The servants knocked on the courtyard gate and went in to deliver the message.
Liu Yingqi smiled obsequiously. "Then I'll be going on ahead, Uncle. I won't disturb you young people."
Yan Fu cupped his hands in salute. "Thank you for coming, Uncle Liu."
Liu Yingqi climbed into his luxurious carriage and rode off beneath the escort of two rows of guards, disappearing into the glow of the setting sun.
Like that sunset, he looked radiant—but who knew how much longer he could hold out?
Jiang Wang couldn't help asking by voice transmission, "Earl Xuanhuai is that sort of man. How did your family ever arrange a marriage alliance with his?"
Yan Fu gazed quietly at the half-open courtyard gate and replied by voice transmission, "My grandfather and Miss Liu's grandfather arranged the marriage. Besides, Earl Xuanhuai... wasn't always like this."
So much had changed. There was no need to say more.
A short while later,
The courtyard gate swung open.
No one spoke.
A frail-looking woman stood behind the gate.
A hint of spring clung to her willow-leaf brows, while a sorrow that would not fade clouded her autumn-water eyes.
She stood there like a wisp of wind, as though she might drift away at any moment.
Yan Fu opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Jiang Wang remained silent, and so did the Liu household's servants.
Even the setting sunlight spilling over the little courtyard seemed to turn desolate.
Yan Fu edged forward, then finally said, "Miss Liu, I..."
"Young Master Yan, please stay there," Liu Xiuzhang said. "We can talk across the gate. That way, we won't give others cause to gossip."
"I..."
"Isn't that why you came?"
"...Yes. That's fine."
"What brings you here, Young Master Yan?"
"There have been some rumors. I don't know