Chapter 12: Breaking the Engagement

"For real! This wine even attracted the Duke of Lu!?" Hearing Du Pingyuan’s report, Du Rui couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Du Rui, who was familiar with history, knew that the Duke of Lu was none other than the famous "Devil King of the Troubled Times," Cheng Yaojin. However, unlike the comical and simple-minded image portrayed in many films and television dramas, this Duke of Lu could be considered a renowned general of the Great Tang. Since his return to the Tang, Cheng Yaojin had pacified Wang Shichong, defeated Liu Heita, annihilated Dou Jiande, swept away Du Fuwei, fought Luo Yi, and repelled the Turks. Having experienced a hundred battles and established great merit, he was enfeoffed as the Duke of Lu by Emperor Taizong following the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Previously, at Du Ruhui’s funeral hall, Du Rui had seen this famous Cheng Yaojin. He only felt that this "Great Virtue Emperor" and "Devil King" was tall and rugged in appearance, and a complete, unrefined brute. That day at Old Du’s funeral, he hadn't even offered a stick of incense, instead wailing loudly the entire time. Although it lacked proper etiquette, it was at least a display of genuine emotion.

Earlier, while chatting with Du Zhong in the manor, Du Rui had heard that Cheng Yaojin was fond of wine and often got dead drunk in front of Emperor Taizong. However, Taizong had always been generous to his subjects, especially the old guard from the Prince of Qin’s manor.

Hearing that "Drunk Chang'an" had actually attracted even Cheng Yaojin, Du Rui felt a few more degrees of confidence in the sales of his wine.

"It is what this humble servant saw with his own eyes. The people from the Duke of Lu’s manor hauled away a full hundred catties of Drunk Chang'an. Shopkeeper Feng was so happy his mustache was practically curling up," Du Pingyuan said with a face full of joy.

Upon hearing this, Du Rui felt a surge of delight. He had originally been worried about the wine's sales, but now that it had even drawn in a Duke of the realm, there was naturally no need to fret.

Just as he was thinking of asking for more details, Du Gui ran in. He looked somewhat flustered as he bowed to Du Rui and said, "Young Master! The Second Young Master has arrived!"

The Second Young Master!?

Du Rui hesitated for a moment before realizing that the "Second Young Master" Du Gui referred to was his half-brother, the good-for-nothing Du He. Why had he come? Could it be that the secret of the brewing had leaked?

"Invite him in!" Even though he didn't care for Du He, he had to keep up appearances. Otherwise, if word got out, those with ill intentions would surely slap him with the label of being unbrotherly.

"No need to invite, this young master is coming in!"

Following that familiar, arrogant tone, Du He, dressed in fine clothes and riding a horse, strode in leading a middle-aged man. Seeing this, Du Rui felt a flash of annoyance. Although he had no real affection for Du Ruhui, he was, after all, the father of this body. Du Ruhui had passed away less than two months ago, yet this scoundrel Du He wasn't even wearing mourning clothes.

Seeing that Du He seemed to disregard him entirely, Du Rui felt a surge of anger. He looked at Du He coldly and said, "Although we are brothers, since we have already divided the family and live separately, Second Brother would do well to restrain yourself. My humble abode may not compare to the Duke of Lai’s manor, but it still has its rules!"

Stung by Du Rui’s rebuke, Du He was stunned. In his eyes, this younger brother had always been a bastard who was timid and subservient, not daring to breathe loudly in his presence. When had it become Du Rui’s turn to lecture him?

He wanted to fly into a rage immediately, but the man behind him reached out and tugged at Du He’s sleeve. Du He then remembered that he had come to the manor today for an important matter. He forcibly suppressed his anger, though he didn't let his tongue suffer, saying, "Do you think I wanted to come to this dump? There’s not even a place to stand. I came to see you today because I have something to tell you!"

Du Rui maintained a calm and indifferent expression, not even bothering to offer tea, as if no one were standing before him: "Please, enlighten me!"

Du He was furious, itching to rush up and slap Du Rui twice. But thinking that he needed Du Rui’s consent for today’s matter—otherwise, it would be impossible to accomplish—he had to grit his teeth and swallow his rage.

"Father has passed away, and Eldest Brother is observing mourning at Duling. Matters concerning you are naturally for me, your elder brother, to decide. Is that not so?" After Du He finished speaking, he saw that Du Rui remained silent, which only fueled his anger. He continued, "When Father was alive, he arranged a marriage for you with the daughter of this official, Minister Xiao of the Ministry of Rites. Now that you have volunteered to observe three years of mourning for Father, it will inevitably delay the young lady. In my view, I shall make the decision to cancel your engagement with the Xiao family. What do you think!"

Hearing this, Du Rui finally understood why Du He had run over here today; it turned out he had an ulterior motive. Looking at the Minister of Rites, Master Xiao, standing beside Du He, Du Rui couldn't help but sneer inwardly. All that talk about not wanting to delay his daughter—it was clearly because they saw Du Ruhui was dead, and since he was a concubine-born son with no backing, they wanted to break the engagement.

Thinking of this, Du Rui sneered, "Since Uncle Xiao serves in the Ministry of Rites, are you familiar with the Rites of Zhou?"

Xiao Wei’s face flushed red with shame. He had originally been reluctant to break the engagement and marry his daughter off elsewhere, but his wife had been pestering him incessantly for days, making his life miserable. Coupled with his daughter crying all day, he was deeply worried. With no other choice, he had sought out Du He, begging him to facilitate the matter.

Du He had no friendship with the Xiao family, but since this would make Du Rui unhappy, he had agreed and brought people to the manor to cause trouble today.

Xiao Wei had originally thought that with Du He stepping in, Du Rui would agree even if he were reluctant. He hadn't expected Du Rui’s attitude to be so difficult, and after being mocked by Du Rui, his old face turned even redder.

Seeing this, Du He was incensed. He had boasted to Xiao Wei before coming that a single word from him would settle it. Who would have thought that Du Rui was no longer the simple-minded, cowardly Du Rui of the past, but had been replaced by a soul from over a thousand years in the future?

"You little bastard, you refuse!" In his agitation, Du He blurted out an insult, only to realize after saying it that he had accidentally insulted his own father as well.

Du Rui was also angry and retorted, "Who are you calling a little bastard!?"

Du He, not being quick-witted, immediately replied, "The little bastard is calling you!"

Only after speaking did he realize his slip of the tongue. He pointed at Du Rui, red-faced with fury: "You... you... fine! I won't trade barbs with you today! I only ask you, are you going to cancel this engagement or not!"

Du Rui looked at Du He, truly wondering how this idiot’s brain worked. Du Ruhui’s body was not yet cold, and this fellow was actually helping others force his own brother to break an engagement. This was a disgrace to Du Ruhui. That Du He could do such a thing was truly the height of depravity.

Du Rui had some memories of the engagement. Breaking it wouldn't have been a big deal, but the fact that the other party had come to his door to force him made it impossible for him to swallow his pride.

"And what if I agree? What if I don't?"

Du He was about to speak, but Xiao Wei hurriedly intervened: "Nephew! This is truly the fault of the Xiao family, but... but... you must understand this official’s difficulties!"

Xiao Wei knew that if Du Rui didn't agree, he had no way forward. Even if he took the case to the Jingzhao Yin, he would be in the wrong. He could only beg softly.

Du He also sneered from the side: "What can you do if you don't want to break the engagement? That Miss Xiao has lived in luxury since childhood. How could you support her in your current state? You’d better have some self-awareness! Your stubborn refusal today is nothing more than greed for money. Name a price, and hand over the marriage contract!"

Du Rui sneered, "Who wants your money? Master Xiao! You are the one who wants to break this engagement today. Just don't regret it in the future. Pingyuan! Go to the back courtyard, get the marriage contract from Aunt Ma, and give it to Master Xiao!"

Du Pingsheng accepted the order and left. Before long, he returned with the marriage contract and handed it to Xiao Wei. As Xiao Wei took the document, a heavy stone finally fell from his heart. He bowed to Du Rui and thanked him: "Nephew! This is entirely my fault, I have wronged you!"

Du Rui sneered, "No matter! As I said, just don't regret it, Master Xiao!"

Du He said, "Master Xiao! Why say more to him? Since the matter is done, let’s go."

"Wait!" Seeing them about to leave, Du Rui called out to stop them.

Du He turned around and shouted angrily, "What is it! Do you want to go back on your word? The marriage contract is already in our hands; it’s too late for you to regret it."

Du Rui said, "Who wants to go back on it? It’s just that Master Xiao forgot one thing. Please hand over my copy of the marriage contract!"

"Right! Right!" Although Xiao Wei was a branch of the Lanling Xiao clan, he was still from a prominent family. Having committed such an act of breaking an engagement, he was full of shame and hurriedly took the marriage contract from his bosom and handed it to Du Rui.

After taking it, Du Rui glanced at it and tore the document to shreds. Since they had eyes but failed to recognize a treasure, there was no need for him to dwell on it. Some things were best resolved cleanly.

Du He and Xiao Wei left. Du Zhong, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, saw that the deed was done and couldn't help but say angrily, "The Second Young Master has gone too far! Young Master! You are too muddled! Even if we took this case to the Emperor, we would be in the right. As long as you didn't agree, there was nothing they could do to us!"

Du Rui smiled and said, "Uncle Zhong, don't worry. As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea! Since the Xiao family looks down on me, why should I lower myself to the level of such snobs?"

Du Zhong was still somewhat unwilling, but seeing that Du Rui didn't care, he, as a servant, couldn't make decisions for his master. He only grumbled, "It’s just that you are too kind-hearted, Young Master. You let them off too easily!"

Du Rui knew what Du Zhong was worried about—nothing more than the hope that Du Rui could rely on the Xiao family’s influence to enter officialdom. Now that he had been exiled by the Duke of Lai’s manor and had severed ties with the Xiao family, Du Rui’s future was no longer guaranteed.

Du Rui was not worried about this at all. Seeing that Du Zhong was still full of frustration, he decided that neither persuading him nor staying was a good idea, so he simply slipped away!

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