Chapter 23 Willingly Used

“Prince Xuan, opportunities wait for no one.” Ou Xinlai narrowed her eyes. She knew well that Prince Xuan had no fondness for her. Even though she was no longer the original Ou Xinlai, she was not so naive as to believe his reluctance to agree was due to any feelings for her. So, was Prince Xuan’s delay merely a ploy to use their engagement as leverage, extracting some benefit from the Ou family?

A faint smile curved her lips. So after all this fuss, even if Xuan Ye was the most esteemed young lord of the Xuanwu Kingdom, what did it matter? In the end, he was just for sale.

“Very well, what are your terms, Prince Xuan?” Since the man was selling himself, it wouldn’t be right for her to withdraw from the engagement without offering anything in return. For the sake of her own freedom, she didn’t mind giving a little something. “After all, it’s I who have initiated the dissolution of this marriage. As long as it doesn’t involve the Ou family, if you have any requests, feel free to name them.”

Ou Xinlai had her own principles. Even if Xuan Ye hoped to gain some advantage from this, as long as it had nothing to do with the Ou family, no matter how troublesome, she would find a way to resolve it.

At first, Xuan Ye felt a sense of embarrassment at having his motives so easily seen through. But when Ou Xinlai finished speaking, he laughed, mocking her overestimation of herself. “If you’re cut off from the Ou family, do you really think you’ll still be someone of consequence?”

“Yes, my abilities have yet to awaken, but that doesn’t mean I’m helpless. Even if you want to make a greedy demand over this matter, it’s not certain I can’t satisfy it. Speak.” At first, Ou Xinlai thought Xuan Ye was a decent person—at least both parties were dissatisfied with the engagement, and it was better to be honest about it.

But now, seeing Xuan Ye’s mercenary temperament, and knowing she was the one being taken advantage of, she found it hard to like him.

Hearing Ou Xinlai’s bold words, Xuan Ye wanted to laugh aloud. A person whose talents hadn’t awakened—if she weren’t the daughter of Ou Chenfeng, a young lady of the Ou family—if she stood in the middle of the street, not a soul would spare her a glance. Without the Ou family, she would probably starve to death, powerless as she was.

On what grounds, then, did she think she could meet his extortionate demands?

Yet as Xuan Ye met her gaze, he hesitated. There was a lazy smile on her face, as if she’d spoken without much thought, but in the depths of her bright black eyes, there was a trace of sincerity.

“Xuan Ye, don’t let pride make a mockery of your own happiness.” Ye Zifei understood that Ou Xinlai’s attitude had provoked Xuan Ye’s displeasure, just as Xuan Ye’s tone had irked Ou Xinlai.

To avoid the negotiations falling apart, Ye Zifei had no choice but to play mediator.

“Ou Xinlai, we both know the truth—this engagement is not merely a matter between us. Although I, too, wish to dissolve it, you’ve brought this up too suddenly. So, when the time is right, I’ll make my request, and then we’ll formally end the engagement.” Xuan Ye took a deep breath. Yes, just as Zifei said, he shouldn’t destroy the peace before him out of spite toward Ou Xinlai.

Ou Xinlai was not the woman he desired, and he would never marry her!

Ou Xinlai frowned; things were indeed complicated. She understood what Xuan Ye meant. Even if he agreed, the Xuan family would not let go so easily.

If she wanted to keep the Ou family’s interests clear, she would have to wait until Xuan Ye learned exactly what the Xuan family needed, then let her procure it herself and present it to them. Only then could their engagement be dissolved.

She was fairly satisfied with this outcome.

At least Xuan Ye wasn’t truly trying to extort her for an outrageous price. And, his conditions indeed didn’t involve the Ou family’s interests.

“Very well, I’ll wait.” Ou Xinlai nodded. “But from now on, we both know each other’s intentions. So don’t treat me as the Ou Xinlai of the past. Of course, if possible, I’ll do my best not to appear before you.” Where Xuan Ye was, there were bound to be women, and where there were women, trouble was sure to follow!

“You’d better remember your own words.” Xuan Ye felt a pang of irritation. What did she mean? Did she not want to see him? Hmph, just an unattractive woman—if she kept her distance, he’d be all the more comfortable.

Doing his best to smooth over the sour feeling in his chest, Xuan Ye reminded himself: Ou Xinlai was willing to break off the engagement, would no longer pester him, and even promised to avoid appearing before him. With so many good things happening at once, it was only natural that his heart felt unsettled.

After watching his friend leave, Ye Zifei came up beside Ou Xinlai, placing a hand on her shoulder. “So, you’ve used me again. Don’t you think you owe me some gratitude?” Ye Zifei found Ou Xinlai truly cunning. She understood both her own and Xuan Ye’s tempers—like fire and water, impossible to have a peaceful talk. If they tried, it would end in a quarrel for sure. So, she’d dragged him along to play intermediary at just the right moment.

Even though he’d been used by Ou Xinlai once more, why did he feel so happy about it this time?

Ye Zifei touched his own heart. Could something be wrong with him?