Chapter 7: A Place to Belong

◎ Only by breaking can one rebuild! ◎

Upon seeing her reaction, Yu Lian's heart sank.

She couldn't help but ask, "Mother, do you also think this marriage is a good match?"

Yu Niang glanced at her daughter and replied matter-of-factly, "What's wrong with it? With your current status, there aren't many noble families in the entire capital who would dare to take you as their daughter-in-law. I wouldn't even consider a family of lower status; it's not suitable, and you'd only suffer. Your father only wants to keep a low profile and ensure safety, but he doesn't understand that a miserable life might be worse than death. You've grown up in luxury, with delicate skin and tender flesh. If you were to marry into a humble family and become the wife of a county magistrate, living in some remote area, life would be tight, and you'd likely end up with roughened skin. Would you be able to endure that?"

Yu Lian: "...But if the youngest legitimate son of the Ruyang Marquis has concubines..."

The woman looked surprised at her daughter. "Which noble family's man doesn't have concubines? As long as they don't have an illegitimate eldest son before you enter the household, it's not considered excessive. Given your situation, listen to your mother's advice. Don't be so picky. If you keep searching, not only will you struggle to find a good husband, but I'm worried that once the East Yuan Marquis' case is settled, they'll remember you and deal with you too. What then?"

"Mother means that if... if our branch of the family were implicated, we wouldn't be able to stay in the mansion. If we were forced out, how could your father, a mere sixth-rank official, protect us all here, under the emperor's nose? Finding you a suitable marriage would become even more challenging, and your younger brother is still young. You must also consider him. If you marry well, your brother will grow up faster, and with the prestige of the Duke's mansion, he could strive for a bright future. Then, Mother would have no other wishes."

Seeing that her daughter was still unconvinced, Yu Niang continued, "This is the reality for women nowadays. There are no exceptions. Even your father, who is disciplined and doesn't indulge in lust, has two concubines, three illegitimate children. How much more so for other noble offspring?"

After a long silence, Yu Lian cautiously asked, "Mother, what do you think Grandmother would do if I'm not satisfied with the youngest legitimate son of the Ruyang Marquis and refuse to marry him?"

Her mother was somewhat surprised. "You're really not going to marry? You truly don't fancy him?"

"Mother, please don't worry about whether I'm marrying or not right now. I'm just giving an example. Tell me first, based on your understanding of Grandmother, what do you think she would do?"

The mother pondered seriously. "Your grandmother might seem like a gentle and kind elderly lady now, but back when your grandfather was defending the borders in battles, she was right by his side. She's seen the battlefield, experienced grand scenes. Human flesh, blood, swords flashing — none of those faze her..."

"Mother, why are you telling me this?"

"Silly child, this is to let you know that despite your grandmother's kindness, she has a strong heart and won't easily soften. Whoever threatens the safety of the Marquis Manor will be her enemy, even if it's her granddaughter. It's a good thing that she's willing to arrange such a fine marriage for you. If you marry, she'll happily provide you with dowry. If you don't, you might not have a choice..."

As she spoke, Yu Niang sighed, feeling helpless.

"Your father is a filial son with an upright character. He listens to your grandmother and takes her words to heart. If your grandmother is determined to marry you off to someone, as long as it's not a bad family, your father probably wouldn't refuse."

"Lián-er, let Mother give you some advice. Don't be stubborn in everything. We women don't have that much power. At home, we can only listen to our elders and men. If we don't, we won't only fall out with them but also make things difficult for ourselves in the future."

"If there's no way out and you must marry, it's better to go willingly than to be forced. It'll bring joy to the whole family, and you might even earn a good reputation, receiving more dowry."

After this conversation, Yu Lian understood. First, her grandmother wasn't seeking her opinion on the marriage but simply informing her. Moreover, she felt that those few days given for her uncles and father to inspect the match weren't genuine assessments. Her uncles, knowing their personalities, wouldn't really find her a decent match, while her father, focused on keeping a low profile for survival, would only dare to consider humble scholars. Amidst all the unsuitable candidates, the youngest legitimate son of the Duke of Ruyang stood out, becoming that bright and attractive green melon amidst the crooked and cracked ones.

Mrs. had probably already made up her mind to form an alliance with the House of Ruyang... Yu Lian felt a chill run down her spine at the thought.

Secondly, in this family, her marriage was actually decided by Mrs. and her father; neither she nor her mother had any say. Her father, being a filial son and the third son who relied on the family's protection, almost always obeyed Mrs. So, in the end, it was still Mrs. who held the final decision.

Yu Lian became more aware than ever that she could not stay in this household.

She would either be forced into marriage or risk her parents being expelled from the family.

After talking with her mother for a while, she asked her maid again to inquire about the youngest legitimate son of the House of Ruyang - who he was, his moral character, and whether he had concubines or chambermaids.

This was her last line of defense.

The young maid gave her mistress a curious glance but didn't bother to investigate. Instead, she replied directly, "Miss, since the new emperor ascended the throne and their eldest daughter was granted the title of Empress, the House of Ruyang has risen in status. Who in the entire capital doesn't know about them?"

"Their youngest legitimate son is known as the Little Tyrant, much beloved by Empress Dowager. It's said that he's received numerous imperial rewards this month. However, he does have a fondness for amusement and frequently visits places of ill repute."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing. He has some talent and skill in poetry and couplets. This servant heard that two of his poems were included in the recent Jinhua Poetry Collection, although... they were composed for a courtesan. This servant overheard someone recite a couplet, something about 'you return but I remain...' It made this servant feel a bit embarrassed."

Flipping through the memories of her original host, Yu Lian knew that men of the time tended to be licentious. Visiting a brothel or composing a poem for a courtesan was not uncommon. Such men were often labeled as charming talents by outsiders.

From this perspective, the legitimate youngest son of the Marquis of Ruyang, with his frivolous and arrogant nature, wouldn't be seen as a major issue in the eyes of his grandmother and others.

That night, there were only two days left until her former unfortunate fiancé was to be beheaded.

Seizing the opportunity to finally meet her father after dinner, Yu Lian mentioned Lady Elder's decision. Yu Sanlang frowned thoughtfully, "It's not the best option. Father still believes that a match with a commoner would be most suitable for you."

"If you marry up, and remain in the capital, there will be many unforeseen changes. If you wed into the Empress's family, you'll inevitably attend palace banquets, where you might encounter the Empress herself. If, by misfortune, you run into the Emperor and he questions you... there could be unintended consequences."

But her filial father's words seemed to hold as much weight as air. The previous night, he had shown clear disapproval, but after a conversation with Lady Elder the following day, he emerged, instructing Yu Lian to prepare for marriage.

Yu Lian: "..."

Lady Elder also issued an ultimatum, stating that in two days, the Marquis of Ruyang's residence would send a matchmaker to expedite the process. After exchanging the marriage certificates and completing the six marriage rites, the wedding could proceed, ideally before the end of the year.

Once the exchange of certificates and the completion of the six rites took place, there would be no turning back. Yu Lian was keenly aware of this.

If she were to back out of the marriage, she would have no grounds to stand on and would be considered unfilial. Furthermore, it would unnecessarily bring the Duke's residence into conflict with the powerful Marquis of Ruyang's family.

To escape this marital trap and resolve her current predicament, she needed to devise a solution that benefited both situations.

Moreover, she didn't have much time left!

What truly solidified Yu Lian's determination to escape was the scandal that broke out in the capital the following day. The Prince's Consort, the eldest princess's husband, had taken a concubine outside their marriage. The concubine's affair with another man became public knowledge, utterly humiliating the Prince's Consort's household.

Yu Niang had mentioned this gossip casually, but Yu Lian couldn't believe it. Even someone with the status and power of the Eldest Princess allowed her prince consort to keep a concubine?

In her heart, she firmly decided: she would never marry, neither into a humble nor a noble family. She needed to find a place for herself where she could survive and thrive.

Running away from home? That was impossible. In chaotic times, she might have been able to slip away amidst the turmoil, hide in some remote village. But now, with peace prevailing, every border was guarded, with soldiers checking identities and documents. One also needed money and bodyguards; otherwise, a vulnerable woman like her would go nowhere. She might leave the capital in the morning only to be caught and brought back by nightfall.

Thus, Yu Lian couldn't abandon her current identity and become an outcast. She couldn't run away or burden her innocent parents and younger brother. She had to leave honorably, preferably clearing the original owner's tarnished reputation. In this age where one's reputation mattered everywhere, a good name would facilitate her endeavors.

As the execution date of her former fiancé drew near, Yu Lian grew increasingly anxious. She knew that once his head hit the ground, the East Yuan Marquis' household's troubles would come to an end, and her grandmother would promptly send people from the Ruyang Marquis' residence.

She forced herself to calm down. She must remain calm. At such a crucial juncture, a single misstep could lead to a lifetime of regret. She couldn't compromise or let others control her blindly.

That night, she sat by the window, savoring tea under the moonlight, pondering over the circumstances of her transmigration and the information from the plot. Lost in thought, she accidentally shattered the teacup, alerting the young servant girl in the next room.

The servant girl hurriedly asked if everything was alright.

Yu Lian was taken aback for a moment before she replied, "It's nothing, just a broken cup. I'll clean it up tomorrow."

The moonlight, filtering through the window, illuminated the scattered fragments, their sharp edges reflecting a blinding glow. A sudden thought struck Yu Lian's mind.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Perhaps the very place where others saw only disgrace could be her sole refuge?