Sharing One Life with My Nemesis - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The first time Xie Huaiyan came to the Jiang Family to propose marriage, he did not bring betrothal gifts.

He brought a letter breaking off an engagement.

That day, I was drying medicinal herbs in the courtyard. Mother was under the veranda, trimming lamp wicks, while Father sat by the stone table drinking tea.

Xie Huaiyan arrived in a blue robe. The wound on his back had yet to heal, and his steps were slower than usual when he entered.

The moment I saw the red envelope in his hand, my heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Yu’an was even quicker than I was. He poked his head out and asked, “Lord Xie, is that a betrothal letter?”

Xie Huaiyan paused.

“No.”

He placed the red envelope on the table.

“It is a letter breaking off an engagement.”

The courtyard fell silent.

The lamp wick in Mother’s hand dropped into the bamboo basket.

Father’s teacup froze halfway to his lips.

I looked at Xie Huaiyan.

He looked back at me, his eyes utterly calm-so calm it was as if he had sharpened the knife long ago and was only waiting to drive it into his own heart.

I asked, “Whose engagement are you breaking off?”

“Mine.”

“Since when did you have an engagement?”

“Last night.”

I let out a laugh.

Excellent.

Just yesterday, I had been thinking this man had finally learned to speak plainly.

Today, he used a letter breaking off an engagement to inform me that not only had he learned how to speak-he had also learned how to court death.

Father set down his teacup, his voice sinking.

“Xie Huaiyan, explain yourself.”

Xie Huaiyan lowered his eyes.

“His Majesty intends to betroth Princess Ningjia to me.”

Jiang Yu’an’s eyes went wide.

“You agreed?”

Xie Huaiyan said, “I did not.”

I said coldly, “Then where did this letter come from?”

“I wrote it myself.”

He looked at me.

“I will enter the palace today to plead guilty and ask His Majesty to withdraw the intention of granting the marriage. If His Majesty refuses, I will submit this letter and request exile to the Northern Frontier.”

The medicinal herbs in my hand were crushed to pieces.

“You certainly have everything arranged.”

“Tingyun.”

“Don’t call me that.”

I turned and walked toward the house.

Xie Huaiyan followed me for two steps, then stopped.

He knew where the line was now.

And yet at a time like this, what I hated most was precisely that restraint of his.

Father called after me, “Tingyun.”

I did not turn back.

“Father, I’m going to change.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the palace.”

Mother grew anxious.

“What are you going to the palace for?”

I tossed the crushed herbs into the winnowing tray.

“To ask His Majesty something.”

“The Jiang Family has only just had its case overturned, and Xie Huaiyan has only just finished taking those strokes. Who is in such a hurry that they simply must shove him into Princess Ningjia’s residence?”