Volume One, Chapter Fourteen: What If I Refuse?

Yue Yue was truly clever; with just a few words, she could provoke even strangers to despise her!

Xie Qiqi clenched her fists, yearning to slap that pale, delicate face.

But thinking of the consequences, she dared not.

She recalled the last street argument with Yue Yue, when her eldest brother scolded her as a shrew.

He said she disregarded the Xie family’s dignity, lacked the grace of a noble lady, and was unfit for the family’s standing.

For that, eldest brother made her kneel at the ancestral hall for two days and copy “Sisterly Harmony” a thousand times.

He warned that if she erred again, the punishment would be tenfold—that meant copying it ten thousand times!

Her life was short, and she had to apprentice under Wang Zhi to learn medicine; she could not afford to waste precious time on punishments.

Suppressing her tears of grievance, Xie Qiqi shook off Yue Yue’s hand, squeezed through the crowd, and fled.

Not far, she turned into a secluded alley, leaned against the wall, crouched, hugged her knees, and cried in sorrow.

She didn’t know how long she wept before sensing someone in front of her.

Peeking from between her arms, she saw the young man who had spoken for her earlier standing silently before her.

Lin Zeming quietly set down a book with eight characters inscribed:

“Opening a book brings benefit… knowledge and understanding.”

Xie Qiqi stared blankly at the book on the ground. When she came to her senses, Lin Zeming had vanished.

After a long pause, she wiped her tears and carefully picked up the book.

Opening the first page, she found it was a “Thousand Character Classic” annotated with phonetic guides and explanations.

As she read, a gentle warmth stirred in her heart.

He had heard Yue Yue’s words yet still brought her a book—he did not disdain her like the others.

Clutching the book tightly, she stood, and softly whispered “Thank you” toward the empty alley.

She vowed to treasure this kindness and, when possible, repay it.

Emerging from the alley, she saw a streak of sunset light in the distance.

The snow had stopped, the sky cleared—the sunset was a good omen.

Carrying the warmth of the sun, Xie Qiqi returned to the Hou residence. Upon entering, the gatekeeper’s cold voice greeted her:

“Fourth Miss, Madam and Eldest Young Master have called for you to come to Madam’s quarters; they have something to discuss.”

Xie Qiqi froze, anxiety rising—had her eldest brother been angered because she had gone out without attending to her mother’s illness?

She hurried back to her chamber, set down the book and Yan’er’s medicine, then hastened to the Qiushui quarters.

Before entering, she heard Xie Wenyuan’s voice.

“Mother, rest assured. Father is absent, and with me as eldest brother standing in his place, I will guide Qiqi well. I also hold her marriage prospects close to heart and will find her a suitable match!”

What did that mean?

Hesitant, Xie Qiqi stepped inside.

Yue Huijuan reclined on the couch, with Xie Wenyuan and Xie Wentao seated nearby.

To her surprise, Yue Yue had returned early and sat beside Yue Huijuan.

Seeing Xie Qiqi enter, Xie Wenyuan furrowed his brows, displeased.

Xie Qiqi didn’t know if Yue Yue had spoken to her mother and eldest brother again and felt uneasy as she bowed respectfully.

“Qiqi greets Mother, Eldest Young Master... Second Young Master...”

Yue Huijuan hesitated, seemingly unsure how to address Xie Qiqi, then glanced at Xie Wenyuan.

His voice was grave: “Qiqi, today Madam Wei and Young Master Wei came to visit.”

“Young Master Wei said he already told you about the broken engagement, and you agreed! So, they came today to return the betrothal gifts and marriage documents.”

Her mind had been hazy since leaving Jiang Xue Pavilion; she couldn’t recall if she had agreed to break off the engagement with Wei Ling.

Since Wei Ling said she agreed, she must have.

“Mother, Eldest Brother, it’s nothing—I don’t want to marry yet. If it’s broken off, so be it!”

She tried to soothe her mother’s worries.

When she first learned of her tuberculosis, she didn’t want to burden Wei Ling but had yet to find a good reason to end the match.

Though saddened by the broken engagement, her only wish now was to live longer; she no longer hoped for anything else.

Xie Wenyuan, unaware of her acceptance, thought she was being sarcastic.

He said coldly, “Qiqi, breaking the engagement was Wei family’s decision. They intend to pursue Yue Yue again. This is not Yue Yue’s fault. Eldest Brother hopes you won’t blame Yue Yue and that sisterly harmony will remain.”

Beside him, Yue Huijuan patiently added, “Qiqi, you and Brother Ling haven’t seen each other for over eight years. There’s no real affection. Brother Ling and Yue Yue grew up together and are deeply attached.”

“Over the years, Mother has come to regard Brother Ling as a son, and she doesn’t want him wronged.”

Xie Qiqi froze. Mother thought her marriage to Wei Ling was a grievance to him?

Though she was indifferent to the broken engagement, being belittled by her mother stung sharply.

Yue Huijuan, unaware of her misstep, continued patiently.

“Qiqi, this match really doesn’t suit you. Mother hopes you won’t blame Yue Yue. Can you promise Mother not to quarrel with Yue Yue?”

Xie Qiqi stared blankly at her mother.

Though she had served as an official’s servant for eight years and was somewhat detached from worldly affairs, she was no fool.

She understood that being broken off with was a blow to a woman’s reputation—a humiliation!

And now, she was the one rejected.

Her mother didn’t worry about her reputation or her sorrow; instead, she worried whether she would make things difficult for Yue Yue?

Yue Yue covered her face with a handkerchief, crying in a trembling voice:

“Mother, Eldest Brother, please stop. I won’t compete for Brother Ling. As long as sister is happy, I... I have no complaints!”

Yue Huijuan comforted her anxiously, holding her shoulder.

“How is that competing? Brother Ling loves you and wants to marry you. Didn’t Madam Wei just say she favors you the most?”

Xie Qiqi remained silent.

Shouldn’t she be the one crying? She was the one deprived of the engagement!

Why was Yue Yue more heartbroken than herself?

Seeing Yue Yue’s distress, Xie Wenyuan glared fiercely at Xie Qiqi and reprimanded:

“Qiqi, one must have self-awareness. Don’t you know the difference between you and Wei Ling?”

Xie Wentao, fearing Xie Qiqi wouldn’t understand the subtlety, spoke bluntly:

“Xie Qiqi, Wei Ling is the heir to the Marquis of Wuan, talented in both literature and martial arts, destined to inherit the title.”

“You are illiterate, crude, and solitary in character. You are utterly unworthy of Wei Ling! You should listen to Mother and Eldest Brother, stop making a fuss, and let Yue Yue have this marriage!”

Xie Wenyuan nodded in agreement. Though the Wei family’s request to break the engagement was politely worded as “incompatible birth dates,” Xie Wenyuan knew this was to spare Xie Qiqi’s face.

She should be self-aware and stop embarrassing herself.

Yue Huijuan frowned impatiently as Xie Qiqi said nothing.

“Qiqi, Brother Ling has no feelings for you. Marrying him won’t bring you happiness. Don’t be stubborn—let Yue Yue have this match!”

Xie Qiqi looked at Xie Wenyuan, then at Xie Wentao, and finally fixed her gaze on Yue Huijuan.

They were all pressuring her to relinquish the marriage, belittling her completely!

Had they ever considered her feelings?

Suddenly, Xie Qiqi asked, “What if I refuse?”