Once on the path, Song Tangxue couldn't contain her joy; she and Xie Qianzhong already had this kind of relationship.
"I suppose she was trying to avoid suspicion just now." Letting out a breath, Song Tangxue slowly said, "My wedding with the Crown Prince is approaching, and I will definitely find a way to dissolve this engagement as soon as possible."
Song Tangxue didn't say what came next, nor did she mention what would happen after the engagement was broken off; she assumed it was an unspoken agreement.
Her bold words inside the carriage were not just empty talk; she genuinely wanted to follow Xie Qianzhong.
Xie Qianzhong remained indifferent, giving her a cold look: "The Empress Dowager will be setting off for Huguo Temple soon."
But she didn't get the answer she wanted. Xie Qianzhong just said it in a businesslike manner, without indicating that he would marry her.
Song Tangxue felt as if ice water had been poured over her head, leaving her feeling icy cold, and even her fingertips felt an unbearable chill.
She carefully scanned Xie Qianzhong's face, which was cold and distant. The two nights of passionate entanglement seemed like fleeting clouds, drifting away in the air, impossible to grasp or hold onto.
Xie Qianzhong's steps never faltered, and as spring turned to summer, he disappeared through the mansion gate in the bitter wind.
Song Tangxue gently closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, letting her mind wander.
Yes, why should it have to be me? Xie Qianzhong holds a high position and great power; even if he asked the princess, the emperor might grant his request.
Once the engagement is broken off, she will be nothing more than a discarded and unwanted young lady. How could she be worthy of the powerful and influential Lord Xie?
A bitter feeling welled up in her heart and invaded her mind. Song Tangxue walked back in a daze. Just like Xie Qianzhong's attitude, it was all her own guess from beginning to end.
He never uttered those words of affection.
Song Tangxue took a deep breath, patted her cheeks, and took Haitang with her, determined to leave the mansion to clear her mind.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the mansion in the south of the city. The mansion was still grand, and the interior was kept spotless by the servants.
When the master returned, the servants rushed out.
Just then, Uncle Kui came to visit Song Tangxue and greeted her, saying, "I was just looking for Miss, and now that matter is settled."
Song Tangxue was startled and led Uncle Kui to a deserted courtyard.
“I found another supplier. This person is still selling saltpeter, and someone has been contacting him recently. Should we follow up on this?” Uncle Kui asked.
Remembering Xie Qianzhong's cold face, Song Tangxue lowered her eyelids: "Let's keep following up. I want to see what kind of monsters and demons they are!"
"Go to my shop and get some money. Then contact this supplier and tell him you also want to buy saltpeter, and that you want a higher price than what he's offering. Force him to show up," Song Tangxue added.
"I'm going to Huguosi Temple on the outskirts of Beijing soon. Keep an eye on things. If you need money, just go to the shop and get some. I'll put in a good word."
Uncle Kui accepted the order and left.
Song Tangxue's heart stirred slightly. No matter what, this engagement had to be dissolved. She would just have to take things one step at a time from now on.
Three days later, the Empress Dowager's entourage set off, and Song Tangxue received the news.
We rushed to Huguo Temple, which is built on a mountain in the suburbs of Beijing. Surrounded by lush green forests, it looked like a refreshing green sea under the summer sun.
Once halfway up the mountain, the stone steps slowly extend to the summit, which is no longer visible. Visiting carriages can only stop halfway up the mountain.
They climbed up themselves to show their sincerity to Buddha.
Song Tangxue got off the carriage and saw the familiar Song family carriage next to her. Song Tangli was standing on the steps, looking at her coldly.
Song Tangxue lowered her eyes. It seemed that Song Tangli had also received the news and was coming to curry favor with the Empress Dowager.
Pretending not to have seen anything, Song Tangxue lifted her skirt and stepped up, where Song Tangli stood waiting for her.
"Sister, you've come at an inopportune time today. The list of worshippers has already been finalized," Song Tangli teased with a smile.
Because of the Empress Dowager's visit, there have been many visitors in the past few days. The abbot has set the number of pilgrims in advance, and those who want to come need to submit a memorial in advance.
Because of her father's connections, Song Tangli learned the news in advance and had someone secure a spot for her.
Song Tangxue remained unmoved, as if she hadn't heard these words at all, and continued to walk steadily up the mountain step by step.
My heart is filled with peace and tranquility; there is neither Buddha nor worldly dust within me.
Praying to Buddha is the most useless thing; otherwise, how could she have ended up in such a miserable state in her previous life?
Song Tangli quickly caught up with her, grabbed Song Tangxue's wrist, and said fiercely, "Song Tangxue, are you even listening to me?!"
Song Tangxue tried to break free, but Song Tangli held on tightly: "I have things to do and don't want to waste my breath on you."
A ruthless glint flashed in Song Tangli's eyes, and she tightened her grip on her wrist, attempting to pull Song Tangxue down the stone steps.
Looking down at the stone steps she had already climbed dozens of times, Song Tangxue's face turned cold: "If you drag me down, I'll take you down with me and see who suffers more!"
Hearing these cold words, Song Tangli suddenly realized what was going on and stood at the lower end of the table: "What nonsense are you talking about, sister? How could I possibly drag you down?"
Song Tangli withdrew her hand, and footsteps slowly approached from behind. Another group of people had also arrived at the mountainside.
I could vaguely hear a man calling out, "Your Highness, please slow down."
Song Tangli looked up and sized up Song Tangxue. Song Tangxue had obviously seen the person behind him, and a hint of impatience flashed in the depths of her eyes. She turned around and was about to leave.
Song Tangli's body suddenly went limp. The person behind her took a few steps up the stone steps and pulled her into his arms. Song Tangli, still in shock, fell into Li Zhaoxian's embrace.
Although the fall was faked, the feeling of weightlessness was real.
Panting, Song Tangli stood up with Li Zhaoxian's help: "Sister, why did you push me?"
Li Zhaoxian's gaze was fixed on the graceful figure stepping forward, and Song Tangxue silently gritted her teeth.
Song Tangli is truly disgusting. Her petty tricks are endless, which are both disgusting and irritating. Who would want to compete with her for Li Zhaoxian? She'd give him to her for free, and she'd even sing and dance to send the two off to their wedding!
"Song Tangxue, is this how you treat me? How could you be so vicious as to lay a hand on your own sister!" Li Zhaoxian hugged Song Tangli, patting her shoulder with heartache to comfort her.
Song Tangli turned around, looked down at them, and gave a slight bow: "I didn't see His Highness the Crown Prince, please forgive my poor eyesight."
Song Tangli wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes, looking startled: "Sister didn't mean it, it must have been a slip of the hand that accidentally bumped into Ali, Crown Prince, please don't be angry."
Li Zhaoxian's gaze toward Song Tangxue became even more unfriendly, as if he wanted to tear a layer of skin off her: "Song Tangxue, you are the one who will bring me into my family in the future, so today I will teach you the family rules!"
Song Tangxue's gaze involuntarily extended to the two people behind them. The figure in black walked with heavy footsteps, like the thick fog in the mountains, spreading out in all directions.
"What are the rules of His Highness's family?" she asked, hearing the voice she had longed for.
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