Chapter 095: You Are Spoken For

Chapter 095: You Are Spoken For

"At first, I looked down on your little business, but I didn't expect it to be quite fun," Chu Li said, dropping a piece of preserved fruit into her tea, her teasing smile laced with a hint of admiration.

For Ruan Qinghuan, as the Prime Minister's wife, to persuade her in-laws to allow her to establish her own business was something that many noblewomen in the capital could not achieve.

"I never expected it to make much money anyway. It's just a way to keep myself occupied so life doesn't get too dull," Ruan Qinghuan said. After so much preparation and many twists and turns, the shop had finally opened smoothly, and she was genuinely happy today.

Chu Li sighed with envy, "You always live so freely and comfortably, and the Prime Minister treats you so well. Ruan Qinghuan, what good karma did you rack up in your past life that the heavens favor you so much?"

Ruan Qinghuan laughed, "You, as the daughter of a duke and the Crown Prince's consort's cousin, are of such noble status. If you're still not content, that's a bit greedy."

Chu Li couldn't argue with that, but she still felt somewhat uneasy.

Ever since returning to the capital, she had been feeling down and out of sorts. "Maybe it's because there's been too much going on lately. My cousin is hosting a garden party the day after tomorrow, and not long after that, there's the engagement at the Jiang family... Suddenly, I realize there are so many happy events around me."

Ruan Qinghuan frowned, "I will attend the garden party, but as for the engagement banquet of the Qi family, I don't plan to join in the excitement."

Chu Li raised an eyebrow, "I don't want to go either. I never liked Qi Siwei's pretentiousness. Not long ago, she was flirting with Elder Crane Brother, and now suddenly she's marrying the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court."

She snorted coldly, "Who doesn't see through the tricks behind this?"

The Qi family was now standing on the edge of a knife, one misstep away from disaster. Minister Qi's decision to ally with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at this time was clearly for a purpose.

Ruan Qinghuan's understanding of Qi Siwei mostly came from the original plot, where she was a mere cannon fodder. This made even Qi Siwei seem more cultured and well-mannered in comparison.

But the original book didn't provide much detail about Qi Siwei, only mentioning that she later became involved with the second prince. When the second prince's rise failed, she was quickly forgotten.

As for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he was mentioned only briefly and then disappeared. Now, as a suddenly promoted Chief Justice, it was clear that his methods and strategies were not to be underestimated.

What angered Ruan Qinghuan was that he dared to openly oppose He An, forcing her to be on guard.

After all, the Emperor's attitude upon her return to the capital was clear. His favoritism might start with suppressing He An.

"We can pass on the Qi family's engagement banquet, but you can't miss the Crown Prince's garden party. Otherwise, I'll be bored to death," Chu Li urged.

Ruan Qinghuan's thoughts were pulled back, and she smiled, "On that day, the Crown Prince's estate will be flooded with young masters and noblewomen. How could you possibly be bored?"

"That's different. They're all just playing their parts, trying to find a suitable husband. I don't want to be part of that."

Ruan Qinghuan nodded seriously, "Of course, after all, you are spoken for."

Chu Li chided, "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense. I petitioned the Emperor for a divorce that day, but he didn't agree." Her expression grew even more desolate.

Ruan Qinghuan didn't try to comfort her. Matters of the heart only got worse with outside interference. Only Ji Lingchuan himself could untie the knot in Chu Li's heart.

**

After the pawnshop opened successfully, Ruan Qinghuan returned to the Ruan family with He An. As soon as they entered the gate, they heard a commotion in the inner courtyard, followed by crying. It was clearly Zheng Qiaohui, the second aunt.

"Sister-in-law, this matter was decided long ago. It's no use making a fuss like this every day now."

Zheng Qiaohui, who had always been domineering, now pleaded weakly with her sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, we've lived together for almost twenty years. You can't be so heartless. I have nothing else to ask for. Just don't split the family. I promise I'll behave and never cause trouble again."

Zhou Yunzhi had never seen her like this before. She glanced at the elderly lady she was supporting, whose face also looked grim.

When the second uncle was at home, Zheng Qiaohui wouldn't dare to make a scene. But as soon as he left, she was back to her old tricks. Zhou Yunzhi felt utterly exhausted.

Zheng Qiaohui was right. Having lived under the same roof for nearly twenty years, everyone knew each other too well. With her temperament, how could she change so easily?

"Mother, you can't be so heartless. Xiaoyue just got married. If we split the family now, how will her in-laws view her?" Zheng Qiaohui cried bitterly, "And Xiaorou, she's not married yet, and Qingchi is still so young. They are your grandchildren."

The old lady sighed deeply, her heart softening at the mention of her grandchildren and granddaughter.

Ruan Qinghuan stepped through the crescent moon gate, and the old lady breathed a sigh of relief: "Qinghuan, you and He An have returned just in time. Should we reconsider the family division?"

Zheng Qiaohui hadn’t expected Ruan Qinghuan to return today. Just how eager were they to kick them out of the Ruan residence?

Though she was angry, she dared not show it, continuing to play the role of the victimized and vulnerable, sobbing incessantly.

Zhou Yunzhi sighed, allowing her daughter, Ruan Qinghuan, to support her mother-in-law as they walked towards the front hall.

Seeing this, Zheng Qiaohui had no choice but to follow. Her mother-in-law was clearly relenting; with a bit more effort, she might prevent the family division.

As they entered the flower hall, Ruan Qinghuan guided her grandmother to the main seat, her expression unreadable. She knew her grandmother had a soft spot for her second uncle and even more so for Xiao Rou and Qingchi. Thus, the role of the villain had to be played by her.

Since Ruan Xiaoyue’s marriage to Pei Chong, she had become a threat to the Ruan family. Ruan Qinghuan didn’t want the Ruan family to fall under the Pei family’s control and meet the same tragic fate as in the original story.

Though He An was their protector this time, as the saying goes, ‘It’s easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to avoid an arrow in the dark.’ She still couldn’t let her guard down.

"Second Aunt, no matter where you live, Xiao Rou and Qingchi will always be our grandmother’s beloved grandchildren. When Xiao Rou marries and Qingchi takes a wife, grandmother will surely not shortchange them on their dowry and betrothal gifts. But the matter of dividing the family is non-negotiable."

Hearing this, the old lady frowned and was about to speak when Zhou Yunzhi, her daughter-in-law, whispered something in her ear. The old lady's expression stiffened, and a flash of surprise appeared in her cloudy eyes.

Zheng Qiaohui had been causing a stir all morning, and just as she was about to get her way, Ruan Qinghuan returned, shutting down any chance of negotiation.

Seeing this, she simply knelt before the old lady: "Mother, we are the Ruan family. Don’t be so foolish as to drive your own grandchildren out of the house!"

The old lady, visibly upset and disappointed, glanced at her second daughter-in-law, who was sobbing and causing a commotion, then gestured for Liu Ma and her eldest daughter-in-law to escort her back to Jingxin Pavilion.

Zheng Qiaohui lunged forward to hug the old lady, who trembled and would have fallen if not for someone supporting her.

Calming herself, the old lady sighed: "This matter will be handled by Qinghuan. You chose this path; you shouldn’t regret it."

She had disagreed with Xiaoyue’s marriage to the Pei family from the start, but her daughter wouldn’t listen, insisting on having her way.

Liu Ma and the maids pulled Zheng Qiaohui away. Seeing this, she lost her temper in anger: "Why should a married girl preside over the affairs of the Ruan family? Mother is clearly favoring the eldest brother’s family, disregarding our lives."

Hearing this, the old lady turned pale with anger, her cane tapping the ground repeatedly: "You... you are truly obstinate, unrepentant. Even though Qinghuan is married, she will always be my granddaughter, just like the children you bore. To have come to this point, you refuse to reflect on your own mistakes, always shifting blame, unreasonable, utterly incorrigible."

"This matter is settled."

Hearing this, Zheng Qiaohui sat on the ground, her mind going blank.