Although Mu Wan hasn’t been going out much lately, her days had never been boring—every day, she would be entertained by stories about Third Madam Li, Li Yichen, Shen-shi, and Mu Rou’s desperate attempt to fulfill the agreement.
To make Mu Wan sign the annulment letter as soon as possible, just a few days after making the fuss at the Mu family’s gate, the Li family’s mother and son started attending various poetry gatherings and flower-viewing banquets to restore Mu Wan’s reputation.
It seems that initially, Third Madam Li only put in a perfunctory effort. While she didn’t dare to outright speak ill about Mu Wan when others asked about the engagement, her responses were thinly veiled condemnations masquerading as compliments. Thanks to her making the matter great fanfare in order to force Mu Wan into agreeing to the annulment, the affair had become a public gossip in their respective circles. The commotion at the Mu family’s gate had also drawn quite a big crowd who, in the spirit of amusement, swiftly spread the word across the capital. As a result, many eyes were watching the two families’ every move, eager to watch the unfolding drama.
Whenever Third Madam Li attended gatherings, even if she said nothing, others would actively ask. When she made a sarcastic comment about Mu Wan, Nanxi Xiangjun overheard, who then stated, “It seems that Third Madam Li has no intention of breaking off the engagement with Eldest Miss Mu,”which deterred her from continuing her antics.
The bystanders, whether they were there to join the excitement or to watch a farce, also ended up lavishing all kinds of praises on Mu Wan, and anyone who still spoke ill of her was immediately contradicted by Third Madam Li.
“Some say you have no manners. Third Madam Li was tempted to concur, but with me watching, she had to rack her brains to compliment you, eventually saying you were open-minded and unconcerned with trivialities… Haha, you should have seen her twisted face—too hilarious!”
Because of her relationship with Mu Wan, Zhu Nanxi was naturally not fond of the Li family. Coupled with her penchant for real-life drama, she had essentially shadowed Third Madam Li in recent days, making a point to attend the same social events. When she couldn’t visit Mu Wan in person, she ensured she captured the happenings in detailed, lengthy letters.
These letters became a source of great amusement for Mu Wan and even more for Yunling, who commented with glee, “Third Madam Li is one thing, but the Madam and Second Miss must be truly desperate.”
Li Yichen and his mother had been condoning the rumors about Mu Wan and fanning it further for their selfish reason, but Shen-shi and Mu Rou were the real instigators. They had been so pleased to tarnish Mu Wan’s reputation; now, they were equally frantic.
Shen-shi even wanted to organize a banquet for Mu Wan to make a splendid appearance and dispel the rumors herself, but of course Mu Wan couldn’t be bothered. Not only did she ignore Shen-shi’s requests, but she also made an ostentatious show of hiring a troupe and scouring the streets for novel jewelry, making the mother and daughter desperate. They were compelled, even more than Third Madam Li, to spread good words about Mu Wan. The previously labeled ‘arrogant’ was now described as ‘confident and self-assured,’ while ‘uncultured and ignorant’ had been transformed into ‘living a life full of flavor.’
Mu Rou also could no longer afford to stay indoors to avoid the gossip. She began attending various poetry and literature gatherings again, crafting stories to gloss over her previous comments. It was rumored that the daughter of a certain official’s family, whom Mu Rou had finally befriended after great efforts, saw through her true face and ceased associating with her.
In short, Mu Wan enjoyed watching them slap their own faces every day.
However, she didn’t make it difficult for them for long. When it came to rumors, wise people could separate fact from lies, but the rest would only believe what they wanted to believe, making a complete clarification impossible.
Mu Wan’s aim was simply to eclipse the rumors about her by sparking even more captivating topics. After all, the masses were never seeking truth, just entertainment. Compared to a merchant’s daughter without status, the story about a love-crazed Tanhua scholar who got hopelessly infatuated with his fiancée’s sister was far more thrilling. Throughout the ages, taboo romance has never failed to capture the public’s interest, hasn’t it?
And so, after confirming that the pair of infatuated lovers and their respective mothers had each attended at least three gatherings, Mu Wan readily broke off her engagement with Li Yichen.
This move caught many by surprise, as almost everyone thought Mu Wan set these conditions to trouble the Li family, embarrass them, and never truly intended to agree with the annulment. Li Yichen had even prepared to use some tricks to create the illusion of restoring Mu Wan’s reputation after a few clarifications, but he did not expect her to once again catch him off guard.
Amidst the surprise, most people finally understood Mu Wan’s real purpose—she was expressing her attitude. As long as the Li family didn’t make false accusations against her, she wouldn’t insist on this engagement.
This move turned out to be much more powerful than the superficial clarifications by Third Madam Li and the others. Even those who previously thought Mu Wan was uncultured and thus unworthy of Li Yichen felt that she handled the situation far more wisely than the Li family did, showing her magnanimity in the process.
…
Glancing at the engagement annulment letter brought by her grandson, Old Madam Li sighed in disappointment, “What an astute, wise, and broad-minded girl. Unfortunately, you and her aren’t destined together.”
This time, Li Yichen did not contradict his grandmother. Having met Mu Wan a few times, he began to suspect that the rumors about her might not be entirely accurate. He vaguely sensed that he might have made a mistake, but recalling the slander and grievances Mu Rou had suffered because of this matter, he quickly dismissed that fleeting thought. Right, the person he loved was always Mu Rou; for their future, he must continue to persevere.
In contrast to her son, Third Madam Li, completely elated that they had gotten rid of the crude and unreasonable Mu Wan, was joyfully contemplating the future with her well-educated and well-mannered prospective daughter-in-law, Mu Rou.
Old Madam Li had completely lost hope in the third branch and no longer bothered to advise, merely saying, “From now on, you and your son should handle his marital affairs on your own. Act as you see fit and there’s no need to report back to me.”
Li Yichen’s expression changed. Before he could react, his mother had already joyfully responded, “Thank you, mother.”
His words cut off, Li Yichen frowned at his mother, while Old Madam Li merely scoffed and picked up her tea.
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She let them squirm a little and then she snipped the troublesome tangle off before it got her snarled in it. Wise. Also man….I know some of it is his mother’s rash foolishness/tunnel vision and some of it is the time period, but the thought of my mom going ‘do what you want with your wedding, don’t tell me about it’ and not noticing something was very wrong there is….ahhhh. (But again to be fair the character’s vagaries and wilful goose-headedness aside, part of that is the time period and tax bracket they’re in I’m sure.)
Ah, the author could’ve expanded the face slapping for just a bit more. But at the same time, I appreciate how the author didn’t drag things out.
The Question is, “Will they regret it?”