Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Yuan Feng's father looked at the flowers, his expression dazed: "Feng'er, bury me with your mother in the future."

Yuan Feng was equally dazed: "Aunt Mei is buried on the Song family's ancestral cemetery..."

Yuan Feng's father remained silent.

The Nan family kept Nan Fei's disappearance a secret. Even if they did, they wouldn't be afraid; at most, the Emperor would blame them for not disciplining their son properly, the worst-case scenario being a postponement of the marriage, and at best, the Emperor would rescind the decree. It was impossible for them to actually be convicted of some serious crime of disobeying the Emperor's orders.

After all, it's a matter of love and family matters. The Nan family are important officials in the court, and Yuan Feng wouldn't allow it. However, marrying by imperial decree is a major event, and if Yuan Feng's father insists on making a scene, things won't end well.

To be on the safe side, Madam Nan and Nan Hua personally went to the Yuan residence to apologize and discuss the matter, hoping to take this opportunity to annul the engagement.

Whether Nanfei pursues an official career or remains a carefree young master, the best wife for him is someone like Jun Xinyue, someone who can stay at home, settle down, and raise children. Yuan Feng's father, once a talented man, wasted his life after marrying into the Yuan family; he serves as a cautionary tale for Nanfei.

Yuan Feng's father sent her out to buy medicine. Yuan Feng wasn't good at dealing with these things, so after buying the medicine, she went to sit in front of her mother's grave, lost in thought. Her father noticed she hadn't returned.

When Yuan Feng's father arrived, he carried a large bouquet of peach blossoms and placed it in front of the grave. He said gently, "Bei Yan, Feng'er is getting married in three days. Remember to come and see her."

Yuan Feng's father was usually very gentle, but he was different now. Yuan Feng looked at her father blankly, completely unable to understand what he was thinking.

Yuan Feng's father said, "The Crown Prince is hesitating among several daughters from noble families. Fu Yutian intends to recommend his daughter to the Emperor, and she has a high reputation in the court. If the Nan family disobeys the imperial decree at this time, the position of Crown Princess of Nanhua will be in danger."

Your Aunt Nan has decided to have Nan Hua marry in place of Nan Fei. He'll be marrying into the family, and we'll be the brides. With the phoenix coronet, embroidered robe, and veil covering his face, no one will recognize him. We'll have a grand and lively wedding with a ten-mile-long procession of red bridal procession.

Men naturally mature later, and Nanfei is a few years younger than you, so it's understandable that he's not mature yet. Feng'er, don't worry, life is long. Just wait a few years, and Nanfei will grow up and mature.

First Uncle Nan, then Aunt Nan. Dad is lying. He probably didn't go to the Nan residence before; he just went out for a stroll and came back. He didn't discuss the marriage with the Nan family at all. This time, he must have threatened Nan Hua, which frightened Aunt Nan.

Seeing Yuan Feng's silence, Yuan Feng's father said, "The bride's dress and the wedding invitation have been sent to the Nan family. Relatives, friends, and court officials have all been notified. The arrow is on the string and must be released. Feng'er is a general and should understand this principle. If Nan Fei really doesn't want to leave when he grows up, you can get a divorce."

During the engagement, they said they could break off the engagement later; at the wedding, they said they could divorce later… and step by step, things have come to this…

Nanfei had grown up and hadn't said he didn't want to. So why did she still give Nanfei a divorce agreement?

Does she think she won't make it back alive? Does she think she should return Nanfei to Duoyi? Or is she bothered by Nanfei's absence for several years? Maybe none of these are true; perhaps she's just being coquettish and wants to see Nanfei's reaction?

There was absolutely no reaction! It just goes to prove Yin Jing right: those of good character are virtuous and keep themselves pure, while those of bad character can cause all sorts of trouble. At least Father is virtuous and keeps himself pure; Nanfei burned down the Yuan residence.

I'm really... sad!

I've been through so much heartbreak, and I've come to accept life and death. Why am I still so sad? It feels like my heart is being squeezed, the pain is so intense I can't breathe.

Ouyang lifted the curtain and saw Yuan Feng kneeling on the ground with her back to the tent door, making no sound. Worried, he quietly moved to the side and saw Yuan Feng pressing her fist to her chest, tears streaming down her face.

Ouyang had never seen her like this before, and in shock, he knelt before her: "General, what's wrong?"

Yuan Feng suddenly leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder, completely losing the strength to speak.

Ouyang hesitated for a moment, then put his arm around her shoulder and gently patted her back: "Ah Feng, if you're sad, just cry it out!"

Ah Feng? Ouyang used to call her Ah Feng. After she got married and returned to the army, Ouyang called her that once too.

Yuan Feng said calmly, "General Ouyang, soldiers are not bound by formalities. However, one should still be mindful of appearances."

Yuan Fengniang is unrestrained and bold, while Yuan Feng is serious and reserved, rarely showing his emotions despite his young age. He addresses everyone appropriately, from centurions and captains to generals. The only two exceptions are that he addresses Yin Jing and Yue Chunqiu as "uncle."

Ouyang was silent for a moment, then replied, "Yes, General."

If I hadn't stubbornly followed Yin Jing's advice back then, I wouldn't be experiencing this excruciating pain now. Ultimately, it's my own fault, and I have no one else to blame but myself.

Yuan Feng suddenly lowered her head and bit Ouyang's shoulder. Ouyang winced in pain. Yuan Feng didn't cry out; her fist loosened, the amulet fell to the ground, and she collapsed.

Ouyang quietly held her, and when her breathing gradually became steady, he carried her to the bed and covered her with a blanket.

Yuan Feng curled up like a wounded little animal, a vulnerability and helplessness that Ouyang had never seen before. Previously, he had admired and respected Yuan Feng, but now he felt a surge of tenderness and pity.

Ouyang said softly, "He saved you once, and you're going to pay for it with your whole life? Why don't you look at me? I'll always be with you."

Yuan Feng's brows were still furrowed as she slept, as if she were burdened with countless sorrows. Ouyang bent down and kissed her forehead, then got up and picked up the amulet that had fallen to the ground.

The amulet was poorly carved, but Yuan Feng wore it like a treasure. Now that she's finally willing to take it off, Ouyang thinks it's a good omen.

Ouyang took the amulet in his hand and stepped outside. He saw a young man standing at the door, dressed in bright red, with handsome features, who had been standing quietly for who knows how long.

The amulet fell to the ground again with a thud. Ouyang had met Nanfei twice: once when they planned to rescue Yuan Feng, and once when Yuan Feng and Nanfei got engaged.

The pretty boy who was shorter than Yuan Feng back then has grown into a tall, slender, and handsome man. His dazzling charm has remained unchanged, no wonder Yuan Feng can't forget him.

Even though nothing had been done, Ouyang felt the embarrassment of being caught in the act. Nan Fei, expressionless, walked over and picked up the amulet, his voice light but cold: "Get out!"

Yuan Feng slept restlessly, dreaming of a raging fire. She was trapped in the very center, watching helplessly as the flames surrounded her from all sides, with nowhere to escape…

In her dream, Yuan Feng struggled and screamed, "Fire...fire...help me..."

Someone appeared out of thin air and carried her away from the inferno. Yuan Feng looked back in mid-air, and the fire vanished instantly, leaving only ashes, from which the Yuan residence could still be vaguely discerned.

Her loved ones were gone, and she no longer had a home.

Yuan Feng clutched the man's collar, crying her heart out in her dream: "How could I like him and not you?"

The man asked, "Who am I?"

Yuan Feng's eyes were blurry with tears, and the person's face was indistinct.

The person pressed further, "Who do you like?"

Yuan Feng murmured, "Nanfei... I like him..."

The man lowered his head and kissed her. Yuan Feng knew something was wrong but didn't avoid it. A night of tender intimacy ensued, and she couldn't distinguish between dream and reality.

How did my mother get through all these years? Did she endure such suffering?

Her mother had Uncle Yin to take care of her, and she had Ouyang to take care of her. In the end, she followed in her mother's footsteps and walked the same old path. No matter how stubborn she was, she could not resist fate.