Chapter 291: I Accept My Lot in This Life

Chapter 291: I Accept My Lot in This Life

Upon seeing Liu Ye admit his guilt, Cheng Yunshuo immediately called out to everyone, "Since you've admitted it, then come, take him to the Dali Temple! Picking on my family right at our doorstep? You're asking for trouble!"

Hearing that the matter was being escalated to the Dali Temple, Liu Ye, who was bound and gagged, finally panicked.

At that moment, a crowd stormed into the courtyard.

As soon as Liu Yuling saw her brother caught in the act, she immediately sent someone to call for help.

Now, people from the Duke of Liu's residence, the main Duke Zhao's household, and the Tong family had all arrived.

"What on earth is happening!" Liu Ye's mother hurriedly asked as she arrived.

"Mother, mother, save me!"

"What happened, what happened!" Second Madam Liu, seeing her son barely clothed, bruised, and tied up, anxiously stepped forward.

"Second Madam Liu," Cheng Yunshuo coldly spoke, "Your Liu family has some nerve, bullying my sister time and again, and now your son has the audacity to disgrace my sister in broad daylight, completely devoid of conscience. Today, I must send him to the authorities to face the law!"

"This, this..." Second Madam Liu glanced at the bed, where Qin Shaojing, surrounded by maids and nannies, was sobbing and crying, feeling as if the ground was giving way beneath her.

"You vile scoundrel, how dare you do such a thing!"

"Mother, I didn't!"

"You still dare to say you didn't!" Cheng Qi broke free from restraint and rushed forward, punching him twice.

Beaten, Liu Ye immediately cowered and shut his mouth, while his mother wailed beside him, begging them to stop and calling for someone to intervene.

Amid the uproar, Liu Ye's uncle hurriedly arrived. He glanced at the scene, having already understood the situation on the way, and smiled, "Today is a celebratory day for the Duke Zhao's household, let's not make a scene. It's just youthful indiscretion, we'll discuss it later."

Discuss it later?

Seeing the senior member of the Liu family smilingly trying to smooth things over, Cheng Yunshuo didn't relent at all, "Discuss? Fine, you can take him away today, but if you do, our Ningyang Marquisate will sound the drum at the palace gates, even if it means appealing to the Emperor, we will seek justice!"

Seeing Cheng Yunshuo so resolute, even threatening to appeal to the Emperor, the Liu family softened. Liu Ye's uncle, exasperated, first kicked Liu Ye twice, "You beast, doing such a thing, you've disgraced our Liu family!"

After kicking him, he glanced at Qin Shaojing, who was crying pitifully on the bed, his gaze lingering for a moment, then turned to Cheng Yunshuo, "Cheng Yunshuo, we are in the wrong here, what do you propose? We will abide by your decision!"

"We demand his life!" Cheng Qi roared.

"That won't do!" Second Madam Liu exclaimed, "We are prepared to arrange a lavish wedding with all due ceremonies, a grand dowry to welcome Qin Shaojing into our family. We will meet any demands Qin Shaojing has, and she will be in charge of our household affairs in the future!"

Upon hearing this proposal, Qin Shaojing, still lying on the bed, blinked away her tears.

"Who wants you to marry Shaojing!" Cheng Qi's fury escalated.

Cheng Yunshuo glanced at him and had someone hold him back.

The Liu family then began to plead with Qin Shaojing, Second Madam Liu looking at her and saying, "Qin Shaojing, after Ye saved you last time, we had intended to propose to you. We cannot ignore a woman's chastity, but unfortunately, things got delayed. I have long considered you as my daughter-in-law, and now with this incident, our Liu family will definitely take full responsibility!"

"Simply state your terms, and we will comply with all of them! We will definitely marry you in with great pomp and honor!"

Hearing this, Qin Shaojing's sobs gradually subsided.

At this point, someone from Duke Zhao's residence stepped forward to mediate, "Today is a celebratory day for our eldest son. The misfortune that befell Qin Shaojing at our residence is our responsibility, and we earnestly hope Qin Shaojing and Cheng Yunshuo will grant the Liu family a chance, out of respect for me. If Qin Shaojing is willing to marry, Duke Zhao's Household will support her in the future, ensuring the Liu family does not wrong her, and I guarantee that today's incident will not be spread!"

With the host, Duke Zhao's Household, stepping forward and making such a substantial concession, both supporting Qin Shaojing and ensuring the incident would not be publicized, this was the most favorable outcome for Qin Shaojing.

Cheng Yunshuo blinked his eyes and, seeing Cheng Qi about to speak again, quickly had someone cover his mouth. "Duke Zhao, since you've spoken, as a junior, I cannot refuse to give you face. So, let's do this: I hope the Liu family will come to our Cheng family to discuss this matter with my parents before tomorrow."

After all, Cheng Yunshuo was just a junior, and such a significant matter had to be decided by old Marquis Qin.

He had done all he could at this point.

"Good, good, good!" Duke Zhao looked quite satisfied with Cheng Yunshuo. While outsiders often called Cheng Yunshuo a wastrel, he found the young man quite methodical in handling affairs. He readily agreed, "I will personally oversee this matter and ensure that Miss Qin is not wronged!"

After resolving the matter, Cheng Yunshuo glanced at the tied-up Liu Ye and the sobbing Qin Shaojing on the bed. He bowed to Duke Zhao and then took Qin Shaojing back first.

Lu Lingyun, naturally, followed them back in this situation.

When they returned to the Marquis's residence, old Marquis Qin learned of the day's events. After a wave of intense anger, he let out a long sigh.

"This is destiny!"

After all the chaos, it turned out that Qin Shaojing marrying into Duke Liu's residence could be considered a good thing.

With the Qin family in decline, Qin Shaojing marrying into a duke's residence, even as the second son of the second branch, was a suitable match. Her family background was far superior to Cheng Qi's.

But still... he sighed.

Early the next morning, as Duke Zhao had promised, the Liu family arrived.

Madam Liu, the second wife of the Liu family, led a group of women to the residence to discuss the marriage.

That very day, Qin Shaojing's marriage was settled.

When Cheng Qi learned that Lady Qin and the old Marquis had truly decided to marry Qin Shaojing to the Liu family, he became silent.

He immediately went to Caitang Pavilion to find Qin Shaojing.

"Second Master Cheng, please go back!" Nanny Qin said to Cheng Qi. "Miss Shaojing says she has no face to see you."

"How could that be? I would never look down on her," Cheng Qi said to Nanny Qin at the courtyard gate. "Tell Shaojing that if she is willing, I will take her away from the Marquis's residence, away from the capital, to a place where no one knows us! I will take care of her for the rest of my life!"

Hearing this, Nanny Qin's eyes showed a hint of mockery. "Second Master Cheng, Miss Shaojing says she is sorry to you. Please stop pursuing. You are only making her sad. Do you really want to push her to her death?"

At this, Cheng Qi's eyes turned red. "Shaojing! Shaojing! I truly won't look down on you! I'll take you away, to the frontier, to my hometown. I will treat you well for the rest of my life!"

As he persisted, a faint voice came from inside the room: "Brother Cheng Qi, this is my fate. I accept it, and you should too."