Volume One: Wandering Between Truth and Illusion Chapter Forty-Six: The Betrothal

Gu Qinghan clearly held little respect for the Marquis of Wuxiang. The marquis’s brow furrowed in irritation, though it seemed he harbored some wariness toward her as well. He said, “I have come to see the Dowager Madam, to discuss the marriage arrangement. Since she cannot receive guests, I can only entrust you with a few words.”

“I heard what you just said, Marquis,” Gu Qinghan replied coolly. “Forgive me if I misunderstood you. The engagement between our two families was decided by the late marquises while they were still alive. If nothing unexpected had occurred, both families should have started preparing for the marriage, set over a decade ago, at the turn of spring next year.”

“Preparations?” The Marquis sneered. “Now that Qijing is... is dead, and Qining must observe three years of mourning. If there is to be a wedding, it can only happen after those three years have passed.”

“We can wait,” Gu Qinghan replied. “Since the late marquis arranged this union, we have long regarded Zixuan as the future lady of our Jinyi Marquisate. Once the mourning period ends in three years, we will naturally send eight sedans to escort Zixuan into our home.”

The Marquis raised his hand. “Hold on. Do you think because you can wait, we can as well?”

“Oh?” Gu Qinghan’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Is the Marquis suggesting that three years is too long, and you cannot wait?”

The Marquis stood, hands clasped behind his back. “Since we have spoken so plainly, I’ll be frank. I was never in favor of this engagement, even though the old men made the decision. Out of respect for their friendship, I didn’t oppose it outright.”

“So the Marquis does not approve of this match,” Gu Qinghan replied, her smile unwavering. “Yet in the past two years, you have brought it up to the general multiple times, urging that the matter of the two children be settled quickly. We had always thought you had no objections.”

The marquis looked momentarily embarrassed, but pressed on. “I only hoped it would be resolved early, so I wouldn’t have to worry about it constantly. I hate troublesome things, and now a huge trouble is right before me—I have to resolve it as soon as possible.”

“And what is the Marquis’s solution?”

“You yourself said just now—dissolve the engagement,” he said. “Since Qining must observe mourning, and we cannot wait, it’s better for both sides to dissolve the engagement. It’s for everyone’s good.” He glanced at Yang Ning, his tone dismissive. “To be frank, your heir is not suitable for our Zixuan.”

“I don’t quite understand your meaning,” Gu Qinghan said, her beautiful face now stern. “This marriage was arranged by the late marquises. Our Jinyi Marquisate has remained steadfast and never dared disobey their will. Both marquises were men of their word. I truly don’t understand why a settled engagement should be cast aside.”

“Times have changed. Even a match arranged by the old marquises is not unalterable,” the Marquis retorted, giving Yang Ning a cold glance. “When my father arranged this, he never imagined your Jinyi Marquisate would raise such a person. If he had known, he’d never have agreed.”

Gu Qinghan’s eyes flashed coldly. “Marquis, your words are most unbecoming your station. Ning’er is simple and sincere. How does he fail to meet your approval?”

The Marquis let out a strange laugh. “Simple and sincere? Do you think I know nothing about him?” He pointed at Yang Ning. “It is said you constantly carouse with a group of dissolute young men along the Qinhuai River—is it true? I’ve also heard you made a fool of yourself in public. The whole capital knows the Qi family has produced such a laughingstock. Is it not so?”

Gu Qinghan’s voice sharpened. “Marquis, mind your words. Ning’er is merely too trusting. His nature is not bad, he...!”

“No need to explain,” the Marquis interrupted. “Many in the capital know our two families are engaged. Because of this, my Wuxiang Marquisate has been ridiculed behind our backs, all because...!” He stepped forward, his finger nearly touching Yang Ning’s nose. “All because of this worthless boy, my house’s reputation is being dragged through the mud. We’re already slandered before the marriage is even completed. If Zixuan were truly wed to him, could we show our faces in the capital again?”

Gu Qinghan laughed coldly. “Marquis, when your father was in dire straits, our old marquis never hesitated to help, never fearing to be implicated. In hardship, we stood side by side—thus the engagement was formed. Now, because of a few malicious rumors, you wish to sever all ties. If the late marquises could see this, what would they think?”

“I’m doing this for the future of the Su family,” the Marquis replied coolly. “In all these years, I’ve never heard of an heir being kidnapped so easily. If Zixuan were to marry such an incompetent, I truly fear she’d soon be a widow...!”

“Enough!” Gu Qinghan chastised sharply. “Marquis, you go too far.”

The Marquis looked embarrassed, realizing he had crossed the line. He cleared his throat. “In any case, I am master of the Wuxiang Marquisate. Zixuan is my treasure, and her marriage is mine to decide. If I do not consent, there will be no marriage.”

Yang Ning had listened in silence throughout, watching coldly from the side. Though the Marquis held high rank, apart from his fine clothes, he showed none of a noble’s grace or bearing—his words crude, his temperament boorish. In other attire, he would be mistaken for a common scoundrel.

Steward Qiu stood at the side, hands folded, silent. Gu Qinghan struggled to contain her anger, but it was obvious—her breath came quick, her ample chest rising and falling. Her willow brows arched as she said with a cold smile, “Since the Marquis has spoken so plainly, I have something to say as well.”

The Marquis lifted his chin. “I came today to make things clear. Say whatever you wish.”

“Very well.” Gu Qinghan nodded. “Marquis, you should know the old marquises arranged this match not just for friendship, but after much deliberation. So I must ask: have you given as much thought to breaking it?”

“Of course,” the Marquis replied without hesitation.

Gu Qinghan’s expression calmed. “If that is so, I have nothing more to say. But whether the engagement is dissolved is still up to the Dowager Madam. If she agrees, we will not insist.”

The Marquis said, “I can give you a few days to consider, though I don’t think it necessary. Since I’ve decided, there’s no point in clinging to this and making both families look bad.”

“You needn’t worry, Marquis. Our Qi family never forces others,” Gu Qinghan replied coolly. “Steward Qiu, see the Marquis out.”

The Marquis paused, but seeing Gu Qinghan’s frosty face, he snorted and swept out the door.

Steward Qiu followed him out. Only after seeing the Marquis off did Gu Qinghan sneer at his departing back, “Utter fool!”

Yang Ning approached Gu Qinghan and asked softly, “Third Aunt, are we really engaged to their family?”

“Ning’er, there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of good girls. If not a Su, I’ll find you someone better,” Gu Qinghan said, still unable to shake her anger. “I’ve heard that Su Zixuan is willful and not easy to get along with. But since the old marquis arranged it, we could not defy him. Now that the Marquis himself has come to dissolve the engagement, perhaps it’s not such a bad thing after all.”

“For him to come and break off the engagement before my father’s funeral is even held—he’s gone too far,” Yang Ning said with a frown. “He clearly holds our Jinyi Marquisate in contempt.”

Gu Qinghan turned to Yang Ning, her voice gentle. “Ning’er, dignity isn’t about what others think, but about proving yourself. If you achieve what your father and grandfather did, our Jinyi Marquisate will never be looked down upon.”

Yang Ning nodded, though privately he thought, whether the Jinyi Marquisate has dignity or not is hardly my concern—this impostor may well slip away one day.

Still, he knew the marquisate was beset by trouble, within and without. With Qi Jing’s death, the backbone of the house was broken. The branch of the third old master clearly favored the illegitimate son Qi Yu, and the internal struggle was obvious.

Now, with the Marquis of Wuxiang personally breaking the engagement, this was clearly no isolated incident.

Gu Qinghan was deep in thought when two men approached in haste. The leader was Duan Canghai, his expression grave, followed by Qi Feng.

“Third Madam, there’s been an incident in the capital,” Duan Canghai announced before he even entered.

Gu Qinghan frowned. “What’s happened?”

Qi Feng stepped forward, bowing solemnly. “Third Madam, Young Master—the city defenses are being changed. The Black Blade Battalion stationed at Shitou City was suddenly brought into the capital last night, and all the city gates are now guarded by them. The Royal Feather Guard has been withdrawn and is now stationed fifteen miles north of the city.”

“What?” Gu Qinghan’s face paled. “The Black Blade Battalion has entered the capital?”

Duan Canghai looked grim. “The imperial city has been sealed. No one may enter or leave. Qi Feng saw city constables patrolling everywhere—the entire force has been mobilized. Every alley and street has their presence. Third Madam, it seems... it seems something has happened in the palace.”