Qi Leyun was pressed down by her companions on all sides, their hands covering her mouth.
“What are you shouting!” “You’re so embarrassing!”
Qi Leyun was held down but still angrily mumbled: “Why should she? She’s not worthy.”
“No, that’s not it.” The girl from before hurriedly said in a low voice. “Of course it’s not with Third Young Master Xie. If it were with Third Young Master Xie, the Liang family would have announced it for everyone to know.”
That was true. For such a glorious matter, how would the Liang family hide it?
Hearing it wasn’t Third Young Master Xie, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Qi Leyun also calmed down.
“It’s one of Third Young Master Xie’s younger brothers.” The girl continued, then explained, “I’m not very clear either. My maid heard someone mention it somewhere earlier.”
Although Qi Leyun had calmed down, she was still indignant: “Then Liang Qin is really lucky to be able to become family with Third Young Master Xie.”
In the future, she’d be able to see Third Young Master Xie every day.
Right, after Liang Qin got married in the future, whenever she saw them, she’d certainly go on and on about “my Third Brother Xie.”
How infuriating.
A girl giggled: “Don’t worry, that scene won’t happen.” She looked at everyone, mysterious and a bit smug. “Actually, I heard about this too, but what I heard was that the marriage fell through.”
The girls immediately perked up and all looked at her.
That girl lowered her voice: “Supposedly the Xie family backed out.”
Qi Leyun laughed heartily: “Really?”
The other girls also laughed, and even more girls volunteered: “I heard about it too.” “A while ago didn’t Qin say she was beaten by Chu Zhao?” “Said she was beaten so badly she couldn’t see people.” “Actually no, she was too ashamed to show her face.” “That’s the Xie family looking down on the Liang family.” “Of course, he’s Third Young Master Xie’s brother after all.”
This side chattered and laughed, much livelier than when Third Young Master Xie was present—when Third Young Master Xie was there, how could they have time for chatting and laughter?
Originally, the girls’ laughter had sounded enjoyable to the ears, but at this moment Chu Ke only felt cut by knives. Everyone must be mocking him.
“I’m going back,” he said, rising to take his leave. He couldn’t stay a moment longer. Using his sleeve to cover his face: “From now on, let’s never see each other again.”
The young men held back their laughter and urged: “Why would we never see each other again?” “Brother Ke, don’t say that.” “Which family doesn’t have mischievous sisters?”
No matter what everyone said, Chu Ke could not stay any longer. Surrounded by his companions, he went downstairs.
Liang Qiang also rose. A young servant wandered over from the side, calling out “Young master.”
Liang Qiang fell to the back and asked in a low voice: “What were they saying? Did they mention our Liang family?”
Today this wine house was especially crowded, especially with that Third Young Master Xie present. Given the recent unpleasantness between the two families, he had specifically told his servants to be vigilant, using both eyes and ears.
The young servant looked uneasy: “Yes. Somehow word got out about Miss Qin’s rejected marriage proposal.”
Liang Qiang frowned and glanced at the third floor where the girls were gathered: “Did they only mention Qin?”
The young servant lowered his head: “They were mocking.”
That’s how it was among girls—mocking those without while resenting those with. When a young lady’s marriage proposal didn’t succeed, of course the other girls gloated.
Mocking Miss Qin naturally also mocked the Liang family.
The young servant complained: “I don’t know how it leaked out. The Xie family clearly said not to mention this matter, to act as if it never happened.”
A trace of resentment flashed in Liang Qiang’s eyes: “This kind of thing can’t be hidden anyway. How many eyes are watching each other in the capital? At the slightest disturbance, it spreads everywhere. As for the Xie family, they say one thing but may not necessarily do it. They only say nice things. Otherwise, why would they go back on their word and toy with my Liang family?”
Things have really been going badly lately. First his cousin was humiliated by that Chu family girl, then Uncle was reprimanded by His Majesty, then the Xie family went back on their word. There was rather a feeling of everyone pushing when the wall falls. Uncle’s official career was probably going to have problems.
“I didn’t expect to run into Third Young Master Xie,” the young servant said in a low voice. “Young master should go ask him—going back on one’s word like this, what kind of gentleman’s behavior is that?”
After Third Young Master Xie entered the capital, he had stayed indoors all along and didn’t accept visits from others. He hadn’t even gone to see the Crown Princess, so everyone couldn’t really blame him.
“Idiot,” Liang Qiang cursed at him. “Marriage matters are decided by parents and elders. What’s the point of asking Third Young Master Xie? If he apologizes to me, it would instead make my Liang family look desperate and frantic, even more shameful.”
The young servant lowered his head, not daring to say more: “Poor Miss Qin—how can she face anyone now?”
“What’s there that can’t face people?” Liang Qiang said. “Miss Chu was also mocked. So what?”
She still came out to see people, unafraid of anyone, and even more radiant and spirited than the one or two times she’d been seen before.
He looked toward a spot on the second floor. That girl leaned against the railing, her expression serene, bright and radiant. He hadn’t noticed before that she was so good-looking.
What a pity. Liang Qiang felt some regret. Miss Chu admired him, but he would not marry her.
Not because of the grudge with Uncle and his cousin, but because the Chu family’s standing wasn’t good enough.
Chu Ling’s sun was setting in the west, Chu Lan had accomplished nothing, Chu Ke’s talents and learning were mediocre—the Chu family would only last to this generation.
Who knows what kind of family this Miss Chu would find in the future.
After the family declined, marriage would also be quite unfortunate.
If after marriage she fell on hard times and he saw her again, he would definitely disregard the grudge between the two families and extend a helping hand, just for this young lady’s admiration and praise at this very moment.
Liang Qiang made this promise in his heart, withdrew his gaze, quickened his pace to catch up with his companions, and walked out.
Although the young servant didn’t understand why the young master suddenly had such a self-satisfied expression, it was good that he wasn’t angry about the Liang family being mocked. When the young master was in a good mood, serving him would be more pleasant too. He hurried to follow.
It seemed that with Third Young Master Xie’s departure, the originally bustling wine house had suddenly emptied.
Several young men finished their last pot of wine and called to each other: “Let’s go, let’s go.”
They still had duties. Although their superiors wouldn’t treat them harshly, if they happened upon two superiors fighting, they would inevitably suffer collateral damage.