Chapter 147: Zhou Yan’s Infatuation

Chapter 147: Zhou Yan's Feelings Stir

In the main reception hall of the general’s residence, two men stood face to face.

Zhou Yan looked at Wei Xun, his eyes filled with mixed emotions.

Toward Wei Xun, he felt both gratitude and resentment.

He was grateful that Wei Xun had sent a miraculous doctor to Junzhou, saving him and the people from disaster.

Yet he resented the maneuvering that had sent him to Suzhou—and now forcing A Yuan to marry him.

"General Xie is not in the capital. As A Yuan’s elder brother, I should have a say in her marriage," Zhou Yan said, shielding A Yuan behind him as he addressed the Marquis.

The sight of them standing so closely together made Wei Xun’s expression darken, his irritation toward Zhou Yan growing.

"Lord Zhou shares no blood relation with A Yuan—what kind of elder brother does that make you? Or perhaps Lord Zhou finds the ways of the capital disagreeable and would prefer to return to Junzhou?"

A threat—undoubtedly a threat!

Zhou Yan’s eyes flashed with anger, and he let out a mirthless laugh.

"Is all you know how to do, Your Lordship, threaten me and drive me out of the capital?"

"If you truly cared for A Yuan, you would seek her forgiveness instead of driving away her loved ones. Do you think she’ll have no choice but to rely on you if you remove everyone else around her? That’s nothing more than a fool’s dream!"

Zhou Yan’s words cut straight to Wei Xun’s core.

He dared to pressure A Yuan like this only because Xie Zheng wasn’t here. If Xie Zheng were present, Wei Xun wouldn’t even get past the gates of the general’s residence.

Wei Xun’s motives exposed, his face darkened further.

He knew his methods were despicable—but without them, he might never even see A Yuan again.

"Oh dear, Your Lordship, Lord Zhou," the matchmaker interjected nervously, sensing the tension in the air. "Why must you quarrel over a marriage proposal? The marquis did wrong Lady Xie before, but now he wishes to make things right. Why block his path?"

"And what man in the capital could possibly compare to the marquis? If Lady Xie won’t marry him, who else could she choose?"

"Marry me!"

No sooner had the matchmaker finished speaking than Zhou Yan blurted out.

The hall fell into stunned silence.

The matchmaker’s mouth hung open, the mole at the corner of her lip making the scene even more ridiculous.

"Your Lordship, this..."

She had come today to negotiate Wei Xun’s match—how had it turned into a competition?

Even A Yuan looked just as shocked.

She absolutely didn’t want to marry Wei Xun—and certainly not Zhou Yan either.

Yet both fixed her with intense gazes, finally awaiting her decision.

"A Yuan," they asked in unison, "which will it be?"

Zhou Yan asked softly, his expression gentle.

They had already gone through a sham marriage once before—turning that pretense into reality wouldn't be difficult.

If A Yuan disliked Yue Niang, he could send her away.

Outside the main hall, Yue Niang listened to the conversation inside, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Miss, shall we still go in?"

The young maid looked at her with pity. Ever since the day Yue Niang had sent fish broth to Lady Xie, which made her unwell, Lord Zhou had grown distant from Yue Niang and hadn’t visited her quarters in a long time.

Upon hearing that the master had returned home, Yue Niang had worked up the nerve to come see him, only to overhear him proposing marriage to Lady Xie just outside the door.

Yue Niang’s face turned pale, managing only a weak smile.

"No, let's go back."

She should’ve realized long ago—Zhou Yan didn’t love her. She shouldn’t have hoped for too much.

"Yes."

The maid glanced back a few times. Zhou Yan was gazing at Lady Xie with such tenderness she had never seen him show Yue Niang.

Yue Niang and her maid arrived quietly and left just as quietly, unnoticed by those inside the hall.

A Yuan paused, then shook her head at the two men.

"I won’t marry either of you."

"Steward, escort them out!"

With that, A Yuan ignored their shocked looks and left the main hall with Chun Tao.

Zhou Yan hurried after her and called, "A Yuan, wait a moment."

"Yan-ge."

A Yuan stopped, her head slightly lowered. After his marriage proposal, she wasn’t sure how to face Zhou Yan.

"You... why won't you marry me? Is it because of Yue Niang?"

Zhou Yan asked carefully. He shouldn’t have brought Yue Niang to the capital as a stand-in for A Yuan.

"If it bothers you, I can send her away."

"Yan-ge," A Yuan lifted her gaze.

"I won’t marry you because I’m not in love with you. It has nothing to do with Yue Niang. She’s a good girl—you shouldn’t take her for granted."

Yue Niang reminded her too much of her younger self—living on edge, with no one to turn to. Neither Wei Xun nor Zhou Yan had ever really cared about them.

"Yan-ge, don’t wait until she’s gone to regret it."

"A Yuan..."

Zhou Yan watched silently as she walked away, but he did not try to stop her again.

A Yuan’s words stuck with him. As she had said, he had always treated Yue Niang with coldness and neglect.

What Zhou Yan hated to admit even more was that he no longer felt that burning need to marry A Yuan.

Challenging Wei Xun today had been more about standing up for A Yuan, but deep down, he had feared she might accept.

Now that A Yuan had made things clear, Zhou Yan actually felt a weight lift from his chest.

He lingered in the courtyard for a moment before he found himself wandering toward Lingxiao Courtyard.

Inside, Yue Niang knelt on a cushion, carefully packing medicinal sachets.

The rich benefactor who had taken her in had not only taught her how to please men but also some medical skills.

However, Yue Niang wasn't cut out for medicine and had only managed to learn some herbal preparations over the years.

The maidservant stuffed the prepared herb packets into sachets, her mouth set in a pout.

"Since the master is about to marry, why bother making these for him, madam?"

Yue Niang gave a small smile. "His insomnia isn’t easily cured by other medicines—only my sachets can give him some relief. Even if I were angry with him, I shouldn’t make his suffering worse. Besides, he was bound to marry someday. Lady Xie is gentle and kind, a perfect match for him."

As she spoke, she took out two more sachets. "Send these to Lady Xie and the elder madam. With the heat, mosquitoes are everywhere—hanging these sachets by their bed curtains will keep them away."

The maidservant accepted them but hesitated. "Madam, what if the elder madam and Lady Xie refuse? Especially Lady Xie—the smell alone made her vomit last time you sent fish soup. If these sachets make her uncomfortable again, the master might blame you."

The maidservant was genuinely worried—for today, the master had openly competed with Marquis Wei for Lady Xie’s hand, clearly deeply in love with her. Compared to her, their mistress didn’t stand a chance.

Her attempts to please might be seen as scheming by the master and Lady Xie.

Yue Niang’s face clouded with worry. "Don’t worry. Last time was my fault—this is my way of apologizing. If anything happens, even if the master and Lady Xie resent me, I’ll take the blame."

She only wanted to do what was right—and she believed Lady Xie’s character was not cruel or malicious.

The maidservant sighed, seeing she couldn’t talk her out of it. "Very well, I’ll deliver them."

She took the sachets and turned to leave, but as soon as she opened the door, she saw the man standing outside.

"M-Master..."

Zhou Yan had been there for a while, listening to their entire conversation.

He stepped past the maidservant and entered the room. Hearing the noise, Yue Niang quickly rose to greet him.

Having knelt too long, her legs were weak, and she staggered slightly. Zhou Yan reached out to steady her.

"Be careful."