Chapter 25 Betrothal
Dou Wenyi slipped out through the West Corner Gate, but her gaze froze as soon as she reached the shore of Cuihu Lake.
Xie Guidu was waiting at the octagonal pavilion not far away.
He was tall and slender, wearing a crimson brocade robe with dark patterns and a jade pendant around his waist, which made him look handsome and elegant, as clear as the moon.
Xie Guidu's expression was indifferent, his deep eyes, like shattered jade, fell inch by inch on her body, and the lake's light paled in comparison.
"Yi'er, let's talk."
In her past life, her reputation was ruined, and he didn't even come to present the betrothal gifts. The wedding was kept simple, and the betrothal gifts were presented on her behalf by his uncles.
She risked her life to protect him, but her sincere heart was trampled to pieces by him. If he doesn't love her, why bother to entangle her?
After the embarrassing incident at Xiyuan that day, how could he still have the nerve to propose marriage?
He strode up to her in a few steps, as if the conflict between them had never existed.
Dou Wenyi subconsciously took a step back, creating distance between them. A cold smile played on her lips. "Young Master Xie, I made myself clear enough last time. Why do you still come to propose marriage? Do you intend to force me into marriage? I thought you were a gentleman!"
Xie Guidu's noble and handsome face stiffened for a moment, his voice slightly hoarse, "Mingyan can't swim. I was just anxious and couldn't just stand by and watch her die. If anyone else had fallen into the water, I would have helped them too... Don't be angry with me."
His voice was humble and polite, seemingly an explanation, but it had a different meaning to her ears.
What a terrible act of refusing to help someone in distress!
Why doesn't Xie Guidu mention how he sided with Dou Mingyan and forced her to apologize, and how anxious he was when he was holding Dou Mingyan in the water, ignoring her completely?
In her previous life, after she married into the Xie family, she remembered his kindness and was willing to give her all her love for him, even though he treated her coldly.
She restrained her temper, humbled herself, and walked on thin ice, enduring countless scornful looks and cold stares.
Even though she faced daily difficulties from her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she never complained a single word in front of him.
Even though she ended up with a lot of illness, she never regretted it.
But he turned a blind eye to his own sacrifices and even made her die in Dou Mingyan's place. This is simply outrageous and he deserves to be struck by lightning!
Dou Wenyi said indifferently, "Who you save is none of my business. Prince Xie, I'll say it again, I don't like you, and I'm far too unworthy to be related to the Xie family by marriage. Can't we just part ways amicably and live our own lives?"
"No!" Xie Guidu's dark eyes almost froze.
He discreetly clutched a brocade pouch hidden under his sleeve, inside which were the rice dumpling candies he had carefully prepared.
Dou Wenyi often carries some snacks with her, which are her favorite flavors.
He felt as if a small fire was burning in his chest, while the bag of candy in his hand looked ridiculous.
"Marriage is a major life event, arranged by matchmakers and parents. How can you treat it like a game?" Remembering his purpose, his cold tone softened a little.
They were betrothed since childhood, and he was used to her chasing after him, used to her kindness, and used to the sachets, pills, robes, and other gifts she gave him.
Even with just cats and dogs, over the years, a certain amount of affection will develop!
Moreover, they were betrothed since childhood, and he had long since decided that she was his future wife.
How dare she break off her engagement?
The pent-up anger in Xie Guidu's heart spread...
Dou Wenyi saw his expression and realized that he was clearly angry.
But what right does he have to be angry?
Isn't the person he loves Dou Mingyan?
They didn't dare to try and steal the crown prince's wife, so all they knew was how to bully her.
Dou Wenyi was utterly disappointed and kicked away a small pebble in front of her.
After a long silence, she said calmly, "I thought it would be a beautiful story. Does the heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan have the desire but not the courage?"
Xie Guidu seemed to have been hit where it hurt, his voice sharp, "Dou Wenyi, what nonsense are you talking about? You and I are about to get married, we are husband and wife, don't involve innocent bystanders, don't ruin her reputation!"
innocent?
Who is innocent?
She was the most innocent one, destined to be a mere backdrop to his great love for the rest of her life.
He is still protecting Dou Mingyan to this day, unwilling to let her suffer the slightest grievance. He truly deserves praise for his unwavering devotion and steadfast commitment!
Dou Wenyi stared at him intently, her patience long gone. "Who exactly is causing trouble? Xie Guidu, your self-righteous attitude is truly despicable!"
At this moment, she really wanted to question him: if he loved Dou Mingyan so much, why didn't he even have the courage to admit it?
But suddenly she didn't want to talk anymore. The aloof and jade-like Xie Guidu was just like her—timid, weak, and troubled by love.
The person before him was the same person from his previous life. In those long years, he silently protected the white moonlight in his heart with his infatuation, but cruelly pushed another woman into the abyss.
Xie Guidu's face drained of color, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Dou Wenyi took a deep breath, didn't look at him again, turned away, and ran in another direction.
"Dou Wenyi, our wedding date has been set—"
The deep voice was carried away by the wind. Xie Guidu's body stiffened slightly, the cool breeze brushed his face, and his hands under his sleeves were almost clenched into fists.
The lake reflected Xie Guidu's lonely figure, his deep eyes tinged with crimson, and a sudden, bitter feeling spread through his heart.
Was she mocking him just now?
Xie Guidu didn't think saving people was a wrong thing... As long as Dou Wenyi didn't tell anyone, it wouldn't affect Mingyan.
Only the matter of that zither caused some misunderstandings and humiliation for her.
But how long will she hold a grudge over such a trivial matter?
With such a stubborn personality, couldn't she be a little more gentle, more generous, understand his difficulties, and be more tolerant of him?
Xie Guidu suddenly chuckled softly, remembering the unprecedented coldness on her face. With a flick of his wrist, he ruthlessly threw the bag of rice dumpling candy into the lake.
Then, he pulled off the mandarin duck jade pendant from his waist, raised his hand, and tried to throw it away as well.
That was their engagement token. Xie Guidu closed his eyes, clutching the jade pendant in his hand, almost crushing it.
Does she really think he can't live without her?
Is it absolutely necessary for me to marry her?
joke!
He simply didn't want to be a treacherous and wicked person.
Xie Guidu vaguely sensed someone in the bushes. "Who's there? Come out! Don't you know the rules, Young Master Zhang?"
Zhang Chengxian jumped out of the bushes, showing no embarrassment whatsoever at being caught eavesdropping on someone else's private affairs. "Xie Guidu, do you think I don't know the rules? I'm an upright person, I would never do something like forcibly marrying someone else. You're the despicable and shameless scoundrel."
Xie Guidu, unaware of how much he had heard, replied coldly, "How dare a spoiled brat speak ill of my character?"
Zhang Chengxian's face darkened. Everyone said he was a handsome and refined man, but only he knew how wicked his nature was.
He said coldly, "Wenyi doesn't like you, yet you still insist on presenting a betrothal gift. Don't you have any shame? Are you even a man?"
Xie Guidu said indifferently, "What business is it of yours, an outsider, about my affairs with Yi'er?"
Zhang Chengxian was provoked by the word "outsider" and said through gritted teeth, "Who exactly is the outsider is still unknown! Doesn't Young Master Xie have any self-awareness at all? She even wants to invite me to Fanlou to eat fish sashimi!"
Although Dou Wenyi had invited several other people at the same time, she did invite him.
“Zhang Chengxian,” Xie Guidu’s eyes were filled with coldness, “you dare to ruin her reputation!”
"Ruin her reputation? When you disregarded her safety at Yanchi Lake and only cared about saving other women, did you not consider her reputation at all?"
Xie Guidu's brow twitched, and he suddenly swung his fist towards his stomach...
Xie Guidu was never a weak scholar; he was proficient in all six arts of a gentleman, and his horsemanship and archery skills were exceptional.
The punch caused Zhang Chengxian to see stars from the pain. Because he had promised his aunt to reform his ways, he had almost forgotten that he was a playboy!
He licked his lips and grinned, "Xie Guidu, you were the one who started this!"
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