The Underdog Romance of the Scholar and the Beauty

With Sun Feihu's siege lifted, Pujiu Temple was filled with the joy of having survived the calamity.

The abbot opened the temple gates wide to welcome General Du Que inside, and announced that a grand victory banquet would be held—first to thank General Du for his rescue, and second to commend Zhang Sheng for his extraordinary achievement.

The entire temple bustled with activity, everyone's face bearing a smile.

None was happier than Hong Niang. She flitted between the West Chamber and Yingying's embroidery tower like a merry magpie, constantly chattering:

"Miss, you should have seen it! When Young Master Zhang stood next to that White Horse General, it was truly a meeting of heroes! Our son-in-law is truly accomplished in both civil and military affairs, brave and resourceful!"

She naturally called him "son-in-law" at every turn, as if the marriage were already a settled matter.

Yingying sat at her dressing table, listening to Hong Niang's description, her heart melting with sweetness. Looking at herself in the mirror, her cheeks were flushed pink, her eyes sparkling, with the undisguisable signs of spring visible in her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes. She carefully opened her jewelry box and selected the most exquisite golden hairpin to place in her hair.

Tonight's victory banquet would also be her engagement celebration. She wanted to appear in her most beautiful form before her hero.

However, when she and Hong Niang excitedly arrived at Lady Cui's room to invite her mother to attend the banquet together, they found the atmosphere somewhat strange.

Lady Cui sat upright in her armchair, her face so dark it could drip water, while beside her stood a middle-aged man with a rat-like face, whispering something to her. Yingying recognized him as the steward of her distant cousin Zheng Heng.

"Mother," Yingying called softly.

Lady Cui raised her head, and seeing her daughter dressed so elaborately, her brow furrowed even deeper.

"Dressed like this, what sort of appearance is this! How improper!" she scolded harshly.

Yingying was stunned by the rebuke and lowered her head in dejection. "Mother, tonight is the victory banquet..."

"What victory banquet!" Lady Cui slammed the table, interrupting her. "How can a daughter of the Cui family mingle with a group of crude soldiers! Moreover..."

She paused, coldly glancing at Yingying, then sweeping her gaze to Hong Niang beside her, pointedly saying: "Some people shouldn't think that just because they've achieved some merit, they can climb above their station, like a toad dreaming of eating swan meat!"

At these words, both Yingying and Hong Niang froze.

"Mother," Yingying looked at her in disbelief, "What... what do you mean? Didn't you publicly promise that whoever drove away the enemy troops would be given your daughter's hand in marriage?"

"That was then, this is now." Lady Cui snorted coldly, righteously declaring, "I was forced into that desperate measure when pressed by the enemy. Now that the crisis is resolved, we naturally need to reconsider. You are the daughter of the Prime Minister's household—how could your marriage be treated so frivolously?"

"Furthermore," she pointed at the steward beside her, "The Zheng family has already sent someone. Your marriage to Zheng Heng was arranged by your father when he was alive—there was a matchmaker's word and parental decree. That is the proper way! As for that Zhang Sheng, a poor scholar of unknown origin, what is he? How could he be worthy of marrying a daughter of the Cui family?"

These words fell like ice water, drenching Yingying and Hong Niang from head to toe.

Breaking the engagement!

The old lady was actually going to publicly break the engagement!

"My lady, you cannot do this!" Hong Niang blurted out anxiously, "Young Master Zhang saved all of us! How can you be so ungrateful and break your word?"

"Impertinent!" Lady Cui was furious, "What right does a mere maid like you have to speak here? Since when are a servant's opinions on the master's affairs welcome?"

"Mother!" Tears instantly welled up in Yingying's eyes as she looked at her mother with grief and indignation, "How can you do this? A person without credibility cannot stand! How can you place me in such a position? Where does this leave Zhang lang? And what of our Cui family's reputation?"

"Silence!" Lady Cui stood up, her face ashen, "Your husband can only be Zheng Heng! This is your father's dying wish! As for that Zhang Sheng... I will give him some gold and silver to send him on his way. For a poor scholar, giving him money is already a tremendous favor."

With that, she swept out, leaving Yingying with only a cold, heartless silhouette.

Yingying stood motionless, feeling ice-cold throughout her body. She felt as if her heart had been torn in two.

So, in her mother's eyes, her happiness and even the family's credibility were worth less than those ridiculous notions of social status. So, her hero's life-saving grace was worth only some gold and silver.

What irony, what cruelty!