The matter of the Xu family breaking off the engagement spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys the next day, with the long street becoming even livelier as everyone discussed the affair endlessly.
Some even vividly recounted the details, sensing much intrigue from the Xu family's firm stance and the Liang family's evasiveness.
"I heard the Liang family's young master was involved with Miss Wei, and Miss Xu caught them, which is why the engagement was broken off."
"No, no, I heard that Miss Wei fell into the water, and the Liang family's son saved her. Miss Xu, being hot-tempered, insisted on a breakup."
"Who do you think is telling the truth and who is lying?"
"Who knows? There are so many dirty secrets within these noble families. We common folk should focus on filling our stomachs first."
After the hour of the Rooster passed, the side gate of the Duke of Wei's mansion opened from within. Servants and maids began to emerge one after another, some to shop, others to sweep, acting as if nothing had happened.
Those outside began to look suspiciously, wondering why the family wasn't trying to hide their shame.
A few bold individuals stepped forward to make small talk, only to be met with a dismissive glance from the gatekeeper's attendant, who sneered, "Gossiping old women, be careful you don't bite off your tongues."
The crowd, which had been gathered outside to watch the spectacle, scattered in fear upon hearing the attendant's words.
In the Han Zhang Hall, Consort Wei looked mournfully at Wei Lan Xuan, who had come to visit despite her illness, her expression troubled.
Beside her, Duke Wei appeared calm, but upon closer inspection, more white hairs could be seen at his temples than usual.
"Lan'er, I have failed your grandfather's cultivation and my aunt's trust. It is all my fault, and I have also harmed the Ninth Prince's reputation. I am sorry."
She was already frail, and now gravely ill, she had been coughing constantly since choking on water, yet she had forced herself to come today to beg Consort Wei's forgiveness.
Firstly, she feared estrangement from the Wei family, and secondly, she was afraid of losing her aunt's affection.
What good would marrying the man she loved do her then?
Those affections would eventually be worn away by time. Marriages devoid of family interests were the most unstable, a fact she had known since childhood.
After a night, Consort Wei's anger, however immense, had subsided considerably. Seeing Wei Lan Xuan's state, she felt immense pity.
She had only one son, and she had always treated Wei Lan Xuan as her own daughter. While she was angry and resentful, she also pitied and loved her.
What else could be done now?
With a deep sigh, she gestured for Yue Shi beside her to help Wei Lan Xuan up.
"Since you have made your choice, your aunt can do nothing. Fortunately, the imperial decree has not yet been proclaimed to the world. Your engagement to Yun Li was known only to a few close individuals, so it is not a major issue. However, the Liang family's reputation is quite poor now. Are you truly willing to marry into such a family?"
Wei Lan Xuan shed silent tears, having not slept all night.
Her greatest concern was what the future held.
She was now in a precarious position. She had requested the breakup in front of so many people. If she were to refuse the marriage now, it was feared that no one in the entire Eastern Capital would dare to marry her in the future. Was she truly to live a life of prayer and meditation, or end her life with a silken noose?
None of these were what she desired.
Therefore, after steadying her resolve, she spoke with determination, "Lan'er is willing."
With her words, Consort Wei no longer pressed the issue. She instructed Yue Shi to summon the imperial physician and send Wei Lan Xuan to the back hall for treatment, while she continued her conversation with her father, Duke Wei.
"Yun Li's marriage cannot be delayed any further. The First Prince's consort's belly is already showing. Several imperial physicians have confirmed it is a male fetus. If she truly gives birth to the legitimate eldest grandson, won't the First Prince's faction become even more rampant!"
Consort Wei paced back and forth in the hall as she spoke, her face flushed with anxiety. The thought of the Empress once again suppressing her infuriated her.
"Alright, calm yourself. Fortunately, Yun Li is now a Prince. Since we are to select a Princess, perhaps we can broaden our horizons. I recall the late Emperor had several brothers. Are women raised in princely estates not more suited to the position of Princess?"
Duke Wei, a seasoned strategist, had, after abandoning Wei Lan Xuan yesterday, immediately dispatched people to re-examine the list of noble ladies in the Eastern Capital. Unfortunately, none were particularly suitable.
He then thought of the princes enfeoffed in various regions. If a woman of exceptional talent could be chosen from among them to be a Princess, it might even be a blessing in disguise.
Upon hearing Duke Wei's words, Consort Wei felt as if she had been enlightened and became extremely excited.
She immediately ordered the princesses from those princely estates to be screened again, and soon a candidate was found.
Thinking that in a little while, not only would it be the time for envoys from the outer territories to come and pay their respects, but also for the various regional princes to come and pay homage. The formerly overcast expression on her face now wore a spring breeze-like smile.
Three days later, the Liang family, bearing immense ridicule, arrived at the Duke of Wei's mansion to formally propose marriage to Wei Lan Xuan of the Wei family.
The grandeur of the occasion surpassed even their proposal to the Xu family, and this time, the betrothal gifts represented the entirety of the Liang family's wealth.
Duke Wei, observing the submissive demeanor of the Liang family father and son, felt no inclination to haggle further.
After all, they were still of the same faction. With this marital tie, they would be in the same boat from now on. With this thought, he did not make things too difficult for the Liang family.
They amicably discussed and set the wedding date for the following February.
Thus, the scandalous affair of the Xu family daughter and the Wei family daughter vying for the Liang family son finally came to an end, becoming a topic of conversation for the public in the following days.
In a quiet courtyard beside Fahua Temple, Elder Xu was playing chess with great frustration.
He held the white pieces but was at a stalemate for a long time, unable to place a move. Wherever he put it, it was a dead end.
With a groan, he threw the white pieces back into the chess box and said fiercely to the man before him, "Your Highness, you haven't been hiding at home practicing chess every day, have you? You weren't my match half a year ago, and now you've got me completely cornered!"
The man smiled faintly. Although his complexion was pale, his handsomeness was undeniable. He was none other than Prince Ding, Xiao Ting Yi.
"Esteemed Elder is too kind. You have been troubled by rumors these past few days, which allowed this humble one to exploit your distraction. If we were to truly compare, your skill is still superior."
Hmph, Elder Xu picked up the large, plump orange cat he kept beside him, his emotions as evident as a child's.
"For the Liang family's young scoundrel to do such a thing! It's fortunate that Ming Yue didn't marry him, otherwise, who knows how miserable she would have been in the future. Hmph, the Wei family is also blind to have chosen such a grandson-in-law after so much searching."
Even his attendant, Yang Zhao, couldn't help but curl his lips in disbelief at the disdain in his words for the Liang family.
Xiao Ting Yi did not respond. He had never been interested in such matters of romance.
However, Elder Xu looked at him with a different kind of gaze. Before he could speak, he heard Xiao Ting Yi say indifferently, "No chance."
This angered Elder Xu, causing his beard to bristle again. He grumbled indignantly, "Your Highness is almost thirty, and you don't even have an heir! Be careful your maternal grandfather doesn't rush over from Jiangnan and force a few concubines on you. That would be a sight to behold."