After the Chancellor said this, Yan Zhi’an flicked her sleeves and left. This matter was the Yan family’s fault, and she ought to apologize—but the man had set his sights on Xunqi. That was going too far.
She didn’t dare tell Xunqi about it. She shook her head slightly and dismissed her. “I’m fine. Go back and rest. I have things to discuss with your grandmother.”
Xunqi wanted to stay, but since her mother had spoken, staying would only annoy her.
Left with no choice, she left first.
Seeing Xunqi leave, Chen Qingrong’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her voice and asked, “What does that family mean by this? Marriage is about mutual consent. The Yan family already came to apologize and cancel the engagement. What more do they want?”
“This matter is the Yan family’s fault to begin with.” Yan Zhi’an said with a headache. “It’s not their fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me for not asking Seventeenth Miss’s opinion first.”
The groom’s family had already sent betrothal gifts and matched the birth dates. All that remained was for the Yan family to send the bride to their door. Now this happens—the bride ran. Whoever was in their position would be furious about having an engagement cancelled for no reason.
“What exactly does that family want?” Chen Qingrong felt her daughter wasn’t telling her everything.
Yan Zhi’an covered her face, exhausted. “Shiqi won’t marry, so they want to swap in Xunqi.”
“Swap in Xunqi?” Chen Qingrong was momentarily stunned. She turned to look at the doorway, which was already empty—the girl had gone. After a brief pause, she snapped back and flew into a rage. “Delusional! The Fang family has gone too far. If they want money, give money. If they want goods, give goods. But making Xunqi marry in her place? Does he think his son is some kind of treasure?”
In an instant, she was so furious she lost all reason. “I’ll go to their door and curse them out. Shameless beyond belief!”
She turned to leave, but Yan Zhi’an quickly pulled her back. “Wait. This matter is the Yan family’s fault. Let me think of a solution.”
“What solution can you think of? Can Shiqi compare to Xunqi?” Chen Qingrong’s face flushed with anger. Xunqi was the Young Heir of the Yan family—she was never going to be married off. Even if she married, it would be with a son-in-law brought into the family. The Fang family clearly wanted the entire Yan family as a dowry. A man like that needed a slap to learn shame.
“Yan Zhi’an, let go of me. I can’t take it anymore.”
Yan Zhi’an pulled her mother back and sat her down. Speaking earnestly, she said, “I won’t let Xunqi marry. The Fang family isn’t worthy.”
If Xunqi were to marry, it would have to be to a man of exceptional talent who could aid her bid for the throne. What was the Fang family?
The two argued, and every word fell into the ears of Xunqi, who stood at the doorway. She was stunned. Weren’t they talking about Seventeenth Miss’s marriage? How had it reached her?
Seventeenth Miss was sixteen, in the bloom of youth. But she was only fourteen, not yet of age. What was the Fang family thinking?
The marriage had suddenly crashed down on her, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She didn’t want to marry.
She wandered back to her own courtyard in a daze and sat under the eaves, gazing at the golden chrysanthemums bought from outside, unable to snap out of it.
Women had to marry, she knew, but just thinking about it made her head ache terribly.
The Fang family had gone too far!
Xunqi was resentful but didn’t show it. She stared at the chrysanthemums for a while. The more the Fang family pressured the Yan family, the harsher Seventeenth Miss’s punishment would be.
The Fang family didn’t want to give up the marriage connection. After all, Seventeenth Miss was the Left Prime Minister’s cousin. The implications were obvious—it was like boarding the Left Prime Minister’s great ship. Xunqi could see that the Fang family wouldn’t let go of such benefits easily. Moreover, there were Yan family disciples studying at the Imperial Academy. If this matter were mishandled, Chancellor Fang could make life difficult for those students, and Seventeenth Miss’s situation would become even worse.
The golden chrysanthemums were opulent, their patterns lovely, clustered in abundance.
Xunqi stared at the chrysanthemums for a long time without finding a good solution. Not until evening, when a maidservant came to say dinner was ready, did she finally rise.
After half a day, Chen Qingrong’s anger had subsided, but she was still displeased. When Xunqi entered, she couldn’t help scrutinizing her.
Xunqi was fourteen now—tall and slim, but strong. She wasn’t a fragile, delicate girl. That was secondary; what mattered was that she was beautiful, especially when dressed up—she was a sight to behold. Chen Qingrong felt that sense of “my girl is growing up” and inexplicable pride.
Pah! What was the Fang family, daring to covet Xunqi?
The more Chen Qingrong thought about it, the angrier she got, until she wanted to overturn the table. But when she turned her head, Xunqi grinned at her. “Madam!”
One soft, warm “Madam” calmed Chen Qingrong down. She couldn’t get angry in front of the child and lose her dignity as an elder. She could only smile. “Good child, sit down and eat.”
At the table, the atmosphere was delicate. The three of them observed the rule of silence during meals.
After dinner, Chen Qingrong left first. Xunqi lingered with her tea, clinging to her mother’s side. She looked here and there, finally settling her gaze on her mother’s cool, beautiful face. She set down her tea and quietly sidled over. “Mother, has Seventeenth Miss’s matter been settled?”
“No. Setting it aside for now. I’ve already said the Yan family will cancel the engagement and return the betrothal gifts shortly. That letter needs to be sent home as well. The most urgent thing is finding Seventeenth Miss.” Yan Zhi’an felt a headache just thinking about it. The engagement had to be cancelled whether the Fang family liked it or not, but where had the girl gone?
What exactly had the family done to drive Seventeenth Miss to flee?
These things weren’t clear yet. Even if she sent people to ask, the family wouldn’t tell the truth. She’d have to wait until Seventeenth Miss returned.
“Don’t worry about it. I won’t mistreat Seventeenth Miss. Go rest.” Yan Zhi’an reassured her daughter. “Don’t overthink.”
“Oh.” Xunqi’s expression remained clouded. She couldn’t help asking another question. “After I come of age, will I… will I have to marry too?”
Marriage had always been a distant mountain to Xunqi, but suddenly, the mountain had walked right up to her. It loomed so high it suffocated her.
She looked at her mother, fear in her heart, afraid that such a terrible thing would happen to her too.
“You’re still young. Why think about such things?” Yan Zhi’an was weary, rubbing her forehead with her fingertips. She didn’t give Xunqi’s words much thought—she had no authority to decide Xunqi’s marriage. Her Majesty had long since planned it.
Xunqi stood without leaving and pressed on. “I’m a little scared.”
Hearing her say she was scared, Yan Zhi’an’s head shot up. “Why would you be scared? It has nothing to do with you.”
“Sixth Grand-Uncle in the family is forcing Seventeenth Aunt to marry.” Xunqi said nervously. She was scared—scared that someday her mother would force her too.
Yan Zhi’an rallied herself and had to face the matter now. She said, “You’re different from Shiqi. Your Sixth Grand-Uncle isn’t the Head of the Family, and she’s from a concubine branch, so her choices are different from yours. You’re the Young Heir of the Yan family. Your marriage concerns the entire family’s future. Your marriage will be chosen with the utmost care. And if you don’t want it, I won’t force you.”
“Really?” Xunqi was surprised, her eyes clear and bright. “Don’t fool me.”
“If Shiqi didn’t want it, all she had to do was tell me. I would have calmed Sixth Uncle down and given her time. By running off without a word, she’s only inviting resentment from the family. Xunqi, in two years, you’ll be of marriageable age too. If you’re given a choice and you don’t want it, you must tell me early. Don’t run off like this.”
“Shiqi’s mistake was running away, leaving her in an awkward position—she couldn’t make it public. If word reached the Fang family, it would look like the Yan family didn’t know how to raise their daughters, and it would taint all the unmarried women of the Yan family.
Furthermore, a young woman running off alone faced countless dangers on the road. If she were trafficked, the consequences were unthinkable. Even now, her greatest concern was Shiqi’s safety. As for the Fang family, she naturally had ways to deal with them.
The matter had been thorny, but now that the Fang family had set their sights on Xunqi, she needn’t worry—others would.
After receiving her answer, Xunqi went back contentedly.
The next day at court, Chancellor Fang blocked the Left Prime Minister’s path.
“Left Prime Minister, what is your decision?”
Blocked, Yan Zhi’an had no choice but to stop. She pretended to ponder. Chancellor Fang said, “Left Prime Minister, the Yan family has gone back on its word, losing all credibility. The Yan family is a great clan of Jinling, after all. If you make a scene like this, where will my Fang family’s face go? How will my son ever marry in the future?”
If the Yan family withdrew their engagement without cause, people would think his son had some illness. The Fang family had suffered a serious loss.
And the Yan family had no other unmarried daughters of suitable age. So he was seeking the Young Mistress’s hand in marriage on his son’s behalf.
Yan Zhi’an was irritated. She cast a disdainful glance at him and was about to refuse when she saw the Right Prime Minister strolling over. She put on a troubled look. “I’m afraid that won’t do.”
“Left Prime Minister, your Yan family has gone too far!” Chancellor Fang’s voice rose, righteous indignation blazing.
Hearing the commotion, the Right Prime Minister instinctively walked over, catching the Left Prime Minister’s words: “My daughter’s marriage is a major family matter. I alone cannot decide it.”
Xunqi’s marriage? She was puzzled. Xunqi was only fourteen—already being talked about for marriage?
Then Chancellor Fang’s voice came again: “Left Prime Minister, your Yan family withdrew from the engagement without cause. It’s not my son’s fault. Why should my Fang family bear the loss?”
Something was wrong. She slowed her steps, stopping beside the two. She heard the Left Prime Minister say, “Shiqi is unwell and cannot marry.”
“Then swap in someone else!”
The Right Prime Minister understood at once. She whirled around and snapped, “Chancellor Fang, you’ve been respected at the Imperial Academy for years. Have you forgotten your place? Who is your son, and what is the County Princess’s status? You want her to marry in another’s place? Are you measuring the thickness of your face against the city wall?”
Yan Zhi’an was in the wrong and couldn’t easily curse him, but the Right Prime Minister could. She walked over, looked at Chancellor Fang, and, as if she hadn’t finished scolding, added, “The Left Prime Minister apologized humbly, admitting fault and offering compensation. Your losses can be borne by the Yan family. But demanding a clan’s Young Heir marry into your family—isn’t that going too far?”
“The Young Heir of the Yan family is brilliant, personally enfeoffed as County Princess by Her Majesty. What face do you have to demand she marry in another’s place?”
Yan Zhi’an took a step back, successfully retreating, and ceded the stage to the Right Prime Minister. Xunqi was now her student. Demanding Xunqi marry in another’s place was nothing less than cutting out her heart.
Chancellor Fang was scolded until his face burned red. He choked out, “I intended to forge a marriage alliance with the Yan family in good faith—happily sending betrothal gifts and exchanging birth dates. Halfway through the six rites, you say she’s unwell and won’t marry. Isn’t that tyranny? Since Seventeenth Miss is unsuitable, the Yan family should select another of similar age. The Young Mistress is of suitable age. Am I wrong?”
“So, Chancellor Fang, you think you’re in the right?” The Right Prime Minister was normally a gentle person, but today her face was cold, and she laughed mockingly. “I’ve never seen anyone as thick-skinned as you. What is the status of the Yan family’s young miss, and what is your son’s status?”
“Her mother is the Left Prime Minister of the court. Your son’s father is merely the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. The Young Mistress Yan holds a fief—she’s a genuine County Princess. What is your son compared to her?”
