What she gave was not affection; it was clearly a weapon for Lu Ziyuan to hurt her.
The more she gave, the deeper she fell, and not only would he not be moved, cherish it, but instead, he would become even more controlling.
Xie YanYu worried that his sister's determination to break off the engagement might waver upon hearing the news, so he specifically came over, only to see her icy expression.
Upon hearing the question, for once, Xie Wanqing's face was without a smile, and she opened her lips, saying word by word: "Brother, don't worry, even if in the future I come to like pigs and dogs, I will never give Lu Ziyuan another glance."
"...You don't have to make such a vicious vow," Xie YanYu said with a speechless tone, "I believe you."
How could his obedient and lovely sister say something so vulgar like preferring pigs and dogs?
......
The day after Lu Ziyuan dismissed his mistress, the large doors of Xie Residence were knocked upon once more.
This time, it was Madam Yongyi Bo, who was on good terms with both the Lu and Xie families, along with the wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
The two ladies had been entrusted by the Lu Family to act as intermediaries in reconciling the two families.
Compared to the previous invitation that hoped their daughter would eagerly come over, the Lu Family's approach this time was more dignified.
Mrs. Zheng, filled with anger, managed to calm down a bit and opened the door to politely welcome them inside.
She courteously entertained them the whole afternoon, with tea and conversation, even having the musicians from the residence perform with good songs and dances, showcasing a warm reception.
But regarding the intent of the two ladies, she wouldn't budge an inch.
No matter how much they tried to persuade, in the end, they were just politely sent off.
After this, the Lu Family finally couldn't sit still any longer.
Initially, they weren't anxious because they believed the Xie family's reason for breaking off the engagement was that with the wedding approaching, their son had kept a mistress. But now that she had been dismissed, yet the other side still refused to relent.
How could they not be anxious?
Early the next morning, Lu Ziyuan came again to request a meeting.
Last time, the gatekeeper came out to speak, but this time, the Xie Residence didn't even open the door.
Standing quietly in front of the scarlet door, Lu Ziyuan's fair and cold face showed no signs of emotion, only the sharpness in his eyes revealed some of his feelings.
He seemed like a deity in charge of punishment descended to the mortal world, making people afraid to look directly at him.
Finally, by noon, Lu Ziyuan stepped forward and knocked on the door knocker.
"Go and tell your young lady, if she truly wants to break off the engagement, she should at least explain it to me face to face."
He truly was intimidating, so the gatekeeper passed the message inside.
When Xie Wanqing heard it, she didn't even furrow her brows and simply said, "Marriage matters are decided by parents. I have nothing that needs explaining to him. Please ask him to leave, and tell him there's no need to come again. It would just make others laugh."
Tomorrow is Xie Ruyu's coming-of-age banquet, and she didn't want her trivial issues to disturb her cousin's once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony.
The gatekeeper never returned, so how Lu Ziyuan reacted to the message was not something Xie Wanqing cared about.
The man was so proud; he probably had never been so publicly humiliated.
Honestly, that he would come again after being turned away once was something Xie Wanqing couldn't have predicted.
She hoped he would understand her determination this time, realize that their fate together was over, and that each going their separate ways was the best outcome.
In her dreams, she endured so much bitterness and torment. That she could not resent him was already a testament to her well-disposed and magnanimous nature.
Anything more, there truly was none.
She didn't think Lu Ziyuan's repeated visits were out of a deep reluctance to break the engagement with her; perhaps it was just his pride being hurt by the rejection initiated by a woman?
More likely, he couldn't accept the fact that someone who always obediently complied with him would now not want him.
Outside the door, Lu Ziyuan quietly listened to the gatekeeper's report.
Upon hearing the final phrase 'so as not to make others laugh,' his jaw tightened, fury briefly flaring in his eyes.
It startled the gatekeeper so much that he feared Lu Ziyuan would force his way in. Fortunately, Lu Ziyuan just frowned, stood for a moment, then turned and left without a word.
......
The next day, the Xie family was filled with guests for the He family's second daughter's coming-of-age ceremony.
Lu Ziyuan did not come again, and Xie Wanqing breathed a small sigh of relief.
Quietly thinking, this was well.
Many guests attended the celebration, and Xie Ruyu's coming-of-age ceremony proceeded smoothly, where in front of many witnesses, she had her hair adorned and changed into formal attire to signify her adulthood.
As the hostess, Xie Wanqing personally welcomed her close friends, whom she had invited, into an elegant hall.
Inside, the tables were already set with food and drink. The girls, being on good terms, relaxed and sat wherever once they were out of the adults' sight.
Just as they were about to begin the meal, Erqing lifted the curtain and approached her, whispering, "Miss, Princess Pingning has arrived."
Princess Pingning?
Xie Wanqing was taken aback and quickly got up to greet her.
But in her heart, she pondered, isn't this youngest daughter of Princess Duan Yang accustomed to socializing with the imperial princesses, and seldom attending banquets of ordinary noblewomen?
Though they had spoken a few words before, they weren't well-acquainted. The invitation this time had only come because, during a spring banquet recently, this Little Princess had enthusiastically offered to assist upon hearing that she wanted to order a jade bracelet from the Jewelry Pavilion.
Only then did they officially have dealings.
The jade bracelet now adorned Xie Ruyu's wrist, and she had sent a personally written invitation to the Duke Pei Mansion for this event.
It hadn't occurred to her that the Little Princess from the Duke Mansion would actually come.
However, friendships between girls are cultivated through mutual visits and favors. Since the princess had proactively assisted her, it was likely a gesture of goodwill and friendship.
As thoughts flitted through her mind, she welcomed the guest at the archway of the second courtyard.
Xie Wanqing walked quickly to her and bowed with an apology, "I thought you wouldn't come, forgive me for the neglect."
"Oh, no need for such formalities," Princess Pingning said without airs, her nature lively; she reached out, took her arm, and said with a smile, "I'm just a year older than you. My maiden name is Pei Yuxuan; just call me Sister Xuan."
Promptly, Xie Wanqing followed suit and addressed, "Sister Xuan."
Pei Yuxuan happily took her arm as they walked forward and explained, "These past two days, I've been at Samantabhadra Temple in the suburbs with my mother for worship. If my brother hadn't returned to the Capital this morning, I wouldn't have made it."
...Brother.
Xie Wanqing hesitated slightly, and a gentle, handsome figure quickly flashed in her mind.
Inexplicably, she thought of the logo on the jewelry box from the Jewelry Pavilion containing the jade bracelet.
At the time, she found it familiar. Later, she realized it matched the pattern carved on the jade pendant given by Pei Yuqing.
Only then did she realize the jade pendant's value.
And that person, after just one meeting, gave her the pendant, saying it was to acknowledge her as a sister.
Though naturally perplexed, as was only polite, she couldn't just take out the jade and ask his sister what it meant.
Smiling slightly and without addressing it, she instead led the way to the elegant hall.