“Father, what is wrong with you?”
Seeing Chu Zhengnan’s expression constantly shifting after hearing the news, Chu Ningwan spoke in a low voice, a trace of coldness flashing in her eyes.
She knew very well that before Shen Yu left, he had gone to Chu Zhengnan’s study.
And shortly after, those rumors began spreading.
Behind all this, besides Shen Yu, there was undoubtedly Chu Zhengnan’s involvement.
She even wanted to see how he would handle things once he learned that she was marrying Xiao Changyan tomorrow.
Madam Qin’s attention was also drawn by her words as she looked toward Chu Zhengnan.
Feeling their gaze, Chu Zhengnan became extremely uneasy. He coughed lightly to hide his guilt.
“Nothing… nothing. I just think this matter is too sudden.”
Then he turned to Madam Qin.
“Madam, did you already know the Regent Prince was going to marry Ningwan?”
“I only just found out as well.”
“Father,” Chu Ningwan said calmly, “tomorrow during the wedding, an imperial edict from His Majesty will arrive together with the ceremony. Until then, I advise you not to cause unnecessary complications.”
Hearing this, Chu Zhengnan stiffened. His steps halted, and when he turned back, he met Chu Ningwan’s meaningful gaze.
At that moment, he actually felt a wave of danger pressing toward him.
“Ningwan, are you warning your father?” he asked, suspicion deepening.
Chu Ningwan smiled again, returning to her harmless demeanor.
“You are overthinking it. It is merely the intention of the one in the palace.”
Madam Qin stepped in to support her daughter.
“General, Ningwan is only kindly reminding you. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have only sent the decree dissolving the engagement today.”
Chu Zhengnan’s expression eased somewhat.
He had to admit Madam Qin had a point.
If not for the twenty boxes of betrothal gifts and the Regent Prince’s personal guard coming to the manor, he would never have believed the wedding was truly happening tomorrow.
But now…
“I understand,” he said.
“Ningwan, since the Regent Prince intends to marry you, such an important matter requires proper preparation and etiquette. Nothing must be neglected.”
After leaving these words and giving Chu Ningwan a deep look, Chu Zhengnan turned and left.
Once he was gone, Madam Qin took Chu Ningwan’s hand and led her inside.
“Mother, do you believe this is not a joke now?”
“I believe,” Madam Qin said softly. “From the moment you told me, I already believed it. The Regent Prince sending betrothal gifts shows sincerity.”
She sighed.
“Mother just… cannot bear the thought that my daughter will be married tomorrow.”
“Even after marriage, I will still be your daughter.”
Chu Ningwan embraced her, leaning into her mother’s arms.
If she could, she would never want to leave either.
But this was the only way to protect Madam Qin and prevent the tragedies of her previous life.
“Madam… Madam! General Qin has sent a letter!” a servant’s voice called from outside.
Madam Qin immediately stood and had the letter brought in.
After reading it, her expression darkened.
“Ningwan, your uncle has encountered some obstacles on his way back to the capital. He may not arrive tomorrow.”
Madam Qin grew anxious, her fingers tightening around the letter until they turned pale.
Chu Ningwan comforted her, but her own expression gradually cooled.
Her uncle, Qin Yi, was a general appointed by the Emperor. Who would dare obstruct him?
Yet such trouble arose precisely at this moment.
Thinking of Shen Yu’s smug behavior these past days, and Chu Zhengnan’s reaction upon learning that Xiao Changyan intended to marry her, she became increasingly certain—
This obstruction must be related to Shen Yu.
“Mother, it’s alright even if he cannot arrive tomorrow. After all, my engagement with Shen Yu has already been dissolved.”
“Besides, I am marrying the Regent Prince. Who would dare cause trouble?”
Madam Qin tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand.
“Even so, Mother still feels uneasy.”
“No, I must bring more guards to ensure everything is safe.”
With that, she immediately went to make arrangements.
Chu Ningwan did not stop her.
Tomorrow would undoubtedly be an extraordinary day.
Meanwhile, news of the twenty boxes of betrothal gifts arriving at Chu Ningwan’s courtyard quickly reached Su Qingyao.
She flew into a rage upon hearing it.
“Didn’t they say Chu Ningwan already broke off her engagement with the Young Lord Shen? Why is the Marquis’s Manor still sending betrothal gifts?”
She clenched her fists, grinding her teeth.
No matter what, the child she carried was also the Marquis’s heir. If anything should be sent, it should be hers instead.
The maid cautiously replied,
“Second Miss, this servant heard… those betrothal gifts don’t seem to be from the Marquis’s Manor.”
“Not from the Marquis’s Manor? Then who sent them?”
“I… I don’t know. The General has ordered everyone who knows to remain silent. This is all I could find out.”
Su Qingyao’s displeasure deepened.
To her, this answer was no different from none at all.
She assumed the Marquis’s Manor had learned of the annulment and, influenced by Madam Shen’s bias against Chu Ningwan, sent gifts to stabilize her.
Yes—that must be it.
Why did Chu Ningwan insist on competing with her?
The more she thought about it, the more her jealousy burned, until even her abdomen began to ache faintly.
The maid panicked immediately.
“Second Miss, please take care of your body! You are still pregnant!”
“I… I will go fetch a physician right away!”
Compared to Su Qingyao’s chaos, Chu Ningwan remained calm.
Early the next morning, maids came to help her dress.
Once she changed into her wedding attire, Madam Qin entered from outside.
Seeing her daughter, she froze slightly, then sighed in genuine admiration.
“My Wan’er looks truly beautiful today.”
“Mother, although I am marrying alongside Su Qingyao today, Shen Yu likely still thinks I am the one he will marry. No matter what he does later, please do not interfere too much.”
Chu Ningwan had long understood Shen Yu’s temperament and worried her mother might act impulsively to protect her.
Madam Qin was stunned.
“Wan’er, can you tell Mother why?”
Chu Ningwan leaned close and whispered.
After hearing her explanation, Madam Qin’s expression turned from shock to heartache.
“Wan’er… if Shen Yu truly does that, won’t you be wronged?”
She could not accept her daughter being mistreated.
“Mother, I will settle accounts with him sooner or later. Besides, Shen Yu will not gain anything today.”
“Alright,” Madam Qin nodded. “Mother will listen to Wan’er.”