Chapter 14 - getting along?

(At the Zhang Mansion)

"So, did Young Lady Hua do anything in particular?" Li Xin asked.

"No, nothing out of the ordinary,"Bo Qin replied. "She bought a bunch of romance novels from a bookshop, then returned home."

Li Xin dismissed him with a nod. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going out."

(Meanwhile, at Hua Mansion)

Ai Li sat deep in thought, spinning possible plans in her head. How does one cancel a marriage bestowed by His Majesty himself? Every scenario she conjured was overly dramatic and completely unrealistic—straight out of a fantasy tale.

She sighed. I even cried to soften him at the engagement party. Blink, hold it, 3... 2... 1... action. And yet—nothing.

The memory of her perfectly timed tears made her scoff.

She now sat surrounded by the romance novels she had eagerly bought earlier. At first, the plots mirrored her own life—an unwanted engagement, a determined heroine. But as the stories progressed, her brow furrowed. Why do they all end in marriage?

Disappointed, she tossed one book aside. Then another. Soon, the floor was littered with open books.

"Out of all these stories, not one gives a proper guide on how to break off an engagement?" she groaned.

A knock on the door.

"Yes, come in," she called out.

Madame Hua entered, eyes scanning the room. "Xiao Li, what is this mess? Are you sure you're my daughter and not my son?"

Ai Li glanced at her mother with a long face, saying nothing.

"Why do you look like you've lost your mind?" Madame Hua picked up one of the discarded books and inspected it, clearly concerned. She moved toward Ai Li, checking her arms and forehead. Ai Li gently pushed her hands away.

"You shouldn't indulge in books like these," her mother scolded, holding her daughter's hands.

"I'm fine," Ai Li muttered. "Just... stuck in thought."

Madame Hua's real reason for coming surfaced. "Young Master Zhang is here. He's waiting in the hall—with your grandmother."

Ai Li's expression darkened. "He stood me up yesterday, and now he shows up like nothing happened?" she mumbled.

"I'll tell him I'm feeling unwell."

"No excuses. You'll meet him, and you'll behave," her mother said sternly.

"He makes me wait for hours, and now I have to drop everything to meet him?" Ai Li scoffed. Still, she obeyed—but not without protest. She purposely took her time getting ready and told a servant to inform her grandmother of the delay, hoping to avoid offense.

(In the Hall)

Her grandmother received the message and quickly caught on—Ai Li was making Li Xin wait on purpose. She turned to the young man. "Ai Li just woke up. It may take her a while to get ready. I hope you don't mind waiting, Young Master Zhang ."

Li Xin smirked, clearly understanding the real message.

Thirty minutes passed.

A servant announced Ai Li's arrival. She walked in gracefully, curtsied, and sat opposite Li Xin. "Thank you for visiting, despite your busy schedule," she said with a practiced smile.

Li Xin stood, bowed, and apologized sincerely. "I deeply regret missing yesterday's meeting."

Ai Li reluctantly stood and accepted his apology. Li Xin signaled to Bo Qin, who stepped forward and presented a gift.

Ai Li gave Li Xin a sideways glance but accepted it out of courtesy before her grandmother.

Her grandmother smiled. "Why don't you two take a walk in the garden?"

(In the Garden)

From a distance, the grandmother watched them, pleased to see them walking and talking side by side.

(What was actually happening...)

"Why are you still here? Aren't you a busy general? I got the gift, now what?" Ai Li asked, looked at him then turned her head as she finished .

She then continued,

"Just pretend we're getting along," she added with a sweet smile, clearly unimpressed.

Li Xin leaned in and whispered . "We'll have to get along eventually... since we're getting married."

"I'll make sure that never happens," she replied smoothly, returning his smile with ice behind her eyes.

Li Xin pulled something from his sleeve—the jade pendant.

Ai Li was startled but kept her composure. He's trying to catch me off guard again, she thought. She thanked him calmly and accepted it without showing emotion.

As they continued walking, a ball came flying toward them.

On reflex, Ai Li pulled Li Xin aside—using him as a shield. The ball smacked directly into his face.

Everyone nearby gasped.

Li Xin stood frozen, his face slightly dirty. Ai Li turned and saw him—and laughed, trying to muffle it with her hand.

He looked at her coldly, but she couldn't help herself.

Her younger brother came rushing over, panicked. He bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry, Young Master Zhang! Do you need a physician?"

Li Xin waved it off.

Their grandmother arrived shortly after. "Are you alright?"

"I'll just clean up," Li Xin replied. "My servant can bring a basin."

"Nonsense," said Grandmother. She turned to Ai Li. "Go help him clean up."

"Please no, Grandmother," Ai Li whispered.

Li Xin protested as well. "That would be improper for a unmarried young lady."

Ai Li nodded eagerly in agreement.

But Grandmother insisted. "You're engaged, after all."

Left with no choice, both gave in.

(In the Guest Room)

Li Xin sat by the open window. A knock.

"You may enter," he said.

Ai Li stepped in, holding a basin and towel on a tray. She set it down and dampened the towel. As she moved to wipe his face, Li Xin stopped her.

"I'll do it myself."

Ai Li held onto the towel. "Let me. Think of it as thanks—for the pendant. And for... shielding me from the ball."

She leaned closer, focused on cleaning his face. Li Xin remained still, eyes on her. Her closeness, her careful movements—something about it made his heart race.

He didn't say a word.

But for the first time... he didn't want her to leave.

Ai Li confessed, "I knew you'd been suspicious of me ever since we met in that alley during the festival. I was there because I was running—"

"Running from the guards. I know," Li Xin interrupted.

She stood abruptly. "So you did hear me last time! You knew the truth, and yet you still ordered one of your guards to spy on me?" Her voice trembled with frustration.