Dou Wenyi slipped out through the western side gate, but as soon as she reached the shore of Emerald Lake, her gaze froze.
Xie Guidu was waiting under the octagonal pavilion not far away.
His figure was tall and straight, clad in a crimson brocade robe with subtle patterns, a jade pendant fastened at his waist, making him appear dignified and elegant, as pure and cool as the moonlight.
Xie Guidu's expression was indifferent, his deep gaze like shattered jade, falling upon her inch by inch, causing the shimmering lake to pale in comparison.
"Yier, let's talk."
In her past life, her reputation had been utterly ruined. He hadn't even come to deliver the betrothal gifts himself—the wedding was simplified in every way, and the betrothal gifts were handled by his uncle.
She had protected him with her life, yet her sincere heart had been trampled into pieces by him. If he didn't love her, why bother entangling her now?
After the disgraceful scene at the Western Garden the other day, how did he still have the face to come and deliver the betrothal gifts?
In a few strides, he closed the distance between them, as if the conflicts between them had never existed.
Dou Wenyi instinctively took a step back, creating space between them. A cold smile flickered at the corner of her lips. "Lord Xie, I made myself clear last time. Why are you still here with the betrothal gifts? Don't tell me you still intend to force me into marriage? I once thought you were a gentleman!"
Xie Guidu's noble and handsome face stiffened for a moment, his voice slightly hoarse. "Mingyan doesn't know how to swim. I was just anxious at the moment and couldn't stand by and watch someone drown. If it were anyone else who fell into the water, I would have stepped in to save them too… Please don't be angry with me."
His tone was humble and polite, seemingly an explanation, but to her ears, it carried a different meaning.
What a fine "couldn't stand by and watch someone drown"!
Why didn't Xie Guidu mention how he had favored Dou Mingyan and forced her to apologize? Or how frantic he was while holding Dou Mingyan in the water, all the while turning a blind eye to her?
In her past life, from the moment she married into the Xie family, she had cherished his kindness. Even when he treated her coldly at every turn, she was willing to burn through all her love for him.
She had restrained her temper, humbled herself, and tread carefully, enduring countless scornful glances and cold treatment.
Even when faced daily with the provocations of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she had never complained half a word in front of him.
Even when she fell ill and suffered, she never regretted it.
But he had turned a blind eye to all her efforts and even asked her to die in Dou Mingyan's place. This was simply unforgivable—he deserved to be struck by lightning!
Dou Wenyi's expression was aloof. "Who you save is none of my business. Lord Xie, let me say it again: I do not like you, and I am not worthy of the marriage with the Xie family. Can't we just part ways and each live in peace?"
"No!" Xie Guidu's pitch-black eyes seemed to freeze.
Unnoticeably, he clenched a brocade pouch hidden under his sleeve—inside were the pyramid-shaped candies he had carefully prepared.
Dou Wenyi often carried small snacks with her, and this was a flavor she liked.
A small flame seemed to burn in his chest, while the bag of candies in his hand felt absurdly ridiculous.
"Marriage is a serious matter, decided by matchmakers and parents. How can you treat it as a joke?" Remembering his purpose for coming, his stern tone softened slightly.
They had been engaged since childhood. He had long grown accustomed to her chasing after him, accustomed to her kindness, accustomed to the sachets she gave him, the pills she concocted, the robes she made, and so much more.
Even a stray cat or dog would develop some affection after so many years!
Moreover, they had been engaged since they were young—he had long since decided that she would be his future wife.
How dare she break off the engagement?
Xie Guidu's suppressed anger began to spread…
Dou Wenyi took in his expression; it was clear he was already angry.
But what right did he have to be angry?
Wasn't the one he loved Dou Mingyan?
Too cowardly to challenge the Eastern Palace, yet bold enough to bully her instead.
Dou Wenyi was utterly disappointed, kicking a pebble away with her foot.
After a prolonged silence, she said calmly, "I thought I could help create a beautiful romance. The esteemed heir of Marquis Dingyuan—all ambition but no courage?"
Xie Guidu seemed struck where it hurt, his voice turning icy. "Dou Wenyi, what nonsense are you spouting? You and I are about to be married. We are the couple here. Don't drag innocent others into this, and don't tarnish her reputation!"
Innocent?
Who was innocent?
Forcing her to spend her entire life as a backdrop to his grand love—wasn't she the most innocent one?
Even now, he was still defending Dou Mingyan, unwilling to let her suffer the slightest grievance. He truly deserved praise for his unwavering devotion and steadfast heart!
Dou Wenyi stared fixedly at him, her patience long gone. "Who exactly is tarnishing whom? Xie Guidu, your self-righteous attitude is truly contemptible!"
At that moment, she really wanted to ask him: if he loved Dou Mingyan so deeply, why didn't he have the courage to admit it?
But suddenly, she no longer felt like speaking. The aloof, jade-like Xie Guidu was just like her—timid, cowardly, and trapped by love.
The person before her overlapped once again with the man from her previous life, who, throughout those long years, had silently guarded the white moonlight in his heart with his devotion, yet cruelly pushed another woman into the abyss.
The color drained from Xie Guidu's face, leaving him speechless.
Dou Wenyi took a deep breath, didn't spare him another glance, stepped aside, and ran off in another direction.
"Dou Wenyi, our wedding date has already been set—"
His low voice was scattered by the wind. Xie Guidu's body stiffened slightly, the cool breeze brushing his face as his hands clenched into fists beneath his sleeves.
The lake reflected Xie Guidu's desolate figure, his deep eyes tinged with crimson as a sudden bitterness spread uncontrollably in his heart.
Were her words just now meant to mock him?
Xie Guidu didn't believe saving someone was a mistake… As long as Dou Wenyi didn't speak of it, it wouldn't affect Mingyan.
Only the matter of the zither had somewhat wronged her and damaged her dignity.
But how long would she hold a grudge over such a trivial matter?
Why did she have to be so stubborn? Couldn't she be more gentle, more magnanimous, understand his difficulties, and be more accommodating toward him?
Xie Guidu suddenly let out a muffled laugh, recalling the unprecedented coldness on her face. With a flick of his wrist, he ruthlessly threw the bag of pyramid-shaped candies into the lake.
Then, he tore the Mandarin duck jade pendant from his waist and raised his hand, intending to discard it as well.
It was their betrothal token. Xie Guidu closed his eyes, gripping the pendant so tightly it nearly shattered in his palm.
Did she really think he couldn't live without her?
That he had no choice but to marry her?
What a joke!
He simply didn't want to be the kind of man who breaks promises and betrays trust.
Xie Guidu faintly sensed someone in the bushes. "Who's there? Come out! If it's improper to hear, it's improper to see. Don't you even understand such basic etiquette, Young Master Zhang?"
Zhang Chengxian leaped out from the bushes, showing no embarrassment at being caught eavesdropping on others' privacy. "Xie Guidu, I don't understand etiquette? I, your humble servant, walk upright and sit straight. I would never force myself on someone else. You're the despicable, shameless villain."
Xie Guidu, unsure how much he had overheard, replied coldly, "How dare a profligate like you presume to judge my character?"
Zhang Chengxian's face darkened. The world saw him as an elegant gentleman, but only he knew how wicked his temperament truly was.
He said coldly, "Wenyi doesn't like you, yet you insist on coming with a marriage proposal. Have you no shame? Are you even a man?"
Xie Guidu replied indifferently, "What concern is it of an outsider like you, the matters between me and Yi'er?"
Stung by the word "outsider," Zhang Chengxian gritted his teeth and said, "Who exactly is the outsider remains to be seen! Do you lack such self-awareness, Lord Xie? She even invited me to Fan Lou for sliced fish!"
Although Dou Wenyi had also invited several others, she had indeed extended the invitation to him.
"Zhang Chengxian," Xie Guidu's eyes filled with icy fury, "how dare you tarnish her reputation!"
"Tarnish her reputation? When you disregarded her safety at Yanchi Lake, only concerned with saving other women, did you ever consider her reputation then?"
Xie Guidu's brow twitched, and he suddenly threw a punch aimed at Zhang Chengxian's abdomen…
Xie Guidu was never some frail scholar. He excelled in all six gentlemanly arts, and his equestrian, archery, and martial skills were exceptional.
The punch sent stars flashing before Zhang Chengxian's eyes from the pain. Having promised his aunt to reform his ways, he had nearly forgotten he was once a profligate!
He licked the corner of his lips, grinning widely. "Xie Guidu, you threw the first punch!"