Chapter 11:
She said to her furious mother and elder brother, “He is deeply affectionate with that young lady he brought back from Bianzhou. I do not want to intervene between them, nor do I want to call his many women elder sister and younger sister in the future.”
“Previously, I did not realize the immense pressure on the Lu Family Offspring. This time, he awakened me to it, so I should know my place and withdraw.”
Thinking of the scene in the dream where Liu Manrou called her elder sister and young master one after another, occasionally holding her waist to hint at the night’s exertions, Xie Wanning could not help but redden her eyes: “My tolerance is particularly small. I only want to marry a man as devoted as Father, not be a tolerant and magnanimous Marquis’s Wife.”
These words were overheard by Xie Wen as he strode through the door. His steps paused slightly. He raised his eyes to his wife and daughter, asking, “What is wrong with Wanwan? Did that Lu Family boy act foolishly again?”
Madam Zheng held her daughter’s hand and patted it lightly while turning to her husband to relay what she had just heard, annoyed: “It really shows him. No matter what, it will not affect our Wanwan’s position as main wife. He speaks as if we are the ones climbing high to marry into their family.”
Joking aside, they were all hereditary marquises without replacement. Their family’s eldest legitimate daughter would be the main wife no matter whom she married. It was just that their family’s young lady was too stubborn. Otherwise, with her character and appearance, even an imperial clan prince’s estate or a duke’s family would be within reach for marriage.
Even marrying a certain prince as imperial consort was not out of the question.
Xie Wen had a mild temperament and considerable tolerance, but at this moment, his face changed. He slapped the table and stood up: “What a Lu Ziyan. Does he really think he has our family’s young lady in his grasp?”
Not to mention that he had said during the marriage proposal that Xie Wanning alone was enough. Even if he had not said it, if he truly wanted to take a concubine, he should not have this attitude toward his fiancée.
Which family takes a concubine without the matriarch’s consent?
Using a tone of charity, saying it would not affect their family’s young lady’s status as main wife—is this treating the Xie Family as if no one exists?
No wonder the pampered youngest daughter who had poured all her heart into him was heartbroken and said she would not marry.
Xie Yanyu, who had not spoken until now, saw the situation and said, “I have long seen that Lu Ziyan is not a good man. Since Wanwan has also seen his true face, tomorrow I will go with Father to the Lu Family to break off their marriage engagement.”
No sooner had the words fallen than the room fell silent.
“The wedding date is near. Discussing breaking off the engagement at this point is a major matter, not to be decided rashly.” Madam Zheng looked at her daughter, hesitating: “Wanwan, have you really thought it through? It is not just a moment of impulsive anger?”
What she feared most was that “I do not want to marry” was mere petulant words from a young lady upon hearing her fiancé had another woman by his side.
If they went to break off the engagement and she regretted it later, that would truly be a slap to their own face.
Although their family’s Wanwan was not impulsive by nature, to avoid any mishap, Madam Zheng and Xie Wen did not dare agree readily.
After all, before this, the whole family had witnessed her infatuation with Lu Ziyan.
After pondering for a moment, Xie Wen said, “This matter should not be rushed. Wanwan, you consider it first. Let Father investigate a bit to see what exactly is the situation with the woman he brought back from Bianzhou.”
Xie Wanning had not expected her parents to agree without hesitation.
Hearing this, she was not disappointed, only earnest: “I have already considered it very clearly. Elder Brother is right. Lu Ziyan is not a good man. If Father and Mother do not believe it, you can wait a few days. No matter how long, my answer will still be the same.”
According to the dream scenario, in a few days, the news of Lu Ziyan keeping a concubine would spread.
Given Lu Ziyan’s character, this news certainly would not be spread by him proactively.
So, who spread it was obvious at a glance.
Liu Manrou had never been a quiet person. Born a maidservant, she ultimately became the Second Madam of the Wuyuan Marquis’s Estate. Besides Lu Ziyan’s favor, it was more her ambition.
Becoming a second madam was not enough to satisfy her. What she wanted was Lu Ziyan’s main wife position, the Marquis’s Wife of the Wuyuan Marquis’s Estate.
After dinner, the brother and sister left their parents’ courtyard.
Xie Yanyu turned his head to look at his youngest sister, comforting her: “Wanwan, do not worry. As long as you are determined not to marry, the Lu Family’s bridal sedan cannot take you away.”
“I am not worried.” Xie Wanning’s nose tingled with emotion. She gripped his sleeve, rarely acting coquettish: “Elder Brother, I never want to marry in the future. I will stay home and be an old maid. You will not disdain me, will you?”
Xie Yanyu was silent for a moment, thinking that she had eaten very little at dinner, then softly said: “Do not fear. Even if the engagement is broken, you can still marry out.”
“…” The tears in Xie Wanning’s already moist eyelashes instantly vanished. She quickly released his sleeve: “I am going back. Elder Brother, take your time.”
On the way back to her courtyard, she inwardly grumbled nonstop: No wonder at his age he still has no wife. In the dream, she as the younger sister had been married for two years, yet the elder brother had no marriage prospects. What a waste of that handsome face!
Indeed, which young lady would like such an unromantic blockhead.
No matter how handsome he was born, it was useless!
…………
Dusk was dimly falling, and lamps were already lit in Jianxia Courtyard.
Xie Wanning removed her hairpins, gathered her hair over her chest, and gently combed it with the jade comb, her gaze falling on Er Xia who was quietly bustling about.
……Since the dream was real, then Er Xia climbing into Lu Ziyan’s bed must also be real.
This was the maidservant who had served her since childhood. In name mistress and servant, but their sisterly affection was no less.
Er Qing had protected her until death, while Er Xia…
In the dream, less than half a year after she married into the Wuyuan Marquis’s Estate, Liu Manrou had just given birth to the eldest son. During the postpartum confinement, Er Xia found an opportunity, offered herself, and got onto Lu Ziyan’s bed.
She even used her courtyard.
In the warm room of Shao Guang Courtyard, during the nap time, Er Xia, who was supposed to bring her hot milk, entered the room with Lu Ziyan.
When she waited for no one and came out to look, she heard the sounds from inside.
At the time, she thought it was a dream. Now recalling it, it was truly heart-wrenching. She stood at the door in the piercing cold wind, listening for a long time until the noises inside quieted, then tremblingly pushed the door open.
Compared to Lu Ziyan, what she cared more about at that moment was Er Xia’s betrayal.
At the time, she had even asked the disheveled, flushed-faced Er Xia if she had been forced by Lu Ziyan.
Even though, while standing at the door, she had not heard a single cry for help from a woman.
The fact was as such. Facing her question, Er Xia blushed deeply, glanced at her with what seemed satisfaction mixed with guilt, and said nothing.
This incident struck Xie Wanning as hard as Er Qing’s death.
The reason for her stagnation of the heart, leading to spiritual injury and short life—Er Xia’s betrayal contributed greatly.
Her thoughts returned. Xie Wanning looked thoughtfully at Er Xia before her, who acted without fault and always put her first in everything.
She had never imagined that her personal maidservant fancied her fiancé.
The Xie Family had no habit of arranging concubines for their daughters. She had long planned the futures for Er Qing and Er Xia, and discussed it with them.
As long as they met their beloved or wished to marry, she would return their deeds of sale and prepare a dowry of silver for each.
After their marriages, if they wanted to return to serve by her side, they could do so anytime.
But what Er Xia coveted was her husband, and she had acted on it.
Lu Ziyan was not picky and accepted her immediately.
Thinking of it now was like stale food that made her want to vomit.
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