As soon as Chu Ningwan returned to her courtyard, she saw a figure waiting there. It was her mother, Madam Qin.
“Mother, why are you here?” Chu Ningwan quickened her pace and walked over to the woman.
Seeing that Chu Ningwan was unharmed, Madam Qin finally let out a sigh of relief.
“You were suddenly summoned by the Emperor and didn’t return until now. As your mother, how could I not worry?”
“Wan’er, in the palace, did anything…”
Chu Ningwan smiled gently.
“I’ve made Mother worry.”
“I’m fine. The Emperor only summoned me to ask about the matter related to the public notice. He did not make things difficult for me.”
As she soothed Madam Qin’s concerns, she added,
“Also, His Majesty has agreed to dissolve my engagement to Shen Yu.”
“Then the engagement between you and the Regent Prince in three days…” Madam Qin asked, her face full of worry as she looked at her daughter. “Does it still stand?”
“It does.”
Chu Ningwan nodded.
Yet there was no joy on Madam Qin’s face—only deeper concern.
“Wan’er, your mother respects your decision, but everything about this engagement to the Regent Prince has happened so suddenly. When I think about how you’ll soon be married to another man… I can’t help but worry.”
Who was the Regent Prince?
Other than the Emperor himself, he was the most powerful and revered figure in the kingdom.
Even the General’s Manor, despite its status, was insignificant before him.
If her daughter were mistreated there…
Every time Madam Qin thought about it, fear gripped her heart.
“Mother, trust me.”
Chu Ningwan knew that revealing the notice and asking Xiao Changyan to marry her had been a hasty decision.
But it was the only way to protect both her mother and her maternal family.
Shen Yu’s rebirth had brought him memories of his previous life, and at this point in time, her grandfather’s family had already become targets of people with malicious intentions.
Even if she did not send word to their territory, her grandfather and uncle would eventually learn of the situation.
In her previous life, after Chu Zhengnan learned about Su Qingyao, he had a fierce argument with her mother.
When her uncle heard about it, he rushed back to the capital.
Although he had forced Chu Zhengnan to back down at the time, it was not long before he was impeached.
Later, he was ambushed during a military campaign.
His life was spared, but both legs were crippled.
Afterward, so-called evidence of treason was discovered in her grandfather’s residence.
Only much later did Chu Ningwan learn that Chu Zhengnan had been secretly orchestrating everything behind the scenes.
Shen Yu had also been involved.
Although Su Qingyao had not died this time as she had in the previous life, Chu Ningwan knew from their interactions that she was anything but harmless.
The hidden conflicts beneath the surface could erupt at any moment.
Xiao Changyan, however, was different.
He was the Regent Prince, and she was the only person who knew how to remove the poison parasite afflicting him.
“Besides, I suspect Father will soon bring Su Qingyao into the manor.”
Chu Ningwan began analyzing the current situation.
At this, Madam Qin snorted angrily.
“He wouldn’t dare!”
“Wan’er, I’ve already received letters from your grandfather and uncle. They are riding day and night to return to the capital. Once they arrive—”
Chu Ningwan shook her head.
“Mother, even if Grandfather and Uncle return, they can only make Father somewhat cautious.”
“Have you forgotten? Father has accumulated military achievements over the years. He is now a general.”
“And Su Qingyao is pregnant and protected so fiercely by Shen Yu. If she threatens suicide, how could anyone explain the situation clearly afterward?”
“Even Grandfather’s family could become implicated. I’m sure Mother doesn’t want that outcome either, right?”
Chu Ningwan understood her mother well.
In most matters, Madam Qin could tolerate a great deal.
But when it came to those she loved—especially her daughter—she easily lost her composure.
Remembering the tragedy that had befallen her mother in her previous life, Chu Ningwan became even more determined not to let history repeat itself.
She carefully explained all the pros and cons.
After listening, Madam Qin finally hesitated.
“But I can’t just watch that mistress’s daughter behave so arrogantly. And your father’s attitude… If I had known he was this kind of man back then, I never would have married him.”
“Mother.”
“Since that’s the case, let’s make them lose everything.”
“Why punish ourselves for the mistakes of others?”
Chu Ningwan reminded her.
Everything Chu Zhengnan had achieved today was built upon the support of Madam Qin and her maternal family.
What he had taken from them should all be returned.
Madam Qin was stunned for a moment.
“Wan’er, have you thought of a plan?”
Chu Ningwan nodded and proceeded to explain.
After hearing it, Madam Qin was first shocked, then filled with pride.
“As expected of my daughter.”
“Good. I’ll do exactly as you say.”
After Madam Qin left, Chu Ningwan entered her room.
Three days later, with how much she had changed, Shen Yu would likely soon realize she was no longer the same person he remembered.
She needed to make preparations.
Just as Chu Ningwan had predicted, the very next day, Chu Zhengnan brought Su Qingyao into the General’s Manor.
When Madam Qin learned of this, she showed surprisingly little reaction.
She merely ordered servants to prepare a courtyard for Su Qingyao.
As Chu Zhengnan escorted Su Qingyao before Madam Qin, he had expected another explosive confrontation like the previous ones.
Instead, she accepted it so quickly.
The response left him unexpectedly relieved.
A smile even appeared on his face.
“Madam, it’s wonderful that you’ve come to terms with this.”
“After all, what happened back then was only an unintended mistake. Qingyao has had a lonely and difficult life since childhood.”
“In another day, she’ll be married into the Marquis’s Manor anyway, so she won’t be appearing before you.”
Madam Qin’s gaze grew colder.
She looked disdainfully at Su Qingyao.
“Her lonely life wasn’t caused by me.”
“And as for marrying into the Marquis’s Manor, General, don’t forget that Wan’er was once engaged to that heir as well.”
The more Chu Zhengnan ignored Chu Ningwan’s feelings, the angrier Madam Qin became.
“Madam, what are you saying…?”
“Ningwan has an engagement with the young heir, yes.”
“But they can simply marry into the Marquis’s Manor together. Why make such a fuss over it?”
Chu Zhengnan sounded puzzled, even resentful.
“Besides, it’s common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Madam—”
“So you mean that because I exist, you were unable to accomplish this ‘common’ thing?”
Chu Zhengnan was instantly speechless.
Just as he was trying to change the subject, Su Qingyao suddenly spoke.
Putting on a pitiful expression, she addressed Madam Qin.
“Madam, please rest assured. I have never intended to compete with Sister Ningwan for anything.”
“Even after I marry into the Marquis’s Manor, that will remain true.”
“Hmph!”
Madam Qin grew even more irritated at the sight of Su Qingyao.
She turned her face away, unwilling to look at either of them.
“That’s enough.”
“General, I am only letting this matter go today for Wan’er’s sake.”
“Now, you may leave.”
Though dissatisfied, Chu Zhengnan saw that Madam Qin had taken a step back and decided not to press the issue further.
After giving Su Qingyao a meaningful glance, the two departed together.
However, they had not gone far from Madam Qin’s courtyard before they saw Chu Ningwan approaching.
“Father.”
Chu Ningwan greeted him calmly.
Then she turned her gaze toward Su Qingyao.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.