Yin And Yang |WangXian| Avatar AU

25| Moonlit Night

The moon was big and bright tonight. It hung above the sky of Yunmeng, with its pale moonlight draping the earth. There were glowing red dragonflies flying around, filling the atmosphere with an illusion of an eerie yet mystical crimson mist.

Somewhere among the vast expanse of ponds and lakes filled with lotus pads and flowers was a wooden gazebo. The gazebo, which stood in the middle of the calm water, was accessible through a man-made wooden pathway that was constructed in a zigzag pattern.

Sitting inside the lonely gazebo was Yu Ziyuan. She was drinking tea all by herself, watching the mesmerizing scenery of the dark blue waters and the red dragonflies.

"My lady."

Yu Ziyuan immediately recognized that voice. She looked up and saw Jiang Fengmian approaching her.

"It's already late at night. Why are you here?" Yu Ziyuan said as she looked away from him, the frown clearly drawn on her face.

"I went to your room to look for you. Jinzhu told me you are here." Jiang Fengmian replied.

"What's the matter?" Yu Ziyuan asked annoyed.

Jiang Fengmian took something out from his robes. It was a small rectangular box with an elegant design drawn atop it. He carefully placed it on the table and gently pushed it closer to her.

Yu Ziyuan looked at it. She traced the edges with her fingers and slid it ajar open. Inside the box was a beautiful jade hairpin.

"Why did you buy this useless thing?" Yu Ziyuan asked, her frown grew deeper.

"This hairpin looks clear and lustrous. I found it pretty. So I bought it." Jiang Fengmian answered her, ignoring how she worded the item.

Yu Ziyuan said nothing more. She proceeded to look out towards the lake, avoiding eye contact with her husband.

Upon her silence, Jiang Fengmian sighed and sat down on the empty chair.

"My lady, during my trip to Gusu, I discussed with Clan Leader Jin about A-Li's betrothal." He started, breathing heavily as he knew this topic would be further upset Yu Ziyuan. But it needed to be addressed and she had to know.

"A-Li's betrothal was decided by me and Zixuan's mother when they were still children. Is there a problem?" Yu Ziyuan said, still not looking at him. She continued to sip her tea.

"Clan Leader Jin and I have agreed to rescind the betrothal."

Yi Ziyuan eyes widened. The look of disbelief and anger begin to boil beneath her.

"Why rescind it out of nowhere?" She demanded an answer.

"I used to think the affections between A-Li and Young master Jin are mutual. Now it seems like that's not the case. Why do we have to force them?" Jiang Fengmian calmly explained to her.

"A Li has met Zixuan several times, and obviously has feelings for him. Did that Zixuan kid say anything?" Yu Ziyuan suddenly stood up. "What do children know? A-Li is such a gem. Zixuan will surely fall for her later on. Besides, Zixuan's mother and I are close friends since childhood. Meishan Yu Water Clan and Zixuan's mother's clan are allies as well. Now if Jiang Water Clan and Jin Earth Clan are connected through marriage, what even are the downsides?"

"But they are the ones who will be spending the rest of their lives together. If they do not care for each other, yet are forced into a marriage by parents' wishes..." Jiang Fengmian tried to reason.

"Like us?" Yu Ziyuan said, her voice almost sounded sad and shaky. Her eyes still avoiding his.

"My lady, you know it's not what I meant." Jiang Fengmian's eyes widened upon hearing her words.