Without waiting for Wen Shiqing to answer, Su Jingyi raised an eyebrow. "And yet, I heard you’ve turned down quite a few marriage proposals, all for the sake of a childhood sweetheart you were betrothed to back in Liangzhou."
As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance at Wen Shiqing, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You’ve become the very model of devotion in the Capital."
Wen Shiqing’s mouth twitched slightly. "Is that so? Are they really saying that all over the Capital?"
"They certainly are," Lin Yuxuan chimed in from the side, giving his folding fan a light flick with a smile on his face. "The word in the city is that our new Top Scholar is not only outstanding in appearance and brilliant in talent, but also steadfast in love."
"Many young ladies of good families, having heard of your reputation for talent, have secretly given you their hearts. It is a pity, though, that while the flowers have the desire to fall, the water has no intention to flow."
"Brother Wen, why don't you let us in on the truth?" Lin Yuxuan leaned forward, his face full of curiosity. "Just what kind of person is this childhood sweetheart in Liangzhou, that she could make you turn a blind eye to so many potential matches?"
Wen Shiqing: ...
She pulled at the corners of her mouth in a miserable smile, then picked up her teacup to take a sip, trying to clarify: "You two, this is truly a misunderstanding. I only met that person in Liangzhou a few times during our childhood; we’ve had no contact since growing up. There is no deep-rooted affection whatsoever."
"As for those marriage proposals, I turned them down simply because I want to focus on making a mark in my official career. I don’t want to be held back by romantic entanglements so early."
Just as she was speaking, a series of urgent knocks came from outside the private room.
Wen Shiqing raised her eyebrows in confusion, exchanged a look with Su Jingyi and Lin Yuxuan, and asked aloud, "What’s wrong?"
"Lord Wen, it’s terrible! Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess has come to the Wen Residence... she is inside the house..."
The servant was panting heavily, his face deathly pale. The second half of his sentence seemed to be stuck in his throat, choked off by terror.
Hearing this, Wen Shiqing stood up abruptly. The movement was so sudden that she nearly knocked over the chair behind her. "You said who? The Eldest Princess??"
That overbearing older sister of the twelve-year-old Emperor?
When had she ever had any contact with that princess??
Su Jingyi stood up as well, his expression grave. "This Eldest Princess has always been known for her high-profile behavior. A surprise visit to the Wen Residence like this... I fear she hasn't come with good intentions. Brother Wen, you must go back and see to this at once."
Wen Shiqing was also burning with anxiety. Too rushed for pleasantries, she hurriedly thanked the two men and hurried toward the Wen Residence with the servant.
Lu Xuechi had never imagined she would ever cross paths with the Eldest Princess.
In recent days, due to Wen Shiqing’s unilateral breaking of their engagement, she had felt as though her soul had been ripped away. She was filled with sorrow and spent her days in low spirits, choosing to avoid Wen Shiqing whenever she could find an excuse.
Yet, whenever they happened to run into each other, he would still offer a polite bow from afar with a smile.
It was so gentle and courteous, yet it only made her feel worse.
It made it impossible for her to let go.
She was unwilling to accept it—the feeling of being wronged only grew stronger.
Her mother’s health had deteriorated further because of all this, and her coughing had become more severe at night.
Today, Lu Xuechi had planned to go to Huguo Temple to burn incense and pray, hoping to get a peace talisman for her mother.
When passing the Hall of Matrimony, she couldn't resist drawing a fortune stick.
She had asked a master to interpret the stick, asking about her arranged marriage.
The master studied the message for a long time, his expression grave, before uttering only one sentence: "This path is blocked; you should seek happiness elsewhere."
As Lu Xuechi walked down a tree-lined path holding the fortune slip, with no one else around, the sadness and grievances she had suppressed for days finally gave way. Tears streamed down her face.
Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
Lu Xuechi hurriedly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and turned to see a woman dressed in magnificent attire.
The woman’s makeup was exquisite, and there was an inherent, awe-inspiring nobility in her features; every movement she made exuded elegance.
However, Lu Xuechi, overwhelmed by her own grief, had no mind to notice any of this. Assuming she was blocking the way, she hurriedly stepped aside, her voice thick with tears: "I apologize."
With that, she turned to hurry away.
Seeing this, the woman followed her a few steps, her voice soft but filled with concern: "What is wrong? You look so heartbroken."
Perhaps it was the genuine concern in her tone, or perhaps it was the sheer loneliness of being in the Capital with no one to confide in.
Compelled by an inexplicable impulse, she poured out all her grievances and told the whole story.
And then...
She never would have imagined that this person was the Eldest Princess!!!
"Miss Lu, don't kneel, please sit. This Princess would like to see how this new Top Scholar manages to show two different faces!"
Lu Xuechi knelt in the main hall of the Wen Residence, looking up at Madam Wen and the second daughter of the Wen family kneeling in front of her. She bit her lower lip, feeling flustered and at a loss for what to do.
After she was granted a seat, she couldn't bring herself to look at the people of the Wen family.
In truth, the Wen family had been kind to her and her mother in the past. Although Lu Xuechi despised their betrayal regarding the marriage, she never intended for things to escalate to this point.
But the moment the Eldest Princess heard her tearful account, she was filled with righteous indignation. Without a word, she dragged Lu Xuechi along and stormed into the Wen Residence to demand an explanation.
"Where is Wen Shiqing? Just recently, this Princess heard rumors in the city that this year’s new Top Scholar turned down several marriage proposals from high-ranking officials for the sake of his childhood sweetheart."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuechi looked up sharply, her expression one of astonishment.
She had never known that Wen Shiqing had rejected other marriage proposals because of her.
The Eldest Princess sat in the seat of honor and gave a cold huff. "This Princess thought he was a rare, fine gentleman. Why, then, would he think to break off his engagement now? Could it be that he just wants to preserve a good reputation without wanting to take responsibility?"
Madam Wen’s face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling. "Your Highness, Qing'er... he never thought of such things. He is just new to the official life, and his heart is truly set on his career..."
"Is that so? Do you believe that keeping a promise to marry interferes with one's official career?" The Eldest Princess arched her willow-leaf brows. "If an official is a person who does not keep his word, then what is there to trust about him?"
The words were heavy. Madam Wen felt a cold sweat soak her back instantly; she pressed her forehead tightly against the floor, burying her head even lower, not daring to let out a breath.
Wen Shiqing was rushing home in a panic, solely because of this Eldest Princess—the current Emperor’s older sister—who was a well-known figure in the Capital.
She was famous for her bold and eccentric conduct, her straightforward personality, and, most of all, her deep-seated sense of justice; she loved nothing more than righting wrongs.
He had often heard that if any official was known to frequent pleasure houses, and the Eldest Princess found out, no matter how high their rank, they would never escape a severe reprimand.
Walking in the streets, if she ever saw bullies mistreating the common people, she would immediately step in, arguing with them on the spot to ensure justice was served.
In short, this Eldest Princess saw the world in black and white; she could not tolerate even the smallest grain of sand in her eyes. She was a woman who could not be provoked!
But how, for heaven's sake, had he managed to provoke her?
By the time he reached the Wen Residence, he didn't even have time to change out of his official robes before rushing to the main hall.
As he stepped into the hall, he saw the Eldest Princess sitting upright in the seat of honor, her expression cold and stern.
He froze in his tracks, subconsciously smoothing his robes, before stepping forward and kneeling to offer his respects: "Your humble servant, Wen Shiqing, pays respects to Your Royal Highness the Eldest Princess. I was unaware of Your Highness's gracious visit and failed to greet you in time. I hope you will forgive me."