Leaving the Duke of Chu's Mansion, Chu Ruoyan's heart felt heavy.
Initially, she had been overjoyed that her father could sit down with Yan Zheng and have a proper conversation.
At least it wouldn’t end in a life-or-death struggle like in her dream...
But after learning about Chu Ruoyin’s situation, she couldn’t muster any happiness.
"Something on your mind?"
Yan Zheng’s voice cut through the silence abruptly.
Startled, Chu Ruoyan composed herself. "No, it’s nothing..."
Yan Zheng scoffed. "If there’s truly nothing, it’s best not to wear it on your face. Showing emotions so plainly will cost you dearly."
His words carried clear advice—and a hint of goodwill.
A faint smile touched Chu Ruoyan’s lips. "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Marquis."
Upon returning to the general’s estate, Meng Yang relayed that Lord Song from the Ministry of Rites had arrived.
Yan Zheng nodded and hurried off.
Chu Ruoyan, meanwhile, retreated to her chambers.
Yulu, noticing her subdued mood, tried to console her. "Miss, don’t dwell on it. There’s nothing you can do about Second Miss’s situation..."
Chu Ruoyan shook her head. "Ruoyin has always been quiet and reserved. With such a temperament, how will she survive in the palace?"
"But what can be done? Lady Jiang the Younger is her birth mother, and Second Miss has already agreed. Even if you spoke to the Duke, he likely couldn’t intervene."
Chu Ruoyan fell silent.
Yulu was right. When it came to Ruoyin’s marriage, not even the heavens could override Lady Jiang the Younger’s authority.
Fortunately, the imperial selection was still months away. There was time to plan.
After sitting for a while, another servant arrived. "Young Madam, Wang's Timber Shop has delivered the furniture samples. Would you like to inspect them?"
With nothing pressing to attend to, Chu Ruoyan agreed.
In the rear courtyard, a set of rosewood tables and chairs stood neatly alongside a huanghuali dressing table and bookshelf.
Manager Wang was enthusiastically explaining the pieces to Madam Li. Spotting Chu Ruoyan, he hurried over. "Young Madam, please take a look. We’ve worked day and night to craft these two sample sets. Are you satisfied?"
Chu Ruoyan gave a distracted hum. Madam Li hesitated before discreetly pulling her aside.
"Sister-in-law, there’s something I’m not sure how to bring up... Could we perhaps purchase just one set of these furnishings for now?"
Chu Ruoyan raised a brow. "Is there some difficulty, Sister-in-law?"
Madam Li flushed awkwardly. "Not for me... But with Father-in-law’s funeral approaching, expenses are piling up. I was wondering if we could temporarily set aside the funds for the furniture. Of course, we wouldn’t take it without compensation—we could draft an IOU."
Seeing her discomfort, Chu Ruoyan sighed inwardly.
Being the matriarch of a noble household was challenging enough, let alone one in mourning.
How could the court allow a family of loyal martyrs to struggle even in arranging a funeral?
"Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. No need for an IOU. I still have thirty thousand taels here—take it for the arrangements. If more is needed, just let me know."
Madam Li was deeply moved. "And the furniture...?"
"We’ll still purchase it. Remember, many witnessed our order. If we go back on it now, suspicions will arise." Chu Ruoyan paused, then added, "The burial is happening so soon—has the date been finalized?"
Madam Li nodded. "Master Liaokong from Guardian Peace Temple has chosen a date five days from now. We’re just finalizing the burial site... Isn’t that why Lord Song is here today?"
Master Liaokong again!
Chu Ruoyan instinctively frowned. "Five days still feels rushed. Has the site been decided?"
Madam Li thought for a moment. "I believe so—somewhere in the outskirts, near Mang Mountain..."
Mang Mountain?
The moment the words registered, Chu Ruoyan recalled the earth-shattering tremor from her dream!
She pressed urgently, "Which Mang Mountain? The one adjacent to the late emperor’s mausoleum?"
Madam Li hesitated before answering, "Yes, that’s the one. Grandmother once mentioned that Father-in-law wished to be buried near the imperial tomb, to guard Great Xia for eternity."
Chu Ruoyan’s mind spun.
The late emperor’s mausoleum!
Mang Mountain!
If her dream was accurate, in seven days, a massive earthquake would strike—and that area would be the hardest hit!
Due to its auspicious feng shui, the mountain housed not only the imperial tomb but also numerous estates owned by nobles.
In that disaster, tens of thousands had perished!
How could they possibly choose that site?!
After a brief hesitation, Chu Ruoyan rushed to Yan Zheng’s study.
Inside, Lord Song was just taking his leave. "...Since everything is settled, I’ll return to make preparations. The general and his lady lived as warriors—it’s admirable that even in death, they refuse extravagance for their resting place."
Yan Zheng responded indifferently, but Meng Yang’s voice interrupted from outside. "Lord Marquis, the madam is here."
As an unrelated man, Lord Song couldn’t be seen with the household’s women. But with Chu Ruoyan already at the door, he had no choice but to retreat behind a screen.
Entering, Chu Ruoyan noted the figure hidden behind the partition but pretended otherwise.
She curtsied slightly. Yan Zheng’s tone was cool. "What is it?"
"Last night, I dreamed of Father-in-law..."
She studied Yan Zheng’s reaction as she spoke. Surprisingly, his expression remained impassive.
"He said that after years on the battlefield, he hadn’t fulfilled his filial duties to Mother. So he wishes to remain in the household a while longer..."
Lord Song stifled a laugh behind the screen.
Just a woman’s foolish fancies.
Yet Yan Zheng stared at her silently before asking, "How long?"
Chu Ruoyan brightened. "S-Seven days..."
This was pure fabrication. If she outright demanded a change of burial site, they’d never agree.
But once the earthquake struck in seven days, the location would be abandoned naturally.
The study fell into prolonged silence.
Seeing Yan Zheng genuinely considering it, Lord Song abandoned decorum and stepped out from behind the screen. "Impossible! The burial in five days was chosen by Master Liaokong—an auspicious date that cannot be altered!"
Chu Ruoyan feigned fright, covering her face with her sleeve. "Master Liaokong?"
Her pretended ignorance had the desired effect. At the monk’s name, a flicker of disgust crossed Yan Zheng’s eyes.
"Why not?"
"Lord Marquis!" Lord Song’s eyes bulged. "Master Liaokong is the nation’s guardian monk! Those who defy his counsel never meet a good end!"
A cold, venomous glare darkened Yan Zheng’s gaze. "Is that so? Then what ‘good end’ has the Yan family met?"
Lord Song faltered.
With the general’s household in ruins, he had no rebuttal.
"But... to delay the burial on the word of the marquis’s wife alone? Isn’t this absurd?"
Yan Zheng’s voice was icy. "She cited the general’s spirit speaking to her. Where is the absurdity?"
Lord Song broke into a cold sweat under the pressure.
He shot Chu Ruoyan a resentful glance. "If the marquis insists, I’ll report this to my superiors. This matter concerns the imperial family—His Majesty will surely take notice..."
The unspoken threat hung in the air.
Yan Zheng smirked. "See him out."
