Chapter 43

"I want to break the engagement."

A calm voice echoed in the study of the Shangguan family.

Qin Xianyu, paying no heed to the old patriarch's surprised gaze, said coolly, "There's no need for you to say much. I can see that proposing to me at the birthday celebration was a means for the Shangguan family to fend off the Chen family. I am merely a pawn in your eyes, not a true son-in-law."

"Whether it's you or Young Master Chen, you both see me as a pawn to be manipulated at will."

"But I am who I am."

Qin Xianyu said calmly, "I won't be manipulated by the Chen family, nor will I be a tool in Young Master Chen's hands, but I also won't blindly follow the Shangguan family."

The old patriarch's eyes showed surprise, but after a moment of silence, he remained quiet, waiting for Qin Xianyu to continue.

"If I follow the Chen family's wishes, I will put the Shangguan family in an extremely awkward position at the birthday celebration. Although I don't know what the Chen family will do next, it's easy to imagine that it won't be anything good," Qin Xianyu said slowly. "After all, the two families used to have a good relationship, and I can't just put the Shangguan family in such a situation. However... if I follow the Shangguan family's words, this engagement might not be up to me."

"I know my place. The Shangguan family is at its peak, far from what it used to be. This engagement is already a mere formality. In the future, whether to dissolve the engagement is just a matter of the Shangguan family's decision. If I propose, whether you agree or not is not important, but what matters is that everyone will know that Qin Xianyu is willing to marry."

"After that, whether you want to continue this engagement in name only or end it is just a matter of a word. In short, it has nothing to do with me anymore."

Qin Xianyu looked at the old patriarch and smiled, "Am I right?"

"You are correct," the old patriarch sighed. "After you propose, I will agree, using this to reject the Chen family. But after that, the wedding will be indefinitely postponed, and you will be used as a nominal husband to shield us from unnecessary trouble until the day comes when the Shangguan family no longer fears any trouble, and we will dissolve the engagement."

Qin Xianyu said softly, "As expected."

"But I never thought you would come to break the engagement," the old patriarch looked at him and said solemnly. "If you are willing, you will be the Shangguan family's son-in-law, with no worries about food and clothing. After the matter is settled, I will give you a large sum of money, ensuring your lifelong prosperity and security."

Qin Xianyu shook his head.

The old patriarch was silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "The Shangguan family is now thriving and will soon become a top family. Many people are vying to become the Shangguan family's son-in-law, but you are the odd one out, coming to break the engagement."

Qin Xianyu smiled, "Not everyone yearns for wealth and honor. At the birthday celebration, the old patriarch heard that I have thousands of taels, and I am already well-off. Why should I seek to attach myself to the powerful? As for Miss Shangguan, I have never met her, so there is no talk of any affection. This engagement is just a piece of paper to me."

The old patriarch's eyes showed a strange expression, and he said solemnly, "Do you know that the Shangguan family's current status is all thanks to Yuan'er's extraordinary encounter in the capital! It is because of Yuan'er that the Shangguan family has this status and continues to develop into a major family. Can you really let go of your engagement with Yuan'er?"

Qin Xianyu smiled and said, "A piece of paper, why can't I let it go?"

The old patriarch sighed, "Although the engagement is a mere formality, it doesn't mean it can't become real."

Qin Xianyu shook his head and laughed.

The old patriarch spoke well, but in reality, Miss Shangguan was in the capital, and it was unknown when she would return. As her nominal fiancé, he might never see her, let alone make it real.

"The old man Qin has a grandson like you," the old patriarch sighed. Among the younger generation of the Shangguan family, the men were ordinary and mediocre, but only Yuan'er stood out, though she was a woman.

The old patriarch was silent for a long time before saying, "I cannot make the decision about the engagement."

Qin Xianyu frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

The old patriarch said, "Yuan'er is now the true pillar of the Shangguan family. Her matters, even I cannot decide for her, let alone her lifelong affairs. The matter of dissolving the engagement must wait until she returns from the capital."

He paused, then the old man looked up, half-smiling, "Or, you could go to the capital and break the engagement to her in person."

Qin Xianyu was silent.

The old patriarch was clearly evading the issue.

Qin Xianyu had never met Yuan'er, so there was no talk of childhood sweethearts or deep affection. But conversely, Yuan'er had never met Qin Xianyu either, so there was no talk of affection. To Yuan'er, this engagement was also just a piece of paper.

Perhaps the old patriarch was indeed concerned about Yuan'er's feelings, fearing she might be dissatisfied with the family, but this matter would not make her dissatisfied.

Why was he evading this issue? Even the old patriarch himself might not be clear about his true thoughts. But he had a vague idea that perhaps keeping this engagement might not be a bad idea.

This young Taoist was hard to read.

But he was handsome, with a very good temperament, and he was not lacking in pride, integrity, and intelligence. If he could truly become a son-in-law, it might not be a bad thing.

"In a short while, I will go to the capital. At that time, I will find an opportunity to explain this matter to Miss Shangguan."

Qin Xianyu nodded and bowed, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

The old patriarch nodded slightly.

Qin Xianyu left the study and slowly departed, led by a servant.

In the study, a person stepped out.

This person was dressed in a purple-red robe, very noble and dignified, with an appreciative look in his eyes, nodding, "This young man is indeed excellent."

The old patriarch looked at the middle-aged man and nodded slightly.

Shangguan Zhan, the third son of the old patriarch, might be overlooked for his business acumen, but everyone knew that the third master of the Shangguan family had an outstanding daughter, Shangguan Yuan'er.

The old patriarch said, "Today, it seems the Shangguan family might have spies planted by the Chen family, either new people planted in recent years or old people who have been bought. Zhan, you have always had business acumen and have been traveling for many years, so you know how to manage the family. How to clear out these spies is up to you."

Shangguan Zhan nodded.

As the sky grew dark.

Qin Xianyu was walking to the Taoist temple when he suddenly saw an old man standing by the roadside. Upon closer inspection, he exclaimed with joy, "Uncle Fu?"

The old man turned around, tears of joy in his eyes, and said, "Young Master?"

It was indeed the former butler of the Qin family, Uncle Fu.

PS: Please support the story by adding it to your bookshelf and giving it a recommendation. The groundwork is laid, and the story is gradually getting into the main plot. Please bear with me, as I am a slow starter.

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