Chapter 24: First Encounter with the Hai Family

"Is this how you disregard the mother-daughter bond we’ve shared for so many years, Eldest Miss?"

"Mother is joking, surely. If affection must be bought with silver, would that not be mere pretense?"

Chi Guiwan stood firm, refusing to yield an inch.

This left Madam Guo feeling trapped; after all, she had come to demand these wedding gifts behind her husband’s back. If this escalated to the Marquis of Haibo’s estate, she would inevitably face another round of harsh reprimands. Having slaved away in the Assistant Minister’s manor for half a lifetime, she couldn't just be cast aside like trash. She glared at Chi Guiwan, and seeing her unwavering stance, she finally understood the situation.

If that was how it would be, she would not hesitate to retaliate.

She took the IOU, turned to Chi Guiwan, and said, "Very well. I shall remember your words today, Eldest Miss. Whether it is a servant who cannot be tamed or a child who cannot be raised, I find myself unable to distinguish between the two for now. Let it be."

As she left, she deliberately cast a glance at He Lingyi, adding with feigned sincerity, "For those in the know, you and the Second Miss are family, but those who don't might mistake you for sisters. To be inseparable after only a few months—if you ask me, you might as well move in. The Siqin Courtyard is spacious enough to accommodate Miss He."

With that, she swept away, acting as if she had suffered a grave injustice.

Once she was gone, the maid Fudong grumbled in annoyance, "We gave away three thousand taels and ten bolts of fabric, only to suffer such indignity."

"Enough. Since when is it your place as a maid to criticize the masters? Do you want to bring trouble upon the young lady? Keep your tongue in check."

The maid Xianchun spoke up, and Fudong shrugged, immediately falling silent.

Chi Guiwan noticed the exchange and stepped in. "Fudong is not wrong. Let us visit my uncle’s house later; I have a feeling this matter will not end so simply."

She looked at He Lingyi and continued, "My aunt told me last time to bring you along. If you hadn't suggested sending word for me, I fear the Second Sister’s plight would be my own struggle today. So, let us go together."

He Lingyi had never actually been to the Marquis of Haibo’s estate. In her previous life, after her mother married, she spent most of her time at the Lu residence and rarely ventured out. By the time she had a falling out with the Marquis's family, all contact had ceased, and she had never met these two great-aunts and uncles.

Curious, she agreed, "Very well, I shall brazenly impose upon them."

"Nonsense. My aunt will be delighted to see you."

They left the manor and headed straight for the Marquis of Haibo’s estate.

The summer heat remained intense even as evening approached, and the streets of Bianzhou were bustling and crowded. To get from the Assistant Minister’s manor to the Marquis’s estate, they had to cross three or four main streets. Peddlers hawked their wares, and carriages and crowds moved in their own orderly chaos.

However, as they neared the Marquis’s estate, the atmosphere grew more tranquil.

When their carriage arrived at the gates, the gatekeeper recognized the eldest daughter of the Chi family and a young lady he did not know. He stepped forward to bow. "My respects to the Eldest Miss. May I ask who this young lady is?"

"The He family of Nanzhou."

"My respects to Miss He."

"Is my aunt home?"

"She is. However, the Second Young Master has guests, and the Madam is likely entertaining in the flower hall."

The gatekeeper’s information was accurate, which left Chi Guiwan in a dilemma. She didn't know why the Second Cousin’s friends were visiting, and she worried that arriving unannounced might cause an inconvenience. She was no longer the carefree girl she once was; she now thought three steps ahead before taking one. Seeing her hesitation, the gatekeeper offered a suggestion.

"I hear from the Second Young Master that it is merely a casual visit, nothing urgent. Why don't you wait in the Madam’s courtyard, Eldest Miss? That way, you will not run into them."

The gatekeeper was considerate; one young lady was betrothed and the other appeared unmarried, so it was improper for them to meet strange men. Chi Guiwan nodded and smiled. "You are quite clever. Here is a reward."

Xianchun stepped forward and gave the gatekeeper some silver fragments. The man thanked them profusely, and Chi Guiwan led He Lingyi inside, heading straight for the Zhaoyue Courtyard.

Just as they were about to enter the courtyard, they ran into the eldest son of the house, Hai Jin, under the veranda. Chi Guiwan was pleasantly surprised and called out, "Eldest Cousin!"

"Why are you here? Is something the matter?"

Chi Guiwan nodded and stepped aside to introduce her. "This is the granddaughter of the great scholar Master He from Nanzhou. We attend the same lessons. I happened to have the opportunity today, so I brought her to pay respects to my aunt."

He Lingyi stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "My respects to Eldest Young Master Hai."

"Miss He, you are too kind. I am Hai Jin."

His voice was calm and steady. Chi Guiwan studied him; he stood as straight as a pine, his features refined like jade, yet a lingering haze in his brow dimmed his spirit.

"If you go to the courtyard to find Mother, you won't find her. She is entertaining in the flower hall. She asked me to join them—come along."

"That wouldn't be right. Since the Second Cousin has guests, it would be inappropriate for us to intrude."

Hai Jin smiled faintly, his demeanor as calm as a gentle breeze. "It is the Heir of Prince Qi. When the Princess of Qi was alive, she was very close to my aunt, so you and the Heir have met a few times in your childhood. Furthermore, my mother shares a blood tie with the Prince of Qi’s estate, so the Heir is not considered an outsider."

In other words, the Heir of Prince Qi was a distant relative of Chi Guiwan. Seeing him, it seemed, would be acceptable.

"He is also well-acquainted with Qiao Er; you will inevitably meet eventually."

With her fiancé mentioned, Chi Guiwan felt she had no reason to refuse. She looked at He Lingyi, who nodded, and the three of them proceeded toward the flower hall.

Before they had even entered, they heard the hearty laughter of the Second Young Master, Hai Yü, accompanied by the playful banter of the Marchioness, Madam Qin. He Lingyi also heard a soft chuckle—presumably from the Heir of Prince Qi.

In her past life, she had heard of this figure. In his youth, the Prince of Qi was the War God of the Great Long Dynasty, protecting the northern borders for years. Yet, his beloved Princess of Qi passed away young, leaving behind an infant heir. The Prince’s hair turned white overnight, and he retired from the front lines to live in seclusion in Langzhou, never to be heard from again.

Some said he had passed away, others that he had gone mad with grief. Regardless, the public lamented the premature decline of this War God, fearing that without him, the northern borders would have long since been conquered. As for the Heir, he was even more mysterious.

Until her death in her previous life, few had ever seen his face. He was spoken of in legendary terms—as if blessed by the gods—gifted in both literature and martial arts, a peerless talent...

He Lingyi was curious. With such a rare opportunity, she followed them into the flower hall.

The three people inside turned around at the sound of their footsteps.