Chapter 106: Future Crown Princess? Pfft!

The crowd of onlookers watched in a daze as the Lin family tossed their betrothal gifts out the door, none daring to leave. The earliest group had witnessed the entire spectacle of Jiang Lishi’s initial visit, her sulking departure, and now her unexpected return, which only heightened their curiosity.

Jiang Lishi herself felt a deep shame, her face flushed with embarrassment. Almost avoiding the gazes of the crowd, she forced herself to maintain composure and strode back to the Lin family’s grand entrance with measured steps, striving to uphold her status as the wife of the heir of the Ping Guo Duke’s household.

Following closely was Jiang Yuzhi, her eyes flickering nervously between Wu Tan and Lin Yanyao—she could not help but recall the incident at the Vermilion Bird Tower, where a fall had occurred. Though she had been manipulated into the mess, a pang of guilt gnawed at her, and beneath her sleeve, she pressed her fingernails into her palm to steady herself.

As Jiang Lishi reached the Lin family gate, about to ascend the steps, the gatekeeper immediately stepped down, blocking her path. “Madam, wife of the heir, please wait...” The words were polite, but the tone betrayed no respect whatsoever.

Seeing a mere servant dare to disrespect her mother, Jiang Yuzhi’s anger flared. She stepped forward sharply and scolded, “How dare you, you insolent servant! We are here to see my aunt; this is important!” The gatekeeper remained unmoved, standing firm with a measured voice: “I apologize, Miss Jiang, but hasn’t the wife of the heir informed you? Our families have severed ties and will no longer have dealings. I am a servant of the Lin household and follow my master’s orders. Madam has instructed that no one from your family is to be admitted again.”

Jiang Yuzhi, having heard her mother’s complaints all along about offending the Lis and their ingratitude, had dismissed it as mere heat-of-the-moment words. Now, faced with such disdain from even a lowly servant, she felt her blood boil.

But she could not afford to quarrel with a servant—it would be beneath her dignity. Spotting Lin Yanyao standing calmly at the door, she swallowed her anger and approached her, saying, “Cousin Yanyao, I know Aunt is upset today; even if she quarreled with my mother, she surely did not mean it...” Before she could finish, the crowd behind erupted into loud chatter.

“Oh! So this is the Lin family girl? I thought she was just a visitor.”
“She looks quite refined, beautiful, and graceful!”
“The Lin family is a scholarly household with a reputation for good upbringing. Lin the Elder, a respected official, personally raised his granddaughter—how could she be anything less than exemplary? Just unfortunate to be caught in this mess.”
“Quiet down! Don’t rub salt in their wounds!”

Most of the onlookers lived nearby. Lin the Elder had served with great repute at court, and the Lin family’s ancestral home had stood here for nearly two centuries, commanding respect in the neighborhood. Though they came to witness the drama, few truly wished ill upon the Lin family.

For a young lady like Lin Yanyao to suffer such misfortune, neighbors sympathized, especially after the Jiang family’s abrupt repudiation. Many lamented the Jiang family’s lack of compassion, coming so soon to pour salt on their wounds.

Though the matter was between two families, and no direct accusations were made, Jiang Yuzhi felt the weight of the crowd’s sentiment and grew uneasy.

Lin Yanyao cut her off before she could speak further, saying calmly, “Whatever my mother says goes—whether in anger or not, our family has a rule: no regrets after words are spoken. Therefore, I will not admit you. Please leave.”

Her tone was polite but firm. Taking Wu Tan’s hand, she added, “Tan’er, let’s go inside.”

In truth, Jiang Yuzhi had been closer to Lin Yanyao in the past, but this sudden coldness stung her deeply.

“Cousin—” she called, irritated, and tried to push past.

Wu Tan, far less courteous, shoved her back roughly.

The three young women now stood on the Lin family steps. Jiang Yuzhi stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance.

“Yu’er!” Jiang Lishi gasped, rushing forward to steady her.

Jiang Yuzhi never expected Wu Tan to be so rough. As a direct-born daughter of the Duke’s household, betrothed to the Crown Prince, how dare a mere marquis’s daughter treat her so boldly?

Fuming, she shoved her mother’s hand away and advanced, eyes blazing, ready to confront Wu Tan.

Wu Tan ignored her entirely, pushing Jiang Yuzhi aside and turning to the gatekeeper with a stern command: “Didn’t my second aunt say no one from the Jiang family is to enter? You are the gatekeeper—stand guard and keep them out. If they force their way in, throw them out! No use wasting words on those who don’t understand. Trespassing will be reported to the Jingzhao Prefecture officials. Someone will uphold justice for us!”

Though Jiang Lishi and her daughter held high rank, few dared to oppose them outright. Yet Wu Tan was relentless, invoking the authorities and speaking with undeniable logic.

The crowd, already disapproving of the Jiang family’s lack of decency, erupted in cheers at Wu Tan’s boldness.

“Well said! Trespassing should be reported!” they shouted.

Jiang Yuzhi, furious, shouted Wu Tan’s name, but the crowd’s cheers only grew louder, making her blood boil.

Red-eyed, she glanced back but dared not speak harshly lest she gain a reputation for bullying the common folk before this large assembly.

She bit her lip and turned back to Wu Tan, angrily arguing, “Wu Tan! This is none of your business. This is not your Marquis’s residence. How dare you order people around here?”

Wu Tan sneered contemptuously, pointing at the plaque above the gate: “Look closely—this is the Lin residence, my grandfather’s home. My mother’s surname is Lin! How dare you object here? My grandfather and my second aunt have yet to speak. Who are you to interfere?”

The future Crown Princess? Bah! With Jiang Yuzhi’s lack of wit, if Wu Tan really wanted, she could easily sabotage the marriage before it even began. But as someone who might one day wield power over Wu Qingqiong, Wu Tan refrained for now.

Within the Lin household, Lin the Elder was still alive and remained the true patriarch. Between a granddaughter dearly loved by him and a second aunt’s niece, recently estranged relatives, it was obvious who held the stronger position at the gate.

Though Wu Tan’s defense of the Lin family seemed presumptuous, she was justified in barring Jiang Lishi and her daughter.

“Y-You...” Jiang Yuzhi was furious beyond words.

But she could neither fight nor win an argument with Wu Tan. She lacked the shamelessness to act defiantly here, especially since her conduct represented the royal family, given her betrothal to the Crown Prince.

The crowd jeered once more.

Realizing she could not win, Jiang Yuzhi suppressed her rage and said coldly, “My mother came to speak with my aunt on important matters. This is none of your concern. Step aside!”

“Oh?” Wu Tan did not step back. After a brief pause, a mischievous smile crept across her face. “If the wife of the heir’s business with my second aunt is none of mine, then since everyone’s here, let’s talk about something that does concern me.”

Jiang Yuzhi felt a chill, unsure why she suddenly felt intimidated by this brat. Wu Tan stepped closer.

“I won’t speak with you!” Jiang Yuzhi retreated instinctively.

She did not know why, but Wu Tan’s bright, brazen smile unsettled her.

Then Wu Tan said, “But I have something to say to you. About the incident at the Vermilion Bird Tower a few days ago—explain yourself.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Jiang Yuzhi screamed, lunging to cover Wu Tan’s mouth.

Wu Tan did not dodge; instead, she raised her eyebrows provocatively.

Suddenly conscious of the crowd, Jiang Yuzhi’s face drained of color. She lowered her hands, hiding them in her sleeves, and murmured, “No! I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her eyes darted nervously.

Jiang Lishi, alarmed by her daughter’s behavior, frowned deeply and moved behind her. Seeing her daughter being bullied, she prepared to scold Wu Tan, but Wu Tan ignored her completely, fixing a piercing gaze on Jiang Yuzhi.

Her smile vanished, replaced by a merciless stare, cutting her down: “You don’t know? Then let me remind you—so the wife of the heir and everyone here can know.”

Jiang Yuzhi, convinced Wu Tan was a wild lunatic, trembled with fear and shouted tearfully, “You—shut up!”

Jiang Lishi embraced her daughter, fearing she might faint, bewildered by the turn of events.

“Why don’t you shut up first!” Wu Tan sneered defiantly. “While I’m still in a good mood, keep your head down and behave!”

Wu Tan spoke loudly enough for the crowd to hear. Though Jiang Yuzhi initially tried to conceal the truth, she was too frightened and soon lost control, her words spilling out for all to hear.

The onlookers, sharp-eyed, eagerly absorbed every detail. The drama at the Lin family gate was truly spectacular: a broken engagement, severed sisterly bonds, and now the Jiang lady seemingly caught in a compromising predicament by the Wu family girl?

But even though Wu Tan was fierce, with such a temperament, which noble family would want to marry their daughter to her?

Seeing her daughter being dragged into this, Jiang Lishi could no longer endure.

She sighed, resigned. With Wu Tan guarding the gate, there was no chance of entering the Lin household.

Taking a deep breath, she controlled her emotions and approached the gatekeeper. “Since the second madam’s anger has not subsided, I will not enter. Please convey a message inside and ask her to come out—I have important matters to discuss.”

The gatekeeper instinctively glanced at Wu Tan.

Jiang Lishi wanted to explode. “Why are you looking at her? Isn’t this the Lin residence? Whose servant are you?”

Before the gatekeeper could respond, Li Shi appeared, having heard about Jiang Lishi’s scolding of Wu Tan.

Li Shi’s expression darkened. “If the wife of the heir wants to show off, why not do it at your own Ping Guo Duke’s household? Shouting at the child Grandma Gu left behind right outside our door—do you think the Lin family is easy to bully?”

Li Shi, usually reasonable, behaved unlike herself today.

Jiang Lishi felt utterly humiliated but, knowing the rarity of this meeting, swallowed her anger and spoke as calmly as possible. “Sister, please don’t take it amiss. Even if I spoke harshly before, I came to discuss something important with you.”

“Our families have severed ties. Take your matters home!” Li Shi cast a disdainful glance and ushered Lin Yanyao and Wu Tan inside. “Please have your Jiang family clear the street of their things. Blocking our carriage is no small matter.”

She signaled the gatekeeper to close the door.

Jiang Lishi quickly reached out, grabbing Li Shi’s arm over the threshold. “Sister, listen to me. I care deeply for Yanyao and wouldn’t have left in anger if you hadn’t been so hostile. If you’re still upset, I, as your elder sister, apologize. Please give me a chance to speak.”

Li Shi shrugged off her hand. “If you wish to break the engagement, so be it. What else do you have to say now?”

Jiang Lishi was about to collapse from shame and rage but forced herself to speak again. “I wasn’t really here to break the engagement today...”

Lin Yanyao and Wu Tan tensed. If the engagement was not broken, Wu Qingyu’s arrival would be awkward.

Li Shi froze, confused by Jiang Lishi’s words.

Seeing a flicker of softness, Jiang Lishi lowered her voice. “Sister, there are too many ears outside. This is a family matter. Let’s discuss it inside.”

Wu Tan, reading her hesitation, understood she had something unpleasant to say, trying to hide it for fear of shame.

Li Shi was no fool. Having seen through Jiang Lishi’s pretense once, she would not be fooled again.

She coldly dismissed Jiang Lishi’s hand and prepared to scold her when Lin Yanyao stepped forward, addressing Jiang Lishi: “There’s no need to hide anything. Our Lin family stands for honesty. Since my mother has spoken, it’s improper to go back on our word and invite you in. If the wife of the heir has something to say, say it here.”

Jiang Yuzhi frowned deeply. Normally, her cousin would be devastated by such misfortune, but instead, she had grown stronger and more confrontational—perhaps influenced by Wu Tan’s brazen temperament.

Li Shi had intended to turn them away immediately but paused when her daughter spoke and remained silent.

Jiang Lishi glanced back at the crowd, their eager faces like wolves at a feast, and realized insisting would only bring more rejection. Resolving to go all in, she reached out to grasp Lin Yanyao’s hand, but Lin Yanyao subtly avoided it.

Li Shi’s fingers stiffened as she withdrew, then spoke carefully: “Yanyao, I know you understand the bigger picture. Aunt raised you and was more than willing to make you Ping Zhi’s bride. But fate has dealt a cruel hand, and I must consider the best outcome.”

Li Shi’s anger flared anew. How dare she bring up this insult again in front of her daughter?

Li Shi was furious and tried to rush forward, but Wu Tan swiftly pulled her back, signaling to calm down.

Li Shi bit her lip, feeling her teeth ache.

Jiang Lishi continued thoughtfully: “How about this—you give up the position of primary wife to Ping Zhi—”

“What?” Li Shi laughed bitterly, “You mean you want my daughter to be Ping Zhi’s concubine? Do you take us Lin family for fools?”

Jiang Lishi, now genuinely fearful, hastened to deny it. “Ping Zhi is no great man. Besides, Yanyao is my own niece—I would never let her suffer such humiliation. What I mean is... if you would retreat a step, I will arrange for Yanyao to be a noble concubine in Ning Zhi’s residence.”

Afraid Li Shi would refuse outright, she quickly added, “You know Ning Zhi is the eldest grandson and heir. His future is assured—something Ping Zhi cannot match. This is the best compromise. Especially since Yanyao has suffered so much recently...”

Before she finished, Li Shi nearly lost her temper, barely holding back a slap. She crossed the threshold and, ignoring all decorum, pushed Jiang Lishi down the steps.

“Our daughters can’t marry into your Ping Guo Duke’s household. Now get out!” she shouted.

Jiang Lishi and Li Shi resembled two quarrelsome streetwomen, utterly miserable.

“Sister! Your stubbornness will only harm Yanyao! I came sincerely to discuss this with you—please think carefully...” Jiang Lishi pleaded.

“Get out!” Li Shi roared and finally threw her to the ground, shaking with rage. “Li Xiangyue! Do you think the Lin family is like yours, willing to sacrifice honor for petty gain? Let me make it clear: our daughters have never done wrong, and they will never stoop to be someone’s concubine. Even if she marries a commoner, the Lin family has nothing to be ashamed of!”

The Jiang family’s repeated visits had become increasingly outrageous, and Li Shi’s fury was fierce. After venting on Jiang Lishi, tears streamed from her reddened eyes.

Lin Yanyao, unable to bear seeing her mother like this, hurried outside to support her. “Mother! Why stoop to their level? If a dog bites us, must we bite back? Let’s go inside.”

Li Shi wiped her tears and nodded firmly. “Let’s go home.”

As they turned to enter, someone in the crowd shouted, “The officials are here! Make way!”

Madam Huang quickly helped Jiang Lishi up.

The crowd parted automatically.

Hu Tianming’s sedan chair was still blocked by debris, so he had to walk. From the expressions of the gathered people, he guessed something had happened.

“Madam, wife of the heir!” He greeted Jiang Lishi politely.

She barely acknowledged him, murmuring, “Prefect Hu.”

With no time for pleasantries, Li Shi hurried away, eager to escape the crowd.

Jiang Yuzhi remained dazed on the steps. Others overlooked her, and Wu Tan, though noticing, ignored her entirely.

Hu Tianming approached Li Shi and Lin Yanyao. Seeing Li Shi’s reddened eyes and Lin Yanyao’s weary expression, he felt sympathy and sighed quietly before composing himself and bowing respectfully: “Madam, I failed to properly manage the situation. Though not grave, it was wrong to frighten your daughter. I sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness.”

By apologizing publicly, he cleared Lin Yanyao’s name somewhat.

Li Shi, grateful, replied courteously: “Since you are here, please come in for tea. We appreciate you bringing Yanyao back safely yesterday. There is no blame.”

Hu Tianming refrained from further comment. Yesterday, pressed for time, he had only ensured Lin Yanyao’s safe return, keeping the murder of Old Ma confidential and unreported. He had just finished reviewing the case’s details at the office and rushed to inform the elder and await instructions on how to proceed.

“Very well,” Hu Tianming nodded. As Li Shi invited him inside, the distant sound of drums and gongs grew louder outside the alley.

Assuming a nearby wedding celebration, no one paid it much mind—until a deafening burst of firecrackers echoed.

The crowd, initially reluctant to leave before hearing news from Hu Tianming, now turned to see the commotion.

Li Shi, hearing the festive noises amid her daughter’s troubles, felt a surge of sorrow. Then someone shouted, “Look! It’s a betrothal procession, handing out sweets along the way! Let’s go watch!”

Two hundred or more people surged toward the alley entrance.

Lin Yanyao suddenly felt uneasy, her heart pounding wildly—nervous or excited, she could not tell. She quietly tugged on Wu Tan’s sleeve.

Wu Tan remained calm. Seeing Li Shi about to usher Hu Tianming inside, she rolled her eyes and asked, “Second aunt, do you know if anyone nearby is hosting a wedding?”

Li Shi thought this girl was usually clever, so why mention such an awkward topic now?

She was about to say no when the returning crowd, jubilant and playing instruments, pushed back into the alley.

—End of excerpt—

Two chapters today, each about 7,000 characters—praise me! *shy smile*

P.S.: I tweaked the last chapter slightly, adding around four or five hundred characters, mainly boosting the second aunt’s fighting spirit. It doesn’t affect the plot—feel free to reread!

This work is first published here; please do not repost!