"Xie Wanqing!" Lu Ziyuan still held onto her shoulders firmly, saying each word pointedly:
"I consider these words to be your nonsense. Our wedding has already been set, and there isn't anyone in the Capital City who doesn't know about it. How can we end it simply because you say so? Even if your parents spoil you, the Xie family has more than just one daughter. Canceling the engagement so close to the wedding just because I have another woman by my side—this is the kind of daughter raised by the Xie family. It's laughable to say it out loud."
When his words fell, Xie Wanqing paused for a moment.
He was right.
She was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Xie family in this generation, and there were two younger cousins in the family. In a family that emphasizes shared honor, breaking an engagement close to the wedding indeed invites criticism.
Especially for such a trivial reason as the future husband having another woman by his side...
Her parents love her and will undoubtedly support her wishes, even without her voicing them. In the dream, rumors of Lu Ziyuan keeping a mistress would make her parents urge her to reconsider the marriage.
In the dream, she insisted on marrying, perhaps also because she was concerned about this point.
She couldn't jeopardize her two cousins' futures because of herself.
... But this time, she wants to be selfish for once.
Xie Wanqing looked deeply at the man before her, as if sighing helplessly, "I really tried my best, but I truly regret it."
The pain and remorse in the dream, she doesn't want to go through again.
She's afraid.
Lu Ziyuan saw the intense and complex emotions in her eyes, and somehow, his heart felt a bit suffocated. He opened his mouth, trying to speak as gently as possible, "Wanwan, you don't need to compare yourself to others. In my heart, you are always different from them."
Xie Wanqing lowered her gaze, no longer looking at him, and softly replied, "I believe what you say is true now."
After all, childhood friends' affection over many years cannot be feigned. They haven't reached the point of mutual dislike yet.
So, let's stop here.
Not far away, Erqing seemed to have heard some words and was looking over with a worried expression. Xie Wanqing smiled at her, then seriously gave Lu Ziyuan one last glance, trying to slowly pull his hand off her shoulder under his faintly dark gaze.
Unexpectedly, it didn't budge.
He seemed different from usual. In their past interactions, he never acted this way.
Finally, unable to break free, Xie Wanqing became annoyed, "Can you take your hand that touched others off me? I find it dirty!"
As soon as she finished speaking, even Liu Manrou was shocked with her mouth slightly open, and Lu Ziyuan's face became more complicated.
Taking advantage of their surprise, she successfully freed herself from his grip and turned to leave. Behind her, Lu Ziyuan's voice came coldly, "Xie Wanqing, there should be a limit to your willfulness. I am not obliged to marry you."
Xie Wanqing's steps faltered slightly, but she continued walking forward without looking back.
None of the servants around dared to speak.
Naturally, she didn't stay for the family feast, nor did she say farewell to the ladies of the Lu Family in the main courtyard. She directly left Wuyuan Marquis Mansion with Erqing.
Xie Wanqing decided to leave, while Lu Ziyuan stood still for a while.
Until a delicate voice sounded from behind, "Mr. Lu..."
Lu Ziyuan slowly turned around and said lightly, "Don't call me that anymore."
Liu Manrou held the hem of her dress, nodded timidly, looking very obedient.
Pink petals fell onto his shoulder with the spring breeze, but he didn't brush them off. He lowered his gaze slightly to look at the woman before him, lost in thought.
After a long time, amidst Liu Manrou's shrinking gaze, he said, "Lu Mansion can't keep you now. I'll arrange for your matters after my wife enters the house."
As he spoke, he called out to Mingjian, "Take Miss Liu to stay at Mao'er Alley."
......
At the time of noon, the sun shone brightly, dispelling the cold from Xie Wanqing's heart.
After leaving Wuyuan Marquis Mansion, she looked up at the clear sky and smiled, "Erqing, I've decided not to marry Lu Ziyuan."
"Miss..." Erqing looked at her with heartache.
"No crying. This is good news for your Miss." Xie Wanqing smiled and tapped her on the nose, "A woman fears marrying the wrong man; Lu Ziyuan is not a good match. I'm stopping the loss in time."
Since she had made the decision, she should not hesitate.
Xie Wanqing adjusted her mood and prepared to return to the mansion.
Passing by Lin's pastry shop on Vermilion Bird Street, she felt a bit guilty.
She really was outwardly focused on her beloved. For these years running after Lu Ziyuan was one thing, but she had always only cared about pleasing Lu Ziyuan's elders instead of thinking about her own family.
She tightened the reins, dismounted, and entered the shop again to buy some pastries to take back to the mansion.
But she didn't know she was being observed clearly by two people sitting by the window in the teahouse opposite.
Pei Yuqing's gaze paused slightly while holding the Jade Cup as he looked out the window.
Xie YanYu, who was talking to him, noticed this, and followed his gaze, spotting his younger sister wandering outside instead of dining during lunchtime. His brows furrowed slightly.
... Was she unhappy at the Lu Family?
Otherwise, why leave during lunchtime?
He frowned and instructed the attendant behind him, "Invite the young lady to come up."
When Xie Wanqing exited the shop with a few bags of pastries, she saw Yang Hao standing at the door waiting for her.
She instinctively looked toward the teahouse opposite, seeing the two people at the second-floor window facing across, her expression turned a bit helpless.
How come after so long, they're still here?
Reluctantly, she went upstairs, pushing open the door before speaking when Xie YanYu began, "At this time, you're out buying pastries. Have you had lunch?"
Xie Wanqing truthfully replied, "Not yet."
In contemporary society, there's no rule that says unrelated men and women can't sit at the same table after age seven, and with Xie YanYu present, Xie Wanqing was not alone with Pei Yuqing.
Thus, Yang Hao deftly set up a set of utensils and tableware.
She took a seat and found that this position indeed offered a perfect view of the events downstairs, inducing her to comment in frustration, "Why don't you two go to a restaurant for a meal, Brother?"
The Capital City is so big, yet they caught her at the same place twice.
Although teahouses also serve meals, they usually aren't as tasty as those in restaurants.
Before Xie YanYu could say anything, Pei Yuqing replied first.
Calmly he said, "This place is quiet, and the dishes are light."
Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing looked over.
He sat by the window, basked in sunlight that shone partly on him, casting him in a mix of light and shadow. His hands, with long, slender fingers, held a Jade Cup. Inside was either wine or tea, his neatly cut fingernails glistening more in the light, appearing clean and lustrous.
She paused slightly, timidly asking, "Are you discussing important matters? Would my presence disturb you?"
Xie YanYu discerned her little thoughts, "Eat your meal quietly. How would you disturb us?"
"..." Xie Wanqing shot him a glance in frustration and obediently began eating.
She didn't eat much for breakfast and admittedly was hungry.
After a few bites, a clear voice spoke beside her.
"This honey roast goose is quite flavorful; Miss Xie should try it."