Following the dismissal of Wang Jiao, Feng Qingxue did not relax her guard.
Though she trusted both Lu Father and Lu Jiang, not fearing Wang Jiao’s meddling in her betrothal, and any marriage that could be disrupted by a third party was not worth holding onto, she still feared Wang Zhengguo and Miao Fengqin would eventually be swayed by Wang Jiao’s pleas and intervene to alter the situation.
Wang Jiao, true to her namesake, was the apple of Wang Zhengguo and Miao Fengqin’s eyes and had been doted upon from a young age.
When it came to matters involving their loved ones, it was difficult for anyone to remain impartial.
This had nothing to do with a person’s character.
After some careful consideration, Feng Qingxue decided to approach Wang Zhengguo that day.
"If my cousin wishes to marry Lu Jiang," Wang Jiao’s relentless efforts to disturb her marriage to Lu Jiang, coupled with the shame and determination in her eyes whenever she mentioned his name, seemed to confirm her self-serving motives, "I can step aside before the marriage is set, for the sake of Uncle and Auntie. After all, Uncle originally wanted to introduce my cousin to Lu Jiang, and it was only because she declined the proposal that I became the lucky recipient. Just like my cousin mentioned, Yunyun and I owe Uncle a debt of life and it must be repaid in kind. But now, the matter of Lu Jiang and me getting married is already settled, everyone, kin and friend alike, knows about it. Lu Jiang also took all the necessary documents away, saying he will submit them for review. If we undo the marriage now, to wed my cousin, it will ruin everyone’s reputation at once!"
Upon saying this, Feng Qingxue’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice choking with emotion, "I’ve never known parental love, so if I end up disgraced, it doesn’t matter. If the rumors become unbearable, I could always take my own life. But Lu Jiang is a soldier, such actions would certainly lead to him being accused of being a gold digger, tarnish the reputation of soldiers, and would likely result in punishment if word got out within the battalion. Furthermore, Uncle is the secretary of the Wanglou Brigade, wouldn’t he also risk being reported, thus affecting his future, for throwing his weight around?"
In this era, reputation matters above all else, especially in relation to issues of moral conduct between men and women.
Throughout history, there were cases of cancelled engagements, but those who were mindful of their faces would not propose cancellation, unless not doing so threatened the reputation and lives of the entire family.
Whilst Feng Qingxue and Lu Jiang weren’t married, calling off their betrothal would tarnish both their reputations, but not threaten the lives unlike in Wang Jiao’s case.
Wang Jiao was intending to wed Lu Jiang!
Notwithstanding that Lu Jiang certainly wouldn’t act in that way, suppose, purely hypothetically, that Lu Jiang called off his betrothal to Feng Qingxue and immediately engaged himself to Wang Jiao, then everyone involved would be in for it. The Wang Family would lose face, and Wang Jiao herself would bear the brunt of endless gossip. Wang Zhengguo’s political enemies could seize this opportunity to bring him down.
If it came to that, the only one who could walk away unscathed would be Feng Qingxue. Being the victim would only earn her sympathy and pity, as the oppressed easily garner sympathy and open doors of opportunity.
Before Feng Qingxue could finish, Wang Zhengguo was already trembling with rage.
Without even thinking about it, he knew that if Feng Qingxue was saying such things, it meant that Wang Jiao must have spoken out of turn in front of her.
He thought that Wang Jiao was going to visit Feng Qingxue but instead, she unbelievably asked Feng Qingxue to cancel her betrothal.
"Silly girl, your cousin might be short of common sense, but am I, your Uncle, unaware? How could I let her run wild!" Wang Zhengguo patted her on the shoulder, "As for your marriage to Lu Jiang, as long as it passes the political review, nobody can break it up."