Spoiled Eldest Miss x Two-faced Madman

CHAPTER 40: “I'm Angry, And If You Don't Coax Me, It Won't Get Better!”

 

　　“My father wants to marry me off to someone I don't like. I don't want to, but there's the matter of parental orders and matchmakers…” 

　　Through Jin Yanwan's confession, An Jiu gradually understood her worries. 

　　Although An Jiu knew that Jin Yanwan was certainly hiding information about the secret martial arts manual, it was clear that the marriage was probably real. 

　　Jin You had gone out to visit friends some time ago; in reality, he was discussing the marriage of their children with his friend. 

　　Jin Yanwan was eighteen this year, considered quite old for marriage in this era. In Jin You's view, his daughter was of marriageable age. 

　　A woman should obey her parents and marry—this was an age-old principle. 

　　Jin Yanwan had been frail since childhood and couldn't practice martial arts, putting her at a disadvantage in the martial arts world, leaving her with few options. 

　　Jin You had a friend whose son was also of marriageable age. He claimed to be visiting friends, but he was actually negotiating a marriage between the two families. 

　　In the rising steam, the pallor on Jin Yanwan's face gradually receded, and a faint blush appeared on her usually sickly face. 

　　She raised her eyes, a soft light shimmering in her gentle almond-shaped eyes. 

　　“Miss An, I know my father means well. Women eventually marry, but I don't want to go...am I being unfilial?”

　　Jin Yanwan spoke softly and gently, her voice tender and delicate.

　　This question was less directed at An Jiu and more a question to herself. She was asking herself whether she would be unfilial if she did what she was considering. 

　　Her father had treated her well, showing genuine care over the years. Because of her frailty, she'd taken medicine for many years, incurring significant expenses, yet her father never complained. 

　　Although her stepmother wasn't particularly warm, she'd never been harsh. 

　　Their treatment of her was simply somewhat cold and indifferent. 

　　But every time she saw her father and stepmother guiding her younger brother in sword practice, their happy family scene, while she remained alone in her room, a nameless fire would burn within her, searing her insides and causing her unbearable pain. 

　　Jin Yanwan had been hesitant, wondering whether she should steal the secret manual for her own selfish desires. 

　　If she were to give up, she wouldn't be able to accept it. 

　　Why should her fate be controlled by others? 

　　She wanted to control her own destiny, not be just the legitimate daughter of the Líng Shé Sword Master or the Eldest Young Miss of Jinshe Villa—who was seen by most as an insignificant woman. 

　　As the day the secret manual was to be opened drew closer, Jin Yanwan became clearer about the fire burning in her heart. 

　　It was ambition, something a woman shouldn't have. 

　　She felt like an outcast. 

　　“Is your father really that good to you?” 

　　Suddenly, she heard the girl's languid voice. Jin Yanwan awoke from her reverie and looked towards the source of the sound. 

　　The girl was leaning against the edge of the pool, draped in her bathrobe, leisurely kicking the water. Her snow-white skin looked even more radiant against the water, translucent and flawless.

　　Her eyes crinkled with amusement, her expression mischievous, like a mountain spirit tempting one to fall. “If he treated you well, why would he marry you off to the area around Changbai Mountain? That's known for its harsh, cold climate. You're frail; could you really adapt to the northern climate?” 

　　Sometimes, a single detail reveals how well someone treats you. 

　　Someone who truly cares about you would never overlook such a significant issue. 

　　Seeing Jin Yanwan speechless, An Jiu continued, “Do you know who I am?”

　　Jin Yanwan remained silent for a moment before softly replying, “I know. You're Miss An, who came here with Miss Lin and the others.” 

　　An Jiu shook her finger, smiling. “Not quite. I'm originally the daughter of a wealthy and influential family of officials in the capital.” 

　　Jin Yanwan's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at An Jiu strangely. 

　　The capital was far from Jinshe Villa. How could Miss An be here alone? And why would a noble lady be traveling with Lin Qingyan and the others? 

　　For Jin Yanwan, a weak woman traveling alone was simply unbelievable. 

　　Since childhood, Jin Yanwan hadn't been allowed to leave the manor. Even to get some fresh air, she could only stay within the manor or go to the hot springs on the mountain. She was like a bird kept in a cage, having never seen the outside world. 

　　Her father had said that because of her poor health, she couldn't endure the hardships of travel, so she wasn't allowed to go out. 

　　Jin Yanwan had always obediently followed his instructions.

　　She had always been a good daughter, never defying her father's orders. Only this time, she wanted to fight for something for herself. 

　　When her father first obtained the secret manual, Jin Yanwan had indirectly tried to see it. 

　　Her father hadn't agreed. 

　　Jin You's exact words were that the manual would become the family treasure of Jinshe Villa, and since Jin Yanwan was about to marry, if she took it away, the manual would fall into the wrong hands. He didn't want that to happen. 

　　Jin Yanwan felt increasingly unbalanced. She was his daughter, yet, simply because she was a woman, she didn't even have the right to look at the manual.

　　Even now, she was about to resort to stealing the secret manual from her own home.

　　Why did she have to face such unfair treatment? 

　　Jin Yanwan didn't understand, she didn't know, and she was unwilling to accept it. 

　　She hadn't been outwardly mistreated, yet it felt as if she was mistreated in every way. 

　　“Why? Because you're a girl.” 

　　The girl's words rang out again, like a warning bell. “You might not know this, but I ran away from an arranged marriage too.” 

　　Jin Yanwan suddenly looked up. 

　　An Jiu's eyes were bright with laughter, without a trace of worry or dejection. She said naturally, “My father wanted to marry me off to a man in his forties, because he could help our family. I refused. Why should I sacrifice my happiness for their wealth and comfort? There's no such easy deal in the world.” 

　　An Jiu had always been someone who wouldn't suffer losses. Even when facing a powerful villain who could kill her with a flick of their wrist, she would find ways to get even. 

　　She was extremely self-centered, perhaps selfish in the eyes of others. 

　　But the young miss didn't care. She didn't consider herself a good person. Everything she did was for herself. 

　　If a person didn't love themselves, what was the point of living? 

　　Relying on others' love? 

　　Mountains crumble, people run away. She wouldn't do something as foolish as relying on others.

　　Just like her cheap parents in the modern world. They had once been passionately in love, but after marriage, their conflicting values led to constant bickering, turning them into a pair of resentful spouses, tormenting themselves, each other, and their child. 

　　They tormented each other for many years, until finally her father had affairs, keeping mistresses and having illegitimate children. Her mother stayed home, constantly complaining about him until she became depressed and died prematurely. 

　　After that, An Jiu understood that love was like a mirage, not as profound as people made it out to be. 

　　Even the deepest feelings would eventually fade. 

　　Only money was real, offering a sense of security. 

　　After her mother's death, An Jiu began to show her intelligence and was taken in by her grandfather. 

　　As for her father, at least he remembered not to let his illegitimate children bother her, fulfilling the minimum responsibility of a parent. 

　　Jin Yanwan's problem was actually simple: the common inequality between men and women in ancient times. 

　　Daughters could be spoiled, but not entrusted with responsibility. 

　　A problem that even modern civilization hadn't solved was even more deeply ingrained in ancient times. 

　　Look at Jin Yanwan, the person involved; she had even brainwashed herself! 

　　As soon as she had a rebellious thought, she felt guilty. 

　　“If I'm unhappy, I want others to be unhappy too. I don't care what they say or think. My father was actually quite good to me—he provided for me and spent money generously. But if, just because he raised me for more than a decade, I have to spend the rest of my life sacrificing myself, that’s not a good deal. A decade for several decades? No, no, I'd be losing out big time!”

　　An Jiu shook her head back and forth like a rattle. 

　　Perhaps because she had learned about business since childhood, An Jiu liked to use numbers to measure things, even emotions. 

　　Jin Yanwan had never heard such incredible words, especially from a young girl. She stared at her, dumbfounded. 

　　Meeting Jin Yanwan's surprised gaze, An Jiu smiled apologetically. “I said too much. Did I shock you?” 

　　Jin Yanwan was silent for a while before saying in a complex tone, “Miss An...you're quite outspoken.”

　　After a slight pause, she softly added, “But our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents...shouldn't we listen to our parents?”

　　Actually, she wanted An Jiu to refute her. Although An Jiu's words were outrageous, Jin Yanwan felt a strange sense of kinship with her. 

　　It was as if a long-standing blockage had suddenly been opened. The doubts that had plagued her for years were suddenly resolved, and she felt completely enlightened.　　 

　　Faced with this question, An Jiu blurted out, “If, as you say, parental orders must be obeyed unconditionally, then if parents tell their child to commit suicide, should they do it? Then what are we living for? For our parents? Do you live your whole life without a sense of self?”

　　The more Jin Yanwan listened, the brighter her dark eyes became, shining with an astonishing light. 

　　Such rebellious words, if spread, would certainly be condemned as heresy and a violation of propriety. But to Jin Yanwan, they were like a bright light shining into her closed heart. 

　　It was as if she had been living in a dark room, and on this day, An Jiu opened a window, allowing her to glimpse the bright sunlight outside. 

　　From then on, her eyes were clear. 

　　“Miss An, thank you. Your wise words have resolved my confusion. From now on, you are my dearest friend.” 

　　A genuine smile appeared on the girl's pale, thin face, the gloom around her eyes disappearing, replaced by determination and confidence. 

　　She wanted self-determination. Jin Yanwan was certain that what she had been desperately seeking was her own will. 

　　An Jiu raised her eyebrows, glancing at her casually. “I didn't say anything earth-shattering. Whatever you do in the future, don't mention my name.” 

　　Whether she said these things or not, Jin Yanwan would steal the secret manual; that wouldn't change. She simply didn't want to see this girl live in torment, struggling without a way out. 

　　In the book, Jinshe Villa was destroyed, and Jin Yanwan took all the blame upon herself, believing that it was her theft of the manual that brought about the disaster. She became despondent and eventually died of a broken heart.

　　But in reality, whether she stole the manual or not, the Qiānshā Pavilion and the Demonic Sect would target Jinshe Villa. From the moment Jin You discovered the manual, the fate of Jinshe Villa was sealed. 

　　Compared to that, An Jiu preferred her to steal it. With the manual and the martial arts it contained, she would have a chance to become stronger and take revenge. 

　　It was better than dying anonymously and forgotten in some unknown corner. 

　　Jin Yanwan said, “Of course, what we talked about today will remain between just the two of us, and heaven and earth.” 

　　An Jiu smiled, then said meaningfully, “What do you think would happen to a defenseless old man carrying a treasure walking down the street?” 

　　Jin Yanwan froze, her rosy complexion turning pale. 

　　“What do you mean, Miss An...?” 

　　An Jiu playfully wagged her delicate finger, smiling mysteriously. “They would be targeted by thieves, of course. So, treasures must be hidden well, and you mustn't let anyone know about them.” 

　　Jin Yanwan's expression turned serious. “Thank you for your advice, Miss An. I am eternally grateful!” 

　　From then on, her impression of An Jiu changed completely. 

　　When they met at the racetrack before, she had secretly thought that Miss An was a little arrogant and rude. However, now she felt that there was probably no other woman in the world as straightforward and intelligent as Miss An.

　　She was like a blazing fire, warm and intense, her radiance bringing warmth to others. 

　　“I've said all I need to say.” 

　　An Jiu soaked in the hot spring for a while before getting up to leave. The hot spring was comfortable, but she couldn't stay too long. 

　　Seeing her emerge from the pool, Jin Yanwan offered, “Miss An, I have a private courtyard at the back of the manor. If you don't mind, you can rest there for a while.” 

　　An Jiu considered it and agreed. 

　　Jin Yanwan sent a maid waiting outside to lead An Jiu to the courtyard, then left hurriedly, it was unclear what she was going to do. 

　　An Jiu, wearing a clean bathrobe, walked along the stone path through the back garden and arrived at a secluded courtyard. Two weeping crabapple trees were planted in the courtyard, their crimson blossoms vibrant and alluring. 

　　“You don't need to come in, I'll go in myself. You can go back.” 

　　An Jiu stood at the courtyard gate, turning to the maid beside her. 

　　The maid didn't ask any questions, silently bowing before departing. 

　　An Jiu entered the courtyard, closing the gate behind her. As she turned around, a tall figure appeared silently before her. 

　　The man was dressed in a dark-colored robe, his black hair loose, a silver mask covering his face. He stood a few steps away, his deep black eyes fixed on her. 

　　An Jiu's heart skipped a beat, but quickly calmed down.

　　She should have known! 

　　He said he wouldn't come, but he did anyway? 

　　Heh, men, they say one thing and do another. 

　　An Jiu silently grumbled to herself, but couldn't help but take a few quick steps forward. Then, she suddenly stopped, turned, and walked towards the house. 

　　The man who had been waiting silently: “?” 

　　He was stunned for a moment. Seeing the girl walk away without looking back, her whole body radiating displeasure, he followed her, bewildered. 

　　“Miss An?” 

　　The girl suddenly stopped, right under a crabapple tree. 

　　The crabapple blossoms were vibrant and beautiful, but they couldn't compare to the girl's slightly flushed face after her hot spring bath, or her sparkling eyes. 

　　There was a gleam in her eyes, and her grievance was evident to the naked eye.

　　“I'm telling you, I'm angry! If you don't coax me, it won't get better!” 

　　The girl, hands on her hips, spoke in an angry, childish voice. 

　　Pei Ji fell into sudden silence: “...”

 

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Author's Note:

Pei Pei: Save me, save me!

……

T/N: I’m switching ‘Spirit Snake Sword Master’ to ‘Líng Shé Sword Master’—same meaning, just using the pinyin now! Líng Shé = Spirit Snake. I’ll go back and fix the older chapters too. Sigh… still learning as I go, so there’ll be little oopsies here and there. Thanks for bearing with me~ Love ya lots!" 💕🐍✨

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