Could there be a fool like Shu Danqing in this world?
Since the incident at Sima Villa, everyone has been saying that Ji Shihan was just a pawn used by Sima Yi. Some even claimed that Ji Shihan was the spy who passed messages between Liu Qingyun and Sima Villa.
The eldest daughter of the Ji family, who had rarely drawn much attention, suddenly became the center of the storm.
Ji Shisu never expected things to turn out this way.
He was eager to find an opportunity to clear Ji Shihan's name, but due to the war, this matter had to be put on hold.
Ji Shisu felt sorry for Shihan, but he also valued Shu Danqing as a brother.
Shu Danqing was in the prime of his life. It would be too unfair for him to marry a dead woman.
Moreover, would his family agree?
"Shihan is my sister. She's a good girl. Even though she's no longer with us, I won't allow anyone to defame her reputation. Do you think you alone can bury Shihan in the Shu family's ancestral tomb?"
Not to mention that they had no real relationship before. Even if they had been engaged, the Shu family would surely try to distance themselves from the trouble now. How could they take it on themselves?
Shihan is a good girl. She deserves better.
This sentence kept echoing in Shu Danqing's mind.
"A ghost marriage. Yes, I can have a ghost marriage with Shihan."
A ghost marriage was usually arranged for the children of wealthy families. When a boy died, a clean - looking girl would be found to have a ghost marriage with him. Then the girl would stay in her husband's family and live a life of widowhood for a man she had never met.
But he, a man, was going to have a ghost marriage for a dead woman?!
He was crazy. Really crazy.
"Danqing?"
"Brother Ji, rest assured. I, Shu Danqing, always keep my word. Please agree to marry Shihan to me."
Ji Shisu was in a dilemma.
It wasn't up to him alone to decide to marry Shihan to Shu Danqing.
If he discussed this matter with the old matriarch, his father, and his mother, they would surely decline this seemingly absurd marriage for the sake of the long - standing friendship between the Ji and Shu families.
Shu Danqing had also thought of what Ji Shisu was thinking.
"Brother Ji, please help me."
Well, no more hesitation. Shihan had suffered so much in her life. Although she was born into a wealthy family, she had hardly lived a happy day.
It was rare for Shu Danqing to have such feelings. If Shihan were still alive, she would surely agree to this marriage.
She was such a kind - hearted girl. She would never have the heart to reject Shu Danqing, who was so sincere to her.
"This is a major matter. I still hope you think it through carefully."
He didn't want to stop Shu Danqing, but he didn't want him to regret it later.
After all, this was a lifetime decision and shouldn't be made on an impulse.
"Brother Ji, you can rest assured."
Seeing Shu Danqing's firm attitude, Ji Shisu didn't try to persuade him anymore and just nodded.
Seeing this, Shu Danqing beamed with joy.
"Then when we return to Huangcheng, please ask Lord Ye to help arrange it."
Although Ye Hua was now an imperial envoy of the court, the county magistrate on duty in Huangcheng was his classmate. This small matter wouldn't be difficult for him.
Seeing that Ji Shisu had nodded, Ye Hua also nodded in agreement.
Having settled this matter, Shu Danqing bowed and withdrew.
Watching his back, Ji Shisu sighed with emotion.
If Shihan hadn't been so naive, she would have had a good marriage by now.
Looking at Shu Danqing's back, Ji Shisu couldn't help but think of Luqu and Ji Shijian.
He wondered how this couple was doing.
In the Stone Pass Military Camp
The tent was filled with a faint smell of medicine. The sunlight shone into the tent.
The cold morning wind, carrying the fragrance of green grass, blew into Ji Shijian's dream as he slept soundly in the bed.
Outside the tent, Luqu was holding a fan and gently fanning the charcoal on the makeshift earthen stove.
The medicine jar on the stove was boiling, emitting a bitter smell of medicine.
General Lian would be back soon, and everyone had rushed to discuss the welcoming arrangements.
This early morning seemed a bit desolate with only her busy figure.
"Luqu!!!"
A sudden roar came from the room. Luqu quickly put down the round fan in her hand, lifted the curtain, and rushed to Ji Shijian's bedside.
Ji Shijian, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly sat up from the bed, covered in cold sweat.
Luqu lovingly took out a handkerchief and was about to gently wipe the sweat off his forehead.
Unexpectedly, Ji Shijian grabbed her wrist.
Before Luqu could react, she was pulled into his iron - like chest.
"Shijian?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
He almost greedily listened to her calling his name.
It felt like a lifetime had passed since the last time his name had come out of her mouth.
He had once been heart - broken and even thought he was at the gates of hell.
That day when he was poisoned and unconscious, if he hadn't heard Luqu crying and calling his name in a daze, he might never have woken up.
Just now, he had a dream. In the dream, they had returned to Huangcheng.
Ji Shijian had asked the old matriarch to allow them to be together.
But Luqu was regarded as an immoral woman. Because of their relationship, if she wanted to be with Ji Shijian, she was accused of seducing her younger - in - law.
The old matriarch not only refused to let them be together but also wanted to drown Luqu in a pig cage.
Thankfully, it was just a dream.
She was still here. Her body was warm, and he could still feel her heartbeat.
Just thinking of that dream, his hand tightened unconsciously, and the person in his arms couldn't breathe.
Luqu had to struggle a little to make him loosen up.
Unexpectedly, Ji Shijian let go dejectedly.
This situation caught Luqu even more off - guard than when he was holding her tightly.
"Go away. I don't need your care."
Luqu was completely confused by his sudden changes.
"What's wrong?"
"Once we return to Huangcheng, you'll have to go back to being the third concubine of the second brother, and I'll always be just your younger - in - law in your life, right?"
Once they returned to Huangcheng, it meant everything would go back to the way it was.
Even if the second young master let her go, the Ji family would never take her in again.
Their love affair had to end here.
But Luqu was not willing in her heart.
Seeing Ji Shijian almost die in front of her, Luqu had thought that if he could survive, she would give up everything and be with him forever.
Now, to just give up on Ji Shijian like this, she was a human being with feelings. She would feel heart - broken and reluctant.
Her silence silently expressed her inner thoughts.
Ji Shijian laughed bitterly.
Such was the reality. What could they do?
"Yes, things have come to this. Even if you really have feelings for me, so what? Do you know that in my dream just now, I saw you being... It was selfish of me. I can't drag you down anymore."