It Was A Fake Marriage, But The Ninth-Thousand-Year Lord Took It Seriously. - Chapter 3

” Breaking the Engagement”

“Nine-Thousand-Year Lord?”

Jun Mo Ran stood there for a long time, the image of that hurriedly fleeing figure replaying over and over through the pouring of rain.

The fiery little girl from back then was now so calm, as if she had become a completely different person. Her long hair, once tied high and fluttering in the wind, was now neatly styled into an elegant bun like other noble ladies. Though still stunning, she seemed to have lost her former radiance. Her face was thinner than when he last saw her at the palace banquet, and her once-bright, confident eyes no longer held their usual pride. She looked as delicate as a porcelain doll, making people hesitant to touch her.

Back then, she used to follow him around, calling him “Brother Mo Ran” with childlike affection. Even when he had been furious on the battlefield, she had dared to tug at his sleeve and plead for mercy. But now, she addressed him formally as “Nine-Thousand-Year Lord,” or Lord Jiugong, as if they were mere strangers.

Was she deliberately keeping her distance from him?

Thinking about her upcoming marriage, Jun Mo Ran felt a stuffy irritation in his chest.

Had she been standing in the rain crying just now? Her eyes were red like rabbit’s.

Did someone bully her?

Meanwhile, Shen Qing Li ran all the way back to her courtyard. Fortunately, her residence was in a secluded part of the estate, so she didn’t run into anyone. Otherwise, her grandmother would have surely called her over for a lecture again.

She ordered hot water for a bath, changed into clean clothes, and, after such an exhausting day, found herself too tired and hungry to dwell on Jiang Zhi Li any longer.

The oil-paper umbrella was clearly a man’s style. She didn’t dare to leave it out to dry, so she carefully wiped away the raindrops and had Chun Hua store it away in a chest.

If she had the chance in the future, she would return it.

Summer rain came and went quickly. In just a short while, the skies cleared, and the sun hung high above once more.

After confirming that her mother had taken her medicine and gone to rest, Shen Qing Li quietly took Chun Hua through the back gate to a small street to find something to eat. In the Marquis of Yongwang residence, only her grandmother had a private kitchen while everyone else ate from the main kitchen’s meals. Though they had plenty of money, her mother refused to ask for special treatment and always ate whatever was provided.

Since mealtime had already passed, she didn’t want to trouble the kitchen, so she had no choice but to grab a quick meal outside.

They went to the largest restaurant nearby, “The Mo Li Restaurant.”. The dishes here suited her tastes perfectly, and the private rooms were grand and lavish—just the kind of setting she liked. After some time, the dishes they ordered were served.

“Waiter, I think there’s an extra dish.” Shen Qing Li pointed at a sealed porcelain container on the table.

The waiter bent down slightly and said with a fawning smile, “Honored guest, this is a special dish our master personally instructed us to serve you.”

Shen Qing Li frowned. She had always been wary of accepting free things.

Seeing her hesitation, the waiter leaned in and whispered, “Miss, our master is none other than Lord Jiugong. He specifically ordered these juicy beef meatballs for you.”

Afraid she would refuse, the waiter quickly turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

This restaurant… was owned by Lord Jiugong?

As she lifted the lid, a rich, savory aroma filled the air. It was her favorite dish from her days at the border. However, in the capital, people preferred lighter flavors, and beef was rarely eaten. She hadn’t had it in a long time.

He remembered that she liked this?

Maybe he wasn’t as ruthless and heartless as the rumors said.

Starving, she gave Chun Hua two meatballs and kept three for herself before eagerly taking a bite. The beef was firm yet tender, bursting with flavorful juices, tasting exactly as she remembered from her childhood.

She also drank some ginger soup. It tasted different today—there were precious medicinal herbs added.

Shen Qing Li didn’t overthink it. Perhaps the Nine Thousand-Year Lord simply took pity on her today.

With her hunger satisfied and energy restored, she made up her mind—she would go to her grandmother right now to break off the engagement.

Mother’s condition had been unstable lately—there was no way she could find out about this. At this hour, Grandmother had just woken from her nap, and there wouldn’t be many people around. It was the perfect time.

The sound of cicadas buzzed incessantly, making people restless.

Shen Qing Li walked toward Zhaohui Hall with Chun Hua.

If the engagement was called off, her reputation would be utterly ruined. Finding another good match would be nearly impossible. Maybe… She should just take her mother and start a new life on their own.

The thought alone made her heart pound with fear. It was too bold, too shocking. She had to think it through—again and again!

Grandmother, who had just woken up, was listening to Liuli, the maid by Lady Lu’s side, report the monthly accounts. Seeing her come in, she beckoned, “Li girl is here; come and check the revenue from your estates so Liuli doesn’t have to make another trip. When you marry Zhi Li, let Liuli serve by your side. One of you manages the estates, the other the shops. Your aunt and I won’t have to worry anymore.”

Grandmother and Lady Lu were close relatives, both greedy and power-hungry. Shen Qing Li’s shop was kept only because she had begged her mother to let her practice managing it.

Shen Qing Li kneeled down and solemnly bowed down. Grandmother Lu, startled, sat up and had her servant Liu help her up. “What’s wrong? Get up quickly.”

“Grandmother, I want to break off the engagement with Jiang Zhi Li.”

Grandmother Lu’s face froze, and she signaled Liu to dismiss everyone.

With a kind face, Grandmother Lu pulled Shen Qing Li to sit on a stool and said, “The wedding is soon, and invitations have been sent out. Why do you suddenly want to break off the engagement? If Zhi Li has wronged you, I’ll take your side.”

Jiang Zhi Li was Grandmother Lu’s only grandson, so she wouldn’t give him up easily. Not to mention, Lu Ci was from their family, and without Lady Lu’s permission, the two wouldn’t have had an affair and lived so close together.

Shen Qing Li, holding back tears, recounted what happened today and added, “Since Jiang Zhi Li likes Miss Lu, I’m willing to let them be together.”

Grandmother Lu slapped the table hard, her face turning pale with anger. “How dare they! Don’t worry, Li girl, I’ll handle this for you. Go back and wait for my news.”

Shen Qing Li knew breaking off the engagement wouldn’t be easy, so she nodded.

As she stepped out, she heard a teacup shatter and Grandmother Lu’s angry voice: “Bring Lady Lu and the young master here immediately.”

The anger sounded genuine; perhaps Grandmother Lu really didn’t know about Lu Ci’s affair.

Passing through the corridor, Shen Qing Li saw the garden in full bloom. She hadn’t visited her mother today, so she decided to pick some flowers to brighten her room. If her mother was in a good mood, she might broach the subject of becoming independent.

With their hands full of flowers, Shen Qing Li’s face had a hint of a smile. Just as they reached the corridor’s edge, they saw Lady Lu and Jiang Zhi Li approaching from afar. She didn’t want to see them, so she pulled Chun Hua to hide nearby.

“Why are you so careless? I agreed to let you have your way after Shen Qing Li’s marriage, and now you’ve created a mess, even your grandmother knows.”

“Now you have to apologize and seek her forgiveness. If not, your grandmother and even I won’t spare you.”

Shen Qing Li looked at Chun Hua, who was confused, and felt surprised for what they heard. Did Lady Lu genuinely care for her?

Before the warmth reached her heart, a bucket of ice water splashed over her: “Do you know how much dowry her short-lived father left her? Nearly fifty thousand taels of silver, not counting the land and shops. Marrying her means our family will never worry about food and drink, and even your maternal family can be supported.”