I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 52

Wei Hanzhang, who was called a reincarnated wooden stick by Ning Hai, hurriedly returned to her courtyard, covering her burning cheeks, and immediately ordered Lulan to bring a cup of cold tea. 

Her shy appearance shocked the two close maids, who exchanged a glance and knelt down together. 

Wei Hanzhang was taken aback, "What's going on? Speak up." 

The two maids refused to get up. "Miss, you've been going to the neighboring courtyard every day these days, and we're really worried," Luzhu, who was a bit more outspoken, said fearfully, "If Madam finds out..." 

Wei Hanzhang frowned, "Don't worry, you are my people, and naturally, you obey me. If Mother finds out, I'll take all the blame and won't let anything happen to you." 

"We're not worried about ourselves," the more composed Lulan said, her forehead touching the ground, "Miss, you're still unmarried, and meeting with an outsider man every day... it's really inappropriate." 

Although there was a difference in status between master and servant, Luzhu and Lulan had grown up with Wei Hanzhang since childhood, and their bond was extraordinary. 

Lulan had long known that the person waiting for her lady in the neighboring courtyard was a young man, and she had been worried for a long time. Seeing her lady's lovestruck appearance today, she was even more alarmed and felt compelled to advise her, even at the risk of being punished.

Wei Hanzhang knew their loyalty and that they were truly looking out for her. They were right; spending every day with Young Master Xiao was indeed inappropriate. 

Perhaps her own self-control was weak, as she had recently found herself more and more drawn to him... 

Wei Hanzhang put down her teacup, personally helped the two maids up, and reassured them, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Going to the neighboring courtyard isn't for a romantic tryst... I won't be going there much longer." 

In a few days, once the Jiang family case is resolved as agreed, she wouldn't have to go there anymore. She needed to keep her distance from him and let time cool her budding feelings. 

It wasn't entirely her fault—His rank was too high. Who knew how many girls he had charmed with these tactics? His power, appearance, and demeanor were all immensely attractive to any girl. The fact that she had resisted for so long was already quite impressive. Wei Hanzhang sighed softly, knowing she couldn't afford to let herself fall in love.

________

During lunch, when Wei Hanzhang entered the inner room of Jingya Hall, she saw her mother lying awkwardly on the soft couch with an unpleasant complexion. 

Two of Wei Heng's concubines were attending to the mistress. The original female protagonist, Concubine Shen, was also there. 

When she came in, both concubines bowed and greeted her. Wei Hanzhang paused slightly, responded casually, and quickly walked forward, sitting by the couch. 

Looking at Madam Jiang lying there, she asked with concern, "Mother, are you feeling unwell? Why do you look so bad?" 

Seeing her youngest daughter, Jiang Shi sat up from the couch and shook her head, "I'm fine."

 After dismissing the concubines, Shen Shi and Lin Shi, only the mother and daughter were left in the room. 

Madam Jiang held her daughter's hand and sighed softly, "Ranran, your engagement with the Gu family can't proceed." 

Madam Jiang's voice was very light, but it sounded like thunder in Wei Hanzhang's ears. After the initial shock, her first reaction was surprise. How could it be so sudden that the engagement couldn't proceed? Didn't Gu Yunnan say that his father would come to propose marriage once he returned?

"This morning, the Gu family personally came to apologize, stating that the previous verbal engagement was not well-considered and should not be counted. In the future, you and their eldest son will marry separately and have no further connection." 

Madam Jiang, fearing her daughter couldn't accept it, spoke even more gently, comforting her, "Ranran, don't be sad. We won't marry into such a family. Mother will find you an even better match, one they will regret losing."

Wei Hanzhang leaned against Jiang Shi, unsure if she felt sorrow or regret. Even though she had been prepared for this... 

After slowly digesting the news, she looked up in a daze, "Who from the Gu family came to break the engagement? Did Gu Yunran come?" 

"Perhaps knowing his actions of seeking a higher status would be despised, the Gu family young master did not come."

When the Gu family was mentioned, disdain appeared in Madam Jiang's eyes. "It was his parents who came. They were polite enough and behaved with utmost humility—it almost made them seem incapable of such a betrayal."

She let out a cold laugh. "I'd like to see just how long they'll last in the capital after pulling a stunt like this."

Wei Hanzhang felt a mix of emotions, a complex tangle of bitterness, sadness, and regret, making it hard for her to settle down.

People often say, "If I have it, it's a blessing; if I lose it, it's fate." But now that it's come to this, she felt utterly at a loss.

Who was Gu Yunran to her? He was the husband she had groomed for herself from a young age—a childhood companion, her lifelong partner. They had shared over a decade of genuine feelings.

If she could compare her "Future Husband Training Project" for Gu Yunran to a business venture, then she had invested all her effort in it.

Breaking off the engagement didn't just mean that she and Gu Yunran were no longer possible. It also meant the destruction of her efforts over the past ten years, a complete failure.

Truthfully, more than being heartbroken over the "breakup," Wei Hanzhang was devastated that her decade-long dedication had gone to waste.

It was no different from going bankrupt.

Listlessly, she finished her lunch and, after Madam Jiang's repeated encouragement, returned to Tingfeng Pavilion.

At the side of Tingfeng Pavilion was a small pond. Wei Hanzhang sat on a stone bench by the pond, staring absentmindedly at a small pink lotus bud poking out of the water. After a long while, she remembered she still had to go next door in the afternoon.

Just as she pushed open the courtyard door, she saw the young Master Xiao standing in front. The afternoon light was bright, softening his usual cold demeanor, giving him an even more refined and ethereal appearance.

Wei Hanzhang paused, momentarily stunned. "You... weren't planning on coming to my courtyard, were you?"

Ning Hai stood nearby, his head slightly lowered, thinking to himself, If you had been even a little later, not only would he have come to your courtyard, but even if he wanted to enter the entire Zhongyong Marquis' residence, His Highness could have gone anywhere he pleased.

Xiao Junzhan looked at the girl before him with a calm expression, his gaze slightly downcast. There were no tear streaks on her face, nor were her eyes red, so she probably hadn't cried. However... her complexion was a bit paler than in the morning.

Was she affected by the broken engagement?

Wei Hanzhang waved her hand in front of him. "What's with you? Lost in thought?"

Xiao Junzhan held onto her hand before she could pull it back and asked in a gentle voice, "Now that the engagement has been officially broken, are you saddened?"

"!!!" Wei Hanzhang looked at him in surprise, forgetting to pull her hand away, and asked, "How did you find out so quickly?"

She had only just learned about it! This person was almost always in this courtyard, waiting whenever she came by. Who would have thought he had such well-informed sources!

Xiao Junzhan's gaze flickered, and he tightened his grip slightly, restraining the urge to pull her into his arms. He repeated softly, "Ranran, you came so late. Were you... feeling sad?"