Chapter 88

Forcing down the throb in her heart, Feng Heng continued turning the pages.

The further she read, the deeper the shock on her face became.

"Ah, he is actually a transmigrator, originally not belonging to this world."

"Does the current world exist within a fantasy, where reality and illusion are hard to distinguish?"

"He likes Rong'er? No wonder! No wonder he would inquire about Rong'er's affairs. Since he has feelings for Rong'er, he naturally would have no designs on me; it seems I overthought things."

"But he actually still harbors thoughts of so many young ladies; for Rong'er, is this ultimately a blessing or a curse?"

"The Zhenlong Chess Array, Wu Wu Ya Zi seeking a successor, the Carefree Sect... so that is how it is."

At this moment, Feng Heng finally reached a diary entry concerning herself.

Seeing Jiang Sishui speculate that Huang Huang Yaoshi loved either her or Mei Mei Chaofeng, Feng Heng felt not the slightest surprise, only a brief stupor, before tears fell silently from her dazed eyes.

She was an extremely intelligent woman; having been married to Huang Huang Yaoshi for many years, how could she have failed to notice the signs?

It was merely to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother that she pretended ignorance, swallowing that helplessness and grievance alone.

After all, "a wife follows her husband"; apart from silently accepting it, what else could she do?

Yet now, the exposure of the diary's contents had torn open the scar deep within her heart that she dared not face.

Feng Heng suddenly felt a heart-wrenching pain.

At this moment, she would even prefer to be like the character in the book, working herself to death for Huang Huang Yaoshi.

That way, he would at least remember her kindness for the rest of his life.

Unlike now, where lacking such deep guilt, Huang Huang Yaoshi treated her only with polite respect, holding no deep affection for her.

For in Huang Huang Yaoshi's heart, he always cherished another person.

Outsiders saw their harmonious marriage and assumed their love was profound, but in truth, Feng Heng was living as a widow in all but name.

Because Huang Huang Yaoshi's heart was not with her, and he was also extremely cold regarding marital intimacy.

Otherwise, as a man, he would not have waited until such an advanced age before conceiving the idea of taking a wife.

And only after marrying Feng Heng, in order to show his intentions to his disciples and to cut off his own retreat, did they actually consummate their marriage.

It was precisely at that time that she conceived Huang Rong.

However, after Mei Mei Chaofeng eloped with Chen Chen Xuanfeng, Huang Huang Yaoshi flew into a rage, and initially, even showed signs of displacing his anger onto Feng Heng.

Although he never truly committed any outrageous acts, thereafter he hardly ever touched Feng Heng again.

Initially, Feng Heng thought it was because she had just given birth to Huang Rong, and Huang Huang Yaoshi, being considerate, did not wish to exhaust her body.

But gradually, she realized something was amiss.

Until finally, her disappointment grew deeper and deeper.

Even during those few years on Taohuadao, Huang Huang Yaoshi often sailed away from the island, yet deliberately did not take her along.

Whenever she asked, he could always find various excuses to dodge the question.

But Feng Heng knew clearly in her heart that Huang Huang Yaoshi was going to find Mei Mei Chaofeng.

Even though the world was vast and boundless, and even though Mei Mei Chaofeng had already become another man's wife, he still thought of her and longed for her.

After such repeated instances, Feng Heng stopped asking.

Now over thirty years old, having received no comfort for many years and feeling an inner emptiness, was this not living as a widow in all but name?

Her slender jade fingers brushed across her smooth cheek; recalling her dim complexion in the mirror each time she dressed, Feng Heng let out a quiet sigh from her heart.

Her foundation was entirely no inferior to her daughter Huang Rong's; if not for her poor complexion, how could her appearance score be merely "nine"?

Gazing at the diary copy, Feng Heng gradually became lost in thought.

As if guided by spirits, an absurd notion suddenly sprang up in her mind.

Feng Heng's heart skipped a beat, her emotions instantly becoming chaotic.

She hastily cast aside that thought, filled with shame: "Feng Heng, oh Feng Heng, how can you harbor such thoughts? Do you have no shame? You must not let your mind wander wildly again!"

While constantly admonishing herself, she could not help but feel a surge of resentment toward Huang Huang Yaoshi.

If he could act like a true man, how would she have to endure such suffering?

Just as she was thinking this, a light, cheerful sound of footsteps suddenly approached.

Feng Heng was instantly startled awake!

She hurriedly tried to put away the diary copy, but such a large book, where could she possibly hide it?

Just as Feng Heng attempted to tuck the diary copy into her sleeve, the copy suddenly scattered, directly merging into her body.

Feng Heng was first startled, then understood.

Silently sighing at the mystery of the diary copy, she finally put her heart back at ease.

At this moment, a graceful figure turned the corner of the alley.

"Mother, since you were not inside, why did you run out here?" The newcomer was none other than Huang Rong.

Before lodging yesterday, Huang Huang Yaoshi had wandered around the town, finally selecting this place as the location for teaching martial arts.

Huang Rong had watched clearly from the side and remembered it well, thus she was able to find this place accurately.

Upon seeing Huang Rong, Feng Heng's expression became somewhat unnatural.

Because Huang Rong also possessed a diary copy, this meant she already knew that her parents' relationship was not as harmonious as it appeared on the surface.

No wonder Huang Rong had been treating Huang Huang Yaoshi with such coldness for the past two days.

Thinking that someone now knew of the grievance in her heart, Feng Heng could not help but feel a sting of sorrow, an urge to cry rising within her.

But as a mother, she could not help but worry for her daughter.

Besides this, Feng Heng was also somewhat afraid that Huang Rong would discover she possessed a diary copy.

Although Feng Heng constantly told herself that Jiang Sishui's "liking" for her was not the kind of liking between men and women, the moment she thought of the rewards Huang Rong had received, she lost her confidence again.

The Kunji Seal!

What is meant by "Kun Extreme"?

As a well-read young lady from a prestigious family, Feng Heng naturally knew.

Precisely because she knew, her heart was filled with unease.

"He isn't satisfied with just Rong'er; could it be he also wants... also wants..."

Thinking of this, Feng Heng's heart pounded wildly, unable to settle no matter what.

Although it seemed utterly absurd, Jiang Sishui clearly despised conventions even more than Huang Huang Yaoshi did.

Could the world's rites and laws truly bind him?

And once Huang Rong learned she possessed a copy of the diary, what would she think?

Considering all this, Feng Heng's mood was incomparably complex, her thoughts a tangled mess, impossible to cut or sort out.

Huang Rong, sharp as ice and snow, saw at once that Feng Heng's demeanor was off and knew something troubled her mind.

She immediately stepped forward, hooked an arm around Feng Heng, and asked with concern, "Mother, what's wrong? Did that stinky father bully you? If so, Rong'er will take his lunch and feed it to the dogs!"

Seeing her daughter stand up for her, Feng Heng felt a warmth spread through her heart.

Over these past dozen years, she had not, in truth, been left with nothing.

At the very least, her daughter's heart leaned toward her.

She smiled faintly and said, "Mother is fine; I merely intended to cook for your father and happened to meet Rong'er returning."

As she spoke, she glanced at the food carrier Huang Rong held and added meaningfully, "Why so diligent today? In the past, when your father asked you to cook, you made excuse after excuse."

Huang Rong's attention shifted instantly; her pretty face flushed slightly, her eyes darting away as she feigned composure: "Because Rong'er felt itchiness in her hands today. Hmph, that stinky father got a bargain."

Observing her expressions and combining this with the diary's contents, Feng Heng already understood her daughter's feelings.

It seemed Huang Rong's first impression of Jiang Sishui was not bad; otherwise, she would not have gone out so early to buy ingredients.

Yet Jiang Sishui was so fickle...

No sooner had this thought arisen than Feng Heng sighed again in her heart.

For this matter lay beyond her control.

Jiang Sishui already harbored an unwavering determination to win Huang Rong, and now that Huang Rong herself did not resist, what use was her opposition alone?

She might not even be able to protect herself.

Not only could she not control it, but Huang Huang Yaoshi could not either.

For now, the two were on amicable terms, friendly toward each other; but if Huang Huang Yaoshi tried to obstruct, nine times out of ten he would end up beaten!

Fearing Feng Heng would probe further, Huang Rong hurriedly said, "Oh dear, the dishes are getting cold! Mother, let's go inside quickly; eat first and taste Rong'er's cooking to see if it has improved."

Helpless, Feng Heng allowed Huang Rong to half-push, half-embrace her as they walked away.

As the two entered the small courtyard, Jiang Sishui, who had sensed Huang Rong's arrival in advance, flawlessly executed his final "Flicking Finger Technique."