Chapter 168: Peach Blossoms (Romances) (Part 2)

However Shen Xin and Shen Qiu had different feelings. Their feelings were really very complicated. When no one wanted to marry Shen Miao, this father and son were not happy and when someone would marry her, they were also not happy. It was especially so for Shen Xin who felt that he had raised own daughter, who was as delicate as a flower and refined as a previous jade, and now to marry this brat in front of him just like that, he had gotten it cheap! He felt that Luo Ling’s nose was not a nose and his eyes were not eyes.

Shen Qiu said, “I did not say incorrectly. If this did not happen to our Jiao Jiao, one can just pick one among all the gentlemen of Ding capital and even choosing an immortal would not be an exaggeration. Who knew that this happened… And Younger Biao Brother had gotten it cheap. One do not know what kind of virtuous acts did one did in the past life.”

Luo Xue Yan was furious, “You brat. Try speaking those nonsense again. No ivory will come out of a dog’s mouth.”

Luo Ling smiled, “Older Biao Brother said correctly, marrying Jiao Jiao is my blessing. But…” He said, “This matter has to be consulted with Younger Biao Sister. If Younger Biao Sister is not willing, then this matter need not be mentioned.”

At the end, one would still have to respect Shen Miao’s decision.

Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin looked at each other and both of them understood each other. At the end, one had to see Shen Miao’s attitude if she wanted to marry or not. However in the current situation, one thought that Shen Miao would not hesitate to choose to marry Luo Ling. After all being a Secondary Consort in the Eastern Palace was something that was not Shen Miao’s preference. Moreover compared to the Crown Prince, Luo Ling’s appearance was handsome and his temperament was gentle and accommodating. He was obviously more in line with the expectation of a husband.

Luo Xue Yan said, “You should not be unduly humble. No matter what, your GuFu and me, even your Older Biao Brother, will be at your side.”

Shen Xin and Shen Qiu was not happy being ‘represented’ by Luo Xue Yan but they did not refute.

Just as these few people were discussing about the matter, suddenly a servant came in and reported, “Master and Furen, there is someone at the door.”

These days because of Shen Miao’s matter, all the people in Ding capital who had some friendship with the Shen family all avoided them and would not take the initiative to come to their doors. One really did not think that at this time, someone would come. Shen Qiu asked casually, “Who is it?”

The servant said, “It is the Furen of the Count of Pin Nan.”

Everyone, “…”

When Su Furen entered the room, she did not expect that Shen Qiu and Shen Xin would be there. Speaking of which, she was still somewhat afraid of Shen Xin because early on some years, Shen Xin and Su Yu had political disagreements thus Shen Xin would not give Su Yu any face. Naturally Su Yu would not take Shen Xin to mind and thus Su Furen was the same. If it was not because of Su Ming Feng, Su Furen would most likely never step into the doors of the Shen family.

Luo Xue Yan requested Su Furen to sit down and Su Furen also greeted Shen Xin. She smiled and looked towards Shen Qiu, “This should be the Eldest Young Master of the house. Indeed a handsome young talent. With one glance, one could that he is not an ordinary person.”

Shen Qiu successively declined and Su Furen looked at Luo Ling with a smile, “This is…”

Luo Xue Yan explained, “This is my Eldest Brother’s son from my maiden family, Luo Ling.”

The look that Su Furen gave to Luo Ling was somewhat strange and she asked while maintaining his composure “Does this Young Biao Master have a marriage match yet?”

“Replying Furen’s words, one does not have yet.” Luo Ling replied politely. Afterwards he then looked at Su Furen questioningly, most likely he did not understand why this woman would ask him about marriage match at the first encounter as it was a bit abrupt.

The more polite Luo Ling was, the weirder Su Furen looked at him. Upon careful observation, there was some sense of hostility. Naturally the people surrounding would not be able to understand and know how bitter Su Furen’s heart was She did not think that there would be such upright young Young Biao Master in the Shen family. Looking at this Young Biao Master, he had a good appearance and seemed sensible, he was indeed not bad. One had to know that it was easy for something to happen between Older Biao Brother and Younger Biao Sister and Shen Miao was still young of age and to a point of uncertainly be deceived by this Older Biao Brother. Like that, how would Su Ming Feng still have a chance? Su Furen kept her spirits up and decided to help her son to fight for it.

Because Shen Xin and the rest were males, it was not nice to sit down to hear females speaking thus he begin to get up to leave. Thus there was only left with Luo Xue Yan and Su Furen in the main hall. Luo Xue Yan smiled and asked, “What is the matter for Su Furen to come today?” She did not even send a card over which indicated her rush. Luo Xue Yan had a faint conjecture in her heard but dared not think deeper into it as she thought that she had imagine too much.

Su Furen said seriously, “That matter that I have discussed with Furen a few days back, what is the result of Furen’s current consideration?”

Luo Xue Yan was startled. The matter discussed a few days back? What matter was discussed a few days back… Is it Su Ming Feng’s and Shen Miao’s marriage matters?

Luo Xue Yan could not help feeling somewhat terrified, “Could it be that Su Furen had not heard about the recent rumours?” Even though she wished that there would be people who would marry Shen Miao and the more the merrier, so that Shen Miao would have some choices. However she did not wish to hide it from the other party and make the other fall into misfortune, thus the words she spoke were honest.

Su Furen asked, “What rumours?”

Luo Xue Yan’s heart tighten and just simply said, “The rumour that the Crown Prince has the intention to bring our daughter into the residence.”

“So it is this matter.” Su Furen smiled, “I have eared of it. The Young Lady of the Shen family has unsurpassed behavior and appearance that the Imperial family also kept thinking about.”

When Su Furen said these words, there were not even single mincing of words, she was much more magnanimous than Luo Xue Yan. However Luo Xue Yan became somewhat confused. Was Su Furen’s heart just too magnanimous? She did not understand the intention behind the Imperial family of Shen Miao or just did not care at all?

“You have heard about this matter and still consider Su Ming Feng’s and Shen Miao’s marriage?” Luo Xue Yan asked.

“Naturally one have to consider.” Su Furen nodded her head, “On must not be that overbearing and only let the Su family set one’s heart on Young Lady Shen and not allow other families to set their hearts on Young Lady Shen right? Furen, we the Su family are honest and sincere and would not be so overbearing.”

Luo Xue Yan thought that Su Furen’s thoughts were not on the same point and she straightforwardly made it clear and told her carefully, “The Crown Prince has the intention to bring one’s younger daughter back to the Eastern Palace. As we are all mothers, I would not hide it from Furen. One’s daughter is not willing to be the Secondary Consort to others and thus thought to marry early. However this rumour was spread out and all the outstanding families are currently evading at all cost. Furen also understand that who would want to have marriage relations with one’s daughter at this time? That meant one would be going against the Imperial family. Angering the Imperial family would only let one suffer in the future… Su Furen, now do you understand my meaning? Do you still want to make marriage relations?”

The sincerity of these words were concealed and the bad points were all told straightforwardly to the other party. Su Furen however gradually smiled, “Could it be that Furen thought that I was a fool and unable to understand this matter?”

“One will also not hide from Furen.” Su Furen smiled, “The current situation in Ding capital is just too complicated. Our family’s Master often said to avoid calamity and most probably unable to think of a way to avoid these matters. These two year the family of the Count of Pin Nan had already withdrawn from the matters of the courts and speaking of that, it is almost like normal official family thus not much concern is made in doing things. I understand that this marriage naturally would have its own danger but who let Ming Feng fancy it?”

Luo Xue Yan’s eyes widen and asked with a loss of voice, “Fancy?” She had always thought that the words that Su Furen said were all courteous words and to perfunctory praise her. Now seeing from Su Furen’s expression, it did not seemed to be true.

“Of course.” Su Furen said, “If it is not Ming Feng that had taken a fancy, how would I keep bugging Furen?” She sighed, “I have not seen Ming Feng interested in any young lady and know that this son of mine has a fixed mind. If one likes something, it would be too late to change it to another. Since he liked Young Lady Shen, then in the future, it would not be possible for him to like another young lady. One feared that he would seek death and thus fulfill his wish.” Su Furen lowered her head and look at her fingertips, “Because of the Su family, Ming Feng could not enter and pursue officialdom and expend his abilities. It is already us who had mistreated him and if this marriage does not go along with his wishes, then Master and I can only feel that what we owe him, cannot be made up in this life.”

As Luo Xue Yan listened, a little sorrow gradually raised in her heart. They were all mothers, naturally there were places that they understood one another.

One heard Su Furen speaking again, “However Furen can rest assure, even though our Su family are not official family, one have enough money and shops. Thus food is not a worry. When Young Lady Shen marries over, Master and me will treat her like our daughter and with Ming Feng’s old fashioned thoughts and kind temperament, there would not be other female in the inner courtyard. The family is simple and even though Young Lady Shen will not be able to live as luxurious as in the Crown Prince residence, she can still feel satisfied.”

Luo Xue Yans heart moved. Su Furen’s words had gone into the depths of her heart. She did not seek for the person that Shen Miao marry to, to be wealthy or noble, she only one the other person to be of upright character, good temperament, treat Shen Miao well and had a simple household. Su Ming Feng was indeed a good candidate.

Thinking of Luo Ling just now, Luo Xue Yan started to hesitate. Luo Ling was certainly not bad but Shen Miao had to return to Xiao Chun City. With Su Ming Feng, Shen Miao would be able to stay in Ding capital.

This time, due to various considerations, Luo Xue Yan did not reject Su Furen directly and only said that more thoughts were required. When Su Furen left, Luo XUe Yan then went to look for Shen Xin to discuss about the matter. Of course the most important thing was to see how Shen Miao reacted. Both persons were young talents and after one inquired about Su Ming Feng to confirm everything was alright, one will let Shen Miao take a look at her future husband.

Somehow this matter was transmitted into Shen Miao’s ears. When Luo Tan came looking for Shen Miao, she was smiling as pleased as punch, “On normal days, Youngest Biao Sister does not put a foot outside the house but one did not expect that fragrant wine fears no dark alleys. You see. Older Brother Ling and the Young Master of the Su family had come to the doors and there is also that Crown Prince. There are a total of three peach blossoms (romances). In the eyes of others, one fear that they were envious to death.”

Shen Miao was very helpless about it. Luo Ling would actually choose this time to voice out to marry her. The most unexpected thing that Shen Miao felt was that Su Furen would actually come again to grasp this marriage for Su Ming Feng.

Originally the matter of Su Furen wanting to have marriage relations with the Shen family had made Shen Miao’s heart filled with doubts. She had feared that Su Ming Feng did it to investigate Xie Jing Xing’s identity. Now at this stage, the Su family did not hesitate to be enemies with the Imperial family to marry her, the more Shen Miao felt that Su Ming Feng was a dangerous person. Thinking that it was the best for Xie Jing Xing to resolve Su Ming Feng’s matter, but… Shen Miao glanced at the window. One did not know when this person would return back. It was in the troubled times but this person choice specifically this time to disappear for no reason. Shen Miao had some dissatisfaction in her heart.

Luo Tan still continued speaking, “Previous at Pu Tuo Monastery when the red rope was hang on the Tree of Cultivating Destinies, Youngest Biao Sister’s red rope was hung at a very good place. At that time I took a look and there were a lot of branches around the red ropes which one fear are the current peach blossoms (romances). I see that these three blooms are not enough, there might be even six, seven or eight.”

Shen Miao picked up the teacup and said at the same, “Do you think it is like cutting window flowers, one can cut as many flowers as one wanted?” Luo Ling had a warm and gentle character, the Su family was marvelous family. It was already considered very rare to see two people who were not afraid to be enemies with the Imperial family. How would there be others? However she remembered about what that mad priest said about difficulties in peach blossoms (romances) and her heart could not help but jumped. Could it be that the Taoist priest had said accurately?

Luo Tan still continued to talk to herself, “But Youngest Biao Sister’s red rope was hung on the highest branch. That highest branch was the place of your destination. One do not know who will be my younger brother-in-law?”

Shen Miao drank a mouthful of tea and absent-mindedly listening to Luo Tan seriously speak her nonsense.

“It would be good if it is Prince Rui.” Luo Tan clapped her hands, “Then as the tide rises, the boat flows, and I will be the sister-in-law of Prince Rui.”

Shen Miao was drinking tea at the moment and all the tea in her mouth sprayed out and she almost chocked.

One did not expect that Luo Tan’s prophecy came true and Shen Miao’s peach blossoms (romances) when it comes, it was shocking. Just three blooms were indeed underestimating.

Translator Remarks: *Set up a booth* All right peeps!!! Place your bets!!! Our resident seer has spoken!!! Just how many ‘blooms’ will there be and who are they?