“Why did it turn out like this!”  

Sui Tan slumped over the table, clutching her hair tightly with both hands. The more she thought about it, the more bewildered she became:  

“What does Sister have to do with Sun Cheng’s death?!”  

She couldn’t understand. The marriage had already been called off, and their Qin family had endured all the gossip and pointing fingers they deserved.  

How, in the end, could Sun Cheng’s “sudden death” still be blamed on her sister? Amidst all the murmurs, it had somehow twisted into the narrative that the eldest Qin daughter had an ill-fated birth chart, destined to bring misfortune to her husband even before marriage.  

Success and prosperity might not be shared with women, but failure and ruin must always find their root in them.  

Sui Tan was furious. She had rolled up her sleeves more than once to wage verbal battles against the gossipmongers—both men and women—who spread such nonsense.  

But even though she was sharp-tongued and had a golden-patterned, black-clad imperial guard trailing behind her, she could hardly claim victory.  

The whispers of others persisted, the rumors in the streets only grew louder, and Suizheng’s reputation remained tarnished.  

“If this continues, won’t she eventually be driven to hang herself with a white silk rope by the weight of the gossip?”  

The thought of that worst-case scenario made Sui Tan unable to sit still any longer. She shot to her feet, clenching her small fists.  

“No, I have to go find Zhu Yan again!”  

With that, she turned her head.  

Lin Qi was right beside her. Throughout her entire meltdown and incessant muttering, he had been watching her with warm, indulgent eyes.  

Now, seeing her look his way, his smile deepened.  

Yet Sui Tan’s gaze merely brushed over him like a dragonfly skimming water before quickly darting to the far corner of the room, where a certain someone was shrinking into the shadows, pretending to be a stranger.  

“Let’s go, Yi Zhou! Come with me to storm the Dali Temple!”  

All the tenderness in Lin Qi’s eyes instantly froze over.  

He turned his head as well, shooting Yi Zhou a sharp glare in the space Sui Tan couldn’t see. The coldness in his gaze was almost enough to frostbite.  

Yi Zhou, subjected to such a look, shuddered violently, feeling utterly helpless.  

He didn’t dare dissuade the Second Miss, nor did he dare question his own superior. All he could do was shrink further into himself and shout across the room.  

“B-b-b-but Miss Qin, I-I-I’m not feeling too well today! I-I-I’d like to request a day off!”  

“What’s wrong?”  

Sui Tan immediately asked, her tone full of concern—and a hint of regret. After all, a genuine imperial guard who, for the sake of protecting his “brother” (Lin Qi), obeyed her every command as his nominal charge was a rare find indeed.  

“He’s fine.”  

A cold voice abruptly cut into the conversation, halting her lament.  

As the words fell, a slender but firm arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her in without room for refusal.  

“Let me check the wound on your arm.”  

Lin Qi’s tone was uncharacteristically resolute. Sui Tan was pulled firmly yet carefully against his broad chest, only belatedly realizing what was happening as she nestled into him.  

She tilted her head up, letting him fuss over her arm while she grinned and asked,  

“Are you jealous?”  

The hands adjusting her bandage paused briefly before he replied flatly,  

“No.”  

But the sourness in his voice could have drowned the entire Qin Estate.  

Sui Tan smirked knowingly, pressing even closer to his chest.  

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I only called for Yi Zhou because he’s willing to collude with me, that’s all.”  

With her injured arm still in his grasp, she wrapped her good arm around his neck, her intention to coax and appease unmistakable.  

Lin Qi hesitated for a moment before bending down slightly, lowering his head to accommodate her.

This was a silent indulgence, allowing her to move freely.  

Sui Tan knew this all too well and grew even bolder, clinging to him tightly. At such close range, her almond-shaped eyes locked onto his as she spoke with earnest sincerity.  

“The other guards are just passing clouds. You’re definitely my favorite.”  

Lin Qi continued wrapping her wound in silence, his movements steady as ever, as if he hadn’t heard her emphatic declaration.  

A long moment later, he finally let out a faint, indifferent “Mm,” as though snapping out of a daze.  

Yet in that single syllable, the ice thawed, the frost melted.  

Just because of such an ambiguous remark, the storm had completely passed.  

Behind them, Yi Zhou stared in stunned silence. Sui Tan flashed a sly smile and tugged Lin Qi even closer, fluttering her lashes as she whispered,  

“I know you won’t go with me because you’re worried about me. After all, the situation outside is tense, with all kinds of rumors flying around. But I just can’t swallow this injustice!”  

“I also know I’m not as composed and dignified as Elder sister, nor as sweet and understanding as Auntie (Duke’s Concubine). I fall short in every way compared to others. The only things I can rely on when seeking out Lord Zhu Yan are the Third Prince’s influence and my engagement to him. I—”  

“You’re wonderful.”  

Lin Qi suddenly cut off her self-deprecation, his tone stiff but firm. “The best in the world.”  

Sui Tan blinked, looking even more pitiful.  

“Then… will you take me to see Lord Zhu Yan?”  

A long silence followed, as though some fierce internal battle had taken place. Finally, Lin Qi sighed and relented.  

“…Fine.”  

With her goal achieved, Sui Tan curled her lips, ready to coax him further, when a frantic, crisp voice suddenly rang out from outside.  

“Miss!”  

Her personal maid, Qinglian, seemed to have encountered something earth-shattering. Without waiting for her mistress’s response, she rushed headlong into the room—interrupting the intimate atmosphere—and announced in a voice trembling with both fear and excitement:  

“Miss! Lord Zhu Yan is here!”  

“Lord Zhu Yan?”  

Sui Tan didn’t let go, still leaning against Lin Qi. Puzzled, she asked, “What’s he here for?”  

I haven’t even made a move—why is the enemy acting first?

She was baffled, and Qinglian, too, could hardly believe what she had just heard.  

Taking a deep breath, she shakily dropped the bombshell—  

The kind of news that would surely send the entire capital into an uproar once it spread.  

“This servant heard… Lord Zhu Yan is here to propose marriage!  

He’s come to ask for the Eldest Miss’s hand!”  

….

While others might quietly amass wealth, for the Jade-Faced Judge of the Underworld, it was more like quietly dropping a thunderbolt.  

Without even waiting for Lin Qi, Sui Tan—stunned by Zhu Yan’s bold move—hitched up her skirts and rushed ahead in quick, small steps toward the front courtyard.  

At that moment, the front courtyard of the Duke’s estate was packed with people.  

The reception hall, usually reserved for guests, was now bustling with activity, filled with Lord Zhu Yan’s entourage and the betrothal gifts they had brought. The scene was so lively it was as if they were ready to hang a “Celebration in Progress” sign at the gate.  

“Lord Zhu Yan!”  

Sui Tan charged in, scanning the room briefly before darting straight to Zhu Yan.  

“When is the wedding date set? I checked the almanac—three days from now is an auspicious day. Why wait? How about we settle on that day?”  

Zhu Yan had long grown accustomed to his future sister-in-law’s whimsical nature. Hearing this, he cupped his hands politely and gestured toward the Duke of Qin’s expression behind him.  

“The date is excellent, and I have everything ready for the ceremony at a moment’s notice. The only problem is… His Grace hasn’t yet agreed to this marriage.”  

“Ah…”