Chapter 49: Making Choices (1)

As soon as Miss Du showed her strength, the drunkards fled in panic, clutching their heads. They had come to drink, not to seek trouble. Who knew if Miss Du’s swing might leave them with some lasting injury?

The once-noisy teahouse instantly became eerily quiet. Du Jingtian proudly lifted her head at her grandfather, but the old shopkeeper wasn’t impressed.

“You! You drove them away before they even paid for their drinks and food. How much loss is this for me?”

Glaring at his daughter, the old shopkeeper rubbed his chest—true financial pain! More than a dozen strings of coins had slipped through his fingers!

“Grandpa, what’s there to regret about a dozen strings of coins? These days, our shop makes hundreds of strings in a day. I was just annoyed by their gossip.”

Miss Du smiled, wrapping her arms around her grandfather’s arm as she explained softly. Those people must have gotten some rumors from somewhere and spread them further, as if delaying a little would mean losing more money. Worst of all, they acted as if their words were sacred and beyond question.

“A dozen strings of coins—that could feed a poor family for years!”

The old shopkeeper muttered about money while scolding his daughter, “I think you’re worried about that boy, Qi Lang. He hasn’t even married you yet, and you’re already turning against him. Truly, a woman grows too independent and unmanageable.”

Hearing this, Du Jingtian immediately frowned and snapped, “Grandpa, if you keep talking like that, I’ll get angry! That damned Qi Lang—who would want to marry him?”

“Hehe, do you think I don’t know your thoughts? Since you were born, I’ve never guessed wrong about your feelings.”

The old shopkeeper sighed. “You’re too impulsive. No wonder Qi Lang is upset. What man doesn’t have multiple wives? He just wants one concubine, yet you get angry. That’s not the demeanor of a proper wife.”

Du Jingtian sneered, “Who wants to be his wife? He wants to marry that Li Niang, right? Let him marry her—I’ll support him!”

“Look, look—speaking angrily again!”

The old shopkeeper shook his head. “Men have their own thoughts. You can’t keep them tied to you all the time. Actually, it’s fine for him to take a concubine. Anyway, our Du family holds a high status—no one will let you suffer. Having a beautiful woman in the house will also stop him from wandering off to flirt.”

Old Du, the shopkeeper, spoke with great experience, eager to pour out half of his life’s wisdom in one go. “Besides, the wedding date has already been set—the tenth day of the tenth month, an excellent day. Look at Qi Lang; his betrothal gifts have already been sent. You can’t expect your grandfather to shamelessly reject them. Listen to your grandfather—when it’s time to be obedient, be obedient, and show some grace.” “I don’t care! I don’t care! He’s bullying people, bullying them…” Du Jingtian’s voice turned tearful as she buried her face in her arms, sobbing softly. “Ah, you were talking so well—why did you start crying?” Old Du didn’t know what to do and tried to comfort her in a low voice. Just as he looked up, he saw Li Kuo enter the shop, nearly shouting in surprise. Li Kuo placed his finger on his lips to signal silence, and Old Du immediately understood, lowering his voice. “Who made my A Tian angry? I’ll take care of them for you!” Li Kuo stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Du Jingtian, smiling. “Let go of me! It’s you, you stupid Qi Baozi, who made me angry! You made me so furious—are you happy now? Only now do you think to comfort me? Go away! Don’t meddle in my affairs!” Hearing Li Kuo’s voice, Du Jingtian was both shocked and angry, struggling desperately. But Li Kuo was now strong and powerful; she had no chance of breaking free. “A Tian, A Tian, listen to me!” Li Kuo turned her around forcefully and said slowly, “You’re overthinking Li Niang’s matter. I only felt sorry for her, that’s all…” Du Jingtian sneered, “So you want to marry her? Then go marry her! Why come to me? Why bother me? She’s as beautiful as a fairy, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She’s sensible and understanding—unlike me, who acts irrationally and annoys people!” “Calm down! Don’t you understand my feelings for you? Whether I take her as a concubine or not, my feelings for you will never change, never!” Li Kuo pulled Du Jingtian over to the table and sat her down, explaining earnestly, “If I ignore her, how can a weak woman like her survive in Chang’an? Will she have to go to those brothels and perform? I keep her only as a friend. And you, Du Jingtian, are the only wife I, Li Kuo, will ever have in this life.” The young man emphasized each word, gazing at Du Jingtian affectionately. Over these days, aside from discussing strategies with his friends to deal with Li Linfu, he had spent all his time thinking about how to resolve this matter.

To be honest, he had been very happy these days with Liniang by his side. Liniang was well-educated and understanding, often offering wise words that cleared the fog in his mind. Gradually, he developed subtle feelings for her—a vague emotion he could hardly define.
In fact, to him, Liniang was more like a confidant, someone with whom he could discuss issues.
But A Tian was different. How could the feelings built over years, the relationship cultivated over time, vanish in an instant because of Shen Liniang?
He was used to A Tian’s playful antics and coquetry, her scolding and crying, and the delicious, golden fried eggs she made… Neither Shen Liniang nor Aina could replace these feelings. He wasn’t a saint; naturally, he felt emotions for both of them. But such feelings would never be an excuse for him to betray A Tian, for his bond with her was already unbreakable.
So, after careful consideration, he sent someone to deliver a betrothal gift to Master Du and set a wedding date.
He needed to stand up bravely and face these feelings.
When Du Jingtian heard his words, she said affectionately, “You silly brat! I just can’t bear it—I can’t bear the thought that you love other women besides me.”
“Silly A Tian! Do you really think I would love anyone other than you? Liniang is just a confidant to me, while you are the only wife I will ever have in my life.”
Li Kuo gazed at Du Jingtian tenderly and made a firm promise.