The next second, another young girl emerged from behind the rockery.
Jiang Wanrong walked in, pale-faced and trembling.
The beauty stared resolutely at Xie Ciyan, who had instantly turned to stone.
Before Xie Ciyan could speak, Jiang Wanrong spoke first.
"Young Marquis, I will remember the humiliation you inflicted on Wanrong today!"
With that, Jiang Wanrong covered her face with one hand and hurried away.
That retreating figure, that graceful bearing-what a picture of poignant sorrow.
[Excellent, excellent. That performance was absolutely spot-on!!!]
This time, Jiang Yourning did not even manage to control her expression. Smug triumph was written all over her little face.
Now, Xie Ciyan could finally identify who was saying all those bizarre things.
And yet, damn it, he could not refute a word.
Wanrong. Jiang Wanrong.
So the little fairy he had sent men south to search for all these days was the Jiang Family's fifth daughter, the very girl he was engaged to. No wonder he had never heard any news of her.
And just now, right in front of his little fairy, he had broken off their engagement.
Xie Ciyan's expression had turned so ugly that words could no longer describe it.
Jiang Huai'an was, after all, an old fox seasoned by years in officialdom. From Jiang Wanrong's entrance to her departure, he had seen every change in Xie Ciyan's expression.
Sure enough, his daughters were clever and outstanding.
Ningning had been right.
The young Marquis Xie had regretted it the moment he saw Rong'er.
Ptooey!
That dog of a man, his eyes lighting up at the sight of beauty!
One look told you he was not worth entrusting a lifetime to. Breaking off this engagement was the right decision!
Jiang Huai'an flicked his sleeves.
After playing the groveling grandson and smiling apologetically for so long, he finally had his turn to stand tall:
"Didn't you have matters to attend to, young Marquis Xie? I'll see you out."
"Uncle Jiang, about this engagement..."
That air of unquestionable authority vanished completely from Xie Ciyan.
He opened his mouth, never having imagined that the slap to his face would come so quickly.
Qian Xue had said that he and the Jiang Family's young lady were destined to marry. Was the fracture in that destined union this very moment, when he broke off the engagement?
How had retribution come so quickly?
Not even half the time it took to drink a cup of tea had passed, and he already regretted it enough to cry.
"Hmph, young Marquis Xie, you were the one who insisted on ending this engagement. Now that it's over, what... are you trying to go back on your word?"
Jiang Huai'an instantly felt his anger ease.
Had he known that bringing out his two daughters would spare him all this aggravation, he would have sent for them long ago.
Why would he have put up with this damned nonsense from a junior?
"Uncle Jiang, you're right. I regret it. Could we discuss this again? If you're still angry, you can give me a beating."
Though he knew how shameless that sounded, losing a little face for his little fairy did not matter. That was how Xie Ciyan comforted himself.
"Your person is far too precious, young Marquis. I wouldn't dare lay a hand on you.
My daughter is still young. We have no plans to discuss another match for her anytime soon.
Besides, a daughter who visits brothels at such a tender age truly isn't worthy of the marquis's household, much less the position of mistress of such an illustrious family.
You needn't trouble yourself over my daughter's marriage in the future, young Marquis. Please leave."
Jiang Huai'an hurled every word Xie Ciyan had given him right back. He straightened at once, feeling that his back no longer hurt and his legs no longer ached.
Xie Ciyan did not know how he walked out of the Jiang Residence.
He only knew that despite the brilliant sunshine, he felt unusually cold.
It had been a perfectly good marriage arrangement, but he had refused to listen to advice and blown it.
He would never be happy again.
He had barely taken a few steps when a stone struck him.
"Young Marquis Xie, do you regret it?"
Xie Ciyan looked up and saw Jiang Yourning atop the Jiang Residence's wall.
The girl sat there swinging her little legs, a broad smile on her face.
Xie Ciyan immediately clasped his hands toward Jiang Yourning.
"I... Sixth Miss Jiang, please convey my apologies to the fifth young lady.
She was the very reason I broke off the engagement.
Had I known Fifth Miss Jiang was her, I would never have ended it."
Jiang Yourning smiled amiably.
"Certainly, certainly. You tattled last night and got my sister and me punished.
Then you came to our home today to break off the engagement and slap us in the face. My sister and I feel rather hurt.
Ten thousand taels. How about I convey your apology for that?"
"Agreed."
Xie Ciyan's face grew even paler.
So he had gotten his little fairy punished, too?
No wonder she had looked so terribly pale just now. She had only returned home yesterday, yet she had already suffered such an injustice.
It was all because of him.
Xie Ciyan took a jade pendant from inside his robes and tossed it to Jiang Yourning.
"Sixth Miss Jiang, you can present this jade pendant at the Anping Bank to withdraw ten thousand taels in banknotes."
"Nice and decisive!"
Jiang Yourning nodded in satisfaction.
*[Just what you'd expect from a young marquis pampered since childhood. Not bad, not bad.
He's sincere enough about admitting his mistake, and his finances pass muster, too. He looks pretty pitiful. Maybe I should give him another chance?]*
"My sister says she heard your apology. She doesn't blame you."
Jiang Yourning turned to glance behind her at Jiang Wanrong, who had heard every word Xie Ciyan said, then smiled at him again.
Xie Ciyan immediately lifted his head. Like a drowning man catching hold of a straw, his eyes lit up.
"Your sister is on the other side of the wall?"
As he spoke, Xie Ciyan moved a little closer to the wall.
He faced it with apology filling his eyes, not a trace of defiance left in him:
"Little fairy-no, Fifth Miss Jiang, I truly didn't mean to break off my engagement with you.
I've been looking for you all this time. Could you please give me another chance?"
*[Ooh, ooh, 'Little fairy,' is it? You really do have good taste. Just look at how red my sister's little face is.
A man who knows what to say really saves a girl trouble. No wonder you get a chance at romance with my sister in this lifetime.]*
On this side of the wall.
Hearing that Jiang Wanrong was blushing, Xie Ciyan's eyes shone even brighter.
On the other side of the wall.
Hearing Jiang Yourning's words, Jiang Wanrong blushed even more deeply.
She struggled to remain composed:
"Young Marquis Xie, I accept your apology.
But marriage is governed by the parents' command and the matchmaker's word.
Now that our engagement has ended, I cannot disregard my parents' dignity.
I must return to receive my punishment. Let us part here."
With that, Jiang Wanrong turned and quickened her steps as she left.
Xie Ciyan's gaze dimmed despite himself.
His little fairy did not blame him.
But she had not given him another chance, either.
The young marquis began sinking into gloom again, and a voice rang out in his mind once more.
[You really can't take a compliment. What the hell are you pulling that long face for? In the end, you still need me!]
With that, Jiang Yourning spoke again:
"Young Marquis Xie, you seem like a decent person, so I'll give you a pointer.
Although my sister probably won't discuss another match before her coming-of-age ceremony, she does seem to have some affection for you. If you make the most of these next two years, you might still have a chance.
But you made my parents swallow that humiliation. If you still want to marry her, don't forget to put some effort into winning them over."
At that moment.
As Xie Ciyan looked again at Jiang Yourning atop the wall, he felt as though she had been bathed in a sacred glow.
Before you continue