Chapter 22:
The weather was gradually getting hotter, and the midday sun was somewhat scorching. The branches swayed gently in the wind, casting dappled tree shadows on the windowsill. A faint floral fragrance wafted in, refreshing the senses.
“First Madam, Second Madam.”
A maidservant’s greeting voice came from outside.
The people who had been waiting in the room for some time instinctively looked up.
Even the maidservants and old women attending nearby all knew that the two madams of the family had gone together to Xuanping Marquis’s Estate today for the Young Lord’s marriage engagement with the Xie Family young lady.
First Madam Lu and Second Madam Lu were helped in by the maidservant. After paying respects to their mother-in-law, they slightly raised their heads, about to speak, when their gazes slid over their son sitting to the side. They couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Today isn’t a rest day, and it’s neither early nor late—how does my son have time to be here?”
Lu Ziyan stood up and waited for his mother to sit before resuming his seat. He replied, “I’m not busy today, so I came back a bit early.”
His tone was flat, but everyone present was experienced and had watched him grow up—how could they not know why he was here?
So they were even more astonished.
—They had always only seen the Xie Family young lady caring about this marriage, but they didn’t realize that the young master of their family was not entirely unmoved either?
First Madam Lu’s facial expression changed immediately.
She knew her own son well—he had an extremely cold and restrained temperament.
If he cared very much, perhaps only half of it would show.
Previously, she had watched coldly, always feeling that her son was very indifferent toward the Xie Family young lady, with little affection, and treated the marriage as dispensable.
But now it seemed that wasn’t necessarily the case.
Thinking of the Xie Residence’s current attitude, First Madam Lu’s heart sank straight down. She abruptly changed the words on the tip of her tongue, looked at her son, and asked, “Yan’er, if you had to choose between the one you’re keeping outside and Wanwan, who would you choose?”
“What?” Seeing her daughter-in-law ask this way, Old Madam Lu, sitting at the head on the soft seat, furrowed her brows slightly and said, “Has the Xie Family made some other demand? Yan’er has already agreed not to take a concubine before thirty, what more do they want?”
First Madam Lu said, “It’s that I want to know Yan’er’s own feelings.”
Lu Ziyan was dressed in a narrow-sleeved everyday robe, with a sachet embroidered with pine and crane hanging at his waist. His hand rested lightly on it, his thumb slowly rubbing the crane pattern. He raised his eyes to his mother and said softly, “I have already made my decision—this life, I will marry no one but Xie Wanning.”
His tone was gentle and slow, yet brooked no argument.
The several Lu Family madams in the room all held their breath slightly.
First Madam Lu was silent for a long time before saying, “If that’s the case, then why did you previously…”
“Never mind, it’s too late to say these things now.” She stopped herself, slowly shaking her head. “The Xie Family is truly determined to break off the engagement this time. Yan’er, a man of integrity need not worry about lacking a wife—for Mother, I’ll find you a better noble lady to marry.”
The hand lightly gripping the sachet at his waist suddenly tightened. Lu Ziyan lowered his eyes, revealing no emotion.
Old Madam Lu at the head sat up straight in shock, her face stern as she said, “Did you tell them that our family’s Yan’er is willing to follow their Xie Family’s rules and take a concubine only after turning thirty?”
“We did,” Second Madam Lu picked up the thread, sneering, “I don’t know what the Xie Family is thinking. The wedding date is right around the corner. Even if they’re angry about Yan’er’s previous matter, our Lu Family has given a proper explanation—both substance and face are in place—yet they insist on breaking off the engagement.”
On this point, First Madam Lu was truly puzzled. “Could it be they’re worried that with our two families in such a state, Wanwan will suffer hardship after marrying in?”
Besides this, she really couldn’t think of why the Xie Family insisted on breaking off the engagement.
The two families were equally matched in status. Her family’s Yan’er was handsome and had a boundless future, and he had even agreed to the absurd matter of not taking a concubine until after thirty—yet the Xie Family was still dissatisfied. Did they really think that after breaking the engagement, they could find a family even more satisfactory than theirs?
Or…
She suddenly realized with a start, “Could it be that the Xie Family has already found another match for Wanwan?”
Otherwise, given Xie Wanning’s feelings for her son, it made no sense why the Xie Family insisted on breaking off the engagement.
“Mother!” Lu Ziyan abruptly stood up, his face cold and stern as he said, “The Xie Family in the Capital City has a hundred years of heritage with upright family traditions. My marriage engagement with Xie Wanning was set in childhood—your words defame not only the Xie Family, but also me, your son.”
First Madam Lu was startled by his sudden seriousness, then said irritably, “Previously you were neither hot nor cold toward the girl, but now that they’re breaking off the engagement, you’re suddenly protective.”
He couldn’t even tolerate a casual suspicion.
Lu Ziyan’s refined facial expression was inscrutable, his lips twitching lightly as he said, “This marriage isn’t something she can break off just because she says so.”
Was he, Lu Ziyan, something she could have when she wanted and discard like worn shoes when she didn’t?
Thinking of that faint “don’t like it anymore,” the tall, slender man’s gaze suddenly turned icy.
Seeing her grandson so insistent, Old Madam Lu was somewhat surprised and somewhat vexed. “Then what do you plan to do? The wedding date is almost here—do you intend to tie Wanwan onto the flower sedan?”
“I will persuade her to change her mind,” Lu Ziyan said. “She’s angry in her heart—I must make her vent her anger and marry me willingly.”
“But you can’t even enter the Xie Family gates—how will you persuade Wanwan to change her mind?” First Madam Lu sneered. “I went to the Xie Residence personally today, and she claimed illness and refused to see me.”
Lu Ziyan pursed his lips and said nothing.
Old Madam Lu suddenly said, “Speaking of which, in a few days it’s Old Madam of Qu Cheng Marquis’s Estate’s birthday banquet. The invitation was sent half a month ago, and Wanwan, as an outer granddaughter, will surely attend.”
The elderly lady narrowed her turbid eyes, her tone carrying instruction. “If you truly want to win the young lady’s favor, then don’t put on that cold face anymore. Wanwan already has deep feelings for you—coax her nicely with a few words, and she won’t fail to soften. At that time, how can the adults overrule the child.”
Lu Ziyan cupped his hands in salute. “Grandson understands.”
“Good that you understand,” Old Madam Lu waved her hand. “Go tend to your business. Grandmother’s body is a bit weary—it’s hard on you for sitting here patiently with me for so long.”
Lu Ziyan did not argue, only saying, “Grandmother, please rest well. Grandson takes his leave.”
After saluting his mother and aunt again, he left.
The several Lu madams watched his departing figure, and for a long time, no one spoke.
The room was utterly quiet; no one knew who sighed faintly, “…What a misfortune.”
They had thought the Xie Family young lady was the one fervently pursuing while he was indifferent, but unexpectedly…
Yet how did it come to this point.
Now they only hoped the marriage could continue; otherwise…
………..
Xie Wanning was truly angered to illness, with a splitting headache. She rested in her courtyard for three full days straight, declining all invitations except from family.
She didn’t even step out the courtyard gate—even the invitation from Commandery Princess Pingning was declined, saying only that her body was unwell.
PK has started, dear ones, dear ones!
