CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: THE FACE-SLAPPING TIME-TRAVELING FARMING GIRL 21

Anning arranged a marriage for Qi Wenwei.

It was not something she could avoid.

Qi Wenwei had urged her time and time again.

Anning considered him just as despicable as Qi Rui, being so young and already planning to be supported by his future wife, as if he were some pretty boy living off a woman.

Anning also knew that Qi Wenwei would end up with Zhao Sanya in the future, and by then, he would certainly call off his current engagement.

She didn’t want to drag a good girl into this mess. After much inquiry and deliberation, she arranged for Qi Wenwei to be engaged to a girl from the Gu Family.

The Gu Family was an imperial merchant, immensely wealthy, having married into many noble families and taken in a Princess as a daughter-in-law.

One could say they had both wealth and influence.

At first glance, the Gu Family seemed quite good, but in truth, their daughter left much to be desired.

The girl was cunning and ruthless, with a natural talent for business. At a young age, during a disaster, she hoarded scarce goods and deliberately inflated the prices, causing countless deaths in the disaster area.

Anning thought that if Qi Wenwei became engaged to Miss Gu, she would surely make him suffer profoundly should he ever wish to break off the engagement.

Qi Wenwei was well aware of the Gu Family and had even met Miss Gu.

He was very pleased with this marriage proposal.

More than just pleased, he was exceptionally satisfied.

Miss Gu was beautiful indeed, possessing a grace and beauty that was natural and outstanding, and she was also wealthy. With the Gu Family’s fortune, Miss Gu’s dowry was sure to be substantial.

Qi Rui, too, was satisfied, thinking that gaining the Gu Family’s support was advantageous for his career advancement. Forming a marital connection with the Gu Family was undoubtedly a good choice.

Content with this arrangement, the father and son began treating Anning much better.

Of course, Anning had no interest in their insincere flattery.

With Qi Wenwei’s marriage settled, the rural examination was just a year away. Qi Wenshao and Qi Wenwei both went to Jinling to participate. After several months, they returned; Qi Wenshao became the top scorer, while Qi Wenwei barely managed to pass as a scholar.

He was rather displeased, feeling that Qi Wenshao had challenged his authority.

He wanted to pick a fight but didn’t dare to offend Qi Wenshao, fearing that Anning would not let him off the hook.

In his frustration, Qi Wenwei went horseback riding to clear his mind. He wasn’t alone; he said he was going hunting in the mountains with some friends. After that, he disappeared.

When Qi Wenwei’s friends informed Anning that something had happened and he was nowhere to be found, Anning thought to herself that the time had finally come—the real plot was beginning.

In her past life, Qi Wenwei had disappeared while hunting and only returned almost a year later, bringing Zhao Sanya with him, determined to break off his engagement and marry Zhao Sanya instead.

In this life, the same incident occurred, just earlier.

Nevertheless, whether he wanted to break off the engagement or not, Anning had already made her preparations; her net was set, waiting for the little fish Zhao Sanya to swim in and get caught.

Anning informed Qi Rui of the incident while also pretending to be anxious as she sent out search parties for Qi Wenwei.

Despite extensive searching, there was no trace of him. Anning then suggested to Qi Rui that they ought to expect the worst.

At that time, Qi Rui was preoccupied with official duties and had many concerns. After a long, fruitless search, he presumed the worst and eventually started to give up hope for Qi Wenwei, instead showing more care for Qi Wenshao.

However, many years had passed, and Qi Wenshao was no longer a child. No matter how Qi Rui tried to show concern, Qi Wenshao would not appreciate it.

Outwardly, Qi Wenshao was obedient and filial to Qi Rui, but inwardly he looked down upon him, even harboring some resentment.

He was aware of what had transpired in the past and despised Qi Rui’s selfishness.

Had it not been for Qi Rui’s coercion, Qi Wenshao’s birth mother would not have ended up with a heart full of pain and regret.

If it weren’t for Qi Rui’s indulgence towards Zhou Zhenniang, Bai He would not have died.

Anning merely told Qi Wenshao to be patient for a while, and it would all pass after some time.

Afterward, Anning began to prepare things for Qi Wenshao at the manor.

Other than contending with Qi Rui, Qi Wenshao was fully devoted to reading; whenever he felt tired, he’d stroll around the manor Anning arranged for him, understanding the people’s livelihood, and also inspecting the accounts of his businesses.

Besides knowledge from books, he learned many practical things.

And so autumn passed and winter arrived, winter ended and spring began, then halfway through summer, suddenly, Qi Wenwei returned.

Of course, he did not return alone; he also brought back a girl with him.

Standing at the doorstep of Qi Mansion, Qi Wenwei said to Zhao Sanya with a smile, "Rongrong, this is my home."

Zhao Sanya felt a bit afraid, showing signs of reluctance.

Qi Wenwei took her hand, "Don’t be afraid, I am here. I said I’d marry you, and I’ll definitely marry you, no army can stop me."

Zhao Sanya looked up at him, her eyes filled with joy and gratitude.

She then looked at Qi Mansion, feeling it lavish yet suffused with authority, which made her somewhat oppressed.

Thinking that the male master of this house was the Magistrate of Suzhou, and the female master was the daughter of the current era’s great scholar, Zhao Sanya’s affection for Qi Wenwei grew even stronger.

She thought to herself, what about being a second-generation rich kid? The boyfriend she found now was way more impressive than those rich heirs.

After all, he was the son of a Magistrate, and seeing that Qi Rui was on the verge of a significant promotion, his future was boundless.

In modern terms, for her, a common citizen, to find a boyfriend who is the son of a city mayor, that would already be quite formidable.

The more she thought about it, the more she liked it.

She smiled, but then asked Qi Wenwei with some concern, "You... Mr. Qi and Mrs. Qi won’t despise me, will they? After all, I am just a commoner."

Qi Wenwei held Zhao Sanya’s hand tightly, "Don’t worry, as long as I like you, that’s all that matters."

He rang the doorbell with Zhao Sanya.

The gatekeeper opened the door and was surprised to see Qi Wenwei, first in shock then in joy, "Master? Master is back?"

Qi Wenwei kept a straight face, "Why the noise? Hurry and inform the Lord and Madam that I have returned."

After speaking, Qi Wenwei walked towards the courtyard with Zhao Sanya.

The gatekeeper scurried off to notify Anning.

At the moment, Anning was explaining history to Qi Wenshao. Hearing that Qi Wenwei was back, she closed the book and smiled, "Well, this is interesting. Our house won’t be peaceful from now on."

Qi Wenshao stood up, "If big brother causes trouble with Mother, don’t be upset, Mother. You still have me, I will always listen to you from now on."

Anning waved her hand with a smile, "Alright, always the sweet talker. Go on out now, so you don’t get angry watching him."

Qi Wenshao left with a smile.

Not long after, Qi Wenwei entered with Zhao Sanya.

Anning watched Qi Wenwei enter without thinking about whether his parents were worried during his long disappearance, nor did he greet Anning ceremonially; he was instead consoling Zhao Sanya with concern, thinking to herself what love-struck fool he is. She wondered if Heavenly Dao was blind to choose such a man as the male lead?

After calming Zhao Sanya down, Qi Wenwei then kowtowed to Anning.

"Mother, your son has returned."

Anning did not know what expression to make and merely nodded coldly, "Good that you’re back."