Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Eight: At the Scene

Third Madam of the Third Branch motioned for her maid not to make a sound. She lifted her cane and crept quietly forward.

Up ahead, the young gentleman said something, and the woman broke into another burst of coquettish laughter.

“My lord, why are you so happy? You’re so delighted you can hardly pay attention,” Kong Linglong asked, clutching Qin Jianyu’s sleeve and refusing to let go.

Hm?!

Oh!

Qin Jianyu’s mind was full of Xue Fanzhi’s radiant beauty. She had seemed so demure and well-mannered, too—truly unforgettable.

When he looked again at Kong Linglong’s delicate little face, it suddenly seemed quite ordinary.

A trace of impatience welled up in him. He tried to shake off her hand. “This is the Xue residence. It isn’t appropriate.”

Not appropriate?

They had been sneaking around even at the Xie residence. What difference did it make at the Xue residence, especially in a place where no one ever came?

Something was wrong!

Qin Jianyu had run into trouble at the Xue residence.

“Jianlang, has something happened at the Xue residence? I heard people outside say there’d been an accident.”

“Yes,” Qin Jianyu replied. “Seventh Lady Xue was hurt. She was stabbed.”

“What about Eighth Lady? Is she all right?”

Qin Jianyu shook his head. “She’s fine. Everything’s all right.”

Kong Linglong’s eyes darkened. “So you saw Eighth Lady. Is she a great beauty?”

Qin Jianyu’s heart gave a sudden lurch. Angry that Kong Linglong was leading him into such a conversation, he said coldly, “What beauty? She’s nothing special.”

If Eighth Lady Xue was nothing special, then ninety-nine percent of the women in Health City couldn’t compare to her. Did he really think Kong Linglong had never seen her?

“What about breaking off the engagement?” Kong Linglong asked, unwilling to let it go. “Didn’t you say you’d end things with Eighth Lady Xue? When are you going to do it?”

The Qin family was going to break off the engagement with Eighth Lady?

Hidden behind a tree, Third Madam of the Third Branch listened in astonishment. After all, the match had been arranged in deference to her. And now the Qin family intended to call it off without even telling her? Those wretches! Had they gained some advantage and so changed their minds? Otherwise, Eighth Lady was in her prime—why would the Qin family cast aside such an excellent match?

“Didn’t I tell you we had to wait a while?” Qin Jianyu said impatiently.

Kong Linglong was no fool. As the daughter of a merchant family, she had managed to win the favor of Qin Jianyu, a legitimate son of an aristocratic clan. It was obvious he was fobbing her off. She had already given herself to him, and she had no intention of becoming a concubine. He had to make Qin Jianyu break off this engagement.

“Jianlang, I really am anxious. You know I’m the only child in my family. A few days ago, my uncle said the Kong family’s line couldn’t simply die out. Adopting an heir from the clan would mean choosing some distant relative, and it wouldn’t be right to leave our family’s enormous fortune to them. So my uncle has always wanted me to take a husband who would marry into our family.” Kong Linglong sounded heartbroken. “I can’t bear to part with you, Jianlang. But if my uncle insists, Father won’t be able to stop him. If you don’t end your engagement, when will you come to my family to ask for my hand?”

Right—the enormous fortune!

He couldn’t afford to lose Linglong’s devotion just yet.

Qin Jianyu did feel some affection for Kong Linglong. But compared with Xue Fanzhi’s beauty, the woman he hadn’t yet won was far more enticing.

“I’ll break it off,” he said, pulling Kong Linglong into his arms and sliding a hand to her chest.

He would get her pregnant.

His mother was right. He could marry Eighth Lady Xue as his wife. Linglong was already his; he could simply make her a concubine.

Even as a concubine, she was the Kong family’s only daughter. They would still leave their enormous fortune to her. That settled it.

“You’re always making things up in your head,” Qin Jianyu said, explaining as he pressed closer. “If Eighth Lady Xue had been injured today, I wouldn’t have needed to break it off myself. She’d have been too ashamed to marry me. But she escaped that fate, so I’ll have to find another chance. Otherwise, I’d never get back the betrothal gifts we’ve already sent.” His hand grew bolder. “Don’t you trust me? I’ll end it soon.”

“You’re awful. This is the Xue residence…”

“So what if it’s the Xue residence? It’d be even better if someone saw us. Isn’t that what you want?”

Their breathing grew heavier, and their bodies entwined.

Third Madam of the Third Branch spat inwardly. Adulterers!

She turned around. Her maid looked confused and pointed toward Qin Jianyu, clearly expecting them to go catch him in the act. Third Madam glared at her. That young gentleman from the Qin family was her own nephew’s grandson. He belonged to the Qin family. If this got out, it would disgrace the Xue family—and benefit the First Branch. She would never do such a thing.

“Let’s go…”

As Third Madam started to leave, the light before her suddenly dimmed. She looked up to find Liang of the Fifth Branch standing in front of her.

“You…”

But Liang passed her and called out, “Third Aunt, so it’s one of your family’s boys! No wonder you didn’t step in for our Eighth Lady. Are you trying to bully the Xue family to death?”

Third Madam glanced at the servants behind Liang, and her heart sank. Jianlang’s marriage was finished.

She had still been thinking too simply. Just as Liang rushed forward, Wang, the wife of a deputy at the Censor-in-Chief’s residence, was approaching from the other side with a few friends.

Wang and Liang knew each other.

Seeing Liang storming along, the gossip-loving Wang hurried over. “Seventh Madam, what’s wrong?”

“Oh my, this is… this is…” Wang had also attended the Xue sisters’ coming-of-age ceremony. After the guests dispersed, she and the other ladies had lost their way and followed a maid over here.

She had seen Qin Jianyu at the banquet and knew he was Xue Fanzhi’s fiancé.

“Oh! You’re Eighth Lady’s fiancé. Why are you here with a page, both of you looking so disheveled?”

By then, Qin Jianyu and Kong Linglong had separated. Having just been locked in an embrace, they were both in disarray. Since Kong Linglong was dressed as a page, Wang had mistaken her for a boy.

Kong Linglong hid behind Qin Jianyu, afraid to show herself.

Qin Jianyu cursed his bad luck. He had to deal with the situation in front of him. It looked as though the matter could no longer be concealed, so he would not try—but the Xue family must not learn about his affair with Kong Linglong.

Fortunately, Linglong was wearing a page’s clothes. A master carrying on with a page was scandalous, but not enough to justify breaking off an engagement; after all, the bride-to-be’s position as principal wife would remain unaffected.

Qin Jianyu apologized to Liang. “Auntie, your nephew behaved recklessly and offended your eyes. I’ll make it up to you another day. Please forgive me for now. My page and I will leave at once.”

Wang immediately understood what had happened. Seeing Liang’s face turn livid with anger, she tried to soothe her. “Young people are bound to be a little passionate. Don’t be too upset. The Old Madam will decide what to do.”

Liang’s face was cold. “I’m not angry because he misbehaved on Xue family grounds and offended our eyes. I’m angry because he was caught red-handed and still dares to dodge the issue and deceive me! What page? That’s a woman! You, Qin—I heard every word you just said. You’ve been carrying on with this woman for a long time, and you were looking for a chance to frame my niece and break off the engagement. Shame on you, you shameless lowlife! I don’t need you to break it off. I can decide for Eighth Lady myself. The engagement ends now!”

It was over.

She had really heard everything!

Qin Jianyu watched Liang’s thin lips move, his mind roaring like a bell.