Chapter 13 013 First Entry into the Marquis Residence

Chapter 13: First Visit to the Marquis's Mansion

Having not slept all night, she woke up early with big dark circles under her eyes, looking listless and drained. The young lady was lounging on a daybed, and when she saw Zhu Qing enter, she handed her a letter.

"Here, send this to the Lin residence for Su Su."

The letter was written overnight, every word carefully chosen, fearing it might be inappropriate or that Su Su would be unhappy upon learning the news. They were close friends, so it was better for her to tell Lin Susu herself rather than letting her hear it from someone else.

Zhu Qing took the letter, looking at her with concern: "Miss, you should get some sleep. You look terrible."

"I'll sleep later." She waved her hand, signaling Zhu Qing to go quickly, otherwise she wouldn't be able to rest.

Zhu Qing and Hong Mei knew her temperament well. Once she gave her instructions, they quickly set off. Only then did Qiao Wanyue close her eyes and lean back. Having not slept all night, her mind was groggy and muddled; now, with her eyes shut, she felt much better.

Qiao Wanyue didn't sleep deeply, her mind preoccupied with Lin Susu's reply. So as soon as Zhu Qing returned, she woke up. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up and asked Zhu Qing in a hoarse voice, "Did she reply?"

"Yes." Zhu Qing was sweating profusely, not even having caught her breath, clearly having hurried there and back without stopping. It had been tough for her.

Qiao Wanyue took the letter and immediately tore it open to read. Lin Susu did not blame her, instead saying that it was better for her to marry Qin Yan than someone else, as it would be more convenient for them to meet in the future. Lin Susu was happy and cheered for her; the only regret was that Lin Susu couldn't help her.

Once Qin Yan decided something, few could make him change his mind, and Lin Susu was even less capable of doing so. She had no way. Su Su also asked if she could go out now? She couldn't, still being confined at home.

After reading the letter, Qiao Wanyue felt even more stifled. It seemed asking Su Su for help was not feasible; she needed another plan. The urgent matter was to get out of the house; if she couldn't leave, even if she had a plan, there was no way to execute it.

Qiao Wanyue didn't sleep anymore. She quickly dressed and freshened up, then went to find Madam Wang, begging her to let her go out. Madam Wang was troubled; even if she agreed, it would be of no use. Qiao Zhuofan hadn't agreed, and the gatekeepers wouldn't let her out.

She sighed, then sat on the porch, dangling her legs as she waited for Qiao Zhuofan to return.

She waited and waited, not knowing how long it took, until she finally saw Qiao Zhuofan come back. Without much thought, Qiao Wanyue stopped him without hesitation and said what she had planned: "Father, I want to go out and buy some embroidery thread for my needlework."

Qiao Zhuofan was in a good mood, so he nodded, "Go ahead, but don't come back too late."

With her marriage firmly settled, Qiao Zhuofan naturally wouldn't restrict her. He would wait for the Qin family to send the betrothal gifts, then prepare for the wedding. Better to make it sooner rather than later, to prevent unforeseen delays.

The young lady's eyes lit up. She gave a well-behaved "Mm," then turned and ran for the gate.

Qiao Zhuofan didn't think much of it, thinking she really was going to buy embroidery thread. In reality, she was heading to the Qin mansion to see Qin Yan. Since she couldn't convince Qiao Zhuofan, she would start with Qin Yan.

In her rush, Qiao Wanyue didn't take a carriage; she walked to the Qin residence. Only then did she realize how far it was—it was about a half-hour walk. She regretted not waiting—she could have gone the next day.

But since she was already out, Qiao Wanyue didn't intend to go back without seeing Qin Yan. Fortunately, May wasn't too hot, or she would have gotten heatstroke from walking outside.

When she finally arrived at the Qin residence, Qiao Wanyue was so exhausted she saw stars and had no strength left. If it weren't for Zhu Qing holding her up, she would have sat down on the ground.

She had never been to the Qin residence, and the guards didn't know who she was. As soon as she got close, before she could even step onto the steps, a guard stopped her in a stern voice.

"Move along, move along. This isn't a place for troublemaking."

Indeed, in a noble family like this, the rules were strict, and even the servants considered themselves superior.

Qiao Wanyue felt a pang of bitterness. She lifted her flushed face and said sternly, "I'm here to see Qin Yan. Please let him know."

"The Marquis hasn't returned home yet, miss. Please come another day."

It was already noon and he still wasn't back. Was he lying to her?

She didn't believe him and asked again, "Then when will he be back? I have important business with him."

The guard said coldly, "I don't dare to ask about the Marquis's business. May I ask who you are, miss? I will pass on your message when the Marquis returns."

Qiao Wanyue hesitated and said nothing for a long while, then finally said quietly, "I'm from the Qiao family."

As soon as she said that, the atmosphere got awkward. The guards exchanged glances, clearly knowing who she was.

"Miss Qiao, the Marquis has not yet returned. Perhaps you could come another day."

The guards didn't dare to pry into the matter between Qin Yan and the Qiao family, but that day, the Marquis and the Dowager had a loud argument in the main hall, and some servants overheard.

If one or two knew, the whole household knew, especially since Qin Yan hadn't tried to hide it. So now they were all aware.

The Marquis had broken off his engagement to the eldest Miss Qiao and was instead marrying the second Miss Qiao.

They wondered if the girl in front of them was the eldest or the second miss.

Qiao Wanyue could tell what they were thinking from their faces, but she didn't care. She asked, "I'll wait inside then."

"I'm sorry, Miss Qiao. The Dowager is unwell and needs rest. It wouldn't be appropriate to disturb her."

So she couldn't wait inside—she'd have to wait outside.

Fine. She'd put up with it to see Qin Yan today.

Qiao Wanyue waited at the entrance. But after walking all that way, her calves were sore and her feet hurt. She just couldn't stand for long, so she went to an alley across the street to find a place to lean.

Zhu Qing couldn't bear to see her like this. Muttering, she looked for something to cushion the ground and helped her sit against the wall. Finally, she found a wooden board, wiped it clean, and let her sit on it.

Finally seated, the tiredness in her body eased a bit. Qiao Wanyue stared intently at the Qin residence's gate. After a while, her eyelids drooped, and she became so sleepy she couldn't keep her eyes open.

Half-asleep, she used her last bit of awareness to say to Zhu Qing, "Keep watch for a bit. Tell me when he gets back."

Zhu Qing struggled to stay awake. "Yes, miss."

After walking for most of the day, Zhu Qing was also very tired. She barely managed to keep watch. Soon, she couldn't hold on anymore, her head bobbing as she dozed off.

As the sun went down, the temperature slowly dropped. A cool breeze blew through the alley, waking Qiao Wanyue up a bit. She opened her eyes and glanced at the Qin residence gate—still tightly shut, just as before. She yawned and turned to see Zhu Qing leaning against the wall, fast asleep.

The last traces of drowsiness vanished, and Qiao Wanyue was wide awake. She shook Zhu Qing awake and asked, "How could you fall asleep? Did you see Qin Yan come back?"

Zhu Qing's drowsiness vanished. She widened her eyes and glanced over there, then said apologetically, "I'm sorry, miss. I fell asleep. I don't know if the Marquis has returned or not."

Qiao Wanyue sighed helplessly. Well, the afternoon was naturally a time when one felt drowsy, and after walking so much, it was understandable to be tired and want to rest.

Without another word, Qiao Wanyue got up from the ground and walked straight to the Qin residence gate. The guards were surprised to see her again. One of them asked first, "You're still here, miss?"

It had been a long time since they last saw her; they thought she had given up and gone back.

"I won't leave until I've seen him. May I ask if the Marquis has returned?"

"He returned a short while ago. Do you still wish to see him, miss?"

"Yes."

The young lady's gaze was resolute, showing she wouldn't give up until she achieved her goal. The guard said, "Very well," and turned around to go inside to announce her, telling her to wait outside for a moment.

After a while, the guard came out from inside, and they were led in by the steward.

-

The Ning'an Marquis's residence was several times larger than the Qiao residence, with pavilions, towers, rockeries, and flowing water—everywhere elegant yet luxurious. However, Qiao Wanyue had no mind to appreciate the scenery. Her only thought was to see Qin Yan and think about what she would say to persuade him to abandon the idea of marrying her.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at Qin Yan's courtyard. A maidservant served tea. She glanced at it, hesitated for a few moments, then picked it up and drank. After waiting outside for so long, she was already thirsty.

Shortly after, Qin Yan came from the study, having changed out of his official robes into a dark-colored outfit—steady, restrained, and somewhat old. Indeed, old, at least that’s what Qiao Wanyue thought the moment she saw him.

They were complete opposites. Qin Yan was so mature; marrying him would mean they could barely exchange a few words, and she’d be bored to death.

Qiao Wanyue sighed inwardly, growing more averse to this marriage. If she could call it off, that would be best. But if she couldn’t?

She would have to accept her fate.

“Second Miss, you wanted to see me?”

Coming straight to the point as he entered, Qin Yan took the seat of honor while she sat below. The difference in position and status meant that in this match, she was the one reaching above her station, and also the one at a disadvantage.

Qiao Wanyue lifted her chin and hummed in acknowledgment, then asked directly, “I heard you, Marquis, agreed to our marriage. Is it true?”

The young girl loved pink; every time he saw her, she was dressed in pink—delicate and fresh, which suited her well. Her face was soft, her skin as white as snow, and her eyes were the most captivating. Now she stared straight at him, full of reluctance and stubbornness.

The man gazed at her for a moment, then looked away and lowered his head to sip his tea. “It’s true.”

“Why?”

She had come to confront him. Qin Yan could tell that Qiao Wanyue didn’t want to marry him.

“Marriage is a matter of parental command and matchmaker’s word. What’s wrong with that?” Qin Yan countered.

Of course it was wrong, Qiao Wanyue thought to herself.

“It’s wrong, wrong. I have no way to refuse, but you’re different. The late marquis and his wife are gone, and you’re the head of the household. If you don’t want this, no one can force you.”

The young girl spoke with conviction: “Marquis, why don’t you marry someone of equal status? I’m not at all dignified or virtuous.”

After she finished speaking, the room was silent for a long time, the stillness oppressive.

Qiao Wanyue glanced at the seat of honor and met the man’s dark, ink-like eyes—sharp, stern, and filled with anger. She pursed her lips, realizing too late that she had misspoken.

Her confidence faded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up the late marquis and his wife.”

Qin Yan’s parents had long since passed away, and she had spoken without restraint, lacking tact.

The man’s brows relaxed a little, and his expression softened. “I know what you mean, Second Miss.”

His gaze fell on her with something else—indefinable, something even Qin Yan himself couldn’t explain. He swallowed and said slowly, “Second Miss, in every way, you are very suitable to marry into the marquis’s household.”

Not marry him, but suitable for the marquis’s household. She hadn’t misunderstood, had she?

Qiao Wanyue stood frozen, blinking, suspecting that Qin Yan had lost his mind. How was she suitable for the Qin household? Nothing about her suited it. Couldn’t he see that?

Her red lips parted. The dazed girl stared blankly at him, not yet uttering a word, when the man spoke again in a deliberate tone: “I have given this careful thought. Second Miss, if you marry into the marquis household, I will certainly respect you and not let you be wronged.”

“We are far apart in age, and besides…” And besides, you’re a widow-maker.

That was the key. She was young and didn’t want to die too early. The world was too wonderful; she wanted to live many more years. Qin Yan didn’t understand.

“Aside from age, do I fall short of those scholars?” he said, seeming to grow angry.

How did he know she wanted to marry a scholar?

Qiao Wanyue studied him. He was handsome, tall and upright, a very appealing mature man. But he was a bit older—twenty-eight, eleven years older than her.

The young girl lowered her gaze; her ears inexplicably turned slightly red. She murmured in reply, “No, you are wise and heroic, Marquis, far better than them.”

Her answer seemed to satisfy Qin Yan. “Mm, since that’s the case, Second Miss, do you have any other concerns?”

Qiao Wanyue twisted her sleeve, rubbing it. She had many concerns, but Qin Yan didn’t give her a chance to speak. He stood up and said, “Since there are none, the marriage between our families is settled. You should head back early, Second Miss.”

Qin Yan had the steward see her out, while he himself strode away. Watching his back, Qiao Wanyue panicked and got up to chase him, but in her haste she didn’t watch her step, stumbled, and fell to the ground, twisting her ankle, gasping in pain.

“Wah… it hurts.”

Her face went white from the pain, and she could barely get up.

Qiao Wanyue was furious and blurted out without thinking, “I do have a concern—you’re a widow-maker.”

Hearing this, the man ahead stopped and walked back toward her. His expression wasn’t as harsh; it seemed almost resigned.

Qin Yan crouched beside her, looking at her foot. “Second Miss, rest assured. I had our birth charts matched. It’s a match made in heaven. I won’t bring you harm.”