The next day, just after Xiao Yunzhu had finished her morning meal, He Baoyan and Chen Chunsi came calling at her door.
In the reception hall, He Baoyan gave a look, signaling the maids to withdraw.
His and Chen Chunsi’s attendants lowered their heads and left. Lǜ Méi and Qing Zhi remained until Xiao Yunzhu nodded for them to go.
Xiao Yunzhu invited them to sit, smiling lightly. “Third Cousin, Miss Chen—coming to me so early, what urgent matter is this?”
He Baoyan’s face was dark. “Don’t feign ignorance! Yunzhu, what of the matter I spoke to you about yesterday? Have you considered it?”
He had grown up pampered, everything smooth and easy. Yesterday, he had humbled himself, speaking gently to Xiao Yunzhu, but she had responded coldly. The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew.
She was no longer a marquis’s daughter—what right had she to remain so proud? Truly, as his mother said, Xiao Yunzhu had the temper of a noble daughter without the fate of one. Impossible to deal with.
Xiao Yunzhu replied unhurriedly, “It has nothing to do with me. Do as you please.”
“You—” He was about to flare up, but Chen Chunsi quickly stopped him. “Third Young Master, it is we who wronged Sister Yunzhu. Her anger is only natural!”
After soothing him, she turned to Xiao Yunzhu with a face full of guilt. “Sister Yunzhu, the fault is mine! Punish me as you will, only do not blame the Third Young Master!”
She was seventeen, with willow brows and cherry lips, a peach‑blossom face and a full figure. Not a peerless beauty, but gentle and appealing in her own way.
Xiao Yunzhu rested her chin in her hand, watching with interest, her tone almost innocent. “Oh? And where lies Miss Chen’s fault?”
Her aunt had chosen Chen Chunsi to force her to withdraw from the betrothal—a clever move. Had it been another girl, Grandmother would have blamed her aunt, who could not bear the weight. But Chen Chunsi was Grandmother’s distant kin. Even if Grandmother saw through the scheme, she could hardly press the matter. One sentence—“It was you who brought Chen Chunsi into the household”—would absolve her aunt and silence Grandmother.
Chen Chunsi’s face burned with shame, tears brimming. “My fault was in meeting the Third Young Master. Even if I met him, I should have guarded my heart, not erred again and again, sinking deeper each step. Matters have come to this—I dare not argue. I only beg Sister Yunzhu’s forgiveness!”
Xiao Yunzhu: “And if I do not forgive?”
With a thud, Chen Chunsi knelt, weeping like rain on blossoms. “Sister Yunzhu, though you lost father and brothers, you are still a noble daughter, raised in wealth and honor, lacking nothing. I, though I have parents and brothers, am unloved by father and mother, and my brothers are unreliable. The only one in this world who treats me well is the Third Young Master! I cannot lose him! I beg you, be magnanimous, tolerate me as one might a cat or dog! In the next life, I will repay your kindness with all my soul!”
Yunzhu: …
Had she not spoken only six words? And this torrent followed?
Chen Chunsi’s heartfelt plea moved He Baoyan deeply, filling him with love and pity. Yes—Yunzhu had only lost father and brothers, but Chunsi had only him. He was her everything. Without him, how could she live?
He stepped forward, pulling Chen Chunsi up forcefully, cradling her tenderly. Turning, he glared at Xiao Yunzhu. “Don’t think you can bully Chunsi just because of your family name!”
Xiao Yunzhu: “…What have I done?”
He Baoyan glared angrily. “You’ve done nothing yet, and already driven Chunsi to such misery. If you do more, will you not take her life?”
Chunsi was delicate by nature—how could she withstand Xiao Yunzhu’s cruelty?
Xiao Yunzhu was speechless, tempted to roll her eyes despite decorum. So this was what “twisting words and inventing crimes” meant.
From He Baoyan’s arms, Chen Chunsi lifted her tear‑stained face and cried, “Sister Yunzhu, if I could enter the household, I would never dare defy you, nor vie with you for favor. I only wish to serve the Third Young Master. Rank, jewels, fine clothes—I can forgo them all! As long as he holds me in his heart, I will be content for life!”
He Baoyan was moved, tenderly wiping her tears. “Of course you are in my heart!”
The two gazed at each other, love flowing between them.
Xiao Yunzhu broke the mood, clapping her hands in mock admiration. “Miss Chen, such eloquence! Have you considered writing storybooks?”
If she wished to pursue that path, Xiao Yunzhu could even offer her an opportunity. Tales of star‑crossed lovers had always been popular.
Chen Chunsi thought she was being mocked, weeping harder, yet still spoke: “Is a humble girl unworthy to love a noble young master?”
Her fragile yet resolute bearing enthralled He Baoyan. “You are worthy! No worldly prejudice, no barrier of family rank can stop the bond between us!”
Chen Chunsi gazed at him with shining eyes. “To meet and know you in this life—I have no regrets!”
Were it not for Xiao Yunzhu’s presence, they would surely have embraced, pouring out their hearts.
Xiao Yunzhu interjected, “Miss Chen, I think the point is not whether you are humble or noble, but that I treated you as a sister, while you coveted my betrothed.” She had even gifted her precious ornaments.
Chen Chunsi flushed, speechless, head bowed in tears, inwardly resenting Xiao Yunzhu for stripping her of dignity.
Xiao Yunzhu turned to He Baoyan. “Third Cousin, wanting a concubine is one thing. But to let her enter before me—that is a slap in my face. By any measure, you are in the wrong.”
He Baoyan: “…Though rare, some do take concubines before marriage! And I have said already—Chunsi is no ordinary concubine! If you refuse, so be it. I will ask Grandmother myself!”
He pulled Chen Chunsi to leave.
“Wait!” Xiao Yunzhu stopped them, smiling. “Why so hasty, Cousin? I never said I refused.”
He Baoyan’s anger turned to joy. “You agree?!”
Xiao Yunzhu smiled serenely. “More than agree—I’ve decided to fulfill your wish.”
He Baoyan’s face lit up. “Thank you, Sister Yunzhu!”
Xiao Yunzhu’s smile was sweet. “No need to thank me. I’ll go to Grandmother at once and ask to dissolve the betrothal, so you two lovers may be joined.”
He Baoyan froze.
Xiao Yunzhu looked at Chen Chunsi. “Miss Chen, next time we meet, you must call me Cousin‑in‑law. I wish you and Cousin to soar together like paired wings, and grow old side by side.”
Chen Chunsi opened her mouth, at a loss. She had meant to force Xiao Yunzhu to withdraw, but never expected her to be so decisive. She hadn’t even used her strongest card yet.
“Break the betrothal? Xiao Yunzhu, are you mad?!” He Baoyan came to his senses, incredulous.
He loved Chen Chunsi but had never considered dissolving the engagement. Ten years betrothed, Xiao Yunzhu as his wife seemed fixed, unchangeable. Even when his mother spoke of her faults and regretted arranging the match, he had resolved to keep Xiao Yunzhu—and Chunsi—by his side for life.
How could she so lightly speak of breaking it? Where did that leave him?!