Chapter 17: Seeking Pardon

There was no need to make it explicit—Lingyi He knew perfectly well that it was Aunt Zong who had devised this plan for her.

To ensure this marriage took place, starting with Madam Guo and Guiying Chi was futile. The best strategy was to make Yunjing Chi resolutely oppose the match.

For Yunjing Chi, his foremost concern was his official career.

If they tried to appeal to him as the tutor to the prince, reasoning with him and stirring his emotions, Yunjing Chi might act far more swiftly than they anticipated. Thus, even before the Lü family came calling, Lingyi He was already prepared.

The sun steadily rose higher.

The early summer days were the hottest, especially on the bluestone slabs, which could scorch the soles of passing shoes. Under such a scorching sun, in the residence of Marquis Haibo, Guiwan Chi knelt perfectly straight.

Sweat beads rolled down her forehead in strings, yet her expression was resolute beyond measure.

The maids, Qianchun and Fudong, standing nearby, felt a pang of sympathy, but they understood that if their young mistress’s actions could ease the tension in the Haibo Marquis household, it was hardly a sacrifice.

Inside the room, Marquis Haibo and his wife, Madam Qin, sighed repeatedly.

They knew well what was happening outside. They wanted to forgive, but their pride and the destruction of their son’s future weighed heavily on their hearts, making it impossible to speak lightly.

The eldest cousin, Jin Hai, was absent, leaving only the second cousin, Yu Hai, who frequently glanced outside.

Regarding this cousin, he truly regarded her with renewed respect after their separation of three days. In the past, she had been unbearably delicate—if she even grazed her skin, let alone a slight bump, she would complain for a long time before letting it go.

Each time this happened, he was filled with frustration.

How could their gentle and steady aunt have given birth to such a cousin?

Now, watching her kneel silently for nearly two hours, as if her illness had somehow altered her temperament, he found it puzzling.

“Mother, it’s nearly mealtime. Should we really let our cousin kneel like this? Perhaps she should get up to eat first, then kneel afterward?”

Madam Qin shot a sharp glance at her youngest son, dismissing what she called a foolish suggestion.

“Continuing this torment is no good either. No matter what, the young lady has just recovered; if she stays in the sun any longer, her illness might relapse. Go help her up. We are indeed her uncle and aunt, but we are also your elder brother’s parents. Forgiving her is one thing, but your brother’s heartache may not heal so easily.”

Marquis Haibo sighed deeply, his eyes reddening.

Such a fine son, yet wasted at home. Over the years, they had feared he might lose the will to live, so they kept a close watch on him. Fortunately, nothing had happened.

The more they tried to keep calm, the more they feared the turbulent waves hidden beneath the surface.

Amidst the constant sighs within the room, outside in the corridor, eldest son Jin Hai arrived and saw the small figure kneeling in the courtyard’s center. Memories flooded his mind.

He had no biological sister; when he learned his aunt had a daughter, he was happier than anyone.

When he accompanied his mother to visit, upon seeing his cousin for the first time, he told himself that she would be the little sister he would cherish and protect. Being six years her senior, he often took on the role of her protector.

When she cried, he stood up for her.

When she wanted something, he found a way to obtain it.

When she was unhappy, he prepared all sorts of things to amuse her.

Yet, he never understood how the inseparable bond between siblings could be so easily shattered by a single conspiracy.

The rumors of indulgent company and favoring certain servants—

He knew himself well. The disgraceful events of that day were nothing but deliberate traps set by others.

A servant had paid with his life, he had lost his reputation, but most heartbreaking was hearing his beloved cousin publicly accuse him of moral corruption and unacceptable conduct before a gathering of elderly ladies.

He laughed softly, as if it were all in the past.

Yet everything seemed frozen in that moment forever.

So he walked over calmly, glanced at Guiwan Chi, and said,

“Get up. The sun is strong, and your illness has just healed. Don’t cause another relapse.”

As soon as he spoke, Guiwan Chi burst into tears, her eyes red as she looked at Jin Hai and knelt deeply in apology.

“Eldest cousin, I have wronged you.”

“It’s not your fault. Someone deliberately framed you. Even if you hadn’t seen it, someone else would have. My reputation was bound to be ruined sooner or later; it has nothing to do with you.”

“No, your words only make me feel more ashamed. I truly am sorry.”

Guiwan Chi wept bitterly. Jin Hai looked at her with some compassion, but found himself unable to offer much comfort. Perhaps his own heart had long since died; now he was nothing more than a walking corpse.

Hearing his voice, Marquis Haibo, Madam Qin, and Yu Hai all came out, their expressions grim, especially Madam Qin, who worriedly watched her eldest son, fearing he might break down.

Though he appeared calm, as if unaffected by the ordeal, her worry only deepened. She stepped forward, placed a hand on his chest, and asked gently,

“Jin’er, are you alright?”

Eldest cousin Jin Hai shook his head and replied,

“I’m fine. Mother, please help our cousin up. Kneeling like this will ruin her health.”

Madam Qin nodded and quickly instructed someone to assist. The maids, Qianchun and Fudong, had been waiting for this moment; as soon as they heard the words, they immediately supported their young mistress to stand.

But after kneeling so long, her feet no longer obeyed her. Standing was even more painful than kneeling, yet she dared not complain. Compared to Jin Hai, her pain was insignificant.

“Let’s eat first. We’ll talk about everything else later.”

Marquis Haibo sought to ease the tension, and others agreed. Madam Qin ordered fine medicinal wine to be prepared for Guiwan Chi’s knees. Wearing a thin summer garment, and with the stony ground so hot and hard, when her clothes were lifted to apply the ointment, the maids gasped in shock.

Madam Qin looked on with concern, urging the maids to be gentle.

“You too—if you won’t kneel inside, why kneel out here?”

“Aunt, do you truly forgive me?” Guiwan Chi’s eyes reflected a hesitant hope.

“If we didn’t forgive you, why would we have gone to the Qiao family to secure this marriage? If we didn’t forgive you, would you even be allowed inside the Marquis’ residence? You may seem clever, but at critical moments, you’re terribly foolish.”

“If I’m foolish, then in that situation, not taking a detour and deliberately making a scene was sheer stupidity.”

As she spoke, Guiwan Chi struck herself across the face.

This slap was owed to the Marquis’ household and eldest cousin; since they would never hit her, she did it herself.

Madam Qin, seeing her young face swell and redden instantly, hurried forward, grabbing her and scolding sharply,

“Nonsense! Is this how a young lady should ruin her face? Quickly, bring ice to soothe Miss Wan’s cheeks.”