Wang Jinsong naturally understood this principle. He also knew that Lu Huaijin's words today were already a great honor to him.
If he refused, he would be seen as ungrateful.
However...
He had just been transferred back to the capital and his foundation was unstable. Although the Xiangwang Mansion had declined, it was still a force to be reckoned with. Now that Lu Huaijin had made a name for himself, a union between their two families would be mutually beneficial.
Moreover, his only daughter, Yu Rou, had fallen head - over - heels for this elegant and noble young master of the mansion at first sight. If this engagement was called off, what would happen to her...
Wang Jinsong's mind was in a whirl, not knowing how to respond.
"The young master believes that the official is not a muddle - headed person."
Seeing that Wang Jinsong remained silent, Lu Huaijin's eyes showed understanding.
In the officialdom, everyone wanted to rely on a powerful backer to protect their family's honor and fortune while climbing up the official ladder.
But things didn't always go as planned.
"Thank you, young master, for thinking about this official. This official will inform the emperor that my daughter is unworthy of the young master."
Lu Huaijin nodded slightly, then stood up and said, "In that case, the young master won't disturb you any longer."
With that, he led Si Chen and walked out.
When they reached the door, he caught a glimpse of a golden figure. A young lady, accompanied by a maid, quickly hid behind a moon - gate not far away.
Wang Jinsong and Wang Jingze followed behind. They saw Lu Huaijin suddenly stop in his tracks.
"Does the young master have any other instructions?"
Lu Huaijin gently twisted his fingertips, and his eyes darkened. After a moment, he said in a deep voice, "Miss Lin, who was sent to the mansion by your family a few days ago, is very much liked by the princess. Lord Wang is very considerate."
After saying that, he directly led Si Chen out of the prime minister's mansion and stepped into the carriage.
Wang Jinsong and his son watched the carriage leave, both breathing a long sigh of relief.
"Go and tell your sister about the young master's withdrawal from the engagement. Try to break the news to her gently."
Wang Jinsong rubbed his temples and turned to walk into the mansion.
Wang Jingze followed beside him, answering in a deep voice. Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he asked, "Father, what should we do with Miss Lin?"
Although Lu Huaijin's words were veiled, Wang Jingze understood them clearly.
It was probably not that the princess liked Miss Lin, but rather that Lu Huaijin did. Otherwise, why would the young master of the Xiangwang Mansion care about a maid?
He just didn't understand that if Lu Huaijin was interested, why didn't he keep her in the mansion but sent her back instead?
Wang Jinsong was preoccupied with the sudden withdrawal of the engagement by Lu Huaijin. Hearing his son's words, he seemed to hear a joke: "You come to ask me about such a trivial matter? Your mother is in charge of the inner - court affairs. Let her decide."
Wang Jingze wanted to say something else, but Wang Jinsong waved his hand and walked quickly towards the study.
Seeing this, Wang Jingze had no choice but to put this matter aside for the time being and turned towards Feiyun Pavilion.
At this moment, the most important thing was how to tell Wang Yurou about Lu Huaijin's withdrawal from the engagement without hurting her too much.
...
Inside Feiyun Pavilion, Lin Wanyu was kneeling there, thinking about how to bring up the agreement. Suddenly, she heard a menacing sound of footsteps behind her.
Before she could react, she was slapped hard across the face.
Her cheek hurt terribly, as if it was on fire.
"You vixen! Did you entangle the young master and make him come to break off the engagement early this morning?"
Wang Yurou was so angry that her face turned pale. She wished she could strangle the person in front of her.
"Calm down, miss. Calm down. Anger is bad for your health. If you want to punish the servant, you can just give the order to others. Take care of your hand."
Furong quickly walked over, supported Wang Yurou's hand, and helped her sit down on one side, soothing her gently.
Lin Wanyu was stunned by the slap. It took her a long time to come to her senses.
Lu Huaijin came today to break off the engagement?
It made sense. Since the wedding date was approaching, he should indeed come. But why today...
"Miss, you've misunderstood. I didn't seduce the young master."
Wang Yurou sneered, "You didn't seduce the young master? Then tell me, why didn't you come back on the second day after you went to the mansion?"
"I..."
Lin Wanyu was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to explain.
"Got nothing to say, huh! Someone, tie her up and hang her on the tree to be beaten. Today, I'll let her know that even if she wears such fine clothes, a low - born servant will always be a low - born servant!"
Today, after seeing Lu Huaijin, Wang Yurou was even more determined that this man could only be her husband. Anyone who dared to covet him would not come to a good end!
Lin Wanyu's face turned pale, "When I first arrived in the capital, miss promised me that as long as I did this thing for you, you would return my servant contract and let me go back to Yangzhou. Are you going to go back on your word now?"
"Return your servant contract so that you can go back to the mansion and seduce the young master?"
Wang Yurou seemed to have heard a ridiculous joke. Her pretty face was filled with contempt and ridicule.
These words instantly shattered the last bit of hope in Lin Wanyu's heart.
Wang Yurou snorted coldly. Looking at the several old women who rushed into the room, she scolded in a deep voice, "What are you all standing there for? Drag her out and beat her."
The old women, upon receiving the order, immediately rushed forward and dragged Lin Wanyu out.
These old women were used to doing rough work and were as strong as oxen. Lin Wanyu had no way to break free.
When Wang Jingze arrived at Feiyun Pavilion, he saw several old women mercilessly whipping the woman tied to the tree with rattan canes.
The woman's cheek was swollen, and there was a wound on her forehead. Blood was flowing all over her face. Many parts of her dress had been torn open by the rattan canes, and her flesh was bloody and shocking.
She had completely lost her former charm!
"Stop!"
The old women turned their heads upon hearing the voice. When they saw Wang Jingze, they quickly knelt down to pay their respects.
"Eldest young master!"
Wang Jingze frowned tightly and ordered the young servant beside him, "Hurry up and invite the doctor."
The young servant obeyed the order and quickly ran outside.
Wang Jingze looked at the old women kneeling on the ground again and said in a deep voice, "Put the person down!"
The old women looked at each other and knelt there, looking at a loss.
"Eldest young master, this..."
"Put her down!"
Wang Jingze's face darkened slightly, and his voice became even colder. The old women were so frightened that they quickly got up to untie Lin Wanyu.
A person who was usually gentle and elegant could be really intimidating when he got angry.
"I'd like to see who dares!"
Just as the old women had untied Lin Wanyu, they heard a woman's voice coming from inside the room.
Soon, Wang Yurou walked out with her hands on her hips. Looking at her elder brother, she said impatiently, "Brother must have come here to tell me about the young master's withdrawal from the engagement, right?"
Wang Jingze frowned slightly, "You already know?"
Wang Yurou sneered, "Of course I know. When the young master said he was breaking off the engagement, I was just outside the hall. I heard everything. I'm just punishing the culprit now. Please put away your compassion, brother."
Wang Jingze helplessly rubbed his temples and said in a deep voice, "This was all decided by the young master. She's just a little maid. Why are you being so cruel?"
Wang Yurou crossed her arms and haughtily lifted her chin, "If she hadn't bewitched the young master, why would the young master break off the engagement? How can you expect me to swallow this humiliation?"
"You have to swallow this humiliation whether you like it or not!"
"Brother, don't tell me you've also taken a fancy to this maid?"