What surprised Chu Ningwan even more was that within just one afternoon, the rumor that she was going to marry Shen Yu had spread everywhere.
Cui’er rushed in in a panic.
“Miss! You clearly already broke off your engagement with Young Lord Shen, so why are there still so many rumors saying you will marry him tomorrow? This is clearly…”
Compared to Cui’er’s shock, Chu Ningwan remained much calmer.
“I am indeed getting married tomorrow—just not to Shen Yu.”
Cui’er widened her eyes in disbelief.
“Miss… may I ask who you are marrying?”
Chu Ningwan smiled, but did not rush to reveal the answer.
Shen Yu’s actions were nothing more than an attempt to humiliate her and, at the same time, satisfy Madam Shen’s condition.
She would like to see how he planned to clean up the mess when the time came.
The more the rumor spread, the more she looked forward to it.
“Miss, that Young Lord Shen is truly too much. Even if he has lost his memory, he shouldn’t be treating you like this just because of that newly returned Second Miss.”
Cui’er spoke indignantly on her behalf.
Although she did not know who Chu Ningwan was marrying tomorrow, as long as it wasn’t Shen Yu, that was enough.
“Don’t worry.” Chu Ningwan curved her lips slightly, calm and composed.
“The accounts they owe me—I’ll settle them all at once after everything is over.”
The debts from her previous life, along with everything Shen Yu and Su Qingyao had done, she would return them all—double.
Meanwhile, Su Qingyao was anxiously waiting as her maid returned.
“How is it? What was Chu Ningwan’s reaction?”
The maid shook her head and reported everything.
“Second Miss, this servant specifically went around the Eldest Miss’s courtyard. There was no significant reaction. It seems she is unaffected.”
“Unmoved?” Su Qingyao frowned, finding it even more suspicious.
In her mind, she recalled Chu Ningwan’s disdainful expression from before.
Could it be that she truly didn’t care?
Otherwise, after the engagement was broken off and rumors spread that Shen Yu would still marry her, she should have been overjoyed.
She definitely should not be so calm.
Something felt wrong.
“Second Miss, if you and the Eldest Miss are both marrying tomorrow, what status will you have?” the maid asked cautiously.
“If there was an engagement, Chu Ningwan would naturally overshadow me,” Su Qingyao said with a light scoff, her hand resting on her belly with a smug expression.
“But now…”
“Shen Yu said he will prepare a small bridal sedan tomorrow. Guess who it’s for?”
As long as she was here, Chu Ningwan would never surpass her.
At that moment, Madam Qin came again to Chu Ningwan’s room, clearly having also heard the rumors.
“Wan’er, do you need Mother to step in regarding those rumors?”
She held Chu Ningwan’s hand tightly, afraid her daughter would be wronged.
“Mother, there’s no need to worry. I—”
Before she could finish, a commotion suddenly came from outside.
“Miss! Madam! Please come out and take a look!”
Chu Ningwan and Madam Qin exchanged a glance and immediately went outside.
The moment they stepped out, they saw more than ten guards carrying large boxes into the courtyard.
Leading them was someone Chu Ningwan recognized immediately—Zhuiying, one of Xiao Changyan’s personal guards.
Which meant all of this was related to Xiao Changyan.
“Greetings, Miss Chu.”
Zhuiying bowed respectfully upon seeing her.
Chu Ningwan nodded slightly and glanced over. At least twenty large boxes had been brought in, along with several other items.
“Guard Zhuiying, these are…”
“Miss Chu, you may simply call me Zhuiying,” he replied respectfully.
Toward this woman—who would soon become his master’s wife and also possessed remarkable medical skills—his tone was extremely respectful.
As he spoke, he instructed the men to open the boxes one by one.
Instantly, dazzling treasures filled the courtyard, radiant and priceless beyond measure—items that could no longer be measured in silver.
Even Madam Qin, the mistress of a general’s household who had seen much wealth before, could not help but gasp in shock.
“These are all gifts sent by His Highness,” Zhuiying explained. “Part of the betrothal gifts for Miss Chu. More will be delivered tomorrow.”
“Miss Chu, please let me know if anything else is needed. I can arrange it immediately.”
During the exchange, only Madam Qin remained nearby; everyone else, including Cui’er, waited outside the courtyard.
“These are already enough,” Chu Ningwan replied. “Please thank His Highness for me. I have received his sincerity.”
“In that case, I shall take my leave.”
Before leaving, Zhuiying added,
“Miss Chu, His Highness also said you need not worry about those rumors.”
“I understand.”
Chu Ningwan nodded.
At that moment, Chu Zhengnan arrived hurriedly after hearing the news. The moment he saw the contents of the boxes, he was completely stunned.
Then he saw Zhuiying—and immediately became tense.
He recognized him: a guard of the Regent Prince.
Yet their General’s Manor had no connection with the Regent Prince. Why would he appear here?
“Guard Zhuiying, this is…”
“Sent under orders to deliver betrothal gifts.”
With that, Zhuiying left without further explanation, ignoring Chu Zhengnan’s reaction.
Only when they were gone did Chu Zhengnan finally snap out of his daze.
Betrothal gifts?
For whom?
If it was “under orders,” then only one person could possibly give such an order.
A bad premonition rose in his heart.
He quickly sent people to disperse the surrounding crowd and stepped forward to Madam Qin and Chu Ningwan.
“Madam, you are here as well?”
Only after confirming no one else was nearby did he speak again.
“What the guard just said about betrothal gifts… Madam, Ningwan, do you know what is going on?”
Madam Qin gave him a cold snort.
“So the General still didn’t hear clearly?”
“It was the Regent Prince who sent his guard to deliver betrothal gifts. Naturally, it is for a marriage.”
“What?”
“Marriage?” Chu Zhengnan was even more shocked.
“Madam, please don’t joke. I’ve never heard of the Regent Prince intending to marry anyone. And even if he were, who would he be marrying?”
As he spoke, his gaze shifted between Madam Qin and Chu Ningwan.
Could it be…
At that moment, Chu Ningwan stepped forward.
“Father, do you know why the Emperor suddenly dissolved my engagement with Shen Yu?”
Chu Zhengnan froze. He was also puzzled by that matter.
He looked at the courtyard full of gifts, and a thought suddenly formed in his mind.
He tested carefully,
“Ningwan… don’t tell me the Regent Prince is going to marry you?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing the answer, Chu Zhengnan staggered back a few steps in disbelief.
Just a few hours ago, Shen Yu had come to him—and he had already agreed…