The Strategy of Love

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Ling Hua had no idea that after she had infuriated Xiao Zhen, he actually ran off to Marquis Duanjing's residence to find Yan Qing in the dead of night. Instead, she casually returned to her room, washed up, and went to bed.

The next day, after breakfast, as she was flipping through a pile of invitations, she said to Liuli, "I have arranged to meet with Qin Huan today; I have something I need to discuss with him."

Liuli looked at Ling Hua, "Are you going to use the same threatening method as before? I'm afraid it won't work anymore. Ever since you scared Qin Huan several times, his mentality has collapsed and he's started to act recklessly, as if he has nothing to lose. Even the family discipline of the Duke of Anguo's residence is no longer effective on him."

Ling Hua laughed, "I'll just ask him directly whether he wants to call off the engagement. If he does, he can come to the Ling Family to find me."

Liuli almost choked, dropped her osmanthus cake, and took a big gulp of water before she could speak smoothly, "Miss, are you serious about this?"

"Mhm."

Liuli hesitated for a moment, "Prince Yun Luo was very angry yesterday and did not agree with you marrying Marquis Yan Qing."

Ling Hua snorted, "Over the years, I have indulged him and worked like an ox and a horse for him. He has even taken it upon himself to manage my marriage. I owe him my life, not my marriage."

Liuli: "…"

Alright, what the miss said makes sense.

She coughed, "Do you want to invite Qin Huan over to our house? He is afraid of dogs."

Ever since finding out that Qin Huan was afraid of dogs, the miss had arranged for dogs to be stationed everywhere in the residence—front yard, back yard, garden, etc. Packs of ferocious wolfhounds, tall and imposing, collectively barking could deafen the ears.

Luckily, the Ling Family residence covered a large area, so keeping so many dogs didn't bother the neighbors; otherwise, the miss keeping so many disturbing dogs would have been reported to the authorities long ago.

Qin Huan had been scared off once and hadn't dared to set foot in the Ling Family residence for a year.

"I had actually forgotten." It had been a year since Ling Hua last saw Qin Huan, and he dared not get close to her, hoping she would forget about him. She changed her request, "Let's meet at the Juxian Building instead! Arrange it for noon."

Liuli nodded and sent someone to deliver the invitation to the Duke of Anguo's residence for Qin Huan.

Qin Huan was also among the guests Cheng Chu had hosted yesterday. He couldn't hold his liquor well and got drunk halfway through, then his attendants carried him back to the Duke of Anguo's residence. He woke up thirsty in the middle of the night, gulped down some cold water, and suddenly remembered his fiancée, depressing him so much that he couldn't sleep until dawn, when he finally dozed off again.

The invitation from Ling Hua was, as usual, properly sent to the Duchess, the elder lady of the Duke of Anguo's residence. The elderly lady was pleased to receive it and personally took the invitation to Qin Huan's quarters.

Qin Huan was still not out of bed. The elderly lady glanced at the sky and angrily said, "What time is it already? Why aren't you up yet? Go wake him up!"

The servants immediately went in to wake Qin Huan.

Qin Huan had not slept well in the latter part of the night and had just fallen asleep when he was woken up. He was in poor spirits as he greeted the elderly lady, looking utterly exhausted.

The Duchess pointed at him, "You, look at the state you're in! What kind of impression do you make?"

Qin Huan sat up straight, respectfully listening as he fought back his drowsiness.

The Duchess had intended to scold him, but she was concerned about how he would look meeting Ling Hua in such a state. Fearing that Ling Hua would be utterly repulsed, she decided it was better to allow him time to freshen up. Suppressing her urge to reprimand him, she handed him the invitation, "Ling Hua has just sent someone with this invitation. She has arranged to dine with you at the Juxian Building today at noon. Hurry up and get ready; don't keep her waiting."

Upon hearing Ling Hua's name, Qin Huan straightened up instantly, his sleepiness vanishing in a flash, "Ling Hua?"

What... what did she want with him?

"Make sure to behave yourself, and try to get Ling Hua to settle on a wedding date this year."

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Qin Huan was instantly wide awake, "I'm not going!"

The old Duchess of Anguo slammed the table, full of vigor, "You dare!"

Qin Huan stood his ground, "Grandmother, I don't want to marry her."

"Say that again, and I'll beat your mouth to a pulp!"

Qin Huan, feeling indignant, said, "My second brother and fourth brother haven't discussed marriage yet, can't you just pick someone else to marry Ling Hua?"

"No," said the old Duchess of Anguo, "Her mother and your mother had prearranged your marriage, not anyone else's. How can it be changed? Do you think Ling Hua would be willing to if you said to change it? Do you think our house of Anguo still has the clout to haggle with the Ling Family?"

Qin Huan was on the verge of tears, "Why am I so unlucky."

"Shut your mouth!" the old Duchess of Anguo said with vexation, "You're unlucky? Go ask around the entire Capital City, which family wouldn't want to be related to the Ling Family? With your attitude, if the Emperor had not considered the past merits of our house of Anguo and given us face by not suggesting that Ling Hua dissolve the marriage, she might well have become a princess by now. Don't be unaware of the blessings you have."

Qin Huan was despondent, "She raises dogs, so many dogs, and they are so fierce."

"You, a grown man, are scared of some dogs!" the old Duchess of Anguo's head ached, "Just take more people with you. Besides, she's arranged to meet you at Juxian Building today, why would she bring dogs there?"

"I don't want to meet her."

"You have no say in the matter." The old Duchess of Anguo stood up and ordered her attendants, "Hurry and get your Third Young Master Qin cleaned up and tidy, see to it that he's neat and presentable, and don't miss the appointed time. Leave early, and if there are any mistakes, it's your heads on the line."

The servants answered in unison.

Qin Huan sat in the chair, his face filled with despair.

The servants dragged and hustled him to get busy, with more pomp and tension than a bride going to her sedan or an emperor favoring a concubine. Qin Huan tried to walk out several times, but alas, he couldn't leave. In this house, the words of the old Duchess were law, and when she gave an order, no one listened to him.

Qin Huan felt as if he had lost a layer of skin, and just as he was pondering that Ling Hua, who loved beauty and all beautiful things, might not marry him if he scratched up his face, a voice came to his ears, "Third Master Qin, my miss says she wants to know if you would like to call off the marriage. If so, go to Juxian Building to find her."

Qin Huan whirled around.

A person in black stood behind him, face expressionless yet exceptionally handsome.

This person was named Yun Luo, and he was also Qin Huan's nightmare. Ever since Ling Hua had rung the litigation drum at thirteen and it was heard that his family hadn't taken the opportunity to call off the engagement, she sent someone over. This person had been approved by his grandmother, whose purpose was to keep an eye on him so he wouldn't misbehave—no dalliances with maids, no loitering in places of ill-repute, and so on.

Heaven knows that he was only thirteen at the time, still clueless about the world, and yet he was already being monitored by his betrothed, and his grandmother didn't seem to mind.

For a year, it was uncertain whether Ling Hua had grown confident in him or what, but she had reassigned her watchful servant, allowing him to finally catch his breath. Yet today, he had reappeared.

However…

He gazed at Yun Luo, belatedly showing a face full of joy, "Are you saying she wants to discuss... calling off the marriage with me?"

"Mhm."

Qin Huan was excited, "Let's go, right now. I'll go and wait for her in advance."

He had never been so eager to see Ling Hua as he was at that moment.