Chapter 17: Breaking Off the Engagement

After Shen Shurong returned to her room, she quickly freshened up and went to bed. She hadn’t napped that day and was utterly exhausted.

Xie Yunzhao rode back to the Duke of Lu’s Mansion, bouncing along as he practiced swordplay in the yard, unable to sleep, his heart filled with joy.

The Third Princess had returned and thrown a fit. She was a princess, after all; how could all the glory be taken away by a mere Commandery Princess?

The Fourth Princess was also feeling downcast, as she was defending Yongjia.

After the Crown Prince returned, he smashed the study in the Eastern Palace. The old woman wouldn’t let go, and it felt very frustrating.

Shen Shurong actually dared to claim the Commandery Princess Mansion!

When Xie Yunzheng got home, he smashed the study in Zhaohui Courtyard. Why was Xie Yunzhao still alive?

Elder Shen was pestering the Grand Princess, asking whether the Prime Minister was supporting the Grand Princess Mansion.

The Grand Princess found it annoying and sent her to the study to sleep, which only made Elder Shen more sour. It must be true.

The Commandery Prince’s family hadn’t expected Shen Shurong to take over the treasury and planned to go to the Grand Princess Mansion the next day to inquire about the situation.

That night, only Shen Shurong slept peacefully.

In the deep of night, a man in black slipped through the shadows, entering a large courtyard through a high gate.

“Did it go well?”

The man poured himself a cup of tea and drank it down. “Are you envious?”

“Ha, with the treasury…”

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘with the treasury’?”

“Your father and your brother’s intentions; they won’t get it, so you must seize it first.”

“I won’t get it. This is hers.”

“Isn’t hers also yours?”

“Wrong. Hers is hers; mine is also hers.”

“Ha ha.” The man sighed and continued to resist, “Can’t you just be convenient when needed?”

“Depends on the situation.”

“You’re happy now.”

“I’m marrying a wife; why would you be happy about that?”

The man was thoroughly defeated. “Then why are you here? Just to show off?”

“Jealous?”

“Get lost! You’re annoying.”

……

The next morning, Lu Ziqian purposely arrived early at the Duke of Lu’s Mansion, only to find it was a wasted trip.

It had been five days, and he couldn’t get a response. The invitations weren’t acknowledged, and he couldn’t catch anyone.

Xie Yunzhao was hurrying to the Grand Princess Mansion for breakfast.

The Duchess of Lu wanted to throw his portion to the dogs; his wife hadn’t even been brought home yet, and he was off dining with others. Was he marrying a daughter-in-law or marrying off his son?

The doorman, seeing the second young master of the Xie family arrive even earlier than yesterday, suppressed a laugh and led him to the front courtyard, sending someone to inform the Commandery Princess.

Xie Yunzhao rewarded him with ten taels of silver, knowing he would be a frequent visitor early in the morning.

The doorman expressed his gratitude profusely. The son-in-law had a good temperament and was pleasant, and he even rewarded him.

Suihan came again to invite him in, and Xie Yunzhao signaled to Qingzhu, who understood that this gentleman deserved a bit more reward.

Shen Shurong hadn’t finished dressing yet. Her long, black hair flowed down loosely, with a few strands resting on her fair neck, adding to her lazy charm.

Draped in an outer garment, she lounged on the couch, her garments cascading lightly, looking relaxed and comfortable as if the world’s troubles had nothing to do with her.

This was the first time Xie Yunzhao had seen her like this, and his heart raced. Did she not mind him looking?

But he felt like he was disturbing her rest.

“Did I come too early?”

Shen Shurong nodded slightly; she indeed wasn’t fully awake and wanted to say that there was no need to come so early in the future.

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll wait here once I arrive; you can sleep a bit longer and call me when you’re ready.”

Shen Shurong almost laughed. Silly boy, he probably wished he could live here forever.

“Second Young Master Xie has arrived. I remember you like Biluochun tea, so I happened to brew some. Second Young Master, please have a taste.”

Xie Yunzhao turned around, frowning. It was Jinzhi, the maid who had blocked him earlier.

Yinzhi and Suihan also frowned slightly. Why was she suddenly so eager to welcome the Second Young Master?

The tea wouldn’t be drugged, would it?

Shen Shurong’s expression was calm; it seemed she understood. Without Xie Yunzhao, she wouldn’t even be able to enter the Duke’s Mansion, let alone have a chance to climb into Xie Yunzheng’s bed.

Xie Yunzhao hesitated, feeling no goodwill toward her and fearing she might poison him. It was unusual.

Jinzhi felt a bit awkward as no one spoke. She crouched and bowed, “Second Young Master, the Commandery Princess was startled when she fell into the water. I was too worried, so I spoke out of turn. I hope you can forgive me.”

The room remained silent. Xie Yunzhao understood that Shen Shurong wanted him to handle it himself. “You can rise. You were also worried about the Commandery Princess.”

“Thank you, Second Young Master. Please accompany the Commandery Princess for meals in the future. If you have any preferred dishes, you can let me know, and I will instruct the kitchen.”

Xie Yunzhao was not a stingy person, especially since she was close to her. “Thank you for your trouble.”

“Second Young Master is too polite.” Jinzhi poured tea for Xie Yunzhao and slowly approached Shen Shurong. “Commandery Princess, I truly know I was wrong this time.”

“Alright, you don’t need to avoid me anymore.”

Jinzhi gratefully bowed. “I’ll attend to your grooming.”

Xie Yunzhao returned his gaze to the tea, realizing he couldn’t keep staring at her.

His eyes obediently focused on the teacup but soon wandered back to the dressing table, and he found himself entranced.

With her long hair styled up and adorned with hairpins, she gradually added color to herself. When she applied the bright red lipstick, he couldn’t help but be captivated by her beautiful lips, realizing he had been staring for quite some time.

He hurriedly averted his gaze, his heart racing. He knew he was doomed.

If he had never obtained her, he wouldn’t have to worry about losing her. But now, who dared to snatch Rongrong away from him? He would never relent.

Once Shen Shurong finished her makeup and sat down, breakfast was laid out, and the two of them ate quietly.

The invitations from Ye Man, daughter of the Deputy Minister of Revenue, and Qiao Yue, daughter of the Minister of the Imperial College, were presented once again.

Upon seeing Ye Man’s name, Shen Shurong felt a pang in her heart. She had cried for two days when Ye Man died. Yet, after her faked death, she had seen her in the palace.

Like her, Ye Man had also experienced a faked death, sent to the dragon bed two years earlier than her.

In this life, she had changed her fate, but what about Ye Man? Her wedding was still a month away.

“We need to go out today. There’s not much time. Please send replies to the two young ladies.”

“Understood.”

Shen Shurong stirred her bird’s nest porridge, unable to eat. How could she break off her engagement?

Xie Yunzhao stopped and stared at her. What had her friends said to make her unhappy?

“Did they upset you?”

Shen Shurong raised her eyes and asked what was on her mind, “Is there any way to break off the engagement of two people?”

Ding—

Xie Yunzhao dropped his spoon, his face turning pale. She… wanted to break off the engagement with him?

The maids also widened their eyes. The Commandery Princess wanted to break off her engagement?

Seeing his change in expression, Shen Shurong suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly waved her hand. “I’m not talking about us; it’s…”

No, Shen Shurong realized she couldn’t explain it at all.

Could she say what would happen in the future?

Xie Yunzhao felt flustered. If it wasn’t about them, then who was it about? Who did she want to break off the engagement with?

Seeing him even more anxious, Shen Shurong dismissed the others and grasped his wrist. “Don’t be nervous. I’m talking about Ye Man. She is engaged to the second son of Lord Jia, and they are getting married in a month.”

Xie Yunzhao understood; it was Jia Caiyong. “Leave this to me.”

“What?” Shen Shurong didn’t comprehend what he meant by that.

“Rongrong wants to break off their engagement; leave this matter to me.”

He… wasn’t asking for a reason?

Shen Shurong’s doubts were written all over her face as Xie Yunzhao held her hand, his gaze deep. “Whatever Rongrong wants to do, just leave it to me. I don’t need a reason; I just need you not to break off our engagement.”