He recalled the questions his mother asked him during his second visit, which made him blush and feel like he wanted to disappear into the ground, unable to utter a single rebuttal.
“Ting-ge’er, listen carefully. Mother is not angry with your aunt, and is not trying to separate you and An-jiu against your wishes.”
“These days, rumors about An Jiu are flying around in the capital. I’ve also heard that there are many such rumors circulating among the other junior scholars who passed the same exam.”
"What did you think after hearing that? And what did you do?"
The words of the Lady of Dingbei made Fang Ting's heart sink.
"If you truly care about An Jiu and don't believe those rumors at all, why don't you stop them when you hear them and tell them about your relationship with An Jiu?"
“If your engagement to An Ran is confirmed, not only will the Marquis of Nan'an's mansion and the Prince of Yi's mansion be grateful to you, but your aunt probably won't be able to cause such a scene.”
Fang Ting suddenly seemed to have all his strength drained away. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a rebuttal.
He really liked An Jiu, that charming and pretty girl... but undeniably, he was also the one who didn't stand up when he heard the rumors.
"Let's break off the engagement, Ting-ge'er." Lady Dingbei looked at him with a compassionate gaze, like a bodhisattva lowering her eyes, but her tone was resolute and left no room for doubt. "If this continues, not only will your aunt cause a scene again, which is really inappropriate, but even if you and An Jiu are forced into marriage, there will be a rift between you."
Fang Ting then realized that all his reading of the Four Books and Five Classics and his vast knowledge of poetry and literature had been in vain, yet he couldn't utter a single word to defend himself.
"I will go to Prince Yi's residence tomorrow to apologize to the Princess Consort first." The Lady of Dingbei's tone was full of helplessness. She sighed, "The Nan'an Marquis's residence is fine. But An San Niang is so protective of her own. If I go to the Lady of Nan'an Marquis first and don't let her know, she will go crazy."
After hearing what Lady Dingbei said, Fang Ting, who still wanted to try to persuade her, fell completely silent.
The situation was already difficult enough for his mother; he couldn't afford to create more problems for her.
"It's all my fault, I've even implicated you, Mother. I'm utterly unfilial." Fang Ting lifted his robes and knelt down, kowtowing to Lady Dingbei. "Please punish me, Mother!"
As Fang Ting spoke, his eyes reddened, and the confident and composed look that usually graced his handsome face vanished completely, leaving only sadness and dejection.
Lady Dingbei felt a pang of pity upon seeing this. She personally helped Fang Ting up, patted his hand, and sighed deeply.
"It's just that we were destined to meet but not to be together; you can't force it."
Fang Ting was still lost in his thoughts when Qing Shi walked up to him, and he finally snapped out of it.
"Second Master, Madam sent Sister Emerald over, saying she's here to collect something." Seeing that his master was not in good spirits, Qing Shi spoke very cautiously.
Fang Ting suddenly clenched the jade pendant in his hand.
"Sister Jade said that Madam needs it first thing tomorrow morning, so please return it to her as soon as possible, Second Master."
After a long while, Qing Shi heard Fang Ting slowly say, "I understand. You have Lian Qiao and the others entertain Jade first, and I'll send it over right away."
Qing Shi dared not say anything more and could only agree and go.
Fang Ting was left alone in the study. He stared at the jade pendant for a moment, then suddenly untied the five-bat tassel from it.
He had been raised by the Lady of Dingbei since childhood and had seen many fine things. But he felt that this five-bat net was his favorite; it was his last thought of her!
Fang Ting composed himself, put the jade pendant into the brocade box, and carefully put away the knotted cord he had untied.
He personally delivered the brocade box to the jadeite.
"I accidentally broke the tassel when I took off the jade pendant," Fang Ting said calmly. "Lian Qiao and the others are clumsy, I'm afraid they can't do this kind of thing, so please help me, sister."
Jade took it and silently glanced at Fang Ting.
She had seen the original appearance of this knotted cord before. Was it really that the knotted cord was torn apart when the jade pendant was removed?
She didn't believe it. But since Fang Ting said so, she, as a servant, couldn't refute it.
"I understand." Emerald curtsied and said, "Madam is waiting for me to return, so I'll be going now."
Fang Ting delivered the jade to the corridor.
Watching her figure disappear down the path, Fang Ting felt as if a piece of her heart had been emptied whenever she thought about the contents of the box she had taken away.
It can never be fully repaired.
******
Prince Yi's Mansion.
After seeing Yun Shen off, San Niang went to the side room to visit Dong Ge'er again. Just as she was about to instruct someone to send An Ran the prepared clothes, she suddenly heard Jin Zhi come to report that the Lady of Dingbei Marquis had come to visit.
Third Sister's expression immediately turned serious.
The Lady of Dingbei has come uninvited, without prior notice, so it's probably not a good thing.
"Quickly invite Lady Dingbei into the house." While sending Jinzhi to deliver the message, Third Sister hurriedly tidied her clothes, smoothed her hair, and went out to greet her.
As she reached the corridor, the Lady of Dingbei Marquis hurried in. Seeing that she had only brought one personal maid with her today, her face was solemn, yet seemed to carry a hint of guilt.
Third Sister's smile froze on her face.
"You've arrived." Third Sister composed herself and quickly smiled again, saying, "If there's anything you need, just send someone to give you instructions. Or you can send someone to deliver a message, and I'll come over myself."
Lady Dingbei was of the same generation as Lady Zhao, but she was not as familiar with Lady Dingbei as she was with Lady Qingxiang. Therefore, Third Sister spoke less casually and more respectfully.
"Third Sister." The Lady of Dingbei called out affectionately, which gave Third Sister a glimmer of hope. Perhaps it wasn't the worst outcome she had imagined?
Third Sister welcomed Lady Dingbei to the main room. Huaping came in and served hot tea. Seeing that the two had something to say, she quietly withdrew with her maids.
"Third Sister, it is our Dingbei Marquis's family that has wronged you." Without any pleasantries, the Lady of Dingbei Marquis said directly, "The two children are not destined to be together. Our two families have not yet formally arranged the marriage, so let's call it off."
After saying that, she took out a brocade box that looked very familiar to Third Sister. This was something she had found in the storeroom for Ninth Sister to give as a return gift. Without even looking, she knew that the Hetian jade pendant must be inside.