I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 57

"This Young Master of the Gu family is truly unreasonable!"

Before Wei Hanzhang could respond, Lu Lan, standing nearby, spoke angrily, "It was his family who came to annul the engagement, and now that it's over, he still comes here to ruin Miss's reputation! Loitering at our gates—what is he thinking?"

"Enough, say no more," Wei Hanzhang frowned, not expecting Gu Yunran to come to the residence after all. He had arrived in the morning, yet Madam Jiang had not informed her during lunch, likely wishing to avoid further involvement with the Gu family. So why was she now being summoned?

Upon reaching the Jingya Hall and hearing Madam Jiang's explanation, Wei Hanzhang finally understood.

It turned out that at dawn, Gu Yunran had appeared outside the Wei residence, knocking on the door, wanting to see her. The gatekeepers, well-informed and following the master's orders, of course, did not allow him inside. Madam Jiang had kept the news under wraps so that Wei Hanzhang would remain unaware. Yet Gu Yunran had waited until now, even refusing to leave after being persuaded twice by Wei Hanshuang's elder brother and Wei Hanzhang's own elder cousin, Wei Yunxi, the eldest legitimate son and heir of the marquis.

He stood stubbornly at the gate, insisting on seeing Wei Hanzhang.

The entire Zhongyong Marquis Manor was greatly upset, surrounded as they were by prominent families who quickly heard the news. The moment Gu Yunran, the future son-in-law of Princess Changle, appeared at their doorstep, he was likely recognized. What impression did it give, with him lingering there wanting to see their Ninth Miss?

Did he care nothing for her reputation? And yet, he couldn't be beaten away, nor scolded into leaving—wasn't it infuriating!

"This is simply outrageous!" Madam Jiang, clearly fed up, finally burst out, "That Young Master of the Gu family once seemed upright, yet now he's capable of such shameless behavior!"

"Mother, your health isn't good, please don't get too worked up." Wei Hanzhang gently patted Madam Jiang's back to soothe her, sighing. "Perhaps I should go out and see him."

Madam Jiang had called her daughter in part to ask her opinion. Hearing this, she frowned in disapproval. "You cannot entangle yourself with him further."

Wei Hanzhang gave her a resigned smile. "You can see it too, Mother. He won't leave unless he sees me, and the people of the capital already know much of our situation. One last meeting won't make a difference."

When she heard that Gu Yunran had been waiting since early morning to see her, Wei Hanzhang realized he was likely unaware of the annulment. It had been decided by his parents.

Yet, in a time when marriage decisions were governed by parental authority, a child's wishes held little weight. Her childhood friend was still a young man, unable to make decisions for the Gu family or influence his parents' choices. They were fated to be separated.

...

The heavy gates opened slightly, and the girl's familiar figure appeared in the boy's gaze, rekindling a trace of vitality in his otherwise numb expression.

"Ranran!" Gu Yunran's eyes lit up. He strode forward, reaching out to take her hand, only for her to avoid him.

Wei Hanzhang had mentally prepared herself before coming out, yet she still found herself momentarily stunned at the sight of him. It had only been two days, but she almost didn't recognize him—red-rimmed eyes, unshaven, and his clothes crumpled and disheveled—this was hardly the bright, spirited young man she remembered.

"Ranran, are you angry with me?" Gu Yunran looked at her without blinking. "I'm sorry, I didn't know about the annulment—it was my parents..."

"Don't say anymore," Wei Hanzhang interrupted softly. "The reason doesn't matter. What matters now is that our engagement has been canceled. Your new fiancée is the young lady of the Qi family."

Gu Yunran's expression froze, his eyes instantly reddening as he choked up. "No, it's not like that. You're my fiancée, not her."

Wei Hanzhang smiled slightly. "Your parents have already gone to Duke Qi's residence to deliver the betrothal gifts. Gu Yunran, stop deceiving yourself. Face reality. You are now someone else's fiancé."

"I will never marry her! Ranran, you're the only one in my heart," Gu Yunran shook his head violently, his voice trembling with emotion. "I promised you. You're the only one I want in this life."

"It's too late. It's already too late. If your parents didn't explain it to you, then allow me."

Wei Hanzhang lowered her eyes, speaking each word clearly, "Gu Yunran, we are impossible in this life."

Even if the Gu family regretted it now, the Zhongyong Marquis Manor would never agree to this marriage again.

Gu Yunran stared at her in stunned silence. "Ranran, are you angry with me?"

"Shouldn't I be angry? You're reckless by nature and never consider the consequences. Have you thought about how your actions might affect me?"

Wei Hanzhang's emotions churned as she turned her face away, refusing to look at him. "You're a man, so even if you break off an engagement, you don't risk being criticized. But I'm different—I still have to get married. If you feel even a hint of guilt toward me, then stop lingering outside my home."

"You should know, this situation... it's you, your Gu family, that has wronged me."

Gu Yunran's eyelashes were damp, his lips trembling as he struggled to find words.

Wei Hanzhang hadn't expected things to come to this, and her heart was a whirlwind of emotions. She sniffed, fighting back tears, and said, "Let's just consider it fate that wasn't meant to be. In the future, you'll marry, and I'll marry, and we'll go our separate ways."

Her heart wasn't made of stone; after so many years of love, there was, of course, a sense of regret.

But since his parents had firmly decided to find him a different bride, it wasn't in Wei Hanzhang's nature to wallow in sadness and be unable to move on. Once she decided to let go, there was no point in holding onto fraying ties or continuing to be entangled.

She looked at the young man before her one last time. Watching him cry even more intensely, she sighed, "You look terrible when you cry. Stop it already."

Gu Yunran paused his sobbing, looking at her with a hopeful expression. "Ranran, what if... what if we eloped?"

Wei Hanzhang couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "Dream on!"

Eloping? Was she really so bored with her peaceful life that she wanted to go looking for trouble?

She pointed to the Gu family carriage behind him. "Go back. And don't come here again."

Having said all she needed to say, Wei Hanzhang turned and went back into her home. Gu Yunran didn't try to stop her this time.

He stood there in a daze, watching as she walked through the door.

The large, red door closed once more. Gu Yunran covered his eyes with his hands, slowly crouched down, and, no longer holding back, burst into wailing sobs.

Around the corner, a carriage stood parked. The curtain was lifted slightly, and the person inside took in everything that had happened outside the Wei residence with calm, impassive eyes.

The sound of Gu Yunran's crying reached the ears of Ning Hai, who stood outside, watching his breath as he listened to the voice of his master from within the carriage.