The Western Courtyard Villa, located in the western part of Lingyang County, was a birthday gift from Father Song to the original host last year.
On the surface, it was a birthday gift. In reality, it had been prepared as a wedding residence for Song Nianyun and Chen Yunli.
After the engagement, the original host had even invited the Chen family to live there…
Her intention was to please her future in-laws and let Chen Yunli live comfortably while focusing on his studies.
But the Chen family never appreciated her thoughtfulness. Instead, they took it for granted.
Mrs. Liu in particular behaved like she was already the matriarch of a noble official household, barking orders at the servants in the villa. If anything displeased her, she would scold or even beat them.
When Song Nianyun and her maid arrived, Mrs. Liu was sitting in the courtyard on a stone stool, enjoying the service of two maids—one massaging her legs, the other her shoulders. She leisurely ate a pastry, unhurried and content.
Seeing Song Nianyun enter, she merely lifted her eyelids and said flatly:
“So you’ve come, Yibai. Have you realized your mistake? Here to apologize to my Chen family?”
Song Nianyun paused slightly, then a faint, almost mocking smile appeared on her lips.
Your Chen family?
Since when had her courtyard become the Chen family’s property?
She said nothing, walking straight past Mrs. Liu. Her gaze swept over the two maids.
“From today onward, you are no longer to serve the Chen family. They are no longer your masters. Leave.”
The two maids froze for a moment, then their eyes lit up with relief.
They had long been exhausted by Mrs. Liu’s harshness and nitpicking. They had only endured because the young lady valued the engagement.
Now, hearing this order, they immediately felt as if a burden had been lifted. They quickly curtsied and stepped aside.
Mrs. Liu, who had been enjoying her massage, suddenly lost both attendants. She blinked in confusion before anger surged up her face.
She shot up from the stone stool so abruptly that she nearly knocked over the plate of pastries.
Her sharp, slanted eyes widened as she pointed at Song Nianyun and shrieked:
“Song Yibai! What do you mean by this? You’re not here to apologize?”
Song Nianyun glanced at her indifferently and continued walking toward the main hall without answering.
Mrs. Liu trembled with rage and hurried after her.
“Stop! Explain yourself! What do you mean we are no longer their masters?”
Still, Song Nianyun ignored her completely and sat calmly in the main seat of the hall.
A servant quickly brought her tea.
She lifted the cup and gently stirred the floating leaves, composed and unbothered, treating Mrs. Liu’s shouting as if it were air.
Soon, Chen Yunli, Old Chen Gen, and Chen Chunhua were all brought in.
Chen Yunli wore a pale moon-white robe, still appearing like a refined scholar.
Mrs. Liu immediately grabbed his arm as if grabbing a lifeline.
“My son! You’re finally here! Look at her! She dares to dismiss my maids before even marrying in, and says we’re no longer masters here! Tell her off properly!”
“She’s so arrogant—if she enters our Chen family, I’ll be forced to live under her nose and suffer her temper!”
Chen Yunli frowned slightly as he looked at Song Nianyun but said nothing.
Old Chen Gen’s face darkened instantly.
“Miss Song, what is the meaning of this? Aren’t you here to apologize?”
Just moments ago, a servant had told him their young lady was summoning them to the main hall. He had assumed she came to apologize for the morning incident.
He never expected this scene.
“Apologize?” Song Nianyun smiled faintly. “What exactly have I done wrong?”
“You!” Old Chen Gen began, but Chen Chunhua quickly pulled him back.
She shook her head at him, and though he still looked angry, he remained silent and sat down.
Chen Chunhua then stepped forward with a forced sweet smile.
“Sister Yibai, I’ve heard about what happened this morning. My parents were indeed too impulsive.”
“After they returned home, my brother and I scolded them properly. They know they were wrong now, and they promise it won’t happen again.”
Her tone turned pleading as she reached out to hold Song Nianyun’s arm—but was calmly avoided.
“Miss Chen, we are not related. I cannot accept your ‘sister’ title.”
Chen Chunhua’s smile stiffened.
“Yibai sister, you…”
Before she could continue her act, Song Nianyun’s gaze shifted to Chen Yunli.
“Chen Yunli.”
“I came here today to inform you that this engagement is over.”
“Leave my residence today.”
“And remember—anything belonging to the Song family, you are not allowed to take a single item.”
Chen Yunli’s fingers hidden in his sleeve slowly clenched, the fabric wrinkling under his grip.
He had assumed she was only angry over his parents’ demands and would calm down after persuasion.
He never expected she truly intended to break the engagement.
“Yibai,” he said softly, forcing patience into his tone, “is this because of what my parents said this morning? If so, I apologize on their behalf.”
He stepped closer, looking directly into her eyes.
“All blame lies with me.”
“If you are angry, direct it at me.”
“Why say something as serious as breaking the engagement and ruin our relationship…”
Song Nianyun looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
If it had been the original host, she would have already softened.
But now, she only felt ridicule.
“Chen Yunli,” she said lightly, “are you tired?”
The faint laugh made his spine stiffen instantly.
“You look down on merchants at your core, yet you force yourself to endure me for resources.”
“You covet the Song family’s wealth, yet pretend to be noble and aloof.”
She stood, her sleeves brushing the chair.
“Watching you pretend like this… even I feel tired for you.”
Chen Yunli’s expression finally cracked.
“Yibai, what are you talking about? My feelings for you—”
“Enough.”
Her voice cut him off cleanly.
“I didn’t come here to listen to your false affection.”
“I came to take back what belongs to me.”