Chapter 122: Clearly So Wild

Chapter 122: Clearly So Wild

Yang Luo focused only on stabbing Xi Jiaojiao's heart with her sharp words, as if only through such counterattacks could she suppress the unease within herself.

Xi Jiaojiao pointed at her: "Fine, fine, fine. Since you're so capable, I'd like to see what kind of good life someone like you, who threw yourself at a man with every trick in the book, can have. I'm telling you—if you want a dowry, go ask your own parents. I won't contribute a single copper coin."

Yang Luo felt a lump in her throat. Without a dowry, how would she get by?

"There's no such thing as a sister-in-law paying for her husband's sister's dowry! Ask your mother to prepare it for you."

Xi Jiaojiao repeated herself, then returned to her room with Lv Zhi, slamming the door shut with a loud "bang."

Everyone in the courtyard was startled. This Yang family—bickering in front of strangers. What a sight to behold.

Lady Wu naturally heard Xi Jiaojiao's words as well, secretly cursing those two for being out of their minds, saying such things in front of others.

Zhang Shi said flatly: "Since we're to have this marriage, then let's exchange the birth certificates and set a date. I know you've been having a hard time. For this match, we only want simplicity—no lavish ceremony. Betrothal gifts and dowry, we'll keep everything simple."

In the end, under the mutual dissatisfaction of both parties, they exchanged birth certificates and set the wedding date for the second day of the twelfth lunar month.

Yang Luo was over the moon now that the marriage was settled. The more she looked at Qi Jing, the more she liked him.

"Qi Jing, shall I embroider a pouch for you? You read every day, and your mind must tire easily. I'll put some refreshing mugwort and pine leaves in the pouch—they'll suit you perfectly."

"Don't bother. My mother and the nanny will take care of all that for me."

Qi Jing was rather aloof. After a polite bow, he said nothing more and left directly with Zhang Shi and the others.

Yang Yao watched from the side and curled her lips: "Sister, this is too humiliating. Being too eager never pays off—why bother?"

"What do you know? If he were that easy to get, would I have gone through all this trouble? Besides, look at how things are at home now. If you don't look out for yourself, just see what kind of family you'll end up marrying into."

Yang Luo was now smug and self-satisfied, paying no attention to anything else, her mind completely focused on the upcoming wedding.

But her words got to Yang Yao. Though only fourteen, her family had been through one disaster after another, and she had learned how cold the world could be. If she wasn't happy at home with her own family, what kind of family could she hope to marry into?

Looking at it that way, it seemed her sister's self-chosen match really wasn't bad after all.

Back at home, Qi Jing and the others had settled the engagement, but there was no joy on any of their faces.

Zhang Shi was also deflated. She had been waiting with bated breath for the exam results, but now even that excitement had fizzled.

Qi Jing, however, was getting ready to leave again. Amao quickly followed.

Zhang Shi hurried after him, demanding to know where he was going and why, but he just said he was going out for a walk.

"I raised this son, and he doesn't even have a heart for his own mother. After pulling a stunt like that, he still acts this way." Zhang Shi couldn't help complaining.

"Don't fret, Madam. The young master is still recovering from the shock. You've got to give him some breathing room."

"When the clan finds out he's marrying a girl like that, who knows how much nasty talk I'll have to put up with."

The matron also sighed. The young master is bound to go far in life. The clan used to side with the second and third branches, but ever since the young master passed the imperial exam and became a scholar, they've treated the eldest branch much better.

As for Jing Geer getting married, the clan definitely wants him to marry the daughter of some official who can help his career.

And that eldest daughter of the Yang family—just the thought of her was enough to give anyone a headache.

Amao saw Qi Jing striding off urgently and hurried to catch up: "Young master, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Qi Jing didn't reply. At least he wasn't like the other day, when he seemed out of his mind—right now, he was sharp as a tack.

What Amao hadn't expected was that Qi Jing actually went into The Finest Gourmet.

Of course, Miss Xi wasn't at the restaurant.

"Go fetch Miss Xi. I need to speak with her," Qi Jing instructed.

Amao was startled: "Young master, that's not a good idea..."

"Go now." Qi Jing snapped, which was rare for him.

Xi Qianyue had been holed up at home for quite some time. Even though she had several shadow guards protecting her, she stayed on her guard. Zeng Shi had also told her to stay put at home.

When Amao showed up to invite her to talk with Qi Jing, Xi Qianyue thought it was odd.

"If your young master wants to talk to me, why doesn't he come here? Wouldn't that be easier?"

Amao mumbled: "I wouldn't know. Maybe he thought it'd be too crowded and noisy here, not the best place to talk."

Xi Qianyue caught on. Zeng Shi was keeping a close eye on things, dead set on playing matchmaker for them. How would Qi Jing dare to show up at her door just to talk to her?

Remembering that she'd said she wanted to have a proper talk with Qi Jing in private, she agreed.

Xi Qianyue changed into a simple, practical outfit with tight sleeves, and brought Qing Bi, Ye Ling, and Ye Xi—all three were pretty good at martial arts.

She left two of her eight shadow guards at home, and the rest went out with her in disguise.

You could say she was decked out for battle. She didn't believe that with all these experts around her, the Fifth Prince would still have a chance to strike.

She made it to her restaurant, The Finest Gourmet, without any trouble, and Xi Qianyue breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Finding out that Qi Jing, who was usually so thrifty, had actually booked a private room, Xi Qianyue was a bit surprised. It looked like Qi Jing had something important to say.

When Qi Jing saw Xi Qianyue again, so bright and lovely—even though it had only been a few days, it felt like a whole lifetime had passed.

He knew that before, he could stand at a distance and quietly watch over her, and still hold out hope of spending the rest of his life with her.

Now, that was completely out of the question.

Not just because she'd turned him down, but also because of his "mistake."

Xi Qianyue didn't look embarrassed at all, still as composed and gracious as ever, like she was meeting an old friend.

"You look a bit off. Didn't get enough sleep?"

Qi Jing looked a little embarrassed and tried to cover it up: "A little."

Xi Qianyue waved her hand, sending the maids out of the room, leaving only Qing Bi.

Qi Jing also told Amao to leave.

"Can Sister Qing Bi step out for a bit too? I have something really important to say."

Xi Qianyue hesitated for a moment, then had Qing Bi leave too, and wait outside the door.

"Miss Xi, I apologize for the audacity of asking you to come here today."

When he saw Xi Qianyue looking at him so intently, he got even more nervous: "You don't need to worry about my business anymore, because I... I'm getting married soon."

"What?" Xi Qianyue was genuinely taken aback. "That soon?"

Wasn't he just talking about marrying her a few days ago? Now he says he's marrying someone else.

Who said people back then were so reserved? This is just crazy.

"I'm sorry." Qi Jing looked like a kid who'd been caught doing something wrong.

"No, no, no, you don't need to apologize to me. On the contrary, I should be congratulating you. Which lucky girl gets to have him?" Xi Qianyue said with a smile, looking completely at ease.

The relaxed look on her face made Qi Jing feel even worse.

So, his getting married was such a weight off her shoulders.