First Madam Chen spoke bluntly.
Unlike when she first arrived, her words had been more polite earlier.
She was thinking too far ahead—the bride hadn’t even married into the family yet, and she was already worrying about a hypothetical granddaughter.
“Mother, since they’re unwilling, let’s call off the engagement. A good man need not worry about finding a wife.” Huo Mingxian walked in through the door, tall and poised.
His words were resolute and confident.
“But, Mingxian, your Aunt Chen has misunderstood. You know perfectly well your sister isn’t at all like the rumors say. As long as we clear up the misunderstanding, this marriage can still proceed.”
She said this deliberately to see if her son was speaking out of anger.
She knew how deeply the siblings cared for each other—he couldn’t stand anyone speaking ill of his sister.
But her son still needed to marry; eventually, his wife would become the most important person to him.
His sister would marry into another family someday; as her elder brother, he only needed to support her when she faced difficulties.
“Mother, a forced marriage is never happy. Since Third Miss Chen feels our Huo Family has brought her shame, we shouldn’t stand in the way of her marrying into a family that will bring her glory.” Huo Mingxian’s stance was clear.
He had met Third Miss Chen a few times.
They had exchanged a few words.
She was neither warm nor cold toward him.
Carrying an air of arrogance.
It was evident she held no affection for him but merely considered him more suitable.
Since ancient times, marriages favored women marrying up and men marrying down.
The Huo Family was marrying above their station—this match was unequal from the start. Even if they married, the couple would likely be unhappy.
“Have you thought this through?” Rong Huazhi confirmed once more.
“I have.” Huo Mingxian replied without hesitation.
“In that case, let the engagement be called off. I hope Third Miss Chen finds a suitable and happy match.” Rong Huazhi was decisive.
She immediately instructed Cui Huan to retrieve Third Miss Chen’s birth horoscope and handed it to First Madam Chen.
First Madam Chen eagerly produced Huo Mingxian’s birth horoscope in return.
Provoked by Huo Ningyu’s words, she didn’t wish to stay a moment longer. Having obtained what she wanted, she hastily took her leave.
“You there, you mustn’t speak so sharply in the future. If First Madam Chen spreads more rumors about you, you truly might never marry.” Rong Huazhi took the opportunity to educate her daughter.
“Mother, I won’t marry. I’ll stay and keep you company forever.” Huo Ningyu cooed. “Elder Brother, will you look down on me?”
She turned to ask Huo Mingxian.
If she really never married, she would have to rely on her elder brother’s kindness.
“How could someone as wonderful as my sister ever fail to marry? Among my classmates, there are many outstanding young men. I will certainly choose one who is honest, sincere, and responsible for you.”
His sister was perfect in every way.
“Elder Brother does look down on me—you’re determined to marry me off.” Huo Ningyu deliberately feigned a dejected expression.
“That’s not what I meant. If you truly never marry, I will naturally support you for life.”
“That’s more like it. Elder Brother is so good.”
She truly had no intention of marrying.
Her family’s fate had yet to change; that mother and daughter weren’t following their previous life’s path, and what schemes they might employ remained unknown.
There were many things she had witnessed while her spirit wandered.
As a mere woman confined to the inner chambers, how much effect she could have after rebirth was also uncertain.
She didn’t assume absolute advantage just because she had been reborn.
Once some things changed, many others would follow, and she couldn’t predict how the future would unfold.
It was better to proceed with caution.
“My elder brother is outstanding among men. Study hard, and you will surely marry a beautiful and charming lady someday.”
“As you said, a good man need not worry about finding a wife. You’re only twenty, just reached adulthood—there’s no need to rush. Next year, when you pass the imperial examination as top scholar like Father did, countless fine young ladies will surely send you flowers,” Huo Ningyu praised.
Third Miss Chen was utterly unworthy of her elder brother.
“Very well, I’ll take your auspicious words to heart,” Huo Mingxian replied. He held no romantic feelings for Third Miss Chen anyway—it was merely an arrangement by their parents.
“Mother, I’d like to go out. It’s been so long since I last went shopping,” Huo Ningyu seized the opportunity to request.
As her wedding date drew nearer, her mother had forbidden her from leaving the house, insisting she stay home to prepare for marriage.
“The gossip outside hasn’t died down yet. Aren’t you afraid?” Rong Huazhi reminded her, concerned her daughter might face scornful comments and return in tears.
“Common folks might discuss it for amusement, but who would dare point fingers at the daughter of a second-rank official? As for the idle chatter from other noble young ladies, I’m not afraid of that. When I used to bring Jiang Ning to various gatherings, many looked down on her and said unpleasant things. Every time, I’d scold those young ladies until they were thoroughly shamed. They’re all short-sighted people who fail to understand that fortunes change over time.”
As she spoke these last words, Huo Ningyu’s voice suddenly grew melancholic. Indeed, hadn’t Jiang Ning turned her life around in the previous lifetime? Through her own abilities, she stepped over the Huo Family’s flesh and blood to become a Marchioness.
“Let’s not mention that ungrateful wretch,” Rong Huazhi said, recognizing her daughter’s expression meant she was thinking of that wretched Jiang Ning again.
“Elder brother will accompany you,” Huo Mingxian patted his sister’s shoulder comfortingly.
The siblings took a carriage to Xuanwu Avenue, the most prosperous street in the capital of Nan Chu Kingdom, lined with various shops.
The entire capital was divided into five districts. The central district primarily housed the imperial palace and gathered nobility and high officials—this was the inner city where the Huo Family resided.
However, the most commercially vibrant area wasn’t the central district but the eastern district. Nan Chu Kingdom bordered Donglin Kingdom to the east, and the two nations maintained friendly relations with frequent commercial exchanges.
Nan Chu Kingdom, located in the south, was a region of Jiangnan water towns—beautiful and affluent. To the north lay Bei Wei Kingdom, and to the west was Xi Liang Kingdom. Nan Chu often suffered invasions from both Bei Wei and Xi Liang.
The western and northern districts focused on military defense, making commerce considerably weaker there. The southern district was predominantly inhabited by commoners and housed numerous artisan workshops.
“Elder brother, when you traveled for studies with your classmates, you were away for two years. You must have experienced many local customs and practices, right?” Huo Ningyu made casual conversation.
In her previous life, she had already married by this time and missed the chance to ask. It was only later, when her brother visited her at the Xie residence, that she had the opportunity to inquire.
“Of course. Traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books—that saying is absolutely true. We even visited Donglin Kingdom and participated in a unique cultural exchange with students from their Guozijian,” Huo Mingxian replied, his words flowing endlessly when it came to his experiences abroad.
“You wouldn’t believe it—the sixth princess of Donglin actually disguised herself as a man to study at the Guozijian, and she was exceptionally talented, outperforming many scholars. During that cultural exchange, she nearly shamed us into the ground. Fortunately, she was only strong in poetry and essays, while being weaker at composing couplets. In archery and equestrian skills, being a woman, she lacked arm strength and lost. She ended up crying on the spot, making all of us laugh heartily. Later, at the state banquet hosted by the Emperor of Donglin himself, I saw her among the women following the emperor and realized it was her.”
“Big brother, has she taken a liking to you?” Huo Ningyu teased playfully.
In her previous life, the Sixth Princess of Donglin had indeed visited Southern Chu as an envoy, but nothing significant occurred—she merely discussed some cooperative matters with the emperor before departing.
“Nothing of the sort. I was already engaged by then.”
Huo Ningyu began to imagine scenarios, smiling faintly without responding.
The siblings arrived at Xuanwu Avenue, the timing just about right.
They reached the Yuejing Teahouse, as agreed the night before.
Ascending to the innermost room on the second floor.
She knocked gently on the door.
The door opened from within, revealing Zhao Bingyu dressed entirely in black, seated beside the tea table.
Huo Mingxian attempted to follow his sister inside but was stopped.
“Eldest Young Master Huo, our lord only invited Da Xiao Jie. Please wait downstairs for a while.” Yu Zheng raised a hand.
“But…” He wanted to say it was improper for an unmarried man and woman to be alone together.
“Hmm?” Yu Zheng’s gaze sharpened, a dangerous aura instantly spreading.