Inside the Receiving Hall.
Lin Xiaomeng looked darkly at the two people sitting across him.
When he heard that the Chu family has come to visit, he was slightly happy since both families didn't have that much contact with each other, and having them visit the Lin family meant that the Chu family was being courteous and gave their future in-laws some face.
Lin Xiaomeng knew that his granddaughter has a peculiar personality but maybe, after marrying over, she would learn to become a proper lady.
However, it seems that all his thoughts were only his wishful thinking because the purpose of the Chu family's visit was to break the engagement!
With his hands clenched into a tight fist, Lin Xiaomeng said, "What does the Chu family mean by this? Breaking off the engagement. Do you know what this means for both families?"
Although the engagement between the young man across him and Lin Xiaofei was not completely publicized, it was still something that some of the higher-ranking family knew about.
Chu Wang Ji nodded with an indifferent expression, "I have already talked with grandfather and he gave me his permission to break off the engagement. Although, both our families has ties with each other yet I'll still hope that General Lin will allow this to happen."
A young man in his early twenties was sitting across Lin Xiaomeng. He wore a light blue robe and had a good looking face. However, his stature was slightly weak but his bearing made one look and thought that this is how a gentleman should look like.
Lin Xiaomeng frowned.
Chu Wang Ji, the Di son of the Chu family. He was one of the most outstanding noble sons in the Capital. Not only does he have a good looking face, but he was also ranked at the top of the Xia Academy's scholarly examination, beating other Di sons on the list.
And he was also Lin Xiaofei's fiancée.
However, it looks like that will change very soon enough as this young man has come not to visit his fiancée after hearing about her falling ill but to break off the engagement.
"I cannot allow that. The engagement was established even before you and Fei'er were born. So, how can such a thing be break off without a valid reason?" Lin Xiaomeng deeply frowned, his scary-looking face became black and was dissatisfied with this young man sitting calmly across him.
It was as if Chu Wang Ji doesn't even care about the engagement that was established many years ago by his elders. And what's more, it seems like the patriarch of the Chu family has given his consent on his grandson's decision to break off the engagement.
Just what was the Chu family patriarch thinking?
Madame Chu who came along with his son suddenly said, "It is all my fault, General Lin. I brought Ji'er to one of my friend's birthday and didn't know that the future was so unpredictable that a noble family's daughter would take fancy on my Ji'er."
At this moment, Lin Xiaomeng didn't need to continue listening to the Madam Chu's nonsense. Her words were meant to say that another noble's daughter fancied Chu Wang Ji and reached out to their Chu family for marriage.
However, in truth, Madam Chu's words indicated that Chu Wang Ji fancied someone else, and hence, it is only natural for him to break off the engagement and this noble family's daughter became a blind screen to make Chu Wang Ji not face any repercussions on this matter.
Saying that other noble family's daughter fancied Chu Wang Ji couldn't simply make them break off but if one would think deeply and the situation was reversed, and Chu Wang Ji was the one who fancied the lady then, it has become a valid reason.
But why do they need to twist their words?
This left Lin Xiaomeng to taste bitterness inside his mouth.
The engagement was established years ago and if the future was so unpredictable as they say, wouldn't it be better if they broke off the engagement during the years that have already passed.
This made things even more complicated for Lin Xiaofei since she's already at the age where she should be already married, if not, engaged to someone. But if her engagement was gone, things would be worse than it was before.
With the rumors surrounding her, Lin Xiaofei wouldn't be able to marry a reputable and high ranking nobleman.
"I can't still allow it."
"But General Lin, our patriarch has already consented on this." Chu Wang Ji was indifferent toward his fiancée and didn't like her at all. The rumors surrounding her made it even worse because he was engaged with her, Chu Wang Ji's peers would laugh at him and mock him for having a stupid and spoiled future wife.
For years, he swallowed his pride and didn't say anything but only secretly complained about it. Why did he just have to be engaged to an arrogant Lin Xiaofei who doesn't even have any talent at all?
However, the Lin family was behind her, and the Chu family didn't have any other way to find any bigger support than the Lin family thus, this made Chu Wang Ji be determined and to do his best in the exams of Xia Academy and triumphantly became on top.
As a top-ranking examiner in the Xia Academy, this gives him a chance to be the seed that will climb up the ranks in the imperial court and give the Chu family another string to hold onto.
And even if he doesn't get a higher official position, a lot of higher noble ranking family and young ladies with a good etiquette would want to have him and his Chu family in their ship.
If they could only convince Lin Xiaomeng to break off the engagement then they will be able to proceed with their plan to have Chu Wang Ji find another noble lady to marry.
"General Lin cannot force his way to keep this engagement. Although breaking the engagement would leave Lin Xiaofei into a difficult situation, our Chu family will help and look for a suitable partner in marriage for Lin Xiaofei." Chu Wang Ji finally said and had the intention of ending this conversation with their proposal.
Although there weren't many suitable noble Di sons in the Capital at this moment, the Chu Family was willing to look and help them, so that Lin Xiaofei wouldn't be left out and not marry in the future.
Lin Xiaomeng's face was black and got uglier but he couldn't do anything when the other family's decision was final. He could protest and complain about it but his granddaughter's reputation was at stake. He couldn't go and sue the Chu family without dragging the Lin family and Lin Xiaofei's name to dirt.
However, he was also not willing to let Lin Xiaofei suffer like this. But what could he do?
When he thought about it, the proposal of the Chu family was quite appealing, "This…" Lin Xiaomeng hesitated before he continued, "Let me think about--"
However, before he could completely finish his words, a soft but cold voice belonging to a young woman interrupted him.
"There's no need to think about it, grandfather."
At this time, Lin Xiaofei arrived and stood in the entrance of the Receiving hall, her beautiful face had a cold smile plastered in it as she said, "Let's break off the engagement."