My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 13 Part 2

The Ji family was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Ji Yangzong sat in the courtyard, downing three cups of cold tea. The autumn wind and rain chilled his face but couldn’t extinguish the fire in his heart.  

"The You family is truly something! Using the imperial exams as an excuse to shut everyone up, completely forgetting how they once fawned over us."  

"'The most heartless are scholars', how true that saying is! The You family wants to string our Xiao Taozi along? Not a chance!"  

"As long as I live, the You family won’t have peace in this village!"  

"Without our family’s support all these years, would You Lingxiao be where he is today?"  

In a rage, Ji Yangzong kicked a stool leg. "I misjudged them! Now Xiao Taozi suffers for it!"  

Huang Manjing, after listening to his long tirade, couldn’t help but interject, "Enough! How long have you been cursing at the sky? If you don’t fear angering yourself, at least worry about Xiao Taozi hearing you!"  

Though his temper remained, Ji Yangzong glanced up toward Ji Taoyu’s bedroom before slamming the table. "I’m going to the You family to demand an explanation!"  

"You’d really storm into their home and confront them?"  

"Eldest Uncle You’s speech today, with You Lingxiao and his mother playing dumb, isn’t this a clear case of burning the bridge after crossing it? Shouldn’t we demand answers?"  

[过河拆桥 (guò hé chāi qiáo): lit. burning the bridge after crossing; fig. abandoning those who helped after achieving one’s goal]  

"If they dare deny it now, I have the betrothal tokens. I could sue them in court if needed!"  

Huang Manjing pulled him back, her voice icy. "Given the You family’s attitude today, this is no longer a good match."  

"Even if we force them, they’ll resent it. If Xiao Taozi marries into that family now, how could he possibly have a good life?"  

Her words struck Ji Yangzong like a wake-up call, and he quieted.  

"Did you arrange this marriage for the You family’s influence or for Xiao Taozi? Seems you’ve forgotten."  

After a pause, Ji Yangzong reined in his anger, sighing in regret. "I’ve been a fool, letting momentary anger push me toward forcing a marriage. My father-in-law warned me against this very thing."  

He suddenly realized, "Father-in-law saw it clearly from the start."  

Huang Manjing grasped his hand. "Yangzong, I’ve always regretted giving you only one child, and him being sickly, it’s all my fault. But born so fragile, how could he endure an unkind husband’s family?"  

Ji Yangzong quickly replied, "Even with just one child, I’ve never felt regret. Xiao Taozi’s health isn’t your fault, he was born this way."  

"I know your worries. Rest assured, I’ve never forgotten why we arranged this marriage. I’d never sacrifice Xiao Taozi’s happiness for fleeting power or profit."  

Huang Manjing’s eyes reddened slightly.  

Ji Yangzong declared, "The You family can’t play dumb and drag this out. If they don’t give a clear answer in the next few days, we’ll go together to settle this. Whether to proceed or part, we’ll have a definitive outcome."  

____

Inside his room, Ji Taoyu hadn’t heard the argument outside, but his mood was far from light.  

Secluded, he sat by his dressing table, staring blankly at the poetry notes and letters tucked beneath, lost in thought.  

After returning from the You family banquet, though his parents said nothing in front of him, he knew they were upset.  

His father valued face above all. Having expected today to be a grand celebration, only to be subtly slighted, how could he not be furious?  

You Erlang’s silence at the banquet and Eldest Uncle You’s excuses were a slap to his father’s pride. Outsiders might assume both families had agreed to prioritize the exams and delay the wedding, unaware the You family had originally promised to marry after the autumn exams. Now, his family bore the humiliation silently.  

The You family’s attitude and You Lingxiao’s silence - without even a visit to explain, made it clear he approved of this.  

Though Ji Taoyu didn’t feel heart-wrenching pain, his chest was heavy with suffocating discomfort.  

Could fame and fortune really make someone break promises and change so completely?  

Just days ago, when You Lingxiao visited, he’d told him to come early to the banquet because he had "big news" to announce.  

Not only his parents but even he had been certain the You family would proclaim their engagement today.  

For things to turn out this way, how could he not be disappointed?  

Was You Lingxiao truly constrained, or had his heart already changed?  

As he drifted in thought, two taps sounded at his window.  

Ji Taoyu snapped back to attention, eyeing the window warily. Realizing the noise wasn’t his imagination, he approached and slowly opened it.  

"Any news?"  

The voice startled him, making his hands jerk reflexively to shut the window, but something blocked the frame.  

Looking down, he saw four fingers wedged beneath and immediately released his grip. "Are you hurt?!"  

Huo Shu retracted his hand, flexing his fingers. "Luckily, they’re not broken."  

Ji Taoyu flushed with guilt, though it occurred to him this intruder had brought it on himself.  

Frowning, he interrogated, "What are you doing here?"  

He nervously glanced around.  

Outside his window was a narrow path lined with peach and plum trees, usually deserted. But with their high walls, how had this man slipped in unnoticed?  

Huo Shu crossed his arms. "I worried your heartache might make you forget my request."  

Ji Taoyu shot him a glare, then lowered his gaze.  

If only the window had clamped shut on this man’s mouth too.  

"Warrior Huo, knowing I’m distressed, you still have the heart to burden me with other tasks?"  

Huo Shu’s eyes darkened at the resentful tone. "In that case, I’ll go teach the one who hurt you a lesson. Once you’re satisfied, you can handle my matter."  

Seeing Huo Shu’s fists tighten, knuckles cracking, Ji Taoyu hurriedly said, "Assaulting a juren lands you in prison!"  

Huo Shu studied the ger’s anxious face. "Are you worried for my imprisonment or You Lingxiao’s beating?"  

Ji Taoyu opened his mouth but found himself at a loss. What kind of question was that?  

This stern-looking man actually knew how to tease.  

Pursing his lips in displeasure, Ji Taoyu stayed silent.  

Men...not a single decent one among them.