Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 22

The weather was gradually becoming hot, and the midday sun was somewhat scorching. The branches swayed gently in the breeze, casting shimmering shadows on the window sill, with a faint fragrance of flowers wafting in, soothing the heart.

"Madam Lu, Second Madam Lu."

A maid’s greeting sounded from outside.

The people waiting inside for some time instinctively looked up.

Even the maids and older servants attending knew that the two mistresses of the house had gone to the Marquis Xuanping Mansion today for the purpose of discussing the marriage between the Young Master and the Xie family lady.

Madam Lu and Second Madam Lu, supported by maids, entered the room. After greeting their mother-in-law, they slightly lifted their heads to speak, and their gaze passed over their son seated at the side, leading to an involuntary exclamation: "Today is neither a day of rest nor a holiday, so why are you here at this time?"

Lu Ziyuan stood up, waited for his mother to be seated, and then sat down again, answering, "I wasn’t busy today, so I came back a little earlier."

Though his tone was calm, everyone present was experienced, and having watched him grow up, how could they not know why he was there?

Thus, they were even more astonished.

——They had always observed that Miss Xie was keen on this marriage, but they never knew that the young man from their family was not entirely indifferent either.

Madam Lu’s expression changed slightly.

She understood her son too well, knowing he had an extremely cold and restrained personality.

If he was very concerned, it might only show slightly.

Previously, watching coldly, she always thought her son was very indifferent towards Miss Xie, having little affection, and was apathetic about the marriage.

But now it seems otherwise.

Thinking about the Xie family’s current attitude, Madam Lu felt her heart sinking. She changed her words about to be spoken, looked at her son, and asked, "Yan’er, if you had to choose between the one you keep outside and Wanwan, who would you choose?"

"Why?" Seeing her daughter-in-law ask such a question, Old Madam Lu, seated on the soft seat, frowned slightly and said, "Has the Xie family made another demand? Yan’er has already agreed not to take a concubine before the age of thirty, so what more do they want?"

Madam Lu said, "I want to know Yan’er’s true feelings."

Lu Ziyuan wore a narrow-sleeved regular garment, with a sachet embroidered with pines and cranes hanging at his waist. He lightly placed his hand on it, his thumb gently tracing the crane’s lines, looking up at his mother, and softly said, "I have long made my decision. I shall marry no one but Xie Wanqing."

His tone was gentle yet undeniable.

All the ladies of the Lu family present slightly held their breath.

Madam Lu was silent for a long while and said, "If that is the case, why did you earlier..."

"Forget it, it’s too late to talk about this now," she interrupted herself, shaking her head slowly, "The Xie family is indeed determined to call off the engagement this time. Yan’er, a real man shouldn’t worry about not having a wife. I can arrange for an even better noblewoman for you."

The hand holding the sachet at his waist suddenly tightened, and Lu Ziyuan lowered his eyes, revealing no emotion.

Old Madam Lu sat up straight in surprise, her face serious: "Have you mentioned that our Yan’er is willing to follow the Xie family’s rules and wait until after thirty to take a concubine?"

"We did," Second Madam Lu interjected, sarcastically, "I don’t know what the Xie family is thinking. The wedding date is approaching, and even if they are displeased with Yan’er’s past actions—which we have already explained—they still stubbornly want to call it off."

Madam Lu also found it baffling, "Could they be worried that with our two families having such a conflict, Wanwan might suffer if she marries in?"

Other than this, she couldn’t fathom why the Xie family insisted on breaking off the engagement.

The two families were equal in status; her son Yan’er was handsome and promising, even agreeing to the absurd condition of not taking a concubine until over thirty, and yet the Xie family was still unsatisfied. Did they truly believe that calling off the marriage would lead to finding a family more satisfying?

Or...

She suddenly thought, "Could it be that the Xie family has already found another match for Wanwan?"

Otherwise, given Xie Wanqing’s affection for her son, it made no sense why the Xie family was determined to break the engagement.

"Mother!" Lu Ziyuan abruptly stood up, his expression cold and stern: "The Xie family in the Capital has upheld a proper reputation for a hundred years. My engagement with Xie Wanqing was set from childhood, and such slander affects not only the Xie family but also myself."

Madam Lu was taken aback by his sudden seriousness, and then, in ill humor, remarked, "You were indifferent to her before, but now that they want to call off the engagement, you know how to defend her."

He couldn’t even tolerate a casual guess.

Lu Ziyuan’s elegant face was inscrutable as he slightly moved his lips, saying, "This engagement is not something she can simply end."

Was he, Lu Ziyuan, so easily abandoned like a worn-out shoe, at her caprice?

Remembering the barely audible ’I don’t like you anymore,’ the tall young man’s gaze abruptly grew cold.

The grandson’s persistence surprised Old Madam Lu and gave her a headache. "So what will you do? The wedding date is fast approaching. Are you going to force Wanwan into the bridal sedan?"

"I will persuade her to change her mind," Lu Ziyuan said. "She is upset, and I want to dispel her anger, so she willingly marries me."

"But you can’t even step into the Xie family gate, let alone persuade Wanwan to change her mind?" Madam Lu sneered, "I personally went to the Xie family today, and she claimed illness and refused to see me."

Lu Ziyuan pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Old Madam Lu suddenly said, "Speaking of which, in a few days, it’s the Old Madam of Marquis Qu’s birthday banquet, and the invitation was sent half a month ago. As her granddaughter, Wanwan will certainly attend."

The elderly woman squinted with her cloudy eyes, speaking in a tone of advice, "If you really want to win her over, don’t keep a cold face. Wanwan has always been deeply affectionate towards you. Speak kindly to her, and surely she will soften. At that time, what can adults do against the wishes of the young ones."

Lu Ziyuan bowed, "Grandson understands."

"As long as you understand," Old Madam Lu waved her hand, "go about your business. Grandmother is a bit fatigued, and it is hard for you to sit here patiently for so long."

Lu Ziyuan did not argue, simply saying, "Grandmother, please take care and rest well. Grandson takes his leave."

After bowing to his mother and aunt, he then left.

The Lu ladies watched his departing figure; none spoke for a long time.

The room was silent until someone let out a long sigh, "...What a tangled mess."

They thought Miss Xie was the only one fervently committed, but unexpectedly...

But how did it come to this point?

Now, they could only hope the marriage could continue. Otherwise...

......

Xie Wanqing had truly fallen ill with anger, her head throbbing fiercely. She rested in her courtyard for three consecutive days, declining any invitation slips, except for her family.

She didn’t leave her courtyard, not even for the invitation from Princess Pingning, simply saying she was unwell.