Lin Shutang nearly froze in a daze, then quickly snapped back to her senses, closing her eyes to concentrate and leave the Kongjian.
She had barely returned to the bridal chamber at Chongguo Mansion when Duan Yanzhou pushed the door open and stepped in right behind her.
“Shutang.” Duan Yanzhou shook the snow from his shoulders, then took a white rabbit-fur cloak from the inner room and draped it over her. “I just spoke with Father and Mother about this matter. They want us to go to the front hall quickly.”
Lin Shutang nodded, pulling the cloak snug around herself as they set off together.
Outside, goose-feather snow filled the sky, and the cold wind howled, cutting across their faces like a blade.
As she walked through the corridor and crossed the courtyard, she noticed the snow had already reached her ankles. By tomorrow morning, it would likely be up to her calves.
Duan Yanzhou held her hand and hurried her along. By the time they reached the front hall, both branches of the family had already gathered.
Although the eldest and second branches of Chongguo Mansion had never formally split the household, their long-standing discord had led the eldest branch to build a wall down the middle, dividing off this residence for the second branch.
The second master, Duan Feng, was born to the old Duke’s concubine and had never been favored as a child. But he was clever and diligent, earning the top score in the imperial examination. He later married Jiang, the only daughter of Grand Tutor Jiang. With her marriage into the family, he carved out his own standing within Chongguo Mansion.
In recent years, the eldest master, Duan Chong, had fathered three daughters and one son—Duan Qingyang being the eldest, followed by three younger sisters.
The second master and Jiang had been a devoted couple for many years, raising only two sons and one daughter. Their eldest son, Duan Cheng’an, bore much of his father’s bearing—at eighteen, he placed third in the imperial examination and entered officialdom. But half a year ago, while on a diplomatic mission beyond the frontier, he had gone missing without a trace.
Their second son was Duan Yanzhou, who remained at the mansion due to poor health. The youngest, Duan Qinzhou, cared little for letters and favored martial arts instead, often dressing as a man and earning the nickname “Third Young Master.”
The two branches had once coexisted peacefully, but ever since Grand Tutor Jiang passed away, the eldest branch had begun to pressure them again. This matter of swapping brides was tacitly approved by Duan Qingyang’s mother, Lady Zhou.
Years ago, rumors had circulated that the eldest legitimate daughter of the Lin family was cursed to bring death to her husbands. Lady Zhou believed this wholeheartedly and wanted to pass that fate onto the second branch—letting the curse kill off that sickly invalid and end the second branch’s bloodline entirely.
Otherwise, Lin Wanwan and Duan Qingyang alone could never have pulled off something so thorough.
When Jiang saw Lin Shutang, her eyes held a look of pity as she stepped forward to greet her. “Your matter—Yanzhou has told us all about it. It was wrong of the eldest branch. Though, that said, we never thought much of your half-sister anyway. Had the old Duke not forced Yanzhou into this marriage, we would never have agreed.”
“Now that you’ve entered our family, you are our daughter-in-law. No one else will be allowed to bully you.”
Those “others” referred not only to the eldest branch but also to the Lin family.
The way the Lin household doted on a concubine, neglected the legitimate wife, and mistreated the eldest legitimate daughter was well known among the women of the various noble households.
Lin Shutang hadn’t expected the second branch of Chongguo Mansion to be so harmonious. She smiled and replied, “Thank you, Mother.”
The word “Mother” came out soft and sweet.
Jiang was delighted to hear it, holding her hand and gazing at her as if she could never look enough.
Their younger sister, Duan Qinzhou, interrupted: “Mother, there are more important matters to discuss with Second Sister-in-law right now.”
Jiang snapped back to attention, her brows knitting deeply. “Your father has already sent someone to An Wangfu to gather intelligence. There are indeed heavy troops stationed throughout the city.”
“Our Duan family—I fear we truly are going to have our property confiscated…”
Just then, a woman with a pregnant belly walked over slowly. Her features were gentle, and her tone was calm. “Sister-in-law, Father and Mother still wanted to ask you—if we truly are to be exiled, the journey will be harsh…”
This was the widow of Duan Yanzhou’s elder brother, Duan Cheng’an—her name was Chen Wanrou.
Lin Shutang understood their meaning and smiled, saying, “Sister-in-law, since I am already Yanzhou’s wife, I will naturally advance and retreat together with all of you.”
The candlelight in the room was bright, and Jiang, Chen Wanrou, and Duan Qinzhou exchanged glances, joy shining in their eyes.
Lin Shutang looked around and noticed that the Second Master was not present.
Duan Yanzhou noticed her expression and explained in a low voice by her ear, “My father has gone to the palace. Right now, soldiers are everywhere both inside and outside the city. The Chongguo Estate couldn’t escape even if it grew wings. Even if we did manage to flee, taking our pregnant sister-in-law to evade pursuers in this freezing snow would only make things worse.”
“So my father and I came up with a plan—he would take an imperial edict bestowed by the late emperor and rush to the palace overnight to request permission to resign and take up a post in Qinan.”
Lin Shutang understood now—they intended to voluntarily resign before being exiled.
Both paths led to Qinan, but if exiled, they would be transported in a prisoner’s cart under escort by yamen runners, and upon arrival, they would only be reduced to servitude.
But if they went to Qinan as officials, not only would they travel by carriage without any restraint, they would also have an official residence and rank.
Though a post in the remote region of Qinan was far inferior to a position in the capital, compared to exile, it was a hundred times better.
But would the Emperor agree to such a favorable arrangement? She asked him, “Will His Majesty agree?”
Duan Yanzhou replied, “The Emperor’s intention in seizing the Chongguo Estate was always aimed at Grandfather’s and the eldest branch’s wealth. Our humble second branch is at most a mere accessory.”
“By voluntarily requesting to go to Qinan, we actually save His Majesty a great deal of trouble. Besides, given the imperial edict, he will agree.”
As he spoke, warmth softened his stern features. “Thankfully you were here tonight. If we had delayed even one more hour, it would have been difficult to get into the palace.”
Lin Shutang also let out a long sigh of relief. Going to Qinan was fine—historical records noted that after a great frost disaster, the south would see clear skies earlier than the north.
Perhaps they could carve out a new world for themselves there.
Soon, the Second Master returned from the palace. His head was covered in snow, and he hurried inside before immediately calling everyone to pack their belongings.
“Madam, Wanrou, go take stock of the servants and dismiss them from the estate before dawn.”
“Qinzhou, hurry and prepare two good carriages—remember, they must have fine horses.”
“Yanzhou, and you, Shutang, quickly return to your rooms and pack your valuables. Take as much gold, silver, and money as you can carry, and be sure to bring enough clothing and food as well.”
“Yes, Father.” Everyone responded in unison, the panic in their brows flashing by in an instant before they all sprang into action.
Lin Shutang observed this family with some surprise—they did not seem like a second branch that simply bowed to fate, but rather one that concealed hidden depths.