Li Wuyu had intended to stay for lunch, but her mentor, Xiao Changyi, seemed particularly unwelcoming, so in the end, she didn’t stay and rode back to town instead.
She didn’t return to the residence provided by Wang Youbao; rather, she casually picked an inn to dine in.
After having her meal and thinking that Wang Youbao should have returned from dining at the Scholar’s place, she headed over to the Wang Family again.
Since she had been visiting the Wang Family so frequently, she no longer needed to be announced and could enter directly.
Wang Youbao had indeed returned and was sitting in the central hall drinking tea.
As soon as Li Wuyu caught sight of Wang Youbao, she immediately brightened and was about to call out to him and rush over when she heard Yu Daming, who was attending to him, say, "Young Master, it seems that the Scholar intends to betroth Miss Xing to you."
Upon hearing this, Li Wuyu’s mood soured, and she stopped in her tracks, standing just outside the hall.
Wang Youbao, however, rebuked, "Nonsense! If word of this gets out, how is Miss Xing supposed to face the world!"
Yu Daming, feeling unjustly reproached, murmured softly, "But that was precisely his intention... If it weren’t, why would he keep bringing up the matter of your mourning period coming to an end, and that Miss Xing should also be ready to leave her boudoir by then?"
Hearing this, Wang Youbao was taken aback. It did seem to be the case...
Seeing that Wang Youbao had realized this issue, Yu Daming hesitated for a moment before adding, "Young Master, the Scholar is respected in these parts, and many noble young men wish to marry his daughter. He seems to favor you and intends to delay Miss Xing’s marriage until your mourning period is over. What do you think—"
Before Yu Daming could finish, Li Wuyu burst in, confronting Wang Youbao angrily, "Wang Youbao, didn’t you say you were just going for a meal? Clearly, you were discussing your marriage to Xing Yaoyue!"
Wang Youbao quickly stood up and said, "Miss Li, what are you talking about? There is not even a hint of such a thing."
Immediately after, Wang Youbao disagreed, "Miss Li, you’re being so loud about this; if it spreads, as a man, my reputation won’t suffer much, but how will you have Miss Xing live with herself?"
Seeing how Wang Youbao defended Xing Yaoyue, Li Wuyu was incensed and left without saying another word. She huffed at Wang Youbao, then turned around and ran off.
Wang Youbao did not give chase. These days, Miss Li always behaved this way, and he had grown accustomed to it. He figured she would likely come to find him tomorrow, and there was no need for him to pursue.
Nonetheless, Wang Youbao let out a deep sigh, showing a sense of helplessness.
Miss Li had become unusually different from last year, always venting her anger at him, giving him the feeling that no matter what he did, it was wrong.
Only after Li Wuyu had disappeared without a trace did Yu Daming continue, "Young Master, Miss Li is from the Imperial Capital, yet she always comes to Hecheng County alone. She doesn’t seem like the daughter of a respectable family. Which honorable family’s daughter would travel far alone, especially staying away for months at a time..."
Wang Youbao’s face darkened immediately, "Enough!"
Yu Daming, being very afraid of his young master’s temper, immediately fell silent upon seeing Wang Youbao’s stern face, saying no more.
As soon as Li Wuyu left the Wang residence, she rode to find An Jing again.
An Jing had just woken up from her nap when she saw Li Wuyu arrive fuming with anger, knowing without asking that Wang Youbao must have upset her apprentice once again.
When she learned from Li Wuyu that the Scholar was considering betrothing Xing Yaoyue to Wang Youbao, An Jing was not surprised at all—it was even within her expectations.