Chapter 023: Lacking in Resolve

Chapter 023: Lacking in Resolve

Madam Meng looked troubled, opening her mouth several times as if to speak, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

Liu Yueru could no longer cry. She couldn't accept her fate, couldn't marry such an incompetent man. Rising from her chair, she dropped to her knees in the hall with a thud.

This sudden action startled Ruan Qinghuan, who had been yawning.

"Madam, today's incident is a misunderstanding, really! It's not what you think, please let me explain."

"Enough, Miss Liu. Strictly speaking, your affairs have nothing to do with our Prime Minister's residence, but since the incident occurred in our villa, I cannot ignore it," said Madam Meng, sighing. "Fortunately, since you moved back to the capital, many of your official documents were also transferred here. I found the engagement document in the government office, so this young man isn't lying."

An engagement document?

In this dynasty, there was indeed such a thing as an engagement document, otherwise He An wouldn't have been forced to marry her.

But if Liu Yueru was already engaged, how could she dare... to flirt with He An?

Chen Po presented a document, which He An examined. The content was genuine, bearing the official seal of the local government where the Liu family resided.

"No, I never agreed to this marriage..."

"Liu Yueru..." The man sitting slouched in the chair finally spoke. "My family, the Qu family, was once a prominent household in Lin City. When our marriage was being arranged, we met. If you hadn't given your consent, how could General Liu have agreed to it?"

"It's well-known that the general has no family left but you. Everything is decided by your wishes. But later, due to the war, my family's business plummeted. You changed, refusing to see me and insisting on breaking the engagement..."

"I refused to withdraw from the engagement because I saw your greed and heartlessness. I intended to hold on to you."

Hearing this, Ruan Qinghuan was taken aback. She had thought Madam Meng called her back to lecture her about the rumors, but unexpectedly, today's protagonist was Liu Yueru.

This revelation came as a shock. How did Liu Yueru end up with a betrothed?

In the original story, this person didn't exist. Apart from Ruan Qinghuan's repeated quarrels, the biggest early event should have been Liu Yueru competing for attention with He An's cousin, falsely falling into the lake, and framing Wei Mingxi...

But now, before Wei Mingxi even arrived, was Liu Yueru about to exit?

A wave of exhaustion washed over her. The situation was becoming increasingly bizarre. With Liu Yueru gone, who would compete with Wei Mingxi?

Despite Liu Yueru's tearful pleas, Madam Meng insisted that He An submit the engagement document to the Ministry of Ceremonies. The family of the deceased general would naturally be taken care of by the court.

With the matter concluded, Chen Po saw off the two Madams, while Liu Yueru sat on the floor, devoid of life.

Filled with shame, frustration, and resentment, she had planned everything perfectly. How did Qu Yi end up in the villa?

With nothing left to lose, she glared at Ruan Qinghuan with a look of pure hatred. "It was you, you ruined me, right?"

Ruan Qinghuan was speechless. "A dark heart sees everything as dark. I advise you to live peacefully and stop doing things that harm others without benefiting yourself."

Madam Meng gave Chen Po a meaningful look. Several maids came over and led Liu Yueru and the young man surnamed Qu out, leaving only the family members in the hall.

Only then did Madam Meng's expression turn cold as she scrutinized Ruan Qinghuan with a discerning gaze. "Do you know what you did wrong?"

Feeling uneasy under Madam Meng's gaze, Ruan Qinghuan stood her ground, knowing she had done nothing wrong. "Mother, please investigate. It was my brother, Qingzhou, who was arrested and thrown into jail. He returned to the capital but didn't want to go back to the Ruan residence, so he stayed at the villa I bought."

Madam Meng's expression darkened further.

Ruan Qinghuan continued, "If you believe I have brought shame to the Prime Minister's residence..."

"Child, surely our residence can accommodate your brother?"

"Also, such a major incident involving rumors occurred—why didn't you come to me right away? If I hadn't planned ahead, both you and He An would have been in a difficult position. Now, you've suffered unjustly and gotten upset over nothing. Don't you realize your mistake yet?"

Meng Suqiu glanced at her and pulled Ruan Qinghuan into her arms. "You, as the lady of the Prime Minister's residence, need to be a bit more assertive."

Ruan Qinghuan: "..."

Is something wrong here?

Before she could ponder further, Meng Suqiu shouted at He An, "And you, stirring up trouble for no reason. If you want to be a good person, there's a limit. Why wasn't that letter asking for help sent to Ji Lingchuan? Back then, General Liu and Ji Lingchuan were in the same camp; their relationship was closer than yours."

"This time, I want you to learn your lesson. If any woman in our family suffers any more grievances, I'll have your father invoke the family laws."

"Mother's admonition is right," He An obediently acknowledged his mistake, "but it's getting late, and Qinghuan is also tired. Can we return to Changchun Garden?"

Only then did Meng Suqiu let go of Ruan Qinghuan. "In the future, no matter what happens, your father and I will support you. Just focus on being the mistress of the Prime Minister's residence."

It would be untrue to say she wasn't moved. No suspicion, no questioning—how many mothers-in-law could act like this?

He An led her to the door, but just as they were about to leave, Meng Suqiu suddenly called out, "You two, wait."

They turned back.

Meng Suqiu's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

As her mother-in-law stared at her, Ruan Qinghuan was about to respond when Meng Suqiu continued, "Qinghuan, I don't intend to interfere, but since you've just married into the He family, you should focus on nurturing your body before giving birth to a child. As for your business matters, put them aside for now."

"But... my shop has already started renovations."

Meng Suqiu was waiting for that response and said with difficulty, "Then just let the renovation finish and leave it be. Once you have a child, you can do whatever you want; I won't stop you."

Ruan Qinghuan bit her lip.

Having a child?

With He An?

How did things get so out of hand?

But seeing her mother-in-law's pleading expression, she couldn't bring herself to refuse and could only return to Changchun Garden with He An.

As soon as the two left, Meng Suqiu's face turned cold immediately.

Chen Po knew she must have something to instruct and moved closer.

"Although Liu Ruyue's matter is resolved, the rumors haven't subsided yet. To truly resolve this, we can't just sweep it under the rug; we need to report it to the authorities."

Chen Po said, "Madam, should we consult with the Minister and Master about this matter?"

"The Minister?" Meng Suqiu looked at the sky outside. "At this hour? Who knows which game he's playing? With such a big incident, there's no point in asking him."

"As for He An, if it were him, he would have done the same. However, it's more appropriate for me to handle this."

"Why is Madam not resting so late?"

Just as they spoke, He Qizhang entered, noticing the lights in the main hall were still on. He walked over with a birdcage in hand, saying, "Old Zhou lost to me in three games today. It was quite a satisfying win."

Seeing his wife's unpleasant expression, He Qizhang realized something was wrong. Before he could ask, his wife said, "Tomorrow, we're going to the authorities."

He Qizhang was stunned for a moment. By the time he reacted, his wife had already left. He hurried after her, "I was just out for a walk and playing some chess, dear. There's no need to overreact."

He Qizhang feared his wife was going to bring up divorce again.