With a single sentence, she was dismissed.

Li Huaiyu found it hard to believe. She looked at Bai Dezhong and pointed at herself, saying, “The one who is betrothed to Jiang Yan… is me, right? I was resting at home on Jiang Yan’s birthday. Is that reasonable?”

Bai Dezhong replied in a deep voice, “The Jiang family has long been reconsidering this marriage. You need not cling to it too tightly.”

The implication was clear: he intended to push this marriage aside, as it pertained to Bai Xuanji.

To be honest, Li Huaiyu didn’t care much about whom she married. After all, she had previously kept more than a dozen male companions; what kind of man hadn’t she seen? She never regarded a girl’s marriage as a significant matter.

However, glancing down at the dress she was currently wearing, Huaiyu frowned slightly.

“Is there no room for negotiation?” she asked.

Bai Dezhong shook his head. “You should go back to the teachings of the house’s matron and learn the proper etiquette again. Once you’ve mastered it, I will help you choose another husband.”

Bai Xuanji smiled with a glimmer of pride in her eyes, yet maintained a dignified demeanor as she said to Huaiyu, “Fourth Sister, do not be too saddened. There are many good families; it’s not just the Jiang family.”

“Indeed,” Bai Mengshi chimed in, smiling in agreement. “You can choose again later.”

After glancing at the two of them, who seemed to revel in her misfortune, Huaiyu forced a smile, knowing there was no room for negotiation. She bowed to Bai Dezhong and said, “Daughter takes her leave.”

“Hmm.” Bai Dezhong watched her leave, letting out a soft sigh.

He knew this was somewhat cruel to Zhuji, but there was no other way. As things stood, Zhuji was not only unfit to marry Jiang Yan, but without her title as the Fourth Miss of the Bai family, she hardly resembled a proper young lady. Forcing her into the Jiang family would only lead to a miserable life.

It would be better to find her a common family where she could live a simple life, at least without being bullied.

Once Huaiyu exited the main hall, Lingxiu rushed over to support her. “Miss, how did it go?”

Seeing the eager look in her eyes, Huaiyu pursed her lips and hesitated for a long moment before saying, “We can sleep in tomorrow.”

Lingxiu gasped, her face turning pale. Her lips trembled, and tears fell with a soft “plop.”

“How could this happen?” she choked out. “Even if the Master doesn’t care for you, he should at least think of Third Madam’s spirit in heaven! How can he truly not let you go?”

Li Huaiyu was impervious to most things, but her one weakness was a fear of others crying. In the past, she wouldn’t shed a single tear even if her hair was cut or her bones broken, but Lingxiu could cry at the drop of a hat.

Flustered, she fumbled with her sleeve to wipe Lingxiu’s face and hurriedly comforted her, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. The Jiang family isn’t good anyway. If we don’t go, we don’t go.”

“That’s not acceptable!” Lingxiu sobbed uncontrollably.

Huaiyu felt helpless, pulling her back to the west courtyard. As they walked, she spoke softly, “From now on, if you stay with me, you won’t suffer any grievances. You don’t have to marry Jiang Yan.”

Lingxiu continued to cry.

Huaiyu added, “I’ll have someone buy you some delicious snacks tomorrow, okay?”

Lingxiu still cried without stopping.

Li Huaiyu felt overwhelmed and pressed her down onto a chair in the side room, clasping her hands together and bowing repeatedly. “Dear Miss, please stop crying! It’s just a banquet at the Jiang family, right? If they don’t take me, I’ll find a way to go myself!”

Lingxiu shook her head, sniffling. “There’s no way… How could there be a way…”

“It’s just a matter of changing clothes, right?” Huaiyu gritted her teeth and stomped her foot. “I’ll have someone bring over a suitable outfit right away!”

She spoke with such bravado as if she could truly make it happen. Lingxiu was amused, her eyes still red as she asked, “Who will you have to send it?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Huaiyu replied. “Just wait here. If anyone asks where I’ve gone, tell them I’m in the restroom with a stomachache.”

Lingxiu paused, surprised. “Are you going to find someone?”

Waving her hand, Huaiyu flicked her skirt and dashed out.

“Miss!” Lingxiu hurriedly got up and ran to the door, only to find that there was no one outside.

The night was quiet, and it was already time to extinguish the lamps. The official residences were all silent, their doors tightly shut.

However, the door of the Lu residence suddenly swung open from the inside.

“Dear Miss, are you in such a hurry for something tomorrow?” Lu Jingxing, dressed in nightclothes and a cloak, was being pulled along by someone, looking both amused and exasperated. “Is it really that urgent?”

Li Huaiyu didn’t look back as she said, “I snuck out. If I’m caught, they’ll break my legs. For the sake of my legs, don’t waste time talking.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingxing finally straightened up, glancing at the carriage that had just arrived. He pulled her up and quickly unhitched the horse.

“What are you doing?” Huaiyu glared at him.

Lu Jingxing laughed, “Aren’t you in a hurry? I’m taking you to experience the night breeze of April in the capital. It’s quite delightful.”

With that, he wrapped his arms around her waist and gently lifted her onto the horse’s back.

Huaiyu was taken aback, and before she could say anything, Lu Jingxing had mounted behind her. The horse had no saddle, and they were pressed closely together. She could almost feel the warmth radiating from his chest through his thin clothing.

“Hey,” Li Huaiyu frowned. “Are you being inappropriate?”

As they rode off, Lu Jingxing chuckled, “To be able to be a little inappropriate with me is something that the young ladies of the capital would envy. You should cherish it.”

“Bah!” Huaiyu retorted. “You’re just being cheeky. If you can’t find what I want later, I’ll tear your shop apart!”

“Don’t worry,” Lu Jingxing replied, his phoenix eyes half-squinting in amusement. “In my Pavilion of Lost Treasures, there’s everything you could want.”

Lu Jingxing owned many properties, but his favorite was the Pavilion of Lost Treasures.

The Pavilion of Lost Treasures was a renowned treasure shop in the capital, selling everything from large decorative items to small hairpins and jade rings. If it was a precious item, it could be found there. However, the prices were steep, and those without a few large silver notes in their pockets wouldn’t dare cross the threshold.

Li Huaiyu had never been there before, not because she didn’t want to, but because Lu Jingxing had adamantly refused to let her in.

“Letting you in is like letting a rat into a grain store!” The dashing Lu shopkeeper had once blocked her path with both hands on the door, saying, “If you want to go in, there’s only one way.”

“What way?”

Lu Jingxing had sneered, “Step over my dead body!”

Recalling his fierce expression back then, Huaiyu couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic.

“We’ve arrived.” The horse came to a stop, and Lu Jingxing dismounted, reaching out to lift her down as well.

“Hmm?” Huaiyu came back to her senses, noticing he was poised to carry her inside. She couldn’t help but tease, “This time, I don’t have to step over your dead body to get in?”

Lu Jingxing chuckled softly, not responding. He set her down at the entrance, flicked her forehead playfully, and then took out a key to unlock the door.

“Creak—”

A dazzling treasure trove opened before Li Huaiyu, revealing a world of wonders.