When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 23

Jiang Yan spent two days lying listlessly in bed. Aside from the energy needed to stay alive, she spent most of her time lying in a wicker chair, contemplating the meaning of life.

Mainly, she was pondering why Jiang Zhen had left without saying goodbye.

‘We were talking just fine the night before. The direction of the conversation didn’t seem wrong. So why did she flee?’

Jiang Yan looked up and saw her mother, Yuan Feng, entering with a cheerful expression. She immediately became alert.

“Dong Xue, I’m going to hide in bed. When my mother comes, tell her I’m sick.”

‘I don’t know what’s gotten into Mother lately. She can’t see my sadness at all and keeps coming to “talk” to me in a cheerful mood.’

‘She’s either trying to sell me on Yuan Zhao or some other young master. She’s gone through all the eligible young men in the capital. No matter how much I refuse, I can’t stop her enthusiasm.’

Before she even entered the room, her mother’s voice was already ringing out from the doorway.

“Yan’er, hurry up and get ready. Your uncle is hosting a dinner at Qingfeng Tower tonight.”

Jiang Yan burrowed into the quilt and curled into a ball.

She had seen through her mother’s routine. ‘This is probably just another carefully planned “Hongmen Banquet”.’

‘The dinner is fake; the matchmaking is real.’

‘I don’t know what’s going on with my uncle. He has no mind of his own and just listens to his sister. The two of them are in cahoots, making a mess of things.’

Yuan Feng didn’t listen to Dong Xue. She walked to Jiang Yan’s bed and said, “Stop pretending. I know you’re not sick. Hurry up and get ready. I’ll wait for you right here.”

Jiang Yan felt suffocated by her mother’s pressure. She lifted the quilt, her voice low.

“Mother, can you please stop forcing me? I don’t like my cousin at all, but you keep pushing us together. Can you please respect my opinion?”

Yuan Feng’s expression changed slightly. She probably didn’t expect Jiang Yan’s reaction to be so strong.

She leaned down and touched Jiang Yan’s head, her voice gentle. “Then tell me, what kind of person do you like? I’ll help you find them.”

Jiang Yan’s heart softened at once. She couldn’t fight against her mother anymore.

She was someone who responded to gentle words, not hard ones. If her mother had been firm, she would have argued for her case.

But when she suddenly became so gentle, wouldn’t it seem heartless for Jiang Yan to act unreasonably?

“Mother, can you stop worrying about my marriage? I know what I’m doing. When I’m of age, I’ll bring her to you myself.”

Yuan Feng’s expression changed again, and her voice suddenly rose. “No! I can agree to anything else, but not this! You are still young and don’t know who a good person is. It’s easy to be led astray. I must help you so that you can have a happy future.”

Jiang Yan found her words a little strange but couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong.

Yuan Feng paused, her expression softening, and her tone returned to normal. “Yan’er, Mother is doing this for your own good. You will understand in the future. Now, hurry up and get ready. Today is your uncle’s birthday. We have to go celebrate, no matter what.”

With that excuse, Jiang Yan had no choice but to obey.

She changed her clothes and sat at the vanity, letting the two maids get her ready. She was too lazy to even look at the final result and just got into the carriage with her mother.

When they arrived at Qingfeng Tower, it was around five in the afternoon.

The entire second floor had been booked by Yuan Hao, which was a grand gesture.

As she entered the largest private room, Jiang Yan met the legendary uncle for the first time.

He had sharp eyes and deep features. Even though he was approaching his forties, one could still see the handsome features of his youth.

Her aunt, Shen Shuangshuang, was also a beautiful woman, elegant and noble, with an unparalleled grace. One couldn’t tell at all that she had given birth to a child.

After seeing them, Jiang Yan understood why Yuan Zhao had such a handsome face.

‘He inherited the excellent genes of his parents. It would be hard for him to be anything but good-looking.’

When they saw them, the Yuan family of three was very enthusiastic, especially Shen Shuangshuang. She held Jiang Yan’s hand, and the smile never left her face.

“It’s been a long time. Yan’er has become a young woman. She’s as beautiful as a painting. She doesn’t look like a real person.”

Yuan Feng laughed along. “This girl only has this one good quality. The rest of her is not worth mentioning.”

Shen Shuangshuang covered her mouth and laughed. “Look at you. A girl just needs to be beautiful. I love this child. I’d be so happy if we could become one family.”

Jiang Yan gave a fake laugh and watched the two of them perform their duet.

She had only one thought in her mind: ‘regret.’

‘If I had known, I wouldn’t have come. ‘Suffering to save face’ probably describes me perfectly.’

Yuan Hao took a sip of tea and asked Yuan Feng, “Where is Chengsha?”

“Oh, he went to the palace early this morning to report on his duties. I don’t know what important matter they’re discussing. He still hasn’t returned after a whole day. I’ve sent someone to wait for him at the palace gate and told him to come directly here once he’s done.”

Yuan Hao didn’t say anything else. Most of the time, he just went along with what his wife and sister said.

Jiang Yan finally understood. Her uncle was a classic case of a henpecked husband and a doting brother.

And a severe case at that.

He didn’t express a single opinion of his own. If his wife and sister said something was good, he thought it was good, regardless of what the younger generation thought.

Yuan Zhao was not doing much better than Jiang Yan. In fact, he was even more miserable.

It was one thing to not know Jiang Yan’s feelings. Now that he knew, he naturally had no interest in her. He was a wild horse who couldn’t stand being controlled by others. He was already full before the meal even started.

While the topic was not on her, Jiang Yan secretly poked Yuan Zhao’s arm. When he looked at her, she lowered her voice. “Cousin, think of a way to make Uncle and my mother stop. If this goes on, we’ll be arranged into the bridal chamber.”

A hint of slyness flashed in Yuan Zhao’s eyes. He said lazily, “Don’t you think going straight to the bridal chamber wouldn’t be so bad?”

Jiang Yan pinched him hard, her voice cold. “Get a grip! If you say such nonsense again, I’ll send you to see the King of Hell!”

Yuan Zhao pouted helplessly. “Do you think I have the ability to fight my father?”

Jiang Yan secretly glanced at the righteous and intimidating Yuan Hao and also pouted.

‘It doesn’t seem like he does.’

‘Yuan Zhao** has always been a good-for-nothing. It’s more likely he’d get beaten by his uncle.’

While waiting for Jiang Chengsha, the three adults seemed to have reached a consensus.

Shen Shuangshuang was just short of asking Jiang Yan to call her “Mother.”

Yuan Hao also liked his niece more and more, and he wished he could marry off his rebellious son tomorrow.

Jiang Yan’s face was frozen from fake smiling. Finally, there was a commotion outside the door.

Jiang Chengsha pushed the door open. He first apologized to Yuan Hao for being late and punished himself by drinking three cups. Then, he said to the person behind him, “Zhen’er, come in.”

Jiang Zhen entered and saw a very harsh scene. She intentionally looked away, and a cold, sarcastic smile appeared on her lips.

‘A perfect couple, a match made in heaven.’

‘What a perfect pair!’

Jiang Yan was completely petrified. ‘Why is Jiang Zhen here at a place like this?’

‘Doesn’t she hate crowds the most?’

Jiang Yan looked down at her clothes, which were the same color as Yuan Zhao’s, like a couple’s outfit. She nonchalantly moved to the side, trying to keep her distance from him.

But it seemed it was already too late.

Since Jiang Zhen entered the room, she had not given her a single glance.