"Thump!" The book in Father Liu's hand fell to the ground, his face filled with disbelief. "Did the sun rise from the west today? Is this something you would say? Am I dreaming?"
"I'm serious, please stop teasing me." Wu Caiwei put on a stern expression.
"Did he bully you? Tell Dad, and I'll go get justice for you."
"I heard that he was with another girl in town. They've found someone better and no longer fancy our family." Seeing that Father Liu wasn't taking it seriously, Wu Caiwei felt helpless. Previously, she had been calling him Brother Yixuan all day, and the sudden change made anyone think they had just had a lovers' quarrel and were speaking in anger.
"That's impossible. Could it be that others are spreading rumors or mistaken? You can't act rashly." Father Liu paused his hand stroking his beard and said casually.
"It won't be a mistake; what they said was very detailed."
"Seeing is believing; hearing is false. We can't wrongly accuse anyone. At first, I didn't think highly of him, but you insisted on marrying him, and he always flattered me. Coupled with his talent for studying, passing the imperial examination for a xiucai was not an issue. I treated him like my own child, taught him everything I knew for so many years, never charged him, and even subsidized him occasionally. He's a scholar, and his reputation is very important. He knows this well. I think we should plan this carefully." No one knew Liu Yixuan's ambition better than Father Liu. The Liu family had helped him for so many years; if he broke off the engagement, he would drown in gossip.
"I didn't intend to break off the engagement immediately. After all, breaking an engagement greatly damages a woman's reputation. I just wanted to inform you in advance so you would be mentally prepared." Wu Caiwei calmly picked up the book from the ground and placed it on the desk.
"Have you thought this through this time? What if we've wrongly accused him?"
"You wait and see. He's aiming for a higher branch. Even if we don't break off the engagement, he will find a way to do so," Wu Caiwei said with certainty.
Father Liu looked suspiciously at his daughter's retreating figure, lost in thought.
In the past few days, Liu Yixuan had been extremely anxious. He had clearly revealed Liu Feixue's habits, especially emphasizing her liking for collecting firewood in the back mountains. The news from the Li Mansion also indicated that everything was arranged, yet the village remained peaceful.
He wanted to visit the Liu family but feared that Miss Li would be jealous if she found out, making it difficult to explain. Thus, he decided to go to the Li family again.
Early the next morning, Liu Yixuan rented a neighboring ox cart and headed to town. As soon as he left, Wu Caiwei followed.
Wu Caiwei knew that going out now was very dangerous, but she was unwilling to wait any longer. She knew clearly how overbearing Miss Li was; whatever she wanted to do, she would achieve her goal by any means necessary. Although Father Liu held the title of xiucai, cunning merchants had many ways to deal with you.
For the safety of her family, she had to find a way to eliminate this disaster as soon as possible. She knew Zhang Laosi was very resentful and had been loitering around her house recently. However, he was just a scoundrel who indulged in drinking, gambling, and whoring; he lacked the patience to constantly stay near the Liu family. He certainly wouldn't wake up early in the morning, so she didn't need to worry too much about safety for the moment, though she had to be wary of him acting desperately.
On the road, villagers who recognized Liu Yixuan greeted him with smiles. Scholars were always respected, no matter the time. Even strangers would instinctively make way for the ox cart upon seeing his attire.
Liu Yixuan straightened his back and nodded reservedly, unwilling to associate closely with the villagers, considering himself of a different status.
After about an hour, they finally arrived at Qingxi Town. There was a market today, and it was quite lively. Wu Caiwei followed at a distance behind Liu Yixuan, watching him walk leisurely on the street, occasionally buying small trinkets he needed. Anyone unaware would think he was just visiting the market.
Wu Caiwei knew that a person with his deep schemes wouldn't be there purely for sightseeing; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to make Liu Feixue devoted to him.
As expected, after moving away from the crowd, he turned into alleys with apparent casualness but practiced precision, finally stopping at the back gate of a large mansion.
After confirming that no one was around, he knocked. Soon, a servant woman appeared. "Young Master Liu has arrived. Please come in quickly."
Liu Yixuan nodded proudly and slipped inside in one motion.
Wu Caiwei emerged from a nearby alley and circled around to the front gate of the mansion. Indeed, two large characters, "Li Mansion," were carved on the plaque above the door.
She went to an inconspicuous stall in the market and ordered a bowl of noodles. While pretending to casually gather information, she quietly waited for Liu Yixuan to appear.
After Liu Yixuan entered the Li Mansion through the back gate, the news soon reached Miss Li Qingrou, who was still getting ready.
"Really? Young Master Liu is here?" Li Qingrou asked excitedly.
Her maid Ping'er quickly nodded. She was also happy. Whenever Young Master Liu came, her mistress would be in a particularly good mood, making the day much easier to handle without frequent scolding.
Upon receiving confirmation, Li Qingrou's face flushed with excitement. "Ping'er, quickly bring the hairpin Young Master Liu gave me last time. I want to dress up beautifully."
"Yes, Miss. I'll get it right away." Ping'er dared not delay. She quickly put down what she was doing, carefully opened the jewelry box on the dressing table, took out the magnolia hairpin, and placed it on Li Qingrou's head.
"Hurry, don't let Young Master Liu wait too long." Satisfied after glancing at the bronze mirror, Li Qingrou rushed towards the backyard.
She slowed her pace only as she neared the back door, tidied her clothes, and feigned calmness.
"Why do you have time to visit, Young Master Liu?" Li Qingrou asked shyly, lowering her head. The slight upturn of her lips betrayed her true feelings at that moment.
Ping'er and the servant woman, having wisely retreated outside as soon as the two met, chatted idly.
"I shouldn't have come, but I couldn't resist seeing you." Liu Yixuan put on a distressed look, as if he had made a grave mistake, and looked at Li Qingrou nervously.
"Why? Am I that good?" Li Qingrou's heart was filled with sweetness, but she asked knowingly.
"In my eyes, you are the best. It's just that we have fate but not the destined connection. I already have a fiancée, and yesterday I met Master Liu. He suggested that both of us are old enough, and I've passed the xiucai exam, so I can propose. He is my mentor, and I cannot betray him. Therefore, today is the last time I will see you. Please forget me." Liu Yixuan's face was filled with pain and reluctance.
"I don't agree! Why should I? We are true love. Didn't he just show you a little care? I can compensate her. I have plenty of money. Besides, perhaps he only gave his daughter to you because he saw your talent for studying!" Li Qingrou's jealousy was almost twisted. Isn't she just the daughter of a poor scholar? Who knows what rotten luck she had to become Young Master Liu's fiancée.
"Regardless, the Master is like my parents who gave me life. If I don't keep my promises, wouldn't I be considered ungrateful? Don't worry, my heart loves you, and I will always keep you in my heart." Liu Yixuan said resolutely.
"I will not let you be tied to that village girl. Why should I give you to her? Leave everything to me. Within ten days, everything will be handled perfectly, and your reputation will not be affected," Li Qingrou said confidently.