Leng Ren pursed his lips. When facing Miss Chen, the sensible refusal he had just offered to the Chen family patriarch was now impossible to utter.
It wasn't easy for him to publicly reject a young lady he found pleasing. Those familiar with Leng Ren knew from the way he pursed his lips that he found the situation somewhat difficult.
Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing understood immediately. Leng Ren likely harbored some feelings for Miss Chen and at the very least, did not wish for her to endure public scrutiny and gossip after a broken engagement. Otherwise, given Leng Ren's usual decisiveness, he would have refused outright.
Chen Wenyi, seeing the man staring at her, frowning one moment and pressing his lips together without a word the next, couldn't help but ask again, "Are you really unwilling to marry me?"
She was, after all, a wealthy young lady. While not of unparalleled beauty or world-shattering allure, she had looked in the mirror and knew she was quite good-looking. Men who wanted to marry her could form a queue stretching miles away to the capital. Yet, this man, faced with such a good opportunity, was so hesitant and conflicted!
*Pat*!
A tear fell from Chen Wenyi's eye, tracing a path down her round face before shattering on the ground. Seeing her suddenly weep, Leng Ren felt a pang in his chest, as if his heart had trembled.
Seeing Leng Ren still unwilling to commit, Chen Wenyi, through her tears, thought, this man is truly...
Hmph! Don't think this will make me give up. Chen Wenyi had initially sought a legitimate reason to accompany Su Muqing and the others. But upon seeing Leng Ren's reaction, she found herself deeply attracted to him. The embroidered ball had landed on him, and he was her type. She refused to believe that with all the romance novels she had read in her past life, she couldn't win over this ancient man.
Chen Wenyi stopped staring at Leng Ren. Her gaze held profound sorrow, her face etched with desolation and bleakness, appearing utterly heartbroken. She even looked at the Chen family patriarch with an almost world-weary expression.
"Since things have come to this, Father, please have someone clear away the wedding hall. It is all my fault, being unable to win his affection. I hope Father will not punish others. However, once news of the broken engagement spreads, it will surely damage the family's reputation. It is my filial impiety! Tomorrow, I shall go to Water Moon Nunnery to cultivate in seclusion, and from then on, I shall have no further ties to this mortal world!"
Leng Ren's hands clenched tightly, still holding the embroidered ball that had been kicked away. He knew a young lady would face gossip after a broken engagement, but he hadn't expected such dire consequences.
Leng Ren had heard of Water Moon Nunnery; it was located on the outskirts of the capital. Young ladies from powerful and wealthy families who had erred were sent there to live out their remaining years. It was said that even noblewomen from the palace had been confined there. Because it catered to the influential and affluent, its management was exceptionally strict. Anyone sent there had their hair shaved and commenced religious practices, and it was unlikely they could leave for at least three to five years. Furthermore, what kind of good marriage could one find after spending time in a nunnery? Wealthy families might find a suitable match, but ultimately, they met with no good end.
Miss Chen was merely a teenage girl. Was he going to alter her entire life because of his rejection today? No!
The anomaly in Leng Ren's heart, previously suppressed, began to clarify. He knew very well he did not want to see her meet such a fate. He did not want...
He had thought his daughter was genuinely hurt, but he accidentally saw Chen Wenyi subtly signaling him. What did she mean? Seeing that her father hadn't understood her signals, Chen Wenyi mouthed, "Keep him, keep him, just say you're sending me away... Hurry! Hurry!" Since she was facing away from Leng Ren, he did not notice Chen Wenyi and the Chen family patriarch exchanging knowing glances.
"Oh dear! My daughter, you mustn't do anything rash! That Water Moon Nunnery is not a good place. You two have such a connection; how could my worthy son-in-law bear to see you suffer in such a place!" The Chen family patriarch, a shrewd man himself, understood Chen Wenyi's ulterior motive and cooperated with her throughout. While speaking, he occasionally glanced at Leng Ren, trying to gauge his reaction, but only saw the back of his head.
In fact, as soon as Chen Wenyi mentioned going to Water Moon Nunnery, Leng Ren's heart began to race. He looked to Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan for help, his mind a chaotic mess, unsure what to do. Although he was now a third-rank general of the Huaxia Dynasty, he was ultimately still Huo Qiyuan's subordinate. However, for such a significant matter as marriage, he stubbornly believed he couldn't make the decision himself. Especially with the current uncertain relations between the two nations, a marriage required his lord's approval.
Su Muqing knew Chen Wenyi's background. Sensing Leng Ren's feelings, she trusted that Chen Wenyi could handle him and had remained silent. Hearing Chen Wenyi's words, and combining it with the fleeting expression of sudden understanding on the Chen family patriarch's face, Su Muqing guessed that this father and daughter were conspiring to trick Leng Ren. It was a clever tactic of retreating to advance, playing hard to get!
Huo Qiyuan never interfered too much in his subordinates' personal affairs. Upon meeting Leng Ren's pleading gaze, he directly turned to look at Su Muqing. Leng Si had been watching the unfolding drama for quite some time. The more he watched, the more he felt Leng Ren was unappreciative of his good fortune. Such a stroke of luck falling into his lap, and he was still dithering and hesitating! With a tone of disappointment, he whispered into Leng Ren's ear, "Big Brother, what are you thinking? Miss Chen is not only beautiful, but your future father-in-law also likes you so much. What are you still hesitating about?"
"But our marriage should be reported to the King... Young Master first! How can I make the decision myself? Moreover, Miss Chen is from the Dayu Dynasty..." Leng Ren whispered his concerns into Leng Si's ear.
"When did Young Master say you couldn't get married? Can't you see? If they truly intended to obstruct this marriage, they wouldn't have lingered here for so long! They are letting you decide for yourself. If you like her, then pursue her! Besides, Dayu will eventually belong to Huaxia, so this issue can be completely disregarded!" Leng Si spoke with a seemingly earnest expression, but he had also realized that his elder brother wasn't entirely indifferent to Miss Chen, otherwise, he wouldn't have these concerns! Well, it seemed this old barren tree was finally about to blossom! In the past, others had pursued Leng Ren, but he had always refused them very directly. Whether they threatened to go to a nunnery or sought their own demise, it had stirred no ripple in his heart. This showed that Leng Ren wasn't as cold-blooded, heartless, and averse to women as they had previously thought. It all depended on who confessed to him.