Promises and Schemes

Feng Shun's expression did not look good after hearing this question from Feng Xi. Feng Xi was already waiting for this kind of look and knew she might get yelled at for asking such a question, but she had it at least try, try to see if she could take the easy route to end her engagement with that bastard Tang Zhi.

Feng Lan who was standing next to Feng Xi was secretly gloating hoping for Feng Xi to get yelled at. Unfortunately, Feng Lan was not about to get her wish. Because Feng Xi suddenly thought of something that would be a good bargaining chip. "Father, let's say, let us say that I get accepted into a top university in two years' time. By the time I turn eighteen, if I am able to finish all my classes and am able to graduate early and also get a full scholarship to a top university will you allow me to cancel my engagement?"

Feng Shun was stunned by this statement. He looked at Fen Xi and saw the determination in her eyes. He had hoped for nothing more than for this first daughter of his to actually show promise. He had promised his first wife that he would leave the family assets to her when she got older, on his wife's deathbed. But Feng Xi was nowhere near as good as Feng Lan and he had worried about what to do in the future. But if this could be the key to get her to turn herself around and really do as she says… After a few minutes of thinking, Feng Shun made a decision. "Fine! If you really can do as you say and not only graduate by the time you turn eighteen and get a full scholarship to a top university, then I will allow you to cancel your engagement."

"Hah! Like that will ever happen..." Feng Lan suddenly yelled out not realizing she had said her thoughts out loud. It was not until she felt Feng Shun's heavy glare that she realized her mistake. "I-I I didn't mea..."

"Go see manager He for your punishment. No one is allowed to disrespect another family member. No matter how you state it. Ten hits with the board. Go now!" This was Feng Shun, the most respected General in all of China. He ruled his family with an iron fist. Rules were not allowed to be broken no matter what the situation was.

"Father I'm sorry I!" Feng Lan panicked. If she were to get hit with the board now she wouldn't be able to move from bed for the next few days!

"Drag her out, add another ten hits!" And this is what happened when you tried to beg for mercy.

The Feng household had to walk on eggshells in order to not get punished. One misstep and you were bound to meet with the board. Feng Shun was not a bad man, he was just strict in the old ways and did not like disharmony in his family. This was the exact reason why Feng Xi felt Jiang Yi might be part of the plot that led to her death in her past life. In the Feng household, although Jiang Yi had a lot of say, Feng Shun's words were final and if she ever angered him she would meet the same fate as Feng Lan was now.

While Feng Lan was being dragged away, Feng Xi was inwardly smiling. Though she did not dare show it on her face. But inwardly she was cheering at how stupid her sister was. It seemed the push she gave her white lotus sister earlier broke more than just her mask.

"Xi'er, remember your words today. I expect you to uphold your end of the deal. If not, no matter what you say, you will marry into the Tang family." Feng Shun gave one last warning before waving his hand at Feng Xi, signaling for her to leave.

Feng Xi bowed her head and walked out of the room. A smile bloomed across her face. She had not expected her father to agree but he really did agree. Her only other option was to get rid of Tang Zhi before her marriage to him later in life or else she would be stuck in that hell all over again.

Upon entering her room and seeing her young miss in such a good mood, Ru'er asked: "Young Miss did something good happen?"

"Mmmm! If I can get a full scholarship to a top university by the time I turn eighteen I will be able to cancel my engagement with Tang Zhi!" Feng Xi said happily. Tonight she was truly happy. If she can get out of this engagement she would not need to fear for her future. She had plans that she had already set in motion. Now, she just had to wait and bide her time. Revenge would never happen in a day. This much Feng Xi knew.

Two days passed calmly and today was the day she was least looking forward to. The day she would meet Tang Zhi. This was also the day that Feng Lan was supposed to meet Tang Zhi for the first time as well. But Feng Xi was not too sure if they had met before this or not. But due to Feng Lan's slip of the tongue, she was now bedridden and would not be able to get up for a week. This meant she would also be late entering school.

"Young Miss! You will get to meet your future fiance today! Are you excited?" Ru'er was on cloud nine with thoughts of love in her mind. She was always a fanatic when it came to others' romantic lives. She was also an avid reader of many romance novels as well. Her only problem was she was actually not good with men.

"Not in the least!" Feng Xi firmly stated. She would not in any shape or form be excited to meet this two-faced bastard.

"But Young Miss, what if he is extremely handsome? You might fall in love at first sight!"

"Ru'er if he is handsome I will hand him over to you how's that?" Feng Xi teased.

Ru'er immediately blushed as she lowered her head trying to hide her embarrassment. "Ru'er would go hide if a handsome man ever came near me. Ru'er is not too good with males."

This was a fact, Ru'er was an orphan who was abused by the man who ran the orphanage when she was younger. Feng Xi had just happened upon her while she was running away from the orphanage. Seeing the bruises and marks on the poor girl's body Feng Xi quickly asked her father for permission to take Ru'er in as her servant. Thanks to Feng Xi the orphanage was closed down and was found to be doing child slave trafficking. Although slavery was still legal, child slaves were different. They had to go through a certain system. This was to ensure that the children would not be mistreated when working for the family that bought them. Child slave trafficking was an illegal process that sold children to questionable individuals.

Since that time Ru'er has always been afraid of males and was one of the reasons why Ru'er was always at Feng Xi's side. Feng Xi did not want Ru'er to have a relapse from her trauma. Though Feng Xi still joked about Ru'er marrying a handsome man when she was older. But that was only because Ru'er seemed to start becoming less afraid of men. Since she was now venturing out around the General's Manor and could now talk to some of the male servants if only a few words. This was only possible if they were a good distance away. Luckily the male servants were very understanding and would do their best to stay at least ten feet away from her when they saw her coming. Although it was a bit of hassle at times they still smiled and greeted her.

"Do not worry Ru'er, I will never let you marry that man. I will make sure whoever you marry you are one hundred percent in love with them. I mean if I do not want to marry him how could he be good enough for my Ru'er?"

Ru'er giggled and blushed. "Young Miss, if you don't like him what do you plan to do for the meeting today?"

"Hmm… I have a few ideas..." Feng Xi put on a sly grin as she got up from her bed. 'I will make Tang Zhi see me as the most disgusting girl he has ever met!'