Chapter Seventeen: A Truly Discerning Eye

Yang Ruyan watched Chu Nan’s retreating figure grow smaller and smaller, a blaze of fury scorching her heart, her resentment nearly consuming all reason within her.

Suddenly, she spun around sharply and shouted with a commanding voice, “Guards! Seize this arrogant wretch and bring him back to me!”

Her voice thundered like a clap of lightning, prompting the Yang estate’s retainers to spring into action immediately, each one advancing toward Chu Nan with the ferocity of wolves and tigers.

These were elite, well-trained guards, usually tasked with protecting the dignity of the Yang family. Hearing their young mistress’s order, they did not hesitate for a moment and moved to encircle Chu Nan.

Yet just then, Chu Nan abruptly halted, not turning back, his tone cold and sharp as a blade: “What crime is it for the Yang family to attempt to murder an Imperial Merchant in public? Does your house seek to defy the imperial court?”

His words fell into a chilling silence that blanketed the surroundings.

The retainers froze, their faces paling in shock.

Though the Yang family held a lofty position in the capital, Chu Nan wielded the Imperial Merchant’s token—an identity personally bestowed by the emperor himself, granting him the court’s protection.

To lay hands on him publicly would be a direct violation of imperial decree, a consequence no family, even one as powerful as the Yangs, could bear.

The retainers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to act rashly.

To strike now would be to drag the entire Yang family into calamity.

Yang Ruyan’s face darkened with rage, her fingertips trembling slightly in fury.

She ground her teeth and hissed coldly, “Chu Nan, don’t get carried away! You think that token grants you the right to shamelessly humiliate the Yang estate right at its gates?”

Chu Nan turned his head, a contemptuous smile curling the corner of his lips, his gaze sharp and icy like a blade.

“Ruyan, the one humiliating you is yourself. I merely fulfilled your wishes by tearing up the engagement, leaving us both free and unbound.”

“It is your Yang family that stands high above, yet repeatedly oppresses. Do you truly think I, Chu Nan, am a pushover to be toyed with at will?”

His eyes were sharp and fearless as he spoke.

The gathered crowd murmured among themselves, many secretly admiring Chu Nan’s boldness, while others were surprised by Yang Ruyan’s loss of composure.

***

Standing before the Yang estate, under the watchful gaze of the townsfolk, Chu Nan tore the engagement contract into pieces, letting them scatter like snowflakes in the morning light.

His expression was cold and disdainful, his eyes slicing over the pale-faced Yang Ruyan with nothing but scorn.

“Yang Ruyan, from this day forth, I, Chu Nan, have no ties to you or the Yang family. This engagement ends here. We owe each other nothing—part ways freely and live happily apart.”

His tone was indifferent yet resolute, leaving no room for argument, as if he harbored no lingering sentiment for either Yang Ruyan or her family.

The sudden spectacle stunned the onlookers into silence; the once noisy street fell eerily quiet before whispers swelled like a tide.

The voices grew louder, spreading far and wide. Yang Ruyan’s face grew even paler, a faint blush of shame mingling with her rage upon her cheeks. She clenched her teeth, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Chu Nan.

He scoffed openly, his eyes filled with unhidden mockery.

Hands clasped behind his back, he wore an arrogant, composed expression, as though looking down from a great height upon Yang Ruyan.

“Ruyan, your Yang family sits atop a lofty pedestal and scorns mingling with a mere merchant like me. So I shall grant your wish.”

“As for the trouble that follows, life and death are fate, but dignity cannot be abandoned. If you call this humiliation, it is but a consequence of your own making.”

Yang Ruyan’s face turned an ashen blue, her chest heaving violently. Her fists clenched so hard her knuckles whitened, as if she might storm forward to confront Chu Nan at any moment.

Yet she knew her position—losing composure in public would only bring greater disgrace upon the Yang family. Gritting her teeth, she said coldly, “Chu Nan, this insult today, the Yang family will repay it double!”

Chu Nan laughed lightly, a derisive smile tugging at his lips.

“Then we shall see.”

With that, he strode away without another glance at Yang Ruyan, his head held high as if all that was left behind was but dust unworthy of notice.

The crowd watched Chu Nan’s departing figure, faces etched with amazement or disbelief, whispering among themselves.

“That Chu Nan is truly audacious! The Yang family is a noble military house, and yet he dares to tear up an engagement in public—does he not care for their face?”

“I think he’s a man of principle. Rumor has it the Yangs are close with the Marquis of the Heavenly Sword; they’ve long wanted to break off this match, but Chu Nan beat them to it!”

“Tut tut, the Yang family has lost great face this time. Once so proud, now publicly shamed by a mere merchant…”

The murmurs rose and fell as Yang Ruyan stood at the estate’s gates, listening coldly to the gossip, her face as pale as paper.

***

Proud and arrogant by nature, Yang Ruyan had never endured such humiliation. The fury burning in her chest threatened to consume all reason.

She forced down her rage and commanded coldly, “Clear the crowd! Drive all these onlookers away!”

Her voice cut like a blade, and the retainers respectfully stepped forward.

They dispersed the gathering townsfolk swiftly; none dared linger another moment.

Within the imperial study, morning light filtered through intricately carved window lattices, casting a soft golden glow upon the stacks of memorials on the desk.

Cheng Lingyu sat upright, pen in hand, concentrating on reviewing the documents.

She wore a phoenix-embroidered court robe, the golden threads highlighting her dignified bearing.

Yet the stern expression between her brows lent her an air of unyielding authority.

Suddenly, a palace maid approached quietly and whispered, “Your Majesty, I have just received news—Chu Nan, the Imperial Merchant of the Chu family, publicly tore up his engagement to Yang Ruyan this morning at the Yang estate gates.”

Cheng Lingyu paused mid-stroke, lifting her eyes to the maid with a flicker of surprise, then a slight smile curved her lips.

She set down her pen, her voice laced with faint interest: “Chu Nan publicly ending his engagement to Yang Ruyan? Such a thing?”

The maid bowed her head, respectfully replying, “Yes, Your Majesty. It is said that Yang Ruyan, in anger and shame, ordered her guards to seize Chu Nan, but he invoked his Imperial Merchant status for protection. The estate’s guards dared not move against him. The incident has since spread throughout the capital, sparking much discussion among the populace.”

Cheng Lingyu gently tapped the desk, smiling thoughtfully.

“Chu Nan certainly has boldness. The Yang family has always been dominant in the capital; few dare to openly defy them. Yet this merchant dares to tear up an engagement right at their gate—no doubt many will be shaken by his actions.”

Her gaze softened with a hint of admiration before narrowing slightly, the smile deepening.

“Seems my intuition was correct—this Chu Nan is indeed intriguing.”

Rising slowly, she paced toward the window, gazing out over the scenery.

After a moment of thought, she turned back and commanded, “Send for Shangguan Ya’er.”