Fang Yuan lifted Madam Huang, and it took Zeng Huai a moment to register that she was referring to the wife of the Heir Apparent of the Duke of Zhongyong.
He wasn't stupid. Thinking back, he understood that this was a setup by the Heir Apparent's wife.
But why?
He had lived in the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion for quite some time. Regardless of anything else, the Heir Apparent's wife and Fang Yuan were as close as mother and daughter. Fang Yuan also genuinely relied on her, treating her as her own mother and showing filial piety.
Who in the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion didn't praise the Heir Apparent's wife for her virtue, kindness, and benevolence?
Seeing Zeng Huai's confused gaze, Wang Qingyao continued, "Young Master Huang invited us here precisely to expose the Heir Apparent's wife's true face."
Zeng Huai noticed that she said, "Young Master Huang invited *us*," implying that it wasn't Fang Yuan who invited Huang Xuanming, but rather Huang Xuanming had actively sought out Fang Yuan?
"The Heir Apparent's wife's true face?" he asked, puzzled.
Huang Xuanming explained, "From the beginning, I was deliberately arranged by the Heir Apparent's wife to approach Miss Fang..."
He recounted what he had just told Fang Yuan, including his hidden ailment.
Wang Qingyao couldn't help but think to herself, *Holy cow, this is true love!*
Zeng Huai's expression shifted from surprise to anger, and finally to admiration. He looked at Huang Xuanming, stood up, and sincerely bowed, "Thank you, Young Master Huang, for your guidance."
Huang Xuanming rose and returned the bow.
Wang Qingyao reminded him, "Young Master Huang, how would Madam Huang know about you meeting Fang Yuan? Did you mention it to her?"
Huang Xuanming froze, then shook his head.
"Fang Zheng has arranged people around Fang Yuan, so Madam Huang's influence can't reach her. But on your end..."
The implication was that Huang Xuanming had informants from Madam Huang around him.
Huang Xuanming frowned, thought for a moment, as if he had realized something, his eyes lit up, and he said to Wang Qingyao and the other two, "I have urgent matters at home, I must take my leave."
He hurried out of the Xue Family Teahouse.
Fang Yuan exchanged glances with Wang Qingyao, then with Zeng Huai. After a moment, Wang Qingyao said, "Since you're here, why don't you have dinner at the teahouse before heading back? Um, I should be going now."
Wang Qingyao thoughtfully wanted to leave the two of them alone, but Fang Yuan wouldn't allow it. Seeing her about to leave, she grabbed her arm, "Yao Yao Jie, don't go, let's eat together, it'll be livelier with more people."
Wang Qingyao had no choice but to stay.
Fang Yuan was a little hesitant to speak to Zeng Huai and ate silently, burying her head in her food.
Wang Qingyao asked Zeng Huai, "If I hadn't opened the door, would you have just left?"
Zeng Huai nodded, "Yes."
"And then?"
Zeng Huai glanced at Fang Yuan, "Then it would depend on Miss Fang. If she wanted to break off the engagement, we'd break it off. If she still wanted to marry, we'd marry."
Wang Qingyao "tsk-ed," secretly marveling at Fang Yuan's good fortune, with both her ex-fiancé and current fiancé thinking of her wholeheartedly.
Fang Yuan had been worried that Zeng Huai might blame her. Hearing his words, she was no longer afraid and said indignantly, "You say that nicely, but why did you come then? Clearly, you don't trust me. Hmph!"
Zeng Huai opened his mouth to retort, then realized Fang Yuan was right. He indeed suspected she still had feelings for Huang Xuanming.
"It was my fault. It won't happen again," he apologized decisively.
Fang Yuan was startled by his straightforwardness and was momentarily speechless. She lowered her head to continue eating, but the corners of her rosy lips were curved upwards, impossible to suppress.
Zeng Huai's lips also curved slightly, and he said lightly, "You've learned your lesson this time, knowing to bring the second Miss Wang. You're teachable."
Fang Yuan: "..." Humph.
In the height of summer, it didn't get dark until late. After Wang Qingyao and the two of them finished their dinner, the sky was just beginning to darken.
"This is the perfect time to go to the night market," Fang Yuan said.
Zeng Huai immediately replied, "I'll accompany you."
Fang Yuan looked expectantly at Wang Qingyao. Wang Qingyao waved her hand, "I won't go. I don't want to be a third wheel."
Fang Yuan and Zeng Huai didn't understand what "third wheel" meant. Wang Qingyao added, "I'm a bride-to-be, I can't be running around outside."
Fang Yuan burst into laughter.
The three of them stood up and walked out of the private room. The room was on the second floor. At a corner, Wang Qingyao suddenly stopped and said, "Fang Yuan, you go down first."
Fang Yuan didn't understand and thought Wang Qingyao had something to say to Zeng Huai privately. She didn't ask further, nodded, and went downstairs.
Zeng Huai also thought Wang Qingyao had something to instruct him. After Fang Yuan went down, she remained silent.
"Second Miss Wang?"
"Shh!" Wang Qingyao put a finger to her lips and softly "shushed" him, signaling him to be quiet.
Downstairs, Fang Yuan had just reached the lobby when she heard a familiar, surprised voice, "A'yuan?! What are you doing here?"
Fang Yuan turned around and saw Madam Huang. Opposite Madam Huang sat her own father, Fang Xiuqi. They were seated in a corner, with four small dishes and two kinds of fruits, each with a wine cup before them. It seemed they had come here for some private time.
Fang Xiuqi's brow was slightly furrowed, somewhat puzzled by Madam Huang's exaggerated reaction. Although the lobby wasn't crowded, her exclamation had drawn a few extra glances their way.
Madam Huang lowered her voice, "Husband, have you forgotten? Young Master Xuanming just left from here..."
Fang Xiuqi, slightly tipsy, had a slow mind. Prompted by Madam Huang, he immediately remembered. Not long after they sat down, they saw Huang Xuanming coming down from the second floor, walking with urgency as if he had something important. They hadn't even had time to greet him before he disappeared.
And now, Fang Yuan was also coming down from the second floor. What did this mean?
Fang Xiuqi himself was a man of romance and sentiment. After some thought, his expression turned grim. His daughter wouldn't do something scandalous, would she?
Fang Yuan was furious. She hadn't expected Madam Huang to not only trick Zeng Huai into coming but also bring her father along! Was she determined to push her into a fiery pit?
She walked over and called out, "Daddy."
"Why are you here too?" Fang Xiuqi slammed his chopsticks on the table, his face ashen.
Huang Xuanming's secret couldn't be revealed, and Fang Yuan had no evidence to accuse Madam Huang. Wang Qingyao had also advised her during dinner not to act rashly and to leave dealing with Madam Huang to Fang Zheng, and that she only needed to stay away from her.
If she couldn't say this, and couldn't say that, Fang Yuan stammered a few "I"s, but couldn't articulate anything.
Fang Xiuqi's face turned ashen. He had already concluded that Fang Yuan and Huang Xuanming had rekindled their old feelings and were meeting here in secret.
A young lady who was in the process of being courted, meeting another man in secret here. If this were to spread, would she still be able to live? If the Duke of Zhongyong found out, wouldn't he beat her to death!
"You're coming back with me!" Fang Xiuqi grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the door.
Fang Yuan winced in pain, her brow furrowing slightly. Madam Huang quickly intervened, "Be gentle, you're hurting A'yuan." She then asked Fang Yuan softly, "Tell your father properly, what are you doing here? We are your parents, we will help you with whatever you want to do, but you can't act recklessly on your own!"
Madam Huang coaxed her with gentle words.