Chapter 21: The Engagement (Part One)

Yan Xi lowered her head, her delicate white hand lifting the teacup before her. She brought it gently to her lips and sipped slowly, masking the turmoil within.

At that moment, a warm, familiar voice called softly in her ear: "Yan Xi..."

Startled from her reverie by the unexpected call, the young girl’s heart leapt, yet her expression remained unchanged. She slowly raised her eyes.

The deep, resonant voice belonged to someone of high status. Following her gaze upward, she saw Lu Bailing clad in a dark blue python robe—modest yet commanding, radiating an imposing presence like thunder.

The one who had called her was none other than the Duke of Ning.

All eyes in the hall shifted upon hearing the call, turning to Yan Xi.

In an instant, she became the center of attention.

Though her attire was simple and elegant, her extraordinary beauty had long not gone unnoticed—whether in small groups or quietly admired in solitude, all who saw her praised her loveliness.

It was now clear why the heir of the Jiang family had been utterly captivated, coming promptly to propose marriage. Anyone in his place would have been equally helpless to resist...

Yan Xi rose gracefully and bowed slowly towards Lu Bailing.

"Uncle Lu..." she said softly.

A faint, indistinct look flashed in Lu Bailing’s eyes.

She bore a resemblance to her father—about two or three parts alike.

"In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so tall… How have you been lately? Chang’an’s weather is cold, quite different from Suzhou. Have you adjusted well?"

Yan Xi answered obediently, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Lu. Everything’s fine now. I have adapted and rarely take medicine anymore."

"That’s good," Lu Bailing nodded. "Please, sit, no need to be so formal."

"Yes," she replied, bowing again before being assisted by her maid to sit.

Beside Lu Bailing, the Duchess of Ning smiled and spoke, "Recently, the Marquis of Jing’an and his son, the Jiang heir, came to propose. I told him we would wait until the master returned to decide. The master has just arrived home and has yet to be informed."

Lu Bailing pondered briefly, recalling who the Marquis of Jing’an’s heir was, then took a small sip from his cup.

"The Jiang family is respectable; there’s no rush," he said.

Madam Fang agreed with a smile, "Indeed."

As the words fell, the Dowager Duchess spoke up, "Regarding the ancestral worship, I consulted the calendar recently. With the year’s end approaching, New Year’s Eve would be a fitting time for the ceremony. What does the master think?"

Lu Bailing nodded, "Thank you for your care, Mother. Then let it be that day."

For a moment, the hall fell silent, save for the murmurs and soothing voices of a few young children and their attendants.

But soon, conversation resumed.

***

The speaker was a woman in her thirties, attractive and dressed in splendid garments adorned with pearls and jade. Facing her opposite was another lady, and her tone was casual as she said, "On such a joyous day, why is the second lady’s nephew absent? It’s been quite some time; did he leave so soon?"

The moment those words were spoken, Yan Xi, sitting upright and composed, felt a sudden chill descend upon her heart.

The woman speaking was Lady Lin, wife of the third branch, and the person addressed was Lady Wang of the second branch. The "nephew" in question was none other than Wang Qing’an, who had been killed by Lu Zhi.

Instinctively, Yan Xi glanced sideways toward Lu Zhi.

Contrary to her unease, the man remained calm, as if he had not heard Lady Lin’s words at all. He turned his head with a smile, conversing leisurely with his younger cousin nearby.

Yan Xi suppressed her trembling.

Lady Wang’s face darkened immediately upon hearing Lady Lin’s remark.

"My elder brother wrote that there was an urgent matter at home, so I sent Qing’an back early..." she said.

Others might have been unaware, but Lady Lin discerned the excuse instantly.

She had learned that Wang Qing’an’s clothes were still in his room; he had not left at all.

Lady Lin’s words were a veiled jab, aiming to cause discomfort for Lady Wang using her incompetent nephew, especially with the elder master present...

Lu Bailing heard everything but said nothing.

Master Lu Zhong, the second lord, was also displeased.

Lady Wang’s expression, along with those of others at the feast, grew increasingly sour, but the matter ended there.

Yan Xi gradually exhaled in relief.

After a long while, the banquet dispersed.

Yet Yan Xi and her maid had not yet left when an auntie near the Duchess of Ning approached her.

"Miss Yan Xi, the master’s wife requests that you visit the Dowager Duchess’s chamber after the meal."

"Very well," Yan Xi replied, nodding, lifting her eyes toward the high seat.

She saw that Lu Bailing and Madam Fang both looked at her kindly.

Madam Fang smiled gently and nodded; Yan Xi’s cheeks flushed, yet she returned the smile.

They then made their way back.

Qinglian and Taohong carefully supported their mistress.

Without words, the three understood the purpose of the Duke and Duchess of Ning’s private meeting with Yan Xi.

It was nothing but matters of marriage and the ancestral worship ceremony.

Both were good things for her, yet now felt quite the opposite.

***

Whether Lu Zhi cared about the ancestral worship ceremony, Yan Xi did not know; but she knew he cared deeply about her marriage to Jiang Zhiyan.

If her intuition was correct, he would...

Yan Xi did not wish to dwell further, but her suspicions soon proved true.

Upon reaching the Dowager Duchess’s bedchamber in the East Garden, the maid drew aside the beaded curtain and invited her inside.

Before she could adjust her steps, she clearly saw that man had arrived before her.

He sat lazily in a chair, fingers playing with a cup that danced lightly between them.

He was not there to listen to her speak—what else could be his purpose?

Inside the room were only the man, Yan Xi, her maid, and the Dowager Duchess.

The man’s face was cold as he issued a clear, unambiguous command:

"I’m telling you, you don’t want this."

Yan Xi’s face paled slightly; she clenched her soft hands and obediently nodded in response.

"Yes."

At that moment, Lu Bailing and Madam Fang arrived.

Unlike at the banquet, Lu Bailing entered with a hearty laugh alongside his wife.

Upon seeing Lu Zhi and Yan Xi, he addressed his son:

"Rarely do you show such initiative and come without invitation."

Lu Zhi smiled faintly, rising slowly. "Mainly, I miss Father..."

Lu Bailing chuckled twice; Madam Fang shook her head.

She approached her son, smoothing his clothes.

"Soon, Yan Xi will officially become your sister. Remember to cherish her."

Lu Zhi’s eyes smiled, but his voice remained indifferent, "Of course, I will care for her well."

Hearing these words, the young girl gripped her hands tighter, her cheeks already flushed deeply.

Fortunately, everyone knew she was shy around strangers, so they attributed her blush to modesty rather than anything else.

The Dowager Duchess emerged then, observing the cheerful atmosphere with a kindly smile.

Lu Bailing stepped forward to Yan Xi, studying her closely before speaking plainly:

"When I see you, I think of Brother Shen."

He tenderly patted her head but did not continue on the subject of his father.

Instead, he stepped back, settling into a nearby chair, and addressed those present:

"On the way here, I heard from your aunt about the Jiang family’s proposal. The Jiang family is a scholarly household with a noble lineage. I have met Jiang Zhiyan several times—he is flawless as white jade, handsome, gentle in temperament, and truly a fine match. You two are indeed a perfect match made by heaven and earth... If you are willing, Uncle Lu will take charge and finalize this marriage. As for the wedding date, you are still young; it can wait a couple of years. What do you think?"