Shadow nodded and took out a small notebook, writing the character "Feng" on it.
"Is it really the Feng family?" She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Did you find out which member of the Feng family it was?"
Shadow shook his head, then quickly scribbled another line.
"Top-secret information... must ask the Pavilion Master... the Pavilion Master is in seclusion." Chu Ruoyan finished reading and murmured, "Young Master Lang is in seclusion?"
In her memory, the Pavilion Master was a carefree and flamboyant man who adored fine wine and beautiful women—hardly the type to retreat into seclusion.
Had he been injured while saving her earlier?
Her heart skipped a beat, an inexplicable worry creeping in. She immediately ordered servants to prepare several baskets of medicinal herbs to send over.
"By the way, Shadow, the evidence—"
Before she could finish, the young man firmly shook his head.
Chu Ruoyan chuckled wryly. Of course—even the all-knowing Bai Xiaoge couldn’t possibly gather concrete evidence for every single incident.
It seemed she’d have to dig deeper into the Feng family.
"Shadow, I’ll trouble you to make another trip. Gather as much information as you can about every member of the Feng household. If one day isn’t enough, take two. Just make sure it’s thorough!"
Shadow nodded and left. Chu Ruoyan rose, had lunch, and then headed to the Duke of Chu's Mansion.
At that moment, Chu Ruoyin was staring blankly out the window. She turned her head slightly at the sound of footsteps. "Elder Sister..."
She stood to bow, but Chu Ruoyan quickly pressed her back down. "Don’t move. Just rest."
Chu Ruoyin smiled weakly. "What’s the use? I’m just a drifting leaf now..."
Though her lips curved, her eyes were hollow, her expression lifeless. The sight twisted Chu Ruoyan’s heart. "Ruoyin!"
Following her gaze, she saw the withered branches and fallen leaves outside the window.
Chu Ruoyan immediately ordered, "Bihe, close the window. Then clear all the dead branches in the courtyard and replace them with winter..." She paused, remembering that the wintersweet had been claimed by Feng Ying, and amended, "Replace them with camellias and freesias. Tomorrow, I’ll bring Fubao to keep you company for a few days. Second Sister, you mustn’t dwell on these thoughts anymore."
Bihe hurried off to carry out the task. Chu Ruoyin’s heart stirred, and a flicker of vitality returned to her. "I’m sorry, Elder Sister. My mind has been so troubled lately, so I..."
"You have nothing to apologize for. But about the matter in the palace... you’ve heard, haven’t you?"
Chu Ruoyin nodded. Chu Ruoyan continued, "I stopped Prince Qin from annulling your engagement. You—"
"Elder Sister!" Chu Ruoyin interrupted. "I know you did it for my sake. Calling off the engagement now would be unjustified. And besides..." She lowered her head with a self-deprecating smile. "If I’m truly not Father’s daughter, what right do I have to stay in the Duke of Chu's Mansion? My husband’s household... is the only place left for me."
How ironic. Back then, she had resisted her mother’s wishes to enter the palace.
But now she realized her mother had been right—her husband’s family was her only hope!
Chu Ruoyan’s heart ached. She grasped her sister’s hand. "Second Sister, you’re overthinking this. Father would never cast you out..."
"I know. I know." Chu Ruoyin looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "But precisely because Father treats me so well, I can’t bear to stay and let him endure ridicule. Elder Sister, I... I truly don’t know what to do anymore!"
Tears she had long suppressed finally spilled over.
Chu Ruoyan held her close, whispering words of comfort while seething with hatred for the Feng family.
Feng Ying had already shattered her sister’s heart.
And that beast of a birth father was determined to ruin her completely!
After a long while, Chu Ruoyin’s sobs subsided.
Seeing her slightly calmer, Chu Ruoyan spoke again. "Second Sister, don’t be so pessimistic. Even if all paths seem closed, your birth mother is still your aunt, and your maternal family will always be your refuge. Once this case is resolved, if you don’t wish to marry into the imperial family, your brother-in-law and I will find a way to annul the engagement. You can travel the mountains and rivers or go to your maternal family in Yangzhou. Didn’t you once mention that ‘Qingxi Ke,’ the one you often exchanged letters with, lives there?"
Chu Ruoyin froze. For the first time in days, a glimmer of life returned to her exhausted face. "Yes... I’ve never met her..."
Chu Ruoyan smiled. "Then you must endure this. Once this storm passes, better days await."
"Mm! Thank you, Elder Sister!"
Chu Ruoyin wiped her tears and picked up a pastry, taking a small bite.
Chu Ruoyan exhaled in relief. Earlier, Bihe had mentioned that the young mistress hadn’t eaten for days. Now that she was willing to eat, it was a good sign!
Leaving the courtyard, she prepared to seek out Lady Jiang the Younger, hoping to ask about any overlooked details from the past.
But before she could reach her, she saw servants carrying in boxes of gifts.
"What’s going on?" Chu Ruoyan stopped Yuetao, Lady Jiang’s maid.
Yuetao stammered, "M-Miss, these are the betrothal gifts returned by the Han family..."
Chu Ruoyan was stunned when Madam Han’s voice drifted from the parlor. "Lady Chu, we sincerely apologize. Our Zhiyuan is wholly devoted to his studies. If he marries your third daughter, he’ll have no time to accompany her, and we fear she’ll be neglected. So let’s call off this engagement. We’ll return the betrothal gifts—double the amount!"
A loud clatter followed—likely Lady Jiang knocking over a teacup. But Chu Ruolan’s delighted voice rang out. "Great! Calling it off is good—ah?"
Her tone faltered at the end, probably because Lady Jiang had glared at her.
Frowning, Chu Ruoyan saw Lady Jiang rise and grasp Madam Han’s hands. "How could she be neglected? Young Master Han is a learned scholar, the dream match for many young ladies. Though our Ruolan is a bit mischievous, she’s never crossed any lines. She’ll surely serve her husband well and support him in his studies. Please reconsider!"
In the past, the Han family would have been the ones begging for this match.
But now, the once-eager in-law pulled her hands away awkwardly. "Lady Chu, it’s not that we’re unwilling. It’s just that... your household’s status is too lofty now. We dare not overreach! Farewell!"
With that, she fled with her maids in tow.
Left standing alone, Lady Jiang clutched her chest.
"Mother, who cares if we don’t marry him? I never liked that dull Han anyway," Chu Ruolan muttered.
Lady Jiang laughed bitterly. "Foolish child, don’t you see? What ‘status is too lofty’—they’re just looking down on us now because of your mother, because of your second sister’s scandal!"
Chu Ruolan shrugged. "So what? I’m not living for his approval."
"You—!" Lady Jiang had no words. She covered her face in despair.
If even the Han family dared to slight the Duke of Chu’s household today, what prestigious family would dare to marry into theirs in the future?
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together. She knew this was likely because Qiao Dali’s lawsuit had spread, prompting the Han family’s retreat.
Just as she was about to step in to console them, her cousin Chu Tingyun rushed in and knelt before Lady Jiang.
"Aunt, I beg you! Yunshi and I are truly in love. Please don’t let the Lin Family break off the engagement. I’ll kowtow to you!"
