Chapter Forty-Nine: Qin Jianyu Visits the Xue Family

The next morning, the Qin family’s main courtyard was livelier than usual, all because the three members of the Qin household were arguing over gifts.

Qin Jianyu was preparing to pay a visit to the Xue family and had instructed the servants to prepare four gifts: some fabric and two kinds of snacks.

Madam Qin stood in his way, refusing to allow it. “You’re not visiting some grand family—why bring so many things? If you ask me, don’t bring anything at all. Why should we be so eager to please them?”

Then she turned her ire on Qin Jianyu. “I told you not to associate with that woman surnamed Kong yet. Couldn’t you have waited until the engagement was broken off? Now you’ve wasted gifts—such a loss!”

A son visiting his betrothed’s family without bringing gifts? What man does that when he seeks to marry?

The servants in the courtyard, sensing the brewing scandal, quietly withdrew, wanting nothing to do with the embarrassing squabble.

Qin Dalang, worried about the family’s reputation, tried to mediate. “Ayu is right. Not to mention we’re already late with this courtesy—Xue Qiu is an elder, after all. And I heard Xue Yang was injured; you can’t visit a patient empty-handed. You think you’re saving a few items, but if word gets out, what face will the Qin family have left? We’ll be shunned by everyone!”

Madam Qin was simply distressed over the fabric she had just bought.

But her husband’s words made sense—saving a few things wasn’t worth the shame. After a moment’s thought, her gaze landed on the already wrapped snacks. “Just take those two,” she said. “Food can’t all go to that Eighth Miss Xue, but the fabric is different—Xue family will surely give it to her. And I absolutely can’t stand that future daughter-in-law. Hmph!”

Obeying his mother’s orders, Qin Jianyu brought only the two snacks to the Xue residence. He first went to visit Xue Yang, and when he saw the disdainful look on the servant’s face at the paltry offerings, he finally felt a hint of shame.

His reluctance to marry Xue Fanzhi was not merely because she was large enough to overwhelm him; it was also because, thanks to Xue Qiu, the Xue family now outclassed the Qin family. But the Kong family was different—though wealthy, their daughter was born of a concubine and would be beneath him if she married in; he would never have to defer to his wife.

With these thoughts, he felt all the more averse to this engagement, and his attitude toward Xue Yang was accordingly sour when he paid his visit.

...

Xue Fanzhi and Old Madam Xue, along with Xue Jiaoyue, returned home a step later.

It was nearly midnight by the time they arrived, so both women simply washed up and went to bed, the night passing uneventfully.

The next day, news came from Xue Qiu’s side: Lord Shou had died, the assassin had not been apprehended, and the whole city was now under a manhunt.

Since this was not a matter that needed to be concealed, the news quickly spread within the Xue household, reaching Honglian, and thus Xue Fanzhi soon heard about it too.

Since the emperor had not sent anyone to cordon off the Xue residence, Xue Fanzhi knew the matter would pass for now.

But there was one thing she simply could not let go.

It was the affair between Qin Jianyu and Miss Kong. In her previous life, she’d felt guilty toward Qin Jianyu and wanted to make amends in this one. But now she saw that she was never the problem; it was that faithless scoundrel who had broken his promises. Yet she couldn’t speak out. In her last life, it was only after she was injured that the Qin family proposed breaking off the engagement. But since Qin Jianyu had married Miss Kong in her past life, it was clear their relationship was not a mere dalliance. This time, they were already entangled. If she didn’t break off the engagement, how could they marry?

Given this, she began to wonder whether her injury at the hands of Sun Xiaolang in her past life was truly an accident or a deliberate scheme. That dream she’d had—was it not a warning?

The more she thought about it, the more determined she became to investigate Qin Jianyu. She would never choose him again in this life, but she also wouldn’t let him get away unscathed as he had before. She would make sure he felt the embarrassment and guilt of failing to fulfill his betrothal.

And the Qin family would not profit at the Xue family’s expense again.

Xue Fanzhi summoned Honglian. “You—”

Honglian, sensing her mistress had some task in mind, was eager. “Just say the word, my lady!”

Xue Fanzhi paused. She had no manpower and no money. How could she investigate Qin Jianyu? As a woman confined to the inner chambers, controlling affairs beyond the household was simply too difficult.

“Find me an attendant—someone clever and, above all, loyal.”

Honglian laughed. “Clever ones, we have. Loyal ones, too. But my lady, how will you win their hearts? You’ll need money for that!”

Xue Fanzhi fell silent—she was so poor she could hardly keep herself fed.

She looked toward the more composed Hongxiao, who waved her hands. “Don’t look at me, my lady. I’m not as capable as Honglian.”

At least Honglian was born into the household and had some connections.

After a moment’s thought, Xue Fanzhi told the two maids what she’d witnessed the night before and shared her plan. She trusted them both.

Honglian, who hated evil with a passion, said, “Don’t worry, my lady. I can handle investigating only Qin Jianyu. I’ll ask my cousin for help!”

In her past life, Honglian’s cousin had wanted to marry her but was thwarted by Madam Jin’s meddling, who married Honglian off to a servant of the He family. Honglian died of sorrow, her cousin became a fugitive, joined the army, and spent his days opposing the Jin family.

This cousin, at least, was loyal to Honglian.

Xue Fanzhi nodded. “Remember, don’t alert the enemy.”

Honglian patted her chest. “Leave it to me!”

Before Honglian could leave, a young maid arrived, barely containing her excitement. “My lady, the old madam has summoned you! Oh, and the young master from the Qin family has come to visit the head of the house—he’ll be coming over soon!”

She finished with a look of expectation, hoping for a reward.

Usually, good news reported to the mistress earned a tip.

But Xue Fanzhi had no money to give, and even if she did, she wouldn’t reward anyone for news that involved Qin Jianyu’s betrayal—Honglian and Hongxiao wouldn’t allow it.

All three women’s expressions darkened at once. They realized Qin Jianyu’s visit to the old madam was just an excuse to see Xue Fanzhi.

At that moment, none of them knew whether it was better to meet him or not.

The young maid, seeing their faces, was bewildered. Wasn’t this supposed to be good news?

When Xue Fanzhi went to see the old madam, Qin Jianyu had not yet arrived.

After some thought, Xue Fanzhi decided to tell the old madam what she had seen the previous night. She could hide it from others, but not from her grandmother. If her plan failed, the old madam would help shield her from an unhappy marriage.

Old Madam Xue detested those who broke their word. Furious at the news, she slapped the table. “Outrageous!”

Turning to Nanny Jiang, she ordered, “Tell the master of the house we’re breaking off the engagement with the Qin family! And inform the old general—not to receive that boy anymore. Throw him out for me!”

But that would throw the Xue household into chaos.

Xue Fanzhi quickly stopped her grandmother. “Grandmother, if we break off the engagement like this and the Qin family retaliates, it could harm us. Better to catch Qin Jianyu in the act.”

The old madam chided, “Why didn’t you say something last night?”

It had all happened so suddenly, and with the carriage blocking the view, if Qin Jianyu and Miss Kong denied it, it would be impossible to prove. Besides, Xue Fanzhi was still hiding another matter from her grandmother—the attempt on her life by Sun Xiaolang. She wanted to know whether it was connected to the Qin family or merely a coincidence.

“It was my negligence, but nothing can be done about it now.”

The old madam, after some consideration, knew she couldn’t blame Xue Fanzhi. Still, it was necessary to force the Qin family to accept the truth. In last night’s circumstances, they would never accept it.

She nodded. “There’s no need to rush. If the Qin family dares treat us so, they will pay the price.”