"What a frustrating situation!"
Lu Xian smiled, straightening his posture.
Mrs. Hu's words ignited anger within Lu Xian.
As he crossed the threshold into adulthood at the age of sixteen, it was the first time in sixteen years that Lu Xian stood tall in front of an "outsider."
The feeling was akin to a mountain suddenly towering over the glistening white snow.
An inexplicable surge of energy surged through Lu Xian, soaring into the sky.
An intense aura emanated from Lu Xian, causing the temperature in the reception hall to rise.
Under the impact of this aura, Bai Lu's face turned slightly red, and layers of ripples appeared in her eyes.
Bai Qiang coughed heavily.
Bai Lu regained her composure, suppressing the watery expression in her eyes, and gracefully bowed to Lu Xian. "Young Master Lu, please listen to Miss Bai's explanation."
Behind Bai Lu, Mrs. Hu coldly snorted.
There was commotion outside the reception hall as seven or eight sturdy women, standing over eight feet tall, with a robust build, gathered at the entrance.
Several women held thick wooden clubs in their hands. As long as Mrs. Hu gave the order, they would rush in and drag Lu Xian out to beat him.
This group of fierce women had gained quite a reputation in the Marquis Tian'en's mansion.
In the past seven to eight years, the Lu family had at least fifty members who had their arms, legs, or waist broken from being beaten by them.
Mrs. Hu's "formidable reputation" in Marquis Tian'en's mansion was built on such encounters.
Lu Xian clasped his hands in his sleeves, calmly staring at Bai Lu with his piercing eyes. "Bai Lu, as frost turns to frost, 'bamboo leaves are green, dew turns to frost.' Hey, what a beautiful name. Based on this name alone, you can say whatever you want, and I will listen!"
At this moment, something seemed off about Lu Xian's aura.
It was like a sharpened sword, emitting a cold light that hurt the eyes and pierced the heart.
Inexplicably, Mrs. Hu and Bai Qiang's hearts trembled, and they instinctively shifted their bodies.
Bai Lu, who was closest to Lu Xian, was captivated by his suddenly elevated appearance, and failed to notice the other hidden aspects beneath his stunning appearance.
Instead, her eyes brightened inexplicably at the phrases 'bamboo leaves are green, dew turns to frost.'
"Young Master Lu, you have turned sixteen after the New Year," Bai Lu said, her gaze fixed on Lu Xian, particularly on his slightly upturned corner of his mouth, with its rosy hue.
"Yes," Lu Xian replied, his forehead vein receding. He straightened his posture, his tone no longer as intense or angry as before, but instead carrying a nonchalant and carefree attitude, like a well-fed rabbit or monkey.
However, the radiance exuding from his very being made it seem as though he stood high on a tall building where he could pluck the stars, looking down at Bai Lu and everyone present.
"According to the laws of Da Yin, when a man turns sixteen and a woman turns thirteen, they should be married," Bai Lu sighed. "Compared to Bai Lu, you, Young Master Lu, are only three months younger. According to the customs of Da Yin, Bai Lu has already reached marriageable age."
Shaking her head gently, Bai Lu's face revealed a hint of bitterness.
Lu Xian's face twitched.
An "old spinster" who hadn't even turned sixteen, this choice of words was noteworthy.
Tsk!
If such words were to spread, it would become "Lu Xian is not competent and has delayed a good girl!"
This statement was truly profound.
"Bai Lu is aware that a gentleman's promise is invaluable. Since my grandfather has betrothed Bai Lu to you, she has to accept it. For years, she has been hoping that one day you, Young Master Lu, would make a grand entrance and bring her home as your bride."
"For this reason, Bai Lu has patiently waited, hoping that you can achieve something, become renowned, and make a name for yourself."
"Bai Lu has imagined countless times what her future husband would be like."
"Bai Lu doesn't ask for a groom from a prestigious family or a life of luxury. But as a proud individual, she hopes that her future husband can at least give her a glimpse of hope!"
"I believe that women around the world can understand my thoughts. It is only natural to hope for a husband who can rise to greatness. This kind of thinking is justified."
Bai Lu gazed deeply at Lu Xian, especially at his slightly upturned corner of his mouth, which carried a hint of a cold smile and rosy luster.
"Yes," Lu Xian nodded with a smile, expressing his strong approval of her thoughts.
Bai Lu smiled slightly, revealing a few shiny white teeth.
"But!" Bai Lu's tone suddenly changed after her heartfelt confession.
Lu Xian lightly laughed. "Indeed, I am inadequate. I learned a mishmash of things in the clan school, and for four consecutive years, my year-end evaluations were all below average. I had no hope at all."
Bai Lu sighed and shook her head.
With her hands clasped behind her back, Bai Lu displayed a demeanor befitting a husband in the reception hall, pacing back and forth.
Regretfully, she said, "Young Master Lu, I have also read some books in the past few years."
Bai Lu stopped, smiled elegantly at Lu Xian, and maintained her composure.
Next to her, Mrs. Hu picked up a teacup, took a big gulp, and forcefully put down the cup.
"You worthless, good-for-nothing wretch. Miss Bai is now a prominent figure on the Dragon and Phoenix List in Haojing City. She excels in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature."
"Do you know about the quarterly 'Cai Wei Evaluation' in Haojing? The eighteen most respected scholars in various disciplines in Haojing evaluate the outstanding young talent in the city every quarter."
"Miss Bai has consistently ranked at the top in the 'Cai Wei Evaluation' for two consecutive years."
"With the evaluation by the highly respected scholars, if Miss Bai were a man, she would be hailed as a 'pillar of the nation' and a 'virtuous minister'!"
"Look, look, look at her! She is like a peerless beauty that has walked out of a painting. Such talent, such beauty. Ah, truly remarkable. How many young gentlemen and talented individuals in Haojing City treat Miss Bai as a goddess?"
"Meanwhile, you haven't even washed your face. Take a look at your frog-like appearance!"
Lu Xian's face twitched.
His face, frog-like appearance? Where did that come from?
"Anyway, anyway, you are not good enough for her!" Mrs. Hu had no literary knowledge. She couldn't find better words to praise Bai Lu or belittle Lu Xian.
She came to a crude conclusion, vigorously patting the armrest of her chair.
"In short, you are not worthy of her."
"You have a notorious reputation at the clan school. In such a large clan school, no one is more disgraceful than you."
"You're middle-aged, yet you have accomplished nothing. Every month, you rely on the money and rice distributed by the Duke of Laiguo's mansion to get by. Have you earned a single copper coin in all these years?"
"On the other hand, Miss Bai's painting is worth a fortune in Haojing!"
Mrs. Hu exclaimed, her eyes turning slightly red, and her breathing growing heavier.
She was sensitive to money.
Bai Qiang coughed heavily, interrupting Mrs. Hu's amazed exclamations.
There was a market for Bai Lu's paintings in a certain small circle. People were willing to pay a high price for them.
However, this was something that could be done but not said.
Exchanging talent for money was not shameful; rather, it was elegant.
In literary circles, if your work could be exchanged for money, the more money, the more it proved your true talent and exceptional ability!
If your work could make young ladies pay for it, accompany a lover, or even willingly spend money to support you!
Wow, you would be a literary giant, undoubtedly the leader of the literary world and a prominent figure!
But Bai Lu was still a young lady confined to her residence.
Right!
It was inappropriate to associate her with such matters. Mrs. Hu's words were offensive, making Bai Qiang, who was already sensitive, speculate whether she intentionally mocked and taunted their Bai family.
Bai Qiang crossed his legs, played with the tea cup lid, and glanced at Lu Xian with a slanted eye.
"Lu Xian, to be honest, the engagement made by the two old masters was impulsive and not well thought out."
"This engagement is unfair to Bai Lu!"
"My Bai family, including my nine brothers, and about twenty relatives, only have Bai Lu as a daughter."
"She is the treasure and jewel of our Bai family."
"It is true that you are not worthy of Bai Lu."
Lu Xian clasped his hands, calmly gazing at Bai Qiang.
At this moment, in this situation, he didn't want to talk about the past.
Before Lu Xian's father left, he left behind a letter, carefully describing the matter of Lu Xian's engagement.
Was the engagement made by the two old masters impulsive?
Without careful consideration and serious thought?
Heh.
Lu Xian sneered inwardly.
When Bai Qiang, the grandfather of Bai Lu, was on the verge of being killed when he was studying abroad due to his humble background, Lu Xian's grandfather certainly didn't think so.
When Lu Xian's grandfather saved Bai Qiang, spending money to hire a doctor to save his life, he certainly didn't think so.
When Bai Qiang initiated the bond and became sworn brothers with Lu Xian's grandfather, drinking blood wine together, he certainly didn't think so.
When Lu Xian's grandfather used the influence of the Lu clan to write a recommendation letter in the name of the Jinguang Lu family for Bai Qiang, paying for his examination, and enabling him to rise in the world, he certainly didn't think so.
Lu Xian's grandfather died on the battlefield.
The official position left by Lu Xian's grandfather had been temporarily assumed by the elder members of the Lu clan.
Lu Xian's father was unreliable, leaving Lu Xian alone in the vast Lu family to live like a transparent person for nearly ten years.
Now, Lu Xian's home was completely destitute.
Very well, now the engagement set by the two old masters had become an "impulsive decision"!
"What a pity. If back then, my grandfather had a daughter, or if your Bai family had a daughter, this engagement would have already been fulfilled," Lu Xian sighed deeply.
Bai Qiang was also momentarily stunned.
With a dry smile, he said, "That's reasonable. You don't have any brothers in your family, and our Bai family has nine brothers!"
Lu Xian let out a deep sigh, looking up at the ceiling of the reception hall, at its beautiful decorative design.
Mrs. Hu's face darkened again.
"Lu Xian, make a decision quickly. I don't have time to deal with a little brat like you."
Lu Xian lowered his head, smiling at Mrs. Hu.
"After all, this engagement was set by the two old masters. If we break it, it will be to my disadvantage."
Mrs. Hu's gaze turned towards Bai Qiang.
Bai Qiang calmly said, "Of course, we won't let you suffer losses. My Bai family will compensate you with one hundred taels of silver and provide you with a letter of recommendation to attend the Imperial Academy, guaranteeing your future. How about that?"
"One hundred taels of silver?"
Wow, that's a lot of money!
Outside Haojing City, you couldn't even buy five acres of good land with one hundred taels of silver.
"Attend the Imperial Academy?"
Heh, what a bright future!
Signing the annulment letter himself, admitting his "inadequacy" and "unscrupulousness," what future could he have in Da Yin?
On top of that, Lu Xian's notorious reputation at the clan school!
When he entered the Imperial Academy, countless teachers and classmates would spray him with dog blood on the first day!
Lu Xian smiled at Mrs. Hu. "Aunt, if it's an annulment, of course it must be done. I understand deeply that I am not worthy of Miss Bai. Being engaged with her is like sticking a beautiful flower into cow dung, truly tarnishing her."
"Therefore, the engagement must be annulled. Whoever doesn't agree is a stubborn tortoise. I won't bother with them!"
"But, there must be additional compensation!"
"The engagement set by the two old masters cannot be so easily dismissed with a mere one hundred taels of silver."
"This is disrespectful and irreverent towards the two old masters. It's being unfilial!"
"Additional compensation must be provided!"
"Because a gentleman's promise is invaluable, and 'invaluable' indeed!"
Lu Xian winked at Mrs. Hu.
Mrs. Hu widened her eyes, suddenly realizing something. Then, with incredible excitement, she forcefully slapped the armrest.
"A gentleman's promise, that's priceless!"
(End of chapter)