Chapter 105: A Grand Commotion and a Public Breakoff of the Engagement (First Update)

Wu Qingyu spoke with absolute certainty. Although Wu Tan did not entirely trust him, she knew he would not joke about a matter of this nature.

Lin Yanyao, meanwhile, began to waver. To her, remaining in the capital was far better than being driven away from her home. More importantly, her impression of Wu Qingyu was actually quite favorable.

Seeing this, Wu Tan had a rough idea of the situation and no longer felt the need to avoid suspicion. She stood up and walked around the table. Knowing Lin Yanyao’s temperament, she understood that even if her cousin were willing, she would not have the thick skin to admit it on the spot. Therefore, she did not press for a clear answer but walked directly to Wu Qingyu and asked, "What other plans do you have? Tell me first."

"I can't say just yet!" Wu Qingyu replied, keeping her in suspense.

Lin Yanyao had fallen silent, which in itself was an answer. Knowing that young ladies were thin-skinned, he decided not to push his luck. He turned to Lin Yanyao and said, "You should head back first. But remember one thing—do not argue with the Jiang family about what happened yesterday."

"I..." Lin Yanyao opened her mouth, her heart still full of uncertainty. Aside from the Lin family and the unpredictable attitude of her grandfather, there was still the issue of the Wu family—how was she to explain this to the Old Madam and Madame Meng? She felt that Wu Qingyu should have consulted his family first, but in matters of marriage, elders usually handled everything from start to finish. For the two of them to discuss it face-to-face was already mortifying enough; how could she possibly bring it up?

Seeing her hesitant and flushed expression, Wu Tan guessed her concerns. She raised an eyebrow at Wu Qingyu and teased, "Hey, aren't you afraid your mother will be angered to death by you?"

This hit the nail on the head. Lin Yanyao’s heart skipped a beat; she stared at Wu Qingyu, blinking nervously.

"My mother won't die of anger. If she were that fragile, she would have been crushed by my grandmother years ago," Wu Qingyu scoffed. His tone was unpleasant, laced with cold mockery. Even though he often clashed with Madame Meng, she was his own mother, so his words were also a biting criticism of the Wu family itself. It was no secret in the Wu household that the Old Madam disliked Madame Meng and treated her with cold indifference. Hearing this spoken aloud by her own son made even Wu Tan feel a bit awkward.

Wu Qingyu ignored her and continued to Lin Yanyao, "You know the situation in our house. I’m telling you this in advance: my mother has no favor here, and I don't have the status of my eldest brother. I won't let you suffer any injustices, but there will certainly be some troublesome matters."

His frankness made Lin Yanyao look at him in a new light, and, conversely, it settled her heart. When it came to troublesome matters, what household didn't have a few? Someone like Wu Qingyu, who laid everything out in the open beforehand, was infinitely better than the Jiang family, who hid their motives and tried to lure her into a fire pit.

With those words, Lin Yanyao suddenly felt that meeting him might be the greatest stroke of fortune in her life. Initially, she had felt embarrassed, but now she made a decisive choice: even if it were selfish, if she didn't try, she might regret missing out on this man for the rest of her life!

She looked at Wu Qingyu, her heart pounding, and without any further hesitation, she offered a shy, delicate smile. "Coming to keep Tan'er company... that would actually be quite nice."

She couldn't muster the courage to say anything more direct. Even after these words, she quickly flushed and lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze.

Wu Qingyu was stunned. A moment later, he too felt a sudden, awkward uncertainty about where to look. "Ahem..." He coughed to cover it up. "Well... time is tight. I'll go make preparations."

With that, he turned and dashed out as if his trousers were on fire, dragging Wu Tan along with him. Wu Tan stumbled, nearly tripping over the threshold. As he reached the courtyard, Wu Qingyu suddenly remembered something, turned back, and added, "We'll see you at the Lin residence later!"

He didn't wait for Lin Yanyao to respond before hauling Wu Tan out of the courtyard. Back in the room, Lin Yanyao looked up in a rush, but only caught a glimpse of his back as he sprinted away. Finding it inexplicably amusing, she couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips.

"Why are you dragging me out?" Once they were out of the courtyard, Wu Tan stopped and refused to go any further.

Wu Qingyu was blunt. "Girl, open up the dowry treasury that our aunt left you. Let your brother borrow some of it for an emergency. You know I’ve always been used to a life of ease and never saved money. Once this is settled, I’ll go to Grandmother and Mother to have it replenished for you."

Wu Tan frowned and looked him up and down. "Why should I pay for you to marry a wife?"

Wu Qingyu's hide was truly thick. He raised an eyebrow shamelessly. "What, once she’s my wife, she stops being your cousin?"

Wu Tan glared at him. Wu Qingyu had no heart for teasing her now and urged, "Hurry up. If we drag this out until my mother hears wind of it, this won't happen today."

It wasn't that he feared Madame Meng would refuse, but if she made a scene, it would cause unnecessary trouble. As for the Lin family, he had to get there immediately, or he would miss the best window of opportunity.

Seeing that he was truly anxious, Wu Tan gave him a huffy look. "Wait here!"

She turned and went back into the courtyard. Lin Yanyao was in a daze and didn't pay much attention, only seeing Wu Tan enter the bedroom, retrieve something from a cabinet, and come back out.

Wu Qingyu was still waiting outside. Wu Tan slapped the keys into his hand. "Most of the items are in the side room on the left of my courtyard. Some of the less important, bulky items are in the main treasury. Cheng Cheng and Uncle Qin should have the ledgers. Take whatever you need."

Wu Qingyu grinned. "Thanks! I'll remember this favor, little sister!"

"Don't bother!" Wu Tan rolled her eyes. "I'm doing this for my cousin, not for you!"

She paused, her expression turning serious. "I'll go back to the Lin house with her first. I'll stall the Jiang family and lead the charge to buy you time. You’d better be fast; don't mess this up! If you leave me in a difficult spot and I lose face over there, I’ll come back and bite your head off!"

"So much talk!" Wu Qingyu smacked the back of her head, shooing her back into the courtyard. Suddenly remembering something, he added, "Hey! Make sure you tell your maid, so she doesn't mistake me for a robber later."

"Got it!" Wu Tan waved her hand and returned to the courtyard without looking back.

Wu Qingyu watched her enter, his expression sobering. He took the opportunity to return to the front courtyard to tidy himself up and change his clothes.

Wu Tan had a carriage prepared and accompanied Lin Yanyao back to the Lin estate. In the carriage, after several hesitant moments, Lin Yanyao asked with some trepidation, "Tan'er, with me and your second brother like this... will you be unhappy?"

"Why would I be unhappy..." Wu Tan replied, only realizing halfway through that there was a deeper meaning to her question. She withdrew her gaze from the window and smiled gently. "You're referring to the matter between my second mother and my father?"

Lin Yanyao had always felt this was a significant issue and assumed Wu Tan couldn't possibly be indifferent.

Wu Tan shrugged. "To say I'm not bothered at all would be a lie, but it’s been so many years—there’s no point in dredging up old accounts. Even without Madame Meng, my father would have remarried after my mother passed. Though it was disgusting that they were sneaking around behind her back... if there’s a debt to be collected, it’s my mother who should collect it from him. At least for these years, my father... he has been good to me and my eldest brother. What else can I say?"

Speaking of Wu Xun’s attitude toward his children, Wu Tan remembered something else. Though hesitant, she confessed to Lin Yanyao, "By the way, cousin, I just remembered something. I should let you know in advance."

Seeing Wu Tan’s solemn expression, Lin Yanyao frowned slightly. "What is it?"

Wu Tan pursed her lips. She knew Lin Yanyao was not a petty or greedy person, so she felt no pressure in being transparent. "Because of you and my second brother, I need to tell you: some time ago, when my father returned to the capital, he had the clan register my second brother and third brother under the names of his two deceased uncles. So, although things seem the same in our household, on the clan genealogy, they are registered under my second uncle's branch."

In prominent families, it was common to have children adopted into branches that lacked heirs. Lin Yanyao was only interested in Wu Qingyu’s character and sense of justice; as Wu Tan expected, she didn't care about these technicalities.

However, Lin Yanyao pondered for a moment, her face darkening slightly. "You specifically told me... does that mean... your second brother doesn't know?"

"He likely doesn't!" Wu Tan sighed. "I happened to overhear it outside Grandmother's door. My eldest brother and Madame Meng might know, but the rest of the house hasn't heard a whisper of it. I think Father just wanted to register their names to ensure the incense of those two uncles would continue. In the house, he will continue to treat the three sons equally."

Lin Yanyao frowned in silence. Wu Tan understood her struggle and explained, "I told you because, since you are going to be with my second brother, you deserve to know the truth; I couldn't deceive you. But my second brother is young and hot-headed... you know he has always felt Father favored our eldest brother, so he is constantly pushing himself. Father and Grandmother are likely afraid he would overthink it, which is why they haven't told him yet. Keep this to yourself for now; you must not tell him, understand?"

Lin Yanyao nodded. "I understand!"

Back at the Lin residence, the atmosphere was already tense to the breaking point. Madame Jiang Li, fearing that Jiang Weixian would cause her more trouble, had steeled herself to come to the Lin house early in the morning, despite her internal reluctance.

At the Lin household, Madame Li hadn't slept a wink all night. Though she no longer held any hope for the Jiang family's character, she was nearly enraged to the point of exploding when the gatekeeper reported that the Crown Prince’s consort from the Duke of Ping’s manor was visiting.

"It’s barely morning, and she’s already rushing over here! Calling her heartless would be an insult to the word!" Madame Li trembled with rage. "I shared a mother's womb with her! If it were anyone else, would she have stripped them to the bone and feasted on their flesh?"

The gatekeeper lowered her head, not daring to respond. After letting out her anger, Madame Li asked coldly, "Where is she now?"

"I didn't dare invite her in, she's still at the main gate!" the servant replied. Since yesterday, everyone had vaguely known that the family had fallen out with the Duke of Ping’s manor. Moreover, after the disaster that befell their young lady, neighbors had already begun whispering and pointing at the Lin residence. Everyone knew why the Jiang lady had come. The servants, knowing their young lady’s nature, were indignant at how she had been treated by the Jiang family and had intentionally left Madame Jiang Li waiting outside.

The servant cautiously asked, "Should I invite her in?"

Madame Li stood up and slammed her hand on the table. "Don't bother! I’ll invite her myself!"

Seeing the look on her mistress's face, the servant knew the weight of that "invite" and stayed silent. Madame Li ordered Mother Yang to send word to the Wu family, then returned to her room to dress and groom herself. Once ready, she proceeded to the main gate at a leisurely pace.

Madame Jiang Li, waiting outside, was having a miserable time. In the past, the gatekeepers would have welcomed her with smiles and ushered her inside immediately. The change in the Lin family’s attitude was painfully obvious. Furthermore, as soon as her sedan chair had arrived, people in the alleyway had gathered to point and stare. Even though it was the Lin family’s reputation that had been damaged, she felt like she was being slapped in the face for coming to break off the engagement. To make matters worse, Madame Li was intentionally dragging her feet—two quarter-hours had passed, and there was still no sign of her.

Seeing the crowd growing denser, Madame Jiang Li felt as if she were on hot coals, already considering retreat—when the Lin family’s main gate finally opened. Madame Li stood tall on the steps, dressed impeccably. For some reason, Madame Jiang Li felt a sudden, involuntary shiver of intimidation.

"Sister, you're finally here. I've been waiting..." she said, forcing a smile and stepping forward to head up the stairs.

Madame Li stepped down first, blocking her path coldly. "I have matters to attend to in my manor today and am not receiving guests. If the Consort is here for a social visit, I’m afraid I cannot entertain you; please head back. If you have business with our household—then let’s make it brief right here!"

Madame Li had spent the night discussing things with Lin Xiucheng. He had concluded that based on the behavior of Jiang Weixian and Madame Jiang Li, the incident involving Lin Yanyao was likely not their design. However, Madame Li could not forgive the fact that Madame Jiang Li had rushed to their house to propose marriage while knowing Jiang Pingzhi had wandering eyes. Thus, she was quite blunt.

Madame Jiang Li’s smile froze. She truly hadn't expected Madame Li to tear off the mask of civility in public. "Sister..." she began, trying to soften the tone.

Madame Li turned her face away and walked back toward the gate. "If you have no business, please leave!"

Madame Jiang Li and Mother Huang exchanged glances, both feeling that Madame Li was being far too extreme. Were they trying to drive them to their deaths? Was it because the Lin daughter's reputation was ruined, so they had nothing left to lose? Were they trying to force them to say the words "break off the engagement" in public?

In fact, that was exactly what Madame Li intended. Lin Xiucheng had warned her the night before to keep her cool and not be the one to initiate the break-off, but to wait for the Jiang family to do it, so that everyone could see their lack of integrity.

Seeing that Madame Li was truly going to shut the door on them, Madame Jiang Li finally lost her patience and gritted her teeth. "Sister, wait! I have business!"

Madame Li sneered, turning around to look down at her. "What business?"

The onlookers in the alley, seeing a show, crowded closer. Madame Li acted as if she didn't see them and didn't order the gatekeepers to disperse the crowd. Madame Jiang Li felt incredibly embarrassed and tried to salvage the situation. "Sister, I came to talk about Yanyao. Can we go inside to discuss it?"

"If you have something to say, say it here!" Madame Li remained firm and decisive.

Madame Jiang Li’s face turned bright red; she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. She opened her mouth but found it difficult to speak in front of such a crowd, and especially in front of her own sister.

Mother Huang, seeing the situation, knew that if they went back like this, she wouldn't be able to report back to her masters. She steeled herself, stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Madame Li, and spoke directly. "Second Madame Lin, my mistress is a person of deep sentiment. She values her kinship with you, which is why some things are hard for her to say. Since you insist on speaking here, please forgive this servant for overstepping. My mistress came today regarding the engagement between Miss Yanyao and our second young master."

She deliberately stopped there, hoping that bringing up Lin Yanyao would force Madame Li to be considerate and invite them inside for a private conversation.

To her surprise, Madame Li laughed in anger at the mention of "sentiment." She ignored the servant and addressed Madame Jiang Li directly. "So, sister, you’ve come today to set the wedding date? A woman follows her husband; we have no objections to whatever date you set. After all, when you came to propose two days ago, you didn't give us any warning and just arrived with the betrothal gifts. We made concessions then; what more is there to say?"

Mother Huang’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. How could this Second Madame Lin be so unreasonable? Stung by Madame Li’s retort about them rushing the proposal, she shivered and didn't dare speak another word, turning timidly to look at Madame Jiang Li.

Madame Jiang Li was also choked with frustration. She stared at Madame Li in disbelief, truly unable to decide what to do. Her sister had always doted on her daughter—was this just a moment of anger, or did she truly intend to force the engagement on the Jiang family? If she overplayed her hand and the Lin family actually held them to the marriage, she would likely be divorced by Jiang Weixian when she returned home...

"Sister, that's not what I meant..." Madame Jiang Li said, but halfway through, she still couldn't bring herself to break off the engagement. She hesitated, her eyes darting away.

Seeing her behavior, Madame Li’s anger boiled over. She had no more time to waste. "So you aren't here to set a date? Then you're here to break off the engagement?"

Under normal circumstances, Madame Jiang Li would have beaten around the bush, but being pushed to the edge by Madame Li, and fearing that the other party might change their mind and make things difficult for her, she gritted her teeth and forced a pained expression. "I don't want this either. After all, Yanyao is a child I watched grow up. I truly care for her, but now..."

Hu Tianming had intended to protect the Lin family. Although the case wasn't closed and he couldn't issue an official notice yet, he had already ordered people to spread the word from the yamen that the Lin young lady had simply been kidnapped by outlaws, the bandits had been brought to justice, and there were no further obstacles.

However, the fact that Lin Yanyao had been abducted in full view of the public remained. It was understandable that the in-laws might mind, but since the two families were relatives, for the Jiang family to be so eager to expose their own kin in the street just to save their own skin... anyone with a shred of human decency would find it hard to watch!

"Shut your mouth!" Madame Li, seeing that Madame Jiang Li was truly going to expose their private affairs in public just to save herself, interrupted her sharply. "You don't need to say anything else. If you want to break off the engagement, then break it off! Do you think I would force my daughter on your family? But remember this: don't treat people like fools ever again. You know full well why the Jiang family was so eager to propose in the first place. I’m not exposing you today out of respect for the last few decades of our sisterhood. My Lin family’s daughter is honorable and upright; we owe you nothing. From this day forward, I, Li Xiangyun, no longer have a sister like you, and Yanyao no longer has an aunt like you. Our two families are finished!"

With that, she turned and walked up the steps, entering the house. Madame Jiang Li, having been reminded of the engagement, trembled. Hearing the speculation and whispers of the crowd, she felt utterly disgraced and immediately chased after her. "Sister, you’ve gone too far, listen to my explanation—"

She reached out to grab Madame Li, but was pushed away. Madame Li didn't let her in and instead ordered the gatekeepers sternly: "Pass the word: from now on, this woman is never allowed to enter the Lin family gates. Go to the treasury immediately and throw out every bit of the betrothal gifts they sent—not a single coin left!"

She turned back to look at Madame Jiang Li one last time. "I haven't touched a single thing of yours. But since you were the ones who rushed to propose, and you were the ones who brought the gifts, the Lin family will not waste our people or effort to send them back. Send your own people to move them!"

Madame Li headed toward the inner chambers without looking back. Madame Jiang Li stood at the gate, her face turning pale then blue. A moment later, the Lin family servants began tossing the items out. They didn't place them carefully; they just dumped them outside. The boxed items were fine, but the silks in the carrying poles spilled out and fell into the dirt, creating a chaotic mess. The servants ignored it and went back inside to move more.

Unable to bear the strange looks from the crowd, Madame Jiang Li scrambled into her sedan chair and fled in a panic.

When Wu Tan and Lin Yanyao’s carriage returned, the entire alley was blocked. The carriage couldn't get through the crowd. Wu Tan initially had the driver go to clear a path, but he returned a moment later with a troubled expression, telling her that the alley was blocked by the betrothal gifts dumped by the Lin family’s Second Madame, and even if he cleared the crowd, they couldn't pass...

Wu Tan turned to look at Lin Yanyao, who seemed to have cleared the clouds from her heart. She didn't care about the Jiang family’s mess and smiled. "Let’s walk in then!"

She stepped out of the carriage first. Seeing that her cousin didn't mind, Wu Tan followed suit, and the two squeezed through the crowd toward the house. There were many onlookers, but Lin Yanyao, who rarely appeared in public, was unrecognizable to them. Seeing her calm, elegant demeanor, they assumed she was just another young lady visiting the Lin family.

Lin Yanyao and Wu Tan reached the gate and asked the gatekeeper what was happening—after all, the gifts were still being tossed out, but no one from the Jiang family was there. Just as the manager was explaining, another carriage pushed through the crowd, only to stop when it hit the pile of gifts on the road.

It was the Jiang family’s carriage!

Wu Tan and Lin Yanyao exchanged a glance, their vigilance heightened. A moment later, a person stepped out—it was Madame Jiang Li, returning. And with her, stepping out of the carriage as well—was Jiang Yuzhi!

Judging by the timing, Madame Jiang Li must have been intercepted by Jiang Yuzhi halfway.

So—was the Jiang family still playing games?!