Xue Tingxue was practicing swordplay in the courtyard. Hearing the voice, she withdrew her stance and took the handkerchief handed to her by Bi Tao to wipe away her sweat.
She was wearing a neat, narrow-sleeved riding attire today, her dark hair tied up high, looking heroic and spirited.
"I was unaware of Your Highness Prince Yu's arrival. To what do I owe the honor?"
Fu Nanli was slightly stunned when he saw her dressed this way.
In the past, whenever Xue Tingxue saw him, she would always be meticulously dressed, as if she wanted to wear every piece of jewelry she owned.
Seeing her so plain today, it felt somewhat different.
But he quickly suppressed this thought and said in a cold voice.
"I heard you searched Manman's courtyard yesterday and even placed her under house arrest?"
Xue Tingxue raised an eyebrow, "And what if I did?"
"She is the adopted daughter of Duke Dingguo. By what right do you search her belongings?" Fu Nanli questioned.
Xue Tingxue was almost amused to the point of laughing.
"You said it yourself, she is only an adopted daughter. Throughout the entire Dingguo Mansion, inside and out, is there anywhere I cannot go or anything I cannot search?"
Fu Nanli's expression darkened: "Xue Tingxue, you are becoming more and more unreasonable!"
Xue Tingxue gave a cold laugh.
"How I behave, does that concern Your Highness?"
Fu Nanli frowned: "What do you mean?"
"It means that instead of coming here to question me, Your Highness should go back and ask your beloved what she has actually done over these years."
Fu Nanli gripped his fist: "Xue Tingxue, don't go too far. Manman has suffered enough grievances in the Dingguo Mansion; for you to still throw mud at her is simply bullying her too much."
Xue Tingxue was not annoyed; instead, she laughed.
"If Your Highness is so heartbroken, why not take her away? In any case, your engagement is coming up soon."
Fu Nanli was provoked by her indifferent attitude.
"Do you think I cannot do it?"
"If you can do it, then go ahead." Xue Tingxue spread her hands, "I haven't stopped you."
Fu Nanli stared at her, anger surging in his eyes.
In the past, whenever he mentioned breaking off the engagement, Xue Tingxue would have teary eyes and beg him to stay.
Now, it was the opposite; she couldn't wait for him to take the person away immediately.
"Xue Tingxue, you have changed," he said coldly.
"Is that so? Perhaps my eyes have finally been cured."
Fu Nanli let out a cold snort.
"Xue Tingxue, do not think that just because you have changed your strategy, this king will spare you another glance."
"You used Prince Ning'an yesterday to irritate me, thinking I would care? I am telling you, do not waste your efforts."
Xue Tingxue laughed out loud.
"Your Highness, would you like to hear what you are saying?"
"My association with Prince Ning'an is purely out of appreciation; it has nothing to do with you."
As she spoke, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, her eyes filled with disdain and mockery.
"Your Highness doesn't think I still care about you, do you?"
Fu Nanli's expression changed. Gritting his teeth, he said coldly: "This king has never once held you in his eyes."
"That is for the best."
Xue Tingxue set down her teacup, "Since we have reached this point, regarding the engagement, why not make a clean break today? Your Highness can request an imperial decree, I will sign and seal it, and our marriage will be annulled from this day forward."
Fu Nanli did not expect her to propose it herself, and he was stunned for a moment.
Immediately, an indescribable surge of anger welled up.
"Are you that eager to get rid of this king?"
Xue Tingxue chuckled, "Didn't Your Highness just say that you never held me in your eyes? My initiative to fulfill your wish, isn't that exactly what you wanted?"
Fu Nanli stood where he was, watching her turn and leave, feeling inexplicably restless.
He could not explain where this restlessness came from.
Clearly, he had always wanted to shake off Xue Tingxue; now that she was letting go on her own, he should be happy.
But why did he feel inexplicably uncomfortable in his heart?
Someone behind him reported, "Eldest Miss, the Prince Ning'an's Estate has sent some items, saying it is a return gift for yesterday."
Fu Nanli suddenly gave a cold laugh.
"Xue Tingxue, you are truly promiscuous. You broke off the engagement with me one moment, and the next you have latched onto Prince Ning'an. You certainly have good methods."
Before his words had faded, an angry voice came from outside.
"Who are you calling promiscuous?"
He was tall and sturdy, his face bearing a resemblance to Xue Tingxue's, and at this moment, he was glaring at Fu Nanli with a face full of rage.
Fu Nanli's expression sank: "Xue Zhen, what kind of attitude is this?"
"What kind of attitude?"
Xue Zhen stood in front of Xue Tingxue, shielding his sister behind him.
"Your Highness is betrothed to my sister, yet you are involved in an unclear relationship with Xue Manman. Who in the entire Capital City doesn't know? Your Highness is shameless, so how can you turn around and call my sister promiscuous?"
"You—"
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
Xue Zhen stepped forward, forcing his gaze upon him.
"Your Highness is a man of seven feet; if you do not like her, then break off the engagement openly and marry your Xue Manman. Do not come here to bully my sister!"
"Do you really think my Dingguo Mansion is a pushover?"
Fu Nanli's fists clenched, making a creaking sound.
"Xue Zhen, you are presumptuous!"
"I am presumptuous?"
Xue Zhen gave a cold laugh. Fu Nanli was merely a down-and-out prince without the support of a maternal clan.
If it weren't for the fact that his sister liked him in the past, he wouldn't have given him any face at all.
Now that his sister no longer liked him.
He still dared to come to the Dingguo Mansion and act bossy.
He didn't even weigh his own worth.
"Your Highness came to my home to insult my sister, and you still expect me to give you a pleasant look?"
The two stood in confrontation, the atmosphere tense.
Xue Tingxue stood behind her elder brother, watching Fu Nanli quietly.
In her previous life, she had always hoped that Fu Nanli would protect her just like her elder brother did.
But every time—
Every single time—
Even though he knew Xue Manman was framing her, he still never believed her.
Back then, she was just too foolish!
Foolish enough to pin all her hopes on someone who was not worth it.
"Elder brother, don't get angry over irrelevant people; it's not worth it."
Xue Zhen turned his head to look at her, and seeing her calm expression, he restrained himself a little.
He pointed to the door and said to Fu Nanli, "Your Highness, please see yourself out."
"In the future, the Dingguo Mansion does not welcome Your Highness."
Fu Nanli's face was ashen, his gaze passing over Xue Zhen and falling upon Xue Tingxue.
Seeing her expression was indifferent, with no intention of defending him at all.
A strange, indescribable feeling suddenly surged in his heart.
"You will regret this!"
He threw down this sentence and left, flinging his sleeves.
Xue Zhen watched him walk away, then turned around to grip Xue Tingxue's shoulders, looking her up and down.
"Are you alright? Did he give you any trouble?"
Xue Tingxue shook her head and smiled lightly.
"Don't worry, elder brother, he doesn't dare to now."
Fu Nanli still needed the support of the Dingguo Mansion!
Even if he didn't marry her and married Xue Manman instead, he still needed to maintain a good relationship with the Dingguo Mansion.
In the past, she had been blinded by her own infatuation and had not understood this principle.
Seeing that his sister's expression was normal, Xue Zhen finally smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"You, you used to be so devoted to Fu Nanli; no matter what I said, you wouldn't listen. Now you have finally woken up."
Xue Tingxue let him ruffle her hair.
In her previous life, her elder brother died outside the border, and his body was never recovered.
In this life, she would never let anyone hurt him.
In the afternoon, Xue Tingxue changed into light clothing and practiced swordplay in the courtyard for a while longer.
Bi Tao watched from the side, muttering in a low voice.
"Miss, why did you suddenly think of practicing swordplay today?"
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