Upon returning to the manor, Wei Qingge was furious and went to find Old General Wei to break off the engagement, but he wasn't in the manor.
Her mother had been following her father to the border for years and would only return for her wedding. There was no elder in charge in the manor.
Wei Qingge sat in the main hall, fuming, her mind replaying all the events, making her even angrier.
She had trusted him so much, yet he had secretly drugged her and toyed with her.
Bastard, lunatic.
As she thought, she couldn't help but cry, tears streaming down her fair cheeks. An unprecedented sadness washed over her, so painful that she could barely breathe.
She didn't know how long she cried, but her grandfather didn't return. She was utterly exhausted.
Angrily wiping her tears, she returned to her room to sleep.
She slept soundly, as if dead to the world.
In the middle of the night, Li Qiongyu, having finished his tasks, sneaked in and found her lying on the bed without any regard for her appearance.
The blanket was casually draped over her stomach, exposing her long legs, messy and alluring. He quietly closed the window, walked over, pressed her sleeping acupoint, and sat by the bed, looking down at her.
Perhaps she had cried too much, her eyes were red, and her long, thick eyelashes still held teardrops. Her aggrieved appearance was endearing.
Li Qiongyu covered her with the blanket and watched her for a long time.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly smiled.
His enchanting peach blossom eyes held a wicked glint, exuding a dissolute charm.
He stood up, took off his robe, and lay down beside her, pulling her into his embrace and kissing her lips repeatedly.
Such intimacy was not enough to satisfy him.
He directly tore off her undergarment and pressed against her legs, kissing her.
Wei Qingge, deep in her sleep, was very responsive, her body trembling violently.
Li Qiongyu licked the white fluid from the corner of his lips.
His actions became even more forceful.
The next day, Wei Qingge woke up feeling sore all over, her round, almond-shaped eyes red and swollen from crying.
Without bothering to apply any medicine, she quickly dressed, washed up, and ran to her grandfather's courtyard.
She had to make it clear to her grandfather that she would not marry that lying scoundrel, and she never wanted to see him again.
Old General Wei had just returned from the palace after spending the night there. As soon as he heard his granddaughter storming in, clamoring to break off the engagement, he was furious. "You were the one who wanted to marry that boy, why break it off now? The Prince of Dingbei has issued an imperial decree for the marriage; it's a done deal. Don't cause trouble."
"An imperial decree?!" Wei Qingge gritted her teeth instantly, "Birds of a feather!"
"Grandfather, I don't want to marry him."
Old General Wei frowned, "You were the one shouting that you wanted to marry him a few days ago, what are you fussing about now? Why don't you want to marry him anymore?"
Wei Qingge gritted her teeth, her eyes red, unable to speak.
If only Mother were here. It was really too difficult to tell her grandfather about what had happened.
Old General Wei turned around and saw her shedding tears, his tone softening.
"What exactly happened?"
Wei Qingge finally couldn't hold back and said hatefully, "Li Qiongyu lied to me, he drugged me and bullied me."
Unexpectedly, Old General Wei showed no surprise upon hearing this. Instead, he scolded her soundly, leaving Wei Qingge wide-eyed and disbelieving.
"Grandfather, I'm telling the truth, I'm not lying to you."
That damned Li Qiongyu, that lying scoundrel, what had he told grandfather? Why didn't he believe her?
Old General Wei was hot-tempered and straightforward. He had raised Wei Qingge like a boy since she was young, knowing she was rough and easily deceived.
"If it weren't for him, you would have been so deceived you wouldn't have found your way home. If you dare to mess around outside again, you'll be confined."
Wei Qingge: "---"
"Alright, stop making a fuss. That boy is a smart person, and he's going to inherit a noble title. You won't be at a disadvantage marrying him, and he's promised me he'll never take a concubine, so he can't bully you."
He had talked with Li Qiongyu in the palace for most of the night yesterday and had already decided on him. Now, with the Prince of Dingbei's decree, the marriage was set in stone. Making a scene would be useless; she had to get married.
Wei Qingge stamped her foot in anger, "I won't marry him!"
Seeing her willful behavior, Old General Wei's beard bristled with anger.
"Grandfather, please go and beg the Prince. I want to break off the engagement."
How could an imperial marriage be broken off so easily?
Old General Wei's head ached from her antics so early in the morning.
"The marriage was decreed by the palace, the betrothal tokens have been exchanged, it's not something you can just decide. Don't act like a spoiled child. If you want to break it off, you go and get your betrothal token back from that boy yourself, and let him defy the imperial decree."
Hearing such a forceful tone, Wei Qingge's eyes turned red with anger.
She stomped her foot and, ignoring the shouts behind her, turned and ran.
She rode her horse directly to the restaurant where Li Qiongyu often frequented.
The restaurant was bustling with activity.
Wei Qingge, familiar with the layout, went upstairs.
Seeing her imposing demeanor, Jingyu, who was guarding the door, quickly tried to stop her.
"Miss Wei--"
Wei Qingge ignored him and kicked open the door.
Inside, a room full of adults were drinking and discussing matters, each with a beauty in their arms. Not far away, a singer was playing music.
Just as the atmosphere was lively, they all turned their heads in surprise at the sudden commotion.
"Young Master."
Jingyu awkwardly blocked the doorway, unable to stop her.
Li Qiongyu, dressed in a red robe, leaned lazily against a chair in the back.
He saw the furious Wei Qingge, showing no surprise.
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Wei Qingge looked at the scene inside, her heart burning with anger. Such a mob, embracing women like those in a brothel in a restaurant.
"Oh, isn't this the young lady from the Wei family? I heard she's betrothed to the young Marquis. Are you here to find him? Haha."
The people present were all military officials. Nanjang was at war, and Tantai Ye was not managing affairs, so Li Qiongyu had to handle it for him.
Many of them had fought under Old General Wei and were familiar to him.
"She's quite delicate, but her temper is truly fiery."
Suddenly, a soft voice rang out, accompanied by giggling laughter.
Wei Qingge looked up and saw a woman standing behind Li Qiongyu.
She was dressed provocatively, adorned with bejeweled hairpins, her face exquisitely made up. When she smiled at Wei Qingge, there was a hint of provocation.
Her jade arms rested on Li Qiongyu's shoulders, her posture utterly seductive.
The fire in Wei Qingge's chest flared even higher.
But she knew these were all people from the officialdom, so she suppressed her anger and didn't lash out.
"I have something to discuss with you."
Li Qiongyu naturally knew what she wanted to say.
He lowered his eyelids, picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said, "I'm busy."
The atmosphere between them was strange, and everyone in the room noticed it, laughing and joking.
Wei Qingge pursed her lips, not wanting to listen to their teasing.
"Then I'll wait for you in the Heavenly Chamber."
Saying that, she turned to leave, but the woman called out to her.
"Miss Wei, won't you come in and sit for a while?"
"After all, you are the young Marquis's future wife. It wouldn't be right for me to hog him."
Although she said that, her body was almost entirely leaning against Li Qiongyu.