Duke of Chu's Mansion.
With the marriage settled, the Bodhi Courtyard had been bustling these past few days.
Chu Ruoyan busied herself with embroidering for the wedding while tallying the dowry sent by Lady Jiang the Younger.
"Twelve shops in the capital, two hundred acres of fertile land, and two additional estates... Has Madam had a change of heart? She’s prepared such a lavish dowry for you?"
Yulu gasped in astonishment. Chu Ruoyan flicked her forehead lightly. "Take a closer look."
Yulu squinted and finally noticed that all the shopkeepers, field overseers, and estate managers bore the surname Jiang.
"So they’re all under Madam’s control. What use are they to you? Every last one is her person—no one will obey you. And you can’t replace them all. Isn’t this just an empty gift?"
Chu Ruoyan chuckled.
Her stepmother had always been shrewd—she wanted both reputation and profit, unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss.
Yulu fretted, "What should we do? Should we inform the master and demand the servants' contracts? You can’t marry with nothing!"
Before Chu Ruoyan could respond, a maid from the outer courtyard rushed in. "Young Miss, the cousin from Marquis of Chengen's Mansion is here to see you!"
A woman in a lake-green robe strode in—it was her cousin, Xue Ling!
Xue Ling, the only daughter of Chu Ruoyan’s aunt Chu Jing, had been close to her since childhood. She cut straight to the chase: "Ruoyan, what’s going on? Did your stepmother force you into this? Otherwise, why would you agree to marry Third Yan, that cripple?"
Chu Ruoyan quickly pulled her into the inner chamber. "Dearest cousin, lower your voice!"
Xue Ling scoffed. "Why should I? I’ve long disliked her. My mother says she’s nothing compared to your late mother—it’s all because your father was too soft-hearted, letting this troublemaker into the house!"
Chu Ruoyan’s temples throbbed. Xue Ling, like her mother, was fiercely outspoken.
When Lady Jiang the Younger first entered the household, Aunt Chu Jing had vehemently opposed it.
Xue Ling gripped her arm. "Enough of that. Tell me about this marriage. The moment I arrived, I heard the Yans want to call it off, but you refused. Is it true?"
Chu Ruoyan nodded slightly.
Xue Ling’s eyes widened. "What? Have you lost your mind? Last year at the Lantern Festival, you left early with me—when did you fall in love at first sight?"
Chu Ruoyan stayed silent.
That night, she and her cousin had planned to enjoy the festivities, but an unexpected monthly ailment forced her to return home. She hadn’t expected Xue Ling to remember.
"Speak! Don’t tell me you believed those ridiculous tales of a heroic rescue and got swept away?"
Xue Ling grew more agitated. "Listen, don’t be fooled by rumors. Third Yan is no noble savior. Do you know who that orphan girl he saved resembles?"
"Who?"
"His elder sister-in-law—Rong Shan!"
Rong Shan, daughter of Grand Tutor Rong, had married Eldest Yan. Their union was harmonious, but she died in childbirth years ago, leaving only a son behind.
Chu Ruoyan stared blankly, as if unable to process the revelation.
Xue Ling pressed on, "Still don’t get it? When Rong Shan was in labor, Third Yan rode through the capital, rounding up every renowned physician at swordpoint. They said human flesh was needed for medicine—he sliced a chunk from his own arm without hesitation! People whisper he had... improper feelings for his sister-in-law!"
"Truly?" Chu Ruoyan covered her mouth in shock.
She could glimpse future events in dreams, but the past remained obscure.
"Don’t doubt it! My maid Chan’s distant uncle served in the Yan household that day. He saw Eldest Yan slap Third Yan across the face. After Rong Shan’s death, Third Yan went mad, demanding those doctors be buried with her. If not for Eldest Yan’s intervention, blood would’ve been spilled!"
Chu Ruoyan’s mind reeled.
In her dreams, she’d seen Yan Zheng show unusual favor to Grand Tutor Rong’s family—even shielding them when they criticized the emperor. Now she understood why.
But if that were true, why hadn’t he taken in the orphan girl who resembled Rong Shan?
After the disastrous defeat at Hangu Pass, the girl vanished without a trace.
Something deeper lurked beneath the surface. Noticing Xue Ling’s anxious gaze, she forced a smile. "I appreciate your concern, cousin. But Yan Zheng’s sister-in-law is gone. If he fancied that helpless orphan, he could’ve made her a concubine—it changes nothing."
As Xue Ling opened her mouth to protest, Chu Ruoyan squeezed her hand. "The Yans are in turmoil. If I withdraw now, I’ll be vilified. Besides... the palace approves this match."
Xue Ling fell silent.
Thanks to her mother Consort Xue’s influence, she often visited the palace and understood the emperor’s capricious power.
Sighing, she said, "What a wretched situation. At least the Yans must observe three years of mourning—your wedding won’t happen soon. Chan, bring in the gifts."
Chan directed servants to carry eight large chests into the room. Inside were a golden phoenix hairpin, four pairs of gold bracelets, two strings of coral court beads, twenty bolts of embroidered satin, sixteen curio boxes, and ten pairs of red lacquered cases—a dowry fit for a wealthy family.
"My mother promised your late mother she’d prepare a separate dowry for you. Since things can’t be undone, take these now." She pressed two thousand taels of silver notes and a crumpled paper into Chu Ruoyan’s hands.
Chu Ruoyan tried to refuse, but Xue Ling frowned. "Keep it. My mother says the Yan household is in dire straits—money greases every wheel. Third Yan is cold and difficult. You’ll need security."
Relenting, Chu Ruoyan handed three notes to Yulu. "Go to the largest apothecary for calming herbs. Then deliver these two notes to the Yan family’s steward Fang, who visited today."
Once Yulu left, Xue Ling soon followed.
Alone, Chu Ruoyan unfolded the paper. It detailed the Yan family’s affairs in meticulous script—her aunt’s handwriting.
Grand General Yan Xu had five sons and one daughter. Apart from Yan Zheng and the youngest Yan Zhao, all were married.
Madam Xie, the general’s wife, often accompanied him on campaigns. The household was managed by Second Son’s wife, Madam Li, a merchant’s daughter...
Tears welled in Chu Ruoyan’s eyes.
Her beloved aunt—who in her dreams had gone mad, locked away by the Marquis of Chengen until she hanged herself on her daughter’s wedding day.
And Xue Ling, married off to a petty official, died months later after a miscarriage...
This time, she would uncover the truth and spare them that fate.
That night, Yulu returned, reporting the Yans accepted the herbs but refused the silver.
Chu Ruoyan understood—it was their last shred of pride. She dismissed Yulu to rest.
Near midnight, an urgent summons came for her father to attend the palace.
Her instincts screamed of trouble. Sure enough, at dawn, her father rushed home, his first words chilling:
"Grandma Yan has met with disaster!"
