Chapter Two: A Family of Performers

After finishing her words, Madam Lin immediately gathered her people and left Yan Heru’s shabby little house. In an instant, the room that had been so crowded was now left with only four people.

With the help of her trusted attendant, the Old Madam Yan settled herself onto a relatively clean chair. Resting both hands on her cane, she gazed at Yan Heru with tender affection.

Before she could speak, Yan Hecheng dropped to his knees beside her, his voice trembling with tears. “Grandmother! That Ninth Prince is a eunuch! How can you let my sister marry him!”

“Silence!” The Old Madam struck her cane twice with stern authority. Yan Hecheng stifled his tears, looking at her with sorrow.

She ignored him and turned to Yan Heru, sighing helplessly before speaking with gentle affection, “Heru, Grandmother truly has no choice. How could I not know that the Ninth Prince is not your worthy match? But since you have committed such a grave mistake, I can only marry you off.”

“Mistake? Grandmother, what did I do wrong?” Yan Heru’s calmness surprised the Old Madam.

“You were involved in an illicit affair—must I really spell this out?” The Old Madam struck the cane several times in anger, her face contorted with grief and disappointment, as if she were truly wounded by Yan Heru’s actions.

“I’ve already dealt with that man. Just make your peace and marry the Ninth Prince,” she said coldly, all traces of her former tenderness vanished.

Watching the Old Madam’s performance, Yan Heru smiled inwardly, full of scorn. Such skillful acting—no wonder the original Heru never saw through it. She had always yearned for familial affection, so she cherished every little kindness given by her grandmother.

“Where is the evidence, Grandmother? Just now Mother also accused me, but when I asked for proof, she had none. You said you’ve already dealt with that man—did you send him away, or kill him? Grandmother, surely you owe me an explanation.” Yan Heru spoke methodically and without haste.

Her composure truly left the Old Madam momentarily dumbfounded. In her memory, this granddaughter had always been respectful and loving, never once talking back. How had she suddenly become so eloquent and contrary?

Seeing her silence, Yan Heru sneered inwardly and continued, “Grandmother mustn’t wrong your granddaughter! In this family, only you care for me. I was anxious before, afraid of being misunderstood—my attitude was wrong.”

At these words, the Old Madam was finally satisfied, nodding approvingly as she once more donned a loving expression. She reached out for Yan Heru and beckoned Yan Hecheng over as well.

“Heru, you were raised at my side—I know your character, but others do not. Regardless of truth or falsehood, that man has been killed by your grandmother and cannot come forward to accuse you.”

“Only the Yan family knows of this matter, and no one here would ruin their own future by speaking of it. So you need not worry.” The Old Madam heaved a long sigh.

Her words did not satisfy Yan Heru. Madam Lin and the Old Madam had never told her who the alleged man was, nor where or when anything supposedly happened—just branded her as having committed such a deed.

And in her previous words, the Old Madam made it clear: regardless of whether it happened, Yan Heru would be married off to the Ninth Prince. Even if she had been with someone, the Yan family would not expose it—meaning they were set on condemning her.

What a cold and indifferent family.

Yan Heru could not fathom how the original Heru had survived here all these years, carrying such feelings. If the original were here, she too would have been shocked. After all, the Old Madam, who had always prayed for peace and worshipped Buddha, had now committed murder.

“Grandmother, I know you mean well. I am willing to marry as you wish. But can you at least tell me who the man was? Who would slander your granddaughter so?” The first half of Yan Heru’s words was gentle and aggrieved, but the latter half grew suddenly firm.

At this, the Old Madam, enraged, struck Yan Heru across the back with her cane, her tone full of bitter disappointment. “Heru! I’ve already told you—do not speak of this again! Must you drive your grandmother to her grave?”

She even coughed twice for effect. Yan Heru, unwilling to continue this charade, knew that if her grandmother would not speak, someone else eventually would.

She knelt before the Old Madam, threw herself into her arms, and wept bitterly. “Your granddaughter understands. Please don’t be angry, Grandmother. I will marry as you wish.”

The Old Madam stroked Yan Heru’s head and even shed two tears herself.

“Heru, Grandmother would never harm you. All these years, have I not protected you every time? Did I hurt you just now?” she added, helping Yan Heru to her feet.

Yan Heru wiped her tears and shook her head. “Grandmother, you mean well, I understand. Please go rest now—let me be alone for a while.”

“Very well, good child. If you have any trouble, come to Grandmother.” With that, the Old Madam left.

Once she had gone, Yan Heru’s demeanor changed instantly, as if the tear-stained girl from moments ago was someone else entirely. Yan Hecheng was stunned.

“Sister…”

At the sound of his voice, Yan Heru remembered him. She sat on the bed, yawned, then turned to him with grave seriousness. “Cheng, in this entire Yan family, only you and I rely on each other. No one else can be trusted!”

Her solemnity made Yan Hecheng serious as well, but he could not help his curiosity. “Sister, what about Grandmother? She has always cared for us most. Can’t we trust her either?”

“No, Grandmother does not truly love us,” Yan Heru replied without hesitation.

Yan Hecheng turned this over in his mind, then nodded. “You’re right, Sister. If Grandmother cared for us, she wouldn’t force you to marry that eunuch!”

Yan Heru patted his head and smiled faintly. “Cheng, you’re not a child anymore. Think carefully—did Grandmother’s indulgence really show love? She always let us have our way. Is that truly a good thing?”

Yan Hecheng frowned, but quickly his expression changed. He looked at Yan Heru in disbelief, stepping back in shock, his voice quivering. “She was setting us up for ruin… Grandmother was setting us up…”

Yan Heru nodded, her face grave. Yan Hecheng was no longer a child—he was already thirteen and remarkably intelligent. He could not have failed to see the truth if he allowed himself to consider it, but the siblings had never dared think along those lines before.

Yan Heru sighed. The Yan family was indeed a den of dragons and tigers. The Old Madam had raised them in such a way, yet they had not turned astray. It was a testament to their steadfast nature and clear understanding.

Now that she had taken the place of the original Yan Heru, she would cherish this only beloved younger brother.

“But why, Sister? We are also part of the Yan family—we bear the Yan name! Grandmother is still a titled lady—why would she…” Yan Hecheng could not comprehend, not in the slightest.