Chapter 95: The Matchmaker

Clang!

One of the county guards chose to throw down his sword. With the first, there soon came a second, and influenced by the growing herd effect, more and more guards surrendered their weapons.

Qi Jun and Feng Qinian felt the taut strings in their hearts finally loosen.

Deng Fang, stirred by emotion, glanced at Qi Jun, helped his kneeling servant up, and shot a glare at the guards before walking toward Qi Jun.

The other hostages finally came to their senses; realizing the crisis had truly passed, they hurriedly stood up, supporting one another as they moved to join Qi Jun and Feng Qinian.

“Jun-ge…” Even Deng Fang, a towering, robust man, spoke with a tremor in his voice as he approached Qi Jun.

He had truly brushed past the gates of death just now. Had Qi Jun not reacted quickly enough to save Lady Feng, Deng Fang feared he too would have met his end at the hands of these rebel guards.

“As long as you’re all right! Go fetch some rope, quickly,” Qi Jun nodded slightly, patting Deng Fang’s shoulder as he looked over the guards who had surrendered.

Wiping away his tears, Deng Fang, together with Liu Biao, went to the storeroom and brought back a pile of hemp ropes, then proceeded to tie up the guards one by one.

After confirming that every last one was securely bound, Deng Fang returned and solemnly cupped his hands to Qi Jun in salute.

“Enough with the formalities,” Qi Jun laughed, throwing a playful punch to Deng Fang’s chest. “We swore brotherhood, didn’t we? ‘Not asking to be born together the same year, month, and day, but to die together the same year, month, and day.’ If you’d died today while I haven’t lived enough, wouldn’t that leave me in a quandary?”

“Jun-ge, come on… Some things are better left unsaid,” Deng Fang knew Qi Jun was joking to comfort him, and felt lighter at heart. He finally noticed Qi Jun’s injuries. “Hey, Jun-ge, what happened to your face? Did you go to the city and flirt around, only to get punished by Sister Yunfei when you came back?”

“Tch!” Qi Jun twisted Deng Fang’s ear, making him cry out in pain and beg for mercy.

“Deng Fang! Watch your words!” Feng Qinian, seeing his nephew teasing Qi Jun instead of checking on him, felt a touch of annoyance. “He’s going to be the county magistrate of Anqiang; you can’t be so rude anymore!”

“He’s still my big brother!” Deng Fang escaped Qi Jun’s grasp, rubbing his ear and complaining quietly.

“What about Sun Jiu and the others?” Qi Jun, now that the county office was settled, recalled Sun Jiu and his squad of guards.

“They were disarmed by He Wenxing’s men and locked in the guard barracks!” Feng Qinian replied, quickly signaling Deng Fang to rescue them.

“I’ll go right away. Jun-ge, let me borrow He the traitor’s head.” Deng Fang nodded, picked up He Wenxing’s severed head, and hurried out the door.

When Deng Fang stepped outside, the guards posted at the gate hesitated, trying to resist—but were swiftly subdued by Deng Fang’s fists and kicks.

He then showed them He Wenxing’s head; realizing their captain was dead, the guards ceased their futile resistance and were promptly bound and brought in to await judgment.

After Deng Fang left, Feng Qinian gathered the dozen members of his household and pointed to Qi Jun, declaring, “Everyone’s survival today is thanks to Mr. Qi. Hurry and thank your benefactor!”

No sooner had he finished than the entire Feng family, full of gratitude, knelt before Qi Jun, loudly proclaiming their thanks for saving their lives.

Qi Jun was about to help them up, but Feng Qinian stepped in front to block him, then began to bow himself.

“Master Feng! Please, that’s not proper!” Qi Jun was startled, quickly supporting Feng Qinian’s arm. “You mustn’t—there’s no reason for a superior to bow to his subordinate!”

“Today, regardless of rank, I thank you on behalf of the Feng family!” Feng Qinian pushed Qi Jun’s hand aside and insisted on bowing.

Qi Jun managed to persuade Feng Qinian and his family to rise, but then Lady Feng came over, unabashedly took Qi Jun’s arm, and looked him up and down with admiration and gratitude.

“Wonderful, truly a fine young man…” Lady Feng praised, then turned to her husband. “My dear, this Mr. Qi is not only handsome but also talented. Why not betroth Qing’er to him?”

Qi Jun, already uneasy under Lady Feng’s scrutiny, was utterly stunned by her words.

What unsettled him more was that Feng Qinian, hearing this, smiled broadly and stroked his beard, showing no sign of disapproval.

Feng Qing stood just behind her mother. Hearing her mother speak so boldly in front of her, she blushed and tugged at her mother’s sleeve.

“Master Feng, Lady Feng, this mustn’t be! I wouldn’t dare aspire so high, and besides, I have a wife…” Qi Jun waved his hands, invoking Yunfei.

“Ah, but listen! I’ve looked into it. You and Miss Yunfei have neither consummated nor exchanged marriage contracts or betrothal gifts—how can that be called husband and wife? Accept this, and let me fulfill my wish.” Feng Qinian smiled, shaking his head and lightly patting Qi Jun’s hand.

Qi Jun watched as Feng Qinian and Lady Feng sang in harmony, matchmaking for their daughter, and felt a mix of bitterness and helplessness.

He had infiltrated the county office merely to gather intel, and happened upon He Wenxing, seizing the moment to quell the rebellion and resolve the crisis—never intending to gain anything from it.

Yet somehow, he had become embroiled himself.

Feng Qing first met Qi Jun on the night he and Deng Fang swore brotherhood.

She had a good impression of him, but at that time, Feng Qinian was politically suppressed by Song Xi, and she considered herself merely a tool for her father’s political alliances, never having thought about matters of the heart.

Now, with her parents eager to forge a bond with Qi Jun and marry her off, she found herself moved—far better to wed a scholar and benefactor than to become another political pawn.

Yet she hid behind her mother, blushing, and as Qi Jun repeatedly declined, her spirits sank.

Seeing Qi Jun politely refuse, Feng Qinian was about to further persuade him when sobbing erupted behind them.

Both Feng Qinian and Lady Feng were startled, turning to see large tears rolling from Feng Qing’s eyes.

“What kind of parents are you! If Mr. Qi refuses, so be it, but you’re still forcing me upon him. Did you ever consider my feelings…” Feng Qing cried, looking deeply at Qi Jun before running, still weeping, to her room.

Feng Qinian stood stunned for a moment, pointing after her and scolding, “You’ve turned rebellious! Since ancient times, marriages are decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers; how dare you object! Your mother has spoiled you rotten!”

“Enough, say no more! Qing’er is my flesh and blood—what’s wrong with me loving her? And you—how many times have you shown her affection since she was little?” Lady Feng quickly stepped between them, defending her daughter with indignation.

Those guards who had participated in the rebellion, still bound and squatting on the floor, had been anxious about their fate. Now, captivated by the unfolding family drama, they all looked up with amused, gossiping expressions.

Feng Qinian was about to retort to Lady Feng, but seeing the guards watching, his face turned red.

He cared deeply about his reputation, and now, unable to continue arguing with his wife, he hurriedly admitted fault and pushed Lady Feng inside to attend to their daughter.

Qi Jun shook his head helplessly, feeling guilty for making Feng Qing cry. Watching Feng Qinian and Lady Feng leave, he let out a long sigh.

He knew that with Feng Qinian’s temperament, once he had set his mind on this, he would surely bring it up again.

“Sir! You’re finally back!” came Sun Jiu’s voice from the front courtyard. Qi Jun looked up and saw Deng Fang already leading them back.