21 - Love Rival

Chapter 21 – Love rival

She suddenly came to a realization.

However, on second thought, since he is not married and if he wants to get close to any woman, it is his business, so what reason does she have to stop him?

“Moreover, the woman in the painting is not the one I like, so you can rest assured.” Di Jing continued.

She replied with an ‘Oh’ and then paused…….he told her to be rest assured? Wait a minute, what is she supposed to feel rest assured about? Why does this sound a bit weird?

She turned her head to look at him and saw that he was perfectly composed. She could not detect anything unusual and thought that he might have just said those words casually.

“Did you write all these?” Di Jing flipped through the book that she had sent over.

She gathered her thoughts and replied. “Yes, I compared a few different cases and jotted down all the doubtful points and similarities inside the book.”

“That’s very good. Sit down and let’s discuss this.”

He spoke casually and she very naturally pulled a chair over. After sitting down, she realized that she had initially wanted to leave but was attracted by the topic he brought up.

Thus, in this way, she spent the entire afternoon in his study.

Di Jing is a diligent person and she is also a person who cannot keep idle. The two of them often discuss cases together and usually once they start to talk, they would forget about the time. As a result, it was already dinner time before they became aware of it. Without asking for her opinion, Di Jing directly ordered for dinner to be served in the study which also included her share.

As the food was already served up, it was not nice of her to refuse. However, when she saw the various dishes on the table, a strange feeling arose in her heart. Perhaps she had overthought but all the dishes were her favorites. If this had only happened a few times, it could be considered a coincidence but every time it was the same and she began to wonder if it was done deliberately.

In the beginning, she believed he had a wife therefore, she did not make ambiguous speculations. But now that she knows he is not married, she could not help but feel a little suspicious. However, she soon threw away that thought and after thinking deeper, she gathered that Di Jing should not be interested in her.

One of the reasons is that he is favored by the Emperor and has a great future ahead of him. The other reason is that their status is vastly different and his official position is enough for him to marry a princess as his wife.

The two of them were not in the same league.

Just by having the suspicion that he is interested in her, she already felt disdainful of herself for having such thoughts.

She thought that this suspicion was ridiculous but did not expect her intuition to be correct.

Di Jing did have the intention to reveal to her that he did not have a wife yet and took in all her reactions to this news. After all, he did not want her to misunderstand that he is a married man.

For an independent and strong-minded woman like her, even though she is not from a noble family, her haughtiness would not lose to those noble daughters.

After eating and drinking her fill, Shangguan Yan looked at the sky outside and found that it was already past the time for them to go off work. Unexpectedly, it had taken up so much time and she should also be returning home. Just as she was about to leave, it so happened that a guard came in from outside to make a report. The guard whispered something into Di Jing’s ear and after speaking, he stepped to the side to wait for a reply.

When she saw Di Jing sinking into deep thoughts as though the news was so important that he had to make an immediate decision, she remained silent as not to interrupt him.

Di Jing thought for a while and then ordered the guard. “Let him wait first and then take him there a quarter of an hour later.”

“This humble one will follow the order.”

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After the guard had left, Di Jing suddenly said to her sternly. “Constable Shangguan, receive this order.”

As soon as she heard him switch back to the tone of the Imperial Commissioner, she immediately stood up to salute in obeisance and said. “This humble one awaits the order.”

“You’re ordered to return to prison immediately.”

She was startled and stared at Di Jing.

He wants her to return to prison? Is he joking?

Di Jing was not joking because Pan Zeming came to pay a visit again. The order could not be defied therefore, Shangguan Yan could not refuse to return to prison.

Pan Zeming is the heir of the Pan Family. The origin of the two families could be traced back to the time when Madam Pan and Madam Shangguan were still unmarried. At that time, they were very close and often moved around in a pair.

In terms of family background, although the Shangguan Family is the royal merchant, Madam Shangguan also understands that for a woman to live a happy life, the character of her husband is more important than matching up according to their family status.

The Pan Family operates a cloth-dyeing factory and although the business cannot be compared to the Shangguan Family’s businesses, they are honest people and have a good reputation. The heir, Pan Zeming is a scholar, gentle, upright and courteous, and also an honest man. However, it is a pity that he is not good at business, so the Pan Family hopes to marry a daughter-in-law who understands business. In the future, they will hand over the business to her and let her run it.

And with Shangguan Yan’s ability in business, she is the ideal candidate as a wife.

Old Master Shangguan has been moving around in the business arena for many years and often deals with government officials. After having seen so many kinds of people, he had already seen too much evil and slyness.

He and his wife had discussed this matter before. Based on their daughter’s temperament, she is not suitable to marry into an official family. Although they believe that even if their daughter is to marry into an official family, she will not suffer a loss. However, there are countless shameful secrets in the rear courtyard of a large wealthy family and it is also common practice to have numerous wives and concubines.

Instead of letting their daughter marry into a wealthy family governed by many rules and complexities, it would be better to let her marry into a small family with family members who are easy to get along with and a husband who is willing to let their daughter knead and squeeze into whatever shape she wanted.

And Pan Zeming is this kind of person.

The most important point is that his character had obtained the approval of Old Master Shangguan.

If his daughter marries him, then she can still carry on with her own business in the future. If she wants to do business or work as a secret constable, she can do whatever she desires.

The couple can live a simple life, have a few children, and lead a peaceful and happy life. How good will that be!

So when Yan’er was seventeen years old, Madam Shangguan visited the Pan Family to ask for their opinion and found that the Pan Family also liked the idea. The important thing was that Pan Zeming himself had voiced his willingness and promised to only marry one wife and would not take concubines.

To Shanguan Yan, this Pan Zeming is not a bad choice as a good husband. She has known Pan Zeming since she was a child and also feels that he has a good temper. Since her parents like him, so she agreed.

Anyway whoever she marries, is still getting married, right?

To live her whole life with that person, it must be someone she can suppress and he must also not object to her doing business and arresting criminals.

Since the two families were interested, they began to consider whether they should choose a date for the engagement. Unexpectedly, a few days later, the ancestor of the Pan Family passed away. At that time, it was inappropriate to discuss the engagement, so Shangguan Yan took the lead and decided to wait until the mourning period is over before discussing the marriage again. Anyway, she still wants to spend a few more years in freedom, so the marriage was put on hold until she is now twenty years of age and still unmarried.

Shangguan Yan understood that the matter about her not being kept in prison must be hidden from Pan Zeming. So she had to go back to prison and put up an act but the question is how can she face him with this face of hers? By right no man would want to marry such an ugly wife, right? If he is to change his mind and renege on his agreement, she will not blame him. After all, the two families have yet to send the betrothal gift and exchange cards*, so the Pan Family still has a chance to choose. Since she is a businesswoman and had traversed the Jianghu , she can see everything clearly and is broad-minded.

(Card – it is a card that is written with the eight characters of the bride or the bridegroom after checking on their compatibility. To confirm an engagement, the matchmaker will send over the betrothal gifts together with the cards belonging to both the bride-to-be and bridegroom-to-be. The cards will then be exchanged between the families.)

Moreover, the feelings she has for Pan Zeming is more like the love between siblings rather than the love between men and women. If he is to regret it, she will not blame him.

Sure enough, when Pan Zeming saw her, he was shocked but the reaction that followed was out of her expectation.

“Ah Yan, don’t worry. Regardless of what you become, I’ll wait for you.” Pan Zeming assured her as he cried and held her hands.

It was Shangguan Yan’s turn to be dumbfounded and could not help but ask in surprise. “You’re still willing to marry me even though I’ve turned so ugly?”

“Although I, Pan Zeming, am only a scholar, I am also familiar with books written by sages……a man must be indomitable and keep his promise. Since I have promised to marry you, I will never break my promise.” He spoke with uprightness and firmness.

Upon hearing his words, Shangguan Yan was indeed moved but she also seemed to come to an understanding. The reason he was willing to marry her even after seeing her ugly face was because he wanted to keep his promise…….. Well, it was what she wanted from him…….his honesty and integrity as a scholar.

As a businesswoman, Shangguan Yan naturally has a careful and meticulous temperament. She had never placed a priority on her husband’s wealth, background, and appearance. For many years, while conducting her business disguised as a man, she had to socialize outside and seen the lustfulness and treachery of men.

Her husband does not need to be as shrewd and powerful as her father but he must be married to only one woman in his life just like her father. The person must also be honest, must not visit the brothels, and treats her well wholeheartedly.

“Pan Lang ……”

Pan Zeming thought her face was the result of staying in the prison and she did not make the effort to explain either. Grasping his hands in turn, she stared at him and was suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling that she had picked up a treasure.

Sure enough, one can’t judge a man by his appearance but must look at his loyalty!

Faced with Pan Zeming’s ‘unwavering loyalty’, she was not the only one who was caught by surprise but Di Jing was surprised as well.

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When the female guard reported the situation in the prison to Di Jing, his face remained calm without revealing any feelings and just said. “Understood…….withdraw.”

“Yes.” As soon as the female guard left, Di Jing’s expression immediately became solemn and rubbed his temples involuntarily.

Unexpectedly, in this world, it is not only him who does not care about the looks of the woman he loves……that Pan Zeming is the same. This love rival is an affectionate and sincere person too. The man has no shortcomings. He is filial to his parents, righteous to his friends, and a respectful and talented man who is also good-looking. The most important thing is that he promised to marry only one wife and would not take concubines.

And this kind of rare good man had to appear beside Shangguan Yan!

Di Jing had a headache.

Now, he can only win against Pan Zeming with his wealth and power but this is not what Shangguan Yan cares about.

He thought that Pan Zeming would not be a threat but reality proved that he had underestimated him.

He got up, walked over to the window, and looked in the direction of the prison while the hands placed behind his back tightened into fists……..

He won’t give up!

He shut his eyes and when he opened them again, his eyes were flashing with lights and the corners of his lips were slightly curved.

He wants to snatch her over but he can only do it stealthily and not openly. He also cannot use shady means which is against his upright character and personality. Based on this alone, he absolutely cannot lose to Pan Zeming, otherwise, how will he be able to lift his head in front of her in the future?

Tricky situation………

With his arms crossed, Di Jing paced back and forth in the house.

This night is destined to be a sleepless night……..