ATMIWPT Chapter 14 A Childhood Betrothal

Qin Ningxin was seething with anger, but knowing she could never outtalk Qin Muyao, she could only let it go with a huff. “Hmph!”

Upon returning to the Marquis of Zhongyi’s residence, Qin Ningxin was the first to disembark from the carriage. Without so much as a backward glance, she stomped off in a fit of rage.

Qin Muyao, on the other hand, took her time, strolling leisurely back to the residence while sorting through the information she had gathered that day.

Just as she was about to return to her room, a familiar voice called out to her.

“Yaoyao!”

Madam Qin approached her unhurriedly, taking Qin Muyao’s hand in a gentle grasp as she greeted her warmly.

Qin Muyao nodded slightly. “Mother, is there something you need?”

Madam Qin frowned. “Must there be something for me to call you?”

Qin Muyao, ever straightforward, shook her head. “Of course not.”

Madam Qin chuckled, then sighed. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I came to discuss something with you.”

Qin Muyao naturally linked arms with Wen Shuyun, her smile bright and carefree. “Mother, what could be so important that you need to discuss it with me?”

Could it be something serious?

Or perhaps… was Qin Ningxin up to something again?

Madam Qin sat down, her gaze settling on Qin Muyao with an intensity that seemed to peel away her every layer.

Beneath her composed exterior lay a sorrow so deep it threatened to spill over—yet she hid it with practiced ease.

The scrutiny made Qin Muyao’s hair stand on end. A faint sense of unease crept over her, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

A thought surfaced in her mind, sending a chill down her spine. Could it be… Madam Qin has discovered that I’m an imposter?

The more she dwelled on it, the more plausible it seemed.

Cold sweat broke out on her back.

Madam Qin finally spoke. “Yaoyao, actually—”

At the same time, Qin Muyao blurted out, “Mother, actually, I—”

Both fell silent, having spoken in unison.

Qin Muyao forced a smile. “Mother, you go first.”

Madam Qin gently patted Qin Muyao’s head, her voice filled with warmth. “Actually, you’ve had a marriage betrothal since childhood…”

Qin Muyao, who had been anxiously waiting for Madam Qin to interrogate her, was completely dumbfounded. “Mother, what did you just say?”

“Silly child,” Madam Qin chuckled at her bewildered expression and patted her delicate hand. “Could it be that you’re so overjoyed at hearing about your future husband that you’ve lost your wits?”

Qin Muyao: “…”

Not at all.

She was just scared out of her mind.

Madam Qin, oblivious to her daughter’s shock, continued speaking at her own pace.

“Yaoyao, you were betrothed to the current Crown Prince, Fu Hanzhou, when you were just a child.

“It was an agreement made verbally between your grandfather and the late emperor. There was no official marriage contract, no betrothal gifts—we all thought it was nothing more than a casual remark, and over time, we simply forgot about it.

“But last month, His Majesty suddenly brought up the Crown Prince’s marriage and even mentioned you by name.

“From what I can tell, His Majesty intends to make you the future Crown Princess.”

Qin Muyao: QAQ.

She had been minding her own business, yet disaster had still fallen straight from the sky.

A childhood betrothal? Someone, save her!

Madam Qin patted her hand again, her voice gentle. “Yaoyao, I don’t know how you feel about His Highness, so I came to ask you personally.”

Qin Muyao’s mind went completely blank. “I…”

But before she could say another word, Madam Qin interrupted, mistaking her hesitation for shyness. She nodded in satisfaction and spoke with genuine warmth, “Yaoyao, you don’t have to say anything. I understand your feelings.”

Qin Muyao: ????

Wait, what?! Was Madam Qin misunderstanding this whole situation?!

“No, Mother, that’s not it!”

Qin Muyao snapped out of her daze, grabbing Madam Qin’s hands, desperate to clear up the misunderstanding before it was too late.

——