Chapter 30: Setting the Engagement Date

"Extend your hand!" Jiang Xunian shouted again, his voice filled with fury as he glared at Jiang Xueyu.

Seeing that even the usually doting Madam Li no longer dared to intercede, Jiang Xueyu knew that he was truly enraged. No longer daring to resist, she extended a trembling hand.

Jiang Xunian struck her hand repeatedly while cursing, "I will beat you to death today, you wretched girl! If I don't, our Yongbo Mansion will surely be ruined by your hands one day."

With each strike, Jiang Xueyu felt a piercing, heart-wrenching pain, yet she dared not pull her hand back, only crying out in agony. Madam Li stood by, not daring to utter a word of comfort, watching in heartache as Jiang Xueyu was beaten.

***

Yulan Garden.

"Miss, I heard from the servants outside that the Second Miss was given a severe beating by the Master," Liusu said with a smile as she poured a cup of tea for Jiang Shuwan.

Jiang Shuwan picked up the cup, took a sip, and smiled. "That is what she deserves."

"Exactly. Who told her to always be so arrogant and domineering, bullying you and me?" Liusu said, then suddenly struck by a thought, she teased with a grin, "Wait, I shouldn't call you 'Miss' anymore. I should call you the Marchioness of Pingning."

Jiang Shuwan blushed instantly at these words and scolded her playfully, "Go on with you, you talk too much." She lowered her head, looking bashful.

"Miss, you don't know—my heart was filled with envy when the Marquis stood up for you today," Liusu said, clasping her hands over her chest with a look of longing. "I hope that one day, I too can find a man as upright, heroic, and protective of his wife as the Marquis."

Jiang Shuwan found her words amusing. She thought of Gu Yunting and how he had kept her shielded behind him all day; her heart stirred slightly. She had never expected that Gu Yunting was still alive, nor that they would meet so many times. Having never seen him before, she had assumed he would be a middle-aged man similar to Jiang Xunian, but finding him so handsome and dashing, she felt a budding fondness for him.

However, as a thought crossed her mind, her smile faded slightly. "This marriage was something I decided on my own initiative. Now that the Marquis has appeared, he may not necessarily be willing to marry me."

Just as Liusu was about to offer comfort, a voice came from the doorway: "Is that so?"

Jiang Shuwan and Liusu both turned toward the door. A man in a black robe, embroidered with subtle grey leaves on the chest, stood there. His hair was pulled up into a topknot, and with his hands behind his back, he walked slowly toward them.

Jiang Shuwan stood up hastily, looking at him in surprise. "Marquis, why have you come?"

Gu Yunting did not speak, but cast a sidelong glance at Liusu.

Thinking he had something private to discuss, Jiang Shuwan said, "Liusu, you may go outside first."

"Yes, Miss."

After Liusu stepped out, she turned back at the door and mouthed, "Miss, good luck!"

Jiang Shuwan felt a sudden urge to laugh. Seeing her glancing toward the door, Gu Yunting assumed she was worried about something and explained, "Do not look. I entered through the side gate; I have not alerted anyone else in the Jiang household."

Jiang Shuwan realized he had misunderstood, but she did not explain. She gestured for him to take a seat. "Marquis, please sit."

Gu Yunting gathered the edge of his robe and sat on the dark red circular stool. Jiang Shuwan sat beside him, poured him a cup of tea, and handed it over. "Marquis Pingning, have you come regarding our marriage?"

Gu Yunting took the cup and placed it before him. "Yes. Is Miss Jiang willing to be my wife?"

Jiang Shuwan was stunned; she had not expected him to be so direct. She had assumed that because she had taken the initiative, he had come to call off the engagement. She stared at him intently, trying to discern his true intentions, but when their eyes met, Gu Yunting’s expression remained blank, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Gu Yunting shifted his gaze, his eyes deepening. "If Miss Jiang needs time to consider, you may give me your answer another day."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Shuwan replied, "There is no need; I can give you my answer now." Realizing she might have sounded too eager, she glanced at him and looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.

Gu Yunting watched her quietly, waiting for her response, but she remained silent with her head bowed. He could see her neck, as fair and smooth as a peeled egg, so different from his own rugged skin. For some reason, he felt as if a feather were brushing against his heart. His throat moved silently, and his voice turned raspy. "What is your answer?"

Jiang Shuwan could feel his burning gaze, which made her face flush even deeper, her ears turning pink as well. Gu Yunting’s eyes grew even more profound.

"I am willing," Jiang Shuwan whispered.

Gu Yunting’s stern features softened slightly. He picked up his cup, took a sip, and asked, "Miss Jiang, are you sure you do not need more time to think?"

Jiang Shuwan looked up. "Although marriage is usually a matter of 'the commands of parents and the words of matchmakers,' if I have a choice, I still hope to find a husband who is to my own heart's content."

Gu Yunting, who was mid-sip, paused. He looked at Jiang Shuwan in surprise, seeing the sparkle in her eyes. He found it hard to believe that he was the man she had desired. A faint smile touched his lips as he set the cup down and took two palm-sized slips of red paper from his sleeve, placing them on the table.

"Since Miss Jiang agrees to this marriage, let us choose a date for our wedding."

Jiang Shuwan hadn't expected him to come so prepared. She looked at the red paper. One was marked with the twenty-second, the other with the twenty-sixth.

Gu Yunting explained, "The twenty-second of this month and the twenty-sixth of next month are both auspicious days."

Jiang Shuwan looked at him. "I didn't realize the Marquis had come so well-prepared."

"Naturally."

Jiang Shuwan looked down at the red paper, pondered for a few seconds, then placed her hand on the slip marked 'twenty-sixth' and pushed it forward. "Shall we choose this one?"

Gu Yunting looked down at the red paper beneath her slender fingers and nodded. "Very well, we shall marry on that day."

With that, he rose, flicked his robe, and walked toward the main door. Seeing him leave so abruptly, Jiang Shuwan was surprised and couldn't help but call out, "Marquis!"

Gu Yunting turned back. "Yes?"

Seeing his serious, solemn expression, Jiang Shuwan realized how impulsive she had been, so she shook her head. "It is nothing. Just... please take care on your way out."

"I know," Gu Yunting said, pausing to stare at her with deep, intense eyes.

Jiang Shuwan’s heart pounded under his gaze, and her face turned even redder. Watching the young woman who blushed so easily, Gu Yunting found her quite fascinating. He felt an urge to take her into his arms, but he knew it was not yet the time; he was afraid of frightening her.

Taking a deep breath, he turned and left. Jiang Shuwan remained standing, watching his retreating figure.