“This… wouldn’t that be too difficult for you?”
Song Yongsui listened, a hesitant expression on his face.
Over the past few days, Lady Song and his daughter had both demanded to annul the engagement.
It was just that this engagement had been settled previously, and he felt it was not good to go back on his word like this.
Previously, when He Xiuyuan had drowned, annulling the engagement was understandable.
But now, He Xiuyuan was fine, yet they still wanted to annul the engagement, simply because He Xiuyuan seemed to have suffered a blow after drowning...
Even though Song Yongsui had already made up his mind before, at this moment, he hesitated again.
For people like them who always valued their word, there was an indescribable awkwardness in their hearts.
Lady Song, standing by, couldn't help but glare at her Lord Song.
What was all that talk about keeping promises and being trustworthy before?
But now, the one proposing to annul the engagement was He Xiuyuan himself, so what did he have to feel bad about?
Since both parties wanted to annul the engagement, it naturally wouldn't be considered breaking a promise.
“Of course not, please Lord Song, grant my request.”
He Xiuyuan immediately shook his head upon hearing this.
After resolving the Song family’s matter, he planned to visit Shifang Mountain, and then try to find a way to locate Sanxian Island.
As long as he could find Sanxian Island, he believed he would be able to find fellow cultivators of the Dao.
He Xiuyuan felt a sense of anticipation as he thought of this.
At this moment, his entire focus was on seeking immortals and the Dao. If he had this engagement tying him down, it would truly restrict him.
Seeing He Xiuyuan speak seriously, having clearly made up his mind to annul the engagement, and thinking of his wife and daughter’s wishes, Song Yongsui immediately nodded.
“In that case, then this engagement is void.”
“You’ve come all the way to Chang’an with such difficulty, why not rest for a few more days? I can also fulfill my duties as a host.”
Lord Song, feeling somewhat apologetic towards He Xiuyuan, thought for a moment and decided to have He Xiuyuan stay for a few more days to make amends.
“This...”
He Xiuyuan thought to himself that he needed to quickly go to Shifang Mountain, and then search for Sanxian Island.
“He Gongzi, there is a garden within Chang’an City, built by the renowned Great Master Lu Qimo a hundred years ago. If He Gongzi stays in Chang’an for a few days, he can go see it.”
Seeing He Xiuyuan hesitate, Steward Song quickly spoke up.
He was truly worried that He Xiuyuan would just leave like that.
In his opinion, it was his previous letter that ruined the engagement between He Xiuyuan and Young Miss. If He Xiuyuan truly was an extraordinary person, then the consequences...
Regardless, at this moment, he only wanted to keep He Xiuyuan here for now.
A garden?
He Xiuyuan’s eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this.
Regarding architecture that integrated the harmony between heaven and man, He Xiuyuan always felt a certain resonance when he saw it, believing that observing it more would benefit his Cultivation.
He remembered that he had also promised that person to take good care of the Song family.
Now that he was here, leaving directly seemed indeed a bit inappropriate.
With this thought, He Xiuyuan immediately nodded in agreement.
After all, Shifang Mountain and Sanxian Island wouldn't run away, so there was no rush.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan immediately nodded in agreement.
“In that case, I shall be much obliged.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble at all.”
Seeing He Xiuyuan agree, Lord Song’s face was full of smiles, “In that case, I’ll have the servants prepare a room for you in the courtyard. How about you stay there temporarily?”
“Uncle Song, there’s no need for such trouble. This humble one can simply find an inn to stay in.”
He Xiuyuan quickly refused upon hearing this.
He wasn’t familiar with the Song family, and staying at someone else’s home would likely make him very uncomfortable.
It would be better to find an inn outside.
“How can that be? My virtuous nephew has come all the way to Chang’an, and to stay in an inn outside? If outsiders knew, they would think my Song family intentionally neglected our guest.”
Lord Song immediately shook his head and refused upon hearing this.
No matter what, he couldn't let He Xiuyuan stay outside. What kind of talk would that be?
As for whether He Xiuyuan staying in the Song family would affect the female family members, that was completely impossible.
Because in wealthy households, the living quarters of female family members and males were separate. Men could never enter the female quarters, no matter the time.
Even if the female quarters needed water, it was poured through a stone hole in a wall, and the female family members on the other side of the wall would naturally have water to use.
The precautions here were very strict, so even if an outsider stayed at the mansion, no bad rumors would spread.
After all, the courtyards of wealthy households were all designed this way.
“This… I’ve heard there are many fine wines in Chang’an. Staying at an inn would make it more convenient to seek out some good wine.”
He Xiuyuan hesitated as he replied.
Lord Song immediately waved his hand upon hearing this, “What’s difficult about that? I’ll have someone buy some fine Chang’an wines later, so my virtuous nephew can drink his fill.”
Seeing Lord Song’s reply, He Xiuyuan thought about the few remaining silver taels he had, and then agreed.
There was nothing he could do; he didn’t have much silver left. Afterwards, he still needed to go to Shifang Mountain and search for Sanxian Island, so it was better to save his silver.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan immediately cupped his hands, “In that case, I shall trouble Uncle Song.”
Song Yongsui smiled and waved his hand upon hearing this, then immediately arranged for someone to lead He Xiuyuan to prepare a room.
After He Xiuyuan left with a servant, a woman walked out from behind the screen.
The woman had arched eyebrows and almond eyes, a slightly rosy, oval-shaped small face, and fair, delicate skin that seemed as if it could be broken by a touch. She was truly a rare beauty.
Seeing his daughter emerge, Song Yongsui shook his head and sighed. He naturally knew his daughter had been hiding behind the screen just now.
“You, fellow, since He Xiuyuan proposed to annul the engagement, what were you hesitating about just now?”
Lady Song was extremely displeased at this moment; she had seen her Lord Song hesitate earlier.
Song Yongsui replied helplessly, “After all, it was an engagement that had been settled previously. Going back on it like this is always not good.”
“Hmph, now this matter was proposed by him first, what’s not good about it? Are you going to force our daughter to marry him and suffer?”
Lady Song’s eyebrows shot up, expressing her extreme displeasure.
Song Yongsui’s eyes flickered upon hearing this, and he looked towards the main gate. He Xiuyuan had already left with the servant.
He didn't know why, but when he heard He Xiuyuan propose to annul the engagement just now, he instinctively felt that something was amiss, and he didn’t know why such a thought would pop into his mind.
“In any case, the engagement has been made clear now. It’s annulled, and that’s that!”
Lady Song, at this moment, spoke with an extremely firm tone.
