Volume One: Wandering with Unfathomable Leaves Chapter Sixty-Five: Every Debt Must Be Repaid

Yuan Rong’s expression changed first, his face filled with shock as he looked at Yang Ning.

He had not expected Su Zhen to suddenly voice the intention to break off the engagement, nor had he anticipated that Yang Ning’s purpose in coming here was to withdraw from the betrothal. But what truly unsettled him were Yang Ning’s final words.

Both Yang Ning and Su Zhen belonged to the ranks of the Four Great Marquises of Great Chu. Their families had once been on excellent terms; in the time of the old Marquises, they had even been sworn brothers who had risked their lives for one another.

In both official and common circles, even when there was dissatisfaction, it was customarily expressed in subtle, polite terms—rarely with harsh language.

Su Zhen’s earlier domineering reproach toward Yang Ning had already struck Yuan Rong as unbecoming of a gentleman. Yet, Yang Ning’s final remarks were even fiercer, sharp as a blade.

Su Zhen had addressed Yang Ning by name, directly insulting him. Yang Ning’s words, though less overt, were no less cutting in this context.

Yuan Rong felt cold sweat trickling down his back. He lowered his head, not daring to utter a word, determined to find an opportunity to slip away as soon as possible.

Su Zhen’s face first showed confusion, then surprise, then fury. His disposition was never patient, and now, grasping Yang Ning’s meaning, he snapped coldly, “What did you just say?”

At that moment, Yang Ning also heard a commotion behind the screen, clearly a reaction to his sharp words.

Composed and unruffled, Yang Ning gestured toward the cup of tea. “Marquis Wuxiang, you are welcome to bring this cup to our Jinyi Marquis Residence and see if even our two dogs would drink it. In truth, I have long been curious about what kind of rare tea is served at the Wuxiang Marquis’s home. Now it seems that some people are like frogs at the bottom of a well; they see only their own little patch and believe all they possess is superior. Well then, next time you come to our residence, we’ll serve you this very tea, as it must suit your palate.” He frowned. “Although, finding a tea that even dogs refuse is no easy task.”

Bang!

Su Zhen slammed his palm on the table, his voice sharp as a blade. “Qi Ning, you have some nerve! In my home, you dare behave so outrageously!”

“Outrageous?” Yang Ning feigned innocence. “Marquis Wuxiang, I merely speak the truth. How is that outrageous?”

Yuan Rong could not help but give Yang Ning a pleading glance. Yang Ning caught it, then slid the cup of tea in front of Yuan Rong. “Go on, try it for yourself. I hardly think the Minister of Rites’ household drinks this sort of tea.”

Yuan Rong was a man of refined tastes, well-versed in the art of tea. At a glance, he recognized the color—a coarse, inferior brew. The situation became clear to him then: these two houses were indeed at odds, and he bitterly regretted being caught in the middle.

Su Zhen was not only furious but deeply embarrassed. In his eagerness to destroy this engagement, he had gone to great lengths, believing that the more he angered the Jinyi Marquis’s family, the more certain the betrothal would be broken. Thus, to insult Yang Ning, he had deliberately served him the lowest quality tea. Who could have guessed that Yang Ning would seize upon this insult and turn it back upon him, leaving him in an impossible position?

“But tea is not the reason I came here today,” Yang Ning said, his tone shifting. “Marquis Wuxiang, I am here to dissolve the engagement. I hope you will agree and not complicate matters further.” He gestured at Yuan Rong. “Yuan Rong is the son of the Minister of Rites. I invited him here to bear witness, to show our absolute resolve in this matter.”

Sweat beaded on Yuan Rong’s brow. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Su Zhen nearly choked on his own anger. He was determined to end the engagement, but never dreamed Yang Ning would come to his home to do so first.

Who initiated the dissolution mattered immensely to reputation.

If the Wuxiang Marquis’s family broke the engagement, they would be seen as untrustworthy, but the blow to the Jinyi Marquis’s family’s prestige would be greater.

Yet now, with Yang Ning bringing Yuan Rong as a witness and ending the betrothal in front of him, word would soon spread—it would be seen as the Jinyi Marquis’s family spurning the Wuxiang Marquis’s house. The damage to their name would be serious, especially since among the Four Great Marquises, the Wuxiang Marquis was already somewhat less esteemed than the other three. Yang Ning’s actions would only widen that gap.

Su Zhen clenched his fists. Yang Ning’s maneuver had caught him entirely off guard. For a moment, he truly did not know how to respond.

“Marquis Wuxiang was not wrong just now,” Yang Ning continued calmly. “Since the passing of the old Marquises, this engagement has lost its foundation. Our house was established through military merit, and it was only because of the old Marquises’ friendship that the match was made. The past is the past; if our late Marquis were aware of the present, he would never consent to maintain this bond.”

A muscle twitched at Su Zhen’s eye. He sneered, “Oh?”

“As for your daughter, Zixuan—I have heard she is spoiled and willful, and as for her looks, hardly presentable in public.” Yang Ning saw no need for courtesy toward one who had insulted him so many times. “By rights, I am long past the age for marriage. Why have we not accepted Zixuan into our house? In truth, it is because we cannot bring ourselves to make her the heir’s wife.”

Yuan Rong, who had been silent, blurted out, “So that’s how it is!” He immediately regretted it and wished he could slap himself.

Su Zhen’s face darkened further at Yuan Rong’s words. He shouted, “Qi Ning, what nonsense! My Zixuan is gentle and kind—who says she is spoiled and willful? And she is beautiful—who says she is unpresentable?”

“Is that so, Marquis Wuxiang?” Yang Ning, seeing his trap had worked, smiled. “Just go out into the streets and ask around—you’ll hear plenty of such talk. In any case, the matter is settled. Even if you object, it makes no difference. The Jinyi Marquis’s family’s decisions are not easily reversed.”

With that, he stood up, not bothering with any formalities. “With Young Master Yuan as our witness, the matter is settled.”

“Wait!” Su Zhen called out hastily. “Is this all by the orders of your Dowager Marchioness?”

“Ah?” Yang Ning laughed. “This decision is ours as a family, not any one person’s. This engagement has weighed on us like a stone for years—every time we thought of it, it troubled us. Now that it’s ended, we’re free. You go your way, and I’ll go mine.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice cried out, “Qi Ning! Who do you think you are? Do you think you can just break off the engagement because you say so?”

A figure burst out from behind the screen. Yang Ning glanced over and saw a young woman of about his age, strikingly beautiful, slender, with exquisite features, though her eyes blazed with anger.

As she stormed in, two others followed. One was a woman in her thirties, elegantly dressed and festive with jade pendants, who hurriedly took the girl’s arm. “Zixuan...!”

So this was Su Zixuan, Yang Ning thought. Her beauty was undeniable, but the rumors of her willfulness seemed well-founded.

Yuan Rong’s eyes brightened at the sight of Su Zixuan. He hurriedly bowed. “Miss Su, I am Yuan—”

“Get out of my way!” Su Zixuan snapped, cutting him off and shaking off the woman’s grip. She pointed at Yang Ning. “How dare you say I’m unpresentable? You, the so-called Jinyi heir, are the real fool in everyone’s eyes!”

“That’s right, I am a fool—that’s why I’m breaking off the engagement.” Yang Ning replied with unshakable calm. “You don’t want me, and I don’t want you. Breaking this off is best for both of us.”

“I forbid you to break the engagement!” Su Zixuan retorted. “If anyone ends it, it will be us. It’s I who does not want you—you don’t get to reject me!”

Yang Ning burst out laughing. “So the rumors are true. You really are wilful and rude. I’m speaking with your father here—what right have you to interrupt? Matters of marriage are not yours to decide.”

Even Su Zhen realized her outburst was a breach of decorum. If it were just Yang Ning present, he might have let it slide. But with Yuan Rong, the son of the Minister of Rites, as a witness, today’s events were sure to spread. For a noblewoman to burst into the main hall—she would become a laughingstock.

“Get out!” Su Zhen bellowed at Su Zixuan, angered to the core. “Who told you to come here?” He glared at the woman—clearly the Marchioness of Wuxiang. “Can’t you even keep her under control?”

The Marchioness shot him a glare of her own, but still clung to Su Zixuan’s arm. “Zixuan, come away—we can’t...”

“Father, tell him that it was us who wanted to end the engagement, that it was I who did not want him!” Su Zixuan cried angrily. “Don’t let him break it off!”

Yang Ning smiled. “My apologies, Miss Su, but I made it quite clear: it is our Qi family breaking off the engagement. We do not wish for a woman like you—let’s put it simply, no woman from the Su family will ever enter my family’s door. Do you understand now?”

Hatred flashed in Su Zixuan’s eyes, but Yang Ning only smiled elegantly, said no more, and turned to leave.

Yuan Rong knew it was best to get out as soon as possible. He bowed hastily to the Marquis of Wuxiang. “I will call another day!” He followed Yang Ning out.

“Qi Ning!” Su Zixuan’s resentful voice rang out behind Yang Ning. “Remember this day! For the humiliation you have dealt me, I swear you will pay tenfold!”

Yang Ning paused, but did not turn back. His voice was calm as he replied, “Remember this, too—the principle of the Jinyi Marquis’s family is that all debts will be repaid, whether owed to others or owed to us. Not one will be forgotten.” With a cold laugh, he strode away under Su Zhen’s dagger-like glare.