was slightly taken aback, but then she came to her senses and realized that the other party was referring to the time when he helped her out of a predicament at the Deer Cry Banquet. She had also promised him that he could ask her for help if he ever had any trouble in the future.
She hadn't expected that the other party would use this to force her to marry him, and she couldn't help but feel a little unhappy, her brows furrowing slightly.
Seeing her expression, Ji Heng knew she had misunderstood, so he quickly explained:
"Miss Lin, please don't misunderstand. Heng is not forcing you with this. He just wants to ask you for a favor."
In Fengming Kingdom, men must marry before the age of twenty. His grandmother had been urging him to get married for a long time, but Heng had been putting it off. Now, with Heng turning twenty next year, it seems he can't delay any longer...
Therefore, my grandmother prepared to hold a "civil and military marriage contest" for me in the capital!
Upon hearing this, Lin Shu roughly understood what the other person meant: "Then why not ask someone else? I imagine others would be more than willing!"
She didn't believe it was because she was outstanding; there must be many people in this vast capital who were more outstanding than her.
“Keheng is unwilling.” Ji Heng smiled faintly, looking intently at Lin Shu, and then explained:
"Heng was raised by his grandmother from a young age. He also had his own ambitions and was unwilling to be confined to the small space of the inner courtyard by just anyone, thus wasting his life."
Even if you can't be mutually in love, you should still live in harmony and mutual respect.
After listening, Lin Shu remained silent for a long time. How could she not understand what Young Master Ji meant? He probably had his eye on her.
Before she could think of what to say, Ji Heng spoke again: "May I ask Miss Lin a question?"
"Mm." Lin Shu nodded.
"Does Miss Lin dislike Ji Heng?" When she said the word "dislike," Ji Heng's beautiful eyes lowered slightly.
"No." Lin Shu shook her head.
“If you don’t dislike it, then you like it, right?” A mischievous glint flashed in Ji Heng’s eyes, then his clear doe eyes filled with a hint of amusement as he looked intently into Lin Shu’s eyes.
Lin Shu was momentarily stunned by the other person's eyes, and her thoughts began to churn.
She didn't dislike Ji Heng at all. After all, he was not only extremely handsome, but also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and he didn't have the arrogance of aristocratic families... In short, he was a perfect person in every way!
However, it wouldn't be entirely true to say that I like him. The two of us haven't had much interaction. I can only say that I have a good impression of him, and my feelings for him are mostly admiration.
“Young Master Ji, I must admit, I admire you greatly! But this has nothing to do with infatuation…” Lin Shu’s tone was clear and melodious as she looked at Ji Heng with sincerity.
However, before Ji Heng could finish speaking, Ji Wan, who had been eavesdropping outside, thought to herself that it was her turn to speak, and stormed in angrily:
"Fine, I won't marry you then! And you're still admiring me? Who cares if you admire me? Humph! Let's go, little brother!"
After saying that, she pulled Ji Heng out. As Ji Heng walked out, he looked back at Lin Shu, his clear eyes full of expectation, and he said unintentionally, "I will wait for you!"
“Little brother, it’s alright! I’ll help you with the ‘Civil and Martial Arts Marriage Selection’ held at the ‘Grand Tutor’s Mansion’ in half a month! I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life!” Even after walking quite a distance, you could still hear Ji Wan’s deliberately amplified voice.
Helpless, Lin Shu waited until she could no longer see the two figures before turning around and seeing the invitation card that had been placed on her desk at some point. She couldn't help but smile. They were afraid that she wouldn't be able to see through their plans.
She wondered why Ji Wan had suddenly become so clever; it turned out the siblings were 'scheming' against her! But she didn't dislike this overt 'scheming'!
……
On the Grand Tutor's carriage, moving forward with a "clattering" sound.
Ji Wan let out a long breath, relaxed, and asked with a grin, "Little brother, how did I do today?"
"Excellent!" Ji Heng seemed to be in a good mood, his eyes crinkling as he praised in a clear and melodious voice.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wan laughed even harder, then scratched her head and asked with some confusion:
"Little brother, since you guessed from the beginning that she wouldn't agree, why did you make me act along? And also, didn't everything fall apart in the end? Why did you make me deliberately tell Lin Shu the time and place of the 'marriage proposal'?"
"If we don't tell her, who will compete?" Ji Heng tilted his head slightly, looking at Ji Wan with a puzzled expression in his eyes.
As for the first question, he did not answer it. He knew his sister well enough. If she acted convincingly, then she didn't. He did this only to let Lin Shu see that he was blatantly 'scheming' against her feelings!
He had always strived for perfection in everything he did since childhood, leaving no room for error. However, being too perfect in matters of the heart made him seem untouchable. He also wanted to use this opportunity to gauge Lin Shu's attitude towards him, and it seemed to be going well!
Ji Wan chuckled twice and asked again, "Haha! That's right! But will Lin Shu really go? What if she doesn't?"
"She...will go!" Ji Heng said confidently, betting that Lin Shu had feelings for her, as for deeper emotions...
Once I've won her over, I can slowly cultivate her, and one day I'll have her completely! Besides, it seems Lin Shu isn't truly heartless towards me after all…
Even if the gamble fails, there are always backup plans.
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