Chapter 12: Call Off the Engagement If You Want, I Like Your Sister

“Of course!”

“If this medicine proves ineffective, or if it worsens the illness, I am willing to bear all consequences.”

Ying Shuo spoke with confidence, but seeing that the physician Zhou still wore an expression of deep skepticism, his own face darkened as he pressed the matter. “However, if Madam Jiang’s condition deteriorates because you delayed her treatment, the fault will not lie with me.”

At these words, Physician Zhou fell silent, hastily returning the medicine to Jiang Lanfeng.

In truth, it wasn’t just Physician Zhou who was doubtful; even Jiang Lanfeng and her father harbored reservations. After all, Zhou was renowned as the best physician for miles around. If even he was at his wits’ end with Madam Jiang’s illness, how could a mere youth—who still seemed wet behind the ears—hope to cure her with a small, pitch-black pill?

Yet with no better option available, Jiang Lanfeng steeled herself and fed the medicine to Madam Jiang.

“Please, let nothing happen to you, my dear!” Father Jiang paced anxiously, his face growing ever more ashen.

By the bedside sat a young woman whose features bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Lanfeng’s. Her beauty was gentle, though her figure possessed a maturity Lanfeng had yet to attain. Her eyes were naturally fox-like with a glint of cunning; though she spoke little, her thoughts ran deep.

She surreptitiously cast a glance at Ying Shuo, making no move to greet him. Instead, she shot him a frosty look and inquired, “Lanfeng, is this the young Master Ying?”

Jiang Lanfeng hesitated before nodding, somewhat embarrassed. “Sister, this is Young Master Ying, from Qingfeng County. He’s preparing to go to the capital to sit for the imperial examinations.”

She quietly recited all she knew of Ying Shuo.

Ying Shuo, meanwhile, was quite curious as to why the Jiang family’s demeanor had shifted ever since he’d stated his name. Was there a taboo associated with it? Had his family owed them a debt? Why else would they be so perturbed?

Just then, the fox-eyed woman rose from the bed, gliding over to Ying Shuo with a look of disdain in her gaze.

Father Jiang, noticing this, looked rather awkward. He pretended not to see and turned his head away. Jiang Lanfeng, too, feigned concern for her mother’s condition, though her big doe eyes couldn’t help but sneak a glance in Ying Shuo’s direction.

“I am Jiang Qingyue.”

“Since you have come to our door, let’s not beat around the bush. We should speak frankly.”

Jiang Qingyue?

Ying Shuo searched his memory for the name, but found nothing familiar. Jiang Qingyue’s slender, pale neck was exposed as she lifted her haughty chin, her voice as cold as ever.

“Today you have come to the Jiang residence and treated my mother. For that, I am grateful. If you seek a reward, just name it. But if you intend to use this as leverage to coerce me into marrying you—banish that foolish thought at once!”

Though she looked up at him, Jiang Qingyue’s bearing was one of looking down on others.

One had to admit, daughters of official families truly carried an aura that ordinary folk lacked. And the clothes of these wealthy women from ancient times were so thin—when Jiang Qingyue approached, her proud figure was on full display for Ying Shuo to see.

“What a temper! And what a sight!” he thought, but he quickly reined in his thoughts, focusing on her words.

“So she’s the typical self-important sort,” he mused.

“No need to worry. I’m helping Madam Jiang for Lanfeng’s sake. I have no interest in you.”

Ying Shuo waved his hand carelessly, thinking he had made himself clear.

He did not expect Jiang Qingyue’s face to burn with indignation the moment he said he wasn’t interested in her.

“What did you say? No interest in me?”

She laughed coldly. “Don’t be ridiculous, Young Master Ying! In Qingfeng City, countless sons of officials and wealthy merchants have sought my hand. How dare you dismiss me?”

“Granted, years ago, our grandfathers arranged a marriage between me and the grandson of the Ying family. But now, the Ying family is no match for the Jiangs. I hope you have the sense to recognize your place!”

With a flourish of her sleeve, she embodied the very spirit of a noble family’s eldest daughter.

Yet this was the first Ying Shuo had heard of such a thing.

“No wonder the Jiang family reacted so strangely when they heard my name! So there was an old engagement made by the grandfathers—probably back when neither family was prosperous.”

Now times had changed. The Jiang family was flourishing, their patriarch influential at court, while the Yings had fallen into decline. Ying Shuo was all that remained—a withered branch—how could he compare to the Jiang family, let alone dream of marrying their cherished granddaughter?

Harsh as Jiang Qingyue’s words were, she spoke the truth.

In Qingfeng City, the Ying family was down to just Ying Shuo. If not for his transmigration, there would be no one of the Ying name left in the city—the original had starved to death long ago.

At this, Ying Shuo gave a hearty laugh. “So that’s how it is! But my parents passed away early and never mentioned this to me.”

“With the Jiang family so prosperous, naturally I, a poor scholar, am unworthy of comparison. If you still have misgivings, Miss Jiang, why not simply write a letter and annul the engagement?”

Jiang Qingyue and her father were both stunned by how nonchalantly Ying Shuo spoke.

“You mean it?”

Ying Shuo nodded indifferently.

Father Jiang, honest and forthright, had no wish for his daughter to marry a fallen youth, yet no one dared defy the old master’s will. Now Ying Shuo had come himself to break off the engagement—it was exactly what he wanted! It spared the old master’s pride and kept his precious daughter from sacrifice. After confirming once more, he even felt a touch of embarrassment.

In the Kingdom of Qinyang, for a man to be jilted was a grave humiliation. While it was common for men to cast off wives, being cast off was rare—and to seek out the annulment oneself, Ying Shuo must be the very first!

“What a pauper… and a scoundrel!” Jiang Qingyue fumed, her face flushed with anger at Ying Shuo’s utter disregard for convention.

It was as if she were some unwanted burden!

Finally, she managed to spit out this retort, then turned and sat back on the bed in a huff.

With Jiang Qingyue taking her seat, Jiang Lanfeng was left no choice but to stand, bringing her face to face with Ying Shuo.

“Young Master Ying, I’m sorry…” Jiang Lanfeng twisted the hem of her skirt, her cheeks burning crimson, eyes darting away in embarrassment.

“What’s there to be sorry about?”

“A true man must not languish beneath others for long. If one cannot make a name for himself with the sword, then let him shine in the halls of governance and leave a mark on history! So what if the engagement is broken? It’s nothing to fret over!”

At his words, Jiang Lanfeng’s eyes shone, brimming with emotion as she gazed at the young man, radiant beneath the moonlight.

Ying Shuo cared not a whit for the shame of a broken engagement—he was even secretly pleased. Jiang Qingyue’s greatest contribution had been to call him a good-for-nothing pauper, which, curiously, seemed to trigger something in his mind—ten mysterious coins appeared in his mental panel!

Beyond that, he felt not the slightest interest in her. In contrast, Jiang Lanfeng, pure of heart and upright in character, loyal and gentle—perhaps not the most dazzling beauty, but surely a rare companion for a lifetime’s journey.

“Well said!”

Father Jiang’s eyes shone at Ying Shuo’s spirited declaration, and he could not help but praise him. If not for Jiang Qingyue’s warning glance, he might have continued. What a bright, upright young man! It was a shame his family had fallen on hard times, Father Jiang mused.

A timely cough from Madam Jiang interrupted them; the flush on her cheeks faded, and her breathing steadied, growing smooth and even.