She refused to marry.

Ignoring the strange looks from others, Su Wanwan inspected all the boxes.

He closed the last box and said in a deep, serious voice, "Seal all these boxes and move them to the backyard storeroom. No one is allowed to touch them."

Su Jinse walked over suspiciously. "What's wrong? You've moved around quite a bit even though you weren't allowed to."

"Jinse, no matter how rich Lu Huai'an is, he can't possibly produce so many things all at once. Take another count, put them away and keep them safe. I'm going to see him," Su Wanwan said, frowning.

After all that work, Su Jinse had to do it all again. With a cold face, she closed the ledger. "Young Master Lu certainly doesn't seem like someone who is that wealthy."

"Oh dear, my goodness! The money's already passed through your hands, why are you still thinking of taking it?" Third Aunt came over, wanting to offer some advice. After all, it's all money; it doesn't matter whose pocket it goes into.

"Third Aunt, if it's our own, that's fine. But if it's stolen or robbed, then we'll become criminals who conceal stolen goods, and we'll be punished."

"Oh dear, that won't do! How can that be? Quick, quick, bring them all back!" Auntie San said anxiously.

Su Wanwan returned to the house.

After studying it several times, he picked up the note and went to find Lu Huai'an.

I waited for a long time in the back courtyard of Prince Changxin's mansion, but I still didn't see him.

He didn't return until it got dark.

Su Wanwan ordered Chunhua to go back and report the news, saying that she must wait for Lu Huai'an today.

Some things are easier to decide on when they are discussed openly.

By midnight, Lu Huai'an was still nowhere to be seen.

She had some ideas in mind.

The next day, she ordered that the items be returned intact.

Lu Huai'an, who had not shown his face for a long time, finally appeared.

I haven't seen you for two days, and you seem much more energetic.

Her hair was bound with a jade crown, and she was dressed in luxurious clothes. "Wanwan, is something wrong?"

Su Wanwan handed him the list, saying, "I can't accept such a generous gift. Besides, since you're marrying into the family, I should be the one preparing it."

"Where do you have any money left? You're even complaining about the things I gave you." Lu Huai'an pushed the gift list away.

"Yes, Miss Su, these gifts were all personally selected by our young master. He spent several days choosing them and put a lot of thought into it." Yuan Zijin walked in.

"It certainly took a lot of effort." Su Wanwan pointed to the box. "It's not too late to return it now. With your young master's prestige, it won't cost much money."

Su Wanwan took Lu Huai'an's hand and led him to a secluded house. She pulled him inside, closed the door, put her hands on her hips, and said earnestly, "Lu Huai'an, are you serious about me?"

"More real than real gold." Lu Huai'an stepped forward.

"But I'm not, I didn't." Su Wanwan frowned. "I don't want to lie to you. Your feelings are very deep, and what I can give you is cheap and not worth it."

"It's okay, it's enough that I like you. There's plenty of time for the rest," Lu Huai'an said gently.

"I like freedom and I don't like the capital. Once Dad recovers, our whole family will go to Suzhou. Would you like that too?" Su Wanwan looked up.

Lu Huai'an remained silent.

His eyes were filled with complex emotions. "Once I've established myself, you won't have to leave. Your uncle is in the capital. I suppose you were forced to leave because of what happened last time. From now on, I'll protect you."

Su Wanwan was stunned; he even knew about this.

"Lu Huai'an, don't be like this." Her voice was muffled. "If you keep acting like this, I'll feel like I owe you a lot."

"Wanwan offering herself in return is enough," Lu Huai'an said with a smile.

Su Wanwan punched him on the shoulder. "You lied to me so much, why should I repay you with my body? I'm not willing."

"I swear, although I'm lying to you, it's true for you."

"What about your childhood sweetheart? The girl who kissed you yesterday, she's so wonderful, why don't you want her anymore?" Su Wanwan crossed her arms over her chest.

"That was in the past, this is now. I met her that day to make things clear: I want to get engaged to you, to avoid any further complications." Lu Huai'an's expression changed slightly.

The person by the window is Wanwan.

She actually saw it.

Su Wanwan was speechless for a moment.

"What else are you hiding from me?" Su Wanwan glared at her.

"Yes, but I can't tell you right now," Lu Huai'an said gently, taking another step forward.

Su Wanwan stepped out and sat down in a chair, resting her elbows on the table. How could he be so gentle when he was using people?

"I have a bad reputation in the capital. I'm bad at everything—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and my writing and literacy are terrible. Now, all I can do is read picture books. What are you after if you still marry into the Su family?"

Lu Huai'an walked over, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to her. "I know countless women: daughters of noble families, talented women from scholarly households, and heiresses from merchant families."

In terms of talent, appearance, and family background, there are countless people who are far superior to you.

But when they see me, they either become obsequious, fawn over me, or try to figure out what benefits I can bring them.

Only you, from the very first time we met, never took me seriously.

You scold me, you order me around, you cry in front of me, you laugh in front of me, you never hide anything from me. I never want anything from the Su family, all I want is to wake up every day and see you by my side.” Lu Huai’an squatted down, placed the tea in her hand, and held it tightly.

Su Wanwan couldn't help but laugh out loud; it was much more interesting than any storybook.

She has fair and delicate skin, speaks pleasantly, and is generous with her money.

"Have you ever been married? Or taken a concubine?" Su Wanwan asked, staring at him.

"I have never married or taken a concubine, nor have any maids to warm my bed. I only have a fiancée with whom I have a verbal agreement. In fact, she was promised to someone else long ago, but for some reason, the man canceled the engagement, and that's why she came back to me," Lu Huai'an said in a low voice.

"You're so pathetic..." Su Wanwan touched his face, then pinched it hard. "How long are you going to keep lying to me?"

"What I just said was the truth." Lu Huai'an frowned and covered her hand.

Su Wanwan couldn't bear to see him both in pain and smiling.

The door was suddenly pushed open a crack, and Su Wanwan quickly withdrew her hand. "I love money. If you want something done, you can use money to get rid of me. Don't get involved in these empty tricks. If you can't figure things out, it'll be hard to explain later."

A hushed discussion could be heard coming from the doorway.

As Lu Huai'an turned around, the crack in the door was slammed shut with a "bang".

His expression instantly turned cold, but when he turned back to look at Su Wanwan, his eyes softened again.

"Is Wanwan still angry?"

"Where did you get all that Shu brocade, fox fur, and palace hairpins? Do you think I'm stupid?" Su Wanwan looked up.

Lu Huai'an looked at her puffed-up face and suddenly laughed.

Su Wanwan crossed her arms. "If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I won't accept any of these things. And the engagement is out of the question."

"When the young master heard that I was getting engaged, he had these prepared as congratulatory gifts." Lu Huai'an sat down and poured himself some tea.

"The young master treats you so well?" Su Wanwan frowned.

"As close as brothers." Lu Huai'an said, taking a sip of tea.

"If you're as close as brothers, why hide an anonymous gift in the gift list?"

Su Wanwan took a list out of her pocket and threw it on the table.

"The list of those closely associated with Prince Changxin—are you using me, or is Prince Changxin using you?"