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墨書 Inktalez
The voice of the Matchmaker echoed as Zhang Yanniann knelt before Madam Tai, holding her hand. Just as they bowed deeply, a piercing scream shattered the festive atmosphere from outside the courtyard.
Second Madam was dead, her body floating in the lotus pond, hair disheveled and eyes wide open in terror.
What was supposed to be a joyous occasion had turned into a disaster. Xia Yinqiu, unwilling to accept this turn of events, tugged at Zhang Yanniann, trying to complete the ceremony. She pulled at him with all her strength, but he coldly shook her off, stumbling slightly.
"Stop messing around. Second Madam is dead. Do you not fear retribution if we marry now?" Zhang Yanniann frowned, dissatisfaction evident in his eyes.
Xia Yinqiu grabbed him fiercely. "You're just looking for an excuse to avoid the marriage! You want to be with that wretched Cheng Qingling! Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"
Just as Zhang Yanniann was about to retort, the butler entered from outside, interrupting him and forcing the words back down.
"Young Marshal, Mr. Lin requests an audience."
"How has General Zhang been considering things these days?" As soon as Zhang Yanniann stepped into the study, Lin Yuanqi hurriedly asked, taking a few steps forward with an eager look in his eyes.
Zhang Yanniann walked slowly to the desk and sat down with deliberate calmness, a hint of authority in his gaze. "I don't recall agreeing to consider anything for Mr. Lin."
Lin Yuanqi leaned closer, his tone sharp and laced with a hint of threat. "General Zhang, don’t blame me for speaking harshly. Most warlords have already pledged allegiance to the Emperor. Right now, China is fragmented and leaderless, and foreign powers are watching closely. It will be very difficult to survive without assessing the situation."
Seeing Zhang Yanniann remain silent with his eyes closed, Lin Yuanqi stepped even closer. "Young Marshal, if you agree to prioritize Japanese interests in China moving forward, I can help you avoid this impending disaster."
The blatant threat made Zhang Yanniann suddenly open his eyes, anger flashing within them as he glared at Lin Yuanqi. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Lin?"
"The Yunnan Army is now heavily stationed at the borders. General Zhang must be aware of this, right? There have been several skirmishes recently, and the reports should have reached you by now. You know better than I do about the victories and defeats," Lin Yuanqi said, stepping back slightly. "I'll leave it at that, but I must remind the Young Marshal that time is running out; delay could lead to unforeseen changes."
With that, he turned and hurried away. Zhang Yanniann furrowed his brow but caught sight of a familiar figure outside the door. As he focused, he saw Qingling standing there, her gaze meeting his with a gentle smile that held a hint of concern.
"Sister Yinqiu and Madam Tai have had a quarrel. You should go check on it," she said, her effort to appear calm betraying her as she nervously twisted the hem of her clothing. Despite knowing she would be seen through, she couldn't help but worry about his situation.
Zhang Yanniann frowned. "What does she want now? It's never quiet around here." He sighed, hesitating for a moment before standing up, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
"Mr. Lin has come again?" As he passed by Qingling, she suddenly spoke up, her eyes filled with worry.
Zhang Yanniann paused for a moment, a flicker of melancholy crossing his face as he replied, "Yes, indeed. Threats and temptations—he spares no effort."
"Is what he said true? If we don't cooperate with the Japanese, will there really be a catastrophe?" Qingling turned to him, grasping his sleeve tightly, her brows knitted together in deep concern.
Zhang Yanniann held her hand firmly and gently brushed her forehead with his fingers, trying to reassure her with his gaze. "Don't worry; I have it under control."
Qingling lowered her head obediently, no longer pressing for answers, though the worry in her eyes remained. Zhang Yanniann looked at her but found it impossible to relax his furrowed brow; his chest felt heavy with unspoken words that he couldn't express or swallow down. His gaze was filled with complex emotions.
He was afraid to speak; despite having turned the question over in his mind countless times during sleepless nights, facing her made him timid.
He feared that if he opened his mouth, this fleeting happiness would vanish into thin air. Every time he saw her, he preferred to remain lost in a dream rather than learn anything more; his eyes reflected a desire to escape.
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