Chapter 187 Break Engagement

Chapter 187: Calling Off the Engagement

Cheng Ge leaned down, examining them with great care. He first ruled out the one carved with intricate patterns symbolizing fortune and longevity, finding it somewhat tacky.

He looked at the plum blossom hairpin next, shaking his head. Though the plum blossoms were nice, they seemed to lack a certain uniqueness he was after.

His gaze swept across the counter and then landed on a simple yet distinctive jade hairpin.

The hairpin was pure white all over, with a texture warm and smooth, its luster restrained like solidified cream.

The head of the pin was neither bare nor intricately patterned, but exquisitely carved in low relief with a cluster of budding magnolia flowers.

The buds were delicate and small, vivid and lifelike; just a few carved lines captured the spirit of magnolia.

"This one." Cheng Ge's eyes lit up, and he tapped the magnolia hairpin.

The shop assistant quickly retrieved it, placing it on a black velvet tray for his closer inspection.

"Sir, you have excellent taste! This is a top-grade Khotan seed jade—feel the texture, it's wonderfully oily!

The magnolia carving is incredibly lifelike, and the symbolism is superb—magnolia heralds spring, embodying noble character, a favorite among cultured young ladies from scholarly families..."

Cheng Ge picked up the jade hairpin. His fingertips felt a warm, delicate smoothness. He examined it against the light carefully; the jade was pure and nearly flawless.

He gently rubbed the carved petals with his finger; the lines were smooth and graceful, without any roughness.

The more he looked, the more he liked it. His mind started to imagine how this hairpin would look in his wife-to-be's jet-black hair bun, thinking it would surely be stunning.

"Hmm." His face showed no emotion, but he was already mostly decided. "Please wrap it up, thanks."

The assistant beamed: "Right away! Sir, you're so decisive! This is our shop's..."

"How much?" Cheng Ge cut off his boasting, asking directly while instinctively feeling for his money pouch.

The assistant quoted a number that made Cheng Ge's eye twitch slightly.

Cheng Ge was silent for a moment. He hadn't expected it to be so expensive—it could buy a lot of roast chickens.

But thinking of how delighted she would be upon receiving this jade hairpin, he felt the money was well spent.

Even though it stung a bit, he still nodded a little: "Alright, pack it well."

The assistant deftly wrapped the jade hairpin in soft silk, placed it in an exquisite sandalwood box, then wrapped it in colored paper printed with the shop's name and tied it with a silk cord.

Cheng Ge took out his money pouch, carefully pulled out a few banknotes from the small stack, and handed them to the assistant.

He tucked the little sandalwood box into his chest, securing it close to his body, then turned and left the Cuizhen Pavilion.

Cheng Ge returned to the manor feeling pretty pleased with himself, sat down on a stone stool in the courtyard, and carefully took out the little sandalwood box.

He gently opened the lid. The magnolia jade hairpin lay quietly inside, its warm, soft luster gleaming in the sunlight.

He picked up the jade hairpin, feeling its delicate coolness under his fingertips, and a goofy grin spread across his face.

His mind was full of the charming, shy image of his future wife seeing this gift, and the more he thought, the faster his heart raced.

"Heh heh heh—so beautiful!"

At that moment, the steward hurried over, holding a letter: "Young master, a letter from the south has arrived."

When he heard it was from the south, Cheng Ge's eyes lit up. It must be from his father, discussing wedding details.

He carefully put the jade hairpin back into the box, took the letter, and eagerly tore open the wax seal.

"My son,

I hope this letter finds you well. All is fine at home. No need to worry. However, there is one matter weighing heavily on my heart that I must inform you of.

The marriage previously agreed upon was meant to be a perfect match, and you were quite satisfied.

But recently, the bride's family sent word that she has suddenly fallen gravely ill, her body growing weaker day by day, with medicine proving ineffective.

The elders at home were consumed with worry, so they invited a master to once again match your 'eight characters' and re-examine your horoscopes in detail.

Unexpectedly, the master said that your eight characters are in serious conflict, with extremely severe inauspicious influences, particularly the conflict between her 'life palace' and your 'yearly fortune.'

If you were to marry, it would be not only futile but harmful to her already frail constitution, affecting her lifespan. Truly, it is an ill-fated union, by no means a suitable match.

To avoid irreversible consequences, after much painful discussion between both families, it has been decided that the previous engagement is dissolved.

From now on, you are both free to marry others.

I know you had high hopes for this marriage, and you must be disappointed to hear this.

But fate is like that—hard to defy. I hope you will take heart and not dwell on this too much.

You are a talented young man with a bright future ahead. In time, you will surely find a truly compatible, virtuous, and kind wife.

At home, we will also keep an eye out for you and try to find an even better match."

"The eight characters clash... extremely severe inauspicious... harming lifespan... engagement dissolved..."

Cheng Ge clutched the letter, his mind reeling with a deafening roar. It felt as if his world had collapsed.

His eyes stared at those chilling words, and suddenly, a classic song lyric played in his mind.

*The cruelest fate is to have a destined meeting but no chance to be together—*

All the beautiful fantasies of a future with a loving wife and children playing at his feet were shattered in that moment.

Only four simple words remained—"the eight characters clash"—

Like the most vicious curse, it echoed repeatedly in his mind, making him feel like a fool who had been deluding himself.

Lü Rou and Funiang tiptoed in through the arched doorway, intending to ask if he wanted dinner in the courtyard.

As they looked up, they saw Cheng Ge slumped there, lost and hopeless, staring at the sky with vacant eyes.

He looked as if someone had stolen ten years' worth of his salary, exuding an aura of utter despair.

Cheng Ge acted like he hadn't heard her at all, moving only by instinct, he got up from the stone stool agonizingly slowly.

He shuffled toward his room, his steps unsteady, and the corners of his eyes uncontrollably turning deep red.

"Sister Lü Rou... I need some time alone... It's fine... Don't disturb me for now..."

Lü Rou had never seen him like this. Her heart tightened, filled with an unspeakable ache and worry.

"Young master, you... you should at least have some dinner. Your health is important..."

However, Cheng Ge didn't stop, leaving only an unsteady figure behind for Lü Rou.

His voice was hoarse and barely suppressed: "No appetite... can't eat..."

Before his words had even died out, he quickened his pace and almost stumbled into the room.

With a bang, he slammed the door shut and latched it behind him, completely shutting out the outside world.

Seeing this, Lü Rou instinctively turned around and exchanged a glance with the housekeeper Zhong Fuxiang standing not far away.

Everyone: Now what? He won't even eat.

Inside the room—

Cheng Ge lay on his side on the bed, facing the wall, curling himself into a ball, his back stubbornly turned towards the door.

The buckwheat pillow that Sister Lü Rou had newly sewn for him now had a small, inconspicuous dark wet patch by his eyes.