When Zhu Yao saw Li Shiyan coming up the stairs, her gaze inexplicably darkened, unable to hide her grief.

She could deceive herself, but she couldn’t deceive her own heart!

In the deepest place in her heart, it was still Li Shiyan!

Perhaps in this life and the next, she would never be able to accommodate any other man.

But she had personally spoken the words to break off the engagement. Naturally, words spoken could not be taken back. Moreover, now that the Li and Zhu families had become so estranged, even if one day they truly loved each other mutually, the elders on both sides would absolutely not agree to let them be together again.

Zhu Yao’s heart at this moment seemed riddled with holes, every cell in her body aching unbearably.

Seeing her expression was wrong, Cai’er followed her gaze.

She saw Li Shiyan coming up the stairs, dressed in brocade robes, elegant and dashing, his face full of spring vigor and quite ruddy, showing not the slightest trace of the pallor from when he was previously injured.

Cai’er worried and gently comforted her: “Miss, don’t overthink it.”

Zhu Yao withdrew her gaze, changing from her previous grief-stricken expression, lightly rebuking: “What nonsense are you speaking?”

“Huh?”

“The Young Master and I have already broken off our engagement. In this life, we cannot become husband and wife. At least we’re still friends. What is there to think about?” After speaking, her pale white fingers picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Hiding all her emotions beneath the surface!

Cai’er wanted to speak but stopped, not knowing what to say anymore.

Perhaps… Miss had truly let it go. After all, since the two families dissolved the engagement, Miss hadn’t cried again. Previously at the Elegant Pavilion when she saw the Young Master, she had also acted as if nothing was wrong. Now seeing Li Shiyan again, she was equally calm.

If she truly didn’t care anymore, that would also be a good thing!

On another side, Jiang Bin sat with his people in the best viewing position on the third floor of the circular pavilion. Since Wang Huai’s death, he seemed to have become the “faction’s” heir overnight!

Everyone followed his lead.

He sat in the middle position. The person beside him poured him a cup of wine and reminded: “Jiang Bin, Li Shiyan is here.”

Jiang Bin first picked up that cup of wine, then looked in the direction where Li Shiyan was coming up.

Li Shiyan swayed his steps and went to sit at an empty seat, which happened to be opposite Jiang Bin—also a superior position.

Wasn’t that kid supposed to not be coming?

“I heard the Zhu family broke off the engagement. The Marquis of Kangding nearly died of anger and couldn’t save face! This heir really isn’t afraid of gossip. Coming out to stroll around at a time like this—if it were me, I’d definitely hide at home under the covers. I wouldn’t come out to embarrass myself,” Person A said.

Person B continued: “Indeed! This is the first time I’ve heard of the woman’s side breaking off an engagement! Breaking off an engagement with a marquis estate at that—what a huge joke.”

“Exactly!”

“But I see Li Shiyan doesn’t seem to care at all.”

“Of course thick-skinned people don’t care.”

Several people couldn’t help but laugh as they spoke.

Blatant mockery.

But Jiang Bin kept looking in Li Shiyan’s direction, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if calculating something.

Gradually revealing an air of sinister intent.

His little follower Zheng Banshi saw he wasn’t speaking, his gaze fixed tightly on the opposite side, and asked: “What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Bin said nothing.

Zheng Banshi pondered for a moment, seeming to suddenly understand his thoughts, and quickly reminded: “We can’t provoke that stinking brat Li Shiyan. Moreover, this is Saixian Tower. If we cause any commotion, we’ll all suffer.”

Then, Jiang Bin suddenly took out a packet of powder wrapped in yellow paper from his clothes, poured it all into the pot of wine before him, shook it a few times, then stood up carrying the wine pot and a cup and walked over.

No one dared to persuade him, nor was there time to persuade him.

Li Shiyan had just sat down and called to the Saixian Tower server: “Go, bring two pots of good wine.”

The server responded and was just about to go get it when, as soon as he turned around, he was stopped. Looking up, he saw Jiang Bin and showed a flattering smile: “Young Master Jiang, what are your orders? Do you also want a pot of good wine?”

Jiang Bin smiled coldly, raised the wine pot in his hand, then deliberately glanced at Li Shiyan, saying sarcastically: “I happen to have a pot of good wine here, specially brought for the Young Master. You don’t need to go get any. Go on down.”

“Ah?”

“Why aren’t you leaving!”

The server froze, looked back at Li Shiyan, then at Jiang Bin.

Both were troublemakers who couldn’t be provoked!

He didn’t know what to do!

Li Shiyan looked at Jiang Bin’s smiling face, which was just like a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken—a feeling of harboring ill intentions.

Jiang Bin smiled and said to him: “Young Master, I’ve kindly come to bring you wine.”

Li Shiyan looked disdainful: “Oh! Jiang Bin, since when have you become so generous?”

“Don’t make it sound so bad. I’ve never treated you poorly before either, Young Master.”

“Oh?”

Jiang Bin signaled to the server with his eyes. The server knew he was in a difficult position either way—standing far away was the best choice. He quickly stood far away, not getting involved in this matter to avoid innocent injury.

Jiang Bin uninvited, carrying that wine pot, walked tremblingly with a bowed posture.

Jiang Bin carried the wine pot to Li Shiyan’s front, still smiling: “Young Master, between us there have indeed been many unpleasantries in the past. We’ve caused quite a few incidents, big and small. But what matters in this world can’t be let go? Especially those unhappy things. Today we’re fortunate to gather here. I happen to have a pot of your favorite osmanthus wine in my hand. Good wine is tasteless when drunk alone, so I thought I’d come clink a cup with the Young Master. Consider it a reconciliation wine. I only hope the Young Master will do me the honor.”

What the hell, has this person’s brain been kicked by a donkey?

When he followed Wang Huai before, he acted tyrannically and often opposed Li Shiyan.

They’d even come to blows!

Now carrying a pot of wine over to seek reconciliation—what kind of divine operation was this?

While Li Shiyan was surprised, he also began to weigh the trickery involved. His pair of eyes turned lightly a few times, deeply knowing this wasn’t simple. He absolutely couldn’t let his guard down.

It was still that saying—the weasel paying New Year’s respects to the chicken harbors ill intentions.

Li Shiyan’s brain rapidly spun. He suddenly grinned, planning to counter move with move. He glanced at the wine in Jiang Bin’s hand and said very magnanimously: “This young master is not a petty person. You’ve already brought wine to apologize to me so sincerely. How could this young master not forgive you?”

Eh!

Jiang Bin froze.

He had clearly brought wine over to reconcile. From beginning to end, he had no intention of apologizing.

But having done things to this point, he couldn’t retreat.

The words just spoken also couldn’t be taken back.

He could only steel himself!

“Young Master, since you’ve said so, you must definitely drink this cup of wine.” Speaking, Jiang Bin filled a cup with wine and placed it before Li Shiyan, saying: “Young Master, do me the honor of drinking this cup of wine, and our grudges will be wiped clean with one cup.”

A trace of something unusual flashed through Li Shiyan’s eyes.

He knew this cup of wine before him was definitely not simple!

Perhaps some kind of deadly poison had been added inside.

But he had just said he wasn’t a petty person. If he didn’t drink this cup of wine, I’m afraid…