Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Mistress, mistress!" Panting, Nurse Fan rushed into the room. "God be praised, His Majesty has shown great mercy. Grandfather has ordered us to pack our belongings immediately."

Meng Die sprang to her feet. "What does the imperial edict say exactly?"

Nurse Fan replied, "The edict states that..."

Meng Die's grandfather, Meng Tingyi, had been demoted to the position of Governor of Ganzhou and was to depart for his new post in three days. His wife, Lady Meng Hu, had been stripped of her title as Lady and would accompany him to Ganzhou. All four of the Meng brothers were dismissed from their posts, and every male member of the Meng family above the age of seven was ordered to leave the capital within three days, unless their duties required them to remain.

Ever since Meng Tingyi's illegitimate younger brother plotted a rebellion and was apprehended last February, anxiety had plagued their household for nearly a year, up until this very day, the sixteenth of the first lunar month. At last, the imperial judgment on their family's fate had been rendered, and the second shoe had finally dropped.

Nanny Fan heaved a tremendous sigh of relief. "Grandfather said that His Majesty is merciful. Despite the severity of the crime, which could have implicated our entire household, he spared us all and even preserved his position as an official. He will surely repay this debt of gratitude with his life."

The outcome took Meng Die by surprise as well. The Emperor was indeed merciful. Rebellion was a heinous crime that implicated nine generations of a family. Not having one's estate confiscated and being spared the death sentence was truly a stroke of immense fortune. However, recalling that her family was innocent and had merely been dragged into this, a surge of unjust anger flared up within her again. "Do we have any information on how they were punished?"

Nanny Fan wore a look of satisfaction. "The traitor's entire family was beheaded, along with his wayward younger brother's clan. The Meng family's ancestral hall was demolished, and the remains of Old Ancestor Meng were dug up and left to rot in the wilderness."

Meng Die scoffed, "What right does he have to be considered an ancestor? While alive, he constantly wronged my grandfather and sought official positions for traitors. If he's aware of this from beyond the grave, I wonder what kind of expression he'd have."

"Miss, Miss," the young maid Xue Qing rushed in like a gust of wind.

Meng Die: "What's happened now?"

Xue Qing leaned close to Meng Die: "Someone just came from Marquis Yongyi's residence, delivering a message that they wish to seek your hand in marriage."

Meng Die was momentarily stunned: "Marquis Yongyi's household, the Li family? They want to marry me? Didn't Li Eldest Son already wed last year?"

Xue Qing wrinkled her nose: "Exactly. As soon as something happens in our manor, the Li family is quick to look elsewhere. It's as if they're afraid you'd cling onto their family, hmpf! Fortunately, Grandfather turned them down outright."

Meng Die rested her chin in her hand, pondering. "Go inquire again, who is the Marquis Yongyi seeking to wed me?"

Xue Qing stamped her foot in frustration. "Miss!"

Meng Die chuckled. "Oh, just go already. It's not the Li family's fault that the marriage with Li Da Lang didn't work out. Given our sudden involvement in a rebellion case, any reasonable family would keep their distance. Hurry up."

Sending Xue Qing away, Meng Die said to Lu Wei, "Take Xing Huang and the others to pack up. The imperial edict says we leave the capital in three days, so I reckon today counts as one day."

"Indeed."

As an expert in gossip, Xue Qing swiftly returned with the news, "Miss, they say it's for the second son of Marquis Yongyi's household."

Meng Die raised an eyebrow. "Li Erlang, the legitimate younger brother of Li Mao, the eldest son of the Li family?"

"It is indeed," confirmed Xue Qing.

Meng Die instantly smiled. "Lu Wei, fetch me that white jade bangle with intertwined threads from my dowry chest."

Promptly, Lu Wei presented a box containing the priceless bangle. "Miss, here it is."

Meng Die picked up the bracelet, examined it, and then carefully placed it back into the box. "Nanny Fan, take this bracelet to Marquis Yongyi's residence and find the Lady of the household. Tell her that I have agreed to this marriage proposal."

"Ahh?" Nanny Fan was utterly astonished.

Xue Qing nearly leaped up. "Miss, our late grandfather has already declined the offer."

Meng Die replied, "I'll handle the matter with Grandfather myself. Lu Wei, stay there. Do you think you can sneak off to give away our plans? Let me tell you, I'm determined to see this through. You all know my character – once I set my mind to something, there's nothing I can't accomplish."

In the room, Nanny Fan and the other maids exchanged glances, all adopting expressions of distress.

Nanny Fan tried her best to persuade Meng Die with sincere concern, "Miss, this, this matter of marriage has never been left to one's own decision, especially since the Old Master has already declined. Your private agreement—what is this all about?"

"Special circumstances call for special measures," Meng Die replied, looking at Nanny Fan's resistant expression. "Have you forgotten that the Marquis Yongyi's family has an affinity through marriage with the Governor of Ganzhou?"

Nanny Fan paused.

Before the Meng family was implicated, they had once proposed a match between Meng Die and Li Mao, the eldest grandson of the Marquis Yongyi. Both families had come close to an agreement, awaiting only the completion of Meng Die's coming-of-age ceremony before the Li family would choose an auspicious day to officially ask for her hand. The silk-wrapped white jade bracelet served as a token of their intention. It was a well-intentioned arrangement, but unfortunately, before Meng Die reached maturity, the Meng family fell into trouble.

However, due to this previous connection, Meng Die had some knowledge of the Li family's members and their close relatives, including those serving in her own household who were also familiar with the Li family's hierarchy.

Meng Die observed the fluctuating expressions on Nurse Fan's face and knew that she had understood her intentions: "Nurse, hurry along, time waits for no one."

Nurse Fan's eyes reddened: "Miss, this is a lifelong marriage we're talking about."

Meng Die smiled nonchalantly: "I've said it before, aside from life and death, nothing else in this world is truly significant. Marriage is but one of those things."

Nurse Fan wiped her eyes and carefully tucked the box containing the bracelet into her bosom: "Miss, I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I'll attend to this at once."

Watching Nurse Fan depart from her courtyard, Meng Die rose to her feet: "Lu Wei, let's go. We need to find my father."

As she reached the entrance, Meng Die paused and looked at Lu Wei. "Perhaps I should change into something warmer."

Lu Wei took a deep breath. "You're finally feeling afraid?"

Meng Die stubbornly retorted, "What do you mean I'm afraid? A parent's heart aches when their child is hurt. I'm worried about my parents' pain."

Lu Wei responded, "I have a remark that I'm unsure if I should make."

Putting on a thicker garment, Meng Die promptly led Lu Wei to the courtyard where her parents resided.

Fresh from the imperial edict, all male family members are to depart from the capital. The servants are bustling about, engaged in fervent preparations.

"Meng Die?" Madam Shen sat elegantly in the main hall, orchestrating the chaos. "Why have you come at this moment? Is there something on your mind?"

Meng Die: "I wish to discuss a matter with Father."

"He's in the study, packing. You may find him there."

"Ai." Meng Die, accompanied by Lu Wei, promptly changed course and headed for the study.

Meng Changsheng was currently supervising the maids as they packed up his belongings. His study was filled with numerous books, some of which were rare and unique. Now, they were being carefully placed in fragrant camphor wood chests to be left behind in the residence under the watch of an experienced old servant, deemed safer than taking them to Ganzhou.

"Dad."

Meng Changsheng responded, "Why are you here? Has everything in the room been packed?"

"Dad, there's something I'd like to discuss with you," Meng Die mentioned, casting a glance at the maidens busy with their tasks.

"Go down for now," Meng Changsheng said, taking a seat and gesturing for Meng Die to do the same.

Meng Die did not dare to sit. Instead, she pretended to be obedient and poured a cup of tea for Meng Changsheng. "Father, I heard that Marquis Yongyi's residence sent a message today, expressing their wish to form an alliance with our family through marriage?"

Meng Changsheng's hand paused as he received the tea. "How did you find out? Why are you asking about this?"

Meng Die replied nonchalantly, as if discussing the weather. "Well, you tell me first if it's true."

Meng Changsheng sipped his tea. "Yes, it's true, but your grandfather has already declined the proposal."

Meng Die responded with a casual tone, as if discussing a pleasant day. "Oh, I see. I've agreed to it."

"Cough, cough..." The tea spewed out, and Meng Changsheng's intense coughing echoed. He swore that he had never been so humiliated, not even on the day he found out about his family's involvement in a rebellion.

Meng Changsheng's voice rose instantly. "What did you say? Repeat it for me."

Meng Die shrunk back. "I said I've already sent a servant to Marquis Yongyi's residence, agreeing to this marriage proposal."

Meng Changsheng's head spun, and his finger trembled as he pointed at Meng Die. "Meng Die, do you have any idea what you're saying?"

Unfazed by the danger, Meng Die admitted with absolute straightforwardness, "Of course, I know what I'm saying and doing." She tugged on his sleeve and pleaded persistently. "Father, please agree to it. My marriage to the Marquis Yongyi's household will only bring benefits to our family without any drawbacks."

Meng Changsheng scoffed coldly, "Don't try to divert the topic with irrelevant matters. Marriages have always been arranged by parents; how could you agree to it on your own?"

Meng Die shrugged, "I didn't want to agree privately, but Grandfather rejected the proposal, didn't he?"

Meng Changsheng was so exasperated that he could only laugh, "So now it's your grandfather's fault?"

Meng Die deftly passed the blame, "Father was the one who said that, not me."

Meng Changsheng felt a surge of frustration lodge in his throat; he was bound to be driven to an early grave by this rebellious daughter.

"Dearest husband, what has happened?" Madam Shen rushed in, lifting the curtain, and approached Meng Die. "Just tell us calmly, your father is a reasonable man."

Meng Die gave a wry smile, tugging at Meng Changsheng's sleeve. "Father, please just agree."

Madam Shen looked at Meng Changsheng eagerly.

Meng Changsheng scoffed. "Are you sure you want me to agree to this? Let me tell you what she's asking for. She secretly agreed to the marriage proposal from Marquis Yongyi's residence."

"What?!" Madam Shen's mouth gaped wide, her pupils dilating in shock. Her body went limp as she collapsed backward.

Meng Changsheng swiftly caught his wife in his arms.

Lady Shen's tears tumbled down like a string of pearls snapping apart: "You disobedient girl, you explain to me right now, what exactly is going on? How can you agree to the marriage proposal from Marquis Yongyi's residence! Did you know what kind of person Li Erlang is before you agreed...?" The more Lady Shen spoke, the angrier she became, swinging her fists at Meng Die's shoulder.

"Enough," Meng Changsheng held onto his wife. "The situation has come to this point, we should think about how to negotiate with Marquis Yongyi's residence instead. There will be plenty of time to teach this disobedient daughter a lesson."

Lady Shen shifted her target: "Negotiate? How do we negotiate? They've already heard the news over at Marquis Yongyi's residence. Even if we change our minds, Die'er's reputation will be ruined. What will happen, what will happen in the future! It's all because you spoiled her!"

Meng Changsheng gave Meng Die a stern look and continued soothing his wife: "I doubt it. The Marquis Yongyi's family has an extremely upright reputation. They likely wouldn't engage in such petty gossiping behind people's backs."

It seemed that Meng Die's request was not being granted. She grew anxious; her mother's weeping might draw the attention of her grandfather. She had to persuade her parents before he arrived; otherwise, with no one on her side when he came, it would be virtually impossible to convince her grandfather.