Ashes to Crown

Chapter 66: Chapter 30: An Unhappy Parting

Her companions scrambled to push Qi Leyun down and cover her mouth.

"What are you shouting for!" "You’re so embarrassing!"

Qi Leyun, still held down, muffled angry protests. "On what grounds? She’s not worthy."

"No, it’s not him," the girl from before said quickly in a low voice. "Of course it’s not with Third Young Master Xie. If it were, the Liang Family would have shouted it from the rooftops by now."

’That’s true. How could the Liang Family possibly keep such a glorious matter under wraps?’

Hearing it wasn’t Third Young Master Xie, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Qi Leyun calmed down as well.

"It’s one of Third Young Master Xie’s younger brothers," the girl continued, then added, "I’m not too clear on the details. It’s just something my handmaiden heard someone mention."

Although Qi Leyun had calmed down, she was still indignant. "Even so, Liang Qin is still incredibly lucky. She gets to be part of the same family as Third Young Master Xie."

’From now on, she’ll be able to see Third Young Master Xie every day.’

’Right? Once Liang Qin is married, whenever she sees us again, every other sentence will surely be, "My Brother Xie San."’

’How infuriating.’

One girl snickered. "Don’t worry, that’s not going to happen." She looked at the others, her expression a mix of mystery and smug satisfaction. "I actually heard about this, too. But from what I heard, the engagement fell through."

The girls instantly perked up and all turned to look at her.

The girl lowered her voice. "Apparently, the Xie family backed out."

Qi Leyun burst out laughing. "Really?"

The other girls started laughing too, and more of them chimed in. "I heard that too." "Didn’t someone say Qin was beaten by Chu Zhao a while back?" "They said she was beaten so badly she couldn’t show her face in public." "That’s not it. The truth is, she’s too ashamed to show her face." "That must mean the Xie family looks down on the Liang Family." "Of course. We are talking about Third Young Master Xie’s brother, after all."

The group was now giggling and chattering, far livelier than when Third Young Master Xie had been present—when he was around, who had time for idle chatter and laughter?

Ordinarily, the sound of the girls’ laughter would be delightful, but at this moment, it felt like a knife twisting in Chu Ke’s gut. ’They must all be laughing at me.’

"I’m heading back," he said, rising to take his leave. He couldn’t stand it for another second. He hid his face with his sleeve. "From now on, we won’t be seeing each other again."

The young people suppressed their laughter and tried to placate him. "Why would we never see each other again?" "Ao Ke, don’t say that." "Whose sister isn’t a little mischievous sometimes?"

No matter what anyone said, Chu Ke couldn’t stay any longer. He went downstairs, surrounded by his companions.

Liang Qiang also rose to his feet. A servant boy scurried over from the side, calling out, "Young Master."

Liang Qiang fell behind the others and asked in a low voice, "What were they saying? Did they mention our Liang Family?"

The restaurant was unusually crowded today, especially with Third Young Master Xie present. Given the recent unpleasantness between their two families, he had specifically instructed his servants to be vigilant—to use their eyes and ears.

The servant looked uneasy. "Yes. News of Miss Qin’s marriage rejection has somehow gotten out."

Liang Qiang frowned and glanced toward the third floor where the girls were gathered. "Are they only talking about Qin?"

The servant lowered his head. "They’re mocking her."

That’s how it was among the young ladies. They laugh at others’ failures and envy their successes. When a young lady’s betrothal falls through, the others naturally revel in her misfortune.

By mocking Miss Qin, they were, of course, also mocking the Liang Family.

The servant complained, "I don’t know how it leaked out. The Xie family clearly said they wouldn’t mention this matter, that we should all act as if it never happened."

A flash of resentment crossed Liang Qiang’s eyes. "Something like this was impossible to hide anyway. In the Capital City, countless eyes are watching each other. The slightest whisper of trouble spreads like wildfire. As for the Xie family, they can say what they want, but that doesn’t mean they’ll do it. They’re all talk. Otherwise, why would they go back on their word and make a mockery of my Liang Family?"

’Things have been going so poorly lately. First, my cousin was humiliated by that girl from the Chu Family. Then, my uncle was reprimanded by Your Majesty. Now, the Xie family has gone back on their word. It really feels like everyone is kicking us while we’re down. I’m afraid my uncle’s career is in jeopardy.’

"I can’t believe we ran into Third Young Master Xie," the servant said in a low voice. "Young Master, you should go ask him what kind of gentlemanly conduct it is to go back on one’s word like this."

Since arriving in the Capital City, Third Young Master Xie had not gone out, nor had he accepted any visitors. He hadn’t even gone to see the Crown Princess Consort, so no one could really blame him.

"Idiot," Liang Qiang cursed. "Matters of marriage are decided by parents and elders. What’s the point of questioning Third Young Master Xie? If he ends up apologizing to me, it will just make our Liang Family look desperate and lose even more face."

The servant lowered his head, not daring to say more. "Poor Miss Qin... how can she face anyone now?"

"What’s there to be ashamed of?" Liang Qiang said. "Isn’t Miss Chu also being mocked? And what about her?"

’She still goes out and sees people, unafraid of anyone. In fact, she seems even more vibrant than the one or two times I saw her before.’

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