Becoming the Protagonist's Short-Lived Fiancé (GL) - Chapter 6

While Wen Fei and her uncle were discussing the marriage, the men of the Chu family, separated from the Grand Commandant’s Manor by just one street, were gathered together and talking about the very same marriage.

The Chu family was an esteemed aristocratic clan, as well as a large family with flourishing offspring. Leaving aside distant collateral relatives, there were over twenty cousins within three generations alone. Though there were many Chu gentlemen, most had been sent out to official posts after entering civil service. Currently, only four or five people remained in Chang’an, aside from the young gentlemen who hadn’t yet reached adulthood. However, even the underage boys had abandoned their studies and gathered in the outer study.

The eldest person present was Chu Xu, the fourth son of the Chu family, a man rumored to possess graceful demeanor and jade-like handsomeness. Yet, he now wore a rare expression of seriousness. His long fingers were slightly curled, tapping on the armrest of the chair: “Tell me, what are your thoughts?”

As soon as Chu Xu finished speaking, Chu Ang, the sixth son, spoke first: “I think this marriage is unacceptable. Wen Fei comes from an imperial relative background and joined the military. She’s clearly a rough person. If Little Sister genuinely marries her, they probably won’t even be able to talk to each other. If Little Sister recites a poem, would she know what it means? Could she respond to Little Sister? If the two of them don’t share similar interests, how are they supposed to live their lives? Are we really going to let our Little Sister lead a dull life, only knowing how to husband and teach her children? I can’t bear that!”

After Chu Ang finished, the fifth son, Chu Tan, hurriedly interjected: “I also think it’s unacceptable. At the celebration banquet today, the one surnamed Wen drank quite a bit of wine. She clearly looks like a heavy drinker. Having this vice means she cannot be considered a good match.”

The room suddenly fell silent after these words. After all, Chu Tan wasn’t the only one who attended the celebration banquet today. How much Wen Fei drank was witnessed by all—only a few cups. To call her a heavy drinker was definitely an exaggeration. However, who asked Wen Fei to snatch their precious little sister? Even though everyone knew the truth, no one would contradict Chu Tan’s words. Everyone seemed to tacitly agree that Wen Fei was an alcoholic who loved drinking more than her life.

Chu Xu coughed lightly, taking the initiative to change the subject and asked the seventh son, Chu Yan: “Seventh Brother, didn’t you accompany Little Sister to the city gate today to watch the grand army enter the city? You must have seen Wen Fei. What did you think of her? Also, did Little Sister say anything after seeing her?”

The Chu family was different from the Qi family. The Grand Commandant Qi had no prior knowledge of the imperial marriage, but the Chu family had received some wind of it in advance. In the Emperor’s mind, this might be a reflection of degrees of closeness—although the Chu family intermarried with the imperial family for generations, how could a distant cousin compare to the Empress who bore him children? The Emperor treated the Qi family as his trusted inner circle; the closer they were, the less courtesy was needed. Conversely, the Emperor had to show some consideration to the Chu family, but given the present Emperor’s self-centered nature, he wouldn’t give the Chu family a chance to refuse.

Because he knew the news in advance, Chu Yan had brought Chu Xi to the city gate when Wen Fei returned, and even carried watermelons upstairs, eager to take action. But then the watermelon actually fell, and his sister took the blame for him. Chu Yan was feeling guilty right now and hadn’t immediately joined his brothers in condemning their future brother-in-law. Then, he was singled out by his Fourth Brother.

Chu Yan naturally had to say something. After thinking for a moment, he spoke: “Wen Fei has practiced martial arts since childhood and is a killing god on the battlefield. What if she disagrees with Little Sister one day and resorts to physical force…”

As soon as these words were uttered, the room was filled with the sound of everyone sucking in a cold breath—the Chu family was a family of scholars. Although they had studied the Six Arts of a Gentleman and could kill with a sword, they were completely incomparable to a general from the battlefield. They worried that if their little sister was bullied, their entire group of brothers wouldn’t be able to defeat the person!

Thinking of this, everyone looked worried. The youngest, the twenty-third son, was about to cry, his big, round eyes welling up with tears.

It was the eldest, Chu Xu, who calmed down first, realizing that his brothers might be overly worried and thinking too badly of the person. However, with the conversation having reached this point, in Chu Xu’s mind, Wen Fei, the future brother-in-law, was utterly worthless and completely unworthy of his excellent sister.

With his decision made, even an imperial marriage edict was not entirely unsolvable. But before proceeding, Chu Xu asked one more question: “Having met Wen Fei today, what is Little Sister’s opinion of her? Or did Little Sister say anything at all?”

This question was naturally directed at Chu Yan, and all the brothers’ gazes were drawn to him, putting immense pressure on Chu Yan.

However, before Chu Yan could speak under the brothers’ fervent gaze, the closed door of the outer study was suddenly pushed open. A graceful figure walked in slowly: “If my brothers want to know something, just ask me directly. Why deceive yourselves by listening to exaggerated stories?”

As soon as she spoke, the room fell silent. An awkward atmosphere spread, and the few men who had been talking so eloquently just moments ago wished they could find a hole to crawl into.

A gentleman must be careful when alone. Discussing the faults of others behind their backs was not the act of a gentleman, much less spreading exaggerated, untrue words.

The Chu brothers exchanged glances amidst their embarrassment, seeing a hint of despair in each other’s eyes—the glorious image they had spent more than ten years building up in their sister’s heart was utterly ruined today. They wished they had left one brother outside to stand guard!

After composing himself, Chu Xu refused to give up and simply asked Chu Xi, the person involved: “Then, Little Sister, what is your opinion of Wen Fei?”

Since they had only met once, Chu Xi actually had no strong opinion. However, after hearing her brothers’ conversation outside the door, the previously neutral person couldn’t help but form some thoughts.

She looked at her seated brothers, not missing even the small twenty-third son, with a look that was hard to describe: “At least in my view, young General Wen is not as bad as you make her out to be. On the contrary, she is quite broad-minded.”

She didn’t just avoid criticizing him; she complimented him. Could Little Sister be developing feelings for him?!

The Chu brothers completely lost their composure.

Wen Fei felt a bit frustrated by her uncle’s words—not out of narcissism, but at least in her view, someone as excellent as the young general was worthy of anyone. Even if this marriage was somewhat unsuitable, that should be due to objective factors, certainly not because the other party looked down on her!

However, Wen Fei ultimately didn’t refute the Grand Commandant Qi’s suggestion, as marriage was ultimately a matter between two people, and she really should meet the other party involved.

Having made up her mind, Wen Fei returned to her manor, and while simultaneously gathering information about Chu Xi, she immediately sent a visiting card (request for a meeting) to the Chu Manor.

The information gathering progressed quickly. Chu Xi already had a good reputation—said to be beautiful as a spring flower, calm in temperament, and exceptionally talented—perfectly meeting the requirements for a female protagonist in a novel, and entirely matching people’s hopes and fantasies for beautiful things… even if it was a BL fanfiction involving a deceptive marriage.

However, as Wen Fei reviewed the information on Chu Xi, she found that the visiting card she had sent to the Chu family was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response whatsoever.

Initially, Wen Fei didn’t think too much of it, assuming that the Chu family received too many visiting cards daily, and perhaps there was some mistake and hers had been lost. So, she decisively sent a second card. This time, the visiting card still sank into the sea without a ripple. After a moment of thought, she sent a third letter, but still, there was no result.

Three strikes and you’re out. At this point, how could Wen Fei not understand the Chu family’s attitude?

She had really been rejected!

Wen Fei was quite angry, but along with the anger, a rebellious spirit was ignited—since the Chu family didn’t want her to meet Chu Xi, she was determined to see the person and make things clear. The Emperor hadn’t given her any new assignments since her return to court, so she was quite free. She figured she might as well guard the Chu Manor entrance every day and didn’t believe she wouldn’t run into the person!

Wen Fei thought this way, and she actually did it.

Outsiders would assume she was deeply in love due to youthful passion, completely unaware that what she was truly desperate for was to annul the marriage…