“What? The Jing family wants to break off the engagement?”
A loud thud on the table rang out, startling Jiang Yabai, who had been dozing off behind the curtain. She rubbed her eyes, sat up straight by the zither table, and cast an inquiring glance at the maid beside her.
The maid, at this moment, was just as astonished as the person who had slammed the table, looking as if she’d been struck by lightning.
Outside, the Jiang Matriarch continued her stormy outburst: “Why is the Jing family breaking off the engagement?”
The matchmaker who had arranged the marriage between the two families years ago stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment: “Well… you know, Young Master Jing has possessed innate spiritual roots since childhood, caught the eye of a Shushan immortal, and was taken up the mountain to cultivate. What’s more, he has now been promoted to a Purple Robe disciple…”
“So what? I wasn’t aware there was a rule that becoming a Purple Robe disciple meant one couldn’t marry!”
“It’s not that he can’t marry, but rather…” The matchmaker’s gaze flickered, drifting towards the curtain, clearly aware that Miss Jiang was right behind it. “Young Master Jing said… said… that the young lady… and he… are unworthy…”
The Jiang Matriarch nearly choked: “What? My Yabai is unworthy of him? My Yabai is unworthy of him? My Yabai is unworthy of him?!” She repeated it three times before seeing the terrified matchmaker nod slightly.
“CRASH—” Immediately, a teacup flew past. “Though it’s not often spoken of, my Yabai’s culinary skills are second to none in the world!”
Behind the curtain, Yabai looked up, skeptical.
Because her esteemed mother often said that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Therefore, she had wholeheartedly nurtured her only daughter’s talents, inviting renowned chefs from north to south to teach at their manor. However, while she hadn’t learned badly… to say she was the best in the world was probably an exaggeration.
“But…” The matchmaker sighed, “Young Master Jing is a cultivator. He lives on dew and wind; he basically doesn’t need to eat.”
“……” A silent atmosphere enveloped the Jiang manor.
The Jiang Matriarch refused to give up: “My, my daughter’s needlework and embroidery are also top-notch!”
“Cultivators’ robes are issued uniforms…”
“And her zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting…”
The matchmaker no longer bothered to refute, merely looking silently at the Jiang Matriarch, who could say no more. The great hall fell into such a silence. After a moment, the Jiang Matriarch took a deep breath and spoke: “Then what kind of wife does that Jing Yuan want?”
“That wasn’t mentioned. However… this old woman guesses, she would likely have to be a cultivating young lady.”
The Jiang Matriarch let out a cold snort and picked up her teacup: “If that’s the case, then I understand. Fine, if they want to break off the engagement, then so be it. Please trouble this old woman to return and inform the Jing family that once this marriage is abandoned, the Jing family and Jiang family will have no further ties.”
The matchmaker herself knew that this broken engagement would surely anger the Jiang family, so hearing the Jiang Matriarch speak thus was not unexpected. With a look of apology, she bowed, adjusted her robes, and took her leave.
No sooner had the matchmaker left than Jiang Yabai saw the curtain flung open. Her esteemed mother, with a determined look in her eyes, strode forward and tightly gripped her shoulders: “My daughter, look at you! You absolutely must reclaim your mother’s honor!”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t he want a cultivating wife! My daughter can be one too! Go prove to Jing Yuan, and to the Jing family, just how wrong their decision was!”
“Wait! Mother, what do you mean?”
“Isn’t he just a Purple Robe disciple of the Shushan Sect? My daughter, bring him down a peg, and then gloriously wear… what’s that, what’s the highest-ranking uniform for a Shushan disciple?”
“White robes,” the maid reminded.
Mother Jiang nodded vigorously: “Yes, white robes. Returning in a blaze of glory, clad in white robes, riding a flying sword! Only then can I wash away the humiliation I suffered today.”
“Yes, Young Miss, that is the best way to get revenge on that unfaithful wretch.”
“How dare he not marry our Young Miss! He must have eaten a tiger’s guts and a bear’s gall! What kind of immortal is he anyway? He’s clearly blind!”
“I heard that place is all about using magic to compete. I really want to quickly see the Young Miss stepping on the head of that Jing fellow…”
“Young Miss, if it’s you, it definitely won’t be a problem!”
“Go, Young Miss…”
The maids nearby chattered excitedly, each of them furious.
This left Jiang Yabai, the person concerned, stunned for a long time before she softly uttered, “Mother, are you truly my birth mother…?”