Duan Lan interrupted him before he even finished speaking: "Reject it."
Qingyun paused, swallowing the words that were at the tip of his tongue, and said bitterly, "Young Master, I can’t explain this to Madam. Madam has been worrying about Young Master’s marriage these days. Young Master is not too young anymore, and if you don’t get married soon..."
A cold glance from Duan Lan, and Qingyun’s voice weakened more and more until it gradually disappeared.
Duan Lan threw the sword and the towel to him, walking quickly into the house, saying, "Reject it."
Qingyun stood still, somewhat dazed. After a long while, he sighed in despair. Duan Lan’s transformation was an overnight matter.
It happened so fast that it caught everyone off guard and made it difficult for them to accept the change.
Even Qingyun, who had been with him since childhood, could not accept it.
The clear and innocent young man from the past, who loved reading and exuded a refreshing scholarly aura, has now become unfathomable.
Since that day, when Xin He got married, the young master went there and returned, and after being silent for one night, he became like this. Qingyun didn’t know what had happened, but he was very anxious. When he asked his father, his father said coldly that he should quietly think things through and not meddle too much.
But who knew that some things might never be clear in this lifetime.
Qingyun sighed again. What should he do now?
Marriage proposals kept coming one after another, but every time they were met with his single response, "Reject it." Young Master’s thoughts were clear as day, but that person was already married, and her husband was such a figure. Why couldn’t he let go of the obsession in his heart?
Duan Lan had been practicing swords all morning, and by now, he was drenched in sweat. The servants had already prepared hot water, and as he soaked in the bathtub, his thoughts began to drift involuntarily back to the past.
That pair of clear and innocent eyes were no longer bright as they used to be, seemingly growing up overnight and losing their luster as well.
Xin He, Xin He.
This name seemed to have been carved into his bones, and how could it be easily forgotten?
In this love affair, he had lost miserably. Why did he lose? Was it because he was not as ruthless as Mu Houchu? Because his power was not as strong as Mu Houchu’s? Or was it because he was one step too late?
Duan Lan laughed at himself mockingly, perhaps all reasons were valid. To lose a bet was only natural, but some things could not be ended just by admitting defeat.
As the wound in his heart healed, it left a scar.
To truly heal, he must win back what was lost.
Duan Lan’s eyes gradually sharpened, and he suddenly stepped out of the bathtub, put on his clothes, and walked out.
In his room hung a beautiful flower lantern, which he had won for her at the poetry meeting at Fu Man Lou. He still remembers her charming smile as she held the flower lantern, the only gift he had ever given her.
But she didn’t even think to take the lantern with her when she left the capital, leaving it lonely hanging in the small mansion she had lived in during her time in the capital.
It was only last month that he discovered the lantern at that mansion.
Duan Lan reached out and touched the exquisite flower lantern, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of his lips. She was indeed the most heartless woman in the world, able to draw a line between them as soon as she said no and refused to even take a flower lantern with her. In her heart, was he really so worthless?
Last time, he lost, but next time might not necessarily be the same.
Duan Lan turned around and walked away, his demeanor becoming much colder, and no longer looked at the flower lantern.
----
These days, the reputation of Hua Man Lou was skyrocketing, and Xin He was already making a fortune. But she didn’t want to stop there. Instead, she wanted to take advantage of the popularity and make an even bigger deal!
However, this deal was not a trivial matter, and she had to plan it carefully, and naturally, she couldn’t rush into it.
At this moment, Madam Chen hurriedly came over.
When Xin He heard the announcement, her eyebrows raised slightly. Only Madam Chen knew her identity in Hua Man Lou, and in order to be discreet, Chen was basically not allowed to come to see her. So, her hurried arrival must mean something had gone wrong.
"Boss!" Madam Chen rushed in with an anxious face, looked up and saw Ji Xinhe in a graceful peony dress, and was almost speechless for a moment.
This was the first time she had seen Ji Xinhe in women’s clothing, although she knew that Ji Xinhe was a woman, she had never seen her dressed as one. She didn’t expect her to be so stunning.
Madam Chen had been a madam for a lifetime but rarely encountered such exquisite beauty.
Xin He’s gaze swept over her coldly, "What’s the matter?"
Her temperament was graceful, but there was no softness in it, but rather a tenacity that was hard to underestimate.
Chen shivered, realizing her blatant gaze was too abrupt and almost forgetting her position. This boss was not a woman to be judged solely by her appearance.
Madam Chen was secretly alarmed and then lowered her head and hurriedly said, "Boss, recently, Yihong Courtyard has been watching our momentum and following suit, dressing up their girls like Hua Man Lou. What should we do?"
Xin He snorted lightly, "I have been expecting this day. I just didn’t think that Yihong Courtyard would be so anxious and stretching their hands out so soon."
"Boss, what should we do?"
Xin He took a deep breath before saying solemnly, "No need to worry for now. They can’t copy us just like that. Even the most beautiful clothes need the right temperament to wear and hold up. Can anyone wear them?"
Even if they choose the right clothes, without proper training to let them display their temperament according to their own setting, it would be in vain.
Otherwise, why would she go to such great lengths?
Madam Chen finally relaxed a little, but still timidly said, "But after all, we just started, and someone has already started doing this..."
Xin He said solemnly, "Don’t worry about this for now. They can’t copy us just like that. Without professional guidance, those dances and songs won’t have any impact. Besides, you should have faith in Hua Rao and the others, who have the ability to keep the guests. You’re worried about such a small thing and even came to find me specially. What do I need you for?"
Madam Chen’s heart thumped, and she quickly said, "I understand now. In the future, I will think more."
Xin He finally softened her tone, "In the future, think things through before doing anything. Otherwise, I may truly think that Hua Man Lou is better suited to a shrewd and capable person."
"Yes." Madam Chen’s back was covered in cold sweat.
Xin He then said, "You can go now."
Madam Chen hurriedly left.
Xin He’s face remained gloomy.
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