Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 128 - 118: Willing or Not?
Chapter 128: Chapter 118: Willing or Not?
Wang Xuanmo glanced at Wang Yizhi, “You don’t want to?”
Wang Yizhi sighed, “Of course I don’t.”
Chu Yu hurriedly chimed in as well, “I don’t want to either.”
Both unwilling.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Wang Xuanmo’s smile turned somewhat cold.
...
After a while, Wang Yizhi, feeling helpless, said, “Family Head, I don’t know what you are planning, but binding the Wang family’s interests with the Princess Mansion through marriage is not reliable. I am not a reliable person, and the Princess shouldn’t have to bear such a responsibility.”
A marital alliance?!
Only then did Chu Yu realize what Wang Xuanmo was getting at. Beneath this seemingly frivolous decision lay a bare exchange of interests. She thought for a moment and then earnestly said to Wang Xuanmo, “Old fox… General Wang, why do you think I am a suitable partner for cooperation? And why choose this method?” Even without marriage, there were many other ways to cooperate. Why did he insist on sending Wang Yizhi to the Princess Mansion, which outsiders viewed as a pit of fire?
Was he even somewhat impatient?
Wang Xuanmo sighed, his aged hand resting on the armrest of his recliner, knotted veins and tendons protruding like gnarled tree roots. It took him a long time before he slowly said, “Choosing the Princess is because of her influence over His Majesty, and the Princess herself should be aware of this. As for your latter question, I ask the Princess to forgive me, as I cannot answer it.”
Chu Yu slowly stood up. She bent over to brush off the dust that had gathered on the hem of her robe—an action she performed with utter composure—then she lifted her gaze, looking directly and sincerely at Wang Xuanmo, “General Wang, please forgive me as I cannot yet respond to you. You must have spent quite some time studying me. Similarly, may I also take some time to contemplate? Moreover, let’s not bring up the matter of marriage again.”
Wang Xuanmo was taken aback, “Could the Princess tell me the reason?”
Chu Yu stood up straight, turned her head to glance at the wryly smiling Wang Yizhi and said with a smile, “There is no romantic affection between Brother Yizhi and me. Clear breezes, bright moons, high mountains, and flowing rivers—these things should never be tainted by worldly concerns.” No matter what, they shouldn’t bind themselves in marriage, as it would not only be difficult for her but also demean the free-spirited and carefree Wang Yizhi.
Even simply in name, it was not to be.
She made a bow towards Wang Xuanmo’s direction before turning to Wang Yizhi, “Brother Yizhi, are you coming with me?”
Wang Yizhi apologetically said, “I have some matters I want to discuss with the Family Head…”
Seeing his expression, Chu Yu knew that what Wang Yizhi wanted to discuss was not meant for her to hear, and she said with a laugh, “Then I will wait for you at the door. We came together; Brother Yizhi, you should keep your word.”
Wang Yizhi gave a slight nod, and then broke into a smile, saying, “Of course.”
Watching Chu Yu walk away, Wang Yizhi observed that she walked with a straight back, and there seemed to be a breeze in her step. Although her clothes were of the flowing, wide-sleeved variety, which billowed in the wind as she walked, she moved with a decisiveness and unimpeded grace that he had rarely seen in others.
Only after Chu Yu had disappeared outside the courtyard gate and some time had passed, when Wang Yizhi could hear the fading sound of her footsteps, did he approach Wang Xuanmo. Extending his hands, he began to massage the old man’s shoulders, applying pressure as he said, “Old Master, I want to hear the reason you can’t tell the Princess.” After a pause, he asked, “Is it because of me?”
Wang Xuanmo sighed, and in that exhale, he seemed to age several years. With a faint smile, the sly old man slowly said, “I’ve never understood why someone as clever as you, who sees through so much, is so unwilling to take over the Wang family.”
A hint of remorse flickered across Wang Yizhi’s handsome brows and eyes, even though he was usually carefree, he’d occasionally feel guilt for his capriciousness when faced with this elder, not closely related by blood, but always considering his well-being. His lips curved slightly as he said, “Perhaps, I’m really just a fool.”
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Wang Xuanmo turned his hand over and patted the back of Wang Yizhi’s hand, saying, “I know you have no desire for this, and shouldn’t be forced. You haven’t been involved with the family’s affairs for a long time, and you’re not aware of the current situation in the Wang family. Let me tell you, it may not be long before the position of Family Head will have to be changed. It’s not that I’m unwilling to let go of this position, but my favoritism towards you over the years has created much envy and hatred within the family. I’m also getting on in years, and if I pass away, I won’t be able to protect you anymore, hence the need to plan ahead. Right now, you have two choices: first, come back and help me, take over my position, and stand at the top of the Wang family, then no one will be able to do anything to you; second, seek shelter through the authority of the Princess and your status as Prince Consort. While those people are bold, they wouldn’t dare to provoke the Princess too blatantly.”
The old man’s sharp and indifferent eyes softened in a place where Wang Yizhi couldn’t see, becoming a bit affectionate, “Which path will you choose?” He knew that neither path was entirely satisfactory for Wang Yizhi, but if it was to safeguard his status or even his life, that was the only way to go.
Wang Yizhi’s massage halted, and stopping his action, he moved in front of Wang Xuanmo, squatting down, looking straight at the old man with a gentle voice, “Great-uncle, you’re thinking of Yizhi’s best interests, and Yizhi is deeply grateful, but Yizhi is an irredeemable scoundrel. Neither of these paths, I will choose.”
Wang Xuanmo opened his half-closed eyes, and a flash of sharpness covered the gentleness, “If you’re stubborn, you’ll suffer greatly in the future.”
Wang Yizhi smiled indifferently, “If I make things difficult for myself, that would be truly suffering now.” He gripped the old man’s hand, shocked at how thin it felt, and couldn’t help but express his alarm, “You…” Although he claimed to be indifferent, what about Wang Xuanmo? Wang Yizhi knew some of the turbulent undercurrents within the family. With Wang Xuanmo being so old, could he still hold on?
Wang Xuanmo sighed, his expression complicated as he pulled out his hand and patted Wang Yizhi’s shoulder, “It’s alright. You’ve always had your own convictions; since you’re resolute, I won’t stop you. As for me…” The old man let out a cold laugh, his demeanor cunning, “Even if I’m no longer the Family Head, they can’t do anything to me. I haven’t lived these years in vain.”
Hearing the old man speak like this, Wang Yizhi felt relieved. He wanted to spend more time with Wang Xuanmo, but the old man had already closed his eyes again, leaning back in his chair, resuming his nap—the gesture of a host seeing off a guest: “You should go, the Princess is waiting for you. You’ve always been a ladies’ man; at this moment, how can you make a lady wait?”
So the crafty old fox hadn’t given up on the matter between him and the Princess, Wang Yizhi thought, amused yet resigned. Without going against the old man’s wishes, he quietly said farewell and stood up to leave. After a few steps, he heard an almost inaudible murmur from behind, “This Princess is quite different from the rumors, and while she may not be truly worthy of you, she is an intriguing woman indeed.”
Wang Yizhi’s pace faltered but he didn’t respond. Then he continued outside, until he reached the mansion’s gate, where he saw Chu Yu waiting, leaning casually against it, reaching out to pluck a young leaf from a nearby branch.
Her clear, lucid eyes were calm as still waters, and her beautiful face looked extremely elegant.
Remembering some past events, Wang Yizhi silently said to himself: “Yes, very intriguing indeed.”
As they returned to the carriage together, Chu Yu gazed into the sky for a long while before suddenly speaking, “Brother Yizhi, how trustworthy is your family’s old master?”
