Chapter 17: The Delicate and Beautiful Songstress vs. The Strong and Robust General

“But I only like my Wife, the other women aren’t worth mentioning in my eyes.” He wore a faint smile.

“Hmph, I don’t believe it. If men can be trusted, then pigs can climb trees!”

She snorted and stuffed a large mouthful of rice into her mouth, her cheeks puffing up, looking even more adorable and pouty.

That Miss Lin was also incompetent; she sent herself over, drugged him, but didn’t go through with it. In the end, he was sent back to his room, causing her to suffer. She angrily ate her food, her expressions shifting rapidly.

Wei Chenheng found it amusing, his heart softening as he chuckled lightly.

“Why don’t you trust me? Is it because I seem unreliable?”

It was precisely because he seemed too reliable.

She blinked her eyes, a hint of slyness crossing her gaze, and retorted, “Does my Husband think Wanwan is trustworthy?”

Wei Chenheng couldn’t help but laugh, his voice gentle as he replied, “In this world, there’s no need for women to be self-sufficient. How could Wanwan make me rely on her?”

“I think Husband is wrong,” Ning Wanguan countered. “If we eliminate these feudal rites and abolish those oppressive customs that restrict women, allowing them to go out openly, to read, and to do what they love, then women may not necessarily be inferior to men. They could even hold up half the sky, and at that time, all women in the world would be dependable!”

Wei Chenheng was taken aback, feeling somewhat astonished. He hadn’t expected Ning Wanguan to have such bold thoughts. The education he received from a young age taught him that women should not leave the house, that they should adhere to the three obediences and four virtues, that they should follow their husbands in marriage and their sons after their husbands died. Women were seen as the weak and submissive side.

He had never thought women could be a source of support.

Even his mother and the women of the Wei family had never had such rebellious ideas.

“The so-called rites are merely oppression and restraint of women. If there were equality between men and women, women might not be inferior to men. Don’t you think so, Husband?”

He paused, actually at a loss for words in rebuttal.

“It doesn’t matter if Husband doesn’t agree. Wanwan has only seen such a parallel world, where there is no distinction of social rank, only equality between men and women, and freedom in marriage.”

Wei Chenheng was shocked and asked, “Is there really such a world?”

Ning Wanguan lowered her gaze and softly said, “That’s just recorded in unofficial histories. I happened to see it and found it interesting. I hope I didn’t make you laugh.”

“I do not deny that there are many outstanding female figures in history, who have achieved a lot.”

“Does that mean Husband acknowledges my viewpoint?”

“I respect your thoughts and will try to understand her.”

Wei Chenheng’s gaze was gentle as he spoke softly, “Here with me, Wanwan can always be herself, free from the oppression and constraints of feudal rites. You can go out, read, and do what you like. I will always be your support.”

She raised her eyes to look at him, noticing the unusual light shining in his warm peach blossom eyes, filled with joy and sincerity, making him appear quite different from usual.

It would be impossible for her to say that her heart was completely calm.

Wei Chenheng was too gentle.

So gentle that she almost felt like she was drowning in his ocean-like waves of affection.

“Why are you so good to me? To you, I am just a flattering object sent to the General’s residence by the Prime Minister, of lowly status, not worthy of your sincerity.”

His dark eyes sparkled as he replied earnestly, “I treat you well because I have long considered you my wife.”

She looked up at him, never having expected the word “wife” to come from his lips.

Not a concubine, but a wife.

He gently took her small hand, his rough, calloused palm enveloping her delicate fingers.

“You are my wife now, and you will always be Wei Chenheng’s wife. It doesn’t matter how others see you; what matters is that you must not belittle yourself. I don’t want to hear you say you don’t match my status anymore, understand?”

She was taken aback for a moment, staring at him blankly, and asked, “But what if it were someone else? What if the person chosen by the Prime Minister was someone else? Would you treat her the same way?”

He paused, furrowing his brow as if seriously contemplating the question, and after a moment, replied, “No.”

“How can you be so sure? What if the girl who married into the Wei family was a celestial beauty, even prettier than me?”

Wei Chenheng replied calmly, “Wanwan thinks, being in my position, what kind of women have I not seen? Whether it’s a princess, a cousin, or yesterday’s Miss Lin, how could I not know what they think?”

“Then what do you think in your heart?”

He said solemnly, “Marriage is a matter of parental consent and matchmaking. I never cared much about it. Now the Prime Minister is using the Emperor’s hand to grant marriage; no matter who marries into my house, I have to bear it, but I won’t invest too much emotion. However…”

He paused, hesitating for a moment, his expression shifting, and said hoarsely, “I originally intended to keep you in the house and part ways. But that day when we parted, seeing you cry for some reason made my heart ache—”

“Did you feel pity for me at that time?”

His deep, tranquil eyes appeared somewhat lost. “Perhaps, I can’t distinguish that emotion; I just didn’t want to see you cry.”

He chuckled lightly, “You can only be bullied and cry by me.”

Her face turned red, the bright sunlight casting a soft glow on one side of her face, adding a touch of beauty.

“What was the world you mentioned earlier like, where there is freedom in marriage?”

Ning Wanguan hadn’t expected him to be interested in this topic, showing a strong desire to inquire further, so she replied, “Freedom in marriage means that both parties voluntarily, equally, and lovingly become spouses, respecting, caring for, and being loyal to each other. In a free marriage, there is no transaction, no arranged marriages, and no one interferes in the marriage.”

She quietly glanced up at Wei Chenheng, looking into his deep eyes. “Most importantly, it’s monogamous.”

Wei Chenheng looked at her with great interest and asked, “Does Wanwan yearn for such a life?”

Ning Wanguan considered her words carefully. “Husband, don’t tease me. Monogamy is nothing but a fantasy in the Great Jin Dynasty. If the Emperor were to issue another decree, would you dare to defy it?”

His dark eyes deepened, breaking into a smile. “Why not?”

She couldn’t tell whether he was joking or serious.

The topic they were discussing felt too heavy, beyond her understanding, but after this probing, she sensed that Wei Chenheng held a place for her in his heart, not merely out of desire, which gave her some comfort.

After they finished lunch, they slowly made their way downstairs. Ah Sheng had already instructed others to prepare the carriage, and the soft, delicate items were packed up, as the convoy continued heading north.