She refused to marry.

Su Wanwan had been drinking and was walking unsteadily. Before she even stepped out the door, she had already bumped her knees several times.

Xiao Xuanjing walked ahead, listened to the commotion behind him, and helplessly asked the innkeeper to open a room for him to rest.

Su Wanwan fell asleep immediately.

This sleep lasted for a whole day.

When she woke up, candles had already been lit in the room. The person at the door heard the noise and knocked, saying, "Miss Su, are you awake? I'll escort you back to your residence."

Su Wanwan got up with a splitting headache, put on her shoes, opened the door, and asked, "Qingshan, has His Majesty returned?"

"His Majesty summoned the Emperor to the palace for discussions. Oh, by the way, the Emperor said that there's no need to go to the East Garden these next few days."

Qingshan escorted Su Wanwan to the Su residence and left.

Su Wanwan walked heavily to the back garden, but her sisters were not asleep and were laughing and joking in the garden.

"Sister Wan, why are you only coming back today? Did you come back alone?" Su Jinse asked as she stepped forward.

Su Wanwan was surprised, because Su Jinse usually wouldn't even glance at her at this time.

"They were brought back by people from the Princess's residence." Su Wanwan walked into the courtyard.

Su Jinse was somewhat disappointed. "Where is Young Master Lu? You haven't seen each other recently?"

"He's too busy, he hasn't had time lately." Su Wanwan sat down.

"I heard you two are getting engaged?" Su Jinse sat down next to him.

"Yes, why is Sister Jinse suddenly so concerned about this matter?" Su Wanwan said with a smile.

"I feel guilty about what happened last time, thanks to Young Master Lu. I wanted to send a gift, but it would be difficult to send it if it happens to coincide with your engagement. Should I send an engagement gift or an apology gift?" Su Jinse joked.

"Those are minor matters," Su Wanwan said with a smile.

"Second sister is getting engaged! It's like an iron tree finally blooming!" Su Zhiyin said in her childish voice.

"Who taught you to say that?" Su Wanwan flicked her nose.

"My third sister taught me this. She said you were never sure about kissing before, and Mother said you were going to become an old iron tree." Su Zhiyin dodged away.

"I'll spank your little bottom!" Su Wanwan chased after him.

The women of the family finally found harmony that night.

The next day, Su Wanwan sat in the house, holding a note in her hand, repeatedly pondering her relationship with Lu Huai'an.

She clearly felt Lu Huai'an's kindness towards her, and she did have feelings for him, but it hadn't reached the point of physical attraction.

If this marriage is settled, she will inevitably have to take things further with Lu Huai'an.

She hasn't decided yet who she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

Lu Huai'an is indeed a good choice, although he is currently living in anonymity and cannot return to his original place of residence.

Once the Crown Prince of Changxin ascends the throne, he will naturally be able to agree to the marriage, and his father will surely agree to it then.

But if she agreed, she would be bound to Lu Huai'an for life.

She wasn't quite in love with him enough to want to marry him; it was better to remain aloof and detached.

"Miss, what are you thinking about?" Chunhua grinned and strode in from outside.

"What good news is there that makes you so happy?" Su Wanwan put down the note.

"Young Master Lu has come to propose marriage, bringing a huge dowry," Chunhua said happily.

"Where is he?" Su Wanwan asked, standing up.

"Young Master Lu said he's been too busy lately, so he left after dropping off his things." Chunhua pulled Su Wanwan up. "Miss, you should go and see him quickly."

Su Wanwan followed them to the front yard, where the yard was filled with boxes and chests of all sizes, stacked up like a small mountain from the porch to the screen wall.

Several servants were carrying things inside, their foreheads covered in sweat.

"This is..." Su Wanwan frowned.

Is Lu Huai'an serious?

With such a huge commotion, how can we possibly break off relations later?

"Where did Mother go?" Su Wanwan turned around and asked Chunhua.

"What a coincidence, Madam and Master went to the palace to see the imperial physician today," Chunhua said.

Su Xian walked over, drenched in sweat, carrying an expensive gift box. "Young Master Lu, have you brought your entire fortune here?"

Third Aunt Zhao stood on the steps, hands on her hips, directing the servants while muttering, "This Young Master Lu may be a businessman, but he's very generous. Jinse, you should learn from your sister Wan..."

"Understood," Su Jinse said, taking out her pen to write it down.

Su Wanwan walked to Su Xian's side. "Why aren't you studying at the Chongwen Hall in the Princess's residence today? What are you doing here?"

"Alas, I heard that the Crown Prince of Changxin has recovered and His Majesty wants to hold a banquet to welcome him back. The Princess has ordered someone to request permission to hold a banquet in the mansion, and even the Chongwen Hall has been used. I imagine the scale of the event must be very grand."

"The master gave us three days off and told us not to cause any trouble." He leaned closer, his eyes filled with excitement. "Sister Wan, what do you think the Crown Prince of Changxin looks like? I heard he's been in the Northern Border for over ten years; he must be very impressive, right?"

Su Wanwan nodded. No wonder the Emperor hadn't had time to pay attention to her these past two days.

"Your Highness, you must curry favor with this man; he is destined for great things in the future," Su Wanwan said, patting Su Xian on the shoulder.

"I'll listen to Sister Wan."

"Wanwan, you really should thank Young Master Lu. He's truly sincere towards you. Now that Qirui's donation for the official position is settled, I can finally feel at ease," Third Aunt said as she walked over.

"Wait, what did Third Aunt say about silver?"

"Young Master Lu, you are truly a thoughtful person. I really shouldn't have criticized him last time. Yesterday, he sent over three thousand taels of silver, saying it was for Qi Rui's official appointment, and he would cover the cost first."

He also said that if Qi Rui needs money in the future, he should just ask. It's not too late to ask when Qi Rui becomes successful; there's no rush.

She paused, then added,

"Wanwan, you've come to the right person. This Young Master Lu is far superior to your third uncle. Not only did he send the money, but he also selected several reliable official positions for candidates. I just sent a letter to Qirui and am waiting for his reply..."

Su Wanwan's ears were ringing, and she didn't hear a single word her third aunt said afterward.

Lu Huai'an spent so much money on her, yet she treated it like a joke. Isn't that too unfair to him?

Where would he get so much money? It must have all come from Prince Changxin's pocket.

No, could it be that he's using the engagement as a pretext to secretly carry out his plans?

Looking at those red lacquered wooden boxes, Su Wanwan felt as if a stone was lodged in her heart.

The 20,000 taels they robbed before was just a formality, but now it's all real gold and silver. No matter how much Lu Huai'an likes her, he wouldn't spend so much money.

He squatted down, opened the box, and began to thoroughly inspect it.

"Miss, what are you doing?" Chunhua didn't understand. Instead of looking at what was in the box, the young lady started to study it.

They tapped on it for a while, then opened the bottom of the box.

"Miss, what are you doing?" Chunhua squatted down. "Miss, the third branch of the family is all here. What you're doing is embarrassing for the second branch..."

"Staying alive is the most important thing."