Chapter 143 Leaving It to Grandfather

Chapter 143: Entirely at Grandfather's Discretion

The tea trickled down Earl Yongqing's old face, soaking his beard.

The Earl wiped his face and pointed at the old lady in disbelief: "Are you out of your mind?"

"I think you're the one who's lost it, Earl! A perfectly good granddaughter, and you want to send her off as a concubine!"

"I haven't finished speaking yet!" the Earl fumed, his face purple. "Chancellor Fang said if we agree, he'll help with the succession—"

"Succession, succession! You're obsessed with it! Even if you get the succession, so what? Everyone will point fingers at the Yongqing Earl's manor, saying we sold our granddaughter for a title!"

"What do you mean 'so what'? That's nonsense!" The Earl looked at the old lady like she was an idiot. "If we get the succession, our eldest son will be the next Earl, and then Song'er will be Earl, and Song'er's oldest son will be Earl too! Our descendants won't end up as commoners, and I'll finally have the nerve to face our ancestors!"

The old lady sneered: "You can't even protect the kids you have now, and you're talking about future generations?"

"Women's views—long hair, short brains!" The Earl stomped his foot. "What's wrong with trading one granddaughter for the title passing down forever?"

"I'm not accepting it!" the old lady said firmly.

The Earl lost his temper entirely: "Don't forget, I'm the head of this house. I was being nice, telling you as my wife, and you throw a fit. I'm telling you, this is my call, so cut the crap!"

The old lady stared at the swaying curtain after the Earl stormed out, muttering under her breath: "Who's crazy, who's crazy..."

After a long moment, she snapped back to reality: "Chun Cao, Chun Xia—"

The senior maid Chun Cao stepped in softly: "I'm here."

"Go to Cold Fragrance Lodge right now and get the Sixth Miss."

"Yes."

Right then, Qiu Heng had been called over by the Earl.

"Grandfather, you called for me."

The Earl studied his granddaughter.

The young girl with her hair in two buns was in the prime of her youth—pale skin, dark hair, delicate features. Her rare calm gave off a vibe of wisdom and toughness.

Though the Earl had yelled at the old lady, seeing Qiu Heng just made him regret it more.

With Sixth Girl's ambition, if she went to the palace, she might outshine even the Honored Consort. If only he could trade her for another granddaughter to send to the Chancellor's manor, the title would be locked in, and everything would be perfect.

"These past few days, when Heng'er visited the Chancellor's manor, what did you think?"

Qiu Heng replied calmly: "The manor is full of servants, strict with rules, and shows off the grandeur of a high-ranking house."

"Yeah. Chancellor Fang is the top official; his manor is no ordinary place." The Earl paused, then tested the waters: "If Heng'er were to live in the Chancellor's manor, how would you feel about it?"

"Just say it straight, Grandfather."

"The Chancellor's manor has taken a shine to you. They want you as a noble concubine for their Third Young Master. What do you say?" The Earl watched for Qiu Heng's reaction, but her expression didn't change.

Look at that—way more composed than the old lady. With such a temperament and talent, she was bound to go places.

Qiu Heng shot back: "What do you think, Grandfather?"

"Heh heh." The Earl rubbed his beard. "I think it's a bit below you. But the Third Young Master's wife is from a humble background, weak-willed, and not liked by her mother-in-law. If you go into that household, it won't be hard to make a good life for yourself."

Qiu Heng was quiet for a moment, then said flatly: "In that case, I'll follow Grandfather's arrangements."

Her response made the Earl hesitate: "Don't you have any other thoughts?"

Most young girls, upon hearing they were to become concubines, would at least weep and wail, if not throw a fit. Sixth Girl was far too calm.

"I have many thoughts, but since Grandfather has this plan, all I can do is live as well as I can under your arrangements."

"You—" The Earl sighed. "Heng'er is a good child. Go back for now."

He needed to think again whether trading Sixth Girl for the Chancellor's help was worth it.

"I take my leave, Grandfather."

Qiu Heng returned to Cold Fragrance Lodge, where Chun Cao had been waiting for a while.

"Sixth Miss, the old lady wants you to go to Thousand Pines Hall."

Qiu Heng arrived at Thousand Pines Hall to find the old lady with a grave expression.

"Grandmother."

Looking at the young girl curtsying, the old lady was silent for a moment.

She had been ignoring this girl, disgusted that she had agreed to apply medicine to a stewardess at the Chancellor's manor. Who would have thought that after a few cold days, she would be sent off to be a concubine!

"Why did you take so long to come?" the old lady asked coldly.

"Grandfather just called me to talk."

At this, the old lady's face darkened further.

That old thing was quick to act.

She waved for the servants to withdraw and said heavily: "Since your grandfather has spoken to you, you must know by now."

The word "concubine" stuck in her throat.

"Yes, I've heard from Grandfather."

"What do you think?" The old lady asked the same question as the Earl, but with entirely different intentions.

Qiu Heng lowered her eyes, avoiding the old lady's gaze: "I can only obey Grandfather."

Seeing her granddaughter's resigned demeanor, the old lady felt a surge of frustration: "How can you only obey him? You are the adopted daughter of Princess Kang, and the Heir of Prince Kang treats you well..."

If she were willing to go to the Prince Kang's manor, weep and plead, the manor could step in and prevent this concubinage.

But such a move could only be made by Sixth Girl herself.

Qiu Heng sighed inwardly.

They said not to judge by appearances. The old lady, though valuing reputation and seeming strict, truly cared for her granddaughter.

Unlike the Earl, who saw only profit—a granddaughter was not a granddaughter, but a bargaining chip.

But she would have to disappoint the old lady.

After a moment of silence, Qiu Heng said calmly: "A Heng has grandparents and a father. I have no face to go weeping to the Prince Kang's manor."

"You—" The old lady's face went pale and then livid, her chest tight with anger.

This girl usually doesn't take crap from anyone, and she's got a thick skin—what's wrong with her now?

"Sixth Girl, you need to understand this is your whole life we're talking about. Once it's set, there's no going back. This isn't the time to be worrying about saving face—think it over carefully!"

Even someone like her, who cares so much about reputation, would rather have Sixth Girl seek help from Prince Kang's mansion. Has this wretched girl lost her mind?

"I've thought it through."

"Fine, fine, fine. Just don't regret it later."

The old lady kicked Qiu Heng out and sulked silently, her face dark with anger.

"Old Madam, have some tea." Chun Cao, worried the old lady might get sick from anger, handed her some tea.

The old lady took a sip, set the teacup on the table, and said, "Prepare the carriage. I'm going out."

Even if Sixth Girl resigned herself to her fate, she couldn't bear to see her proper granddaughter become a concubine.

It's one thing for poor families to sell their daughters to survive, but a noble lady from a marquis's house becoming a concubine—she'd never be able to hold her head up again!

Qiu Heng returned to Cold Fragrance Residence, leaning against the screen at the head of her bed, lost in thought.

Everything was proceeding as she had planned, yet she didn't seem happy.

Her mind flashed to the old lady's angry and bewildered face, and finally to the serious young man who said he would take responsibility for her.

Qiu Heng smiled bitterly.

Compared to what she had to do, her own happiness was the least important thing.