After dismissing the woman in blue, Luo Sheng lifted her feet and headed to Luo Ying’s quarters.

The courtyard was utterly silent. Walking into the main hall, soft murmuring voices could be heard indistinctly through the cotton door curtain.

The young maid standing by the door called out: “The young lady has arrived.”

Inside fell silent.

The young maid lifted the door curtain, and Luo Sheng strode in with large steps.

In the simply furnished room, Luo Qing and Luo Yue were one seated and one standing, while Luo Ying leaned against the brazier, motionless.

Seeing Luo Sheng enter, Luo Yue quickly stepped forward, asking with some urgency: “Third Sister, how did things go out front?”

“I drove out the old woman who came to break off the engagement.”

At these words, Luo Ying, who had been like a clay statue, finally showed a reaction, slowly shifting her gaze over.

Luo Yue clapped her hands: “Well driven out!”

Luo Qing was somewhat uneasy: “Third Sister, if the other party forcibly breaks off the engagement, driving away the Tao family’s people won’t solve the problem—”

Luo Sheng sneered coldly: “The problem naturally needs to be resolved, but not with some steward woman the Tao family randomly sent over. If it’s to be resolved, it should be with Madam Tao bringing the matchmaker herself.”

“Third Sister is right, what does a steward woman count for!” Luo Yue angrily cursed.

“Fourth Sister.” Luo Qing gently tugged at Luo Yue.

Such cursing naturally wasn’t suitable to come from the mouth of a young lady from a respectable family.

Luo Sheng walked to Luo Ying’s side and sat down without waiting for an invitation, calling out once, “Eldest Sister.”

Luo Ying forced out a faint smile: “Third Sister has come.”

Her eye sockets were tinged with red, though she hadn’t shed tears, yet the sorrow in her eyes was almost overflowing.

“What does Eldest Sister plan to do?” Luo Sheng calmly asked.

Luo Ying seemed stumped by the question, leaning against the brazier for a long while without speaking.

Luo Sheng then said: “The engagement will definitely be broken off, that doesn’t need consideration.”

The three sisters: “…”

Luo Yue asked with twitching lips: “Third Sister, if the engagement will definitely be broken off, then why ask Eldest Sister what she plans…”

She had thought the question was whether Eldest Sister wanted to break off the engagement. Eldest Sister’s silence clearly showed she was considering this very thing.

Luo Sheng raised an eyebrow: “I’m asking what Eldest Sister plans to do after breaking off the engagement to deal with the Tao family. Will she just let it go, or give Young Master Tao a beating to vent her anger.”

“Don’t!” The silent Luo Ying blurted out upon hearing this.

Luo Sheng quietly looked at Luo Ying.

Luo Ying’s complexion changed from deathly pale to flushed red, then quickly returned to deathly pale. Her bloodless lips trembled as she squeezed out a sentence with difficulty: “Third Sister needn’t trouble Young Master Tao…”

Luo Sheng’s heart stirred: Looking at Luo Ying’s reaction, could she have feelings for Young Master Tao?

She couldn’t help but look toward Luo Yue.

Luo Yue’s expression showed no change, clearly knowing nothing about this.

Luo Sheng looked again at Luo Qing.

Luo Qing was similar in age to Luo Ying; it was quite normal for sisters to share intimate conversations.

Luo Qing’s gaze was somewhat evasive as she pressed her lips together and asked: “Third Sister, must the engagement really be broken?”

Luo Sheng then understood.

Luo Ying had probably developed feelings for Young Master Tao.

Thinking about it, this wasn’t strange. The two had been engaged for several years and had some opportunities to meet. As long as that man had a decent appearance, it was natural for the young woman to quietly place her betrothed in her heart.

“There’s no need to discuss breaking off the engagement. Eldest Sister is to marry at the end of the month. The other party couldn’t even wait for Father’s case to be decided before hastily sending a steward to break off the engagement. What good could Eldest Sister gain marrying into such a family?”

Luo Qing gave her a look: “Third Sister, say a bit less.”

Luo Sheng spoke calmly: “Saying less won’t change the fact that the Tao family is kicking us when we’re down. Actually, Eldest Sister should feel fortunate. She hasn’t married over yet, so at worst it’s just breaking off the engagement. But suppose she had already married over and had children—what then? Who can guarantee Father will always have smooth sailing in his official career? If they later make a fuss about divorcing their wife, having children as a tie would truly be a dilemma.”

Luo Yue couldn’t help but nod.

Just now she had felt Third Sister’s words were somewhat blunt, fearing Eldest Sister would feel hurt hearing them. Now she suddenly felt Third Sister made sense.

Luo Qing also revealed a thoughtful expression.

Luo Ying lowered her eyes, staring at her fingers.

The young lady’s fingers were slender and fair, with a few scattered red dots on the fingertips.

These were caused by accidentally pricking her fingertips while embroidering her wedding dress.

The wedding dress, bridal veil, pillow covers… she had been embroidering these things intermittently for a long time. Recently they had become almost her entire life.

Suddenly, they were no longer needed.

This time, Luo Ying remained silent even longer.

Luo Sheng didn’t speak further, quietly waiting.

What needed to be said had been said. If Luo Ying insisted on not breaking off the engagement… well, she wouldn’t agree anyway.

If she really couldn’t think it through, she’d just have to let Luo Qing and Luo Yue persuade her more.

Luo Ying lifted her eyes to look at Luo Sheng, saying softly: “I’ll listen to Third Sister.”

Luo Sheng slightly curved her lips: “Then let’s break off the engagement cleanly. We won’t beat up Young Master Tao.”

Luo Ying nodded slightly.

The cotton curtain was suddenly lifted as someone stumbled in.

Behind came a maid’s urgent cry: “Second Concubine, the Third Miss is here, don’t barge in—”

Second Concubine hastily stopped herself, looking at Luo Sheng with alarm: “Miss, you’re here too.”

“Why has Second Concubine come?” Luo Sheng asked blandly.

Second Concubine’s eyes immediately reddened: “I heard the Tao family came to break off the engagement… sob sob sob, what will the Eldest Miss do…”

“Concubine, please don’t cry. If the Tao family wants to break off the engagement, then let the engagement be broken.” Luo Ying suppressed her tears and consoled.

Second Concubine was Luo Ying’s birth mother. At this moment, heartbroken with grief, her tears simply wouldn’t stop after hearing this consolation: “How did such a good engagement suddenly become like this… what will the Eldest Miss do in the future…”

Ever since the Third Miss kept male companions, no matchmakers had come to the Luo residence. If Eldest Miss broke off this engagement, she would never be able to marry in the future.

Luo Sheng frowned upon hearing this: “Has Concubine not knelt on the abacus for so long that she has idle time to worry needlessly?”

Second Concubine’s crying stopped abruptly.

She, she was already of such an age, she couldn’t endure the shame of kneeling on an abacus anymore.

“Concubine, please go back. These matters are for Third Sister to decide.” Luo Ying said calmly.

Normally Second Concubine would have retreated in fear, but at this moment, for the sake of her own flesh and blood, she persevered: “Eldest Miss, are you truly all right?”

Luo Ying shook her head.

Only then did Second Concubine leave, looking back three times with each step.

Meanwhile, the woman in blue returned to the Tao residence and immediately went to see Madam Tao.

“What, it didn’t go smoothly?” Seeing the woman in blue’s expression, Madam Tao guessed as much.

The woman in blue complained: “Not only did it not go smoothly, this servant was driven out of the residence by Miss Luo!”

Madam Tao’s face showed anger: “At a time like this, the Luo residence’s people are still so arrogant?”

The woman in blue touched her cheek, smiling bitterly: “Miss Luo’s maid even slapped this servant.”

“How outrageous!” Madam Tao’s face darkened. “So you’re saying the Luo residence won’t agree to break off the engagement?”

The woman in blue hurried to say: “Miss Luo said breaking off the engagement is fine, but wants you to bring the matchmaker and come to their door together to discuss it again.”

Madam Tao slapped the table and laughed coldly: “Truly a little girl who doesn’t know the height of heaven or depth of earth. The sky has collapsed over her head and she still thinks herself above others!”

“Madam, then will you go—”

“Go, of course I’ll go. You go find the matchmaker right now and come with me together to the Luo residence!”

The auspicious day was almost here. Any more delay and it would be too late.