The Marquis of Chengen's Mansion had scheduled the ancestral hall ceremony for three days later.
Chu Ruoyan discussed it with her father, who merely frowned and said, "Just observe quietly. Don’t stir up trouble. Your uncle has a petty temper, and if you provoke him, your aunt will suffer the consequences."
Chu Ruoyan probed further, "But what if he does something to wrong Aunt?"
"How dare he!" Chu Huaishan exclaimed before softening his tone and patting her head. "You’ve been married before—you know every household has its quarrels. A few arguments don’t mean the marriage is over. Don’t worry. If he truly does something outrageous, come back and tell me first. I’ll make sure he answers for it."
Chu Ruoyan understood. In the eyes of the older generation, unless something earth-shattering happened, reconciliation was always favored over separation.
Returning to Bodhi Courtyard, she summoned Nanny Zhou directly. "Please accompany me to the ceremony this time."
Yulu pouted in disappointment, but Nanny Zhou asked, "Is the young lady concerned about the eldest aunt being mistreated?"
"If it were just mistreatment, that would be manageable. But I fear there may be other schemes at play. You’ve seen much in the inner household, Nanny. Your insight will be invaluable." She then flicked Yulu’s forehead playfully. "Don’t sulk. Have you fed Fubao yet?"
Meng Yang had returned the other day with a cartload of goods, among them Fubao.
Little Man and his grandmother had been taken away by Cao Yang’s men, who claimed the shelter was too crowded to keep the dog. They left it with Chu Ruoyan, saying it would at least be well-fed.
Yulu gasped. "Oh no! The pork bones I stewed for it are still simmering on the stove!" She dashed off in a flurry.
Chu Ruoyan shook her head with a smile.
On the morning of the third day, she set out with Nanny Zhou. Lady Jiang the Younger was already waiting at the gate.
Spotting her, she waved warmly. "Eldest Miss, over here!"
Chu Ruoyan noticed neither of her two daughters was present. Chu Ruoyin was understandable—she’d been sent to the palace to learn etiquette—but Chu Ruolan, who never missed a chance to be seen, was conspicuously absent. Clearly, even she knew this ceremony wasn’t one to meddle in.
Once in the carriage, Lady Jiang the Younger spoke gravely. "Eldest Miss, though we’ve been invited, we’re still outsiders. If anything happens, we mustn’t interfere."
Chu Ruoyan feigned ignorance. "Oh? Does Mother anticipate trouble?"
Lady Jiang the Younger cursed inwardly at her pretense but spelled it out. "You know your aunt’s fiery temper. Being forced to adopt a child with no blood ties—she won’t take this lying down!"
Chu Ruoyan widened her eyes in mock realization. "So Mother approves? In that case, I’ll mention it to Father tomorrow—perhaps he’ll let you choose an heir from the second branch."
Lady Jiang the Younger choked on her words.
The Chu family had only two branches. Chu Huaishan had no sons, while his younger brother Chu Huaihe had five. Though her husband had never broached the subject out of respect for her, her mother-in-law favored the younger son and hoped the second branch would inherit the title.
The mention turned Lady Jiang the Younger’s face a mottled red and green. The rest of the journey passed in silence.
At the gates of the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion, Xue Ling stood waiting in the distance.
"Cousin!" Chu Ruoyan called out.
Xue Ling hurried forward. "Greetings to Aunt. I hope you’ve been well."
Still irritated, Lady Jiang the Younger dismissed them curtly. "You two are close. Go catch up."
"Thank you, Aunt!"
Xue Ling pulled Chu Ruoyan along, whispering excitedly, "Do you know? Father’s been acting completely differently these days—returning home right after court, even buying Mother her favorite plum blossom cakes from Zhang's Shop yesterday! I think he truly regrets everything. It’s all thanks to you!"
Though Xue Ling beamed, Chu Ruoyan frowned. When someone’s behavior changed so drastically, it either signaled a monumental shift or concealed darker intentions.
Xue Gui was clearly not the former. But what else could he be plotting? To keep his position, he’d have to abandon his mistress—unless he found a way to divorce Aunt without incurring her brother’s wrath...
A cold dread gripped her. Just then, a man’s voice interrupted her thoughts. "Cousin Xue, is this the famed Eldest Miss Chu?"
She looked up to see a handsome, fair-faced man, though his shifty eyes gave him a slippery air.
Xue Ling responded halfheartedly, and the man bowed. "This humble one is Zhang Ji. It’s an honor to meet you, Eldest Miss Chu. Truly, you live up to your reputation—a heroine among women! I’m in awe."
Chu Ruoyan froze.
Zhang Ji?
The minor official who married Cousin in her dreams?
Xue Ling scowled and pulled him aside. "Why are you here? I told you today was important!"
Zhang Ji hurried to explain. "Don’t fret, Cousin Xue! I was invited by my mentor—I have an invitation! I missed you dearly and couldn’t stay away..."
Xue Ling looked nauseated and shooed him off. Noticing Chu Ruoyan’s gaze, she sighed. "Zhang Ji. A candidate Father insists on pushing on me. He claims the man has a bright future, but he’s just a petty clerk—not even a proper official! I don’t see any ‘future’ there."
The gap between a clerk and an official was vast. At best, a clerk might rise to the seventh rank—hardly a match for a noble daughter. Why would Xue Gui value him so highly?
Chu Ruoyan mused silently before consoling her. "Don’t worry too much. Matches should be of equal standing. This man is leagues beneath you. If you truly dislike him, just tell Aunt—she’ll handle it."
"Ugh, I suppose. But he’s like a leech! Wherever I go, he follows. And out of respect for Father, I can’t even have him beaten. Lend me some men later—I’ll stuff him in a sack and teach him a lesson!"
After chatting, the cousins entered the main hall.
Chu Jing was overseeing preparations, speaking with a palace attendant. Spotting them, she beckoned. "Ling’er, Ruoyan, come greet Aunt Yuru. She’s Noble Consort Xue’s most trusted maid."
Xue Gui’s younger sister, Noble Consort Xue, had entered the palace in her youth, and Aunt Yuru had served her ever since.
The woman inclined her head with practiced grace. The girls returned the courtesy, and Xue Ling asked, "Did Aunt not come today?"
Aunt Yuru glanced meaningfully at Chu Ruoyan before answering. "The Empress Dowager is unwell, so Her Highness is attending to her and couldn’t leave the palace."
The Empress Dowager’s ailment, of course, stemmed from the Marquis of Pingjing’s affairs.
Chu Ruoyan pretended not to hear.
Xue Ling sighed. "It’s been so long since I’ve seen Aunt. I’d hoped she’d come."
Aunt Yuru reassured her. "Don’t fret, Eldest Miss. Though Her Highness couldn’t attend, she sent generous gifts. She said if today proceeds smoothly, she’ll even request an honorary title for Madam Xue."
Xue Ling brightened, but Chu Jing thanked her stiffly and walked away.
Noticing her pallor, Chu Ruoyan asked, "Aunt, are you unwell?"
Chu Jing pressed a hand to her lower back. "I’ve been exhausted lately, and my monthly courses are late by several days."
