Chapter 31: Fu Zi Hou's Consent

"Did I hear that right just now? The Matriarch intends to marry Li Qiong off to them!"

"You didn't mishear. I have no idea what the Matriarch is thinking. Judging by those people, how could their family possibly be a match for Li Qiong?"

"Exactly! Even if that young man is somewhat good-looking—perhaps a little better than me—he still isn't worthy of Li Qiong!"

Beneath the pavilion in the front courtyard of the Li Residence, a group of youths clustered around a wooden table, gazing toward the main hall in the distance and chattering among themselves.

"Zhao Tian, do you think if your sister doesn't marry into that family, your household would marry you off to them instead?"

One of the boys suddenly glanced toward a girl sprawled over another table.

"Xu Huaichuan, what nonsense are you talking about! You can marry over there yourself!"

Li Zhao Tian, the seventh daughter of the Li family, only ten years old, glared furiously at the boy, her eyes shining with the threat of tears.

Seeing this, the group of boys quickly offered embarrassed smiles and dared not tease her any further.

Elsewhere, under the corridor of the Li Residence—

Following behind Li Qiong, Fu Zihou had long since discerned her intentions.

When Li Qiong halted her steps, Fu Zihou, seeing no one else around, took in the beauty of the courtyard and softly praised its scenery.

"Thank you, Master Fu, for being willing to accompany me here," Li Qiong said.

He looked at her lovely, refined features and did not reply, only bowing courteously in response.

"I hope you will not blame my father," Li Qiong pleaded, then stood beneath the corridor, gazing out at the distant courtyard.

She told Fu Zihou that in her early years, aside from her parents and elder brother, those who cherished her most were her maternal grandparents and their family. She vividly remembered how her uncles, upon seeing her and her mother return home, would be overjoyed, fussing over her mother and showering them with gifts when they departed.

But then one day, Li Qiong saw her mother clawing at her own face, weeping in utter agony, while her father held her with all his strength, trying to prevent her from hurting herself.

At first, Li Qiong didn't understand what had happened, nor why her parents were that way. It wasn't until later, when she returned to her maternal grandfather's hometown with her parents, that she saw nothing but a row of lonely graves.

"Who was responsible?" Fu Zihou asked, seeing the tears glimmer in the corner of her eye.

"The Liang family of the Northern Nobles," Li Qiong replied softly.

Hearing her words, Fu Zihou fell silent. He finally understood why, observing Li Qiong, it seemed this blood feud remained unavenged.

The Liang family wielded great power in the Shuo District, their influence stretching both through the imperial court and the region. Trusted by the Sui Dynasty, they dealt with the fierce tribes to the north, giving their people a bold and martial character.

Only now did Fu Zihou realize why Li Jingjie’s wife, Madam Zhou, had dared to defy the Matriarch and why the misunderstanding between the Fu and Li families had persisted.

"From that time, I resolved to study diligently and to practice martial arts," Li Qiong said, wiping her tears and casting her gaze toward the courtyard.

"My father wishes me to marry into a noble family—not only for my own sake, but to secure an alliance that would deter our enemies from plotting against the Li clan and, if the chance arises, to avenge my mother and my third uncle."

Fu Zihou listened to her, feeling a sense of helplessness as he looked at the beautiful girl who, for the first time, had left him stunned.

"But things have not gone as your father hoped. In all these years, not a single noble family has been willing to offend the Liang or Xie families for the Li’s sake. If I am correct, your beauty has long been famed within a hundred miles, yet not even the esteemed Gao family of Tiao County has sent a son to propose marriage."

He had only just arrived in Tiao County and at the Li family, but from the bits of conversation he’d overheard, he could already tell that certain powerful figures—or families—were secretly plotting the Li clan’s destruction.

Uncle Li Jingjie’s intentions were not new. For all these years, Li Qiong had not been betrothed to any aristocratic family; just two years ago, the Xie family had even murdered Li Gang’s son, Li Shuyun, the Li family’s Third Master.

Everyone at the Li Residence knew it was the work of the Xie family.

He recalled the Matriarch weeping guiltily at the gate, explaining to Grandfather that she had “no other choice,” her words laden with sorrow and resignation.

Moreover, though Li Liyan’s deceased wife was the daughter of Gao Shining, of the Bohai Gao clan, surely the Gao family would not stand idly by and allow the Lis to be left without aid for the sake of their own name.

Yet, why did the Matriarch still seem so powerless?

Fu Zihou now suspected that Li Liyan’s wife’s death was not so simple, especially since her daughter was born mute.

Thinking over all this, he looked out at the scenery of the Li Residence and realized that beneath its tranquil surface, hidden currents swirled.

Gazing at the beauty beside him, Fu Zihou managed a wry smile.

"Miss Qiong, you must know that your father's actions are of no real help to the Li family. Even breaking off the engagement now will make no difference," he tried to reason gently.

Who wouldn't wish to make such a remarkable woman their wife? Fu Zihou was a man, and a normal one at that. Who would not desire a beautiful spouse?

"But at least it will leave my father and mother some comfort," Li Qiong replied. Her eyes were still damp, but her tone was unwavering.

"So, you wish for me to be the one to ask the Matriarch to dissolve the betrothal?" Fu Zihou no longer pretended ignorance. Any further words would only embarrass them both.

"The Zhou family’s blood has not been avenged, nor my third uncle’s. I do not wish to see my grandfather imprisoned again. I beg you not to blame me," Li Qiong said, bowing to him.

As this was their first meeting, there was no intimacy between them. Li Qiong’s expression and gaze toward Fu Zihou were both unfamiliar, and he himself had kept a proper distance.

Since things had come to this, there was little left to say.

Fu Zihou had tried to persuade her, moved by the hope that perhaps there might be a chance. But Li Qiong’s words were clear, and her demeanor showed no hint of affection.

He knew that to persist would only humiliate himself.

"Rest assured, Miss Qiong. I will speak to the Matriarch," Fu Zihou promised, bowing in return.

The beauty was indifferent, but Fu Zihou still had his pride. With his last trace of attachment set aside, he looked at Li Qiong again, his mind now free of longing.

Fortune if gained, destiny if not.

Having lived two lives, once as an orphan, Fu Zihou saw things more clearly than most.

Family are those who love and care for you. Otherwise, no matter how wealthy or indulgent, parents who do not care are no true kin.

In this life, Fu Zihou was not alone. He had his grandfather, parents, cousins, Old Master Liu who taught him swordsmanship, and a grandmother he missed deeply in the distance.

Each one of these people was more important to him than Li Qiong before his eyes.

Under the corridor, seeing the surprise on Li Qiong’s beautiful face, Fu Zihou invited her to join him in the main hall, promising to explain everything to the Matriarch and the Fu family elders.

"Thank you," Li Qiong said gratefully.

She had expected to argue at length, perhaps even to speak words that would wound. She had not thought that after a few attempts at persuasion, the youth would agree.

Looking at him, she felt both apologetic and thankful, but not regretful.

She had studied diligently for years, mastering both the arts and martial skills. She could not bear to marry into the Fu family and spend her life with this youth.

If fate allowed, she would repay the Fu family in the future. Should they need assistance, she and her future husband would offer it—whether in officialdom or wherever she could.

"Please, Master Fu," Li Qiong gestured gracefully, leading the way as was proper for a daughter of the Li family.

In the main hall of the Li Residence—

A broken engagement?

When Fu Zihou spoke, everyone was shocked. The Matriarch glared at Li Qiong in anger.

"Grandmother Li, this is my decision," Fu Zihou said, kneeling before her. "I beg you not to blame me for my rudeness—or Miss Qiong."

He bowed to his grandfather and mother as well.

"Please, Grandfather, Mother, allow me to dissolve this engagement," he pleaded.

Before he could rise—

"No! I do not agree!" the Matriarch declared coldly. "As long as I live, the betrothal between the Fu and Li families will not be broken!"

She glared at Li Qiong, who dropped her head, then looked at Li Jingjie and the other daughters-in-law.

Under her stern gaze, no one dared to meet her eyes or object.

The old lady's authority in the Li family was absolute. Anyone wishing to live well under her roof had to obey—husbands, wives, and children alike.

"Ah..." Grandfather could only sigh, kneeling behind his table, his head aching at the scene.

Everyone present knew that Li Qiong must have said something to persuade Fu Zihou to speak first.

Now, confronted by the Matriarch’s stubbornness, none knew what to do.

"Grandmother..." Li Qiong sighed, knowing that marrying into the Fu family was not her wish. Standing by Fu Zihou’s side, she summoned her courage to plead her case.

But before she could speak, the Matriarch cut her off.

"Silence!" she snapped, fearful her granddaughter would say more to embarrass the Fu family.

Seeing Li Qiong’s downcast, frightened look, the Matriarch’s breath quickened. She was about to instruct her to accept the Fu marriage or leave the Li family when—

"Lady Li, if all else fails, why not consider your sixth daughter?" Grandfather suggested. "Back in Huaiyang, I heard about her from Zihou himself—he said he would not mind marrying her!"

The old man could not bear Zihou’s pitiful expression. In all these years, he had rarely begged so earnestly. Besides, seeing the Matriarch’s family in such discord, he wished them peace.

"No! I will not agree to this," the Matriarch insisted, her brow furrowing. "I was forced into this once, and have been wracked with guilt ever since. My husband stayed away from home because of it. I will not allow it again!"

"Is it worth all this suffering..." Grandfather muttered.

It seemed that after Li Gang resigned his post, he did not return home, but secluded himself in Hu because of a quarrel with his wife.

With that, Grandfather looked to the woman at the other table—Li Liyan’s current wife, Lady Changsun.

"Niece, would you please take your nephew to see her?" Grandfather asked gently, gesturing for her not to mind the Matriarch’s protests.

"Zihou! Go with your aunt at once!" he scolded, seeing the boy still kneeling.

And so, the matter was decided.