Chapter 87: Breaking the Engagement, Part One

Zhou Changyin had always been proud by nature. In the past, it was only because Empress Jiang and Xiao Yun served as intermediaries that the Zhou and Jiang families interacted frequently, and Zhou Changyin did indeed have a good relationship with Jiang Yuzhi’s eldest sister. After Jiang’s eldest daughter came of age and married out of the capital, Zhou Changyin, though delayed in her own marriage due to poor health, rarely visited the Jiangs anymore, as there were no companions of her age left.

Recently, she had returned to the capital for the emperor’s birthday celebrations. When she proactively tried to befriend Jiang Yuzhi, although Jiang Yuzhi found it abrupt, she didn’t think much of it at first. After all, ever since her engagement to the Crown Prince, countless noble ladies had tried to curry favor with her, so she simply assumed Zhou Changyin was acting for the same reason.

It was Jiang Yuzhi herself who had revealed to Zhou Changyin that Wu Tan and Lin Yan’ao planned to watch the top scholar’s triumphant procession that day. Even when Zhou Changyin probed her for more details about their plans, she didn’t think twice about it. Until the incident at Zhuque Tower, when Wu Tan fell but didn’t die immediately and Li Xun’er began cursing in a rage, the truth struck her like a bolt of lightning—

Zhou Changyin had extracted the whereabouts of Wu Tan and Lin Yan’ao from her, then colluded with Li Xun’er to set a deadly trap!

She had been utterly stunned, and those two women had simply admitted everything to her face, deciding it was better to leave no loose ends. With Xiao Yue and the authorities from the capital’s prefecture blocking the exits downstairs, and after overhearing an earth-shattering secret, panic seized her—she only thought about how to escape being implicated.

It was only on the way home that she was filled with deep regret—she realized she had a second option at the time: she could have exposed Zhou Changyin and Li Xun’er on the spot. Even if they tried to drag her down with them, she had been an unwitting pawn at best, and falling out with them would have been far better than keeping such a dangerous secret and living in constant fear as she was now...

No, that wasn’t quite right either! In the past, getting entangled in such a scandal would have been nothing, but now that she was betrothed to Xiao Yun, the future Crown Princess, any involvement in a sordid affair like this could destroy her prospects altogether.

Jiang Yuzhi’s mind was in turmoil, but one thing was clear—whether by design or by accident, since she hadn’t cleared herself of ties to the real culprits at the scene, she was now inextricably bound to Li Xun’er and Zhou Changyin.

Having brought such calamity upon herself for no reason, Jiang Yuzhi was utterly distraught on the way back.

When their carriage pulled up at the gates of the Duke of Ping’s estate, the gatekeepers hurried out to place a step-stool and take the horses. Because Jiang Pingzhi had taken first place in the exams, the Jiang family had hastily set up a banquet to entertain neighbors in celebration, so the main gates were wide open, decked with red silk, and everyone wore expressions of joy.

As she descended from the carriage, supported by her maid, Jiang Yuzhi felt weak all over, her complexion pale. Jiang Pingzhi, preoccupied with his own thoughts, didn’t even notice her state. The siblings entered the house together, one after the other.

“Second Young Master, Fourth Young Lady, welcome home!” The steward, followed by a beaming group of servants, greeted them. “Congratulations, Young Master, on your great success!”

Jiang Pingzhi quickly gathered himself. He had been to the palace to give thanks and hadn’t been allowed to bring attendants, so his personal servant had waited at the gate. He gestured for the servant to distribute rewards among the staff, who accepted them with more words of congratulation. Only then did someone notice Jiang Yuzhi’s pallor and lack of spirit.

“Fourth Young Lady, are you feeling unwell? Should I summon a physician?” the steward asked.

Only then did Jiang Pingzhi glance back at her, frowning, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Yuzhi, too unsettled to speak at length, brushed him off: “I’m just a bit tired, nothing serious. I’ll go inside.”

With that, she averted her gaze, avoiding his eyes as she walked in ahead of him. Jiang Pingzhi, for his part, knew very well the real reason, but as he had far more secrets weighing on him than she did, he had no interest in sharing or discussing anything with her, so he simply went straight to the front courtyard where the banquet was held.

For a family of the Jiangs’ rank, a special celebration banquet would be held on an auspicious day, but today’s feast was merely a spontaneous affair to bring good luck by entertaining neighbors, so he only made a brief appearance to toast the guests.

After fulfilling his obligations at the table and hearing the many congratulations, his servant hurried up to him: “Second Young Master, the Madam requests your presence.”

“Very well,” Jiang Pingzhi replied, and headed to the main residence to see his mother, Lady Jiang Li.

Upon entering, he found Jiang Yuzhi already there, sitting with a cup of tea, still looking weary and dispirited.

“Mother, you wanted to see me?” he asked.

Having a son achieve such success filled Jiang Li with joy, and she beckoned him over, “Come, sit—you’ve kept me waiting! Your father and elder brother are still at the yamen and haven’t returned. I plan to hold your celebratory banquet the day after tomorrow; I’ve checked the almanac and it’s an auspicious day. I’m just drafting a guest list—let me know which of your friends or classmates you’d like to invite, so I can prepare the invitations.”

Compared to her mother’s exuberance, Jiang Pingzhi’s expression remained calm. Glancing at Jiang Yuzhi—guessing she hadn’t yet recovered enough to tell their mother anything—he said, “Mother, perhaps it’s best to postpone the banquet for now.”

Jiang Li was startled, her smile fading, “Why? This is a great event, and it’s not as if we can’t afford it. If we don’t hold a banquet, people will talk.”

Jiang Pingzhi replied, “Did Yuzhi not mention it? There was an incident during today’s procession—not a very auspicious sign...”

Jiang Li turned to her daughter, “What happened?” Only just now did she notice how out of sorts Yuzhi looked, having previously assumed she was merely tired.

Jiang Yuzhi, guilty and nervous, started at the question, her hands trembling, “Ah? It’s just...”

Her flustered state made Jiang Li nervous as well. Jiang Pingzhi didn’t wish to frighten her further, so he said directly, “There was an accident—both the top scholar and the second place were injured, and it’s uncertain if they’ll recover. Though I wasn’t close to them, we all sat the exams together. For our family to throw a lavish celebration at such a time would look inconsiderate to His Majesty and others. So—it’s best to keep things simple, or postpone until a later date.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li became anxious, getting up to pull her son to his feet and inspect him, “How could such a thing happen? What sort of accident occurs on the main street? You were with them—are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Jiang Pingzhi allowed her to check him over, then continued, “It was just an unfortunate fall from a high railing that struck several people.”

He avoided giving more detail—ostensibly to spare her worry, but in truth, to prevent her from probing deeper. Jiang Li sighed, relieved her son was unharmed, and once her emotions had settled, she nodded, “Given what’s happened, we should indeed be discreet. I’ll discuss it with your father tonight, and see how others handle things before deciding.”

Jiang Pingzhi nodded slightly.

Jiang Li continued, “Let’s set aside the banquet for now. I called you for something else.”

A man’s two great joys in life: passing the imperial exams and his wedding night.

Jiang Pingzhi knew what she was about to raise, but having already made up his mind, he preempted her, “Mother, I also have something to discuss with you.”

She was surprised, “Something to discuss? What is it?”

Now that her sons were grown, they usually consulted their father about important matters; Jiang Li, as a woman of the inner quarters, saw no reason for such formality. “It’s about my cousin from the Lin family,” Jiang Pingzhi said bluntly. “I know you and Aunt once made a promise, but I have no romantic feelings for her. Please, mother, go to the Lin household soon and dissolve the engagement.”

“What?” Jiang Li was aghast.

Jiang Yuzhi, equally shocked, stared wide-eyed, “Brother, what did you say? You want to break off your engagement to Yan’ao?”

“I do,” Jiang Pingzhi admitted. “I don’t care for my cousin and would rather not force her into it. Better to be decisive now—please, mother, take care of it.”

Jiang Yuzhi, forgetting her own troubles, grew anxious. She was on good terms with Lin Yan’ao, and her brother’s sudden decision made her uncomfortable, so she watched for their mother’s reaction.

“No!” Jiang Li’s face darkened, her voice stern. “I settled this betrothal long ago—you know that. Why say you dislike her only now? You’ve just passed the exams and now you want to break off an engagement? Even if I could face your aunt, imagine what outsiders would say!”

Jiang Pingzhi was resolute. “What’s so hard to explain? It was only a verbal promise between you and Aunt, not a formal betrothal.”

Given his top marks and the family’s influence, he could secure a decent post regardless. Reputation mattered, but since the engagement was never formalized, and only the Jiang and Lin families knew of it, the Lins would hardly publicize being rejected. As for whether the two families would fall out over it—that was of no concern to him. To him, family ties were easily set aside.

Jiang Li was incensed, slapping the table, “I said no, and that’s final! Even if it was only a verbal agreement, it’s still a promise. Marriage isn’t a game, especially with your own cousin. How could you act so capriciously? What would become of your reputation?”

Jiang Pingzhi had expected resistance but not quite such vehemence. “Mother!” he tried again, but Jiang Li, fed up, snapped, “Enough! Marriage is the domain of the parents and matchmakers. The engagement is set—you’ll go to the Lin family and make it formal on a chosen date. Keep this up and I’ll tell your father!”

Lin Yan’ao was attractive, well-mannered, and scholarly—a match Jiang Li favored for her own niece. Jiang Pingzhi himself had once been pleased with her, but times had changed—he now refused outright.

Seeing that reason would not prevail, he grew angry in turn, standing abruptly. “You care only for your pride with Aunt. If you won’t go, I’ll go myself. At worst, the Lin family will beat me and throw me out.”

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door.

“You... you unfilial son!” Jiang Li raged. She tried to chase after him, but Jiang Yuzhi, seeing both mother and son at their limits, quickly intervened. “Mother, calm down! He’s just trying to provoke you—he won’t really go today. He won’t risk his face or future over this. Don’t let him manipulate you!”

Jiang Li, momentarily blinded by anger, calmed a little at her daughter’s words.

Jiang Yuzhi helped her mother back to her seat, poured her some tea, and gently soothed her. Jiang Li, sipping, fumed, “Has he lost his mind? How did this happen so suddenly?”

Jiang Yuzhi was equally puzzled. “I don’t understand either. We saw Yan’ao on the street today—everything seemed perfectly normal...”

She’d been too distracted to notice any change in her brother’s demeanor, but there must be a reason. Suddenly struck by a thought, she exclaimed, “Mother, do you think—could brother have been ensnared by some improper woman?”

Jiang Li was taken aback, then her heart skipped a beat. “That—surely not!”

“Then why this sudden urge to break the engagement?” The more Jiang Yuzhi considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

Jiang Li was shaken. She called out, “Madam Huang, fetch Tianlu, the servant closest to Pingzhi!”

But before Madam Huang could enter, Jiang Yuzhi intercepted her at the door, sending her away. Then she shut the door and returned to her mother’s side.

Jiang Li frowned.

Jiang Yuzhi explained, “Mother, even if you find out who the woman is, it won’t solve anything. Brother didn’t dare say it outright—I bet she’s someone he can’t possibly marry. He’s probably infatuated, but if you try to remove her now, all you’ll do is damage your relationship with him. It’s not worth it.”

Jiang Li understood, but the thought of her son being bewitched by some vixen who’d encouraged such madness was infuriating. “Then what should we do? He’s been led astray—if he really goes to the Lin family...”

Ultimately, her greatest fear was that a broken engagement would ruin her bond with her own sister.

And here, mother and daughter were of one mind—Jiang Yuzhi, too, dreaded that if her brother broke off the betrothal, she’d never be able to face Lin Yan’ao again.

So, together, they quickly formed a plan. Jiang Yuzhi grasped her mother’s hand, her eyes bright, “Mother, I think this: Brother may be confused now, but he’s bound to come to his senses. Why not go ahead and formalize the engagement with the Lin family right away? Yan’ao isn’t yet of age—they can’t marry until next year at the earliest. In the meantime, we can find a way to bring brother back to his senses. Even if we can’t, at worst, after marriage, he could take a concubine. At least your bond with Aunt won’t be ruined.”

Jiang Li considered her daughter’s suggestion. Though Jiang Pingzhi had spoken harshly, she knew her son—after years of study and now just having passed the exams, he was unlikely to truly risk everything. His threat to go to the Lin family was just bluster.

“This could work,” she decided. Not trusting her son, she immediately instructed Madam Huang to prepare the betrothal gifts in secret.

That evening, Jiang Weixian returned home, delighted by his son’s success. Jiang Li took the opportunity to raise the engagement. The Lins were a fine family, and with an agreement already in place, Jiang Weixian saw no reason to object, especially as Pingzhi was the second son and his marriage required less strategic consideration. Besides, he was of marrying age. He agreed readily.

But that is another matter.

Meanwhile, at the Wu household, Wu Tan returned to the Marquis of Dingyuan’s residence in the afternoon and immediately asked the gatekeeper, “Is my brother home?”

The boy replied, “The young master left early for the Ministry of War and hasn’t returned. The Huanfu family sent someone to look for him earlier.”

“Huanfu family? Was it the seventh son?” Wu Tan paused on the threshold.

“Yes, it was the seventh young master’s man,” the boy replied. “He came about an hour ago, but didn’t say what it was about. When I told him the young master wasn’t home, he left.”

Judging by the timing, it must have been Huanfu Seven sending word after the incident at Zhuque Tower. That man, when serious, was actually quite reliable.

Wu Tan shrugged. “All right, I understand. When my brother returns, tell him I need to speak to him—it’s urgent!” She thought for a moment, then repeated, “Don’t forget. It’s urgent—very urgent!”

“Yes, I’ll be sure to tell him!” the boy promised.

Wu Tan walked inside with Xingzi. After just a few steps, she heard the servant behind her exclaim happily, “Young master has returned!”

—End of Chapter—

The Jiang women—what a pair...

This book is exclusively published here; please do not repost.