“The marriage between Third Brother Shi and Miss He was causing quite a stir before, but I heard that today this marriage was called off, and it was Third Brother Shi himself who went to their door to break off the engagement…” Zhu Keji said while carefully stealing glances at Shi Fa Ke.
Shi Fa Ke’s expression changed. What was Third Brother doing? Going to their door to break off the engagement so conspicuously at this critical juncture—where did this leave Ke Tian?
“Was there any reason given for breaking off the engagement?” Shi Fa Ke asked through gritted teeth. If originally Third Brother had made this matter public to force the He family to continue with this marriage, then what was he trying to achieve by going to their door to break off the engagement so conspicuously now?
Because he was angry?
If he really hurt Ke Tian for such a ridiculous reason, even if he was her own third brother, she would definitely not let it slide easily!
Because reputation was truly too important for a young lady.
“They said… they said it was because…” Zhu Keji became increasingly hesitant, as if it was extremely difficult to speak.
“Because of what?” Shi Fa Ke asked somewhat impatiently.
“Because… when Third Brother Shi was studying away from home before, he accidentally injured… that place.” Zhu Keji steeled his heart and explained with some difficulty.
“Injured which place?” Shi Fa Ke was stunned and asked in complete confusion.
“That… that place.” Zhu Keji said with great difficulty.
“Which place exactly?” Shi Fa Ke frowned, feeling that this talk was completely vague and incomprehensible.
Unable to explain clearly, Zhu Keji closed his eyes and said with a stiff upper lip, “Third Brother Shi said he can no longer perform his marital duties!”
Shi Fa Ke immediately fell silent.
The wind blew past with a whoosh.
“That… Sister Shi, I’ll go back first. If you need help, you can come find me. My promise is always valid.” Zhu Keji was also extremely embarrassed. He quickly finished speaking and hurried away.
Shi Fa Ke stood silently at the door for a long time, then turned around and walked through the gate with difficulty.
After entering the courtyard, Shi Fa Ke walked unsteadily to Third Brother Shi’s study door, looking at Third Brother Shi who was painting with his head down with a complex expression. “Third Brother…”
Her voice was strained.
Third Brother Shi looked up at her.
“You…” She trembled her lips, tears faintly glimmering in her eyes.
Third Brother Shi’s scalp tingled, almost immediately understanding the reason, and quickly defended himself, “…It’s not what you think!”
“Third Brother, it’s okay… Keji said Master Zhu knows Imperial Physicians in the palace. We can ask Master Zhu to help arrange an introduction…” Shi Fa Ke said chokingly.
“I told you it’s not what you think!” Third Brother Shi jumped up.
“Third Brother, you must be strong!” Shi Fa Ke clenched her fists, then said with teary eyes, “It’s all our fault for not caring about you enough usually. You’ve been back for so long and we didn’t even notice. You’ve been silently bearing all this, your heart must be very painful… I’m sorry, Third Brother!”
She looked very self-reproachful.
“I don’t have any hidden illness!” Third Brother Shi was frantic, denying it hoarsely.
“Third Brother, we must face reality bravely. Having a hidden illness is not shameful.” Shi Fa Ke wiped her eyes and patiently advised, “A hidden illness is still an illness. We can’t avoid treatment out of embarrassment. The Imperial Physicians in the palace have excellent medical skills and will definitely be able to cure it.”
Third Brother Shi only felt his head throbbing…
“I just lied out of necessity to dissolve the engagement with the He family without affecting Ke Tian’s reputation. I—do—not—have—a—hidden—illness.” Third Brother Shi closed his eyes and said word by word through gritted teeth, then added somewhat helplessly, “Isn’t this what you hoped for?”
His voice carried deep exhaustion.
Shi Fa Ke was stunned. “…Really?”
Her eyes still showed disbelief.
“More real than pearls.” Third Brother Shi rubbed his forehead and said somewhat weakly.
“…Third Brother, you really went all out.” Shi Fa Ke sighed, her feelings very complex as she said this.
Could it be that she had really wronged Third Brother?
“You said before that you wanted to quietly erase this matter while the marriage was still unknown, treating it as if it never happened. But now it’s become known to everyone… just like you said, this marriage can’t be easily dissolved anymore. After all, the betrothal letters have been exchanged, the eight characters matched, and even the wedding date has been set. Dissolving the engagement now would have too big an impact on Ke Tian.” Third Brother Shi said with a grave expression.
Shi Fa Ke nodded, feeling the same way.
Yes, having reached this point, this marriage was already set in stone in outsiders’ eyes. If they suddenly said they wanted to cancel the engagement, what would the townspeople think?
They couldn’t say it was all a misunderstanding, that He Ke Tian’s true love was actually someone else, could they? Since ancient times, marriages had always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. If they really said this, Ke Tian would probably be drowned in gossip.
“So I pondered it, and to dissolve this engagement without affecting Ke Tian’s reputation, I could only sully myself. After all, if there’s something wrong with me, then the He family’s decision to break off the engagement would seem much more reasonable and be easier for people to accept.”
“…” But Third Brother, you’ve sullied yourself quite thoroughly.
Have you considered the issue of who would dare marry you in the future?
“I pondered for a long time. If I said I had a change of heart, busybodies might think I disliked Ke Tian’s appearance, which would make Ke Tian’s situation even more embarrassing. If I said I was unambitious, others might think the He family was snobbish and looking down on the poor.” Third Brother Shi hesitated slightly before saying somewhat helplessly, “So… there’s no reason more reasonable than the current one.”
Shi Fa Ke was speechless.
Third Brother had already gone to such lengths… if she still doubted him, would she still be human?!
In the evening, when Shi Changhuai, Madam Tao, and First Brother Shi and Second Brother Shi returned, Third Brother Shi received another round of loving care from everyone. The Shi family members all looked at Third Brother with caring eyes, not daring to mention this matter at all, afraid of hurting his fragile heart.
Third Brother Shi had no choice but to grit his teeth and explain again, then felt a bit tired and couldn’t help wondering if he had gone a bit too far…
At this time in the He family, the expressions of the He siblings had remained in a blank and confused state ever since Shi Chonghai personally came to break off the engagement.
“Look, such a good child, what kind of sin is this!” Madam He shook her head and sighed, “Just because you siblings were willful, you’ve caused this child to get such a reputation. How can he marry in the future… This is all for you, Ke Tian, to preserve your reputation!”
By the end, the usually gentle Madam He’s voice had become stern.
He Ke Tian bit her lip and remained silent with her head down.
He Kexian’s expression was somewhat indescribable. That boy really didn’t want any face at all? This series of operations was truly fierce as a tiger… even he had to admit defeat. It was completely unexpected! He had already prepared gifts and even secretly arranged for a matchmaker, preparing to go to the Shi family to propose marriage.
But after just one night, that boy Shi Chonghai personally came to break off the engagement, saying he had injured… that thing?
This matter concerned a man’s dignity—did he really not want any face at all?
Moreover, this matter spread at an extremely terrifying speed. Not even a cup of tea after Shi Chonghai left the He family, almost all of Copper Gong Town knew that Shi Chonghai had personally come to the He family to break off the engagement because he had injured his body while studying away from home… and was now impotent?
…Who could tell him what kind of development this was?
He Kexian couldn’t understand it at all and felt a little disappointed inside.
On that side, Madam He was still nagging incessantly, but He Ke Tian hadn’t heard a single word.
She felt somewhat guilty. Third Brother Shi was such a good person… clearly it was her who had caused Ah Ke to misunderstand from the beginning, and it was her mother who had agreed to this marriage. The entire matter had nothing to do with Third Brother Shi from start to finish. He was clearly the most innocent person, yet because of her willfulness in refusing to marry, he did not hesitate to sully his own reputation to fulfill her wish.
She even… began to doubt whether her previous determination to break off the engagement was correct.
The more He Ke Tian thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. Her mother was still nagging incessantly, and she really couldn’t sit still anymore. She suddenly stood up and said stiffly, “I’m tired and will go back to my room to rest.”
With that, she turned and left.
Behind her, Madam He was so angry she stamped her feet. “Look, look, what kind of character have you father and son spoiled her into! After breaking off this engagement, let’s see who dares to marry her in the future!”
“Don’t take it out on me, I’m on your side.” Master He felt very wronged.
“Hmph!” Madam He snorted heavily, not appearing to buy it at all.
He Ke Tian didn’t look back and walked away quickly.