Dou Wenyi moved with lotus-like steps, walking steadily toward the palace gates.
In a daze, the graceful and charming version of her from Xie Guidu's memories seemed to return—she would flash him her brightest smile and wave to him joyfully.
At this moment, she wore a light ink-green brocade dress with flowing cloud patterns, her skin as fair as ice and jade, so delicate it seemed it might break at a touch. Her beauty was peerless, like peonies veiled in emerald gauze or blooming crabapples in autumn—elegant and resplendent.
Xie Guidu met her gaze… Those eyes seemed even clearer and brighter than before.
Naturally, Dou Wenyi saw him clearly too. Her expression abruptly changed, and she pretended not to notice him, turning instead toward a carriage on the other side.
Xie Guidu’s expression darkened. "Yier—"
He closed the distance in a few swift strides, his tall frame already blocking her path. An aura of cold intensity pressed down, making it hard to breathe.
Dou Wenyi’s pupils contracted sharply. "Lord Xie, this is the palace entrance!"
Xie Guidu’s sharp gaze fell on the food box she carried. "You are my betrothed," he declared, as if stating an indisputable fact.
"No!" Dou Wenyi took a deep breath and repeated earnestly, "Xie Guidu, that engagement will not happen. I will not marry you."
Xie Guidu narrowed his eyes, staring her down. "Reason?"
She knew him too well—this was the precursor to his anger.
The one he truly loved was Dou Mingyan, yet he insisted on putting on this devoted act. Did she have to expose him right now?
Dou Wenyi realized she still wanted to spare him some dignity, and a wave of sorrow washed over her heart.
"I don’t like you anymore. Isn’t that reason enough?"
Xie Guidu let out a derisive snort. "Then who was it who invited me to admire the flowers at Xihua Mountain half a month ago? Are you angry because I didn’t show up? Yier… everything has its limits!"
In the past, it was always her who insisted on provoking him.
How could a woman who had loved him as if her life depended on it suddenly stop caring in just half a month?
A trace of guilt flickered in Xie Guidu’s eyes. "I have indeed neglected you. That was my fault. In a few days, Imperial Son-in-Law Cheng Shi is hosting an elegant gathering at the West Garden. Shall we go together?"
The West Garden Gathering?
Dou Wenyi clenched her hands, recalling this term that felt both familiar and distant to her.
The West Garden Gathering was originally a gathering of Great Zhou’s most brilliant literati. Those invited were either renowned scholars or eminent Buddhist and Taoist monks. High officials and nobles flocked to it, often competing fiercely for an invitation. Later, the Emperor specially ordered many official families to attend, making it the most bustling literary event in Tianning City.
In her previous life, she had repeatedly expressed her longing to go, but Xie Guidu either ignored her or gave perfunctory replies, never willing to take her.
And now, he was finally willing?
Dou Wenyi replied with a hint of mockery, "Such an elegant affair surely won’t lack Third Sister’s presence. Unfortunately, my fate brings misfortune to those close to me. I’m afraid I might 'harm' her. Unless… you can persuade Third Sister not to go."
Xie Guidu’s warm gaze instantly turned cold. "Yier, must you make a scene?"
Those few words struck her like a heavy slap across the face.
Indeed, whether in her past life or this one, Xie Guidu had never liked her. Only Dou Mingyan was worthy of his favor.
Even with a second chance at life, Dou Wenyi’s heart still felt as if it had been stabbed by a knife.
Loving one person is impossible to hide, but loving two must be concealed!
Moreover, what he felt for her couldn't even be considered love. She was merely Dou Mingyan's substitute—he had shamelessly used her to get closer to Dou Mingyan.
How could he ever bear to let Dou Mingyan suffer the slightest grievance?
Recalling their past life, Xie Guidu must have endured torment sharing a bed with her for over a decade.
How he must have suffered!
Dou Wenyi pressed her lips tightly together.
"Let's not make things difficult for each other anymore. Let's part ways here!" With those words, Dou Wenyi sidestepped him, preparing to leave.
Xie Guidu's expression stiffened. Instinctively, he seized her slender wrist, ignoring her struggles entirely.
The lunchbox in Dou Wenyi's hand crashed to the ground, its lid flying far away as exquisite dishes shattered into pieces.
Xie Guidu tightened his grip on her wrist, his peripheral glance catching her panicked, indignant eyes as he insinuated, "It's because of the owner of this lunchbox, isn't it?"
Dou Wenyi's face paled abruptly. "Xie Guidu, have you gone mad?"
"Why aren't you calling me 'Young Master Xie' anymore?" Xie Guidu stared at her intensely, his voice laced with anger. "Dare to act but not admit it? Remember your place—don't do anything to betray Mingyan!"
A sharp pain pierced Dou Wenyi's heart. So it was true—he wasn't jealous at all, just worried she might harm Dou Mingyan.
"Get lost!" Blood rushed to Dou Wenyi's head, her breath uneven as she suddenly slapped the back of his hand and delivered a fierce kick.
Xie Guidu stared in shock, caught off guard. A muddy footprint now stained his snow-white robes.
She… not only cursed at him but also struck and kicked him!
Dou Wenyi trembled with even greater fury, her shoulders shaking. "I'm not as despicable as you think! I, Dou Wenyi, will never marry you, let alone become anyone's concubine! I suggest you watch your words and stop spewing filth that tarnishes others' reputations."
This was utterly humiliating!
She had brought this shame upon herself—mistaking him for a worthy man and devoting her heart to him for a lifetime.
Her foolish devotion had been thrown to the dogs. In his eyes, she was just a social climber who'd stop at nothing for profit.
With that, she brushed past him and strode directly into the carriage.
Xie Guidu stood with a face like thunder, his hands clenched into fists beneath his white sleeves. He instinctively chased after her for two steps before halting abruptly.
Her graceful figure had already vanished, leaving only a faint fragrance lingering in the air.
He had already decided to accept her affection—waiting for her temper to subside before sending betrothal gifts and marrying her.
But how much longer did she intend to keep this up?
Just then, Dou Mingyan hurried over from a distance, lifting her skirts with a delighted expression as she called out, "Guidu!"
"What is it?" Xie Guidu responded stiffly, his tone icy.
His imposing aura was overwhelming, his face dark enough to drip ink, sending chills down one's spine.
Xie Guidu—always refined and graceful like orchids and jade trees—had never treated her with anything less than courtesy and warmth. Why was he so cold today?
Dou Mingyan's eyes reddened at the corners, brimming with grievance. "Guidu, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?"
"Mingyan?" Xie Guidu finally snapped back to reality, a hint of apology in his eyes. "My apologies, I was rude just now. What did you need?"
Seeing him return to his usual gentle composure, Dou Mingyan smiled softly. "I spotted a fine qin at Youhuang Pavilion and wanted your opinion on it."
"Why go through such trouble? I happen to have collected several fine qins and can gift you one."
Xie Guidu paused, then continued gently, "I'll have someone deliver it to your residence later."
In the past, whenever he and Dou Wenyi had fallen into cold silences, hadn't she always been the first to lower her head and admit fault?
But this time—how splendid—she even deliberately flirted with other men. Wasn't it just to grab his attention and make him uncomfortable?
Well, he'd see how long she could keep up this stubborn act!