Jia Fu kept her head bowed and remained silent.

Zhang Fengtong continued holding her hand. “Sister Zhen, I know a thing or two about what’s between you and the Young Lord. The Young Lord is an extraordinary man, rarely seen in this world, and his feelings for you run exceptionally deep. I’ve never seen him care so much about any woman before…”

She paused for a moment. “When the Young Lord brought you here from your home, you must have been frightened on the way, which led to misunderstandings. The Young Lord doesn’t want to treat you this way, but he truly has his difficulties. You’ll understand the reasons later. You should know that everything he’s done comes from his love for you. I had the fortune to be betrothed to the Young Lord, but because of me, he hasn’t been able to start a family yet, with few people to care for him. Whenever I think of this, I feel deeply remorseful. When I happened to learn he had feelings for you, I was extremely pleased. Though I’m a person of little virtue, I do have a tolerant heart. If you just nod your head now, you won’t be mistreated in the future. When the time is right, who else but you would become his concubine? From then on, we’ll be as close as sisters, serving the Young Lord together and sharing in prosperity. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? If you have any concerns or need any help, just tell me, and I’ll certainly do everything I can to help you.”

She finished speaking and looked at Jia Fu with a smile.

Jia Fu remained silent, and the room subsequently fell into a dull atmosphere, gradually becoming somewhat awkward.

Zhang Fengtong coughed lightly and was about to speak again when Jia Fu suddenly withdrew her hand that was still being held and raised her head.

“Sister Zhang, it’s truly an honor that you’ve come to see me, but I’m slow-witted and don’t quite understand your words, except for the term ‘concubine.’ Sister, do you perhaps want me to become the Young Lord’s concubine? Though my family are merchants of low status, my mother has taught me since childhood that it’s better to be a poor wife than a wealthy concubine. My mother often blamed herself for not allowing my father to take concubines, feeling she failed in wifely virtue. Fortunately, not only did my father not blame her, but he was perfectly content. Since marrying my mother, he’s been devoted only to her for life, treating her as an equal and living in harmony. I remember occasionally overhearing my father’s private words to my mother when I was young, saying that even if my mother had such thoughts, he wouldn’t accept them. Though there are many women in the world, in his heart, he respects and loves only her, and he wouldn’t want to displease her by accepting other women…”

Zhang Fengtong was still smiling, but her originally dignified smile had become slightly stiff.

Jia Fu smiled, looking innocent and beautiful. “Sister Zhang, though I haven’t been here many days, I’ve heard of your virtuous reputation. Your words just now have given me much insight. Sister, you truly are an exemplary woman, worthy of my admiration. That night, I didn’t know that the noble person who had me brought here was the Young Lord. I was afraid of being tricked into a bad situation by that old woman and her group, which is why I tried to escape. If that old woman had explained clearly that it was the Young Lord, I wouldn’t have tried to flee. Given my background, to receive the Young Lord’s favor and meet a magnanimous person like you, Sister Zhang would truly be my good fortune. But thinking of my mother’s earnest teachings, I don’t know what to do. Moreover, this matter concerns my entire life. Without my family’s permission, agreeing on my own might lead to ridicule if others found out about such an improper union.”

Zhang Fengtong’s earlobes were faintly turning red, and she raised her hand to touch the earrings hanging at her sides.

Jia Fu frowned, showing a troubled expression. “But I truly admire your demeanor, Sister Zhang. Upon meeting you, my heart felt an immediate connection, wanting only to become closer to you…”

She suddenly let out a soft “Ah” and smiled. “Although my family is far away in Quanzhou and communication is difficult, fortunately I still have my elder cousin here! Why don’t you go back first, Sister Zhang, and after I’ve asked my elder cousin’s opinion, if he nods approval, I’ll agree!”

Zhang Fengtong had known since childhood that her appearance was ordinary, so she strived to cultivate virtue to compensate for this shortcoming. Combined with her family’s deliberate promotion, she became widely renowned in her teens, finally fulfilling her family’s hopes by being betrothed to the Cloud Prince’s son, Xiao Yintang. Over these years, she had met with Xiao Yintang several times. She was infatuated with him at first sight, but Xiao Yintang’s attitude toward her was very cold. She knew that even the maids around Xiao Yintang were more beautiful than herself. After being coldly treated, she didn’t get discouraged but secretly bought informants in the prince’s mansion and gradually learned some insider information. Last year, taking advantage of Xiao Yintang’s visit to her family elders in Chuxiong, she privately met with him again, baring her heart to him and expressing her willingness to be a virtuous wife, promising to help him achieve great things in the future. After that meeting, Xiao Yintang finally changed his attitude toward her, and the two gradually became more familiar.

A few days ago, Zhang Fengtong suddenly received a letter from Xiao Yintang, telling her about his affair with a girl surnamed Zhen from Quanzhou, asking her to meet with the girl on his behalf and persuade her to agree. To please him, Zhang Fengtong dared not refuse, which led to today’s visit. When she first laid eyes on this Zhen girl earlier, her heart felt as if it had been scratched by cat claws. Then, hearing Jia Fu mention her parents, it felt as if she had been pricked by a needle, suspecting the girl was subtly mocking her. Listening further, she felt that every word from the Zhen girl was natural and innocent, and perhaps the previous words were just unintentional, accidentally stepping on her sore spot. Amid her suspicion, embarrassment, and annoyance, she suddenly heard Jia Fu say she would let Pei You’an decide, which brought her back to her senses. She hurriedly tried to stop her: “Sister Zhen, those words were just spoken because I liked you and treated you as a good sister, sharing my heart with you in private. Such private talk between sisters shouldn’t be spread outside, especially not to your cousin.”

Jia Fu blinked, looking troubled. “But sister, didn’t you say you wanted me to nod and follow the Young Lord? I don’t dare to agree on my own.”

Zhang Fengtong maintained her smile with difficulty. “That was just my hope. If you can’t decide for yourself, then so be it. Would I force you to agree?”

Jia Fu looked relieved. “That’s good! I was just worried about how to bring this up with my elder cousin. It would be so embarrassing!”

Zhang Fengtong’s heart, which had been in suspense, slowly settled. She didn’t mention the purpose of her visit again and casually chatted with Jia Fu about other matters before excusing herself, saying she had other business to attend to.

Jia Fu, warmly affectionate, personally escorted her to the door, promising to visit her in Chuxiong next time, watching as she was elegantly helped into her carriage by the accompanying old woman. The carriage door closed, and the entourage, with attendants before and after, gradually disappeared from view.

As soon as the carriage left, the smile on Jia Fu’s face immediately vanished. She lowered her head and slowly walked back, returning to her room located on the third floor of the Round Tower. When she had climbed only halfway up the stairs, her steps became as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and she could climb no further, so she stopped.

The evening darkness gradually deepened, and a ray of sunset light shone obliquely through the square window at the staircase corner, falling at Jia Fu’s feet.

Jia Fu sat on the stairs, leaning against the wall, lost in thought.

Xiao Yintang had indeed not given up and had sent Zhang Fengtong to act as his spokesperson. Although she had just managed to send her away, Jia Fu surmised that after repeated rejections, he might become even more enraged and would certainly not give up like this.

Although Pei You’an was now protecting her and had promised to help, she couldn’t always stay under his watchful eye. Moreover, Pei You’an had his affairs and couldn’t protect her forever. Sooner or later, she would be sent back to Quanzhou. Once she was out of Pei You’an’s sight, even if Xiao Yintang no longer tried to abduct her, by simply employing other means, her family would likely be placed in danger, especially considering that he would eventually become the Crown Prince and even Emperor.

By then, would she comply or not?

In her previous life, even though she and Xiao Yintang had become intimate, she had never felt any genuine warmth in her heart from his touch.

He demanded submission, excelled at plundering, and fully enjoyed the offerings of her beauty and body. Meanwhile, whenever he returned to her from other women, he would always tell her in a gentle voice that he loved only her, and that other women were merely tools in his eyes.

Unable to resist, and lacking the courage to risk the safety of her family—whom she believed had perished in the war many years ago—by defying him, and because of his repeated declarations of love, she was his most beloved woman. Gradually, even though she lived like a dead person, even though she knew she had never been moved by his love, she began to believe that perhaps he truly loved her, but was simply constrained by his position.

It was only at the very end that she finally understood: what he truly loved was only his feelings.

She had already wasted her previous life in confusion, and now that she had a chance to start anew, even if she was still so useless, she didn’t want to waste it on the same man again.

But how could she completely escape the threat from this man?

Jia Fu was in turmoil, thinking back and forth, when suddenly an idea popped into her mind.

Cling to Pei You’an, marry Pei You’an, and let him take her as his wife. Only by having such an unbreakable relationship with him could she gain Pei You’an’s long-term protection!

Jia Fu wasn’t entirely clear about the relationship between Pei You’an and Xiao Yintang. If they had always been good friends, in such a situation, her marrying Pei You’an would undoubtedly bring Xiao Yintang’s displeasure upon Pei You’an, and their relationship would likely be affected. Moreover, in Jia Fu’s memory, Pei You’an from her previous life only lived until about thirty years old, which meant he had only seven or eight years left from now.

But she couldn’t consider so much for Pei You’an, nor did she have time to think about such distant matters. Xiao Yintang was already pressing her step by step, and she needed to find a way to cling to Pei You’an first. Other concerns could be addressed slowly later.

Jia Fu’s heart raced at this bold and crazy idea, as if she had malaria, her body alternating between cold and hot, her hands tightly clenched together.

“Young miss? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

A voice suddenly came, startling Jia Fu and making her shudder. She looked up to see a maid coming up the stairs, who, upon seeing her sitting there, showed a worried expression.

Jia Fu shook her head, steadied herself, stood up, and quickly climbed up the stairs. She entered her room, closed the door, leaned against it, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath.

Think of a way, quickly think of a way, while there’s still a chance, think about how to make Pei You’an marry her.