Hearing these words, Er Yitai immediately put on an aggrieved expression. “I know that Madam has returned, and naturally the affairs of the inner courtyard should be handed back to her. But the Master doesn’t want that, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I didn’t have much involvement with the inner courtyard affairs before, and these past days I’ve been rushing about in a frenzy, making quite a few mistakes. I thought that once Madam returned, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief — but the Master simply won’t allow it.”

“What do you mean?” Yan Furen’s face flushed red. “What won’t the Master allow?”

Er Yitai put on an expression as though she wanted to speak but was holding back, and quickly stepped forward. “When I heard that Madam was coming back, I went to discuss it with the Master and asked to hand the inner courtyard affairs back over. But when he heard this, not only did he refuse to agree, he also gave me a good scolding. And he said…”

“Said what?”

“He said that Madam should read more books and newspapers, cultivate her character, properly educate her own daughter, and stop bringing shame and embarrassment to the Yan Family.”

Seeing Yan Furen’s complexion turn white as paper once again, Er Yitai quickly distanced herself. “I pleaded on Madam’s behalf and was given a thorough scolding for it as well. In the end he drove me out. Please don’t be upset, Madam — once the Master’s anger has cooled, I’ll go and plead with him again. Without Madam to make the decisions in the inner courtyard, I simply cannot bear this burden alone.”

“Enough, go.” Yan Furen glared at her with barely concealed irritation.

Er Yitai performed another bow, then hurried out of the room. Once she had left Yan Furen’s courtyard, she couldn’t help letting out a cold snort.

She could not afford to offend Yan Furen just yet — but once the power over the inner courtyard was firmly in her hands, who would ever willingly give it back?

She had deliberately exaggerated the Master’s words just now. Yan Furen must be furious beyond measure at this moment, and if she went to confront the Master, she would certainly be thrown out.

Thinking of this, Guo Yanrong couldn’t help but smile to herself.

She knew that Yan Qing had helped her only for the sake of her own marriage arrangements. Yan Qing and Yan Furen had never gotten along — if forced to choose between Yan Furen and herself, a concubine, Yan Qing would certainly choose her.

Once Yan Qing was married off, she would deal with Yan Furen slowly and deliberately. One day, she would ensure that Yan Furen was completely stripped of any real power.

Guo Yanrong’s prediction proved correct. Upon learning that her authority had once again been seized, Yan Furen rushed to the Master’s courtyard and made a great scene. The result was entirely predictable — the Master, whose temper had not yet cooled, drove her out again and issued a strict order forbidding her from stepping outside her courtyard gates until after Yan Qing’s wedding.

Poor Yan Furen — she had barely emerged from the Citang only to be locked up in her courtyard once more.

Yan Qing had feared that Yan Furen would cause trouble during the period before her wedding, and so she had used Er Yitai’s hand to manage the situation. She also knew that Er Yitai understood perfectly what was going on — but since each was getting what she wanted, why not?

As time passed, the wedding day drew near. Er Yitai bustled about busily from morning to night, preparing everything in thorough and meticulous detail.

Afraid that his daughter might be shortchanged, the Master added a great many items to the dowry list that Er Yitai had drawn up — among them, ten pharmacies, all of which were located in prosperous districts and were doing a flourishing trade.

Those ten pharmacies represented quite an extravagant gesture on the Master’s part, and even Er Yitai was startled. She thought to herself that it was fortunate Yan Furen didn’t yet know about this — otherwise the woman would surely be so enraged she’d spit blood.

At this thought, Er Yitai felt she ought to let Yan Furen know. After all, wasn’t she always so eager to meddle in the inner courtyard’s affairs?

Er Yitai slipped a word to a little maidservant, who deliberately let the news leak out. Sure enough, just as expected, Yan Furen became so enraged that she fell ill, and the household had to send for a physician three separate times.

Er Yitai had already thought the Master’s dowry generous enough. What she hadn’t anticipated was that the Wen Family of Taishan would also send a gift to add to the trousseau.

Travel between Taishan and Shun Cheng was inconvenient for large items, so Wen Xu simply sent two chests of gold, silver, and precious jewels.

When Yan Qing opened the chests, she was startled. She picked up one enormous pink diamond and couldn’t help marveling — if she’d had something like this in the modern world, what would she need to keep working as a forensic investigator for? This single diamond would be enough to keep her living lavishly for the rest of her life.

Along with the chests came a letter from Wen Xu. In it, he wrote that years ago it had been Wen Wan who had lent him a sum of money, enabling him to build his fortune. Without Wen Wan, there would be no Yan Family as it existed today. Therefore, this gold and silver and jewelry was to be considered interest — and he insisted that Yan Qing must accept it.

Yan Qing knew that Wen Xu deeply respected his sister Wen Wan. Her death had been a heavy weight he had never been able to set down. If she refused the gift, this burden on his heart would never be lifted — so she wrote a reply to Wen Xu and invited him and his family to come to Shun Cheng for the wedding.

Meanwhile, Yan Qing’s dowry preparations were nearly complete, and the Shi Family’s betrothal gifts were delivered with great fanfare and celebration.

Shi Ting was the Shi Family’s son born of a concubine. By convention, his betrothal gifts could not exceed those sent for Shi Guang — and so the Shi Family sent sixty-six trays of gifts this time. However, once the boxes were opened, the contents inside were clearly of a noticeably higher quality.

The Shi Family made quite a spectacle of it, drawing the neighborhood’s residents out to watch. Tray after tray of betrothal gifts was carried into the house, bringing considerable honor to the Yan Family.

Although the Yan Family were merchants, both of their daughters were marrying into the Commander’s household, and such good fortune naturally invited envy.

Yet despite the grandeur of the occasion, there were not many who viewed the match favorably.

Those who disapproved did so because of Yan Qing’s background.

Not only had Yan Qing lost her mother at a young age, but she also had both legs that were disabled. No matter how exceptional her beauty, it could not compensate for her physical condition — and once she entered the Shi Family, life would surely not be easy for her.

People speculated that the Shi Family had agreed to take Yan Qing because the Commander did not wish to offend the Yan Family, who were a valuable source of financial support. In the face of enormous military funding, the backing of a merchant family was of the utmost importance.

Countless young women from prominent families had hoped to marry into the Commander’s household, and no small number harbored envy and resentment over this match — especially when they learned that Yan Qing was disabled, which made them feel even more aggrieved.

But resentment was one thing; the marriage was a done deal, and no one could change it. The only thing these people could do was to tarnish Yan Qing’s reputation. Even if they couldn’t stop her from marrying into the Shi Family, they could at least ensure she did not marry on favorable terms.

Yan Qing paid no mind to the rumors outside. But Jing Zhi was livid.

“Miss, those people are saying truly awful things. Not only do they say that Miss is disabled and unworthy of Director Shi, but they’re also saying — they’re saying that Miss used her beauty to seduce Director Shi, that things were already set in motion, forcing Director Shi to have no choice but to marry you.”

Yan Qing laughed it off without concern. “Didn’t they used to say that I was incapable of fulfilling a wife’s duties? Now they’re saying I seduced someone into a fait accompli? What else are they saying?”

“Isn’t that enough?” Jing Zhi stamped her foot. “If Miss goes to the Shi Family carrying such a reputation, everyone in the household will look down on you.”

“As long as Shi Ting doesn’t look down on me, that’s all that matters.” Yan Qing tossed a ball, and Er Dan immediately scrambled off to fetch it.

“The Shi Family isn’t just Shi Ting alone.” Jing Zhi grew anxious. “Miss, these rumors must have been deliberately spread by someone.”

“I know.” It was only natural for rumors to circulate outside — but for them to spread so quickly and with such precision was unusual. It was impossible that no one was orchestrating it.

As for who it was, Yan Qing had no interest in guessing — she was simply too indifferent to bother.

Yan Qing had no desire to pay attention to the gossip. But some people could not bear to see her wronged. After Yan Qing had thrown another rubber ball for Er Dan, someone came from outside to report that Shi Ting had come in person to deliver the betrothal gifts.

It was not customary for the groom himself to accompany the betrothal gifts — such matters were generally handled by the household’s steward or a similar figure. For Shi Ting to come in person could only mean one thing: he wanted to show the world that this marriage was entirely of his own free will — and not only that, but that he felt he was the one who had married above his station.

Hearing that Shi Ting had arrived, Yan Qing immediately guessed his purpose. But it was not convenient for her to go and see him at this moment, so she simply sent Dihuai out to gather information.

Half an hour later, Dihuai returned and reported that Shi Ting had not only personally overseen the delivery of the betrothal gifts into the Yan Family’s home, but had also stayed to share tea with the Master after the inventory was completed before taking his leave.

Though his visit had not involved any grand gestures, his personal appearance was more than enough to demonstrate how seriously the Shi Family regarded this union — and the rumors outside immediately fell apart on their own.

Listening as Dihuai spoke, Jing Zhi was filled with delight. “Director Shi is truly the most reliable person. Miss doesn’t think of herself, but Director Shi cannot bear to see you wronged.”

Yan Qing laughed too. She said lightly that it was making a mountain out of a molehill — but deep in her heart, a wave of warmth rose slowly, spreading through her until it reached the very tip of her heart, warming her from within.

On the last day of late April, Wen Xu arrived in Shun Cheng with his family. This time, Mo Yunhua had come along as well. Though her complexion was still not quite good, she had a smile on her face.

Besides Wen Xu’s family, relatives and friends of the Yan Family from various places also arrived one after another, all preparing to attend the wedding ceremony the following day.

The Yan Family was suddenly filled with a lively bustle.

Because of the wedding, Yan Furen and Yan Ling had both come out. Yan Furen was needed to entertain guests, while Yan Ling helped Er Yitai with the other preparations.

When evening came, the commotion outside finally quieted somewhat. Yan Qing had kept Wen Yan with her in her room to keep her company.

Perhaps because she had overheard some idle remarks during the day, Wen Yan took Yan Qing’s hand and urged her earnestly: “Once you are in the Shi Family, you must watch your words and conduct carefully. In households like that, the waters run deep and treacherous — one misstep could spell ruin with no way back.”

Yan Qing smiled. “The way you’re talking, it sounds as though I’m walking into a den of tigers.”

Wen Yan glanced at her legs and sighed softly. “I’m just afraid those people will bully you because of your disability.”

“Ayan, let me show you a magic trick,” Yan Qing said suddenly, with complete earnestness.

Wen Yan was puzzled. “At a time like this, you want to show me a magic trick? Stop being so flippant.”

Yan Qing said nothing — she simply stood up right in front of her.

“Ah?” Wen Yan clapped her hand over her mouth, but it did nothing to muffle her cry.

Then Yan Qing walked a few composed steps, right in front of her eyes. Wen Yan’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Now,” Yan Qing said, “are you still afraid that people will bully me because of my disability?”

—