c1 (1/2)
Chapter 1: Murong Shu Qing (1)
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Warm wind blows over the lake. Floating on its surface was a lotus leaf with a peach-like flower with several openings. It has a faint aroma that gives off a calm and refres.h.i.+ng atmosphere. Beside the lake was a woman. She’s in white clothing embroidered with a bamboo-like pattern on its skirt. She doesn’t wear any ornaments. Her hair was tied in casually woven braids, lose strands mischievously dances with the wind. The woman doesn’t seem to care. Her attention was on the books she was reading.
Another one beside her was a woman in green holding a flower patterned fan towards the woman in white. The calm mood seems to be appreciated. A pair of eyes was looking straight to the other.
Lu Yi has served this Miss for 5 years. Questions in her hearts cannot be dispersed since 3 years ago. After her Miss was rescued off the lake, everything changed! Her former Miss has an eccentric personality, irritating and violent. There were no family servants who didn’t know and fear her. The strange thing was, after Miss woke up, she doesn’t seem to remember anything. Even her temperament has changed, as if… Miss became a different person. Before she was afraid of her, she’s always trembling when she’s around. But now, she likes staying beside her. She often see her Miss with a smile, it was a gentle smile yet puzzling.
“Miss! Miss! It’s him! He comes!” A female voice interrupted Lu Yi’s contemplation. She soon recovered and saw her Miss slowly put down the book on her hand, with a helpless smile, watching the red figure coming towards them.
Murong Shu Qing offer a cup of tea to the sweating girl, smiled and said: “Take your time, we’re in no hurry.”
Hong Xiu’s mouth was filled with tea, after drinking she stood up and excitedly said: “Miss, Sir Xuan Yuan came!”
“Sir Xuan Yuan? Who?” Murong Shu Wing didn’t understand the story behind the servant’s excitement. She looks a little awkward drinking the cup in one go.
“Miss, it’s your sweetheart! Your future husband!” Miss didn’t even remember Sir Xuan Yuan? How could this be?
Oh, turns out it was her marriage partner who, again and again, delays their marriage date.
“Why did he come here for?” Murong Shu Qing, holding a cup of tea while watching the lotus floating on the lake, casually asked.
“Uh…t-to break off the engagement…” Hong Xiu slightly bowed her head and answered in a low voice while watching her young lady’s reaction.
“Break off the engagement?” Murong Shu Qing eyes flash together with a seemingly joking smile.
“Ah, Sir Xuan Yuan and Master are now in Hua Ting Hall. Master is really angry!!” Hong Xiu eyebrows furrowed, her eyes show concern.
“It seems that I have to go and see.” Well she, after all, was the protagonist. If she didn’t appear, how could this be interesting?
Then I’ll get the clothes ready. Miss, what colour would you like to wear? Your favourite red or purple? Maybe white? Also a neat bun would certainly look good for the hair style. It looks n.o.ble and generous, very fitting for Miss…”
“Stop!” This little girl really teases. “I didn’t mention anything about changing, right?”
“But Miss, you always want to dress well every time Sir Xuan Yuan visits…” Hong Xiu hurried to explain. Even though her Miss didn’t show violence these past years, she still feels slightly afraid. She unconsciously turns fl.u.s.tered and helpless.
“That was before.” Murong Shu Qing helplessly sighs. Seeing a man who wants to break off their engagement, who would need to freshen up? Worst, they can face him even after 3 days without shower! Sometimes, woman really makes it difficult for themselves, only ends up in embarra.s.sment. “I remember. Was there a token of engagement?”
“There is a pearl from the south sea. Almost as big as a fist.” Lu Yi only seen it twice. It was really dazzling.
“Lu Yi, go fetch it. We’re going to Hua Ting Hall.” Then, Murong Shu Qing strides towards the direction of the Flower Hall.
Miss really wants to break off the engagement? The two girls look at each other, no one dare to speak out. Lu Yi goes back to the yard, took the pearl and quickly followed.
Bang! Murong Shu Qing who was walking in the hallway heard a sound of a cup slamming the floor. “I don’t agree! 3 years ago, you said that you’ll prepare for the marriage after coming back!” A low roar full of anger came out from Murong Xiang’s mouth.
“I’m telling you, I wanted to break off the engagement.”
Murong Shu Qing heard a quite magnetic voice, a little deep and domineering. Not loud but full of pressure. It seems that this man is really worthy of his general t.i.tle. Suddenly, she feels excited on seeing her one-of-a-kind and well-known fiancé. This will be interesting. With a smile, she steps forward to the room.
“Dad.” A moist voice interrupted the three men inside. The tense atmosphere slightly dispersed.
“Qing Er, you come at the right time. Look, this kid actually wants to break of the engagement! Don’t worry, dad will not agree!” Murong Xiang quickly straightens himself showing a rea.s.suring att.i.tude towards his daughter.
Murong Shu Qing looks at the two men across her father. Both looks outstanding and imposing but their face shows a big difference. One was apathetic and expressionless; this should be her legendary fiancé. Sharp and proud gaze with his chin slightly rose. Needless to say, this person is quite magnificent. With a keen and oppressive posture, you couldn’t ignore his presence.
Beside him was a man smiling at her. He looks like someone who knows when to advance and retreat, quite gentle temperament, with pair of eyes full of interest. Murong Shu Qing instinctively thinks this man is not as simple as he looks.
She retreats her sight back, she answered with a smile: “Dad, since Sir Xuan Yuan insists on breaking off the engagement, he must have his reasons. It’s not good to force it.” A gentle and unhurried voice came out having a hint of refres.h.i.+ng feeling.
“When your mother was alive, she laid down this marriage with his mother! How can he have the final say?” Murong Xiang was secretly curious. His daughter like this kid so he worked hard to keep this engagement, how come she easily agreed with him?
“Two elders laid down this marriage hoping for happiness. Now that Sir Xuan Yuan feels forced to agree with it, how can there be happiness at all? I believe that mother in heaven will also understand.” Murong Shu Qing smile deeper look straight at Murong Xiang.
“But your grandfather…”
“Dad, you don’t need to worry about grandfather. I’m the one who will explain about this.”
Murong Xiang knows this are more than just words. The past three years, she successfully done everything than she said. But as a father he added: “You’re already nineteen, if you break off the engagement now…”
“Dad, your daughter would like to serve you for a few more years. I believe you will be better off with me around.”
These words made Murong Xiang’s face slightly change. Yes, the past three years she works on their family business only made it grow bigger and bigger. If this daughter is married off early, wouldn’t it be his loss? She wanted to break off the engagement; presumably she already has her own plans. Why worry? “Well, I’m with you. Ok then.”
Murong Shu Qing knows that a sight hadn’t left off her since she entered the room but she didn’t complain. Facing deep and inquiring eyes she let out a light chuckle. “Since the marriage has been lifted, we’ll return the token of engagement to you. Lu Yi, give it to him.”
“Yes.” Lu Yi laid down the pearl in the table in front of Xuan Yuan Yi. She looks at him and found out that he’s still staring towards Murong Shu Qing.