As Jiang Wan had anticipated, Old Madam was indeed anxious.
Even before her illness had improved, she had already sent someone to propose marriage.
The candidate was the same as in her previous life—Yun Yanran.
Yun Yanran’s father was a great general guarding the border, and she had grown up beyond the frontier, with a lively and passionate personality.
She was the same age as Jiang Wan, also eighteen this year, but their temperaments were completely different.
Three years ago, Yun Yanran returned to the capital with her father. During a palace banquet, she fell in love with Fu Ci at first sight.
Not many might know that Fu Ci and Jiang Wan were deeply in love.
But Yun Yanran’s affection for Fu Ci was known throughout the entire capital.
Even after learning that Fu Ci was already engaged, she declared she would never marry in this lifetime.
For this, some ridiculed Yun Yanran for being shameless.
Others praised her for living openly and honestly, completely unlike the pretentious young ladies of noble families in the capital.
It was said that Old Madam and Yun Yanran met on a pilgrimage to offer incense.
At the time, a criminal attempted to abduct a child in broad daylight, and it was Yun Yanran who stepped in to deal with the assailant.
Old Madam admired Yun Yanran’s courage and, seeing her cheerful personality, felt she was the perfect match for her grandson.
Back then, due to Fu Ci’s existing engagement, she could only keep her regret hidden in her heart.
Now that she finally had the chance to bring the granddaughter-in-law she favored into the family, Old Madam naturally took the matter to heart.
Jiang Wan and Fu Ci went together to the eastern courtyard to pay their respects.
Right in front of Jiang Wan, Old Madam brought up the matter of the marriage proposal.
“Both you and Yanran are no longer young. She has delayed her life for you all these years. It’s better to marry her into the household sooner rather than later.”
Fu Ci immediately looked at Jiang Wan.
“Why are you looking at her? Marrying a wife is your business. How could she possibly have a say in it?”
Seeing Jiang Wan put Old Madam in a bad mood.
A sickly person with no vitality at all—how could she possibly be destined to be the mistress of the household?
“Look at other families. Among those who care about their reputation, who takes a concubine before marrying a wife?”
Fu Ci’s expression darkened. “Grandmother, Wanwan is different from others. She was supposed to be my wife.”
Old Madam was exasperated. “Back then, you took a liking to her and insisted on marrying her as your wife. Your parents carelessly agreed. Now your father is gone, and your mother has gone to cultivate herself in a temple outside the city. Only your grandmother is left to worry about your marriage.”
“Ci’er, it’s not that your grandmother is making things difficult for you. If you still want a future, you shouldn’t side with her.”
“And what about your aunt and cousin? Do you have to ruin everyone before you’re satisfied?”
Fu Ci’s expression remained unchanged. “Since The Emperor has pardoned Wanwan, he won’t hold it against her.”
“You’re truly foolish!”
Old Madam coughed violently.
Fu Ci hurriedly patted her back. “Grandmother, please rest well for now. We can discuss the marriage proposal once you’ve recovered.”
Old Madam snorted. “You grew up by your grandmother’s side. How could I not know what you’re thinking? Ci’er, if you don’t settle the marriage proposal today, your grandmother won’t take her medicine.”
A vein throbbed at Fu Ci’s temple.
He had already made up his mind to postpone the marriage and had even shared his thoughts with Wanwan.
If he agreed to his grandmother’s demands now, wouldn’t he be deceiving Wanwan once again?
Jiang Wan offered no opinion.
Being criticized openly and subtly by Old Madam was nothing new to her.
In the past, she would have been upset, eager to please Old Madam, and resentful that Yun Yanran received Old Madam’s wholehearted support.
Now, however, she had come to accept it.
As for Fu Ci’s claim that he would call off the engagement, Jiang Wan didn’t take it seriously at all.
As long as he still valued family ties, the Old Madam had plenty of ways to control him.
“Grandmother, please take your medicine first. Let’s talk properly—don’t joke about your health.”
“If I talk properly with you, will you listen?”
The matron chimed in from the side, “Young Master, the Old Madam coughed up blood again last night. The physician said it will take a year or more to fully expel the residual poison from her body. She must take her medicine.”
For the first time in his life, Fu Ci felt the taste of being cornered.
“Grandmother, please take your medicine first.”
“Do you agree?”
Fu Ci’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he grunted in affirmation.
But the Old Madam wasn’t so easily fooled. “How do I know you’re not scheming? Send someone to propose first. Once the matter is settled, I’ll take the medicine.”
“Arranging a proposal will take a few days.”
“No need for you to prepare. I’ve already found a matchmaker.”
Fu Ci remained silent. The Old Madam said, “I’ll take your silence as consent.”
With a glance at the matron, she immediately went to make arrangements.
Only the three of them were left in the room. The Old Madam looked at Jiang Wan. “Yanran is a good girl. She grew up beyond the frontier, and her family has no concubines or such things. She knows nothing of the tricks of the inner household. Once she enters this house, you must respect her properly. If you dare to disrespect the mistress, relying on Ci’er’s favor, the Fu family will no longer tolerate you.”
Jiang Wan nodded, agreeing to everything.
She’s still here, and Grandmother is already lecturing Wanwan like this.
If I really marry a wife, how will Wanwan survive in this household in the future?
Fu Ci stood up and pulled Jiang Wan to her feet along the way.
“Grandmother, since your health is poor, I won’t let Wanwan disturb you anymore in the future. Take good care of yourself and don’t joke about such matters again. If it happens too often, it might not work as well.”
With that, he led Jiang Wan away without looking back.
“Ci’er…”
No matter how the Old Madam called out, Fu Ci did not turn back.
Those final words, though spoken to the Old Madam, felt like a heavy slap across Jiang Wan’s face.
Using one’s health to control Fu Ci—I’ve done that too.
Looking at the Old Madam now, Jiang Wan seemed to see her own unseemly self.
It really is… so ugly.
Returning to the western courtyard, Fu Ci eagerly explained to Jiang Wan.
“Wanwan, give me a little more time. I’ll resolve this matter.”
“The Old Madam’s people have already gone to propose. In less than half an hour, everyone will know you’re going to marry Yun Yanran. How do you plan to resolve it? Call off the engagement afterward, or marry her first and then divorce?”
Without hesitation, Fu Ci said, “I won’t marry her.”
Jiang Wan understood. “So you plan to break off the engagement. But what if Miss Yun can’t accept it and threatens her life? What will you do then?”
Yun Yanran was no ordinary person. Behind her stood the General’s Manor. No matter how powerful or influential Fu Ci was, he couldn’t act recklessly.
Once the matchmaker proposing marriage stepped into the Yun family’s home, the matter wouldn’t be so easily resolved.
Finally, Jiang Wan asked Fu Ci one more question, “Even if it means watching me be suppressed by others, bowing and scraping before them, you still won’t let me go?”
If she hadn’t mentioned it, it would have been fine. But the moment she brought up leaving, Fu Ci couldn’t suppress the fury in his heart.
Blurting out thoughtlessly, he said, “In the capital, which household doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? Who else is like you, always threatening to run away from home?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Fu Ci regretted them.
Especially upon seeing Jiang Wan’s instantly pale face, he regretted it to the extreme.
“Wanwan, I was just talking nonsense earlier. Don’t take it to heart.”
Jiang Wan brushed away Fu Ci’s outstretched hand.
She had long known that even if she didn’t fight or compete, she and Fu Ci would not have a good outcome.
These words were blatantly telling her that no matter how good their relationship was now, in a few years, there would still be other women by Fu Ci’s side.
Stop deluding yourself.
Stop hoping.
And above all, don’t repeat the same mistakes.