Xue Tingxue withdrew her sword stance, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"I have neglected this for too long; it is time to pick it back up."
Bi Tao was genuinely happy to hear her say this.
In the past, because Prince Yu had remarked that it was unseemly for a young lady to be involved in fighting and killing, Miss had put her sword away.
She had learned to embroider with a needle like other noble ladies.
Now, she had finally come to her senses.
Just as Xue Tingxue wiped away her sweat, another guest arrived.
Bi Tao ran out to take a look and returned with a face full of surprise.
"Miss, it is someone from Prince Ning'an's Estate here to pass on a message. They said that because Prince Yu was present this morning, they did not have a chance to speak."
Xue Tingxue raised an eyebrow: "Invite them in."
Before long, a person entered; it was a follower of Fu Tingyuan.
"Miss, His Highness asked this humble one to pass a message to you."
"What message?"
"His Highness said that the jade pendant you were wearing when seen in the Palace seemed familiar. If you have time another day, he would like to discuss it in detail."
Xue Tingxue was slightly stunned.
A jade pendant?
She looked down at her waist; it was just an ordinary white jade pendant given to her by her Mother, nothing special.
Why would Fu Tingyuan mention this?
She pondered for a moment and suddenly understood.
This was an excuse.
He was creating a reason for them to meet.
Xue Tingxue could not help but laugh.
This Prince Ning'an was more interesting than she had imagined.
It seemed that those rumors were mostly untrue.
After Fu Tingyuan's follower left the Dingguo Mansion.
The news of Prince Ning'an's return gift spread quickly.
The entire Capital City was gossiping, saying that Xue Tingxue had sent Prince Ning'an a piece of clothing, and Prince Ning'an had returned a gift worth more than ten times that amount.
Some said Prince Ning'an was doing it on purpose to anger Prince Yu.
Some said Xue Tingxue had climbed up to a high branch.
Others said sourly, what is the point of marrying a wife-killer Yama? Perhaps they will die suddenly within three days.
Xue Tingxue turned a deaf ear to these discussions.
She only knew that she was determined to make an ally of Fu Tingyuan.
Three days later, Xue Tingxue received an invitation from Prince Ning'an's Estate, inviting her to admire the chrysanthemums.
She changed into a goose-yellow dress, styled her hair in a simple bun, pinned only a white jade hairpin, and went out.
Bi Tao followed behind, unable to stop herself from muttering.
"Miss, are you really going to Prince Ning'an's Estate dressed like this? It is too plain."
Xue Tingxue smiled: "Just right is enough."
Prince Ning'an's Estate was colder than she had imagined.
The courtyard was not large, but it was elegantly arranged.
Chrysanthemums filled the garden, yellow, white, and purple; they were truly beautiful.
Fu Tingyuan sat in his wheelchair, waiting by the flower bed.
He was wearing a moon white long robe today, which made him look even thinner.
But those eyes remained sharp.
"Miss Xue has arrived." He nodded slightly.
Xue Tingxue curtsied: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Fu Tingyuan gestured for her to sit and poured her a cup of tea himself.
"Did you like the gift I sent a few days ago?"
Xue Tingxue nodded: "Your Highness was too extravagant."
"You sent this king clothing, so naturally, I had to return the favor."
Fu Tingyuan's tone was indifferent, "However, there is one thing I do not understand."
"Please speak, Your Highness."
Fu Tingyuan looked at her: "Why did you send me a gift?"
Xue Tingxue picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"I wanted to send it, so I did. There is no 'why' to it."
Fu Tingyuan laughed softly: "Your engagement with Fu Nanli has not been broken yet, and you are already sending gifts to his own uncle. Are you not afraid of gossip?"
"It is just gossip; it does not hurt or itch."
Xue Tingxue set down the teacup, "What about you, Your Highness? Do you not find it boring to be cooped up in your estate all day?"
Fu Tingyuan said indifferently: "With my legs being inconvenient, where could I go?"
Xue Tingxue remembered that in her previous life, Fu Tingyuan's leg injury had dragged on for several years before healing.
But she always felt that with his ability, it should not have taken that long.
Unless—he did not want it to heal.
This thought flashed through her mind, and she did not delve deeper.
The two chatted for a while longer, mostly about trivial gossip.
As they parted, Fu Tingyuan suddenly said.
"Miss Xue, there is something I do not know if I should say."
"Please speak, Your Highness."
"You have changed a great deal today."
He looked at her, his gaze deep, "So much so that I have to be on guard."
Xue Tingxue was stunned, then laughed.
"What are you guarding against me for, Your Highness?"
"Guarding against you being sent by Fu Nanli."
Fu Tingyuan was blunt, "Or perhaps, sent by the Palace."
Xue Tingxue was not angry; instead, she found it amusing.
"Your Highness is overthinking. Fu Nanli and I are irreconcilable enemies."
"Why?"
Xue Tingxue thought for a moment and gave an ambiguous answer.
"Because he owes me a life."
After she finished speaking, she curtsied and turned to leave.
Fu Tingyuan watched her back, lost in thought.
Owes a life?
What does that mean?
He beckoned, and a figure flashed out from the dark.
"Go and investigate what has happened to Xue Tingxue recently."
"Yes."
The figure disappeared, and the garden returned to silence.
That night, in the side hall of the Dingguo Mansion.
Xue Manman sat by the window, looking at the sky outside the courtyard wall, her expression gloomy.
Xue Qing paced back and forth in the room, irritably kicking over a chair.
"Older sister, are we just going to wait like this? They have locked us in here without even an explanation!"
Xue Manman's voice was terrifyingly calm.
"What is the rush? They cannot keep us locked up for long."
Xue Qing stopped pacing and leaned in.
"You have a plan?"
Xue Manman turned her head; the moonlight shone on her face, half-bright and half-dark.
"Prince Yu will not ignore us."
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes.
"Besides, does Xue Tingxue think she has won? This has only just begun."
Xue Qing looked at his older sister's expression and inexplicably shivered.
"Older sister, you..."
Xue Manman ignored her younger brother's doubt and gave a cold laugh.
"Just wait, there will be a good show to watch soon."
She turned around and continued to look at the sky outside the window.
A cold laugh curled the corners of her mouth.
Xue Tingxue, do you think you can overthrow me just by producing a few letters?
Too naive.
The next day, as soon as Xue Tingxue got up, Bi Tao came to report.
"Miss, Prince Yu is here again."
Xue Tingxue could not help but frown: "What is he here for again?"
Bi Tao curled her lips: "He said he wants to see Master to discuss breaking off the engagement."
Xue Tingxue gave a cold laugh.
"Make him wait."
She slowly washed and dressed, changing into a goose-yellow dress that made her skin look as fair as snow.
By the time she arrived at the front hall, Fu Nanli had been waiting for half an hour, his face ashen.
Father was sitting in the main seat, his expression also unpleasant.
Seeing her enter, Fu Nanli glanced at her coldly.
"Xue Tingxue, your airs are getting bigger and bigger, daring to make this king wait so long."
Xue Tingxue ignored him and walked over to sit beside her Father.
"Father, what is Prince Yu here for?"
Duke Dingguo said in a deep voice: "To break off the engagement."
Xue Tingxue nodded: "Then let us break it."
Fu Nanli looked at her crisp and neat manner, feeling inexplicably stifled.
He took a document from his sleeve and threw it on the table.
"Sign it."
Xue Tingxue picked it up and read it through, confirmed it was correct, and picked up a pen to sign.
The stroke of the pen was strong and powerful, without a hint of hesitation.
Fu Nanli looked at her handwriting, his brow furrowing even tighter.
"Do you have nothing else to say?"
Xue Tingxue put down the pen and looked up at him.
"What would Your Highness like to hear?"
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