As expected by Mrs. Zheng, the matter of the Xie family father and son visiting to withdraw the engagement indeed caused a stir.
When they went, Lu Ziyuan was not in the mansion.
Old Madam Lu personally came out to greet them, but upon hearing their intention, she directly expressed her absolute disagreement.
She insisted she would persuade her grandson to dismiss the unknown mistress outside, saying the marriage between the two families cannot be annulled, and the wedding date couldn't be changed either.
Xie Shu, being generous in nature, greatly respected this old matron of the Marquis Mansion, who lost both husband and son for her country, thus could not speak harshly to this elder.
However, accompanying him, Xie YanYu straightforwardly and clearly communicated their intention with firm determination.
But Old Madam Lu remained unmoved, refusing to return the marriage certificate under any circumstances.
"I expected the Lu family wouldn't agree easily." Mrs. Zheng frowned, feeling both headache and anger: "Do they think our family is made of clay, refusing to return the marriage certificate, so Wanwan has to resign herself to marry over there?"
Never heard of any noble daughter being forced to ride the bridal sedan by the husband's family.
Xie Wen spoke fairly: "We suddenly came to dissolve the engagement, it's understandable they were unprepared; if they agreed immediately, that would be strange."
Speaking of which, he looked at his daughter, saying: "I estimate that when Lu Ziyuan returns and hears our family wants to break the engagement, if he still wants to save this marriage, he should come to apologize. If he comes, will you meet him, Wanwan?"
"No," although she didn't think Lu Ziyuan would come to apologize, Xie Wanqing still answered resolutely: "I'm determined to withdraw from this marriage."
After the rumor of the mistress being kept in dreams spread, he did not come to apologize.
... However, she did not ask her father and brother to visit to withdraw the engagement either.
Instead, her brother proactively sought out Lu Ziyuan, wanting him to dismiss the mistress and prepare for the marriage wholeheartedly, to welcome her, but he was flatly refused.
Indeed, things pursued are not business, they only make people look down.
She was worthless, causing her brother to suffer Lu Ziyuan's cold face for her sake.
But in the dream, she still stubbornly chose to marry over there.
Thinking of this, a sense of unease and a gloomy expression filled Xie Wanqing's heart.
Seeing this, Xie YanYu, who had remained silent, comforted her: "Not meeting is fine; as long as you don't want it, this marriage won't happen, Lu Ziyuan cannot force his way into the Xie family."
"..." Xie Wanqing was so moved she couldn't speak, looking at her brother with tearful eyes.
She would no longer inwardly criticize her brother as stubborn, hence deserving of being unmarried.
Such a good brother.
...…
That evening, just when Xie Wanqing thought she had predicted correctly this time, a servant came to report that Lu Ziyuan had arrived.
At that time, she was playing chess with her cousin, and hearing that, her hand holding the chess piece paused, revealing undisguised astonishment.
Xie Ruyu saw this and proudly said: "I always said, once you wake up and start ignoring him, he will be the one regretting."
She snorted coldly: "Sister Wanwan, you are so wonderful, yet that fellow Lu Ziyuan didn't know to cherish. Now, knowing to come begging, we just won't meet him!"
"..." Xie Wanqing blinked, extremely puzzled: "Am I really that good?"
She was actually unaware that, in her cousin's eyes, she already reached such level of excellence.
No matter how lacking Lu Ziyuan was, he remained a young talent rising to fame in the capital city, highly appreciated by His Majesty, and from a young age studied and practiced martial arts alongside several princes, sharing the same treatment as those princes without a bit of difference.
In terms of real capability, in terms of favor from the royal family, among the offspring of distinguished families, he was top-notch.
With such conditions, to be fair, even the Imperial Princess would suit him.
But Xie Ruyu seriously asked: "Among the noble daughters in the capital, in what aspect do you fall short?"
Xie Wanqing really considered it.
In terms of family background, she was the legitimate eldest daughter of a hereditary Marquis family, and her maternal family was also of marquis status; except for the Commandery Princess, she truly didn't fall short of anyone.
In terms of poetry, etiquette, archery, horse riding, and shooting, she didn't claim to master everything, yet she was proficient enough.
In terms of appearance and demeanor, to put it modestly, she was among the best of noble daughters. Her reputation didn't spread far because her marriage was decided early, and she rarely cared to show off.
Calculating this way, Xie Wanqing suddenly felt she was indeed excellent, her self-confidence almost inflated.
She placed down the chess piece, looked at her cousin, and smiled: "Look at you, treating my eyes as if not eyes and my nose not as a nose; I didn't expect that in your heart, I'm perfect in every way."
"I didn't intentionally praise you," Xie Ruyu said awkwardly: "Nor am I flattering you because you gave me a birthday gift."
Xie Wanqing held her forehead: "Where are your thoughts heading, I naturally know your intentions."
In the dream, she didn't give a birthday gift.
She just didn't realize, that actually the cousin who always held her at odds, considered her perfect in every way.
Xie Wanqing imagined a surface covered in thorns, yet deep down, sincerely wanting to be close to her, squatting in a corner with eyes longing for her affection but unable to bring herself to say it, little cousin.
Her gaze suddenly carried a bit of tender love: "Your intentions, sister acknowledges them."
"..." Xie Ruyu paused for a few seconds, her fair cheeks blushing: "Sister Wanwan, don't use mother's tone when speaking."
The two sisters were engrossed in conversation, and the servant who came to deliver the news had long been forgotten. He waited and waited, daring not to interrupt the masters, ultimately retreating quietly.
...…
Outside the gate of the Marquis Xuanping Mansion.
Lu Ziyuan, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, tall and slender, his eyes slightly lowered, his face cold without any emotion, stood still like a sharp, fierce weapon in the remnants of the sunset.
'Creak'.
The bright red door slowly opened a crack, and a Xie Residence gatekeeper softly stepped out.
Lu Ziyuan lifted his gaze toward the person coming, calm eyes sparking with ripples.
The gatekeeper, under his gaze, felt nervous and unconsciously grew more respectful: "Heir Lu, please return; our family's eldest lady does not wish to see you."
A man who never faced rejection furrowed his brows slightly, his voice inadvertently cold: "Did she ask you to convey any message to me?"
The gatekeeper shook his head repeatedly: "None."
Finished speaking, like avoiding a plague, he quickly retreated.
The heavy door closed again, Lu Ziyuan's face darkened completely, standing still, lost in thoughts for a long time.
As the sky became darker, the one behind him, Mingjian, finally couldn't hold back, whispering: "Master, shall we still wait?"
Lu Ziyuan glanced sideways at him: "I asked you to settle Liu Manrou, how did the rumor spread within the capital?"
"This rumor appeared mysteriously," Mingjian, hearing his meaning, slightly bowed: "Miss Liu has been staying quietly in that courtyard these days, without stepping out, and has no close servants at her side. Even if she intended to, she lacks the power to spread the news."
Lu Ziyuan remained silent; Mingjian, trained personally by him, was bold and meticulous in his work, he trusted his subordinate's judgment.
Could it not be Liu Manrou, then who else?