Chapter 23 - Vouching for Her Happiness

◎Someone is vying for your wife!◎

The mention of 'Grandmother' brought a warm smile to the elderly lady's eyes, revealing no trace of estrangement but only intimacy. She had indeed pondered how Yu Lian's arrival at the Hua residence would be perceived by her parents and elders. Would they harbor resentment towards the Hua family because of this?

It would be understandable if they did.

But now, seeing Yu Lian's mother put her worries to rest.

She hurriedly instructed Yi Po to bring a chair for her daughter-in-law to sit on and offered her a cup of tea.

The two women seemed to enjoy each other's company immensely, as if they regretted not meeting sooner. The elderly lady praised Yu Lian's upbringing and fine qualities, attributing them to her mother. Yu Niang modestly dismissed the compliments, jokingly saying, "Oh, no, no. It's all thanks to fate. Her marriage was arranged long ago, but despite our concerns and heartache, we couldn't stop her. This child is full of love and loyalty; how could we, as her parents, stand in her way?"

They had wanted to intervene, but circumstances didn't allow it...

Sighing, the elderly lady patted her hand, "It's our Hua family who owes an apology to Yu Lian and to you. I hope for a smoother life ahead... Let me assure you, as long as I'm alive, I'll do everything within my power to ensure Yu Lian's well-being and protect her from being bullied, even by her own mother-in-law. Whatever she wants to do in the Hua family, she can do it. As her grandmother, I'll spoil and indulge her, making sure she leads a comfortable and joyful life. If in the future, she falls for a young and talented man, not only will I not object, but I'll also provide additional dowry to send her off with grace."

These words were spoken only when Yu Lian was not around.

Saying this, she whispered, "Lian'er doesn't like to hear such talk; she pouts and becomes unhappy at the mention of it. But Mother-in-law, those are my true feelings. Such a fine girl as Lian'er, I genuinely cherish her like my own granddaughter. All I wish for is her happiness—what else matters? Don't you agree?"

These words struck a chord with Yu Niang's heart. She had been polite at first, but now her smile became genuinely warmer, and all her worries faded away. She clasped hands with the old lady, their bond appearing even closer than that of a real mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

By the time Yu Lian returned from fetching almond milk at the small kitchen, she was met with this scene. She paused for a moment at the door. Setting aside other matters, her mother truly had a knack for social maneuvering.

"I feel relieved when you say that. To tell you the truth, the old lady in our house had a relationship with the Ruyang Marquis Mansion and wanted to get married there. Her father, aunt, second aunt, and II also looked at several other doors for Lian'er to look at. This girl disliked this one and didn't like that one. I felt strange at first. Then that day she cried and said she wanted to marry Hua Ji and enter his house to help him.After taking care of a whole family, I even broke my head and broke away from my parents' house. Only then did I realize that Lian'er had long been pretending to be a human being and could not tolerate others."

"I am aware of this matter... Simple-minded lass."

"Recently, the matriarch of our household has decreed that your father and I are not allowed to visit you. I've shed many tears at home, worried about your well-being. Your father and I have only one legitimate elder daughter, coddled since birth and unused to hardship. But now, seeing how much you've matured and become responsible, just as you said, it's clear you can take care of yourself."

The matriarch spoke kindly, "She's still just a young lady."

The two mothers-in-law engaged in heartfelt conversation for some time, until it was almost noon. The matriarch insisted that Yu Niang stay for lunch before departing.

As Yu Lian bade her mother farewell, she smiled, "Your grandmother is wonderful, with a kind heart. She's a good person. If my own mother-in-law were like her, my life would have been easier. I wish I could trade your biological grandmother for this maternal grandmother, to have her as my own mother-in-law."

Yu Niang gave her daughter a few more words of advice before finally boarding the carriage to leave.

Hardly had she left the Hu residence when rumors spread around the capital that Lady Yu, the third wife, had gone to visit her daughter! It was said that she left with tears streaming down her face, desperately trying to take her daughter back home. But Yu Lian's love remained unwavering, and she refused to leave, resulting in a heated argument between mother and daughter at the entrance of the Hu residence. The tale was narrated with vivid detail.

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian thought, "..." Her mother's tears were clearly those of reluctance! What argument could they have had?

She had come to understand a lesson recently: Once the public had a starting point, they would invent the rest of the story as they pleased, regardless of the truth.

In the afternoon, Yi Po's husband and son returned.

"We found two houses in the southern part of the city. One is priced at ten thousand taels, while the other, larger one, costs fifteen thousand. In the western part, prices are twenty percent lower, but the security is much worse. It doesn't seem worth it. So, we explored the outskirts and discovered a property with a manor. Due to its remote location, the price is reasonable. They're asking for four thousand five hundred taels for a small estate where you can cultivate fruits and vegetables. It sounds quite liberating."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian leaned towards the latter option.

A price tag of four thousand five hundred taels, with some negotiation and pooling of resources, could make it manageable. However, buying a house couldn't be rushed. With limited funds, a wrong choice would leave no room for regret. She instructed them to visit two more properties in the suburbs tomorrow for comparison. The city was out of the question; the prices were exorbitant, far beyond their means.

"Also, inquire further. Not just about the price, but ask the locals if the owner has any legal troubles or if their background is clean. Otherwise, if there are issues we're unaware of, it could cause problems later on."

"Madam's considerations are thorough. We'll go take another look tomorrow."

Yu Lian resolved to inspect the property herself before making a decision. She shared this plan with her grandmother, who had no objections.

"Yu Lian, you can decide. My good child, I know our household lacks funds, and it must be you, my foolish grandchild, who has been supplementing us. Grandmother says we should look further into the outskirts, somewhere smaller but more affordable. I'll sell off my jewelry; don't touch your own savings. If not, renting would also suffice for now."

Yu Lian understood that this was a viable option. She didn't have to buy immediately. If she couldn't find a suitable place, she would rent a courtyard in the city first. Once she figured out a way to earn more money, she would gather enough to purchase a house that suited her.

After Yi Po's family and the real estate agent spent two days finalizing three potential properties, Yu Lian disguised herself and accompanied Yi Po to view them.

All three houses were located on the outskirts of the capital. Though the locations were somewhat remote, the houses were much larger than those in the city, each with its own yard and vegetable patch for self-sufficiency.

The prices were 4,500 taels, 6,000 taels, and 8,000 taels respectively.

The one priced at 8,000 taels was the largest, with several acres of land. It would undoubtedly make them landlords, but the price was steep, and they couldn't afford it immediately. So, Yu Lian negotiated for the 6,000 tael and 4,500 tael options. The seller of the 6,000 tael property wouldn't budge on the price, whereas the owner of the initially favored 4,500 tael house was eager to sell, willing to lower the price to 4,000 taels. After further discussion, they settled on 3,800 taels, just within Yu Lian's budget, leaving a few hundred taels for daily expenses.

Thus, Yu Lian arranged to finalize the deal for the next day, to process the official paperwork with Ya Bao and sign a temporary agreement under his witness, paying the deposit.

With everything settled, Yu Lian felt as if a heavy burden had lifted from her heart. She felt like she had found a foothold in this unfamiliar era, a sense of belonging. Buoyed by her new status, she even took a personal tour, finding the small estate well-equipped despite its size. It had ample space for vegetables, fruits, and even rice and wheat.

She began fantasizing about her future idyllic life, picking daisies by the fence, gazing at the Southern Mountains in leisure. Her mood was lifted significantly.

Upon returning home, she shared her plans for the future with her grandmother, even deciding what to cultivate in the field.

The old lady looked at her with a warm smile, nodding approvingly to everything her granddaughter-in-law said.

When the young lady was not around, she confided in Yi Po, "Now this is how a child should behave. Yu Lian is still young and should live a carefree life. Seeing her so delighted makes me happy too. This innocent child is so easily pleased – a small manor is enough to make her ecstatic. If only..."

If only Hua'er were here. She would be lavished with fine clothes and abundant food, never needing to be so thrilled by such a small gift.

These thoughts remained unspoken, swallowed back into her heart.

It was useless to dwell on them; they would only bring more sadness.

With the silver finally gathered, Yu Lian carefully placed the remaining hundreds of taels in a chest, still feeling a twinge of regret. Be it modern times or ancient times, the price of real estate was exorbitant!

Her mother had mentioned that houses were not as expensive in previous dynasties, but prices had soared during their current era.

However, thinking about how this purchase would secure a home for her family for generations to come, she felt it was worth every penny. There were no time limits on property ownership in ancient times; once bought, the land and house belonged to the buyer, to be inhabited until the end of days, unless there was a change in dynasty.

The following day, she arranged to finalize the transaction at the local government office. Eagerly, she brought Yi Po and her family along. But after waiting for hours, the seller did not show up.

Yi Po accompanied the young lady back to their residence, furious. She instructed her husband to demand an explanation. Was this not a mockery?

Her husband returned with a grim expression, filled with frustration. "Madam, that family has gone back on their word. They now say they won't sell to us!"

"Inconceivable! A contract was agreed upon, and a deposit paid. How can they so casually break their promise?"

He produced the silver. "He returned the deposit, claiming the house cannot be sold. When I asked for an explanation, he hemmed and hawed for ages without giving a clear answer. Eventually, he simply asked me to leave."

"I sought out the broker, but even he changed his demeanor and wouldn't entertain me, dismissing me hastily."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian understood that there might be more to the story than meets the eye.

The seller was initially eager to dispose of the item, willing to accept a lower price just to make the sale. Now that the deposit had been paid, his sudden change of heart could stem from only two reasons: either someone else offered a higher bid, or there were unforeseen circumstances preventing him from selling it to her. Judging from the agent's reaction, the latter reason seemed more plausible.

Teeth-keepers, due to their substantial commissions, would never forsake a negotiated deal; instead, they would always strive to advance it. Even if the house owner on one side retracts, they can easily promote another property without resorting to driving away potential clients.

There could only be one explanation: someone was pulling strings behind the scenes to prevent them from acquiring the property.

To test her theory, Yu Lian dispatched Yi Po and her family to various parts of the capital. Unfailingly, no brokers were willing to show them properties; instead, they hinted at private transactions. However, there were clear imperial laws stating that without a broker as an intermediary and guarantor, the transfer of property ownership was prohibited.

Yi Po returned with her report: "My husband consulted several property brokers, but they all wore grim expressions and were hesitant to reveal the reason. Eventually, one of them whispered to me, asking if we were from the Hu family, and if our young madam was the sixth miss from the residence of the Wei Duke. I confirmed it, and then that broker discreetly advised me that they had received instructions from influential figures not to sell the property to the Hu family."

With less than seven days remaining until the deadline for our departure, this incident occurs.

Promptly, Yu Lian orchestrated a dramatic scene at the entrance with Yi Po and her spouse. Since her marriage into the Hu household, the citizens of the capital had been greatly intrigued by her, often gathering around to catch a glimpse or gather gossip to share with others.

News of Yi Po and her husband's somber conversation at the entrance spread rapidly throughout the imperial city.

Have you heard? It seems that influential officials in the capital are targeting the former East Yuan Marquis Manor, now known as the Hu Manor. The authorities are not only forcing them to leave their estate but also preventing estate agents within the city from selling them a new residence. What a predicament, don't you think?

"The East Yuan Marquis... Is it the household to which the sixth young lady of the Wei Duke's mansion was married?"

"Nonsense! Pity this Sixth Miss, she hasn't known a single day of peace since her marriage. Her husband is gone, and her family, weakened by illness, is struggling. Now that they've finally managed to gather some funds to purchase a place to settle, someone is interfering. I've heard the house is in the outskirts, and the deal was almost settled, only to be reneged on the very next day!"

"Who do you think could be behind it?"

"Who else? Back when the East Yuan Marquis' residence held great power, they made many enemies. For a family like theirs, now in adversity, there are surely plenty waiting to push them further down."

"Could it be the Seventh Prince? Rumor has it that he betrayed the East Yuan Marquis and his son, leading to their capture. Otherwise, who would be sitting on the imperial throne today is anyone's guess."

"Dare you say such things? Are you not afraid of being arrested?"

"It's simply a matter of fact. Speaking of it, the real enemy of the Hua family could be when Prince Hua Ji was unrivaled in the capital, outshining countless young talents. Rumor has it that the current emperor, back then as the third prince, was his archrival. They even had a fight during their first encounter as children. Could it be the emperor's doing?"

"Brother, let me give you some advice. You should pack your bags and run today. You dare to say anything and even suspect the emperor. I admire your courage."

"The current Prime Minister Yu is also a possibility. As a prestigious prime minister, he has been suppressed by the East Yuan Marquis and his son for years, not daring to utter a single complaint. It's understandable if he's seeking revenge now."

"I've heard it's the Ru Yang Marquis' residence. Li Xiang, the legitimate youngest son of the Ru Yang Marquis, recently proposed to Miss Sixth, right? He might be intentionally making things difficult for her to force her into marrying him!"

"Sigh... Since ancient times, beauty has often fallen prey to power. Miss Sixth is lovely, virtuous, and accomplished. Who wouldn't be smitten with her? I heard that on that day at the Hua family's gate, Li Xiang initially brought soldiers with him but dismissed them after seeing Miss Sixth. He publicly declared that he would dismiss all his concubines just to marry her alone. Unfortunately, Miss Sixth has been devoted for a long time. How could she be easily swayed?"

"That's why Li Xiang is resorting to cunning tactics. He wants Miss Sixth to realize that only by marrying him can she find shelter, while without him, she'll be vulnerable to others' bullying. In the end, who could endure such pressure?"

...

In these times, freedom of speech is valued, and ordinary citizens are free to express their opinions without fear. The entire capital's residents were speculating wildly, implicating every prominent noble and official, even the emperor, albeit subtly. The rumors eventually reached the court.

On that same afternoon, Li Xiang went to visit the Hua residence.

The gatekeeper refused entry, explaining that the young lady was resting and unavailable, and the matriarch was unwell and couldn't receive guests. Despite this, Li Xiang forcefully made his way inside.

Yu Lian was watering the flowers in the courtyard when she noticed him standing afar. "Lian'er, I heard about that incident. It wasn't me. I know who sent the message."

She put down the watering can and looked at him.

The young man straightened up and quickly said, "It was the Seventh Prince. That cunning coward betrayed both East Yuan Marquis and Hua Ji. Now, he wants to eliminate them completely. Lian'er, marry me. As long as you're with me, he won't dare touch you. I'll also arrange for the people of the Hua residence to have a safe haven. I promise no one will dare to cause trouble!"

"Lian'er, trust me. I genuinely like you. I used to be wayward, but after meeting you, I finally understand what love feels like. I would never hurt you!"

Yu Lian replied coolly, "Who gave you permission to call me by my given name?"

Li Xiang hastily said, "I won't, I won't. As long as you agree to marry me, I won't use it."

Yu Lian: "Thank you for your offer. Send the guest away."

Li Xiang watched as the beauty closed the courtyard gate, effectively blocking him out. He shouted in frustration, "Am I, a living person, not worth more than a dead one?!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his chest. A stone thumped onto the ground with a slap. Looking into the distance, he saw a pair of identical twin boys staring at him with wide, fierce eyes, like two little wolf cubs.

Li Xiang grinned and said, "Brats, do you know who I am?"

A boy brandished his slingshot menacingly, shouting, "You wicked one, get out of our home right now!"

Li Xiang strolled over, picked up the two boys with one hand each, swung them around in a circle, and laughed heartily. "Your big brother has turned to ashes, so both of you had better behave. Today, I'll spare you two on account of your elder sister-in-law."

After saying that, she dropped the boys on the ground, walked away with her hands behind her back, and let out a boisterous laugh.

The boys covered their bottoms as they sat on the ground, bursting into a wail that echoed throughout the heavens, unable to stop.

Yu Lian opened the door and found the twins bawling their eyes out.

She pulled the two children up from the ground. The older one clutched at her sleeve while sobbing, asking, "Is Big Brother really dead?"

The younger one also stared at her with reddened eyes.

Yu Lian took each boy by the hand and led them back into the courtyard. Initially resistant, the boys reluctantly obeyed when she scolded them.

She knew that during these days, the three children in the household had been confined to their grandparents' yard and were not allowed out. No one had informed them about Hua Ji's misfortune, so the three innocent children still believed their eldest brother had been sent to fight in a war by the imperial court.

She gave the two children some snacks to hold and eat.

The younger one tattled, "The bad guy said he'd turn to ashes only after my big brother does, and even his whole family would! All of them, into ashes!"

From the beginning, Yu Lian had not quite agreed with her mother-in-law's approach. Although the three children were young, they were already six or seven years old—old enough to understand things. Moreover, with such a significant event happening to their family, they should be growing up quickly. It was unreasonable for them to continue hiding behind their father and elder brothers to play as they did before.

So she sighed softly, holding her tea and staring blankly at its surface. "Yes, he's gone..."

The two children fell silent for a moment before wailing even louder. With teary, reddened eyes, they glared at her before stomping out of the room.

Yu Lian instructed Erya to follow them, gently brushing away a tear from the corner of her eye.

This body was unbelievable. When would she stop crying at the mere mention of Hua Ji?

The next morning, Li Xiang came again, this time bearing a deed to a house.

"Li... Lian'er..."

Yu Lian glanced at him, and Li Xiang corrected himself. "Sixth Miss, after thinking about it yesterday, I've decided to give you a three-section courtyard for free, to clear my name. You can move in whenever you're ready."

Yu Lian replied, "I cannot accept unearned gifts, Mister Li. Your kindness is appreciated, but I must decline."

Li Xiang had never experienced setbacks with beauties before. The more he was rejected, the more determined he became. Witnessing Yu Lian's unwavering devotion to Hua Ji while she remained cold towards him filled him with resentment. He wished desperately that she would divert her attention to him and transfer her feelings.

When his attempts to win her over failed, he hatched another plan. At noon, Erya rushed in to report, "Madam, there are many common folk gathered at our gate, calling for you."

"Mr. Li is also outside," she added.

Yu Lian opened the door.

Li Xiang was in the midst of his speech, "Citizens, there are wicked people bullying Miss Sixth and intimidating the estate agents and homeowners, preventing them from selling their houses to the Hua residence. They want this family to end up homeless. Despite her noble intentions, Miss Sixth has been mistreated by villains. Shouldn't we lend her a hand?"

"Help! I've been wanting to say this. A lady of Miss Sixth's integrity deserves our support!"

"But how do we help? We are just ordinary folk without power, influence, or wealth. What can we do besides using our voices?"

"I propose that we band together and mutually guarantee each other. According to the law, if ten people vouch for a transaction, it can proceed. The sellers won't have to fear any trouble. If anyone causes issues, we will all stand up for you. And if all else fails, I, Li Xiang, will be there!"

Upon seeing Yu Lian emerge, a man shouted, "Miss Sixth, my uncle is a wealthy merchant with two estates for sale. Let me take you to speak with him."

"My family also has a small two-compartment house to sell. I hope you won't disdain it."

"Come to my home and see for yourself!"

The onlooking citizens eagerly shouted, for they had an inherent fondness and admiration for Yu Lian. Even those who did not witness the events firsthand had, through the recent onslaught of storybooks and poems, developed a deep respect and sympathy for her.

Now, with Li Xiang, the legitimate youngest son of the Ru Yang Marquis, taking the lead, their pent-up resentment found a target, and their chivalry was stirred. More than twenty people offered to show her their homes on the spot, while over seventy volunteered to act as guarantors.

Li Xiang looked at Yu Lian with a smug expression, winking playfully at her.

Despite her lack of affection for this wayward young nobleman, Yu Lian responded with a smile, expressing her gratitude.

The black-clad spy watching from the shadows grew anxious. Having only recently informed their master of the situation, they couldn't resist scribbling another note: "My Lord, disaster strikes! Someone is vying for your wife! And she even smiled at him."