Chapter 10: The Marquis of Hai Bo Intervenes

Sijin Court.

The sunset's afterglow bathed the courtyard’s flora in a brilliant, shimmering light. Inside, Chi Guiwan felt her spirit dampened and her strength sapped, lying languidly in bed with no desire to move. It was only when He Lingyi returned that her eyes, previously as still as deep pools, brightened slightly.

"How did it go? Did everything proceed smoothly?"

He Lingyi nodded. "I delivered the letter to Nanny Pang. She asked me to tell you that, regardless of the circumstances, the Marquis of Haibo’s estate is your kin, and you should set your mind at ease and wait."

Upon hearing this, a wave of bitterness washed over Chi Guiwan. Had it not been for He Lingyi’s intervention, she likely would have already been forced into dissolving her engagement. Whether the match with the Qiao family was good or bad was beside the point; it would have ultimately fulfilled the wishes of Madam Guo and her younger sister.

She was not a fool. After calming down and reflecting, she had realized the truth long ago. Her very existence hindered their path, which was why they had gone to such lengths to set traps for her. She had fallen for so many in the past; if He Lingyi hadn't reached out to pull her back this time, she would have been helping them count the money while they sold her off.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she held He Lingyi’s hand, at a loss for words.

He Lingyi understood. Her mother had finally seen through the facade. Once one sees through the schemes, one can avoid disaster. They had manipulated others so often—it was time for them to taste the bitterness of being manipulated themselves. She had a plan in mind, but everything depended on the news from the Marquis of Haibo’s estate.

Night fell, and the moon shone bright.

At the Marquis of Haibo’s estate, the ram’s-horn lanterns had been lit early, lining the corridors all the way to the inner halls. Within the Zhaoyue Pavilion, the Marchioness, Lady Qin, had been awaiting the Marquis for some time. Seeing him enter, she immediately went to greet him.

The Marquis of Haibo was in his prime. Had it not been for the severity of his past injuries, he would never have retired from the front lines. He retained a martial, imposing air, though years of comfortable living in Bianzhou had added an aura of authority and status.

"What is it? Why were you in such a hurry to call me back?"

Married for many years, Lady Qin knew the Marquis’s temperament was one that despised evil. Hesitant though she was, she produced the letter and explained, "I sent Nanny Pang to the Vice Minister’s residence to visit Wan, but Madam Guo was present the entire time, so she couldn't say much. Unexpectedly, after Nanny Pang left, she was intercepted by the young lady of the He family from Nanzhou, who explained Wan’s predicament clearly. This letter is from Wan herself. Marquis, I fear she is truly in dire straits."

The Marquis was shocked. He had only this one sister, and after she passed, she left behind this one niece. He had been angry about the events of the past, but he had never intended to hold a grudge against a young girl to the bitter end. Hearing his wife’s words, he immediately opened the letter.

The handwriting was indeed his niece's, though the strokes appeared significantly weaker. The letter contained a sincere apology for the past and detailed the difficulties of her current situation.

"The engagement to the Qiao family was not my own wish, but I dare not forget my mother’s dying words. I hope that Uncle and Aunt will act out of kinship and offer assistance. I would be eternally grateful, and once this matter is resolved, I shall come personally to kneel and pay my respects."

Had it been the former Chi Guiwan, she would never have written such words, but with He Lingyi dictating, she had no choice. As expected, after reading the letter, the Marquis was enraged.

No matter how flawed his niece might be, she was still of the Marquis of Haibo’s bloodline. How could she be bullied to such an extent? Claiming their horoscopes clashed and demanding to break the betrothal? The Qiao family had some nerve!

His beard bristled with fury as he addressed Lady Qin, "I remember the three Life-Saving Pills the divine physician Xue left behind. Go, fetch one. I shall take it to the Qiao residence immediately. I want to ask which blind, dog-hearted Taoist dared to fabricate such nonsense about my niece's horoscope! I’ll chop him up to feed the dogs!"

His tone was ferocious, a testament to his origins as a military general.

Lady Qin knew this matter could not be delayed. She had prepared the medicine long ago—partly to salvage the engagement, but also to repay the debt of gratitude for the life-saving act of the late General Qiao. Had he not intervened, the current Marquis might have been his own son. Therefore, Lady Qin did not begrudge the pill, even though it was worth a thousand pieces of gold.

As the Marquis prepared to leave, he was met by his two sons coming to pay their respects. Seeing their father’s wrath, they immediately asked, "Father, where are you headed?"

It was Hai Yu, the second young master of the estate, who spoke. In his youth, he had recently become a guard to the Crown Prince and was full of vigor. Before he could finish, the Marquis let out a cold snort.

"You spend every day playing with the second son of the Qiao family, yet you don't even know he intends to break off his engagement with your cousin?"

Hai Yu was stunned. He had never heard the second Qiao son mention such a thing. He blocked the Marquis’s path and asked, "Father, where did you hear this? Could it be a rumor?"

"A rumor? Your cousin has sent a letter begging for help, and you call it a rumor? I am going to the Qiao house right now to ask. If it truly was that brat’s idea, I will make sure he regrets it!"

With that, he strode away. Standing nearby was the steady eldest son, Hai Jin. He had once been a brilliant and promising youth, but since an incident three years prior, he had stayed home, becoming withdrawn and somber. Seeing his father rush off, he immediately instructed his younger brother, "Follow him. Don't let Father stir up too much trouble; it will not be good for our cousin’s reputation."

Hai Yu always listened to his elder brother, so he hurried after the Marquis. Lady Qin, her heart aching, walked over to her eldest son and sighed. "You are generous, my child. Your cousin is in trouble, and as her elders, we cannot ignore it, but I fear this brings you grievance."

The eldest son, Hai Jin, shook his head, his expression calm. "Regarding the events of the past, my cousin was young and influenced by others; it is understandable that she might not remember clearly. I do not blame her. A woman’s reputation is paramount. If the Qiao family truly breaks the engagement, it will be difficult for her to marry in the future. I know what is important, Mother. I will say nothing."

"Good, good. My son is a good man."

Lady Qin did not know how else to console him. The events of that year had not only cut short his future but also buried his chances of inheriting the title of Marquis, so it was impossible to say she wasn't angry. However, this matter concerned his niece’s lifelong happiness, and they could not truly remain indifferent. To do so would be to betray their kin, and they would have no face to see the late Marquis or his sister in the afterlife.

The horses galloped, and the streets remained brightly lit. There was no curfew in Bianzhou, so the night had its own vibrant scenery. Alas, neither father nor son had any interest in the sights. They rode straight to the General’s Residence of the Protector of the State. The servants, seeing it was the Marquis of Haibo and his sons, hurried to welcome them in, though their eyes were filled with confusion—given the Marquis’s aggressive demeanor, they feared he had come to pick a fight.