Chapter 066: It's Not That I Think You're Ugly (Third Update)

Chapter 066: I Don't Dislike You for Being Ugly (Third Update)

Wei Ba pressed his palms together and lay prostrate over the desk, his mind clouded by the image of his father's furrowed brow, wrinkled like a knot.

After listening to his father's complaints, he asked, "What do you plan to do?"

His father replied, "What else can I do? Am I supposed to disobey orders and act on my own?"

The answer surprised Wei Ba. Seeing his father's near outburst, he thought the man would risk everything, but instead, he only grumbled in private and chose to obey, swallowing his pride.

Wei Ba did not believe this was some innate military virtue—such notions had little currency these days. He preferred to think it was his father's respect for Chancellor Zhuge, or perhaps trust in the late Emperor Liu Bei, for Chancellor Zhuge had been the minister entrusted with the orphaned kingdom. Perhaps, too, there was the mutual support among fellow Jingzhou natives, preserving their collective interests to better serve the Wei family.

Yet Wei Ba remembered: it was also the Jingzhou people who ultimately brought his family to ruin. The reason, perhaps, was exactly the same—protecting the greater good of their region, though the true instigator was never quite clear.

Wei Ba could not discern his father's true thoughts, but he had his own ideas. If things continued as they were, the family's fate would surely come. His father, Wei Yan, was not his master Zhao Yun. He might bow to Zhuge Liang, but never to anyone else. He could accept orders, but could not curb that unbridled tongue. Both history and legend said Wei Yan often complained that Zhuge Liang failed to use him to his full potential; clearly, while accepting orders, he still nursed a grudge, which he would bring up at every opportunity.

Was it this that stirred suspicion and led to murder? Wei Ba was not sure, but he knew it was no good omen. If his father could not mend this flaw, a peaceful end would be hard to come by.

But his father was already past forty—how could he change now? Kingdoms may change, but temperament rarely does. Wei Ba had no confidence that his own persuasive words could coax his father into restraint. Now, Chancellor Zhuge trusted him deeply, and his father considered Zhuge a confidant; if he claimed the Chancellor would kill him, his father would surely beat him for it.

What to do? He could not count on his father. Wei Ba would have to rely on himself; his own fate could only be held in his own hands.

The tent door was lifted, and Peng Xiaoyu entered, struggling to carry the footbath bucket. She set it down before Wei Ba, raised a sleeve to wipe the sweat from her brow, and called, "Young General, time to wash your feet."

Wei Ba, deep in thought, merely glanced at her, but did not move.

"What's wrong?" Peng Xiaoyu looked at him in surprise, waved her hand before his eyes. Wei Ba came back to himself, saw the steaming bucket, fragrant with medicine, glanced outside the tent, and asked in shock, "What hour is it?"

"It's just past the beginning of the Hai hour." Peng Xiaoyu grinned, knelt before him, lifted his extended foot, pulled off his battle boots, and a strong, sour smell wafted up with the sweat. Peng Xiaoyu leaned back as much as possible, held her breath, and quickly plunged his foot into the bucket, then stood and patted her apron, fanning her nose with her hand. "Young General, your foot sweat gets worse every day."

"You think it's smelly? Fine, I'll send you back home." Wei Ba laughed mischievously, sniffed himself, and found it suffocating. "Open the tent, quickly, the smell is unbearable—even I can't stand it."

Peng Xiaoyu's face dimmed; she got up, opened the tent door, and sat silently, saying nothing for a long time. Wei Ba was surprised, "What's wrong now? Is it really so bad you want to go home?"

Peng Xiaoyu looked up, biting her lip, her eyes shining with tears. Wei Ba felt awkward, the smile on his face fading.

Peng Xiaoyu raised her voice. "Young General, is a woman's appearance truly so important? Are those who are ugly not even qualified to be maids? Then why does the women's book list the four virtues—virtue, speech, appearance, and skill—with appearance only third?"

Wei Ba gave an awkward laugh, unable to answer. If it were another girl, he might have teased her, but facing such a pitiable soul, he could not bring himself to utter anything cruel.

"Xiaoyu has stayed by Young General's side without any greed, only wishing for a peaceful life, a steady meal. If Young General takes a beautiful wife and concubines, Xiaoyu will rejoice for you. Why do you keep trying to drive me away?" As soon as Peng Xiaoyu spoke, her tears could not be contained, and the more she thought, the more sorrowful she became, sobbing quietly.

Wei Ba became even more embarrassed. Though he was used to Peng Xiaoyu serving him food, clothing, even washing his feet, deep down he never truly regarded her as a maid—at most, she was like a waitress in his former life, whom he could tease, but he could never see her as mere property, as others did.

Hearing her aggrieved lament, he was silent for a moment, then suddenly felt a pang of emotion. Peng Xiaoyu wanted a peaceful life, but how many more peaceful years did the Wei family have? She was destined for disappointment. Better to send her away now, let her marry an ordinary man; though life would be hard, she might at least survive, not doomed to share the family's misfortune, ending up as a government slave, or even losing her head.

Thinking this, Wei Ba wiped away his smile, bent over his feet, gazed at the floating herbs in the bucket, and said softly, "Xiaoyu, I was only joking. Don't take it to heart. But I have something serious to say—I hope you'll listen."

"Please speak, Young General." Peng Xiaoyu wiped her tears with her sleeve, suddenly stubborn. "Even if you truly wish to send me away, I'll go. Tomorrow morning, I'll leave."

"To be honest, I do want you to leave," Wei Ba said, word by word. "But not because you're unattractive—it's because..." He hesitated, at a loss for words. It was something yet to happen; would Peng Xiaoyu believe him?

Peng Xiaoyu frowned, seeing his hesitation, thinking he simply didn't want to utter something too hurtful. She gave a bitter smile. "Young General needn't say more. I know my place. Tomorrow, please give me a travel pass, and I'll leave."

"That's not what I mean." Wei Ba looked at Peng Xiaoyu's despairing expression, and suddenly softened. He sighed deeply. "I'll tell you the truth. I have a bad feeling."

"What kind of bad feeling?" Peng Xiaoyu stiffened her neck, glaring at Wei Ba in anger. No longer a maid, she could now speak to him as an equal.

"I feel that our Wei family may follow in your Peng family's footsteps." Wei Ba did not notice Peng Xiaoyu's expression; he was lost in his own thoughts, feeling inexplicably low. "Your father had talent, but died because he couldn't hold his tongue. My father is talented, but his mouth... seems just as reckless. Worse, he has military power. Tell me, aren't we in even more danger than your family..."

He looked up, suddenly noticing Peng Xiaoyu's strange expression. "Xiaoyu, you..."

Peng Xiaoyu had always believed Wei Ba disliked her for her looks—he did, after all, joke about her appearance every so often, half in jest and half in earnest. So she assumed he wanted her gone because of her face. She cared little for such superficial people. But after hearing his words, she realized Wei Ba wanted her to go not because of her appearance, but out of concern for the family's future, lest she be implicated.

From his expression and tone, she could tell he was not deceiving her; he truly feared some ill fate. Thinking of how indulgently he had treated her, she quickly concluded that his wish for her to leave was genuinely for her sake, not because of her looks.

This sudden turn filled Peng Xiaoyu with both surprise and joy. The traces of tears had not faded, but her face now glowed with happiness, and her whole demeanor grew radiant. Seeing Wei Ba staring at her, she suddenly realized, covered her face, and lowered her head.

Wei Ba was puzzled, slow to react, thinking she was still sad, and hurried to comfort her, "Of course, it's only my guess. It shouldn't happen for a while. You can..."

"Young General, I believe your prediction," Peng Xiaoyu suddenly looked up, her eyes bright, her pale face tinged with blush—if only the birthmark weren't so prominent, marring all beauty. Wei Ba looked away, inwardly cursing himself for his lust outweighing his virtue; no matter how he tried, he could not cultivate the saintliness of Chancellor Zhuge who could marry an ugly wife.

"What do you believe?" Wei Ba replied evasively.

"I believe your prediction about the Wei family's fate." Peng Xiaoyu's voice, still nasally, was unexpectedly firm. "To swallow one's pride and compromise—that is not the nature of the General Who Guards the North. If things continue, your family's end will be no better than mine."

Wei Ba looked up in surprise, "You think so too?" His own thoughts were more than just foresight—they were knowledge of history. Peng Xiaoyu's conviction, however, was genuine prediction, and her tone was so certain, it caught him off guard.

"Everyone has their destiny. What is destiny? Temperament is destiny." Peng Xiaoyu's eyes narrowed, already small, now even more slender, like a fox; her chin seemed to sharpen, and her gaze grew alluring. Yet Wei Ba had no mind for such things now; he listened closely to her words. Though older than Peng Xiaoyu, in matters of reading hearts, she could well be his teacher.

"Beyond destiny, there is fortune. What is fortune? It is one's environment—people and place, especially those around him. The General Who Guards the North owes his rise to the late Emperor's favor. The Emperor is gone; now the Chancellor rules. The General's future depends on his relationship with the Chancellor. The Chancellor is an extraordinary man; he can accommodate the General's pride, but what of those around him? How could those petty men tolerate the General's arrogance?"

Wei Ba was left dumbfounded, ashamed. What was a true sage? Here was one indeed. Compared to this plain girl, he was nothing but a cheat, pretending to be a master.

God is fair; when one door closes, another opens.

——Third update. Please recommend and add to your favorites!