Chapter 663: 275 Tingli gets married
The Duke Mansion contemplated Ning Lixuan’s words and after a thoughtful pause, their expressions turned unsightly.
Lady Zhao hurriedly asked, “Old Master, is something improper?”
The Duke often dealt with matters outside the home and was well-informed, “The Drunken Immortal Tavern is owned by the Luo Family. If you were drinking there yesterday and the Luo Family canceled the engagement today, did you say something absurd?” It had to be the case.
Lady Zhao’s face turned ashen. If their son really babbled at the Drunken Immortal Tavern about not marrying Mingzhu, it would not only doom the marriage but also entangle them in enmity with the Luo Family.
However, Ning Lixuan did not know that the Drunken Immortal Tavern belonged to the Luo Family. Hearing the Duke’s query, she shook her head and said, “That’s impossible, Father knows I’ve always held my liquor well. It’s not possible that I’d speak drunken nonsense.” Ning Lixuan was confident in her drinking behavior, but what she didn’t know was that her drink had been tampered with, which otherwise wouldn’t have let people guess her true feelings.
The Duke didn’t believe this for a second and immediately summoned Guan Jingshuo, who had been present. If his son had indeed spoken out of turn, Guan Jingshuo would surely know.
The Duke and Duchess both wanted to know what exactly Ning Lixuan had said. If there was a chance to salvage the situation, they wanted to seize it. If not, they couldn’t afford to make enemies with the Marquis Jingning’s Residence.
The wait was the most agonizing part. The crisp chirping of the birds outside only served to irritate the Duke Mansion further, prompting them to chase the birds away.
Guan Jingshuo arrived promptly. Seeing the amiable faces of the Duke and Duchess, he felt a strong sense of aversion internally, thinking that only such hypocritical people could raise such a hypocritical son.
Guan Jingshuo was contemptuous inside, but his face showed no sign of it. After pondering for a moment, he said, “No, my cousin didn’t say anything at all.”
Lady Zhao was clearly skeptical and pressed further, “Really, he said nothing at all?”
Guan Jingshuo frowned slightly but ultimately spoke earnestly, “Indeed, he said nothing. It was just that as we were leaving, my cousin mentioned in passing that he did not wish to marry just yet.”
Lady Zhao’s complexion changed dramatically. The Drunken Immortal Tavern was the property of the Marquis Jingning’s Residence. Her son’s comments about not wanting to marry were as good as telling Luo Shao that he was not keen on taking Luo Mingzhu as his wife. No wonder the Luo Family had broken off the engagement.
Duke Ning’s eyes narrowed as he asked in a gentle manner, “Why didn’t you go to the Hongfu Restaurant yesterday, and instead chose the Drunken Immortal Tavern?” Duke Ning was suspecting Guan Jingshuo.
Confused, Guan Jingshuo replied, “I only suggested the Drunken Immortal Tavern because my cousin told me that the Tropaeolum Luzhi wine there had a rich taste, and that he really enjoyed drinking it. Uncle, is there something inappropriate about the tavern?”
Ning Lixuan had indeed said so, hence he admitted, “Father, it was my idea to go to the Drunken Immortal Tavern.” He had no idea that it was part of Marquis Jingning’s properties. Yet, Ning Lixuan also couldn’t understand why he felt so conflicted; while he was relieved to have the engagement off, he felt guilty seeing his parents’ sorrowful expressions.
Duke Ning had no more to say after that.
After Guan Jingshuo had left, Lady Zhao suggested to the Duke, “Old Master, we could go to them and explain that Lixuan thinks he is too young to marry just yet and then have Lixuan apologize to Mingzhu.”
Duke Ning shook his head and said, “Luo Shao is not someone easily swayed. Once he hears Lixuan doesn’t want to marry Luo Mingzhu, he would never agree to the marriage.” Luo Shao was young yet already in charge of Capital City’s defense, which indicated his substantial capabilities and favor with the emperor. A capable man also has pride; now that he knew, how could he allow his sister to marry someone who didn’t wish to take her?
The Duke Mansion sighed softly. With Luo Shao at the helm of Marquis Jingning’s Residence, if he was unwilling to proceed with the marriage, then the engagement was definitely doomed. The Duke eventually said, “Let it be, this marriage is off. We shall seek another match.”
Lady Zhao was not ready to give up so easily. Once Duke Ning had left, she pressured Ning Lixuan to visit Mingzhu and persuade her. If Mingzhu was willing, the marriage could still happen.
Ning Lixuan was reluctant, “Mother, if she’s not marrying, let it be. Could it be that I won’t be able to find a good match?” Luo Mingzhu’s refusal suited him fine; he didn’t want to marry her either. To beg someone he had no desire to marry to become his wife was something he couldn’t do.
Yet Lady Zhao was not one to back down easily. When coaxing and bribing didn’t work, she resorted to crying and causing a scene until Ning Lixuan finally gave in.
Back in his own courtyard, Ning Lixuan, filled with resentment at the thought of having to humble himself before Luo Mingzhu, smashed a porcelain vase to pieces. After venting his anger, he retrieved a booklet from the Secret Chamber. It contained all the poetry composed by Mu Qinglian, not a single piece missing.