Before setting out, Chu Ruoyan had already decided what to say upon returning—she would tell her father that Yan Zheng was occupied with funeral matters and had no time to accompany her back. Though the excuse was flimsy, it would suffice to get by.
But seeing the man before her, fully prepared to depart, she hesitated: "Is the Marquis planning to accompany me on my homecoming visit?"
Yan Zheng raised a brow. "Should this lord not escort his wife to visit her family?"
Chu Ruoyan was at a loss for words.
Just the night before last, he had grabbed her hand and threatened her, yet today he acted as if nothing had happened. Was his face as changeable as a dog’s?
Silently, she boarded the carriage, keeping her eyes downcast and her thoughts to herself.
Then she noticed something—aside from his striking features, there was a faint, elusive fragrance about him.
"What incense does the Marquis use? I can’t quite place it."
She had always had a keen sense of smell, and once she encountered a scent, she never forgot it. Yet this aroma on him, neither medicinal nor floral, was entirely unfamiliar.
Yan Zheng’s expression shifted slightly, his sharp gaze softening unexpectedly. "It was a gift from her..."
Her?
Chu Ruoyan hesitated but still asked, "Does the Marquis mean Sister Rong Shan?"
Yan Zheng nodded.
So the rumors weren’t unfounded, she thought. But then he added, "If it displeases you, I can change it in the future."
His casual tone made it seem as though his feelings for Rong Shan weren’t as deep as rumored?
As she pondered, the carriage gradually slowed to a stop.
At the gates of the Duke of Chu's Mansion.
Chu Huaishan couldn’t sit still. He had brought Lady Jiang the Younger and the rest of the household out to wait.
He had resolved that if Yan Zheng dared to slight his daughter by not coming, he would storm to Yan Xu’s memorial tablet and demand an explanation!
Fortunately, the man had arrived after all.
"Your son-in-law greets Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."
Yan Zheng clasped his hands in salute, while Chu Ruoyan curtsied beside him. "Ruoyan greets Father, Mother, and my younger sisters."
Chu Huaishan’s brows relaxed. "Rise, both of you. Since the Marquis of Anning is here, let us go inside."
The main hall.
Apart from the elderly madam, who was unwell and absent, all members of the household had gathered.
After the formal greetings, Chu Ruoyan instructed Yulu to present the gifts.
For her father, she had prepared a painting by Shi Jinnian of the previous dynasty, "Crane Soaring Among Pines." For Chu Ruoyin, there was a prized qin instrument, and for Lady Jiang the Younger, Chu Ruolan, and others...
Lady Liu of the second branch exclaimed in delight, "We have gifts too? The Marchioness of Anning is too kind."
Chu Ruoyan smiled. "These were all arranged by my husband. He said that since he had never visited the Duke’s residence before, he couldn’t come empty-handed and neglect the elders on his first visit..."
Hearing this, Yan Zheng gave her a deep look.
Chu Huaishan’s lingering worries finally dissipated. He nodded approvingly. "Our son-in-law is thoughtful. Let us adjourn to the study."
The fact that he now called him "son-in-law" meant he had accepted him.
Soon, only the women remained in the hall, chatting idly.
Lady Jiang the Younger had been waiting for this moment. She seized the opportunity to strike: "Ruoyan, I heard you sold off all the dowry the Duke’s household gave you right after your wedding. Is this true?"
The lively atmosphere instantly tensed.
A bride selling her dowry immediately after marriage was something only a woman who had severed ties with her family would do...
Yet Chu Ruoyan admitted openly, "It is true."
The hall fell silent.
Someone couldn’t resist remarking, "Ruoyan, forgive me for saying this, but your actions must have deeply hurt your mother’s feelings!"
"Indeed. I heard Lady Jiang personally selected each item for you. How could you..."
The collective disapproval pleased Lady Jiang the Younger immensely.
She pretended to wipe the corner of her eye and was about to speak when Chu Ruoyan sighed softly: "Uncles and aunties may not know this, but the situation in the general's household has been truly dire. Ever since my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brothers passed away, things have only worsened. Debt collectors have camped at our gates, nearly driving my second sister-in-law to despair... Though I am a newlywed, I could not stand idly by, so I had no choice but to sell my dowry to help however I could..."
At these words, the gazes of those around her filled with sympathy.
Who didn’t know the state of the Yan family? With all its men gone, how much wealth could women possibly sustain?
Lady Liu, who had accepted her gifts, chimed in: "You’ve had such a hard time. Why didn’t you return to your family earlier and explain? Your father would never have turned a blind eye."
Chu Ruoyan continued: "I did mention it, but the managers of the dowry shops all claimed our family was also struggling. To spare my father and mother the distress, I had no choice but to handle it this way..."
The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned delicate.
None present were fools—how could they not know the true state of the Duke of Chu's Mansion?
The head of the household, the Duke of Chu, was a favorite of the Emperor, and the mistress, Lady Jiang the Younger, came from the fabulously wealthy Jiang Family. The word "struggling" had no place in their world!
Those quick-witted enough immediately connected this to the dowry Lady Jiang the Younger had prepared for her, and the underlying scheme became clear.
Someone who had long resented Lady Jiang the Younger’s domineering ways seized the moment: "Sister-in-law, though you’ve always been generous, if you keep tolerating servants who bully their masters, managing the household will only grow harder."
"Indeed, Ruoyan is our eldest brother’s treasure. If word of this reaches his ears..."
Lady Jiang the Younger’s face darkened.
She could only say, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If there truly are insolent servants who dare oppress their masters, they will be severely punished!"
Chu Ruoyan’s lips curled slightly.
Words spoken before so many would have to be followed through.
That Jiang Tao—he was destined to be the scapegoat...
Just then, Chu Ruoxi, the youngest daughter of the second branch, tilted her head and piped up innocently: "Mother, are they saying we have no money? But I remember just two days ago, so many people were bringing loads of silver into the mansion!"
That was this year’s harvest from the manors!
Lady Jiang the Younger nearly choked on her fury—was this child suggesting she hand over silver to that wretched girl?
Fortunately, Lady Liu covered the girl’s mouth: "Children speak without thinking. Sister-in-law, pay her no mind."
Chu Ruolan could no longer stay silent. She stood and said, "Eldest Sister, is it true that Grandma Yan has gone mad?"
Every pair of eyes in the room snapped toward her.
Chu Ruoyan’s gaze turned icy: "Third Sister, mind your words!"
Chu Ruolan thought she had struck a nerve: "So it is true! Eldest Sister, though you don’t have a mother-in-law to serve, taking care of a deranged old woman must be unbearable, no?"
Slap!
A sharp crack echoed through the hall.
Everyone froze.
Chu Ruolan’s eyes widened. Lady Jiang the Younger snapped, "Ruoyan, what are you doing?!"
Chu Ruoyan retracted her hand calmly: "Mother, Third Sister speaks recklessly. I was merely disciplining her on your behalf."
The slap had been vicious—Chu Ruolan’s left cheek swelled instantly. Lady Jiang the Younger was torn between heartache and rage: "I will discipline my own daughter! You had no right to strike her!"
Chu Ruoyan nodded. "Very well. If Mother forbids me from teaching her as her elder sister, then I shall do so as the Marchioness of Anning."
With that, she delivered another slap.
Chu Ruoyan was utterly stunned by the slap. Lady Jiang the Younger erupted in fury, "What is the meaning of this?!"
The atmosphere instantly grew unbearably tense.
Lady Liu hurriedly pulled Lady Jiang the Younger aside, "Sister-in-law, calm down. Ruoyan spoke out of distress. Please, sit down—let’s discuss this properly."
A matron from the third branch also chimed in, addressing Chu Ruoyan, "This is a day of celebration. Don’t invite ill fortune—Lord Yan Zheng is still present..."
The implication was clear: a warning not to let Yan Zheng find out. After all, quarreling with her mother right after her homecoming was hardly becoming...
But so what?
Chu Ruoyan had little connection to Grandma Yan, but the old matriarch’s descent into madness was rooted in the sacrifices of her sons and grandsons, who had shed their blood on the battlefield!
How could such a noble, tragic woman be reduced to fodder for others’ scorn?
Before she could speak, her usually quiet younger sister, Chu Ruoyin, interjected, "Elder Sister is right, Mother. You’ve indulged Third Sister far too much."
Lady Jiang the Younger’s eyes flashed with rage as she whirled around.
Chu Ruoyin continued, "Mother, the Yan family’s loyalty and martyrdom have been praised by the Emperor himself. What status does Grandma Yan hold? How could Third Sister speak of her so carelessly? If word spreads, the gossip in the capital alone could drown her!"
Lady Jiang the Younger scoffed.
A private family conversation couldn’t possibly warrant such severity.
Clearly, this girl had lost her senses, siding with that little wretch.
After a cold stare, Lady Jiang suddenly remarked, "Since you’re so fixated on the Emperor’s favor, then this year’s imperial selection is unavoidable for you, isn’t it?"
Chu Ruoyan gasped in surprise, but Chu Ruoyin rose and bowed. "As Mother commands."
With that, she turned to leave. Chu Ruoyan chased after her, catching up beneath the covered corridor.
"Second Sister, are you truly resolved to enter the palace?"
The current Emperor was nearly forty—old enough to be her father!
Worse still, the imperial harem was a treacherous abyss. Chu Ruoyan faintly recalled Chu Ruoyin’s entanglement with Prince Qin, the Emperor’s younger brother, which had later led to accusations of debauchery in the palace—a scandal even their father couldn’t shield her from...
Chu Ruoyin’s face was etched with sorrow. After a long pause, she produced a bloodstained jade pendant. "Elder Sister, haven’t you noticed my maid Biyan is missing?"
Chu Ruoyan’s brow furrowed. "Your mother...?"
"Yes. Biyan urged me not to join the selection. Mother overheard and had her beaten to death." Chu Ruoyin traced the pendant, her smile bleak. "Elder Sister, I won’t lie to you. I can’t stay in this household a moment longer. If she wants me in the palace, so be it. At least then... no one else will die because of me."
