Chapter 22 Madness
How ridiculous it is that he fell in love with a woman.
"I'm sorry, Hengmei, I know these three words are too shallow and hurt your feelings, but Brother Xingjian really likes her. As long as you agree, I will make it up to Father, Grandmother and the Wei family, okay?"
"Or what you want."
Wei Heng's eyes were red and she didn't respond. She just gritted her teeth and asked, "What's so good about that woman? Is her background better than mine? Or is she better at managing the household for you?"
Pei Xingjian said apologetically, "Hengmei, my mind is made up. I will tell Father when he returns."
After speaking, she stood up and rushed forward, clinging to the last piece of driftwood like a drowning person.
She hugged Pei Xingjian tightly, "Brother Xingjian, you can't treat me like this. Heng'er has been arranged to be your wife since I was a child, and every word and action of mine has been raised according to the highest standards of a noble lady. If you treat me like this, how will I survive in the Wei family in the future? How will I ever be able to get married again..."
Pei Xingjian couldn't break free from Wei Heng. He closed his eyes, knowing that this was too cruel to his younger sister whom he had watched grow up.
He said in a deep voice, word by word, "I will explain the Wei family's losses to my uncle. I believe that my uncle and aunt will not make things difficult for you. I have even thought it through. I will have my father recognize you as his goddaughter and my grandmother choose a suitable family for you. I will let you get married in a grand manner, in accordance with the standards of a county princess."
He gently comforted her, "Hengmei, I'm not a good man, and my heart isn't with you. If you marry me, you'll have to compromise your principles for the rest of your life, which is unfair to both of us..."
Finally, the hands that had been wrapped around his waist slowly slipped away. Wei Heng retreated repeatedly, tears streaming down her face, and cried out, "No...no...Brother Xingjian, how cruel you are—"
They staggered away from the place.
She stumbled and ran back to the courtyard. Seeing that her wife looked unwell, Yinzi hurriedly went up to her and said, "Wife, wife, what's wrong?"
Wei Heng lay on the small couch, wiping away the tears on her face, and whispered, "Go and call my brother over."
"yes."
Wei Ziming originally intended to go to Chunhua Garden, and had already reached the entrance when Yinzi called him back. On the way, he was even preparing to exchange a few jokes with Yinzi.
Yinzi's eyes were filled with panic. "My lord, the young lady's expression was not quite right after she met with the young master. She looked like she had been crying, and her eyes were red."
"Hmm~ Could it be that the young couple had a quarrel, or that Heng'er talked back to Xingjian?"
He didn't take it seriously. No matter how outrageous Xingjian was, he wouldn't do anything to Heng'er; he could guarantee that.
Upon entering the room, Wei Heng's eyes were indeed bloodshot, and she couldn't control herself when she saw her brother.
The smile on his face faltered slightly. "Heng'er, what's wrong?"
Wei Heng's face was streaked with tears. "Brother, Brother Xingjian wants to break off the engagement."
"How is that possible!"
Wei Ziming suddenly stood up. This news was like a bolt from the blue for him. He turned to Wei Heng and said, "Tell me everything that just happened."
Wei Heng repeated Pei Xingjian's words, and Wei Ziming's face darkened, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes.
He hadn't failed to see that Pei Xingjian had no romantic feelings for his sister, but he never expected him to go to such lengths for a woman. If the engagement were broken off, not only Yang County, but the entire Yan Prefecture would become a laughing stock, so this was absolutely impossible.
"Fine, Pei Xingjian has never taken our Wei family seriously. How can he just cancel this marriage? Even if Marquis Yan agrees, the Wei family cannot."
Wei Ziming walked over, looked at his sister's pale face, and softened his voice: "You are the girl that the Wei family has cherished since you were a child. You were destined to be the princess consort from a young age. Heng'er, don't worry, your brother will definitely make sure you marry into the Pei family."
Thinking of what Pei Xingjian said today, a trace of resentment flashed in Wei Heng's eyes. What was so good about that woman? She was of lowly birth. Even if she had some beauty, what use was it?
Those who rely on their looks to please others will find their favor waning as their beauty fades.
"But, brother—you didn't see Xingjian's face today. He will definitely try his best to break off the engagement."
Wei Heng thought that she had never been so humiliated in her life, and she felt extremely hateful.
Wei Ziming said, "So what? Our grandfather had a life-or-death friendship with the former Marquis of Yan. How can we break off the engagement so easily?"
He glanced at his sister, who was bowing her head and remaining silent. After all, she was his only biological sister, and he was genuinely doing it for her own good.
Wei Heng: "Brother, I have a way to not only prevent Xingjian from annulling the engagement, but also prevent that woman from even being qualified to become a concubine in the manor."
"What?"
"Brother, tell me, what is the most important thing in a woman's life?"
Wei Ziming took a sip of tea and blurted out, "For a daughter from an ordinary family, the most important thing is undoubtedly her chastity?"
Wei Heng's voice was extremely soft, yet it carried a chilling venom.
Looking at her younger sister whom she had grown up with, disbelief flashed in her eyes. She took a deep breath. "You mean, find someone—"
Seeing the shock in her brother's eyes, Wei Heng immediately burst into tears, crying, "Brother, what can we do now to stop Xingjian? You didn't see how determined he was today, insisting on breaking off the engagement."
"If I can't stop him and make him annul the engagement, and I become a laughingstock in Yang County, I'd rather have a rope and die than be pointed at and gossiped about by others..."
Wei Ziming's expression turned extremely ugly, and his gaze towards Wei Heng was filled with complex and unreadable emotions. "Heng'er, you know this is too insidious... That woman did nothing wrong, and what you're doing will ruin her life—"
Wei Heng's eyes were filled with madness as she said emotionally, "Brother, so what? Is her life worth more than mine? If anyone is to blame, it's her bad background. Of all people to offend, she had to offend my husband."
“If I am rejected by the engagement, my life will be truly over. Brother, if I cannot marry Brother Xingjian, I would rather drink a cup of poison and hang myself than be pointed at and gossiped about.”
Wei Ziming's expression was inscrutable. He and his sister were in the same boat, sharing both glory and disgrace.
Finally, he spoke cryptically: "Whatever you want to do, don't interfere in this matter. You're a young lady; if you're discovered one day, how will Xingjian view you...?"
Wei Heng regained her composure. She had never intended to do it herself. In Xingjian's eyes, she was a girl he wouldn't even hurt a rabbit. How could she do such a thing?
She nodded obediently, "Brother, this matter is only known to you and me."
Wei Ziming's expression was complex and hard to discern. "Alright, I know what I'm doing. You should rest well."
He had always thought Heng'er was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper, but today's blow to him was considerable. He never expected her to come up with such a method.
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