CHAPTER 376: CHAPTER 369: I’M JUST A FACE ENTHUSIAST 11 (BONUS CHAPTER FOR 400 MONTHLY TICKETS)

Yue Zhong’s heart skipped a beat, and then he put on a sad expression.

"But what did I do wrong?"

Xu Pengju felt even worse, patting Yue Zhong’s shoulders as he cried: "My dear nephew, Uncle has no choice, I really am sorry, I’m afraid I won’t be able to face your father in the future, but I only have Baobao, and if anything happened to her, I wouldn’t be able to live either."

Yue Zhong saw Xu Pengju crying so sorrowfully that he was unable to vent the indignation in his heart: "Uncle, don’t be sad, what exactly happened?"

Xu Pengju wiped away tears as he spoke: "Baobao fell into the lake some time ago, and ever since she was pulled up, her health has been poor. Although she woke up, it’s either typhoid fever today or sore arms and legs tomorrow; a perfectly fine person can’t even get out of bed now, and has become so thin, just bones left. I’ve invited doctors from all over the city, but none can cure her."

Xu Pengju cried more and more heartbrokenly, his voice starting to choke: "Your aunt cries every day, and ultimately, having no other choice, we invited a Taoist to try and perform some rituals to remove the ominous Qi. The Taoist did give us an idea, and that is to find a man to marry Baobao to see if it could improve her health."

Yue Zhong quickly responded to this: "That’s not a problem, getting married immediately is also fine, as long as Miss Xu gets better, I’m willing to do whatever it takes."

Right now, Yue Zhong only thought about getting married quickly. Even if he could not marry Anning, marrying Xu Bao’er would do.

After all, Xu Bao’er was the only daughter, and if he married her, the vast Xu family wealth would all be his, and he would no longer have to worry about food and clothing.

Moreover, with the support of Xu Pengju, the scholar, his path would undoubtedly be much smoother.

However, Xu Pengju would not allow Yue Zhong’s wishes to be fulfilled.

He sighed deeply: "If only it were so simple. The Taoist said we must seek a man for Baobao, we cannot let Baobao marry out, otherwise, she is doomed to die young..."

Yue Zhong was startled and squinted his eyes to scrutinize Xu Pengju.

But he saw Xu Pengju looking genuinely distressed, making him even more frustrated: "Uncle, this... my and Miss Xu’s marriage was settled long ago, when my father was alive, it was a done deal, how can we change it now? If the marriage were called off, I would be committing a great act of filial disrespect."

"It’s all my fault, all my fault."

Xu Pengju covered his face: "Dear nephew, this is a no-win situation, please... for the years of friendship between our two families, call off the marriage. Once it is called off, I need to quickly find a man for Baobao; otherwise, Baobao won’t last long. It is Uncle begging you."

While saying this, Xu Pengju took out the keepsake from when the marriage was arranged and placed it on the table: "Dear nephew, at that time I gave a jade Ruyi, you bring it for me, this is our family’s fault. If you have to explain to others, you can blame it all on me, I’ll take the responsibility. In the future, when I see your father in the afterlife, I will apologize to him."

When the conversation reached this point, what could Yue Zhong do?

He felt sorrowful, heartbroken, and dejected, but still obediently handed over the Jade Ruyi to Xu Pengju.

Xu Pengju then took out the written marriage agreement that the two families had prepared and burned it: "Even though the marriage is off, the relationship between our two families is not severed. In the future, if you have any trouble, you can always come to me."

Before leaving, Xu Pengju also left some silver notes for Yue Zhong: "Next year you will be taking part in the rural examination, and the journey will cost quite a bit. Take these, and if it’s not enough, just let me know."

He handled the matter openly and cleanly, leaving Yue Zhong with no room for grudges.

After all, the Xu family was not calling off the marriage because of his family’s poverty, but because Xu Bao’er was truly unwell.

Even if the marriage were not called off, if something bad happened to Xu Bao’er, she would not be able to marry him anyway. It was better to call off the marriage than to bear the reputation of being a jinx to one’s wife.

When Yue Zhong saw Xu Pengju to the door, his face relaxed considerably.

After Xu Pengju left, Yue Zhong shut himself in the study to vent his anger fiercely.

He had clung to a talisman, hoping and waiting for so long, but what had arrived was a canceled marriage, which Yue Zhong found hard to accept.

Thinking of Anning made him even sadder, as if his heart was being carved out.

Additionally, Yue Zhong also felt that he had lost something very important, leaving his heart feeling hollow and unsettled.

After Xu Pengju called off the marriage with the Yue Family, he started to look everywhere for a suitable young man.

These days, Anning has stayed continuously by Xu Bao’er’s side.

She drew many talismans and carved a new Jade Pendant for both Xu Pengju and Mrs. Xu. She also made a Beauty Talisman for Xu Bao’er.

After using the talisman, Xu Bao’er became much more beautiful.

She was already charming and delightful to look at, and after using the Beauty Talisman, she became even more exquisitely pretty.

Seeing that Xu Bao’er’s health had recovered and she was growing up to be more beautiful, Anning figured it was about time, so she mentioned it to Xu Pengju and took Xu Bao’er to Youchan Temple to fulfill their vows.

Before departing, she sent a message to Xiao Yuan, and when they arrived at Youchan Temple, Xiao Yuan was already waiting for her in the temple’s backyard.

The Youchan Temple was built at the foot of the mountain, with a large mountain behind it; the backyard was almost on the mountainside.

After Anning and Xu Bao’er offered incense, she told Xu Bao’er and went to find Xiao Yuan in the backyard.

Meanwhile, Xu Bao’er took the maids to wander around the temple.

Anning and Xiao Yuan found a secluded spot to talk. Anning handed over the peace charm she had carved to Xiao Yuan and then gave him several careful admonitions.

"I don’t think your friends are up to any good. Take Xu Jiu, for example, whether intentional or not, he almost harmed you. We should stop hanging out with them from now on. In the future, either study or help Uncle Xiao manage the family affairs. Those are proper matters."

Xiao Yuan heard the worry in Anning’s words and didn’t want her to be distressed. Although he still wanted to play, he made a promise to her, "I will listen to you and not play with them anymore. What about if I stay home and study for the Advanced Scholar title? Afterward, I could earn an Imperial Decree for you, Lady."

Anning laughed and said, "Advanced Scholar or not, I just want you to be safe. I think Uncle Xu intends to arrange our marriage before the end of the year. Don’t you think you should be a bit more mature once we’re married?"

Xiao Yuan, hearing that their marriage was imminent, was joyously disoriented, "Really? Then I must tell my mother to prepare well. By the way, what do you want our wedding room to be like? Should it be the courtyard I’m living in now, or should we choose another place? What kind of flowers should we plant in the yard?"

He scratched his ears and cheeks, "I’ll start decorating the courtyard so it’ll be ready in time."

Anning leaned in and softly urged him, "Don’t be too anxious, just take it step by step."

While they were talking, Anning gently tugged on Xiao Yuan’s sleeve, and when she touched him, she subtly released the restriction suppressing Xiao Yuan’s Merit Energy with a flick of her finger without making a sound.

As soon as the restriction was lifted, Anning saw Xiao Yuan’s Qi Fortune soar into the sky. The evil energy previously clinging to the Jade Pendant was instantly purified.

Anning softly chuckled.

With Xiao Yuan’s body full of Merit Golden Light, as long as it was not suppressed, he would be invincible in the future, with gods and ghosts alike shunning him. Anybody who tried to scheme against him would be on a path to their own destruction.

Xiao Yuan felt Anning’s affectionate gesture and was moved. Wanting to hold her hand, he reached out, but then felt scared and pulled back.

"That..."

His face blushed, "I brought some pastries; do you want some?"

Xu Bao’er, along with two maids, wandered as they walked, and unwittingly they found themselves in a wooded area on the back mountain.

After walking a distance, Xu Bao’er felt the silence around her was eerie, and she was frightened and turned to walk out.

But she hadn’t gone far when she heard a faint noise, as though someone was calling for help.

Xu Bao’er turned pale with fear, yet she still led the maids forward.

Approaching, they found a person lying in the woods.

The person’s chest was stained red with blood, and his hair was scattered and hanging over his shoulders, partially covering his face.

"This person..."

Du Juan, terrified, clenched her fists tightly, "Miss, let’s hurry out of here."

Xu Bao’er was somewhat softhearted and bravely approached, "Let’s have a look first. He seems to have passed out, he probably can’t harm us."

She led the maids forward, had them help the person up, and then stretched out her hand to check the person’s breath, "He’s still breathing, he’s alive."