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<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="308" data-orig-width="500"></figure>One of the things that I love about Jing Wan is that she is smart and forward-thinking, and she is willing to risk everything for love. In those days, respectable women were suppose to be weak and yielding but Jing Wan is neither. She stands up for what she believes in and refuses to worry about what others may think of her ‘reputation’. She is very much a modern woman. :D
Encountering Love: Chapter 8
She knew that her father was trying to comfort her, but she only sat in front of the dresser, thinking deeply. It just so happened that a day-old newspaper was lying on top of the dresser. The headlines showed a picture of Murong Feng, after he quelled all nine northern provinces, training his troops. She looked at the newspaper and saw a dashing young man astride on a horse, surrounded by tens of thousands of outstanding soldiers. This man was so young, but already holds half the country in his hands; he is a person who is even more formidable than his father. His conduct would indeed be more firm and determined than all others. Since Murong Feng is already determined to strengthen the laws, it is difficult to say whether he would sentence one to death as a warning to others. Jian Zhang just happened to bump into the muzzle of his rifle, which did not bode well for him.
She stared blankly at the newspaper and suddenly saw a quote from a old cabinet member on the newspaper. It said: “Murong Pei Lin is a young hero,” her heart jumped and her only thought was that the words “Pei Lin” seemed very familiar. She kept thinking of where she saw those words, but she could not recall; she sat there thinking over and over when suddenly she remembered. She upended all the drawers, searching everywhere, though she still could not find it.
After she dug through all the drawers, she finally found the gold pocket watch in the drawer underneath her wardrobe. She opened it and looked at the two words clearly carved on the lid: “Pei Lin”. She had ransacked all the drawers with one vigorous effort but at this time, she seemed to have been completely drained of energy. Her legs were like jelly, slowly, she leaned against the wardrobe and she had already made a plan. Her only thought was that no matter what, despite if she fails, she must try all her options.
Jing Wan thought about it carefully from the beginning again, then, changing her clothes, she left her room and told her mother: “I’m going to pay a visit to Aunt Xu.” Madam Yin nodded and said: “You should go there to see her, and persuade her to not be so anxious.” She called the chauffer to take Jing Wan to the Xu Estate.
The Xu Estate was also a traditional-styled house and since it was already twilight, the late spring sun was setting, and hit the wall of the courtyard making the whole place seem a bit gloomy. Madam Xu heard the servants talking and waited outside to welcome her. The lights were already lit in the main room. Madam Xu was originally wearing a dark green qipao made out of Hu Zhou crape and under the yellow glare of the lights, she seemed even more sallow and haggard. When Jing Wan saw this, she felt sorrowful but Madam Xu rushed forward and grabbed her hand, calling out “Jing Wan.” She looked as if she were about to cry again. Jing Wan was afraid that if she started weeping, she herself would not be able to hold her tears back. With some difficulty, she called out: “Aunt.” She led the other woman to sit on the sofa.
Madam Xu took out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears and said: “What should we do? Whenever something happens to Jian Zhang, it’s like the sky is about to collapse.” Jing Wan replied: “Aunt, please do not be too anxious, it is important for you to take care of yourself. We just need to spend a little bit more money to take care of Jian Zhang’s matter. Does Aunt know any friends of Jian Zhang who would be able to help?” Madam Xu said: “I never ask him about his business. I’m afraid that only Mr. Liao will be able to help you.” Jing Wan then asked: “Can you ask Mr. Liao to come and talk for a bit?” Madam Xu had already been scared out of her wits and seeing the younger woman so composed, she also began to calm down. After hearing her words, she immediately sent someone to invite him.
That Mr. Liao has been the Xu family’s accountant for many years and has helped Jian Zhang with many things; after hearing that Madam Xu was asking for him, he immediately came over. Jing Wan was already familiar with him, calling him “Liao Shu” and said: “Liao Shu, I must ask you to think carefully. Does Jian Zhang have any friends within the Cheng army that can help us?” Mr. Liao hesitated for a moment and replied: “The matter this time involves many people, even if I did know many people, they wouldn’t be able to help us.” Jing Wan asked: “What about any other plans? We don’t have to directly ask them to plead for mercy on his behalf, I only want to find a way to meet with Liu Shao. Is there really no other way?“
When Mr. Liao heard this, frightened, he took off his hat and said doubtfully: “Find a way to meet with Liu Shao – this is not an ordinary matter. He is the Cheng army’s commander, the ruler of the nine provinces. To meet with him…it is easier said than done. Even if you manage to meet with him, what good will that do?”
Jing Wan replied: “My father has a friend who is on friendly terms with Liu Shao, who can perhaps talk to him. The only problem is that they haven’t seen each other for several years and since Liu Shao is in a much higher position, it is not easy to meet with him. If they meet up and reminisce a bit, perhaps it will yield some results, no one can be sure.”
When Mr. Liao heard her determination, he muttered: “I have no ideas on how to see Liu Shao, but I do have a connection that may be helpful.” Jing Wan quickly said: “Please explain further.” It so happened that the Xu family had friendly relations with a division commander of the Cheng army named Yu and this Commander Yu was the cousin of Murong Feng’s third brother-in-law, Tao Duan Ren. Mr. Liao calmly explained: “If we ask this Commander Yu to help, perhaps we will be able to meet with the Third Miss Murong.” Jing Wan silently nodded her head and Mr. Liao continued: “I heard that the Murong family is a very traditional family, the sisters are not allowed to ask about outside matters. I’m afraid that even if we meet with Miss Murong, it will be of no avail.” Jing Wan thought about it and said to Mr. Liao: “It seems that this is the only route we can take. May I ask you to write a letter to Commander Yu to introduce my father’s friend and ask for his help to allow my father’s friend to meet with Miss Murong?” Of course, Mr. Liao agreed, and Madam Xu immediately ordered the servants to bring paper and ink. Mr. Liao wrote a long letter, explaining the circumstances and gave the letter to Jing Wan.
Madam Xu looked at her tearfully and asked: “That friend of your father, can he really help us?” Jing Wan thought for a bit and replied: “We don’t have that much confidence but she will definitely try her best.”
By the time Jing Wan returned home, the sky was already dark and when Madam Yin saw her rushed expression, she asked: “Did you eat yet?” Jing Wan replied: “I already ate with Aunt Xu at her house. She looked so pitiful and could hardly eat anything.” Madam Yin sighed softly and said: “Don’t be too worried, your father is already thinking of a plan.” Jing Wan said: “I’m going to find my classmate tomorrow. His father has always had close relationships with the Cheng army, perhaps he will have some connections.” Madam Yin nodded and said: “We can only grasp at straws.” For some unknown reason, Jing Wan softly called out: “Mother.” Madam Yin gazed at her with boundless affection and said: “Look at you, within one day, you’ve already become so haggard.” Jing Wan touched her own face and forcing a smile, she said: “Mother, I’m going to bed first. I still have to go see my classmate early tomorrow morning.”