She told Chu Ruoyin about it, and after a moment of silence, Chu Ruoyin forced a bitter smile. "He certainly doesn’t mind going to great lengths."
Chu Ruoyan looked at her with concern. "Then you…"
"I won’t see him," Chu Ruoyin said softly. "During the Lantern Festival two days ago, he had the Wei River cordoned off just to invite me for a boat ride. Now he’s come up with this hunting scheme… What have I done to deserve such attention from Prince Qin?"
Hearing the self-mockery in her words, Chu Ruoyan sighed. "He hurt you deeply before, so it’s only natural you don’t want to look back. But perhaps you should make it clear to him, so he stops bothering you?"
Chu Ruoyin paused, then slowly lowered her head. "I understand. I’ll consider your suggestion, Elder Sister."
After she left, Chu Ruoyan felt exhausted and slept until evening.
When she woke, she had completely forgotten about her discomfort, only to hear Yan Zheng’s stern voice reprimanding someone: "Ridiculous! What does the Second Branch’s wedding have to do with this Chief Minister? Not only will I not attend the banquet, but I won’t even send a single congratulatory gift—go back and tell them that!"
She sat up, and Nanny Zhou hurried to support her. "You’re awake, Miss?"
Hearing her, Yan Zheng turned around, the coldness on his face instantly melting away. "Why didn’t you sleep longer? Did I disturb you?"
Chu Ruoyan shook her head and glanced outside. Yan Zheng understood her unspoken question, his expression darkening again. "It’s those fools from the Second Branch. Feng Ying claimed she couldn’t bear to part with her father and wanted to marry before he left the capital. Those idiots actually believed her! The wedding is the day after tomorrow, and they just sent an invitation!"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became.
He had assumed that once the Feng family fell after the hunt, the marriage would be called off. Who knew they’d pull such a stunt?
Chu Ruoyan pondered. "Could it be that Feng Ying discovered her grandfather and uncle’s plans and is rushing to marry out to distance herself?"
Yan Zheng nodded. "Possibly. Otherwise, with so many noble sons in the capital, why would she choose Yan Chengwu? Quite the scheme!"
Yan Chengwu was infatuated with her. Even if the Feng family were convicted, he’d risk his life to protect her.
And no matter what, the Second Branch bore the Yan name. Even the Emperor would spare them out of respect for Yan Zheng’s position as Chief Minister.
The thought that he had become part of her calculations made a cold glint flash in Yan Zheng’s eyes. "If she wants to marry so badly, I’ll grant her wish! Meng Yang, go to the Duke of Zou’s residence tomorrow!"
Meng Yang was stunned, but then his mistress agreed, "Exactly. Feng Ying and the Second Branch are in a hurry. The Heir of the Duke of Zou likely doesn’t know yet. Given his temperament, he’ll surely make a scene once he finds out. Even if he can’t stop the wedding, he’ll expose Feng Ying’s true character to the public!"
Meng Yang hurried off to carry out the order, and Chu Ruoyan mentioned her younger sister’s visit earlier.
Finally, she added, "Prince Qin somehow convinced the Emperor to allow the wives and daughters of officials to join the hunt. With so many people around, won’t it interfere with your plans?"
Seeing her worry, Yan Zheng’s heart softened. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Not if you don’t go."
Chu Ruoyan pushed him away. "I’m being serious!"
"So am I. If you don’t go, I won’t be distracted. As for the other women, some disturbance is inevitable." His tone was light, but it was clear that bloodshed and casualties would not be few.
Chu Ruoyan looked up at him. "Others aside, you must watch over my younger sister. She plans to meet Prince Qin there…"
"She still wants to see him?" Yan Zheng frowned.
Chu Ruoyan pursed her lips. "You don’t know this prince. He’s gone to great lengths just to see her—first sealing the Wei River, now arranging for women to join the hunt. Who knows what he’ll do next?"
Yan Zheng scoffed. "He’s drowning in regret… Don’t worry, I’ll look after your family. But—"
He hesitated, but the woman seemed to already understand. She blinked up at him. "And you, Chief Minister, need not worry either. None who shouldn’t go will go. Focus on your plans."
Under the candlelight, her beauty was irresistible. He couldn’t help but lower his head, and the night was filled with tenderness.
Over the next two days, Chu Ruoyan sent word to the Chu and Cao families, advising them to keep their women at home due to the dangers of the hunt.
Xue Ling, upon receiving the message, immediately informed the Xie family. Xie Yaozhi then told Jiang Yi…
Word spread quickly, and families with sense kept their women away. Of course, there were exceptions like Gu Feiyan, who dismissed the warning.
"Miss, you wouldn’t believe how infuriating that granddaughter of Chancellor Gu is! She called the imperial hunt a grand favor from the heavens and said you were too cowardly to go, shaming the General’s name. Truly biting the hand that feeds her!" Yulu fumed.
Chu Ruoyan was unbothered. "I never intended to stop her. If she wants to go, let her. By the way, how are things with the Second Branch?"
Just then, Nanny Zhou entered with a smile. "They’re in chaos—absolute chaos! Today, the bridal sedan left the Feng Mansion, only to be intercepted halfway by the Heir of the Duke of Zou. In front of everyone, he demanded to know why Feng Ying chose Yan Chengwu, drawing quite the crowd."
Chu Ruoyan raised a brow. Just as expected.
Yulu asked eagerly, "Did Feng Ying respond?"
"No, she kept her composure. But the Heir of the Duke of Zou didn’t. He shouted about how he’d held her during the New Year’s banquet, causing a scandal. Yan Chengwu couldn’t bear the humiliation and attacked him. Their guards joined in, turning the wedding into a brawl."
Nanny Zhou paused, her throat dry, and gave Yulu a look. The maid quickly handed her tea.
After a sip, Nanny Zhou continued, "The brawl in the streets naturally drew the attention of the city guards, but when they saw it involved the Yan and Zou families—and the Feng Mansion—they didn’t dare intervene. They called the Prefect of Shuntian, who merely separated the parties and deferred to higher authority. In the end, the matter landed in our master’s lap!"
Chu Ruoyan nearly spilled her tea, stifling a laugh. "Did the mastermind himself go?"
"Of course not! He just ordered his subordinates to handle it by the book. Both sides were arrested, and now the Duke of Zou and the Second Master are scrambling to plead with him. Meanwhile, Feng Ying’s sedan is stuck in the street—neither able to proceed to the Yan Family nor return to the Feng Mansion. What a mess!"
Chu Ruoyan finally burst into laughter.
Yan Zheng was truly wicked—tormenting them to the brink, then making them beg for mercy.
Thankfully, he was on her side. Facing him as an enemy would be a nightmare!
