Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 72 The Emperor's Heart is Unfathomable

Jade Residence on Dongcheng Street —

Although the courtyard is not large, there is a large water vat inside. The previous owner planted trumpet vines in the corner of the wall, and they are in full bloom now.

Yu Jue was pruning the flower branches, but her mind was not on the flowers. Shen Qing had made an appointment with her to ask for her answer before leaving: whether she would go with them or stay in Yu Kingdom.

She hadn't made a decision yet. If she left Yuguo, she would have little chance of revenge. Staying would not only be dangerous, but there was also little she could actually do.

Unless she has a powerful backer, Fang Fan is right. If she marries into the Fang family, she will inevitably use the Fang family's power to do something.

Although her father did not love her mother, he doted on her and her brother. He once said that she was the child most like him, so he took the most care in raising her and valued her as much as a boy. He was not particularly close to his sister, but she never lacked anything she needed.

Although his stepmother, Zhou, was harsh, his uncle was kind and treated his siblings very well. He treated his niece, who was said to be cursed with a "lone star" destiny, the same way.

My uncle is frail; how could he endure the hardship of exile? His fate there is uncertain. And what about the cousins ​​from the second branch of the family? We all grew up together...

So how could Yu Jue not hate? But her younger sister was different from her; she cared about too few people and received too little love.

But if we send her away alone to a foreign land, how will she live? We can't keep troubling Shen Qing.

Yu Jue hesitated, casually pruning the flower branches, when her gaze inadvertently fell on the water vat, and she was startled.

She had seen the reflection in the water vat once before, by Wei Yunhou Ningcuo.

Yudu Post Station

Because of his mistake, Shen Qing behaved himself for a few days, trying to minimize his presence in order to avoid people associating the disappearance of the person who intercepted Yu Jue with him.

Shen Che's negotiations went very smoothly. The new crown prince's initial three moves were finally over, and he was just waiting for the return date to be confirmed before he would visit the Yu residence again.

Shen Qing had even mentally prepared herself for the possibility that she would stay in Yudu and fight to the death, so he could only respect and offer his blessings.

But things always turn out unexpectedly, and he never seemed to guess right.

After listening to the news from Yudu brought to him by Shen Yun, the "walking megaphone," Shen Qing was dumbfounded. It had only been a few days! This was too sudden!

Marquis Wei Yun Ning mistakenly dismissed all the women in his household and went to propose marriage to Yu Jue!

At first, I was a little confused, but then some fragmented images flashed through my mind: Ning Cuo's loss of composure when we first met at Linxian Lake, our two encounters on the rooftop...

Shen Qing suddenly realized that the roof of that restaurant could be seen over the courtyard of the Yu residence!

The news that Ning Cuo wanted to marry Yu Jue quickly caused a sensation in Yudu, and the expressions of people from all sides were quite interesting.

Fang Mansion —

"Smash—" Madam Zheng smashed the teacup. "You wretch!"

"It's only been a few days, and she's already hooked up with Marquis Wei Yun!"

Madam Zheng was angry not because Yu Jue was going to get married, but because the person she was going to marry was of a higher status than Fang Fan. How could her son face people in the future?

She stormed into Fang Fan's room, and seeing her son still lying on the bed unable to get up, she couldn't help but shed tears: "Silly child, you're so honest. When have you ever wronged her?"

Hearing the noise, Fang Fan turned his head with difficulty and saw Zheng's expression. He knew something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong, Mother?"

Zheng, wiping away her tears, recounted the events, and Fang Fan remained silent for a long time after hearing them.

Thinking he was heartbroken, Zheng comforted him, saying, "From now on, you don't need to feel sorry for her anymore. Your mother will find you someone better!"

Fang Fan remained silent, sighing inwardly, "A-Jue..."

Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau)

A group of spoiled young men were drinking and making merry when the topic came up. One of them couldn't help but lament, "Alas, I thought that with Yu Jue's family falling on hard times, he would have a chance to take her as a concubine."

"Who can argue with that? I don't know what Marquis Wei Yun was thinking. Such a woman is fine to play around with, but he insisted on marrying her with a grand procession."

"He probably inherited his father's traits."

"Speaking of Mrs. Qiao and the Fang family... hehe..."

"The Fang family father and son are really pitiful. Two generations of their daughters-in-law have been snatched away by the Ning family father and son."

Hahahaha~

Marquis Weiyun's Residence —

Ning Cuo said indifferently to the woman who was fiddling with the beads, "Mother, your son is getting married."

"understood."

Mrs. Qiao was as calm as if it weren't her son's wedding day, but rather that it was time to eat.

Ning Cuo turned and left, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Upon reaching the ancestral hall, he addressed Ning Yuan's memorial tablet, saying, "Father, I am getting married to Yu Shan's granddaughter. Will you be unhappy? But I have avenged you. Yu Shan has paid the price he deserved. You can rest in peace now."

Thinking of the jade pendant again, a hint of pleasure appeared on his face.

He thought that the grudges of their ancestors had been settled once and for all, and he and Yujue could live a good life together.

Imperial Study Room

Emperor Yu listened to the eunuch's report with a deep gaze, his emotions unreadable.

If it were someone else, he might have thought more deeply, but it's better to be wrong... His family is full of romantics, so he probably doesn't have any other complicated schemes.

"Go down."

"Yes, sir." The young eunuch bowed and left the imperial study.

Emperor Yu's gaze fell on the memorials on the table. The Duke of Liang had become increasingly arrogant lately, and he couldn't help but miss the Duke of Yu.

Looking back now, after the initial outburst of rage, I feel a little reluctant to let it go.

Ning Cuo was in charge of the Imperial City Guard and was a trusted minister of his. He had intended to arrange a marriage for him and had even found a suitable candidate.

Well then, Yu Jue is a good girl, and marrying Ning Cuo is a good outcome for her. He will not interfere, which can be considered compensation to the Yu family.

Jade Residence on Dongcheng Street —

The courtyard was piled high with silks, satins, jewels, and jade artifacts—all betrothal gifts sent by Ning Cuo.

Looking at the closed main house, Yu Pingting whispered excitedly, "Now that Yu Jue has married into the Marquis's mansion, can we finally have a decent place to live? And can my younger brother continue his studies?"

"Let's wait and see. Things could change before the wedding."

"That's true, didn't the Fang family break off the engagement before?"

Yu Pingting's enthusiasm cooled down; she shouldn't be too happy too soon, lest her joy turn to sorrow.

Inside the main room, a gorgeous wedding dress was neatly arranged on the dressing table. Yu Jue sat on the couch in the distance, with an open, empty wooden box at her feet.

She stroked the wedding dress she had embroidered herself, which she held close to her chest. Her needlework wasn't very good, and the embroidery on it wasn't as exquisite as the one Ning had given her, but it was embroidered stitch by stitch with her full expectations for happiness.

Unfortunately, she only finished embroidering half of it, just like her and Fang Fan, who parted ways halfway through their journey.

Yu Jue picked up the scissors, but hesitated to cut into the wedding dress for a long time.

"Snap—" The scissors fell to the ground, and tears rolled down, spreading across the wedding dress and creating a dark stain.

That night, Yu Jue came to the courtyard alone and buried the wooden box under the trumpet creeper wall, along with her youth and love.

Love has always brought only regret, and this regret will last forever.