This soft call caught all four people present completely off guard.
Yang Lingrui forcibly swallowed the words that had reached his lips.
Li Cheng glanced back, intending to say something, but ultimately held it in.
"Ling Rui, make your own decision. There is no need to force yourself," Li Cheng said.
"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Li. Since Miss Li has said so, it would be best to meet her. Otherwise, the Yang Family would appear lacking in courtesy."
For some reason, upon hearing Yang Lingrui's answer, Li Cheng suddenly felt the weight in his heart ease.
"Very well."
He led Yang Lingrui to the entrance of the inner courtyard. "I will not go in. The two of you may speak at leisure."
Yang Lingrui entered the Yingchun Inner Courtyard. Blue bricks paired with black tiles, white walls with indigo roofs—the courtyard's overall architectural style was exceedingly traditional and proper.
Only the pond thick with lotus flowers stood out as particularly bright and lively.
Much like the woman in green standing beside it, her delicate hands lightly clasped, her embroidered brows lowered, as though a beauty from a painting had stepped into reality.
From afar, Yang Lingrui could see that her features were moonlike, and her bearing carried a touch of unrestrained liveliness.
In that regard alone, they truly could be called a handsome man and a beautiful woman. No wonder Li Cheng had taken a liking to Yang Lingrui at first sight that day.
Hearing Yang Lingrui's footsteps draw closer, the woman turned around.
"Nanshan Li Family, Li Qingwan."
"Songshan Yang Family, Yang Lingrui."
The two introduced themselves.
Yang Lingrui was just considering how to start a conversation when Li Qingwan stepped forward before he could.
"How did you end up in such a state?" Her eyes