Advance the wedding date?? What a joke…
Advance the wedding date?? What a joke? How far in advance? Half a year? One year?
Qian Xingzhi shot up at the news, even startling Liang Shi'an.
"This… how is this possible?" Qian Xingzhi struggled to salvage the situation. "If we marry early to avoid mourning, it will surely invite criticism. I cannot let the Liang family fall into such a predicament."
Liang Shi'an pulled her back down to sit, now more pleased with this grandson-in-law than ever. "It's really because my wife is worried, unwilling to delay the children. She begged me repeatedly, so I had an audience with His Majesty."
Qian Xingzhi's heart sank, and her lower abdomen ached. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. "This… this…"
Wasn't filial piety the greatest of virtues? Just yesterday, she had specifically looked up Nansheng's mourning rites. There were only cases of postponing weddings to observe mourning, never advancing them because of it! There were even precedents of officials being dismissed for refusing to mourn. She had thought she could stall for three to five years, but who would have expected the Liang family to strike while the iron was hot and force her hand?
What's more, this was a wedding date set by the emperor—how could it be so easily advanced? That old fox Liang Shi'an clearly knew Qian Xingzhi was the Third Prince's man, yet just because she had mentioned the Crown Prince, he was so eager to win her over?
Liang Luming could marry anyone; Qian Xingzhi's background was too humble. Did the Liang family really need to stake so much on her?
The more Qian Xingzhi thought about it, the more she sensed something fishy, but on the surface, she could only comply. "Since His Majesty has spoken, I naturally obey. But marrying into the Qian Mansion is ultimately beneath Miss Liang."
Liang Shi'an kindly comforted her. "I'm at ease entrusting Luming to you. The wedding date is set for the sixth day of the sixth month—an auspicious day."
That was only a month away! She might as well bash her head against the wall. Once Liang Luming discovered the truth in a month, it would all be over anyway.
Qian Xingzhi forced a smile. "I'll leave everything to you, my lord. But… I was planning to save up more money this year, and now with the advancement…"
With the wedding brought forward, Qian Xingzhi couldn't afford any grand ceremony. For the granddaughter of the Left Censor-in-Chief to marry a man of refugee origins like Qian Xingzhi was already absurd. If she couldn't put on a decent show, she'd be drowned in spit. The Liang family, having avoided mourning, would be gossiped about endlessly.
She couldn't possibly go begging Lu Yu again!
"Don't worry about a thing," Liang Shi'an said with a warmth that frightened Qian Xingzhi. "His Majesty said he would take care of everything."
What could she do? Throw a tantrum? Cry and hang herself? Shout at Liang Shi'an that she actually loved another man? Or maybe tell him she had a hidden disease that would leave Liang Luming childless?
Black spots swam before Qian Xingzhi's eyes. Trembling, she steadied herself by the chair and sat down. "Miss Liang must be heartbroken right now. I have a presumptuous request—may I speak with her for a while?"
"So eager to marry?" Liang Shi'an teased, but still called Liang Luming in.
When they met again, Liang Luming was still an ice cube. Qian Xingzhi couldn't detect any grief over her grandmother's illness or panic about the upcoming marriage.
"What does Lord Qian want to say to me?"
Qian Xingzhi was speechless. How to begin?
Actually, I'm a woman. Our marriage is a huge joke. Hahaha, maybe both our families are doomed!
Qian Xingzhi wiped the sweat from her forehead. "I heard your grandmother is seriously ill. I wanted to talk with you to take your mind off it, but I'm too tongue-tied to know how to comfort you."
"No need," Liang Luming always spoke decisively. "I have no feelings for the people in the Liang family. You don't need to worry."
She was exceptionally cold today. Liang Shi'an had just said her grandmother doted on her most—how could she look like they were enemies? What exactly was Liang Shi'an plotting?
"Is that all Lord Qian called me for?" Liang Luming pressed when Qian Xingzhi fell silent, choked by her words.
"No, not just that," Qian Xingzhi took a deep breath. "I'm afraid this marriage won't give you the dignity you deserve—"
"I don't care about that," Liang Luming cut her off quickly. "I was born into the Liang Mansion. I've never lacked gold, silver, or jewelry, and I've seen plenty of schemes. With the Liang family backing me, I won't be short of money in the future. Lord Qian will have to defer to me out of respect for my grandfather. What others say doesn't concern me."
Qian Xingzhi was stunned for the first time. "But… aren't you worried that we won't get along emotionally?"
She couldn't help but think: far from getting along, your future husband is literally missing something.
"Does having feelings or not change anything?" Liang Luming let out a sarcastic laugh. "Anyone in the Liang family who had even a shred of sincerity was long devoured."
"You seem unhappy today," Qian Xingzhi changed the subject.
Only then did Liang Luming show a hint of girlish emotion, lowering her eyes. "…You wouldn't understand. Actually, I know you don't want to marry me."
Qian Xingzhi's heart lurched. After only a second of hesitation, she admitted bluntly, "Yes, I don't know you, so I don't want to. Marriage should follow one's own heart, not just parental orders and fate."
"Lord Qian's thinking is novel. Too bad we don't have that luck." Liang Luming's voice was heavy, clearly troubled.
"You will," Qian Xingzhi said solemnly. "Don't lose heart. There's always room for change."
Since they were both women, if the truth came out, Qian Xingzhi could take all the blame. Liang Luming might still find a good match, and if Qian Xingzhi had the means, she would protect her.
Room for change? Liang Luming looked up at the person before her in surprise, about to ask more, when she heard the elders calling from outside.
The conversation ended inconclusively. In the end, Qian Xingzhi still couldn't reveal her identity.
The dinner at the Liang Mansion was tasteless for Qian Xingzhi. Round after round of pleasantries, smiling until her face stiffened. The moment she stepped out of the mansion gates, she wilted.
Yuan Mo was waiting outside. Shocked by her appearance, he asked, "Lord Qian, what happened?"
Qian Xingzhi didn't want to say more. "Is Lord Lu free tonight?"
Yuan Mo was puzzled. "I don't know."
Qian Xingzhi got into the carriage. "If he's free, ask him to climb over the wall to see me tonight."
Though bewildered, Yuan Mo passed the message to the Lu Mansion.
"He just wants me to climb the wall to find him?" Lu Yu was also puzzled. "Did he look strange when he came out of the Liang Mansion today?"
"Yes," Yuan Mo said, perplexed. "I've never seen Lord Qian like that. It was as if…"
He recalled Qian Xingzhi's half-dead look and shuddered. "As if he was about to collapse at any moment…"
Lu Yu hit him with a fan. "What nonsense are you talking? What's gotten into you and Yuan Bai lately?"