Zeng Huai stood at the doorway, hesitant, his expression akin to constipation.
Everything began this morning.
This morning, the heir and his wife of Duke Zhongyong summoned him to their residence for questioning. It wasn't about anything important; they had already asked the same questions repeatedly.
Of course, marrying off a daughter required caution, and he understood that.
He and Fang Yuan had already exchanged betrothal gifts and were in the process of matching their horoscopes.
Matching horoscopes was merely a formality for good luck. Fortune tellers knew that reaching this stage meant both families were satisfied. A few flattering words about destined love would earn them a good sum of money.
However, if something went wrong, the interpretation of the horoscope matching would change.
After questioning him, the heir and his wife cordially invited him to dine at their residence and even sent someone to fetch Fang Yuan to join them. But for some reason, Fang Yuan refused, stating she had other matters to attend to.
He assumed she was being shy.
After the meal, as the maid escorted him out, he found a note by the path in the Fang residence.
He recognized the handwriting immediately. It read: "Brother Xuanming, I will wait for you at Xuejia Restaurant tomorrow at the exact hour of You. If you do not come, I will wait indefinitely."
There was no signature.
Fang Yuan's handwriting used to be terrible. She was carefree and her strokes were as large and weak as her personality.
Duke Zhongyong, unable to bear it, had asked Zeng Huai to teach Fang Yuan calligraphy.
Fang Yuan was young then, mischievous and unrestrained. She often played tricks on him, and it took him considerable effort to help her improve her writing.
Her current handwriting bore a slight resemblance to his; he could recognize it instantly.
Brother Xuanming, Huang Xuanming?
He clenched the note in his palm and asked the maid nonchalantly, "Did Young Master Huang visit?"
The maid replied, "Yes, he came to see the Duchess yesterday."
So, the rendezvous was for today, at the hour of You.
He had heard whispers about Huang Xuanming being an illegitimate son. Such a man of low character, and Fang Yuan still harbored feelings for him?
Zeng Huai's initial reaction was anger at her lack of self-respect, followed by a dawning realization: he was being cuckolded?
He stood at the door for a long time, replaying every moment from his acquaintance with Fang Yuan to their engagement. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to knock or kick the door open.
No matter what they were doing inside, if he were to enter, Fang Yuan would lose all face.
Frankly, if Fang Yuan didn't want to marry him, she could have simply refused. He wouldn't have blamed her.
Zeng Huai thought sadly.
The sound of footsteps stopped at the private room's door. Although Fang Yuan and Huang Xuanming couldn't see who was outside, they knew someone was standing there, and their hearts leaped into their throats, pounding wildly.
A man and a woman alone in a room couldn't be explained away with a few words, especially since Fang Yuan and Huang Xuanming had a past relationship.
Anyone would assume they were rekindling their old flame.
Fang Yuan panicked. She didn't want to be misunderstood; she was going to marry Zeng Huai!
Huang Xuanming was also flustered, but slightly better off. He straightened his chest, adopting an air of "the innocent will remain innocent."
Wang Qingyao, using her clairvoyant eyes, saw Zeng Huai hesitate for a moment before turning to leave.
Well, well, he didn't come in to "catch them in the act"!
But Wang Qingyao couldn't let him just walk away.
The seed of doubt had been sown. Even if Zeng Huai didn't enter today, his future marriage with Fang Yuan would be riddled with suspicion and distrust. Any slight disturbance would make him recall this incident, making him wonder if Fang Yuan still harbored feelings for Huang Xuanming, and so on.
A marriage couldn't withstand such erosion; both individuals would live in misery.
Therefore, Wang Qingyao preferred to be direct.
She darted from behind the screen like a lightning bolt, pulling open the door with a creak.
Zeng Huai stared at her face in shock.
Huang Xuanming stared at the back of her head in shock.
Fang Yuan: "..."
"Second Miss Wang?" Zeng Huai stammered, bewildered.
The door opened, and Zeng Huai's gaze peered inside. Indeed, he saw Fang Yuan and Huang Xuanming standing inside, separated by a table, with nothing out of the ordinary.
Zeng Huai, who had suspected them of confessing their feelings and reminiscing about the past, was now uncertain.
Three people? Even playing mahjong required one more.
Could there truly be something important?
Zeng Huai, being a gentleman, felt ashamed of his actions upon considering this possibility.
Huang Xuanming also felt ashamed, his lips trembling, unable to speak.
Had Wang Qingyao heard everything he and Fang Yuan had said? Now another person knew his secret...
He nearly lost his balance, leaning on the table. It was only then that he realized Fang Yuan had brought someone else because she didn't trust him.
His heart filled with bitterness.
He couldn't blame Fang Yuan. After what he had done, she was right to be wary.
He glanced at Fang Yuan from the corner of his eye and felt a sense of relief that she had finally become more sensible.
After an awkward silence, Wang Qingyao invited Zeng Huai into the private room.
The four of them sat around the table, and another period of awkward silence ensued.
Wang Qingyao broke the silence first, asking Zeng Huai, "Why are you here, Young Master Zeng?"
Zeng Huai hesitated for a moment, then took out the note from his怀. Wang Qingyao took it and glanced at it, frowning. She then handed the note to Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan's eyes widened upon seeing it, and she exclaimed, "I didn't write this!"
She slapped the note onto the table. Huang Xuanming glanced at it and said, "I never received this note."
The answer was obvious: someone had deliberately forged Fang Yuan's handwriting and intentionally let Zeng Huai find the note, luring him to Xuejia Tea House to "catch them in the act."
"Who would be so despicable and shameless to frame me?" Fang Yuan was furious, rolling up her sleeves as if ready to fight, "Don't let me catch them, or I'll make them pay!"
Wang Qingyao watched her quietly. Huang Xuanming also watched her quietly.
These two knew what was going on and immediately guessed the mastermind.
Fang Yuan was stunned by their gazes and took a moment to react, her mouth agape. "It... it was... Mother..." She couldn't even bring herself to say "Mother." "It was Madam Huang."
She sank heavily into her chair, both shocked and enraged.
Hearing Huang Xuanming recount the events was one thing; experiencing it firsthand was another.
The past schemes hadn't truly harmed her, but today, without Wang Qingyao's presence and this forged note, she and Huang Xuanming would have been unable to clear their names even if they jumped into the Yellow River.
Zeng Huai might break off the engagement, she might be forced to marry Huang Xuanming, live a widow's life, never have children, and endure the strange, mocking glances of others.
Even if Zeng Huai didn't break the engagement, this incident would become a thorn in his side, making him distrust her for life.
How vicious!
Fang Yuan was enveloped by a chill. She suddenly thought, thankfully, Huang Xuanming still had a conscience. If he and Madam Huang had conspired against her, she would likely have been picked clean to the bone by now!