Xia Xiunian frowned and did not reply. Instead, he walked around her and sat down next to his father.
He was pondering how to tell his parents that he wanted to marry into the Li family.
The Xia family believed in not speaking while eating or sleeping, and Xia's father was a rigid man who ate his meal in complete silence.
Xia's mother kept putting food into Xia Xiunian's bowl, and Fang Zhiyue's gaze kept glancing at Xia Xiunian. Then, as if she had thought of something, she lowered her head with her face flushed.
Xia Xiunian felt he had no taste for the food, thinking that even the most exquisite delicacies in front of him couldn't compare to the simple bowl of noodles he had eaten that morning in Li Yunyan's courtyard.
He wanted to say something, but knowing that Fang Zhiyue, an outsider, was present, he knew it wasn't the right time. He quickly ate a few bites and put down his chopsticks, saying, "I'm full, I'm going back to my room."
Back in his courtyard, Xia Xiunian rested for a while. Feeling that his father should have already gone to his study, he thought he would go over and talk to him.
Just as I was about to go out, I saw Xia's mother coming over.
"Mother."
"Repair the year!"
Xia's mother told the servants to leave and wait, leaving only the mother and son in the room.
Recently, her family has been inquiring about Xia Xiunian and Fang Zhiyue's marriage, wanting to know when it can be settled. As Xia Xiunian's mother, she feels it's time to tell him!
Looking at her exceptionally outstanding son, she felt proud and said with a loving expression, "Xiunian, you are eighteen now, it's time for you to get married."
Xia Xiunian's expression shifted; he had been wanting to bring this up too! Since his mother was coming, he might as well get past her first.
He nodded steadily, "Mother is right, that's exactly what I was thinking too!"
Xia's mother's face lit up with joy. "Xiu Nian, you've thought it through?"
"Yes, Mother!"
Xia Xiunian stood up, bowed to his mother, and solemnly said, "Mother, your son wishes to marry Li Yunyan!"
"Nonsense!"
The joy on Xia's mother's face vanished instantly. "Li Yunyan has already dissolved our engagement. There is absolutely no reason for us to marry her again!"
"Our son knew nothing about the annulment of the engagement, so how can it be considered valid?"
"The marriage is arranged by our parents and the matchmaker. As long as your father and I know about it, it's settled!"
A hint of hurt flashed in Xia Xiunian's eyes. "Does Mother really not care about her son's feelings?"
How could Xia's mother not feel sorry for her own son?
Looking at Xia Xiunian's expression, she softened her tone and said, "Xiunian, this marriage with the Li family is indeed off. How about your mother arranges another marriage for you?"
"Oh no! My son only wants Li Yunyan!"
"What's so good about her? The Li family has fallen!" Madam Xia said in a low voice, "Xiu Nian, you work in the imperial court, you can't possibly not know that the Li family has offended someone behind their backs! This marriage must not be arranged!"
Xia Xiunian lowered his eyes. He couldn't reveal his plan to overturn the case for the Li family, nor could he directly say that he wanted to marry into the family, otherwise his mother would be even less likely to agree.
He can only proceed step by step.
She said in a low voice, "But my son loves her and will marry no one but her in this life!"
"you?!"
Xia's mother looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief as she looked at Xia Xiunian.
This was the first time her son had openly expressed his affection for a woman. Before, he had always been indifferent to other women; she had thought he was just clueless!
She felt a pang of regret. Li Yunyan was indeed a girl of exceptional looks and character, but unfortunately, that tragedy had befallen her family.
For the sake of the Xia family's reputation, she and her husband would never agree to their marriage!
unless......
Xia's mother genuinely felt sorry for her son and wanted to see him happy, so she gritted her teeth and took a step back.
"Xiu Nian, if you really like Li Yunyan, your mother will not stop you. After you get married, your mother will arrange for her to be brought into the Xia family. Is that alright?"
"No!"
Xia Xiunian almost jumped up!
"Mother! Never say such things again! I cherish Yunyan like a precious treasure, and I would never allow her to be a concubine!"
"This won't work! That won't work either!"
After being refuted by him time and time again, Xia's mother lost her temper and her tone became authoritarian, "I have already arranged your marriage. Zhiyue is gentle, well-educated and reasonable, and she is also your cousin. Your father and I have decided to strengthen the ties with the Fang family through marriage!"
"Mother!!"
Xia Xiunian was shocked. Only now did he finally understand why Fang Zhiyue had been staying at his house for so long!
Now I finally understand why Yanyan hesitated when she mentioned Fang Zhiyue!
So that's what my family was planning!
"No! I won't agree!" Xia Xiunian firmly refused.
Xia's mother clenched her handkerchief tightly and said just as firmly, "Our parents have already agreed. It's just a formality now. You have no choice but to agree!"
Xia Xiunian lifted his robe and knelt down directly, "Your son is unwilling, I beg Mother to reconsider!"
Why are you so stubborn?
"Please, Mother, think it over!"
Looking at Xia Xiunian kneeling on the ground, Xia's mother felt both heartache and frustration. This son had always been decisive, and she rarely interfered in his affairs. However, even if his marriage didn't go with the Fang family, it certainly wouldn't fall to Li Yunyan!
She sighed softly and shook her head. "Xiu Nian, I'll postpone your marriage to Zhi Yue a little longer, but your marriage to Li Yunyan is absolutely impossible! I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said. Think it over carefully!"
The conversation between the two ended unhappily.
Xia Xiunian felt resentful when he learned that his parents wanted to pair him up with Fang Zhiyue. He didn't want to go to his father's study anymore, nor did he want to stay at home. He packed some things and left the mansion under the cover of night.
Li Yunyan was writing her second storybook under the oil lamp. She planned that the first one should be published in a few days, and if the response was good, she would strike while the iron was hot and publish the second one immediately.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
There was a knock on the gate. Li Yunyan put down her pen and got up. No one could possibly come to her house except for Xia Xiunian.
Upon opening the door, it was indeed Xia Xiunian.
His expression looked a little bad. He looked down at her and called out softly, "Yanyan."
That wronged expression on his face is like that of a large, abandoned dog.
Li Yunyan softened, took a step back, and asked, "Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea?"
Xia Xiunian had only planned to visit her briefly and then leave, but he never expected this unexpected surprise.
Without hesitation, I stepped inside.
The indoor lighting was dim and yellow. Li Yunyan was wearing a simple white floral dress. Her watery eyes, illuminated by the light, resembled a pool of shimmering autumn water, possessing a captivating beauty.
She gently raised her fair hand, poured him a cup of tea, and handed it to him.
"These tea leaves were the same ones you threw in last time, so I'm just using them to present to you today!"
Xia Xiunian accepted it with both hands, his restless heart calmed by her simple words.
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