Chapter 11: Life Goes On, Yet Matters of the Heart Remain Unchanged

“Is the person in charge at your residence available?”

“Yes, yes. What brings the Marquis here?”

“Hmph. What brings me here? Didn’t your General of the Nation’s Mansion commit a shameful act? I’m here to confront you in person.”

The Marquis of Haibo was furious, speaking without restraint.

The footman at the door, unaware of the situation, could only smile politely and usher them inside. Meanwhile, the second young master, Hai Yu, walked alongside his father and whispered words of comfort.

“Father, if you must question them, speak softly. This matter concerns our sister’s reputation. Since there has been no news yet, it means the Qiao family hasn’t spread rumors widely. Let’s not ruin it ourselves—that would be troublesome.”

Though annoyed, the Marquis had enough sense to heed this advice.

Suppressing his anger, he told the steward who came to receive them that their visit was merely to deliver medicine.

The Qiao family held the old matriarch in great respect; otherwise, they wouldn’t have considered breaking off the engagement over mere superstition. Upon hearing the Marquis’s purpose, they quickly welcomed him into the inner hall.

General Qiao the Elder and General Qiao the Great were both stationed at the frontier, so the household was managed by Madam Qiao, who dutifully cared for her mother-in-law, taught the children, and arranged the marriage of her youngest brother-in-law.

She was like a mother to her brothers-in-law, the pillar of the household.

Seeing her exhausted but hopeful expression, even though the Marquis of Haibo had countless harsh words, he held his tongue and handed over a pill.

“This is the ‘Revival Pill’ left by the divine healer Xue. Give one to the old matriarch; she should recover.”

Since the divine healer Xue had long passed away, his remedies were rare.

It was remarkable that the Marquis could produce such a precious medicine to save her. Madam Qiao immediately bowed deeply and said,

“Uncle, your great kindness will forever be remembered by everyone in the General of the Nation’s Mansion. Should you require anything in the future, as long as it does not violate morality, justice, or the laws of the realm, we would give our lives without hesitation!”

As a military family’s daughter-in-law, her words carried undeniable confidence.

Hearing this, the Marquis felt much eased. Such a good family—if his niece had married in here, he would have no worries. Yet, through some villain’s instigation, there was almost a disaster.

His expression darkened again as he asked,

“Where is Qiao Er, that boy?”

“He went outside the city to the temple to pray for medicine for the grandmother. He hasn’t returned yet. Does Uncle have business with him?”

“Hmph. I think the moment I’m not home, that boy’s tail is wagging to the sky. My niece is perfectly fine, yet he listens to slander and wants to break off the engagement. Now rumors are spreading like wildfire. My wife even sent the nanny to check, and the illness is severe. What, does he look down upon our Haibo family’s marriage?”

His words were stern.

Madam Qiao’s expression soured. She came from the Kong family, her looks plain but refined, and years of managing household affairs had given her a commanding presence without raising her voice.

This was the first time she had heard of such matters.

No wonder her youngest brother-in-law had been avoiding her lately—likely because of this.

“Uncle Haibo, you have a broad mind. Even knowing that boy meant well but caused harm, you did not use medicine to control us. I remember this kindness. When he returns, I will make sure he comes here to apologize! The engagement set by Aunt Hai will not be broken! I guarantee this in the name of the General of the Nation’s Mansion. Rest assured.”

Madam Qiao, always meticulous, spoke with unwavering resolve.

Thus, the Marquis’s mood steadied considerably. Moments later, Madam Fang hurried out with a joyful face.

“Madam, the old matriarch has awakened!”

After nearly ten days in a coma, the General of the Nation’s Mansion had even begun preparing for funeral rites to counter the bad luck. Unexpectedly, she woke up, surely because of the Revival Pill.

Madam Qiao expressed endless gratitude, and the Marquis of Haibo felt deeply relieved.

This trip to save the old matriarch made the father and son of the Haibo family feel their journey was worthwhile. On the way back, Hai Yu silently chanted Amitabha several times. He was grateful Qiao Er was not home; otherwise, he might have been severely beaten.

“Hmph, don’t think I don’t know. Qiao Er’s foolish plan to break the engagement must have been encouraged by you behind the scenes. That girl wronged your eldest brother, and that’s indisputable. But to take away a woman’s lifelong happiness as revenge? You are no honorable person! Remember, a true man knows what to do and what not to do. If you can’t uphold that integrity, you don’t deserve to be a descendant of the Haibo Marquis’s family.”

The Marquis’s words were harsh, and Hai Yu looked ashamed.

When his eldest brother’s future was destroyed, he often resented this cousin from the Qiao family. Given the choice, he would rather have lost his own prospects, as the second son never bore the burden of the marquisate.

He had often vented to Qiao Er about this cousin’s various misdeeds.

Cunning, arrogant, strange, unforgiving, prone to gossip, unreasonable, blind to right and wrong… In short, he had used every derogatory term before Qiao Er.

At the time, he hoped the cousin would be rejected by her husband’s family, so she would endure the same dark days, comforting his eldest brother.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Er took advantage of the old matriarch’s illness to push for breaking the engagement. Now he agreed with his father’s scolding and felt deeply ashamed.

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“You don’t owe me an apology but that girl. If she hadn’t sent word, by the time we found out, it would have been too late to salvage.”

Hai Yu felt deeply guilty, then declared,

“I will personally bring Qiao Er to apologize to my sister. I will do the same!”

The frankness in his son’s eyes comforted the Marquis. As an uncle, it was his duty to protect his niece’s reputation and marriage, but as a father, he deeply felt he owed his eldest son, which was why he hadn’t rushed to the Chi family’s door.

The clatter of horse hooves echoed as the Haibo father and son came and went swiftly.

Outsiders remained unaware of the true events, still spreading half-truths and rumors.

Three days later, Madam Qiao personally led young Master Qiao Er and the second young master of the Haibo Marquis’s mansion to the Chi family’s doorstep, arriving with such formality that it seemed they wanted the entire city to witness their purpose.

Qiao Er’s back was covered with wounds; Madam Qiao had administered fifty lashes with the family cane.

On this day, his normally well-fitting clothes appeared tight, clearly bound with many bandages.

As for Hai Yu, he was also injured, his left leg hurt during a fight with Qiao Er, and he limped slightly.

Chi Yunjing and Madam Guo received the three in the front hall, assuming yet another negotiation to break the engagement. Madam Guo was overjoyed and even informed her daughter, Chi Guiying, who waited behind the screen with flushed cheeks, having awaited this day for a long time.

After today, the Qiao family would have no further connection with the eldest sister.

And she would rightfully become the second madam of the Qiao family, destined for an enviable life. Just as her dream was beginning, Madam Qiao spoke up.

Her voice was dignified, her manner respectful, but unfortunately, the subject of her words was not the girl.