As spring transitioned into summer, a thin layer of pink petals quickly fell onto the bluestone bricks just swept by the servants.
Xie Wanqing led her cousin back to her own Jianxia Courtyard.
The Liu Family came from merchants. When Liu married into the Xie family, it was Xie Shu, who was the second son of the Marquis Mansion, that took a liking to her and pleaded with his mother to arrange the marriage.
The two families were not well-matched in social status and having known each other privately, which led to some unsavory gossip circulating in the Capital's idle chatter.
Perhaps it had reached Xie Ruyu's ears, making her sensitive and strong-minded from a young age. Not only did she treat her sisters like this, but outsiders also found her difficult to bully, with a sharp tongue that never spared anyone.
Although Xie Wanqing was a year older than her, she wasn't the type to yield easily either. So over the years, the two sisters met head-on like a needle against wheat, rarely speaking calmly to each other.
On the way, neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was awkwardly silent.
Upon reaching the Jianxia Courtyard, Xie Wanqing proactively pulled her into her own chamber. Xie Ruyu's face was stiff, but she didn't resist, obediently being led in.
There was a brocade box on the dressing table, engraved with the emblem of the most famous Jewelry Pavilion in the Capital. Xie Wanqing was accustomed to seeing such things daily, but at this moment, she paused slightly.
Without further thought, she picked up the brocade box, opened it, and took out a peony carved jade bracelet, handing it over: "Here, a birthday gift for you."
"..." Xie Ruyu silently accepted it, looking down.
The jade bracelet was made of top-grade mutton fat jade, with a translucent color, free of any impurities, presenting an excellent appearance. Even the petals had an oily texture, and the style was very appealing, perfectly suitable for a young girl to wear.
No girl could resist pretty things; once it was in her hands, she loved it dearly.
When she looked up again, there was joy on her face: "When did you order it?"
The Jewelry Pavilion, as the largest jewelry store in the Capital, had several master craftsmen inside. Their dexterous skills and creative designs attracted the noble ladies and women in the Capital, in such demand that they couldn't keep up.
It's said that the backstage is very influential, and even some nobles who don't want to wait long can't cut in line using power. To get custom jewelry from the Jewelry Pavilion, not only does one need silver coins, but also enough patience to wait.
Even her mother ordered a hairpin for her, and after more than a year, it still hadn't been made.
Seeing the usually sharp-tongued and difficult-to-deal-with cousin so joyful, Xie Wanqing found it amusing and couldn't help but tease: "As long as you like it, that's enough. Consider it my thanks for your support."
That was what Liu said earlier.
Upon hearing this, a trace of discomfort flashed across Xie Ruyu's face. She quickly retorted angrily, "I've always said Lu Ziyuan is no good. Cold-faced every day, yet you like to circle him without a bit of a lady's temper..."
Pausing slightly, she cautiously looked up, "I didn't mean to criticize you..."
"I know," Xie Wanqing said, pulling her to sit down, "You're right. Previously, I had no temper in front of Lu Ziyuan, soft as dough, easily manipulated."
If not for her habitual non-contention, how would she have been humiliated by a small Liu Manrou in her dream?
Speaking of which, this cousin had never gotten along with Lu Ziyuan, always turning her nose up whenever they met and walking away without a glance.
… Was it because she couldn't stand her lowering herself in front of Lu Ziyuan?
Xie Ruyu didn't know what her cousin was thinking.
She wasn't one for gentle words, initially rehearsing what to say to comfort her cousin, but seeing her seemingly transformed, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's great that you figured it out."
Xie Wanqing couldn't help but laugh, reminding her, "From now on, stop using 'you' so casually. I'm older, call me Sister Wanwan."
"..." Xie Ruyu opened her mouth, awkwardly calling her sister, making Xie Wanqing beam with joy and lightly tap the little bun on her head.
In the dream, when this little cousin stayed at the Lu Family, that's how she called her, a year earlier now.
Just as she was about to say something, Xie Ruyu added, "Sister Wanwan, don't be sad because of breaking off the engagement with him."
Xie Wanqing lightly nodded, agreeing, "Alright, not sad."
"Let me tell you," Xie Ruyu said seriously, "You've always lifted Lu Ziyuan too high, making him think no matter what he did, you needed him, so naturally, he didn't regard you."
How could someone value something they thought they'd have regardless?
Xie Wanqing understood her meaning, remaining silent for a long while, then let out a bitter laugh, "I just felt sorry for him initially."
Feeling sorry for him losing his father young, forced to grow up, managing a household alone.
But at some point, unconditional giving from feeling sorry became a habit.
And habit is a frightening thing.
"It's all in the past; let's not pay him any mind in the future." Xie Ruyu awkwardly linked arms with her, humming, "Now that you've come to your senses, let it be Lu Ziyuan's turn to feel troubled; I'm waiting to see him wailing, begging you back."
Those words left Xie Wanqing truly stunned.
She didn't know where her cousin's confidence came from, but she awkwardly said, "You don't understand; the person he cares for is the concubine he brought back from Bianzhou. He won't be troubled over me, let alone wailing..."
She shook her head repeatedly, unable to imagine Lu Ziyuan wailing.
"Whatever he desires, I no longer care. I just want to break off this marriage smoothly."
Saying this, she nudged her cousin, "But your engagement with Third Lady hasn't been set. I'm only worried it might affect you both."
"It won't!" Xie Ruyu said, "Even a divorce isn't much, let alone breaking an engagement. If that's a family so rigid, I wouldn't marry into it anyway."
The current dynasty is quite open, with divorces common since the founding. Many Imperial Princesses engage in indulgence with numerous male favorites.
Over the years, breaking an engagement has long ceased to be something frightening to discuss in the Capital.
As for breaking off an engagement?
There certainly is an impact, but as Xie Ruyu said, those who care about it are usually extremely traditional, 'rigid' families.
For such families, marrying in means spending a lifetime adhering strictly to rules, without any room for error.
… Indeed, there's really no need to marry into such a family.
Thinking of this, Xie Wanqing displayed a bit of a smile on her face.
One must admit, talking with her sister, sharing their thoughts, eased the gloomy mood of the past few days.
Though she had given up on Lu Ziyuan and decided to break off the engagement, he was, after all, the young man she had persistently cared for over the years. With her current state of mind, she couldn't remain completely unaffected, without any emotional fluctuation.
Breaking this engagement was like cutting out a piece of her flesh.
The difference was only whether the knife was sharp or not.
She didn't want to be dragged along, slowly cut by a dull blade.
It was best to cut it off decisively, unrelated from now on.
Thinking this way, Erqing came in from outside and bowed, "Madam has sent for you, saying that the Marquis and the Princely Heir have returned."