Chapter 114: Left Hanging

Xu Ruojin returned to her room and collapsed onto the bed, continuously pressing her hand against her chest. Though she said she was going to select some wine, the items had long been moved outside; she was merely seeking an excuse.

Chun Cao noticed something was off with the Second Miss. “What’s wrong with you today? You seem flustered and can’t settle down.”

“I can’t quite explain it. Ever since I saw that man, my heart has been unsettled.”

Xu Ruojin herself was surprised. She was not one to be timid or easily rattled—so what was happening today? Occasionally, she even felt a strange urge to confront him head-on. Despite telling herself to stay calm, her inner turmoil would not subside.

Hong Xing brought over a cup of tea, which Xu Ruojin took, then told her to go outside to attend to things. “Don’t leave him hanging. You go first. I’ll rest a moment and you can say I’m still choosing wine and ingredients.”

Hong Xing nodded and left immediately. Chun Cao pondered carefully. “Today is indeed strange. Neither Master nor Madam sent anyone over—he’s only here with that old servant from before.”

“His eyes are so piercing, constantly scrutinizing me as if trying to discern something. It’s clearly not about the wine.”

Xu Ruojin looked at Chun Cao. “When I just said I didn’t want to marry, did you notice his expression?”

“I wouldn’t dare meet his gaze…”

“He gave a teasing smile, mixed with what seemed like approving recognition.” Xu Ruojin furrowed her brows. “Wasn’t he supposed to be here to mend relations between the Zhangs and our family? Ordinarily, he should be angry.”

Chun Cao was at a loss and only stared blankly. Xu Ruojin seemed to be talking to herself. “His reaction was abnormal. Could it be that he feels superior, looking down on us as if we’re mere children at play? No, that doesn’t seem right either.”

“Forget it. Let’s hurry along and not give him any reason to find fault. I just want him to leave soon so I can finally be at ease.”

Without dwelling on it further, Xu Ruojin fetched some ingredients from her chest and went out with Chun Cao. Though she continued mixing wine, Yan Hongwen did not pry into her personal affairs. Instead, he chatted about medicinal wines, which lightened the mood considerably.

After all, it was wine, not tea. Even after drinking the sobering soup, Yan Hongwen showed signs of weariness. Meanwhile, Zhu Fang appeared increasingly vibrant, much to Yan Hongwen’s chagrin.

“The older the wine, the gentler it is on the body. Young Master Yan, you are vigorous—just enjoy a light drink for pleasure.”

Xu Ruojin’s explanation made Yan Hongwen smile and nod. “It’s quite comforting.”

“Not at all. I’m merely stating facts.”

“Then shall I take my leave?” Yan Hongwen looked at her. “I find myself reluctant to go.”

“Please maintain your dignity, Young Master Yan.”

Xu Ruojin’s expression immediately turned cold. “Farewell. No seeing off.”

Turning away, she only let Hong Xing and Yang Tao accompany him out, then quickly returned inside without looking back.

Yan Hongwen laughed loudly, utterly unbothered.

Yang’s household had prepared a lavish feast early on, but Yan Hongwen didn’t eat a bite. After leaving Xu Ruojin’s courtyard, he took Zhu Fang with him and departed.

Xu Ruojin had hoped to calm herself and contemplate this man carefully. But before she could think deeply, Yang rushed in, demanding answers.

“Why did Young Master Yan leave without eating? What did he do here? What did you say to him? Did you anger him? What’s really going on?”

“Are you mute? Why aren’t you speaking?”

Yang’s incessant nagging made Xu Ruojin roll her eyes to the heavens. “You keep berating me. What am I supposed to say?”

“Then just say it quickly!”

Yang looked imploringly at her, while Xu Ruojin pouted. “I don’t know.”

“What?”

“How could you not know?”

Yang could not tolerate Xu Ruojin’s indifferent attitude and grabbed her roughly. “If you don’t know, then tell me everything—what happened, what was said, what snacks and wine he had—clearly, or I’m not leaving!”

Xu Ruojin looked up and shouted in anger, enduring Yang’s torment.

At first, Yang did not believe Xu Ruojin’s words.

But over the next two days, Yan Hongwen came to the Xu residence daily, always dining and drinking tea only with Xu Ruojin.

Even when not drinking wine, he stayed solely in this small courtyard, no longer bothering to exchange pleasantries with Xu Yaohui.

Yang dared not go there. Once, when she tried, Zhu Fang chased her away and warned her not to come while Young Master Yan was present.

Feeling thoroughly rejected, Yang dared not complain and could only watch helplessly. The moment Yan Hongwen left, she immediately sought out Xu Ruojin.

Xu Ruojin was so annoyed she wished she could immediately hang herself with a white silk ribbon. Who exactly had she offended?

At this moment, another man was equally enraged—Zhang Zhongheng.

The last time he drank with Yan Hongwen, though he refrained from scheming against Xu Ruojin or refusing to accept her as the legitimate wife, Yan Hongwen had told him to direct all suspicion toward Liang Xiao and then ignored him.

Yan Zhongheng spent every day cooped up in Xu’s residence, doing something unknown. When Zhang Zhongheng visited him at night, Yan Hongwen said he was tired and needed to rest.

Now, the campaign against Liang Xiao had reached its crucial stage.

No matter how much outsiders whispered or slandered, it no longer mattered—it could even backfire.

Only Xu Ruojin, as the person directly involved, could rise to thoroughly strike Liang Xiao and sever any possibility of alliance through marriage with the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family.

Zhang Zhongheng had also learned that just yesterday, the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family sent a New Year’s gift to Lady Liang.

This angered him so much he spent the entire night sleepless.

Early that morning, he sought out Zhang Zhongliang to discuss strategy. “Liang Xiao has disappeared, yet Yan Hongwen stays at the Xu residence all day and refuses to let Xu Ruojin confront Liang Xiao. He’s the one who stirred this up, but now we’re left doing all the hard work. This is too much!”

“I already asked him yesterday. He said…”

Zhang Zhongliang was equally frustrated. “He said Xu Ruojin is still a young lady, and it’s inappropriate for her to accuse Liang Xiao. Since you’re already betrothed to her, why not step forward yourself?”

“What?”

Zhang Zhongheng jumped up in anger. “He’s talking nonsense!”

“But now that it’s come to this, what choice do we have?”

“Yan Hongwen is nothing but a spoiled son of a minor minister’s household. His status isn’t even comparable to yours or your eldest brother’s. He just relies on having a national duke as a grandfather. Otherwise, he’s worthless!”

Zhang Zhongliang scolded him, seeing Zhang Zhongheng’s furious outburst. “And it’s all because of you! If you hadn’t insisted on that stunt—just marrying her outright—would it have come to this?”

“I’m done with it!”

Zhang Zhongheng was ready to quit. Ever since Xu Ruojin regained consciousness, everything had been a battle against him.

That woman was a demon and a curse!

Just as Zhang Zhongliang was about to reprimand him, a young servant suddenly rushed in. “Young Master, Young Master, there’s news!”

“What?”

“Liang Xiao has returned to the Liang family!”

“He’s back home?”

“Yes, swaggering through the door—definitely him!”

“Let’s go find him. I want to see if that scoundrel Liang Xiao still keeps his back straight after being branded a villain!”