The news that Rong Mo—the sole survivor of the Rong clan and long-term resident of the Marquis of Changle’s estate—had fully recovered the use of his legs had long since spread. Consequently, Rong Mo no longer hid; he appeared openly in public, finally catching the eye of those lurking in the shadows.
Among them was Li Meihua, a woman often nicknamed the “Walking Jewelry Box,” who had originally viewed Rong Mo as a mere backup option. However, after catching a glimpse of the handsome, aloof Rong Mo on the street, she became instantly obsessed. In her mind, though he was from a fallen noble family and living under someone else’s roof, she still had a chance. She pestered her mother to visit the Marquis’s estate to discuss a marriage alliance.
Madam Li, the wife of a Ministry of Rites official, came from a family of Imperial Merchants and was obscenely wealthy. As her only daughter, Li Meihua was incredibly spoiled. Both mother and daughter loved to flaunt their wealth; every time they stepped out, they were draped in so much gold it was blinding. While many noble ladies looked down on them, their sheer wealth ensured they were invited to every social function.
Madam Li initially disapproved of Rong Mo. She wanted her daughter to be an official’s wife, and though Rong Mo was from the prestigious Rong family of Qinghe, he currently held no official rank. He was essentially a commoner. But since her daughter was smitten, Madam Li made the trip.
Coincidentally, as her gold-encrusted luxury carriage arrived at the Marquis’s gates, she saw the elegant Princess Consort of Rong descending from a carriage adorned with green silk and pearl tassels. The servants of the Marquis’s estate greeted her with the utmost respect.
Had Madam Li not seen her once before, she might not have recognized the Princess of Rong. In her youth, the Princess was the top beauty of the capital—noble, gentle, and the epitome of grace. Legend had it she had a twin sister who was too proud to marry the then-sickly Prince of Rong and fled her wedding. Unfortunately, the sister met a bad end and died at eighteen after one final meeting with the younger sister who had taken her place.
Seeing the Princess of Rong, who was nearing forty yet remained as beautiful and poised as a celestial being, Madam Li felt a sudden surge of self-consciousness. She felt like a patch of mud next to a fairy and didn’t dare approach.
Once the Princess had entered in a small sedan chair, Madam Li handed her card to the gatekeeper and was eventually allowed inside.
In the West Pavilion, Rong Susu was discussing engagement details with her nephew and an official matchmaker when a servant announced the arrival of the Princess of Rong. Rong Susu frowned. She had no prior connection to the Princess; was she here to propose for Ruyi?
“Rong Mo, wait here. I will go greet the Princess,” Rong Susu said.
Rong Mo’s expression turned cold. He was displeased that so many people were coveting his little cousin. Even the matchmaker was surprised. She knew the Princess had an eighteen-year-old son, the Heir of the Prince of Rong, who was currently unbetrothed. Was he really interested in the “notorious” Eldest Miss of Changle?
When the Princess of Rong and Rong Susu returned, Rong Mo noticed an additional lady covered in gold—undoubtedly the famous Madam Li.
The Princess was a stunning beauty with an air of refined grace, but Rong Susu held her own beside her, one being elegant and the other vibrantly beautiful. As for Madam Li, she was utterly eclipsed.
“Molan, serve tea for the Princess and Madam Li,” Rong Susu ordered. She was polite but distant. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Rong Mo’s eyes sharpened when he first saw the Princess. He frowned almost imperceptibly before offering a courteous bow. Once tea was served, Rong Susu asked, “To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Princess?”
The Princess smiled gently. “Madam Cheng, I have come to propose a match between my son and your daughter, Ruyi.”
Rong Mo’s face went cold.
Rong Susu smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach her eyes. “My daughter and nephew already have an engagement. We have just invited the matchmaker today to formalize the betrothal. I’m afraid the Princess has arrived at an inconvenient time.”
The Princess remained graceful, glancing at the exceptionally handsome Rong Mo. “Are you referring to Young Master Rong Mo here?”
“Indeed!” Rong Susu replied, clearly satisfied with her choice.
The Princess chuckled. “But the betrothal gifts haven’t been exchanged yet, have they? My son has been quite taken with Miss Ruyi since seeing her on the street. It would be a wonderful fate if we could join our families. What do you think, Madam?”
“The Princess is late. My cousin is already mine,” Rong Mo interrupted, his voice like ice.
The Princess sipped her tea, simply looking at Rong Susu. She assumed that since many would kill for a connection to the Prince of Rong, Rong Susu would jump at the chance. She underestimated the mother’s resolve.
Rong Susu thought to herself that her daughter was the apple of her eye. She had no desire to marry her into a high-ranking household full of dark secrets and power struggles—Ruyi was too straightforward for that.
“Rong Mo is right,” Rong Susu said firmly. “My daughter’s marriage is settled. One must keep their word.”
The Princess’s smile stiffened slightly, but she maintained her composure. “It seems I have been presumptuous. Since she is engaged, I will not disturb you further.” She offered an apologetic smile to Rong Mo and left elegantly.
Madam Li, who had been acting as an invisible bystander, was secretly relieved. Now her daughter would have to give up on Rong Mo. Truthfully, she looked down on him for being a dependent. She left shortly after.
With the distractions gone, the matchmaker finally did her job. After exchanging horoscopes (Gengtie), the engagement between Rong Mo and Cheng Ruyi was officially set. Rong Mo’s lips curled into a rare, genuine smile of triumph. You are reading on novelping . com, the official source.
As the Princess of Rong walked through the covered corridor to leave, she saw a stunning red-clad girl with a lithe figure strolling past, effortlessly carrying a massive wild boar by one hand. A cheerful young boy followed behind her.
The Princess froze. Her attendants stared in shock at the departing silhouette of the girl and the beast.
“Was that… Miss Ruyi?” a maid whispered to the guiding servant.
“Indeed,” the servant replied proudly. “That is our Eldest Miss. She is incredible—not only is she strong, she can take down a tiger with one hand.”
The Princess listened with a thoughtful glint in her eyes as the servant babbled about Ruyi’s “great achievements.”
Meanwhile, Cheng Ruyi—finally free of her accounting books—was heading to the kitchen with her boar. She had sensed the strange gazes but ignored them; she was used to suitors by now. To her, they were just annoying pests since she was already “spoken for.”
In the kitchen, she began skillfully butchering the pig. Because she had hunted so much recently, the estate’s ice cellar was full, and the smell of roasting meat wafted through the neighborhood daily, much to the chagrin of the neighbors whose summer appetites were already poor.
Rong Mo arrived just in time to see his new fiancée expertly deconstructing the boar. His gaze softened with a sense of total satisfaction. He finally faced the truth: though his cousin was nothing like a typical noble lady, he had truly fallen for her.
Perhaps, he realized, his heart had been moved the very night she healed his legs.
Sansukini: Spoiler[1]
[1] Rong Mo and Ruyi are not blood related.