CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: PHOENIX TREE LOCKS THE AUTUMN

Lu Chengfeng walked closer and noticed a young girl behind Cai Zhang, wearing a blue fitted robe with long sleeves and a skirt adorned with floral patterns, a silver hairpin nestled in her hair.

The girl looked fair and clean, with slightly plump cheeks, and a pair of large, jet-black eyes. Her eyebrows were long and slender, giving off a sharp and compelling aura.

Seeing Lu Chengfeng, Cai Zhang appeared as if he saw a savior; with a bitter face, he said to the little girl behind him, "Die’Er, this is my senior brother, Lu Chengfeng."

Then he introduced, "Senior brother, this is Die’Er, the personal maid of Lady Qiutong, she is here to..."

"Let me speak!" Die’Er’s face was charming, yet she was articulate and decisive, cutting off Cai Zhang, she stepped forward, scrutinized Lu Chengfeng up and down, and then spoke.

"Are you named Lu Chengfeng? My lady had me tell you that she just saw you from afar through the window, and you indeed appear dignified and impressive."

"Seeing you approach Houde Square with armor still on, stained with dust and blood, does indeed show sincerity."

At these words, Lu Chengfeng suddenly felt a glimmer of hope, unable to contain some excitement, but in the next moment, his expression froze.

Die’Er turned her tone with slight discontent, "But you, sir, are indeed lecherous; in just a short moment, you couldn’t stop staring at Miss Qin—she’s just turned fifteen, you know."

As she spoke, she gave Lu Chengfeng a contemptuous glance.

Lu Chengfeng felt an indescribable frustration, initially thinking Lady Qiutong would meet him, only to learn she’d only given him a glance from the window from afar.

Yet, coincidentally, she managed to catch him staring at the young girl passing by, creating a huge misunderstanding. He was merely curious about her unique green eyes.

He wanted to explain, but Die’Er’s words were fast, giving him no chance to speak.

"My lady said that matters of marriage must be handled cautiously, especially in choosing the right family to serve as a concubine, lest one face many hardships."

Die’Er pouted, looking at Lu Chengfeng as if he were a lustful, shameless scoundrel, "Hmph, too bad my lady won’t heed my advice. If it were up to me, people like you would be chased off immediately."

"But my lady is kind-hearted; she asked me to tell you, if you agree to three conditions, the marriage can be settled."

Lu Chengfeng’s emotions surged high and low in an instant; upon hearing this, he quickly responded, "What are Lady Qiutong’s requirements? Just say them. As long as I can do it, I will not decline."

Despite feeling a bit prejudiced, Die’Er nevertheless relayed Lady Qiutong’s conditions one by one.

"The first condition is that if this marriage proceeds, you must arrange a separate residence for my lady, not living together with your primary wife."

Die’Er voiced her dissatisfaction, "It’s said that you recently took your master’s wife as your wife; if they were to live together, and their temperaments didn’t match, my lady would be the concubine and could face endless grievances."

"You’ll arrange for her a separate residence, visiting more often if you wish."

Lu Chengfeng nodded, "That’s an easy matter. Plenty of empty residences are available on Bixiao Peak. Lady Qiutong may choose whichever she likes."

Seeing him agree so readily, Die’Er’s demeanor slightly improved, "The second condition relates to what you previously conveyed; if you’re eager to establish titles quickly, you may, but before the beast tide ends, she will not move to your place, and you mustn’t bother her."

"She’ll only move over after the beast tide ends."

Lu Chengfeng understood that this condition fundamentally was to prevent entanglement during the beast tide, in case anything happened to him; thus, it wouldn’t affect Lady Qiutong’s reputation since others wouldn’t know of this matter without reporting it to the Sect.

"I also agree. We should establish the title first, and other matters can wait until after the beast tide. If anything happens to me, it’ll be my ill fate, unable to be with Lady Qiutong. Consider any betrothal gifts as tokens of our acquaintance."

Lu Chengfeng’s words were candid; he sought neither her person nor beauty, merely the title.

Die’Er, seeing him so straightforward, gradually lost her discontent. After inspecting him slightly and pausing briefly, she hesitantly stated, "This last condition is rather impudent and unconventional, but my lady said, if you can agree to this one, everything else is negotiable."

Lu Chengfeng clasped his hands respectfully, "Whatever conditions you have, just state them. My intention to marry Lady Qiutong is genuine, without falsehood."

Seeing this, Die’Er surprisingly changed her opinion of him, her tone becoming gentler, "My lady said, after marriage, if you ever grow tired or weary of her, please allow her to leave..."

As she finished, her voice lowered slightly, her big eyes blinking while observing Lu Chengfeng’s expression cautiously.

Knowing traditional norms, a wife could be divorced, but a concubine couldn’t; once in the family, she becomes part of it till death.

Even if the master whimsically gifted a concubine away, she had no choice but to comply, without room for refusal.

A concubine to some extent is merely a plaything!

If anyone else had heard what Lady Qiutong said, they would probably fly into a rage, viewing it as an insult, and leave without hesitation.

Lu Chengfeng, even, felt slight annoyance. Should his concubine wish to depart while he’s alive, it would certainly invite ridicule, typically only occurring if she absconded with another man.

His face darkened; he exhaled deeply, suppressing his discontent, "If Lady Qiutong enters the family, I’ll treat her kindly, ensuring she faces no hardships."

"But should she one day truly intend to leave, she may do so; one can’t force affection."

"Yet, let me make it clear, she must abide by matrimony norms, preserving my dignity, or else..."

"She absolutely will." Die’Er quickly affirmed, "My lady is certainly not that type of person."

"Very well, these three conditions I agree to. Can your lady agree to this marriage?" Lu Chengfeng cut to the chase directly.

Cautiously, Die’Er took a jade pendant resembling a lock from her waist bag, threaded on a red string.

"This is the Longevity Jade Lock my lady has worn since young, specially crafted by her parents; my lady’s name is Qiutong. Wearing this lock, named Wutong Locking Autumn, signifies locking time, preserving beauty, and longevity."

As she spoke, she held the jade lock in her white, tender hand, "By accepting this jade lock, the marriage is settled."

Lu Chengfeng exhaled deeply, feeling a huge weight lift from his heart, his heart couldn’t help but start racing with excitement.