Xiao Xiang excused herself on the pretext of needing to purchase trousseau items and openly left the mansion.
Yan Shi was well aware of Xiao Xiang's character and paid her no mind. However, she found it peculiar that even with matters reaching this point, the third concubine had not come to pledge her allegiance. Based on her understanding of the third concubine, she was not someone who would be so out of touch.
"Mother," Xiao Ling entered with composure.
"Did you see the eldest miss?"
"I did, she has indeed returned." Xiao Ling accepted the tea offered by Yan Shi and took a sip. "She is truly lucky. As for the matter of inviting Daoist Tianyi to perform a ritual, Elder Sister has also agreed. Mother can proceed with the arrangements."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shi smiled, "Even if she didn't want to agree, she had no choice. The old madam believes most in these things, and with the General and eldest young master away in the army year-round, and with Yusheng now at war with Yunqi, the eldest young master leading the charge, the old madam is naturally worried."
"Mother, do you think this plan will work? I find Elder Sister to be not easily dealt with," Xiao Ling recalled Xiao Man's calm and gentle demeanor, and she felt that her elder sister was becoming increasingly inscrutable, almost as if she were a different person.
"Daoist Tianyi is renowned. It doesn't matter if Xiao Man believes him or not, as long as the old madam does. Given the old madam's dislike for her and her favoritism towards you, it will absolutely work!" Yan Shi said with full confidence. "If even the General questions it later, the old madam will handle it. No matter how biased the General is, he won't blame us, mother and daughter."
Xiao Ling's expression shifted slightly, as if she had thought of something, but she quickly regained her composed and gentle appearance, a sweet smile gracing her face. She knew full well that Xiao Man had never done anything to her, yet Xiao Man's very existence was a source of pain. She had even, countless times, wondered why they were born sisters. If only they weren't sisters!
Inside the Full Moon Pavilion, Xiao Xiang was quite nervous. Thinking that Ling Xuan would arrive soon, she wondered how she would broach the subject. How would she open it?
As time ticked by, Ling Xuan did not arrive as scheduled. Just as Xiao Xiang began to think Ling Xuan wouldn't come, the door to the private room was pushed open. A figure rushed in, clad in a black tunic with a red border, sweating profusely, and striding purposefully.
"Second Miss, my apologies. Something urgent came up at the yamen, and I am late. Please forgive me," Ling Xuan said, cupping his fists in greeting.
Xiao Xiang quickly rose, "It's no matter. I haven't been waiting long. Please have a seat, Young Master Ling."
Ling Xuan sat opposite Xiao Xiang. Xiao Xiang quickly poured him a cup of tea. Seeing Ling Xuan drain it in one gulp, she assumed he was thirsty and poured him another, which he also downed immediately.
Seeing Ling Xuan's face covered in sweat, Xiao Xiang quickly offered her handkerchief, "Young Master, please use this to wipe your face."
Ling Xuan quickly thanked her and took it, wiping his sweat. "I am deeply uneasy about being late after you invited me, Second Miss. The sky is also getting late. How about I treat you to dinner as an apology?"
Xiao Xiang hesitated, her head lowered, looking at the teacups on the tea table, unsure how to begin.
Although Ling Xuan was bold, he was also perceptive. Having handled countless murder cases as a constable in the Capital Prefecture, he understood from Xiao Xiang's demeanor that she had a matter to discuss.
"Second Miss, is there something you need?"
Xiao Xiang gritted her teeth, raised her head, and tears streamed down her face. "May I ask, Young Master Ling, to break off our engagement?"
Ling Xuan, who had been filled with joy at being summoned by Xiao Xiang, was now doused with a bucket of cold water. Even in the sweltering heat, he felt no warmth. He had always believed this marriage was what Xiao Xiang desired, but now she was here, weeping, asking to break off the engagement.
"Second Miss, you do not wish to marry me?"
"I..." Xiao Xiang choked. Ling Xuan was the son of the Capital Prefecture Magistrate and a constable himself; their social standing was compatible. However, she had lost her purity. "I... I cannot marry you."
"Why? Does Second Miss have someone else in her heart?" Ling Xuan asked nervously.
Xiao Xiang shook her head, only sobbing softly.
Ling Xuan was at a loss. "Then why?"
"It is Xiang'er who is unworthy of Young Master..." Xiao Xiang regretted her actions at this moment. Why had she tried to harm her elder sister out of jealousy? If she hadn't been so envious and had not faced the consequences of her actions, she could have joyfully married Ling Xuan and become the young madam of the Ling family. But now, looking at the cheerful and upright man before her, she could only choose to let him go.
"As a daughter of the Protector General's mansion, marrying you would be my good fortune. How can you say you are unworthy?" Ling Xuan said with some urgency. "Has someone bullied you?"
Ling Xuan knew that concubines' daughters were often bullied in noble households, especially in the Protector General's mansion, which also had a spoiled and willful eldest miss. "Has Elder Sister Xiao bullied you?"
"Elder Sister has not bullied me... Please, stop asking."
"If Second Miss cannot provide a reasonable explanation, I will not agree to break off the engagement," Ling Xuan decided in his heart, believing that Xiao Xiang must have suffered some grievance in the General's mansion, which was why she was like this. He thought of going to the mansion to inquire.
"I..." Xiao Xiang remembered what Xiao Man had said, that Xiao Man had told her to tell the truth. But it was too difficult to confess. Moreover, Ling Xuan was stubborn; if she made up an excuse, she would only harm herself.
Xiao Xiang took a deep breath. "Young Master Ling, I wish to break off the engagement not because of anyone else, but because of myself."
"Because of yourself?" Ling Xuan was extremely confused. Did Xiao Xiang not like him, and that was why she wanted to break off the engagement?
Xiao Xiang fidgeted with her sleeves, unable to speak for a moment. Ling Xuan grew anxious and grasped Xiao Xiang's arms. "Second Miss, what is it?"
"If Young Master Ling must know the reason, then I will tell you the truth!" Xiao Xiang raised her head to look at Ling Xuan. "Because I have long lost my purity, I am utterly unworthy of you! I told Madam that after such a thing happened, I did not wish to marry anyone, but Madam still chose a husband for me. I pleaded with Madam, but she refused to break the engagement. However, I cannot let the Ling family become a laughingstock, nor can I let you become the subject of ridicule."
Xiao Xiang choked with sobs. "Ever since the engagement was set, I have been filled with anxiety. Today, I finally gathered the courage to ask Young Master to meet me, hoping only that you would break off the engagement. Xiao Xiang is eternally grateful. Farewell."
With that, Xiao Xiang stood up and rushed out. Ling Xuan stood frozen on the spot, seemingly unable to believe what he had heard. Xiao Xiang had lost her purity? As a daughter of the General's mansion, he had never heard of her having a suitor. How had she lost her purity?