Chapter 98: Turning the Tables (Part Two)

Lin Xiucheng sent his personal attendant to the Hanlin Academy to request leave on his behalf. Early the next morning, he and his wife, Madam Li, headed straight for the Jiang residence.

The two families were related by marriage and had always maintained a good relationship. Furthermore, due to the sensitive nature of Li Xun'er’s identity, it was best not to make a scene before solid evidence was obtained. At the Lin household, only the old patriarch and Lin Yanyao knew that Jiang Pingzhi and Li Xun'er had conspired against her. Therefore, although the Lin couple was furious with Jiang Pingzhi, their original plan was reasonable: to dissolve the engagement amicably through mutual discussion so that they could remain relatives in the future.

Consequently, they did not arrive with a grand display to cause a scene; they came with the intention of being courteous before resorting to force.

Jiang Weixian had spent the night with a concubine. As he was being dressed that morning, preparing to head to his official post, he was intercepted by the Lin couple.

When Madam Jiang (the wife of Jiang Weixian) heard that the Lin couple had arrived, she hurried to the reception hall to greet them while sending word for her husband.

Jiang Weixian was puzzled. "Lin Xiucheng is here too? This early in the morning, did they say what it was about?"

Mama Huang, who had brought the message, was equally uninformed. "It was quite sudden, and I don't know the reason. The mistress has gone to receive them, but since the Second Master of the Lin family is also here, you really should make an appearance, sir, to avoid appearing discourteous."

"Understood," Jiang Weixian replied. Just as Mama Huang was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and instructed, "Go call Pingzhi as well. Since the families are betrothed, we must not be negligent in the courtesies due to a future son-in-law; tell him to come and greet his future parents-in-law."

"Yes!" Mama Huang bowed and left the courtyard.

As Jiang Weixian continued to dress, he pondered the early visit but did not think much of it. His favorite concubine, Concubine Guan, a former singer with a sharp wit and a knack for reading people, asked softly while observing his expression, "My Lord, why did the Second Master of the Lin family come in person with his wife? Was there some trouble yesterday when you and the Mistress went to the Lin house to propose for the Second Young Master?"

Jiang Weixian, distracted, replied offhandedly, "What trouble could there be? Everything went well."

Concubine Guan reminded him, "The day before yesterday, the Second Young Master returned home and had a loud argument with the Mistress."

Jiang Weixian’s movements paused, and he looked down at her.

Concubine Guan hesitated, but as she was currently favored, she wasn't afraid to speak. "I did not intend to eavesdrop, but when the imperial exam results were posted, our house received the good news. The Mistress was busy hosting a celebration for the neighbors. When the Second Young Master returned in the afternoon, I went to offer my congratulations, only to see him storming out of the Mistress’s quarters."

Jiang Weixian’s brows knit together. "What were they arguing about?"

Concubine Guan smiled knowingly. "How would I know? But I must say, it is strange. The Second Young Master has always been the most filial and refined scholar. In the two years I have been here, this is the first time I have seen him clash with the Mistress like that. And..." She trailed off.

Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Weixian pressed, "Speak plainly."

Concubine Guan continued, "If I may be so bold, the Second Young Master only passed the exam the day before yesterday, and the Mistress immediately prepared betrothal gifts and rushed to the Lin family yesterday. Was it not suspicious that this happened right after their argument?"

Jiang Weixian had not been involved in the household affairs, but he now began to realize that Madam Jiang’s rush to the Lin house did seem rather hurried. A sense of unease settled in his chest.

Seeing that her words had taken root, Concubine Guan stopped, and Jiang Weixian hurried to the front hall.

In the reception hall, Madam Jiang was feeling anxious—out of guilt. Everything had gone smoothly yesterday when she presented the betrothal gifts, but the fact that the Lin couple had arrived together only one night later made it difficult not to fear the worst.

By the time she reached the front hall, the steward had already seated the guests. However, neither Lin Xiucheng nor Madam Li had touched their tea.

Madam Jiang entered the hall with a forced smile. "Brother-in-law, sister-in-law, why have you come so early? You didn't even send word..."

Before she could finish, Madam Li rose, her face cold. "Where is Jiang Pingzhi? Call him out. I have something to ask him face-to-face!"

She had been unable to sleep all night, her heart heavy with fury. If the information Wu Qinglin had provided was correct, she had not only ruined her daughter’s life but had been betrayed by her own sister.

Just then, Jiang Pingzhi walked into the courtyard, his voice preceding him. "What does my aunt and uncle wish to ask me?"

He entered the hall with surprising composure, bowing formally. "Greetings, Uncle and Aunt."

Although his manners were correct, Lin Xiucheng could see the difference in his eyes; the humility and respect usually reserved for elders were gone. Lin Xiucheng, a man of letters who had spent his life in study and avoided conflict, felt a chill of dread. *Wu Qinglin was right! Thank goodness the marriage hasn't been finalized yet!*

Madam Li, being more direct, rushed toward him. "You’ve come at the right time—"

Lin Xiucheng stood up and moved in front of her. He faced Madam Jiang and Jiang Pingzhi directly. "The Lin family owes the Jiang family an apology. I was away yesterday, and my wife, lacking foresight, rashly agreed to the engagement. Young Master, you have just passed the exams and have a limitless future, and your family holds a high dukedom; our Lin family’s status is truly beneath yours. I have come today to tell you that the engagement is dissolved. Please find a more suitable match for your son. I do not wish to say anything harsher. Let your servants bring pen and paper; let us write a formal statement of dissolution here and now. From this day forward, our paths go separate ways!"

His tone was firm, and his words were cutting. He had realized that since the Jiang family’s moral character was flawed, he had to cut ties quickly to protect his daughter’s reputation, even if it meant taking the blame for the broken engagement himself.

Madam Jiang was stunned, having never seen this side of her brother-in-law. She looked toward her sister, but Madam Li, who had initially wanted to tear the Jiang family apart, understood her husband’s intent and turned her head away, sitting down in silence.

Jiang Pingzhi was equally shocked. He needed the engagement broken, but he couldn't let his father find out he had been involved with Li Xun'er, or his father might kill him to prove his loyalty to the Lin family.

Jiang Pingzhi quickly weighed his options. "Uncle, what are you saying? This engagement was decided by our mothers years ago. I have only just passed the exams; how can you say such things? We have already exchanged betrothal gifts. Even for my cousin’s reputation, we cannot act so dishonorably."

He waved away the servants, acting as if he were the injured party. Madam Jiang watched her son, bewildered by his sudden change of heart.

Jiang Pingzhi continued, "If you insist on breaking the engagement, there must be a reason. If you can provide a reasonable explanation, we can understand. Or is it that my cousin was already betrothed to someone else before our family?"

Lin Xiucheng, unable to tolerate this blatant slander against his daughter, could no longer restrain himself. He punched Jiang Pingzhi in the face.

Madam Li was shocked, but felt a sense of vindication. Jiang Pingzhi staggered back, blood trickling from his lip.

Jiang Weixian, having just arrived, witnessed the scene. "What is the meaning of this?"

Jiang Pingzhi wiped the blood from his mouth and knelt. "Uncle is disciplining his nephew, I have no complaints. But if you must break the engagement, why must you force our family to bear the shame of being promise-breakers?"

Jiang Weixian looked at Lin Xiucheng in confusion. "Breaking the engagement?"

Madam Li stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Ask your son why we are here! If he is truly innocent, let him swear to heaven right now that he has not been involved with another woman!"

Jiang Pingzhi’s heart skipped a beat, but he stood his ground. "If you do not trust me, I shall swear! I, Jiang Pingzhi, swear to heaven—"

Before he could finish, Madam Jiang panicked and grabbed his hand, trying to smooth things over. "Sister, what rumors have you been listening to? If Pingzhi had other intentions, why would he be so willing to break the engagement?"

Madam Li saw the guilt in her sister’s eyes and felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her. *So, it was my own sister who dug this pit for us.*

"This marriage is over!" Madam Li declared, her voice cold and final. "Husband, let’s go! Have them return the betrothal gifts immediately!"

The Lin couple left the Jiang residence, and as they reached their own home, the steward noticed the absence of their daughter. "Second Madam, where is the Third Miss?"

Lin Xiucheng and Madam Li froze.

"A message came from the Duke’s residence saying the Mistress had fainted," the servant reported, "and they requested the Third Miss to come over."

Upon hearing this, Madam Li’s composure shattered, and she collapsed in a dead faint.