My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 26 Part 3

The Ji couple had argued with their relatives late into the night, failing to agree on a solution. The discussion ended badly.  

Worried, they hadn’t slept well. But at their age, sleepless nights weren’t uncommon, so they didn’t look overly fatigued.  

Seeing their ger up so early, they assumed he hadn’t slept at all.  

Yet apart from slightly reddened eyes, Ji Taoyu showed no other signs of distress.  

The night before, the couple had lingered outside his door, afraid he might do something drastic. Only when they heard no crying did they finally retire.  

The couple felt slightly relieved, yet at the same time, they found Ji Taoyu's behavior somewhat unusual. During breakfast, Huang Manjing cautiously said:  

"Don’t take those matters to heart and burden yourself. They only dare to gossip behind our backs. Your father and I will find a way to resolve this."  

Ji Taoyu sipped some porridge and asked, "What about my uncles? When did they leave last night?"  

"Don’t mind them. They’re always like this, jumping to conclusions whenever something happens."  

Ji Yangzong picked up some food and placed it in Ji Taoyu’s bowl. "Next time they come to talk, just don’t see them. Your father knows how to handle them."  

Ji Taoyu nodded.  

"Father, Mother, don’t worry. I’m fine."  

Despite his reassurance, the couple remained uneasy, finishing their breakfast with heavy hearts.  

Ji Taoyu waited until the sky was fully bright before adding an extra layer of clothing and stepping out.  

Since things had already come to this, he couldn’t afford to neglect his health, it would only make matters worse if he fell ill.  

Carrying a small basket, Ji Taoyu pretended to be out gathering vegetables while keeping an eye on the situation.  

He glanced in the direction of the You family’s house, hesitating over whether he should seek out You Lingxiao.  

Even before the engagement was broken off, his family had urged him to be reserved and not visit You Lingxiao without reason. As a result, most of their meetings had been initiated by You Lingxiao himself.  

Lost in thought, he encountered two villagers along the way.  

The villagers greeted him warmly as usual, though their eyes carried a hint of scrutiny.  

They had likely already heard the rumors. But since he had mustered the courage to come out, he wouldn’t let their glances bother him.  

He continued walking until, passing a bamboo grove, someone suddenly called his name - a voice both unfamiliar and faintly recognizable.  

Ji Taoyu turned and was startled to see You Lingxiao. He hadn’t even figured out how to approach him, yet here he was, appearing on his own.  

Seeing him again, Ji Taoyu felt an odd sense of deja vu, as if an eternity had passed - even though it had only been half a month since they last met.  

"What does You Juren want?"  

You Lingxiao, finally seeing the person he had longed for, couldn’t help but smile. Yet when he heard Ji Taoyu’s distant tone, his expression froze.  

"Ah Yu, I know you must resent me. But whether you believe me or not, I never intended to betray you. My proposal to you was sincere."  

Ji Taoyu studied You Lingxiao’s furrowed brows, his earnest gaze, and the troubled look on his refined face. Had he not witnessed his fawning behavior at Shili Textile Shop that day, he might have been moved, thinking he truly had no choice.  

No wonder Huo Shu had asked if he could remain clear-headed. It seemed his lack of worldly experience had blinded him to this man’s true nature.  

Suddenly, he found it all absurdly amusing.  

"If you were sincere, how did we end up like this?"  

You Lingxiao quickly replied, "When Uncle Ji came to break off the engagement, I tried my best to stop it. But my mother, fearing it would interfere with my exams, agreed. It was my fault for not standing up to her. I tried to see you several times, but Uncle Ji barred me from entering. When I tried to explain, he scolded me harshly."  

"Ah Yu, I don’t fear his reprimands. I disappointed him, it’s only right that he scolds me. But not being able to see you has left me restless, unable to sleep. If this continues, forget the exams, I might not even be able to endure it."  

Ji Taoyu watched You Lingxiao’s performance in silence. He was undoubtedly skilled at playing the victim.  

In their early years, as an orphaned mother and son struggling in the village, he had mastered the art of pitiful apologies. Paired with his handsome face, it was all too easy to deceive others.  

But now that Ji Taoyu had seen his two-faced nature, it only deepened his disgust.  

Ji Taoyu said, "My father has always valued face. If someone is two faced, serving Qin in the morning and Chu in the evening, of course he’d be angry."  

[朝秦暮楚 (zhāo qín mù chǔ): lit. serve Qin in the morning and Chu in the evening; fig. be fickle, change sides easily; Qin (秦) and Chu (楚) were two powerful rival states during China’s Warring States period (475–221 BCE]  

You Lingxiao sighed. "I know I’m at fault. But with such vile rumors spreading now, if Uncle Ji remains stubborn, won’t it only harm you?"  

Ji Taoyu feigned ignorance. "What rumors?"  

Seeing Ji Taoyu’s apparent lack of awareness, You Lingxiao hesitated before reluctantly explaining, "Promise me you won’t panic."  

Ji Taoyu remained silent.  

"Some long-tongued women have been spreading nonsense, claiming that you and I… behaved improperly. The whole village is abuzz with it. As a man, I can endure it, but you, a young ger, how can they speak of you like this? These gossiping women are utterly vulgar!"  

[长舌妇 (cháng shé fù): lit. long-tongued woman; fig. a gossipy woman]  

"How could such rumors exist? Could someone be spreading them deliberately?" Ji Taoyu carefully observed You Lingxiao’s expression. "Do you know who started them?"  

"How would I know?!"  

You Lingxiao caught himself, realizing his tone was too sharp. "I don’t know who’s saying these things. If I did, I’d make sure they regretted it."  

Ji Taoyu said, "From what you said, it sounds like women are spreading it. I thought you might know who."  

"I only overheard a few village women talking, so I assumed as much. I don’t know who started it." You Lingxiao paused, sensing something off about Ji Taoyu’s reaction. "Ah Yu, you don’t seem bothered by these rumors?" 

"The innocent need not fear false accusations. Surely, as a juren, you’ll help clear my name?"