Repairing the Past

Chapter 32

A few days later the Chu residence was completely full of activity. The marriage plans of Chu's only general's son accelerated by the Emperor had spread throughout the country.

Everyone was focused on their respective duties except for Chu Yao.

The girl was not enthusiastic but did not also hate the wedding of her brother. He simply stayed in observing mode while busying himself inside the pavilion of life. That place was the second place he really liked in the mansion after his private pavilion.

The sun had already started to lean westward as Chu Yao moved out of the place.

"Will the lady have dinner with the great master and the others tonight?" Xier asked who had been accompanying him all the time in the pile of books in the hall of life.

"Looks not. I just want to eat in my room." Chu Yao replied indifferently.

Although he wanted to join, he was quite worried that he would melt his family spirit if they saw the face of Chu Yao that they did not like.

He knows himself.

It was enough a few weeks ago that he had an argument with his father. Not to mention offending the elder brother about the invitation that was completely unimportant to Chu Yao.

If it still imposes the will, fear of new problems re-emerging.

A low roar of laughter sounded not far from the corridor that Chu Yao passed through. The tail of his eyes caught several silhouettes coming out simultaneously from the living room.

Chu Yao saw that there was a middle-aged man of the general's age, a young man and woman beside him. And some of their personal servants.

Chu Yao's memories had recognized two young people among them. They were young master Zhao and his younger sister, Zhao Lin Lin.

And it was likely that the middle-aged man who had just gone elsewhere with the general was the great master Zhao. Zhao Ming De and Zhao Lin Lin.

Chu Yao passed by. For him the existence of those people had nothing to do with him. It would be best if Chu Yao did not appear there. Let's just say he's being kind to his half-brother. It was possible that with their meeting this time around, the relationship that Chu Ling coveted would increasingly materialize.

But it seems like God wants something else.

Zhao Lin Lin was stunned to realize Chu Yao's presence before the girl's figure vanished behind the corridor. That soprano voice of Zhao Ming De's younger sister had made the people around him turn their heads when calling out Chu Yao's name quite loudly.

"Sister Yao! I'm looking for you. I thought you were resting in your room because they said you weren't feeling well." Chirp Lin Lin while throwing a glance towards Chu Ling and Madam Xun.

Chu Yao smiled wryly and almost chuckled at the slightly fluttering faces of the two people. It was as if he was playing a show.

"They're right. I'm not feeling well. This whole day I was just resting and reading some books in the Life Pavilion."  Chu Yao said casually. He does not want to make the axis of dispute ignited.

If he wanted General Chu or Chu Zhan to open his mouth, at the very least he would have to create a calm situation and condition. After all is safe, only he will approach the two people to scrape the information he was looking for before.

Chu Zhan let out a long sigh when he heard the words of his half-brother. His wide smile had painted gratitude for the good decision Chu Yao took. At least today there will be no fighting in front of the guests.

Even with Madame Xun and Chu Ling who exchanged glances. They were quite shocked because the naughty girl did not do the opposite as before.

They had almost thought that the innocent Chu Yao had returned, but the thought was instantly dismissed when they saw the sharp gaze of the girl.

"Miss Chu, may I ask for a moment?" Zhao Ming De suddenly asked Chu Yao.

Chu Yao did not give any response but Zhao Ming De remained enthusiastic. He continued, "If you may know, why didn't Miss Chu attend the invitation we sent a few days ago?"

"Really! I have been waiting for your arrival." Zhao Lin Lin added curiously.

Chu Yao scratched her unitchy chin. His brain turned around looking for the right reason.

"As for Brother Yao, the party was carefully prepared by brother Ming De himself specifically for brother Yao. When he knew that big brother Yao was not present, he was moody all day. Only today did he seem excited after dad invited him to visit your residence." Limp Zhao Lin Lin with a seductive smile towards Chu Yao and Zhao Ming De in turn.

"Lin Lin! Watch your talk." Young master Zhao blushed. The man bowed respectfully towards Chu Yao and said, "Please miss not take heart at Lin Lin Lin's words. This girl likes to say no. On behalf of Lin Lin, I apologize."

Young Miss Zhao was weaving her lips and hiding behind Chu Yao's body when the elder sister was intending to pull her arm.

"Young master Zhao doesn't need to think too much. I'm not offended at all..."

Chu Yao gently stroked Lin Lin's palm that was still hanging on her sleeve, "It should be me who apologized for not being able to meet the young master's invitation. I can't go there because there's an urgent personal matter."

"Maybe next time my sister can represent me visiting the Zhao residence." Chu Yao's smile sincerely.

Despite replying with a smile, yet the haggard look in Zhao Ming De's eyes could not hide his disappointment. The man wished for his closeness to Chu Yao. It was not the spoiled Chu Ling.

Chu Yao did not care. He had already given way for Chu Ling to advance. The matter of the relationship of these two people can continue or not, it is not his business anymore.

Zhao Lin said something else. He instead made everyone speechless by saying, "ck, my brother likes Yao's sister not that girl."

Chu Yao's eye beads rolled at the response of the younger brother who was standing right beside his stepmother. And sure enough, the woman's face looks sour like doused vinegar water.

This time Chu Yao could not help but taste her gel. He chuckled softly to make a reddish tinge on both cheeks. There was no intention to tempt anyone at that time. But without her guessing, Zhao Ming De was actually amazed by it.

Unfortunately, all who were there also realized the change in the eyes of the young master who was stunned.

Madam Xun gnashed her molars. His favorite son had lost before the war. Chu Zhan's gaze no longer looked relieved. Worry approached him.

Before one of his three family members commented, Chu Yao interrupted first. Politely he said goodbye.

"Um, I'm still a little unwell. Please young master and Lin Lin continue the conversation with my other families."

For God's sake! Chu Yao was extremely lazy to be in such a ludicrous situation. Standing among people whose focus is only on feelings and feelings.

I don't know...

Chu Yao was indeed very slow on matters of romance. He can't even tell the difference between feelings of love, liking or obsession.

He was not interested in thinking about it. Wasn't it! Consider it not at all.

After all, as long as Mo Yan was with him, he never felt he had to look for a companion figure like a girl in general.

If it was according to people that Zhao Ming De was a perfect man from physical to material terms, it would be the case with Chu Yao. He is not interested in the popular figure of the capital at all.

Young master Zhao was not his type. It was too easy for Chu Yao to guess the man's change of emotions.

The cool term 'no challenge'.

Chu Yao massaged her slightly wrinkled forehead and did not need to wait for permission from the people there, the girl passed away.

Within a few steps the beautiful and ingenious female figure of young master Zhao's longing had disappeared. Leaving a remnant of admiration in the hearts of the most popular man in the capital.

The next day, Chu Yao appeared a little surprised when Aunt Wen conveyed the general's message to her.

The middle-aged old man suddenly asked his entire family that was in the residence to gather in the dining room.

Chu Yao was suspicious. There must be something the father would tell them.

Without waiting for long the girl was already in the dining room. Chu Yao was used to the dislike glances that Madame Xun and Chu Ling had thrown at her. He didn't touch her one bit.

Instead of retaliating, Chu Yao instead considered the two people to be not there.

Better that way. For the sake of his own brain.

"There's something I want to tell you about the Zhao family's arrival yesterday." Said General Chu after all the food had been lined up on the dining table.

Everyone was silent. Chu Yao was no exception. He was indeed not interested in listening to the topic about the Zhao family, but he had to be a good son to approach the very father.

"Zhao Fu Jun and I have agreed to marry our two children. Chu Ling will marry Zhao Ming De after Chu Zhan marries Chang Le's daughter." Said general Chu with a strong body posture authoritative.

Chu Ling instantly sumringah. So did the mother. The two people immediately smiled enthusiastically. It was as if they had gained victory over their struggle all along.

Chu Yao remained calm despite the cynical glances still directed at her.

"Dad hope you don't mind if your sister steps over you first, Yao'er." Said general Chu. His flat voice seemed to be trying to calm the feeling of the beautiful girl.

Chu replied with a sincere smile, "I don't mind at all, father. I wish my father hadn't found me a future husband like my other brothers."

"You too must marry, brother." Cut Chu Zhan.

"I have no interest in getting married." Chu Yao replied briefly.

"You should stay married. I'll find the best candidate. Can't it be forever that you're in Chu's residence? Or do you deliberately want people to assume that you're waiting for your sister's husband?" Read Madame Xun without shredding.

"Mother! Please don't start a fight." Said Chu Zhan with furrowed brows to the mother.

"You blame mom? Are your ears deaf, Zhan'er? Didn't you hear your stepbrother's words just now?"

"I heard it mom.. "

"You guys see, right?! You've seen the character of that boy! It was not enough to make the Chu family ashamed when the Shu family proposed to him. Now even act out of reason like that! If not for Chu Ling's future husband, then what else?!"

Chu Yao let out a long sigh and stared intently at the woman, "How many times should I stress that I am not interested in any man at all. Especially to young master Zhao. Madam Xun need not be frightened like that. Are you unsure of your own daughter's beauty and abilities to the point of having to suppress others like this?"

Madam Xun looked furious until her face became blackened. Chu Ling held back her mother who was about to stand up to Chu Yao.

The youngest daughter of general Chu said, "Mother is not wrong to say so. It can't be a single brother for life. It would tarnish the good name of the family and everyone knew that young master Zhao was indeed interested in big brother. If you were still single during my marriage, wouldn't that create a perspective like you said?!"

Chu Yao's voice suddenly deepened, "There are some things you should know about me. First, the choice of being single for life or married was my personal right. I will not follow the pattern of life in this age. And I hope you don't impose your will on me if you don't want to see me rebel!"

"... Second, the feeling of being attracted by your future husband to me is not my responsibility! Whether or not your home life will depend on you as a married couple.. "

"... Third, I don't care about the perspective and speculation of others towards me! So, stop suppressing me just because of your own fear!"

Chu Yao rose from her chair and left the room without the slightest goodbye. He even brushed off Chu Zhan's hand as the man tried to grab his arm. He did not need to be placated by Chu Zhan or anyone else.

It was just that an upset feeling had indeed invaded his heart. Not because of the words of his mother or step-sister just now, but in an attitude that does not care about the father. The old general should have mediated their quarrel as usual.

It was not even silent as if it was deliberately allowing his wife and youngest child to attack Chu Yao freely.

The longer Chu Yao was the less comfortable staying in a single house with poisonous people like them.

Chu Yao pressed down on her throbbing forehead. Without much thought, he called A-Wei to accompany him walking out of the mansion. Today, he would spend his time surrounding every shop in the capital.

Comforting himself.