Qi Heng waited outside the Jiang Family's gate until afternoon. When the Jiang family members went out, they saw the man leaning against the tree.
"Second Young Master Qi, why are you still here?" The Wife of Jiang the Fourth held a wooden basin filled with dirty clothes.
Qi Heng walked over. "Is Jiang Nian here? I'd like to speak with her."
The Wife of Jiang the Fourth glanced back at the east wing room with some hesitation. "She's in her room, but I don't know if she'll see you."
"Aunt." Qi Heng bowed with clasped hands. "Could you let me in?"
He stood tall and slender, with a face like carved jade, his demeanor calm and composed.
The Wife of Jiang the Fourth had previously thought that young masters from noble families were all arrogant and looked down on everyone. This Second Young Master Qi, however, was humble and polite. How could he have taken a liking to that girl Jiang Nian?
"You may go in, but whether Nian Nian will see you or not, I don't know."
"Thank you, Aunt." Qi Heng asked again. "Where is she?"
The Wife of Jiang the Fourth pointed to the third room in the east wing. Qi Heng smiled and bowed again. "Thank you, Aunt."
He strode in and knocked on the door with curled knuckles. Jiang Sui called out, "Who is it?"
Qi Heng was taken aback. This wasn't Jiang Nian's voice. Had he knocked on the wrong door?
Jiang Sui opened the door and found herself face to face with Qi Heng. Her eyes widened, and she slammed the door shut with a "Bang!"
"The Qi family hasn't left! He's come inside!"
Jiang Nian came over and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Sui pulled her further inside. "That Second Young Master Qi is outside the door."
"What!" Jiang Nian turned to look at the door. "How did he get in?"
"I don't know." Jiang Sui shook her head.
Jiang Xiaomai came over and advised, "Nian Nian, why don't you go talk to him and make things clear? Tell him not to come every day. Dealing with official families always makes me uneasy. We ordinary commoners can't afford to offend them."
"Alright." Jiang Nian opened the door and went out. Qi Heng had been facing away from her, but upon hearing the door open, he turned around, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Jiang Nian."
"Young Master Qi." Jiang Nian walked over. "I've thought it over carefully. I won't marry you. Please find another solution for your Qi Family's matters."
"Jiang Nian!" Qi Heng grew anxious and reached out to grab her. "Can you tell me why?"
"We're not well-matched in social status." Jiang Nian stared at him. "Our positions are as far apart as clouds and mud. Please don't come here anymore."
"Our Qi Family doesn't care about that." Qi Heng said urgently.
"That's because your family is in trouble, so you don't care." Jiang Nian met his gaze directly.
"If your Qi Family were prosperous and successful in everything, would you be willing to marry me?"
Without waiting for Qi Heng to reply, she answered firmly, "No, you wouldn't even think about it."
Jiang Nian continued, "Young Master Qi, I only want to live a simple, ordinary life. In the future, I'll marry into a common family and live a plain life with simple food. Please let me go, alright?"
Qi Heng tightened his grip on her wrist, his eyes fixed intently on her with a pleading look. "Jiang Nian, help the Qi Family this once, please? I beg you. From now on, I'll listen to everything you say."
Jiang Nian leaned close to him and whispered in his ear, "I think if the Crown Prince continues to trouble you, you could rebel. You would definitely succeed!"
"You…" Qi Heng was utterly shocked, his eyes staring straight at her.
Jiang Nian stepped back a few paces. A sharp pain shot through her wrist, making her frown.
"Young Master Qi, let go."
Qi Heng snapped out of his daze and looked down. Her delicate white wrist was red. He hurriedly released his grip.
"I'm sorry, does it hurt?" He took out a bottle of Snow Jade Balm from his sleeve, poured out some white ointment, and applied it to her wrist.
"My hand will be fine in a while, don't waste your medicine." Jiang Nian tried to pull her hand back.
"Don't move." Qi Heng carefully spread the ointment evenly. Her wrist was so slender—it felt as if it would break with just a gentle twist.
Jiang Nian watched him, recalling her previous life when her mother-in-law had drilled her in etiquette, forcing her to walk like noble ladies every day until blisters formed on her feet. When he found out, he personally applied medicine for her and went to confront her mother-in-law, demanding an end to the training.
As for shyness, there was none. In their past life, they had shared a bed for years—they had seen and done everything there was between a couple. What was there to be shy about with just a held wrist?
After applying the balm, Qi Heng placed the jar in her hand. "Keep this. Apply it again tonight, and the marks will disappear."
"No need." Jiang Nian returned the balm to him. "We country folk aren't that delicate."
"Jiang Nian." Qi Heng felt utterly helpless. She refused everything he offered and showed no interest in his family background.
Perhaps he should resort to force—the thought flashed through his mind but was quickly suppressed. If he pressured her, given her temperament, she might rather destroy everything than yield. He had to take it slow.
Qi Heng forced the balm back into her hand. "I'll come see you again."
Jiang Nian glared at him. "You can't come back! No matter how many times you visit, I won't agree. Why waste your time?"
"So you really don't want to see me?" Qi Heng's lips curved into a bitter smile.
Jiang Nian scoffed. "Don't act so devoted. Your persistence is only because you want me to help you."
Ever since learning the truth behind his intention to marry her, she had begun to doubt whether Qi Heng had ever loved her in their previous life—suspecting he had merely acted the part of a devoted husband. The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew, almost directing her resentment at the man before her.
"Leave! I don't want to see you!"
Qi Heng was taken aback. No one had ever treated him like this before. Since childhood, he had been well-liked, praised wherever he went. Why did his charm fail him in the Jiang Family?
"Fine, I'll go." Qi Heng sighed deeply, turned, and walked away. At the doorway, he glanced back to remind her, "Apply the balm again tonight. The marks will be gone by tomorrow morning."
Jiang Nian clenched the jar, her face cold as she turned and entered the room. Qi Heng raised an eyebrow. "Such a temper."
After Qi Heng left, Jiang Sui cracked the door open and peeked out. "Nian Nian, he's gone."
Jiang Nian, looking displeased, sat by the bed mending clothes. Jiang Xiaomai sat opposite her and asked, "Nian Nian, do you really have no feelings at all for Second Young Master Qi?"
"None." Jiang Nian shook her head.
"Then why is he so determined to marry you?" Jiang Xiaomai asked, puzzled.
"Of course it's because our Nian Nian is beautiful! He fell for her at first sight," Jiang Sui chimed in from behind Jiang Nian, leaning forward with a laugh.
Jiang Nian was indeed beautiful—with an oval face, rosy cheeks, and delicate, dewy skin. Her dark, curly lashes were long, her round eyes lively and playful, and her lips full and red.
Jiang Nian pushed her away. "Stop talking nonsense. How could someone like him, a young master from the Prefectural Residence, who has seen countless beauties, possibly be interested in me?"
News of Jiang Nian being pursued by a noble young master spread like wildfire through Yong’an Village. When Jiang Da Gumu found out, she brought her sixteen-year-old daughter to the Jiang Family.
"Third Sister-in-law, I heard Nian Nian has caught the eye of the Prefectural Residence?"
Jiang San Niang said angrily, "Elder Sister, who told you that? Don't ruin my Nian Nian's reputation."
"It's all over the outside." Jiang Da Gumu curled her lips. "Keeping such good news from me, Third Sister-in-law, you're treating me like an outsider."
"What have I kept from you?" Jiang San Niang said. "Who knows what the Prefectural Residence is plotting, insisting on coming to propose marriage."
"So, Third Sister-in-law doesn't want Nian Nian to marry into the Prefectural Residence?" Jiang Da Gumu's eyes lit up, her tone unable to conceal her excitement.
"I don't," Jiang San Niang said. "Being the daughter-in-law of a high official is no easy life. Moreover, my Nian Nian is a farm girl with no backing. If she enters the Prefectural Residence, she'll be bullied to death."
Jiang Da Gumu quickly agreed. "Third Sister-in-law makes a good point. But they are officials, and we are just farmers. How can we confront officials head-on? If we're not careful, it could bring disaster upon us."
"Ah!" Jiang San Niang was so frightened her legs went weak. "What should we do then?"
"Don't worry, Third Sister-in-law." Jiang Da Gumu pulled her daughter Qin Yulan forward. "Let my daughter Yulan marry into the Prefectural Residence in Nian Nian's place. That will solve everything."
"Really?" Jiang San Niang grabbed Jiang Da Gumu's hands, immensely grateful. "Eldest Sister-in-law, I misunderstood you before. You are a good aunt, truly helping your nieces when they're in trouble. Last time, you found a good match for Xiao Mai, and now you're helping Nian Nian with this great favor. I don't know how to thank you enough."
Jiang Da Gumu smiled. "It's only right. After all, Nian Nian is my own niece."
Qin Yulan stepped forward with a smile and helped Jiang San Niang up. "Third Aunt, you can tell everyone I'm your adopted daughter. I'll marry Young Master Qi in Nian Nian's place."
"Good."
Jiang San Niang relayed this matter to Grandpa Jiang and Jiang Third Uncle. Grandpa Jiang asked Qin Yulan with a stern expression, "Yulan, are you truly willing to marry into the Prefectural Residence?"
"Grandfather." Qin Yulan stepped forward and bowed. "Your granddaughter is willing."
"Good. The next time the Qi Family's young master comes, I'll tell him you will be the one to marry." Grandpa Jiang said.
"Thank you, Grandfather." Qin Yulan smiled, pressing her lips together.
When Jiang Nian and her two sisters learned of this, their reactions varied greatly. Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief. Since Qin Yulan was considered half a member of the Jiang Family, if she married, Qi Heng would likely agree.
Jiang Xiaomai sneered, "What do you mean by helping Nian Nian? I think Qin Yulan is eager to marry into Qi Manor."
"Exactly," Jiang Sui chimed in. "If Nian Nian disagreed, she might even resort to some underhanded tricks."
Qin Yulan had always looked down on them since childhood, thinking herself superior as a town dweller while they were mere farmers. Every time Jiang Sui saw her condescending attitude, she felt so angry she wanted to hit her.