In that instant, the wife of the Earl of Huai’an’s heart beat rapidly, fear arising that her innermost thoughts had been seen through.

She quickly concealed her emotions, shock hanging on her face. “How could there be such a rumor?”

“A rumor? Everyone on the entire street saw it—it’s still a rumor?” The Earl of Huai’an stared at his wife, his eyes scrutinizing. “Liu Shi, how much do you know about this matter?”

The wife of the Earl of Huai’an stepped back, as if she hadn’t expected her husband to ask such a question. Tears instantly fell. “How would I know about such a thing? My lord, saying this truly wounds my heart!”

The Earl of Huai’an’s cold, hard expression didn’t soften because of his wife’s tears. “You and the wife of the Marquis of Pingjia are cousins who frequently visit each other. Did you really not notice anything amiss?”

The wife of the Earl of Huai’an looked aggrieved. “My lord, think about it—would a mother tell others that her son likes men? Forget cousins, even blood sisters wouldn’t mention such a thing.”

The Earl of Huai’an’s gaze was heavy as he stared at his wife.

“My lord doesn’t believe me?” The wife of the Earl of Huai’an’s tears fell even harder. “All these years, I can honestly say I haven’t mistreated Yi’er. Whatever Xiu’er has, Yi’er has. Even what Xiu’er doesn’t have, Yi’er also has. Being a stepmother truly is difficult—to think it would make my lord suspect me like this.”

The Earl of Huai’an wasn’t moved by these words. “How old is Xiu’er? That Yi’er has things Xiu’er doesn’t—isn’t that normal?”

The wife of the Earl of Huai’an faltered.

Once a man who usually didn’t concern himself with household matters became serious, he was surprisingly difficult to deal with.

“So my lord has decided I deliberately pushed Yi’er into a pit of fire?” the wife of the Earl of Huai’an asked in a trembling voice.

The Earl of Huai’an frowned.

His directing all his anger at Liu Shi didn’t mean he was certain she’d deliberately harmed his eldest daughter.

In reality, for a couple living under the same roof, being certain or not wasn’t important. The eldest daughter’s engagement had been arranged by the stepmother, and the groom’s family even had kinship ties with the stepmother. Now that such a huge problem had occurred, it was impossible for the Earl of Huai’an not to feel uncomfortable with his second wife.

That still-reasonably attractive face of Liu Shi suddenly lost most of its appeal in the Earl of Huai’an’s eyes.

“Regardless, this engagement must be broken off.” Having vented his anger, the Earl of Huai’an couldn’t keep harping on something without evidence, but his mood was at rock bottom.

He’d had deep affection for his first wife and naturally doted on his eldest daughter. It was just that as his daughter grew older, as a father, even with good intentions, he couldn’t be as close to her as mother and daughter would be. He’d thought that if his daughter had a good match, he could rest easy, but instead this had happened.

Breaking off the engagement could get her out of the Marquis of Pingjia’s pit of fire, but the harm to his eldest daughter was not light.

The wife of the Earl of Huai’an was stunned. “Break off the engagement?”

“What, do you have an objection?”

The wife of the Earl of Huai’an was somewhat flustered. “My lord, breaking off an engagement is no small matter. Shouldn’t you think it through carefully?”

Her cousin was worried that her son’s situation would be discovered in the future, and if they encountered a daughter-in-law with a strong natal family who couldn’t swallow this grievance and might make a fuss, which was why she’d taken a liking to Chen Yi.

And she had been happy to see her stepdaughter get a match that was superficially glamorous but actually vexing, allowing her as the stepmother to gain a good reputation while not worrying that Xiu’er’s future match would be overshadowed.

Settling her stepdaughter’s marriage while consolidating her relationship with her cousin—it could be called killing two birds with one stone. If they broke off the engagement, forget everything else, her cousin would certainly be dissatisfied with her.

“You think this matter needs consideration?” The Earl of Huai’an stared at his wife, his expression inscrutable.

The wife of the Earl of Huai’an instinctively sensed danger and forced a smile. “Breaking off an engagement has too great an impact on a woman. I just feel we can’t be hasty.”

“You need not consider these things. Tomorrow we’ll go to the Marquis of Pingjia’s estate to break off the engagement.” Having spoken decisively, the Earl of Huai’an flicked his sleeve and left.

“My lord, my lord—” The wife of the Earl of Huai’an called out several times, but the Earl of Huai’an didn’t look back. She slumped dejectedly into a chair.

The Earl of Huai’an went directly to Chen Yi’s chambers.

“Father.” Chen Yi wiped the corners of her eyes, revealing an anxious smile.

“Yi’er, rest assured. First thing tomorrow morning we’ll go to the Marquis of Pingjia’s estate to break off the engagement.”

“Father—” Chen Yi grasped the Earl of Huai’an’s sleeve, tears streaming down.

“Yi’er, don’t cry. In the future, Father will definitely arrange a good match for you.”

After the Earl of Huai’an comforted his daughter and left, Chen Yi sat quietly for a moment, then opened her trunk and took out a small bundle wrapped in ordinary cloth.

Inside were the gold, silver, and valuables she’d personally packed during several sleepless nights recently—prepared for when she was forced into a desperate situation.

Fortunately, she still had her father.

Fortunately, she wouldn’t need these things.

Chen Yi hugged the small bundle with its blue background and scattered flower pattern, crying silently for a long time. She silently wiped away her tears and placed the bundle back deep in her trunk, covering it well with clothing.

She didn’t plan to return these valuables to their original places. Having this bundle there would remind her that no matter what difficulties she faced in the future, she must have the courage to resist rather than compromise and accept her fate.

Chen Yi sat before her dressing mirror to compose herself, then quietly left the Earl of Huai’an’s estate through a side gate and met with Lin Hao, who was waiting outside.

The sky had already darkened, and the young woman’s eyes seemed especially bright to Lin Hao.

“I’m guessing it’s good news.” Lin Hao smiled.

Chen Yi was surprised. “How did you know?”

Lin Hao reached out and pointed at the corner of her mouth. “The corners of your mouth are turned up so high—it couldn’t be bad news, could it?”

“My father said tomorrow he’ll go break off the engagement.” Chen Yi wanted to laugh but couldn’t control her tears. “Ah Hao, my father said tomorrow he’ll go break off the engagement.”

“That’s wonderful.” Lin Hao gently patted Chen Yi’s back. While happy for her friend, her heart felt somewhat bitter.

Most girls’ fathers were probably like Chen Yi’s father—though perhaps not particularly close to their daughters usually, when it came to critical moments they would become their daughters’ strongest support.

She and her elder sister—their luck wasn’t so good.

“Ah Hao, having such a result is thanks to you.” Chen Yi grasped Lin Hao’s hand, thanking her repeatedly.

“Between friends, there’s no need for such words.”

Chen Yi nodded vigorously. “Another day I’ll treat you to a meal. Today it’s too late—Ah Hao, you should head home early. I’ll have our household servants escort you.”

“Your household is currently in chaos, so I won’t trouble you. I have Baozhu with me.”

Chen Yi glanced at the sky. “But it’s already dark.”

“What of it? Lanterns are lit everywhere, and people are coming and going—it’s still quite lively.” Lin Hao lowered her voice. “Baozhu and I know some martial arts. We’re not afraid of common petty thieves.”

Chen Yi’s eyes showed surprise.

Ah Hao knew how to swim, knew martial arts—was there anything she didn’t know?

After urging Chen Yi to return, Lin Hao walked with light steps toward the General’s estate with Baozhu.

The early summer breeze carried warmth, gently caressing the red lanterns hanging under the eaves of shops lining the street. The flickering orange light fell on passersby, sketching out a warm and peaceful street scene.

Lin Hao couldn’t help but think of that snowy night, those desolate streets and lonely lamplight.

Fortunately, she was working hard to distance herself from such an ending.

“Second Miss!”

A figure rushed out. Before it could get close to Lin Hao, Baozhu kicked it away with one foot.

Lin Hao stopped and looked at the person who’d fallen to the ground.

“Steward Wen?”

Wen Ping crawled over, tears and snot streaming down his face. “Second Miss, save me!”