Chu Ruoyan knew something was amiss the moment she heard those words.
Ever since her aunt married into the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion, she had severed ties with the Cao Family to avoid suspicion.
So why would she suddenly want to visit them now?
"Aunt, tell me the truth—did someone come to you with a request...?"
Chu Jing choked back a laugh and scolded, "You’ve always been too sharp for your own good, even as a child. Fine, yes. Old Madam Cao asked me to bring you over, no matter what..."
Old Madam Cao?
Chu Ruoyan quickly pieced it together—the old woman must have noticed her absence from Yan Zheng’s side these past days and assumed they’d quarreled.
"Aunt, you go ahead first. I—"
"What do you mean, ‘I’? You know how stubborn that old lady is. If I don’t bring you today, she’ll storm into the Duke’s Mansion herself to see you!" Chu Jing grabbed her hand and pulled her up. "Enough dallying. Our Chu women aren’t this timid. Come on, just humor your aunt this once!"
With no choice, Chu Ruoyan reluctantly followed.
Inside the Marquis of Chengen’s carriage, Chu Ruoyan noticed the embroidered "Xue" character on the curtains and suddenly remembered something. "Aunt, earlier, when Cousin’s maid Xiaohan delivered Father’s letter, she mentioned you and Cousin were confined to the mansion by Uncle. Why has he allowed you out now?"
Chu Jing’s hand paused as she poured tea, her lips curling in disdain. "Why else? The Emperor just reinstated the Marquis of Anning. Seeing the winds shift, your uncle changed his tune again... But enough about him. We haven’t met in so long—let’s not ruin the mood."
Catching the irritation in her voice, Chu Ruoyan guessed marital troubles. Before she could probe further, they arrived at the Cao Family’s estate.
Pulling back the carriage curtain, Chu Ruoyan spotted Cao Yang standing stiffly by the gate like a wooden post. "Magistrate Cao? What are you doing here?"
Cao Yang gritted his teeth. He’d like to know that himself!
Last night, his elderly mother had burst into his study, demanding he take leave the next day, insisting "esteemed guests" were visiting...
And this was the result?
"Marquise of Anning, and this is...?"
He glanced at Chu Jing beside her. Though her face was obscured by the veil, her noble bearing was unmistakable.
Chu Ruoyan hurriedly introduced, "This is my aunt, the Marchioness of Chengen. Aunt, this is Magistrate Cao from the Ministry of Revenue..."
The air instantly turned frosty.
Cao Yang stiffly clasped his hands. "My respects, Marchioness."
Chu Jing equally awkwardly dipped her head. "Magistrate Cao."
Their eyes darted away, and Chu Ruoyan suddenly recalled—they’d once been considered for a match!
But Cao Yang had been dispatched south, and Chu Jing married the Marquis of Chengen. This was their first actual meeting.
"Ahem, Magistrate Cao, is Old Madam Cao in the main hall?"
Her question broke the tension. Cao Yang seized the escape. "Mother is inside! Forgive me—urgent ministry matters demand my attention. Cao Yi, escort them!"
He fled, and Chu Jing exhaled in relief.
In the Cao Family’s main hall, Old Madam Cao craned her neck impatiently. When only Cao Yi entered, she scolded, "Where’s that son of mine? I told him to greet my guests—is this how he obeys?"
Cao Yi bowed deeply. "The Magistrate had pressing duties at the ministry, so—"
"Rubbish! That boy always fails me at critical moments! If he’s slighted my guests, I’ll—"
"Madam Cao!" Chu Jing called out.
The old woman’s anger vanished. She rushed forward, clasping Chu Jing’s hands.
Their eyes met, and they spoke in unison:
"Mahjong!"
Chu Ruoyan’s temple twitched. Old Madam Cao turned, summoning two more women—one white-haired and elderly, the other younger.
"My cousin and her daughter-in-law, both mahjong masters. Well? Everything’s ready for a game!"
Chu Jing serenely accepted a pouch of silver from her maid. "Of course. Last time we played, you cleaned me out. Today, I’ll reclaim my losses."
Old Madam Cao cackled, dragging her toward the back room. At the door, she remembered Chu Ruoyan and waved dismissively. "Oh, Girl Chu, the Marquis of Anning’s waiting in the rear courtyard. Off you go!"
Chu Jing added absently, "Yes, sort things out with your husband... Madam Cao, shall we draw for seats first?"
Chu Ruoyan: "..."
She strongly suspected her aunt had used her as an excuse to play mahjong.
No wonder Old Madam Cao adored her—they were cut from the same cloth!
The rear courtyard.
Chu Ruoyan went anyway.
Partly to avoid offending the two matriarchs, partly to hear what the "Underworld King" had to say.
Yet when she saw him seated in a wheelchair, his gaunt frame draped in loose blue robes, she froze.
Had he lost more weight in just days?
Hearing footsteps, Yan Zheng set his book down and turned.
Their gazes locked, the air thickening between them.
"You..."
He spoke one word, then faltered.
Chu Ruoyan steadied her breathing. "If the Marquis has nothing to say, this wife will take her leave."
She turned to go, unwilling to endure more turmoil, when he blurted: "Wenjing misses you!"
She halted.
Was he using the child to guilt her?
"Then where is Wenjing? One meeting should suffice to ease his longing."
Yan Zheng frowned at her coldness. "You’re still angry?"
"Shouldn’t I be?"
Chu Ruoyan whirled around, fury blazing. "Marquis, I know you calculate every move—people mean little to you. But these past months, I’ve exhausted myself for the Yan Family. If not for merit, then for effort alone, don’t I deserve honesty?"
After a long silence, Yan Zheng admitted, "I told Meng Yang not to inform you."
The admission somehow lightened her heart.
Of course. Aside from his brother’s family, when had this ruthless man ever cared for anyone?
Why humiliate herself chasing his indifference?
"Thank you for your candor, Marquis. May our paths cross peacefully hereafter—and may you spare my family for my service’s sake."
She curtseyed and strode away without looking back.
From the shadows, Meng Yang leaped out. "Third Young Madam, wait! Our master’s tongue is tied!"
Yan Wenjing also popped up. "Third Uncle, speak up! You deliberately moped before Old Madam Cao to arrange this meeting—even begged her to enlist the Marchioness of Chengen! Why won’t you say it?"
