Chapter 74 Breaking a Promise

Lu Jinzhi met her mocking gaze, and his expression changed: "Xie Qingran, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"

“As long as Young Master Lu’s gold is genuine, my promise is genuine.”

"A promise is a promise!"

Xie Qingran gave a curt reply, then stopped looking at him and focused solely on the storyteller below, clearly very interested in today's story.

Lu Jinzhi originally thought that Xie Qingran would take this opportunity to chat with him, but he never expected that Xie Qingran would completely disregard him.

He was born to be a chosen one, a bright and shining star, so wherever he went in the capital, he was always surrounded by admirers. This was the first time he had ever been treated so coldly.

But Xie Qingran was getting impatient and frowned at him, asking, "Is there anything else?"

"you!"

"Xie Qingran, don't think that I'll fall for you just because you're playing hard to get!"

"I will absolutely not agree to marry you!"

Lu Jinzhi frowned in annoyance, looking at Xie Qingran with displeasure.

This person must really not understand human speech, right?

Xie Qingran glanced at Lu Jinzhi, then said coldly, "Don't worry, I won't marry you!"

"Do you really think Xiao Jue will marry you?"

"Let me tell you, Xiao Jue is not only physically crippled, but also mentally ruined. He's stubborn, has a sharp tongue, and loves to fight. Even if you marry him, you won't live more than three months. You'll be courting death!"

Lu Jinzhi harbored considerable malice towards Xiao Jue. After all, before Xiao Jue's incident, he couldn't stand out at all. Back then, wherever Xiao Jue was, he was the absolute focus, and no one else could be seen!

Even though Xiao Jue never cared about these things over the years, Lu Jinzhi still harbored resentment.

"none of your business?"

Xie Qingran finally lost her temper, her eyebrows furrowed tightly as she glared at Lu Jinzhi with displeasure.

"You're not my parents, nor my children. What business is it of yours?"

"Everyone says that Young Master Lu is a jewel of the world, so why does he speak as harshly as a country bumpkin?"

"Young Master Xiao became what he is now because of his country and people. What right do you have to interfere?"

This...this?

Lu Jinzhi found it hard to believe that Xie Qingran, who was usually so indifferent and aloof, would say so much all at once, just to defend Xiao Jue.

"What bad luck!"

Xie Qingran snorted in dissatisfaction, then stood up, picked up the gold on the table, and strode away.

Since Lu Jinzhi wasn't leaving, she had no choice but to go first, to avoid being alone together and being gossiped about.

Seeing Xie Qingran leave so easily, Lu Jinzhi felt resentful. He was quite angry and sat heavily on the chair. He picked up the teacup next to him and took a sip of water, but then realized that the teacup seemed to have been used by Xie Qingran.

His face flushed involuntarily, and Lu Jinzhi's throat moved as he unconsciously took another sip.

Inside the carriage, Baozhu looked at Xie Qingran with some curiosity: "Miss, what's wrong with this Young Master Lu? Even though you two had discussed marriage before, it wasn't settled yet. Why is he so aggressive? Every time we meet, he says so many unpleasant things!"

Xie Qingran glanced at Baozhu. If even this little girl had noticed, then outsiders had probably seen it too.

"Maybe he's really not smart enough."

"He's not the one I want to marry!"

Xie Qingran thought of Xiao Jue's face, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, a hint of tenderness appearing in her eyes.

Seeing Xie Qingran's expression, Baozhu smiled gently and then said, "This servant knows that Miss's favorite person is Prince Xiao. Do you want to marry him?"

"You can't say that outside!"

"Just now, the storyteller said that the young general will be back soon, is that right?"

Xie Qingran's expression shifted from its usual indifference as she raised an eyebrow at Baozhu.

"Yes, this young General Zhao, although he is not very old, has already made great military achievements. I have also heard that he is dashing and very handsome!"

"It's no wonder that so many young ladies are fond of such a young hero."

Baozhu clearly admired this person greatly when she mentioned him.

But only Xie Qingran knew that Zhao Yuanqi was all show and no substance. He seemed like a glorious general with great military achievements, but in fact he was a pervert at heart, especially fond of torturing and humiliating others.

Xie Qingran felt a chill run down her spine whenever she thought about this person's methods.

However, she quickly regained her composure and said calmly, "Yes, he is indeed a young prodigy."

"Speaking of which, this young General Zhao was also engaged to you, Miss."

"Actually, the master and mistress treat you very well, and the men they choose are all talented young men from the capital."

Baozhu shook her head with a hint of regret.

Xie Qingran originally had five handsome and dashing husbands to choose from, but she didn't like any of them and only liked Xiao Jue, who was in a wheelchair. It was really hard to understand.

"You are not allowed to say things like that again."

Xie Qingran looked at Baozhu with displeasure.

She disliked anyone looking down on Xiao Jue, because no one had the right to look down on Xiao Jue.

For the first time, Baozhu felt Xie Qingran's strictness towards her, and she hurriedly shut her mouth, not daring to say another word.

Seeing this, Xie Qingran snorted and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

The Imperial Palace.

During this time, the Emperor had witnessed Xie Qingran and Xiao Jue's interactions. Now that Qin Shi had personally entered the palace, he naturally understood what it meant. So he went to the Empress's palace and, sure enough, saw Qin Shi talking to the Empress.

The two men rose and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"The Qin family has come too?"

The emperor deliberately acted as if he had just found out, so that his arrival wouldn't seem so deliberate!

"Yes, Lady Qin entered the palace to ask the Emperor for a marriage decree!"

"They say that Jue'er, who is fearless and reckless, has taken a fancy to Xie Qingran, the eldest daughter of the Xie family!"

The Empress covered her mouth and chuckled, unable to resist making a teasing remark.

Upon hearing this, the emperor immediately laughed: "This taciturn fellow has finally come to his senses? Good news, good news indeed! I will issue the decree immediately!"

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Qin Shi rose, bowed respectfully, and looked at the emperor with gratitude on her face.

The Emperor then looked at the Empress: "You must personally handle the wedding arrangements for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Have the Imperial Household Department prepare anything that is lacking or missing. We cannot let Jue'er suffer any injustice!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand!" The Empress immediately stood up and agreed, then glanced at Qin Shi and smiled faintly.