Chapter 8: Planning

◎ Her daughter is getting married tomorrow ◎

With the key to the situation finally understood, Yu Lian relaxed entirely, and sleepiness overtook her. There was still a battle to fight when dawn broke, so she needed to rest well. Thus, she went straight to bed.

She didn't sleep for long. Rising early the next day, she washed up and, as usual, went to pay respects to her grandmother and have breakfast.

Yu Lian had something to discuss with the matriarch, who also wanted to talk to her about the wedding. Under the piercing gazes of her other sisters, Yu Lian was once again left alone with her grandmother.

The matriarch held her granddaughter's hand affectionately and smiled. "Your father spoke with you yesterday? For the coming days, be more settled. Sew your wedding dress at home. I've heard from your mother that your needlework skills are not very proficient. Take this time to learn more while you're still in the manor. If you can occasionally make clothes for your husband in the future, I'm sure he'll be delighted."

"Grandmother, you seem to think that I haven't been sleeping well lately. Look, your lovely face isn't as radiant as before..."

Yu Lian interrupted her grandmother, looking at her earnestly with open eyes. "Grandmother, there's something I haven't told you... After much contemplation these past few days, I still can't put it aside. I want to share it with you and seek your advice."

The matriarch laughed and encouraged her to speak freely. After all, they were close grandmother and granddaughter, so what was there to hide?

Closing her eyes briefly, Yu Lian reopened them, locking gazes with her grandmother, and declared firmly, "Grandmother, I have long held a deep affection for Hua Ji. In this life, I desire only to marry him as his wife, not anyone else!"

The old lady could hardly believe her ears. Her pupils dilated for a moment, and she even doubted if her aged hearing was failing her. What was her granddaughter saying?

"Who do you love?"

Yu Lian declared loudly, "Grandmother, I love my former fiancé, Hua Ji, the heir of the East Yuan Marquis!"

The old lady was so furious that she almost couldn't catch her breath. Yu Lian promptly patted her back.

Shaking with anger, the old lady pointed at her. "What nonsense are you spouting?! He's going to be executed tomorrow, his head will roll, and there will no longer be a Hua Ji in this world! Now you're telling me that you love him and won't marry anyone else? You want to marry a dead man?!"

"You're not allowed to mention this matter or your so-called fiancé again. He's not your fiancé; forget about him as soon as possible. Stay away from the Hua family. If Grandmother hears you mention the name 'Hua' one more time, I'll confine you at home until your marriage! So you won't cause any trouble!"

Bowing her head, Yu Lian gathered her emotions, recalling the countless tragic movies and dramas she had watched in her previous life. She put herself in the shoes of a heartbroken heroine and shed tears on cue.

When she raised her eyes again, her limpid autumnal gaze shimmered with tears, making her appear all the more pitiful and vulnerable, eliciting sympathy. She held her grandmother's hand and pleaded while shedding tears, "Let me explain, Grandmother."

"Ever since two years ago when you chose this marriage for me, overlooking all the other nieces in the household, I've been overjoyed. Please don't laugh, but before that, I already had a favorable impression of Hua Ji. His reputation filled the capital, not just for me, but many other noble ladies also held him in high regard. I was thrilled. One Mid-Autumn Festival, I sneaked out with my maid and saw him riding past on horseback with his guards. At that glance, I fell in love with him. As his fiancée, I thought it was only natural to love him more, so I did, every day, until now, when my feelings have gone deep into my bones and can't be forgotten."

"After the East Yuan Marquis' household was implicated, I was deeply distressed. But then I realized that if I couldn't sever ties with Hua Ji, with his family's crimes and their relationship with the Emperor, I might endanger you, Father and Mother, and even our entire household. So, I endured my sadness and distress, went to the prison to humiliate him, and scolded him."

"I thought that by cutting ties, I wouldn't think of him anymore... When you mentioned marriage and suggested I wed another, I realized I can't let go of him. These past few days, I haven't been able to sleep well. Granddaughter doesn't know how to alleviate this heartache."

Yu Lian found herself surprisingly prone to tears in this body. She had only intended to shed a few for the act, but they kept flowing. Now, she frantically wiped her tears with a handkerchief, no longer needing to pretend.

Her sobs trembled with emotion.

The elderly matriarch felt it was absurd, but seeing her granddaughter's genuine feelings, she couldn't bear to scold her. Instead, she sighed, "Love is a hindrance! Love is such a hindrance!"

But could love alone sustain one?

In this entire world, which couple truly married solely out of deep affection? Didn't all families prioritize social standing and arranged marriages? Even the most passionate love would eventually fade when a man took concubines, and feelings would dwindle over time.

If not for her granddaughter's wisdom, filial piety, and consideration for the family's reputation, she might have resorted to stricter measures, confining her to prevent such thoughts.

With patience, she tried to reason, "Grandmother won't hide the truth from you. I want you to marry early to rid yourself of the title of East Yuan Marquis' former fiancée and sever ties with their family! It's for your own good, and secondly, our Wei Duke's Manor cannot afford to offend the Emperor. Yet here you are, rushing into danger. You tell me you love Hua Ji and can only marry him?"

"Tomorrow, Hua Ji will lose his head. You must put these thoughts aside and focus on sewing your wedding dress at home!"

Seeing her granddaughter's lack of response, the matriarch angrily poked her forehead, turning the tender skin red. Yu Lian, with her head lowered, sniffled and nodded in agreement.

The matriarch was reassured, assuming that it was merely a child's way of expressing her discontent, seeking comfort in her grandmother's presence. After all, Hua Ji would be executed the next day, and there would be no such person in this world. No matter how much her granddaughter admired or desired to marry him, it would be impossible to wed a dead man, would it not?

This was too absurd a notion, and the matriarch had never entertained such a possibility.

She did not share this conversation with anyone else and even warned Yu Lian not to mention their talk to anyone. Satisfied with her granddaughter's nod, she retrieved a pair of white jade bracelets as a soothing gesture, urging her to compose herself and prepare for her impending marriage.

"Leave the wedding arrangements to Grandmother. Would I ever do you harm?"

...

After leaving the matriarch's quarters, Yu Lian returned to her own courtyard.

The young maid was puzzled by the sight of her mistress's swollen, red-rimmed eyes. She fetched warm water, dampened a handkerchief, and offered it for Yu Lian to soothe her eyes.

She inquired gently if the matriarch had been difficult towards Miss.

Yu Lian shook her head, remaining silent. She sipped her water slowly, her thoughts dwelling on how she could indeed marry into the East Yuan Marquis's residence.

She had come to a realization last night. As the former fiancée of the East Yuan Marquis's heir, her status was delicate. It was a consensus among all that only through marriage could she escape this identity.

And the only way for her to leave the Wei Duke's residence and escape this current quagmire was through marriage. Reality wasn't a female empowerment novel; she couldn't escape nor establish herself independently as a single woman. Her only option was to marry a decent husband who wouldn't cause trouble.

Men nowadays were either frivolous or peculiar, with drawbacks in both humble and noble families. As a woman educated in modern values, she found it unacceptable to share a man with another woman.

So, what if she married a deceased man?

Her unfortunate former fiancé was about to lose his head. By marrying into his family at this time, she would find herself a free place to live, without having to deal with a husband in the future. Regardless of his character, how could a dead man control her?

This move would also help rehabilitate the ruined reputation of the original owner of her body. Being devoted was better than being heartless. Who could blame her for jumping into a pit for the sake of her beloved, even though she knew it was a trap?

No one could accuse her of kicking a man when he was down or being a vain and heartless opportunist! These accusations would have nothing to do with her, Yu Lian!

The timing of this marriage was crucial!

She had to marry into the family before her former fiancé was executed tomorrow, making a grand spectacle that would spread throughout the capital. This would ensure that the emperor and the entire world knew of her unwavering love and deep affection, thus distancing herself from any connection with the Wei Duke's household.

Her actions were driven solely by her immense love for her late fiancé. The thought of his beheading pained her deeply, so she would endure her heartbreak and enter his family, taking care of his elders, women, and children. Even in death, she would remain loyal and committed to him.

This was the profound love of a young maiden, unrelated to family or anyone else.

With careful maneuvering, not only would her family be spared, but perhaps she might even earn the admiration of talented poets who would compose verses in praise of her deep sentiments. Her reputation would be more than just untainted – it would shine like rose gold!

The emperor would have no reason to vent his anger on the Wei Duke's household, nor would he target her...

Satisfied with her million-dollar intellect and adaptability, Yu Lian felt that even with poor luck, she could rely on her wits and acting skills to survive.

She spent a full hour and a half contemplating and rehearsing every detail of her plan for the next day. She visualized everyone's reactions and her own performance, refining her strategy until she felt ready. Only then did she join her mother for lunch.

During the meal, Yu Niang studied her daughter intently. Yu Lian asked what was on her mind.

Her mother seemed lost in thought before responding, "For some reason, I feel that if I don't look at you enough now, I might not see you as often in the future." She shook her head and sighed. "Perhaps your grandmother has already arranged a marriage for you and insists on an early wedding. Your mother can't help but feel reluctant to let you go."

Yu Lian held her mother's hand, gazing into her eyes earnestly. "Mother, no matter what happens, I will always be your daughter, and you will forever be my mother. You, Father, and my brother will always be my family. No matter where I am, I will always care about you all. I want you to take good care of yourselves and live happily."

"Should any issues arise, consult Grandmother, but if it involves a conflict with Uncle's family over interests, make your own decisions. Grandmother prioritizes the entire Wei Duke's household, and though she doesn't play favorites, since Uncle inherited the title, he is most important to her..."

Yu Niang squeezed her daughter's hand, smiling fondly. "What are you talking about, silly girl? It's as if you're getting married tomorrow. Don't worry; you'll remain in the household for quite some time. Even if matchmaking begins soon, the earliest you'd wed would be around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Why think about such things now? Mother feels uneasy hearing this."

Yu Lian smiled but didn't reply.

Her mother would learn of it the following day – that her daughter was to be married off.

She would even publicly sever all ties with the Wei Duke's Estate before the entire city, ensuring she wouldn't implicate them.