The Ageless Dream

19.2 Race to Wei (74)

Dong Li Hua took a peek at the scene before the bed. What exactly is happening? Seems like Xiang Ji is using her as a scapegoat in marrying the noble lady and she realized this because of their conversation. The delicate young girl next to Ze Shuai looks beautiful, why will he reject such beauty? Is he nuts?

"Father, please cancel the engagement. The marriage is for the better of my future but please understand that I will never rely on marriage to gain my ambitions!" Xiang Ji looked up to his father with bravery. His plans have come to an end. All those facades he did for years is finally bearing fruit. Only if he can claim Xiang Chiao's agreement, the reputation he damaged with exaggerated rumors is worth it!

"Brother Ji, you..." Hai Sheng quickly wiped her tears. She glanced towards the bed to see a pair of strange green eyes.

"You think you can rely on yourself? After refusing to receive proper teaching from your uncle? After damaging your reputation?!" Xiang Chiao restrained his urge to beat his son. If not for his brother holding him back, he would have beaten Xiang Ji to knock some sense on him.

"I. Never. Loved. Hai Sheng!" Xiang Ji confessed though he knew it will hurt Hai Sheng very much. Unable to bear it, Hai Sheng left the room.

"Miss Hai Sheng!" Ze Shuai followed after her.

"That's not the point-"

"Father, please hear me out. You have gone to war against Qin for more than a decade without returning here in Xiang nor in Ying. Minister Hai is trying to rebel against His Majesty, King Fuchu. Making me marry her for connection is equal to bringing out family down into the muddy water. I don't want to risk ourselves for a measly thirst of power!" Xiang Ji told everything he knew, surprising the three people with him.

"You-"

"Ji'er..."

"Uncle, Father, Minister Hai in the first place is under a prince's faction. Prince Baiqing has been detained by our authority after proven he runs the illegal brothels. If not for the clues I had, I would have not suspected Prince Baiqing is trying to drag us down with him. Once Minister Hai is proven guilty, he will slander our clan using the reason of marriage that is why I kept delaying Miss Hai Sheng to give our family more time. I was unable to say it since Miss Hai Sheng keeps coming here and Uncle is too busy."

A long silence happened before Xiang Chiao chuckled. He surprised everyone in the room because of his reaction. "I thought you were spoiled-rotten because of your uncle, who knew you can be clever too."

Outside the manor, Ze Shuai is currently embracing Hai Sheng. He looked aggrieved but he patiently coaxed the young girl.

"Why is Brother Ji so heartless? He is so kind few days ago but why- why is he doing this to me?" Hai Sheng cried her heart out. At first, she never wanted to get engaged with Xiang Ji but after many interactions with him, she founds herself admiring him deeper.

"Miss Hai Sheng, he did it for a reason. I know him well. Xiang Ji will never hurt someone without a proper explanation." Ze Shuai tightened his hold. His heart is in pain seeing her cry but he has done it already. He helped Xiang Ji crush Hai Sheng's heart to pieces.

"Does it hurt?" Xiang Ji touched the bruise on the corner of Dong Li Hua's lip. He never knew he applied too much force; it was supposedly a gentle one but the footsteps came too early which drove him agitated.

"So, it was all a ploy? You destroyed your reputation to save your family?" Dong Li Hua no longer looked at him as if he is a disease but her gaze is full of admiration instead. How many people can do that? It's quite rare, ah.

"Of course! It was so brave of me, heh. Its quite difficult being pinned down because of those rumors. But I wonder why Feifei didn't tie me on a bedpost? I won't mind if it was Feifei who molested me." Xiang Ji wriggled his eyebrows as Dong Li Hua's lip twitched.

"Does Miss Hai Sheng know her father's wrongdoings?" she asked. Though he saved his family, that Minister Hai's relatives may not survive.

"She's...she's too naive." his tone turned solemn all of a sudden. Xiang Ji glanced at the door and no one is there. "In truth, Ze Shuai loves her. I conspired with him and designed this play. Thanks to Feifei's cooperation, those two had a time for each other."

"Sir Ze Shuai?" Dong Li Hua can't believe her ears. A plot that is well constructed, no wonder Qin Dynasty was ended by Xiang Ji who in the future will become Xiang Yu. "But since Minister Hai had done something like that, wont Miss Hai Sheng be in trouble too?"

"No. I've made sure to give those two a happy ending. Ze Shuai can hide Hai Sheng here. I can cover them up easily now that I gained my father's trust. This military token is the proof." Xiang Ji dropped on the bed, holding a token in hand. He let out a turbid air as if exhausted and spreads his arms open.

"Miss Hai Sheng." Ze Shuai called out softly. The young girl lifted her head to meet his gaze. "I- Im afraid going back to Ying is impossible now."

"What do you mean?" she sniffed.

"The reason why Xiang Ji insisted for you to visit him is to help you escape. The very day you left Ying; Minister Hai was detained in the city jail. Three generation of your family was executed with him." he slowly explained as Hai Sheng's face paled. Ze Shuai can't help himself and directly placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Miss Hai Sheng, I- I love you! Please stay with me and let me protect you."

"B-Brother Ze, but- I..." Hai Sheng stammered. Long ago, she first met Ze Shuai than Xiang Ji. He was a carefree soldier of Xiang Clan and treated her so amiably she fell for him. It was the reason she disagreed with the engagement with Xiang Ji but she was helpless to do anything and slowly forced herself to like her fiance.