Chapter 89

Suppressing the tremor in her heart, Feng Heng continued to flip through the pages.

The further she read, the deeper the look of astonishment on her face grew.

"Ah, he's actually a transmigrator, someone who originally didn't belong to this world."

"The current world exists in illusion, hard to tell the real from the false?"

"He likes Rong'er? No wonder! No wonder he would inquire about Rong'er's affairs. Then since he has Rong'er in mind, naturally he wouldn't have designs on me. It seems I was overthinking."

"But he actually still has so many Misses on his mind. For Rong'er, is this a blessing or a curse?"

"The Zhenlong chess game, Wu Wu Ya Zi seeking a successor, the Xiaoyao Sect... so that's how it is."

At this moment, Feng Heng finally saw a diary entry about herself.

Seeing Jiang Sishui guess whether Huang Yaoshi's fondness was for her or Mei Chaofeng, Feng Heng wasn't the least bit startled, only dazed for a moment, then she stared blankly as tears fell.

She had always been an extremely intelligent woman, married to Huang Yaoshi for many years—how could she possibly not have sensed something amiss?

But to fulfill her duties as a wife and a mother, she had pretended not to know, swallowing that helplessness and grievance all on her own.

After all, "a married woman follows her husband"—beyond silently accepting, what else could she do?

Yet now, with the diary's contents exposed, it was as if a wound deep in her heart she had never dared face head-on had been ripped open.

Feng Heng felt a sudden, heart-wrenching pang.

At this moment, she would even rather have toiled herself to death for Huang Yaoshi, just like in the book.

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

Rather than now, where, lacking such deep guilt, Huang Yaoshi and she were only courteous to each other, and he held no deep feelings for her.

Because in Huang Yaoshi's heart, there was always another person on his mind.

Outsiders seeing the couple harmonious assumed their affection ran deep, but in truth, Feng Heng was little better than a widow living in name only.

Because Huang Yaoshi was not only absent in heart, but also extremely cold toward the matters of the bedchamber.

Otherwise, as a man, he wouldn't have reached such an age before even entertaining the thought of taking a wife.

And after marrying Feng Heng, to show his resolve to his disciples and to cut off his own retreat, they finally consummated their marriage.

It was precisely then that she conceived Huang Rong.

But after Mei Chaofeng eloped with Chen Xuanfeng, Huang Yaoshi flew into a thunderous rage, and at first there were even signs he was taking it out on Feng Heng.

Although he never actually did anything outrageous, afterward he almost never touched Feng Heng again.

At first Feng Heng assumed it was because she had just given birth to Huang Rong, and Huang Yaoshi was being considerate of her, refraining from troubling her body.

But gradually, she realized something was off.

Until finally, she grew more and more disappointed.

Even during those years on Taohuadao, Huang Yaoshi would often sail off the island, yet deliberately leave her behind.

Whenever she asked, he could always find various excuses to fob her off.

But Feng Heng knew perfectly well—Huang Yaoshi had gone to find Mei Chaofeng.

Even though the world was vast and boundless, even though Mei Chaofeng had already married another, he still thought of her and missed her.

After this happened time and again, Feng Heng stopped asking.

Now she was already over thirty, yet had gone years without solace, her heart empty—was this anything but living as a widow in name only?

Her slender jade fingers glided over her smooth cheek; recalling how, each time she dressed, her complexion in the mirror looked so dull, Feng Heng sighed softly within.

Her foundation was in no way inferior to her daughter Huang Rong's—if not for her poor complexion, how could she have only a "nine" in appearance score?

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

As if possessed, an absurd notion suddenly popped into her mind.

Feng Heng's heart gave a sudden lurch, her thoughts instantly thrown into disarray.

She hastily shook off the thought, her heart full of shame: "Feng Heng, oh Feng Heng, how could you have such an idea? Have you no shame left? You must not let your mind wander anymore!"

As she kept admonishing herself, a grievance toward Huang Yaoshi also inevitably welled up in her heart.

If he could behave like a real man, how would she have suffered such misery?

Just as she was thinking this, a burst of light, quick footsteps suddenly came.

Feng Heng started awake at once!

She hurriedly tried to tuck the diary copy away, but it was such a thick tome—where could she possibly hide it?

Feng Heng had just been about to slip the diary copy into her sleeve when it suddenly scattered and merged directly into her body.

Feng Heng was first startled, then understood.

Sighing inwardly at the diary copy's marvels, she finally set her heart at ease.

And at this moment, a graceful figure also turned the corner of the alley.

"Mother, you weren't inside—how did you end up here?" The newcomer was none other than Huang Rong.

Before putting up for the night yesterday, Huang Yaoshi had wandered around the town and finally chosen this spot, intending it as the place to teach martial arts.

Huang Rong had watched clearly from the side and remembered well, which was why she could find her way here accurately.

098 Feng Heng: He wants Rong'er, and that's not enough—does he still want...

Seeing Huang Rong, Feng Heng's expression was somewhat unnatural.

Because Huang Rong also had a diary copy, which meant she already knew her parents' relationship wasn't as harmonious as it appeared on the surface.

No wonder Huang Rong had been giving Huang Yaoshi the cold shoulder these past two days.

Thinking that someone now knew the grievances in her heart, Feng Heng couldn't help a sudden sourness welling up, an urge to cry.

But as a mother, she couldn't help but worry for her daughter as well.

Besides this, Feng Heng was also a little afraid that Huang Rong would find out she possessed a diary copy.

Although Feng Heng kept telling herself that Jiang Sishui's "fondness" for her wasn't the romantic kind of fondness, the moment she thought of the reward Huang Rong had received, her confidence faltered again.

The Kunji Seal!

What does "Kunji" mean?

As a well-read young lady from a distinguished family, Feng Heng naturally understood.

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

"He wants Rong'er, but is that not enough? Does he also want... also want..."

Thinking of this, Feng Heng's heart pounded wildly, unable to settle down at all.

Though it seemed utterly absurd, Jiang Sishui clearly despised rules even more than Huang Yaoshi.

Could the rites and laws of the world truly bind him?

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

Considering all this, Feng Heng's mood at this moment was incomparably complex, her thoughts like a tangled mess, impossible to cut or straighten.

Huang Rong, sharp as ice and snow, saw Feng Heng's state was not right and knew something weighed on her mind.

She immediately stepped forward, hugged Feng Heng's arm, 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 warmth in her heart.

Over these past ten-plus years, she had not, in fact, possessed nothing.

At least her daughter's heart was with her.

She smiled slightly and said, "Mother is fine; I was just thinking of going to cook for your father when I happened to meet Rong'er returning."

As she spoke, she glanced at the food box Huang Rong was carrying and said meaningfully, "Why are you so diligent today? In the past, when your father wanted you to cook, you always made excuses."

Huang Rong's attention was instantly diverted; her pretty face flushed slightly, her eyes darted away, and she feigned composure, saying, "Because Rong'er's hands were itchy today! Hmph, that stinky father is lucky."

Feng Heng read her expression and, combining it with the diary's contents, already knew her daughter's feelings.

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

But Jiang Sishui is so fickle...

The moment this thought arose, Feng Heng sighed again in her heart.

Because she could not manage this matter.

Jiang Sishui already had a determined heart to win Huang Rong; now that Huang Rong herself did not resent it, what use was her opposition alone?

Perhaps she could not even protect herself.

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

Now that the two are on good terms, friendly with each other, it is fine; but if Huang Yaoshi obstructs them from the middle, he will most likely get beaten!

Fearing Feng Heng would dig deeper, Huang Rong hurriedly said, "Oh, the food is getting cold! Mother, come in quickly; let's eat first and taste Rong'er's cooking to see if it has improved."

Helpless, Feng Heng let Huang Rong half-push, half-hug her away.

As the two entered the small courtyard, Jiang Sishui, who had sensed Huang Rong's arrival beforehand, perfectly executed his final "Finger-Pointing Divine Art."