WBSGVS Chapter 26 V1

After a chaotic scene, three men arrived outside the cabin, while Qingli and Song were inside.

Due to Qingli’s fierce actions moments earlier, Song was left in shock. Normally confident and articulate, she found herself at a loss for words.

Qingli, however, was not one to initiate conversation.

An awkward silence filled the cramped cabin until Song, still reeling from the earlier events, spoke up more sternly than usual: “Miss Ji, no matter how much you dislike Zheng Yihan, you can’t resort to violence!”

With a cold demeanor, Qingli replied politely, “You’re right, Your Highness. I acted recklessly.”

Song’s expression darkened further.

She had apologized and admitted her mistake, but the insincerity in Qingli’s tone was evident; it was clear she felt no real regret and merely wanted to silence her.

For the first time, Song felt a surge of frustration, wanting to vent but unable to find the words. After a heavy sigh and a sip of hot tea, she said, “Miss Ji, I know you have grievances against Young Master Zheng, but I believe he’s the most suitable match for you. After all, if a woman remarries, even if her new family is kind, they won’t truly overlook her past.”

Qingli smiled faintly, her tone steady: “It doesn’t matter as long as I don’t mind.”

“???” Song was taken aback, hesitating for several seconds to confirm she hadn’t misunderstood. Then she asked, “Miss Ji, you may not mind, but what if your future husband does? What then?”

Qingli confidently stated, “Then let my father and brothers make sure he doesn’t dare to mind.”

Song was speechless.

She stared at her teacup, suddenly unsure of what kind of tea she was drinking. A sip revealed a bitterness that overshadowed its usual fragrance.

She struggled to articulate her thoughts: “This isn’t good for you, is it?”

Qingli replied candidly, “As long as I’m happy and don’t hurt anyone else, that’s all that matters.”

Song perked up, sensing a flaw in Qingli’s reasoning. She quickly added, “But your future husband won’t be happy.”

Qingli was surprised: “If I marry in the future, he’ll surely know I’ve been married before. If he truly minds, he shouldn’t marry me. If he marries me for the sake of the Ji family, then he must accept my temperament. We’re adults; shouldn’t we understand that relationships are a matter of mutual benefit? If I endure someone who takes advantage of me, then I’d truly be insane.”

Song was even more astonished: “Aren’t you afraid of being labeled a shrew?”

Qingli shook her head: “Let them say what they want; I can’t hear it anyway.”

Song was momentarily speechless.

She wanted to point out how she had endured bullying from the Zhang family in the past, but she knew it would be pointless.

Every word from Ji Qingli was firm and logical, even if it clashed with Song’s upbringing. Though she looked down on such a self-neglecting woman, deep down, she felt a pang of bitterness.

Song quickly took another sip of tea, not wanting to dwell on her thoughts.

Neither spoke for a while, but Song noticed Qingli’s peculiar gaze. Yet, she understood they were fundamentally different people, and it was best not to continue the conversation.

The cabin fell silent, while outside, voices began to rise.

Three men sat around a small table: one with an inquisitive expression, another with a dejected demeanor, and the last sitting upright with an air of distance and respect.

Jiang Cunrui poured tea for Zheng Yihan and Wei Pingyuan. After receiving their thanks, he curiously inquired about how Wei Pingyuan knew Ji Qingli.

Wei Pingyuan’s eyes softened slightly as he explained, “While at the Li residence, I accidentally soiled my shoes while picking up a pouch. It was Miss Ji who called a servant to help me.”

Jiang Cunrui chuckled, “That’s quite a coincidence. However, Wei Daren, it’s not appropriate for you two to be out alone like this, considering she is a woman.”

Wei Pingyuan replied earnestly, “I admire Miss Ji.”

To admire someone implies intentions of marriage; thus, being alone wouldn’t be inappropriate.

Jiang Cunrui narrowed his eyes slightly. Before he could react, Zheng Yihan, who had been silent, suddenly glared and spoke up: “Wei Daren, I remember our last meeting vividly, and I took the liberty of looking into you. I heard some things, like how you wouldn’t have been appointed to your position if it weren’t for A-li. So, what gives you the right to admire A-li?”

Wei Pingyuan remained composed, answering calmly, “That’s none of your concern, Young Master Zheng.”

Zheng Yihan’s face darkened, teeth clenched, and the pain from his swollen cheek flared up again, but he ignored it, fixated on Wei Pingyuan.

Once again, Wei Pingyuan seemed unfazed, standing still.

Jiang Cunrui observed the exchange, chuckling: “Though Zheng is out of line, his words hold some truth. Wei Daren truly admires Miss Ji, but there’s a significant gap between you two, which may not satisfy General Ji.”

At that moment, a female voice interjected: “Your Highness, whether my father is satisfied or not depends entirely on my feelings. You worry too much.”

Jiang Cunrui tightened his grip on the teacup, laughing: “I’m just overthinking. Please don’t take offense, Miss Ji.”

Qingli smiled: “I won’t.”

Zheng Yihan, however, couldn’t believe his ears: “You want to marry him? What makes him worthy of you?!”

Qingli’s smile faded, and she shot him a cold glance: “Is being good-looking not enough?”

Zheng Yihan protested: “But you’re the one who did all the work to get him his position!”

“If he lacks the ability, it wouldn’t matter what I say. Do you think I can control the Da Li Si? All I did was reclaim Wei Daren’s credit! At least he knows how to be grateful!” Qingli snapped. “Besides, what business is it of yours whether I marry or not? Young Master Zheng, you’re overstepping your bounds. But does your cheek still hurt?”

Zheng Yihan’s face twitched; of course, it hurt.

Qingli struck ruthlessly, showing no mercy. His cheek was already swollen and burning with pain, and when he spoke, the strain made his skin ache, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

He was still shaken and didn’t speak for a moment.

Qingli let out a disdainful laugh and said to Jiang Cunrui, “Your Highness, it’s getting late; I should take my leave.”

“Take care,” Jiang Cunrui nodded.

“Wai Daren?” Qingli called out with a smile.

Wei Pingyuan was already prepared and immediately reached out, saying, “I’ll assist Miss Ji.”

Qingli placed her hand on his.

Zheng Yihan watched her turn to leave without even a glance back. With Wei Pingyuan beside her—someone he considered to have neither status nor wealth—his heart was filled with jealousy and resentment. Unable to hold back, he called out, “Are you unwilling to give me even a single chance?”

Qingli paused.

Wei Pingyuan’s eyes flickered slightly as he stood in silence, waiting.

Zheng Yihan’s eyes brightened with a glimmer of hope.

Meeting his gaze, Qingli scrutinized him and asked with genuine confusion, “What benefits would being with you bring?”

Zheng Yihan: “???”

Their eyes locked, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Isn’t being together supposed to be about love?

Qingli smiled lightly and took a step closer. Instinctively, Zheng Yihan stepped back, though Qingli, shorter than him, exuded an overpowering aura. She articulated slowly:

“Marrying you means going from the daughter of a great general to becoming Mrs. Zheng, a drop in status. Marrying you means going from being my mother’s treasured jewel to becoming your mother’s thorn in her side, a change in identity. Marrying you means going from a pampered young lady who needs care to someone who must take care of you, your mother, your father, your brother, and your sister-in-law—a foolish burden, a change in responsibility.”

“Because I loved you back then, I gave up so much. What have you given me in return? You brought Jiang Tingxue back, disregarding your vows, insisting on taking a concubine!”

Zheng Yihan’s face flushed with embarrassment, wanting to retort, but he found himself speechless, forced to endure her blatant ridicule.

Seeing his reaction, Qingli laughed even more heartily. “Now that we’ve separated, I can return to my previous standard of living—what a relief! And you? A man used by Jiang Tingxue, someone I can no longer look at? What could marrying you possibly offer me? Are you expecting me to support you?”

Boom!

Her final words struck Zheng Yihan like a thunderbolt, his blood rushing to his head, all hope evaporating, replaced by raw anger from being so openly humiliated.

How could she say such a thing?