Shen Qingli’s gaze was sharp, and she swept a cold, calculating look over him. "Look up."
Wen Shiqing’s body stiffened slightly. His head, which had been bowed, rose slowly until his eyes met Shen Qingli’s.
He possessed a pair of amorous peach-blossom eyes; they were like pools of clear spring water, swirling with a lingering, soulful intensity that seemed to hook the very spirit. A blood-red tear mole at the corner of his eye only served to make his jade-like skin appear even fairer. When he wasn’t smiling, those eyes carried a distinct chill of detachment.
It was a strikingly handsome face. A thought occurred to Shen Qingli involuntarily: Beauty truly transcends gender. But as soon as she remembered his reputation for fickleness, she stifled that flicker of admiration. *Hmph,* she thought, *heartless men are all the same, regardless of their looks.*
A faint, cold smile curled the corners of Shen Qingli’s mouth. "The New Top Scholar is indeed a man of extraordinary bearing. This face is truly unforgettable. It’s just... I find myself a bit puzzled."
As she spoke, she lightly turned the emerald ring on her finger. "Are you truly as devoted and steadfast as the rumors claim, or... do you wear a different face entirely?"
Wen Shiqing felt a shiver of caution. He bowed, cupping his hands. "Your Royal Highness the Eldest Princess, I do not know what the rumors say in the streets, but gossip should not be taken as truth. As for the rest, I have always followed my own heart."
His tone was steady, carrying the characteristic firmness of a scholar.
Shen Qingli let out a soft scoff, a flash of disdain in her eyes. "Followed your heart? Then tell me: this marriage contract—you wish to break your word. Is that your heart's desire?"
Wen Shiqing frowned slightly. He lowered his lids, his long lashes like fans. After a moment’s deliberation, as if weighing the matter internally, he replied with a firm expression: "It is."
Those two words caused Miss Lu, who stood to the side, to feel her heart plummet into an abyss.
When she had met the Eldest Princess at Huguo Temple and been brought back to the Wen Residence, she could not deny that a sliver of joy—even hope—had bloomed within her. But now... he was resolute, showing no fear at all.
Miss Lu’s eyes reddened instantly. Why had he refused the marriage on her account, only to be so cold and decisive about breaking it now?
Shen Qingli looked at Wen Shiqing, her eyes reflecting a complicated mix of emotions—bewilderment, and even a touch of curiosity. She leaned forward, staring intently into his eyes. "Lord Wen, you had best think this through carefully. This marriage concerns the lifelong happiness of the Lu family’s daughter, as well as the reputation of your own Wen family. If you break your engagement so lightly, are you not afraid of earning a reputation for being ungrateful and treacherous?"
Wen Shiqing raised his head, meeting Shen Qingli’s gaze with unwavering intensity. "As Your Royal Highness says, this marriage concerns Miss Lu’s lifelong happiness. Even if I must bear the weight of such accusations, I am determined not to ruin her life."
Shen Qingli raised an eyebrow and leaned back in her chair. "Lord Wen, are you comparing yourself to some kind of monster?"
"Your Royal Highness, I am no monster, but I am certainly not a suitable match for Miss Lu. We were betrothed since birth, but we have never fostered even the slightest affection for one another. How could I possibly hold her back?"
Hearing this, Miss Lu’s eyes welled with tears as she looked up sharply. She bit her lip hard, forcing back the sobs. *Not even the slightest affection,* she thought. *What a cruel thing to say.*
Shen Qingli had not expected Wen Shiqing to be so uncompromising. She glanced at the trembling Miss Lu and asked, "So, Lord Wen is still doing this out of consideration for her? You’ve certainly cleared your conscience of any breach of faith!"
Miss Lu, stubbornly holding back her tears, bowed respectfully. "Your Royal Highness, I have something to ask Lord Wen."
Shen Qingli nodded slightly, gesturing for her to speak.
"Lord Wen, I ask you: why use our engagement as a shield to reject other marriage proposals?" If he truly felt nothing for her and didn't care about the betrothal, why keep bringing it up to block other suitors?
Wen Shiqing’s expression faltered for a moment. He sighed softly. "Miss Lu, I have no interest in the affairs of men and women. Refusing other proposals was merely..."
Suddenly, an inspiration struck her. She realized she had found a way to solve this once and for all!
Wen Shiqing’s expression shifted, and she bit her lip. "It was merely because I have an unspeakable secret."
Miss Lu sneered. "An unspeakable secret? Lord Wen, you cannot make decisions for me. How can you be so certain that marrying you would be a misfortune? You are not me. How do you know I have no affection for you? If I insist on this marriage... whether it brings pain or happiness, I will bear it myse—"
"No!" Wen Shiqing closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and cut her off.
The Eldest Princess frowned, her expression displeased.
Having been rejected time and again, Miss Lu was filled with shame and indignation, but she had no other choice. "On what grounds do you say no—"
Wen Shiqing steeled her heart. She stood straight, as if making a desperate, final stand. Her voice was low but filled with resolve: "Because I am unable!"
The moment the words left her lips, the hall fell deathly silent. Miss Lu and Shen Qingli were both stunned. Even Madam Wen and Miss Wen could not help but turn their heads in shock.
Wen Shiqing bit her lower lip. After a moment of hesitation, she seemed to lose all her strength and let out a bitter laugh. "Your Royal Highness, Miss Lu, to tell you the truth, I... have a hidden ailment."
Her voice was slightly strained, each word seemingly squeezed through her teeth. "This condition makes it impossible for me to lead a normal life as a husband with Miss Lu, and even more impossible to continue the family line. How could I, for my own selfish reasons, ruin Miss Lu’s life?"
"It is not just Miss Lu. I cannot harm any woman."
*That should do it, right?! Let me off the hook now? I’ve confessed—I’m impotent! I can’t perform! There’s no happiness to be had with me! This is the ultimate solution! From now on, no one will ever try to find me a wife again!*
Wen Shiqing looked pained on the outside, but was secretly gloating on the inside.
The hall remained in a deathly silence. Miss Lu stood frozen, her eyes vacant and hollow, as if unable to process the news. Shen Qingli, who had come to stand up for Miss Lu, had never expected to force such a private matter out of the Top Scholar.
Unaccountably, she felt a surge of guilt. She covered her mouth and gave a light cough, finally breaking the suffocating silence.
"Miss Lu, this matter... in my opinion, it really does require further deliberation."
Wen Shiqing nodded in agreement.
"You." Shen Qingli spoke suddenly, extending a pale finger to point directly at Wen Shiqing.
Wen Shiqing instinctively looked up, her gaze colliding with Shen Qingli’s flickering eyes. She heard her say, crisp and clear: "You are coming with me."
And just like that, she was led away, looking completely bewildered.
The Wen Residence was located in the western part of the Capital—not exactly a prime location—and the surrounding area was quiet, quite a distance from the bustling, crowded streets. This direction, however, seemed to be leading toward the east.
"Your Royal Highness, if I may ask, where are you taking me?"