"Ningning, I've never eaten anything this delicious before.
What do you say we poach that chef and open a tavern together?"
As luck would have it, the tavern she had visited yesterday was one of Poison Heart Valley's outposts in the capital.
She had already been planning to start some sort of business there. Now, keeping the tavern running seemed like a fine idea.
As expected of the female lead! I haven't even brought it up, and you've already spotted the business opportunity. If you don't strike it rich, who will?
Jiang Yourning put on an expression of surprise, followed by excitement.
"Why didn't I think of that? Let's get on it tomorrow!"
Jiang Yourning and Jiang Wanrong were both women of action.
Trading ideas back and forth, they had already imagined everything from renovating the tavern and designing its menu to how much gold and silver they would earn-even how many branches they would open across the country.
At some point.
The courtyard gate opened.
"Miss! Miss!!!"
Chun Tao called out in a hushed voice.
Jiang Yourning immediately looked up.
"What is it?"
"Miss, you're positively prophetic! The young marquis Xie is here. I heard he's come to break off the engagement.
You must behave yourself today, miss, or the master might break one of your legs."
Chun Tao cupped a hand beside her mouth and deliberately lowered her voice.
But Jiang Yourning thought her little maid wasn't quite the sharpest tool in the shed. That deliberately lowered voice was loud enough for even the two servants guarding the courtyard gate to hear.
Fortunately.
Those servants knew how to read the room. As long as the young ladies were there, they wouldn't meddle.
"That sucker came to break off the engagement this quickly?!"
Jiang Yourning instantly grew excited.
"This won't do! Chun Tao, get Xia He and come sweep the courtyard for us. I have to go take a look with my sister!"
Jiang Yourning plotted loudly without the slightest attempt at concealment.
The two servants at the gate obligingly covered their ears.
They really hadn't heard a thing.
Miss has finally found her backbone! She knows to go win the young marquis back!!!
Chun Tao immediately nodded, brimming with a sense of duty. "Yes, miss! Go ahead and leave everything to us!"
In the reception hall.
Jiang Huai'an's expression was far from pleasant.
"Young marquis, is it the old marquis's wish that you come here to break off the engagement?"
"Uncle Jiang, there's no need to concern yourself with whose wish it is. Outsiders don't know that the Marquis Residence and your household ever arranged this childhood betrothal anyway.
If we quietly dissolve it, it won't affect your daughter in any way.
Surely the Marquis Residence shouldn't welcome a young lady who brazenly visits Spring House as the mistress of a noble household?"
In the reception hall.
Xie Ciyan sat properly in his chair. He chuckled and took a couple of sips of tea, his eyes carrying an authority that needed no anger to command respect.
Since when had Xie Ciyan ever been one to talk things through? When had he ever acted on anything but his own whims?
If the old man hadn't had longstanding ties with the Jiang Residence, he would never have been this patient in laying out the pros and cons for Jiang Huai'an.
Outside the reception hall, two heads had appeared behind a rockery in the courtyard at some unknown point.
*No wonder he's the second male lead everyone feels sorry for. Look at that little face-he's pretty baby-faced.
Considering you'll go so far as to rebel to rescue my sister from the palace, only to end up torn apart by five horses and cursed for all eternity, I'll grudgingly forgive you for tattling.*
"Sis, what do you think of the young marquis Xie's looks?"
Jiang Yourning spoke softly, looking at Jiang Wanrong beside her.
Jiang Wanrong was still reeling from the earth-shattering news Jiang Yourning had just revealed.
Combining it with the things her younger sister had let slip over time, she pieced together a rough picture.
That madman from yesterday would lock her in the Imperial Palace and do those things to her, while that somewhat familiar-looking young man who had come to break off the engagement would die trying to save her?
"Who's there?"
Before she could answer, the young man in the reception hall seemed to sense something. The teacup in his hand instantly flew toward the rockery.
Where had that voice he had just heard come from?
Daring to utter such treasonous words in broad daylight-someone was clearly tired of living.
Seriously! One moment I'm thinking of playing matchmaker for you, and the next you repay me by throwing a cup?
Maybe we should just break off this childhood engagement after all. You can die of your own stupidity.
Nearly struck by the teacup, Jiang Yourning let her inner voice spill out.
Before Xie Ciyan could do anything else, a young woman suddenly emerged from behind the rockery.
That young woman was Jiang Yourning.
After giving Jiang Wanrong a couple of instructions, Jiang Yourning swaggered over.
"Ningning! What are you doing here?"
At the sight of Jiang Yourning, Jiang Huai'an's expression immediately darkened.
Beside him, Lin Xiangyin hurriedly spoke up as well. "Ningning, this is a matter for the adults. Don't get involved. Go back!"
Jiang Yourning smiled innocently, then looked Xie Ciyan over and bowed with impeccable courtesy.
"Father, Mother, this must be the young marquis Xie? Yourning of the Jiang Family greets you, young marquis."
Then Jiang Yourning turned to Jiang Huai'an and Lin Xiangyin with a beaming smile.
"Father, Mother, I heard this suc... young marquis Xie came to break off the engagement. Since this betrothal is supposed to be my sister's, I've come on her behalf to see what he looks like.
After all, what if he regrets it one day, falls for my sister, and deceives her into marrying him? Wouldn't we lose face?
You should know that the daughters of our Jiang Family are second to none."
Jiang Huai'an and Lin Xiangyin exchanged a glance, their expressions softening somewhat.
Their daughter was right.
The daughters of his Jiang Family were outstanding. This young marquis Xie was breaking off the engagement without even meeting the girl. What if he regretted it after seeing her one day?
The Marquis Residence had deep roots, after all. The Jiang Family couldn't afford to clash with it head-on.
And so, Jiang Huai'an gave a faint smile.
"Young marquis, my daughter has no sense of propriety. Forgive the embarrassing display."
Xie Ciyan hadn't expected the Jiang Family's sixth daughter to make such brazen boasts. Recalling those outrageous words he had heard from some unknown source, he lost his patience.
"No matter. It's getting late, Uncle Jiang. Let's return each other's betrothal tokens and put an end to this farce."
"Of course! Father, Mother, give him back his token!"
Jiang Yourning smiled radiantly, her voice sweet as honey.
Such a hot temper, young man. Just watch me teach you a lesson. You'll be crying soon enough.
That inexplicable voice rang out again. Xie Ciyan studied the people in the reception hall, but none of them seemed to have noticed anything.
Then who exactly was saying these things?
Before this sixth young lady of the Jiang Family arrived, he hadn't heard so much as a whisper.
Could these words be coming from her?
Before Xie Ciyan could investigate further, Jiang Yourning suddenly snatched away the betrothal token he had taken out of his sleeve.
Then she took the token Lin Xiangyin was clutching, reluctant to return it, and forcibly shoved it into Xie Ciyan's hand.
"There. The childhood betrothal between the Jiang and Xie families is dissolved. From now on, neither side will interfere with the other's marriage. Young marquis Xie, our Jiang Family's little temple has no room for a great deity like you. Please leave immediately."
As she spoke, Jiang Yourning coughed hard twice, as though something were stuck in her throat.
And now, let the show begin~
Before you continue