Chapter 164: I, I Disagree

Chapter 164: I, I disagree……

After lunch, the others had lost all desire to wander about.

Especially Xiao Wanyan.

Though she had been granted the long-desired delicacies by Chen Yi, her mood had been subtly tainted.

Especially the matter of the “matchmaking affair” that Liu Wen had mentioned, which left her restless.

She feared the old patriarch might agree to the union with the Liu family of Jingzhou.

Just as Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi’s marriage had been orchestrated by the old patriarch himself.

Even before that, no one within the Xiao family had known of this matter.

Had Xiao Jinghong not refused, perhaps the entire Wei dynasty would now be laughing at the Xiao and Chen families.

And now, such a situation had arisen again, and it was happening to her, Xiao Wanyan felt a stirring of anxiety and unease.

Thus, on the road back, she sat silently on one side of the carriage.

The face, which had just regained a flush of color, paled once more, its soft eyes gazing weakly at the rain-streaked window.

It resembled a vibrant flower on the verge of wilting—beautiful, yet tinged with sorrow.

Chen Yi could only pretend ignorance of the matter.

In the meantime, he tried to crack a joke or two, but Xiao Wanyan remained deep in thought.

Xiao Wugou and Xiao Die, however, were delighted by his levity.

After a while, the carriage entered the Hou estate.

Before Zhou Stopyun returned from the stables, Xiao Wanyan instructed Shen Huatang to hold her umbrella and lead her to Qingqing Hall.

Chen Yi had also wished to follow, but upon reflection, felt it inappropriate.

Whether the marriage would proceed or not was an internal matter of the Xiao family, one surely decided by the old patriarch.

Even as an outsider by marriage, Xiao Wanyan herself could not sway the old patriarch’s decision.

At this juncture, parental commands and matchmaker’s words were no mere idle chatter.

Especially for a family as illustrious as the Xiao clan.

Marriages of their children were often matters to ensure the family’s continuity or to expand their influence.

Like Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu.

Like Xiao Jinghong and him.

After a moment’s contemplation, Chen Yi patted Xiao Wugou’s shoulder and pointed toward Xiao Wanyan, who had walked far ahead, whispering softly:

“You haven’t visited the old patriarch in a long time.”

Xiao Wugou paused, then recalled the previous occasion when Chen Yi had instructed him to listen in at Qingqing Hall, his eyes widening:

“Brother, I’d like to learn chess with you at the mansion tomorrow.”

Chen Yi feigned a puzzled laugh, ruffling his hair:

“I can’t arrange that. You must ask Big Sister—see if she agrees.”

“Brother, as long as you ask, Big Sister will surely consent.”

Seeing Xiao Wanyan already inside the courtyard, Chen Yi relented:

“I’ll try, though I cannot promise success.”

Xiao Wugou let out a hearty laugh:

“It’ll definitely work.”

He then hurried after Xiao Wanyan and Shen Huatang, careening through the rain without so much as a second thought.

Chen Yi shook his head, muttering about the boy’s newfound diligence, then ordered Xiao Die to follow.

Xiao Die hesitated:

“Master, how do you intend to return?”

“I’m not returning. I need to visit the western market.”

“Then…”

“If we wait any longer, Wugou will be drenched like a chicken in soup.”

Though Xiao Die did not fully grasp the idiom, she understood he was worried about Xiao Wugou.

Without further ado, she hurried after them, umbrella in hand.

After they had departed, Chen Yi looked up at the sky.

Though it still drizzled, the rain had lessened since noon.

The wind from the north drove the rain into southern streaks.

Chen Yi let the fine drops patter against his face, feeling the chill settle into his bones, and his heart grew calm.

“The Liu family of Jingzhou…”

“It seems they’re determined to carve a piece of the Xiao family’s legacy.”

With such thoughts, Chen Yi withdrew his gaze, calmly turning away from the mansion toward the western market.

His figure, unumbrella’d, walked steadily through the rain.

Distant now…

……

Xiao Wanyan hurried to Qingqing Hall, followed by Xiao Wugou, whose smile was oddly sprightly.

Upon arriving, she heard muffled voices from within the hall.

“…Before, when the young ones from the Liu family first came to Shuzhou, they were ignorant of customs and had committed many offenses. We humbly beg the Hou to forgive us.”

“I know not of any transgressions.”

“The Hou is a man of noble deeds, naturally dismissing the affairs of a humble apothecary. Hah…”

Liu family members? Xiao Wanyan stumbled, her hands flying to her chest, staring straight at the hall. Her lips twitched as if to bite them, her expression tinged with worry.

Xiao Wugou, too, had heard the voices inside. He glanced at her, then took her hand and whispered softly:

“Sister, may I go ask Grandfather to pay my respects?”

Xiao Wanyan blinked, then shook her head gently:

“Wait a moment.”

Though she did not yet know who the Liu family members were, merely hearing the word “Liu” sent her spirits into turmoil, more unsettled than before.

She could not quite articulate her feelings—resistance, hesitation, dread…

In the midst of these complex emotions, all she could think was simply: *No.*

After roughly the length of one incense stick burning, the voices inside finally concluded with the words for departure.

Xiao Wanyan exhaled, relieved.

Fortunately, no words of “marriage” or “matchmaking” had reached her ears.

Not long after.

The old master leaned on his cane, guiding a slightly plump middle-aged man dressed in traditional robes out of the courtyard.

"Go back and tell my son Liu Xuan I’ve longed to see him. It’s been so many years; I fear we may never meet again."

"I will certainly carry your words, my lord."

The middle-aged man nodded respectfully, bowing slightly. "My lord, please wait. I shall return at once."

"Very well."

As the man turned and glanced toward the doorway, he spotted Xiao Wuan'er and Xiao Wugou standing there. He paused briefly, then smiled and bowed.

"Surely this must be Miss Wuan'er and young Master Xiao?"

The old master introduced them: "Wuan'er, Wugou—this is Liu Yu, from the Liu family of Jingzhou."

Xiao Wuan'er hesitated, then bowed. "Miss Wuan'er has met Uncle Liu before."

Xiao Wugou saluted in return.

After observing both of them, Liu Yu praised warmly: "Miss Wuan'er is indeed as renowned—gentle and gracious."

"And young Master Xiao, too, a dragon among men. Surely he will inherit his elder brother’s legacy and bring glory to our family."

The old master glanced at him, smiling. "Such words please me."

Liu Yu then studied Xiao Wuan'er and Xiao Wugou, his gaze lingering before asking: "Tell me, has my Liu family done us a great favor?"

The old master, usually quick-witted, faltered for a moment.

Xiao Wuan'er’s heart raced to her throat, her mind blanking with a dizzying swirl.

Ah.

The seasoned elder feigned confusion, asking: "What do you mean by that, nephew?"

Liu Yu spoke plainly: "To be honest, my elder brother had made arrangements before we came to Shu."

"If your lord agrees, the Liu family wishes to unite with the Xiao family, strengthening our bond."

"How does your lord feel about this?"

The old master fixed his gaze on the bewildered Xiao Wuan'er, his expression unchanged.

"I recall your Liu family’s eldest nephew has already pledged a marriage."

"Indeed, my nephew Liu Wu has a betrothal, my lord."

"But your second son, Liu Wen, remains unmarried. His intellect, talent, and martial prowess are unmatched—surely a perfect match for Miss Wuan'er."

Before the old master could answer, Xiao Wuan'er, her face pale, blurted: "I—I disagree…"

Liu Yu glanced at her, then turned his attention back to the old master, as though she had not spoken.

A parent’s command, a matchmaker’s word—how could they be dismissed so lightly?

The old master regarded the trembling Xiao Wuan'er, then mused: "I shall decline this proposal for now."

"Once we’ve exchanged letters, we shall decide accordingly."

Liu Yu’s smile stilled, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face, though he said nothing further.

"Then I bid you good day, my lord."

"My lord, please take care."

The old master nodded, watching him depart. After a moment, he turned to Xiao Wuan'er and smiled. "The wind is strong outside. Come inside."

Xiao Wuan'er blinked, then followed him into the hall.

Xiao Wugou hurried forward, speaking at once: "Grandfather, what’s wrong with the Liu family of Jingzhou? I won’t agree to any match."

The old master chuckled, patting his grandson’s knee to seat him. "Do you know the Liu family is troublesome?"

Xiao Wugou nodded. "I’ve heard my elder sister say that, if not for the Liu family’s meddling, our pharmacy wouldn’t be in such a bind."

"My elder brother agrees…"

When he hushed his sister, the old master took sudden interest. "What did your brother say?"

"He said something about big trees attracting wind—our family’s been targeted by them."

(Chapter Complete)