Children from large families either study or practice martial arts. It's rare for someone so young to be out doing things. Xu Zhi had lived alone in the backyard of a large family before, so she knew how difficult it was for a child with no support to survive in the inner courtyard of a mansion. It was only because Zong Chengping didn't follow those spoiled brats and was somewhat wary of his stepmother that he grew up so cautiously to the age of eighteen or nineteen.

It's not uncommon for children from prominent families in the capital to be unmarried at this age, but his status is rather awkward. Although some concubine daughters want to marry him, his legal mother always hopes he can help the family for a few more years. She even wants to find a concubine daughter from her own family to marry into the family so that she can continue to enslave him. Fortunately, his legal mother's concubine daughters are still young, and arranging a marriage for him would make people laugh. So, the marriage has been delayed.

Recently, Zong Chengping's stepmother probably heard some rumors. After all, he also had other people's spies around him. He met Zheng Yuanyuan many times, and the two of them would exchange a few words each time. This made his stepmother think too much. So, she made up her mind to arrange a marriage for him with a teenage illegitimate daughter from her own family. However, she was from a collateral branch. After telling Zong Chengping, she told him to prepare for the six rites.

Zong Chengping was heartbroken. He went to the manor early in the morning to clear his head, but he couldn't forget Zheng Yuanyuan. He knew that given their status, they were destined to never be together. But Zong Chengping clung to the lifeline like a drowning man trying to hold onto the warmth Zheng Yuanyuan had given him.

Returning from outside the city, Zong Chengping saw Zheng Yuanyuan's carriage parked by the roadside. Without thinking, he got off the carriage. When he saw the girl bathed in the sunset, Zong Chengping wanted to stay far away, but Zheng Yuanyuan saw him and pulled him to look at this clean, tidy and elegant place.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. Zong Chengping wasn't favored at home and wasn't the type to compete. Even when he worked with the family manager, he only did about 60% of what he knew. His family always thought this eldest son from a concubine, whose status was awkward, was a mediocre person. Little did they know that over the years he had hidden his talents to protect his own life. As a result, he hadn't participated in many things at the Duke of Cheng's mansion and was just someone who received a monthly allowance from the family and did nothing all day.

Zheng Yuanyuan was shocked to find Xu Zhi had seen her talking to Zong Chengping. Her face flushed red, then turned deathly pale as she seemed to remember something. This sight pained Xu Zhi. This young girl wanted her relationship to continue, yet she feared Xu Zhi's opposition. She worried that if she never saw the person who moved her heart again, she might be heartbroken.

Xu Zhi greeted him with a smile, saying, "Yuanyuan, which family does this young master belong to? I've never seen him before."

Zong Chengping quickly bowed to Xu Zhi. Zheng Yuanyuan said, "Sister-in-law, this young master Zong Chengping is from the Duke of Cheng's mansion. My carriage broke down halfway, and it was thanks to young master Zong that I was able to get to know him."

Xu Zhi nodded and said with a smile, "Thank you for your help, Young Master Zong. It's better to meet by chance than by appointment. Please come to the back for a cup of tea."

The three main rooms at the back were used as living quarters for the Zhou family of three. There was also a corner room next to the shop, which Xu Zhi had carefully renovated and used as a place to entertain guests. It was furnished with a tea table and chairs, and several sets of tea sets that she had specially bought.

When Zhou Ersao saw Xu Zhi arrive with her entourage, she quickly put down what she was doing, put on her luggage, and greeted her as "Master." Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Zhou Ersao is here? You all need to pack your things properly. You'll be traveling around the capital and the surrounding area tomorrow and the day after. I've had a carriage prepared for you. It's in the carriage area over there in the courtyard. Tell Zhou Ersao to take good care of the horse."

Zhou Ersao quickly thanked him with a smile and offered to help Xu Zhi prepare things for the guests. Bai Ying smiled and told him to continue tidying up his luggage. She followed Xu Zhi into the corner room.

Zheng Yuanyuan followed him into the corner room with trepidation. Xu Zhi invited the two of them to sit down. Zong Chengping was unsure what the matriarch of the Zheng family meant. Even though he was a resolute man, he was still somewhat uneasy.

After Bai Ying served tea, Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Young Master Zong, in front of my aunt today, I would like to ask what your plans are."

Zong Chengping hadn't expected Xu Zhi to be so direct, getting straight to the point. He wanted to say a few words to save face for himself in front of Zheng Yuanyuan, but he also felt that since she had asked such a question, it meant she already knew what he was about to face. After all, even though he was a son of a concubine, he was still a man of the Duke's mansion, and the family had to announce his marriage to all their relatives.

Zong Chengping didn't look up at Zheng Yuanyuan, but lowered his head and said softly, "My stepmother is already preparing for my engagement."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuanyuan's face turned deathly pale. Xu Zhi couldn't bear to look at Zheng Yuanyuan's expression; she felt sorry for this girl who had never received any pampering since childhood.

Xu Zhi could understand Zheng Yuanyuan's feelings. Having grown up without a mother and living in a loveless environment, she cherished the affection others gave her all the more. It was because she had fallen for Zong Chengping that she had so many fantasies. But now, the person she loved most in her heart had shattered her fantasies one by one in the sunlight, just like the bubbles made when washing clothes with soap. It was truly heartbreaking to see a teenage girl bear such a painful blow.

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