Chapter 16: The Scheme

Ning Ruyun’s words took the other three by surprise. Ning Zhengang and Xu Xiuhong, a traditionally conservative rural couple, instinctively wanted to persuade their daughter when they heard her readily agree to call off the engagement. After all, breaking off the engagement with Wei Zhitao would undoubtedly cast a shadow over Ning Ruyun’s reputation.

However, knowing it was their daughter herself who had come to this decision and that she was already aware of Wei Zhitao’s involvement with Feng Qingxue, they realized she must have been deeply hurt by their actions. This understanding filled them with even greater sympathy for Ning Ruyun, and they chose not to oppose her.

Whenever they thought about how all this turmoil was caused by that scoundrel Wei Zhitao—who was greedy, wanting everything for himself—they couldn’t help but harbor strong resentment toward both Wei Zhitao and Zhang Lanya. Knowing what kind of despicable man Wei Zhitao was, the couple no longer wished for Ning Ruyun to marry him. They wanted their daughter to avoid suffering and unhappiness.

Since Zhang Lanya had come specifically to call off the marriage and Ning Ruyun had already agreed, they felt compelled to support their daughter. Even if breaking off the engagement might harm Ning Ruyun’s reputation and complicate her future marriage prospects, they didn’t mind. They were willing to support her for life rather than let her walk blindly into a pit of misery.

With their minds made up, Ning Zhengang and Xu Xiuhong exchanged a glance, silently confirming they shared the same thoughts before nodding to each other.

Because of this, when Xu Xiuhong looked at Zhang Lanya again, her gaze had grown cold and distant. She had clearly misjudged Zhang Lanya and underestimated the depths of deceit and shamelessness that woman and her son possessed.

Zhang Lanya, on the other hand, had initially expected fierce opposition from Ning Ruyun regarding the broken engagement. She had prepared herself for lengthy arguments, even to the point of severing ties with the Ning family and speaking harshly to dissuade Ning Ruyun from clinging to the Ning household. But now, hearing Ning Ruyun agree so swiftly and with such determination, without any sign of stubborn resistance, caught her completely off guard.

Ning Ruyun’s attitude suggested deep disdain for Wei Zhitao and Feng Qingxue being involved with each other, which made Zhang Lanya deeply uncomfortable. How dare that ugly girl Ning Ruyun look down on her son and the woman he favored!

However, since Ning Ruyun was so sensible as to agree to the broken engagement, it saved Zhang Lanya a great deal of trouble. She no longer had to waste words or energy on them. The thought that her son could have married someone as unattractive as Ning Ruyun was humiliating—completely unacceptable.

If it were Feng Qingxue instead, things would be entirely different. Moreover, the Feng family’s wealth and status far surpassed that of the Nings, offering greater benefits to mother and son.

Feeling relieved, Zhang Lanya was quite pleased with the outcome. Looking at Ning Ruyun, who had lowered her head slightly, Zhang Lanya noticed the scars on her face but no longer found them glaring. After all, Ning Ruyun would never be her daughter-in-law, so her disfigurement was no longer their concern. She had no reason to be bothered by it anymore.

Composing herself, Zhang Lanya smiled gently and nodded to Ning Ruyun, her tone softening: “Good! I knew you were a sensible and understanding girl, capable of appreciating the difficulties Xiaotao and I face. You wouldn’t make things hard for us over these matters.”

“Xiaoyun, thank you. You truly are a good girl. It’s just unfortunate that you and my son aren’t meant to be husband and wife. Auntie really likes you.”

“This whole situation is the fault of the elders for being too casual with their decisions.”

“Xiaoyun, I’m sorry you’ve been wronged.”

Thinking about the betrothal gifts that would have to be returned, Zhang Lanya’s eyes flickered, then she continued, “How about this, Xiaoyun? Auntie likes you very much. When the time is right, we’ll hold a banquet to formally recognize you as my goddaughter, alright?”

“Although this marriage didn’t work out, and you and I aren’t bound as mother- and daughter-in-law, Auntie will still treat you well.”

“As my goddaughter, you’ll become Xiaotao’s god-sister. You’ll be siblings, so you’ll surely get along. Auntie will have a little confidante, and you’ll have even more people who care for you.”

“Besides, you and Xiaoxue have always been good friends. In the future, you can maintain that closeness as sisters-in-law. It’s a wonderful thing.”

“Think it over, Xiaoyun. Auntie truly wants to take you as my goddaughter.”

Even after breaking off the engagement, Zhang Lanya wished to maintain good relations with the Ning family. She didn’t want the two families to fall out. Ning Ruyun was a diligent and kind girl, it was just her disfigurement that made her unworthy of her son. She hoped Ning Ruyun would continue to visit and help out at their home, preserving the relationship and benefits between the families.

However, hearing Zhang Lanya’s words only deepened Ning Ruyun’s contempt. It was as if the woman’s greedy scheming was laid bare, directed right at her. But having learned the true nature of Zhang Lanya, Wei Zhitao, and Feng Qingxue, Ning Ruyun had no intention of being a fool any longer.

“Wronged?” That was true.

But the compensation Zhang Lanya spoke of, along with maintaining ties between the families, held no appeal for Ning Ruyun. She had no desire to entangle herself further with Wei Zhitao and Feng Qingxue.

Since the engagement was broken, there was no longer any connection between them. It was best to part ways cleanly to avoid gossip.

Otherwise, her reputation would be destroyed even more swiftly and completely, becoming nothing more than a tool for Wei Zhitao, Feng Qingxue, and Zhang Lanya to whitewash themselves.

Besides, Zhang Lanya’s words were merely a ploy to continue exploiting the Ning family’s resources—there was no sincerity at all.

Still, since the engagement was over, there were matters that needed to be settled clearly with Zhang Lanya first.