Yue Yue was truly clever; she could incite both strangers and acquaintances to despise her with just a few choice words.
Xie Qiqi clenched her fists, desperate to slap that fair, delicate face. But she dared not, fearing the consequences. She remembered the last time she had argued with Yue Yue in the street; her eldest brother had berated her, calling her a shrew. He said she showed no regard for the Xie family’s reputation, lacked the poise of a noble lady, and was altogether unfit for polite society. For that, he had forced her to kneel in the ancestral hall for two days and copy the "Harmony Among Sisters" passage one thousand times. He had warned her that a repeat offense would bring ten times the punishment—did that mean she would have to copy it ten thousand times? She had little time left in this life and still needed to study medicine under Wang Zhi. She could not afford to waste her limited days on punishment.
Swallowing her tears of grievance, Xie Qiqi pulled her hand away from Yue Yue, squeezed through the crowd, and fled. She turned into a secluded alley not far away, huddled against the wall, hugged her knees, and wept in misery.
She did not know how long she had been crying before she sensed someone standing before her. Peeking out from between her arms, she saw the man who had spoken up for her earlier. Lin Zeming silently set down a book and an eight-character note:
"Opening a book is beneficial... to know books is to understand reason."
Xie Qiqi stared blankly at the book on the ground. By the time she regained her senses, Lin Zeming was gone. She sat dazed for a long while before wiping her tears and carefully picking up the volume. Opening the first page, she discovered it was a *Thousand Character Classic* with phonetic annotations and explanations. A warmth slowly welled up in her heart. He had heard Yue Yue’s words, yet he still brought her a book? He didn't look down on her as the others had.
Clutching the book tightly, Xie Qiqi stood up and whispered a soft "Thank you" to the empty alley. She would engrave his kindness in her heart; if the opportunity ever arose, she would surely repay him.
As Xie Qiqi stepped out of the alley, she saw the glow of the sunset in the distance. The snow had stopped, the sky had cleared, and the sunlight was a good omen. She returned to the Marquis Manor wrapped in the warmth of the sun, but the moment she entered, the gatekeeper said coldly, "Fourth Miss, the Madam and the eldest master have ordered that you go to the Madam’s courtyard immediately upon your return. They have matters to discuss with you."
Xie Qiqi froze, a wave of apprehension washing over her. Was her eldest brother angry because she had run out instead of tending to her mother’s illness? She rushed to her own quarters to drop off the book and the medicine for Yan'er, then hurried toward Qiushui Courtyard.
Before she had even crossed the threshold, she heard Xie Wenyuan’s voice: "Do not worry, Mother. Since Father is away, the eldest brother takes the father's place. I will guide Qiqi well, and I will take her marriage prospects to heart. I will certainly find her a good match!"
*What did that mean?*
Hesitating for a moment, Xie Qiqi walked inside. Yue Huijuan was leaning on a daybed, while Xie Wenyuan and Xie Wentao sat on chairs nearby. To her surprise, Yue Yue had already returned and was sitting on the daybed beside Yue Huijuan.
Seeing her enter, Xie Wenyuan furrowed his brow, his face showing clear displeasure. Not knowing if Yue Yue had said something else to her mother and brother, Xie Qiqi bowed anxiously. "Qiqi greets Mother, Eldest Brother... Second Brother..."
Yue Huijuan hesitated, seemingly unsure how to address her, and looked toward Xie Wenyuan.
"Qiqi," Xie Wenyuan said in a deep voice, "Madam Wei and the Heir Wei came to visit today. The Heir said he has already discussed the annulment with you, and you agreed! They came today to return the horoscopes and the betrothal papers."
Xie Qiqi’s mind had been a blur since she left Jiangxue Pavilion that day. She did not recall agreeing to call off the engagement with Wei Ling. But since he said she had agreed, then she must have.
"Mother, Eldest Brother, it is fine," Xie Qiqi said, trying to comfort them so her mother wouldn't feel distressed. "I didn’t want to marry yet anyway. If it is canceled, then so be it." When she first learned she had tuberculosis, she hadn't wanted to burden Wei Ling, though she had never found a suitable reason to break the engagement. Even though she felt a sting of sadness at his rejection, she only wanted to live a little longer now; she had no other ambitions.
Unaware that she had already found peace, Xie Wenyuan assumed she was speaking in irony. "Qiqi," he said coldly, "the annulment was the Wei family’s decision. The Wei family wishes to seek Yue Yue’s hand instead. This is not Yue Yue’s fault; I hope you will not vent your anger on her and will continue to live in harmony as sisters."
Yue Huijuan also coaxed her patiently, "Qiqi, you haven't seen Ling-ge'er in over eight years; there is no real affection between you. He and Yue Yue are childhood sweethearts, a perfect match. Over these years, Mother has long regarded Ling-ge'er as a son of her own. I do not wish to see him wronged."
Xie Qiqi went stiff. Did her mother believe that marrying her was a wrong done to Wei Ling? Though she didn't care about the broken engagement, her mother’s belittlement cut deep.
Yue Huijuan seemed not to notice her own indiscretion, continuing patiently, "Qiqi, this marriage is truly not suitable for you. Mother hopes you will not hold a grudge against Yue Yue. Can you promise me that you won't cause trouble for her?"
Xie Qiqi stared blankly at her mother. Even though she had been a government slave for eight years and felt out of touch with the world, she was no fool. She understood that being dumped was a blow to a woman’s reputation—a humiliation. *She* was the one who had been cast aside! Yet her mother wasn't worried about her reputation or her heartbreak; she was worried that she might make things difficult for Yue Yue.
Yue Yue covered her face with a handkerchief, her voice choked with tears. "Mother, Eldest Brother, please stop. I will not take Ling-ge'er from Sister. As long as Sister is happy, I... I am fine!" She began to sob softly.
Yue Huijuan pulled Yue Yue into her arms, comforting her anxiously. "Why call it taking? Ling-ge'er likes you, and it is you he wishes to marry. Didn't Madam Wei just say so? You are the one she favors most!"
Xie Qiqi remained silent. *Shouldn't I be the one crying?* It was her engagement that had been stolen! How was it that Yue Yue was crying even more sorrowfully than she was?
Seeing Yue Yue’s distress, Xie Wenyuan glared at Xie Qiqi and reprimanded her, "Qiqi, one must have self-awareness. Do you not know the gap between you and Wei Ling?"
Fearing Xie Qiqi hadn't understood their eldest brother’s subtle hint, Xie Wentao added bluntly, "Xie Qiqi, Wei Ling is the Heir to the Marquis of Wu'an. He is talented in both letters and arms and will inherit the title. You are illiterate, boorish, and antisocial; you are simply not worthy of him! Listen to Mother and Eldest Brother, stop making a scene, and yield this engagement to Yue Yue."
Xie Wenyuan nodded in agreement. The Wei family had been tactful, citing "incompatible horoscopes" as the reason, but he knew they were merely saving face for Xie Qiqi. If she had any self-respect, she would stop making a fool of herself.
Noticing that Xie Qiqi still hadn't said a word, Yue Huijuan frowned impatiently. "Qiqi, Ling-ge'er has no feelings for you. You will not be happy if you marry into that house. Do not be stubborn; yield this engagement to Yue Yue."
Xie Qiqi looked at Xie Wenyuan, then at Xie Wentao, and finally let her gaze rest on Yue Huijuan. They were all forcing her to hand over her marriage, painting her as worthless in the process. Had any of them stopped to consider her feelings?
Xie Qiqi suddenly asked, "And if I refuse to yield?"