"Brother Huai'an, Ruoyin is deeply grateful for your affection, but with my tainted reputation and sullied past, I am truly unworthy of you..."
"No! It is I who am unworthy!" Jiang Huaian interrupted urgently. "You come from noble lineage, educated and refined, while I am merely a merchant—forbidden by my grandfather's decree from pursuing an official career. In terms of status, family standing, or even personal qualities, it is I, Jiang Huaian, who would be overreaching by aspiring to you!"
Chu Ruoyin froze momentarily.
Once, someone had told her similar words: "The Second Miss of the Chu family, born into nobility and cultivated in grace, why do you belittle yourself so? Even in marriage, it would only ever be your future husband who must rise to meet you, never you lowering yourself for him..."
Word by word, those phrases had warmed her restless heart.
Yet now? They had become strangers.
She lowered her head with a faint smile. "Brother Huai'an, you are the legitimate heir of the Jiang family's main branch, the future head of the Jiang clan. Do you truly wish to marry someone with a dubious past and impure reputation as the matriarch of your household?"
"I—"
"Brother Huai'an, think carefully before answering. Marrying me would not only deny the Jiang family any support from the Duke of Chu's Mansion or the General of the Northern Garrison's estate, but it might even provoke the imperial family due to my past with Prince Qin. Will your parents, the Jiang elders... truly consent?"
Jiang Huaian's expression darkened gradually.
If it were only himself, he could vow without hesitation—but involving the entire Jiang family? He had no certainty.
The man's silence did not wound her.
That ever-gentle cousin now spoke even more softly. "Brother Huai'an, you are a noble and outstanding gentleman, bearing the weight of your family's honor. You need not feel any guilt. Ruoyin believes you will surely find a lady of noble birth to share your life with."
The words cut like a blunt knife. Jiang Huaian could bear it no longer. "Cousin Ruoyin, why must you always be like this?"
Chu Ruoyin paused as he continued, "Always so understanding, always sacrificing yourself. Can you not fight for your own happiness, just once?"
Her lashes lowered slowly.
She had fought once—the only time she had defied her family, throwing herself like a moth into flames for one person.
The result left her scarred. She was afraid now.
Seeing her silent resignation, Jiang Huaian was overcome with impulse. "What if I said I am willing?"
Chu Ruoyin looked up as he declared, "If the Jiang family forbids our union, I will renounce my position as the heir. The world is vast. As long as you do not reject me, I can build a new life elsewhere—and I swear never to let you suffer again!"
She stared at him in disbelief.
It was impossible not to be moved. The Jiang heir, with untold wealth within reach, was ready to cast it all aside for her.
Yet she could not bring herself to accept.
Just then, the carriage halted abruptly. The coachman's voice sounded respectfully, "Second Miss."
The curtain lifted, revealing a familiar yet disheveled face.
"Prince Qin?" Jiang Huaian's brow furrowed instantly—only for his sister to appear with a light smile. "Brother, Cousin Ruoyin, I happened upon His Highness on the road. He was alone and injured, so I took the liberty of offering him a ride. Surely you don't object?"
Jiang Huaian's eyes blazed with fury. "Jiang Jinxue!"
He knew her scheme all too well. She feared he would abandon his position as the Jiang heir for Ruoyin—and now she had dragged Prince Qin into this!
Jiang Jinxue's smile faded slightly. "Brother, remember Father and our uncles tasked us with forging connections in the capital. Though there may be misunderstandings between His Highness and Cousin Ruoyin, misunderstandings can be clarified. Must you make things difficult?"
"You—"
As tension crackled between the siblings, Chu Ruoyin felt overwhelming weariness. "Cousin Jinxue, let Prince Qin board..."
"Cousin!" Jiang Huaian protested, but Prince Qin's gaze had fixed on her the moment he appeared.
The prince stepped into the carriage, his expression lost and full of unspoken words—only for the woman he had wronged to step down and bow deeply.
"Prince Qin, Brother Huai'an, Cousin Jinxue... Ruoyin knows herself to be ill-omened, bringing only misfortune to those around me. I have forsaken all thoughts of marriage..."
Jiang Jinxue exhaled in relief. She had feared Ruoyin might impulsively agree to return with her brother, risking familial rupture.
But Ruoyin's next words filled her with guilt.
"I have vowed before the Bodhisattva: so long as my parents remain healthy and my cousins find marital happiness, I shall devote my life to Buddha, shaving my head in a nunnery. Please... do not seek me out again."
With that, she turned away—her slender figure solitary yet unyielding as winter plum blossoms.
For a heartbeat, the three stood stunned—then came a resounding crack!
Jiang Huaian's fist smashed into Prince Qin's face. "Murong Jin! Look what you've done!"
Jiang Jinxue paled in fright, but the prince spat out a bloody tooth. "Well struck. Again."
With a cold laugh, Jiang Huaian swung once more. Prince Qin staggered before sneering, "You hate me for hurting Ruoyin—yes, I failed her. But you? Are you any better?"
Jiang Huaian roared, but the prince continued, "I told you long ago: a merchant's standing is precarious. You should have earned rank through the exams for her sake. Yet here you are, trapped in the capital—even your own sister opposes you!"
The younger man lunged, and the two tumbled into a brutal brawl, discarding all dignity.
Jiang Jinxue initially tried to intervene but soon gave up, directing the coachman to a secluded alley where the men could fight unchecked.
Yet none of this escaped the spies of the Feng family.
By the time the message reached Feng Mansion via carrier pigeon, Feng Ying and Second Lady Feng had just endured another round of "discipline" from the palace matrons.
The imperial instructors were merciless—stripping the women of outer garments, dousing them in water, and forcing them to stand in the winter cold. Within half an hour, several had collapsed...
Second Lady Feng, barely recovered, watched in horror as Feng Ying erupted.
"That wretched slut! How dare she—how dare she make Ninth Brother brawl for her like some common—!"
A sharp slap cut her off.
A matron intoned coldly, "Palace rules forbid vulgar language. Miss Feng, you will receive twenty strikes for this offense."
Two others pinned Feng Ying down as the blows rained—each crisp smack making Second Lady Feng tremble.
She gazed despairingly at the sky.
When would this torment end?
Inside the Feng family's main hall, Feng Huan finally demanded, "Father! What is happening? Since my return to the capital, Mother has died, Sister was paraded in disgrace, Ying'er's engagement to Prince Qin was broken, and now our entire household is confined with the women punished... Why?"
