"Grandfather, I've just returned from Huaizhou. There are still many things to handle in the silk and satin shop. Let's discuss it after I've got through this busy period."
Since Xie Yanchuan chose to stay silent, she had no choice but to speak up bravely.
Xie Yanchuan looked up at Ruan Jiu, his eyes filled with a hint of disappointment.
Old Master Xie thought for a while. It was almost the end of the year, and the silk and satin shop was busy preparing new clothes.
If they were to get married at this time, they would surely be overwhelmed.
"Then let's discuss the wedding date after the New Year."
Ruan Jiu let out a sigh of relief for the time being.
Seeing that the old master had already spoken, Xie Jing didn't say anything more.
Just then, Xie Xiu from the third branch, who had been silent all this time, suddenly put down his chopsticks.
"Father, enjoy your meal. I'll go back to my courtyard to read books first."
Old Master Xie nodded slightly but didn't say a word.
After the meal, Ruan Jiu called Xie Yanchuan aside.
Seeing this, Old Master Xie nodded in relief.
It seemed that the two children had gotten along well in Huaizhou.
"Xie Yanchuan, why didn't you say anything when they were discussing the wedding just now?"
"I didn't hear it." Xie Yanchuan averted his eyes, looking a bit guilty.
Ruan Jiu could see through his little scheme at a glance.
"Don't tell me you're planning to marry me just because I saved you?"
"Actually, it's not a bad idea." Xie Yanchuan murmured softly.
Ruan Jiu sighed and helplessly rubbed her forehead.
"I think you've misunderstood. I slipped that day. It wasn't to save you," she explained.
"What?" Xie Yanchuan couldn't believe it. He shook his head. "You must be joking."
"Please shake your brains well and think. You saved Lu Wanrou but not me before. Do you still expect me to risk my life for you?"
Xie Yanchuan suddenly realized.
So she was jealous of Lu Wanrou.
"A Jiu, don't worry. Even if you and my father are both kidnapped in the future, I'll save you first."
Looking at Xie Yanchuan's determined expression, Ruan Jiu couldn't help but roll her eyes.
How could someone be so stupid?
Were they talking about the same thing?
"Anyway, don't forget what you promised me."
Afraid that Xie Yanchuan might not understand, she quickly added, "Delay the wedding date."
After saying that, she immediately left.
She was afraid that if she talked to Xie Yanchuan any longer, she would be extremely angry.
Watching Ruan Jiu's departing figure, Xie Yanchuan raised his head, looking extremely proud.
A Jiu didn't say anything about canceling the engagement. She must have feelings for me.
Not far away, Xie Jingchu had a gloomy look on his face.
Seeing the smile on Xie Yanchuan's face, his expression darkened even more.
Then he said to Qin Yuan beside him,
"Go, find someone to deliver a few words to Su Wan."
-
Upon learning the news that Ruan Jiu was about to marry Xie Yanchuan, Su Wan immediately rushed over from Huaizhou in a hurry.
As soon as she arrived in Qinzhou, she was invited by Xie Jingchu to drink tea at Fumanlou.
"Is it true that Ruan Ruan is going to marry Xie Yanchuan soon?"
Xie Jingchu nodded. There was an indescribable sadness in his dim eyes.
After learning about the relationship between Ruan Jiu and Xie Jingchu, Su Wan gave up her feelings for Xie Jingchu.
Now seeing his dejected look, she only regarded him as a poor man who couldn't get the one he loved.
No one would have thought that the decisive Xie Jingchu would also be trapped by love.
Even though Ruan Jiu and Xie Jingchu were in love with each other, they couldn't resist the order of their parents and the words of the matchmaker.
Thinking of this, Su Wan couldn't help but sigh.
Just then, there was a sudden quarrel from the next room.
The voices sounded quite familiar.
"Yan Lang, why haven't you come to see me since you returned from Huaizhou?"
Lu Wanrou's eyes were full of affection, and her tone was full of grievance.
"I've been quite busy recently."
Xie Yanchuan averted his eyes.
"Are you busy getting married?"
Lu Wanrou pouted cutely.
In the past, when Xie Yanchuan saw her like this, he would have already pulled her into his arms and comforted her gently.
But now, he didn't move at all.
She suddenly panicked and immediately gently tugged at the corner of Xie Yanchuan's clothes and said, "Yan Lang, I know Sister Ruan doesn't want us to be together, but Rou'er only wants to stay by your side. Even if I have to be a maid, Rou'er is willing."
Hearing this, Xie Yanchuan had a complex look in his eyes but didn't say a word for a long time.
Seeing this, Lu Wanrou rolled up the sleeve of her right hand, revealing the bright scar on her wrist, which looked like an ugly centipede.
"You once said that you would be good to Rou'er for a lifetime."
After saying that, big tears fell and dripped onto Xie Yanchuan's sleeve.
Xie Yanchuan squinted his eyes when he saw the scar on her hand.
Three months ago, he had just come out of Yingchun Tower after drinking. Suddenly, a flowerpot fell from the building.
Fortunately, Lu Wanrou appeared in time and pushed him away.
As a result, Lu Wanrou's hand was scratched, leaving a terrifying scar and making her unable to play the piano ever since.
Later, during their time together, he learned that Lu Wanrou had a pitiful background and felt pity for her. So he promised her that he would be good to her for a lifetime.
But now, not to mention taking her as a concubine, even if she were to be his mistress, with Ruan Jiu's personality, she would never tolerate it.
After thinking it over and over again, Xie Yanchuan said, "Rou'er, don't worry. I won't forget what I promised you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Wan in the next room immediately jumped up from her seat.
Without thinking about anything else, she rushed straight into the next room.
Xie Jingchu calmly picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
There was a hint of cunning in his eyes.
It was worth it for him to arrange for Su Wan to watch this good show today.
As soon as Su Wan pushed open the door, she saw Lu Wanrou throwing herself into Xie Yanchuan's arms with tears still on her face.
She immediately flew into a rage. With her hands on her hips, she started scolding them.
"You disgusting couple. You're so shameless!"
Ruan Ruan hasn't even gotten married yet, and they're already so affectionate. In the future, won't they force their wife to accept concubines?
Xie Yanchuan didn't expect Su Wan to suddenly appear. He stared at her in surprise with wide eyes.
Then he nervously swallowed his saliva and guiltily turned his head to the side, afraid that Ruan Jiu was following behind.
After realizing that there was only Su Wan, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Yan Lang, who is she?" Lu Wanrou asked suspiciously, constantly sizing up the woman in front of her.
"Rou'er, you go out first."
Hearing this, Su Wan immediately blocked the door and said, "Want to leave? It's not that easy! Today I'll let Ruan Ruan see what kind of person she's going to marry!"
Lu Wanrou looked at her contemptuously. So she was here to stand up for Ruan Jiu.
She didn't even put Ruan Jiu in her eyes, let alone this unknown woman in front of her.
"Yan Lang, Rou'er just wants to stay by your side, even if it means being a slave or a maid!"
Back in Huaizhou, Su Wan had heard that there was a brothel girl beside Xie Yanchuan. Presumably, it was this woman in front of her.
They said that brothel girls were good at captivating men's hearts. Now that she saw it with her own eyes, it was really true.
Every move of hers was so pitiful that it made people feel sorry for her.
Su Wan sneered, "Fine. I'll find a human trafficker to sell you later."
"Who do you think you are!" Lu Wanrou shouted. Then she said to Xie Yanchuan coquettishly, "Yan Lang, Rou'er is scared."
Seeing her like this, Su Wan was so angry that she laughed.
"Heh, weren't you scared when you were seducing someone?"
"Rou'er and Yan Lang are in love with each other!"
"A brothel girl has the nerve to say that you're in love?"
"I've always only sold my art, not my body. Yan Lang, she's insulting me like this. I might as well just die."
"Fine, go ahead and die."
The two of them bickered back and forth, getting into a heated argument.
Finally, Xie Yanchuan couldn't stand it anymore and roared,
"Enough!"