Holding a lantern, guiding souls across, Lady Hou comes from the underworld.

Ren Fengjue stood behind his parents, and upon hearing these words, his expression subtly changed.

My mood was even somewhat gloomy.

Upon hearing this, Madam Rong was startled again: "Child, if you're not staying in the capital, where are you going?"

Xia Ximo remained silent.

Originally, it was about ferrying souls across the river, but now there's also the added task of catching ghosts.

Very busy.

Seeing that she remained silent, Rong assumed it was because of Ren Fengjue, and quickly asked, "Has Feng'er done anything to wrong you?"

Before Xia Ximo could reply.

Ren Xuan, with her fiery temper, turned around and glared fiercely at her son. "Speak!"

Ren Fengjue: "..."

He glanced helplessly at his parents, "I don't know if I've done anything to wrong Miss Xia..."

Xia Ximo then said, "He did not wrong me. It was my own decision to annul the engagement. Please grant my request, Madam Marquis."

The determination in her voice was palpable.

Ren Xuan and Rong both looked disappointed.

In their view, if this matter came from Ren Fengjue, there would still be room for negotiation.

But when Xia Ximo said it, the situation was quite different.

The atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

Ren Fengjue had no choice but to suggest, "Father and Mother have just gone through a dangerous ordeal. Why don't they go back and rest first? We can decide on the annulment of the engagement after dawn."

Upon hearing this, Ren Xuan and Rong Shi glanced at their son simultaneously, seemingly finding it strange as well.

You know, over the years, whenever the topic of marriage came up, he would either make excuses or ignore it.

In the past, if he had encountered this situation, wouldn't he have immediately called off the engagement?

This move seems more like a delaying tactic...

"Perfect timing, I am indeed tired..."

As Ren Xuan spoke, he gave his wife a wink.

Rong understood and immediately summoned Rong Shu, instructing her to arrange for Xia Ximo to rest in the warm pavilion of the East Garden.

Rong Shu accepted the order and then secretly glanced at Xia Ximo.

She felt a deep sense of fear towards this Miss Xia.

That feeling was completely different from the feeling I had with "that person" before.

However, behind this fear was seven parts respect.

Other noble ladies from prominent families in the capital might not have been able to maintain such composure when facing Marquis Renxuan and his wife.

Before leaving, Xia Ximo glanced at Ren Fengjue, her eyes filled with deep meaning.

It was as if to say, "It's dawn, this matter must be resolved."

Ren Fengjue instructed his servant to arrange a guest room for Yan Zhengchu and Yu Lang respectively.

At this moment, Yu Shaoqing had already dispelled the evil energy in his body under Master Yan's "spell" and slowly woke up.

Where am I now?

"And what about the evil spirit?"

"Master Yan, what are you doing here? Didn't you say you weren't coming in... um!"

Faced with a series of questions, Master Yan simply covered his mouth with his hand and left amidst the puzzled gazes of his servants.

With the guests settled, Ren Xuan noticed that his wife was still not moving, so he knew she still had something to say to her son. He then instructed Ren Fengjue, "Send your mother back to the East Garden."

Ren Fengjue personally stepped forward to help Lady Hou.

After this shocking turn of events, he felt deeply ashamed, thinking about how he had devoted himself to his official duties all these years.

"Mother, tonight's events were all my negligence..."

Rong smiled. "How is it your oversight again?"

Ren Fengjue truthfully replied, "Actually, my son confirmed the true identity of Mu Zheng's daughter a few days ago. However, due to the numerous strange cases that have occurred in the capital, I temporarily put the matter aside."

"I thought that as long as I had someone secretly keep an eye on Mu Tingting, I wouldn't be able to cause any trouble..."

"In the end, I underestimated my opponent."

He dared not imagine what the consequences would be if tonight's events implicated the entire Marquis's mansion...

Rong patted his hand and shook her head: "You put the affairs of the country first and can share the emperor's burdens, which is certainly a good thing."

"Please don't blame yourself. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd have to go to the Bodhisattva and repent for days and nights because of this."

"Since it's all over now, let's not talk about it anymore after tonight."

It was nearly midnight, and the dew was heavy in the deep night.

Ren Fengjue took off his outer robe and was about to drape it over Rong's shoulders when she changed the subject, asking, "Do you have any thoughts on the matter of annulling the engagement?"

These words made Ren Fengjue pause again, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "Mother knows what her son is thinking..."

But Rong's words had a hidden meaning: "I knew that before, but I might not now..."

"..."

"The way you look at Xi Mo is so different from how you look at Mu Zheng's daughter."

"..."

"Attitude can deceive, but eyes cannot."

Ren Fengjue frowned, a hint of displeasure in his eyes: "Why did Mother bring up Mu Tingting as a comparison?"

Rong Shi, as if she could read his mind, replied, "Indeed, you shouldn't compare her to your sweetheart."

"..."

Ren Fengjue put on a stern face and simply remained silent.

Seeing this, Rong smiled again, "It doesn't matter if you don't admit it now. Perhaps you haven't even realized your own feelings yet."

"However, matters of the heart are always so subtle; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many infatuated men and women in the world, entangled in love and hate."

"I've made up my mind. If Ximo still insists on breaking off the engagement tomorrow, I will agree to it and take her as my goddaughter."

Upon hearing this, Ren Fengjue raised an eyebrow slightly.

His mother continued, "In this way, even if she has no marriage agreement with the Marquis of Renxuan's family, she will still be considered a member of the Marquis's family."

"With the Marquis's mansion backing her up, no one dares to bully her because she's all alone and helpless..."

"Mother."

Ren Fengjue felt a creeping unease in his heart. He said, "I feel it's inappropriate to adopt a goddaughter..."

Rong asked, puzzled, "Why is it inappropriate?"

"...Knowing Miss Xia as my son does, she might not appreciate this favor. Besides, she's the daughter of the Great General Who Protects the Nation; who would dare to bully her?"

Rong glanced at him sideways, "You seem to know her quite well?"

Ren Fengjue was immediately choked up. He wanted to say something more, but he was interrupted.

"Let's discuss this tomorrow. Don't you think I know what you're thinking?"

"..."

They had reached the entrance of the East Garden. Rong handed the robe back to him and waved, "You should rest early too. Come to the East Garden tomorrow and we'll have breakfast together."

Ren Fengjue felt he had so much to say, but when it came to his lips, only one word remained: "Yes."

Only after Rong's figure entered the main house did he move his feet and slowly walk towards the South Garden.

The night wind was cool, yet it stirred his emotions like a surging tide.

This night is destined to be sleepless.

The next morning, without waiting for a servant to call him, Ren Fengjue went directly to the East Garden.

Breakfast was served in the East Warm Pavilion. When I arrived, Xia Ximo was eating a bowl of bird's nest porridge.

She was unreserved and unceremonious, and it was precisely this temperament that Rong Shi liked the most.

A short while later, Ren Xuan arrived as well. Rong Shi only instructed Rong Shu to add porridge and serve dishes to him and his son, while she herself took care of Xia Ximo, showing her utmost thoughtfulness.

After finishing breakfast, Xia Ximo put down her spoon, looked at Ren Fengjue, and asked directly, "When do you plan to write the annulment letter?"