Chapter 14

Su Ci immediately noticed Aunt Yan’s subtle change in attitude, which resulted in unrest among the people. At this moment, she was squatting at the base of the wall in the west wing of her house. She pointed upwards, and Su Yan understood. She glanced around, took a few steps back, and with a light leap, she was on the roof. Su Ci would have clapped her hands if she hadn’t been planning to eavesdrop.

Su Yan reached out and pulled Su Ci up. The sisters lifted a tile and hid in the shade, eavesdropping on Su Rong and Aunt Bai inside.

“What happened to you today?” Aunt Bai lowered her voice. “Didn’t you see Mrs. Chen’s face? Usually, you’re so sensible. What happened today?”

Aunt Bai wasn’t very smart, but she had the wisdom of a small person. Her usual behavior was indeed annoying, but she knew that making a fuss was harmless. After all, Su Di was her cousin, and she had a pair of children. Small quarrels were fine. If Mrs. Chen was unhappy, she could only hold it in. It was best if she couldn’t hold it in and joined the quarrel, making her cousin tired of her over time.

Yes, Aunt Bai had given up. After all, in more than ten years, Su Di had never entered her room once.

Aunt Bai’s pride in life was her pair of children, a boy and a girl, born with good fortune. Her son was the only heir of the Su family, incomparable to Lin Yichu, the adopted son from outside. Her eldest daughter was intelligent, steady, elegant, and beautiful—a model of a proper young lady. The girls in the main house were noisy and couldn’t compare to her daughter, who only had a good title. But today, Su Rong, who usually handled things with perfect propriety, did something that Aunt Bai found extremely foolish.

“You, you, how can I put this! No matter how good you are, Mrs. Chen will decide on your marriage. Your father listens to her. If she wants to cause trouble, it will be a big problem! Tomorrow, you should visit your father while he’s at home. And you should distance yourself from Aunt Yan. You can’t be so attentive anymore…”

“No!”

Aunt Bai’s nagging was interrupted by Su Rong, who was sitting by the kang table. She turned to her astonished mother, “Mother, you don’t understand.”

Not only should she not distance herself from Aunt Yan, but she should also be even more attentive. Yes, Su Rong was very sensitive to these matters. Along with Su Ci, she was one of the first to notice Aunt Yan’s subtle change in attitude!

Su Rong clenched her handkerchief. She still felt a sense of unreality, but she knew this was the best opportunity!

No one knew better than their own families how excellent and strong Yang Yanzong was. Being an illegitimate daughter, Su Rong could never find a more outstanding husband than Eldest Yang, even if her father was reinstated!

So, when she sensed Aunt Yan’s intentions, she didn’t hesitate and seized the opportunity without delay. Even though she knew her stepmother thought she was overstepping, she persisted.

Su Rong whispered in Aunt Bai’s ear, “Aunt Yan is thinking of changing the engagement.”

Though she couldn’t hear the response, the next moment, Aunt Bai exclaimed, “Really?!”

“Yes.”

“Mother, keep your voice down.”

“Oh, oh…”

Aunt Bai suppressed her excitement and lowered her voice, “But, but, what if she changes her mind halfway through? Then what will we do…”

“She won’t.” Su Rong shook her head confidently. She didn’t know why Aunt Yan suddenly had this idea, but she understood her well enough to know that when Aunt Yan set her mind on something, she was determined to see it through. This could very well happen!

More importantly, Su Rong had also sensed from Su Ci’s reaction that she seemed willing. Mutual consent—this was a rare opportunity.

Su Rong couldn’t understand why, but she decided not to dwell on it. The reason didn’t matter; what mattered was that the opportunity had presented itself, and she had to seize it.

“Mother, you mustn’t let anyone know about this. Just pretend you don’t know.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I know what’s important. I won’t joke about your reputation.” Some things could be done but not said, even if everyone knew. They had to maintain a facade of propriety, and Aunt Bai understood this.

Aunt Bai was overjoyed. She had long been resentful of the Yang family’s engagement, but she could do nothing about it. Now, fortune had smiled upon her.

“Good, very good. Think carefully. Should we visit the other courtyard tomorrow? Isn’t Aunt Yan there for worship?”

Su Ci let go of the branch, letting it snap back, and she and Su Yan quietly slid along the wall, through the half-withered flower bushes, back to their room.

Eavesdropping hadn’t been easy. It wouldn’t have gone so smoothly if Su Ci hadn’t scouted the area beforehand. Back in their room, the sisters brushed off the debris from each other’s heads and bodies. Su Yan pouted, “They sure have grand plans!”

Su Yan saw the west wing as the enemy and would seize any chance to strike. But this time, their accidental discovery had resolved their immediate crisis. One should know that Su Yan has been worrying herself sick lately, unable to come up with a good solution.

Su Ci removed her shoes, got on the bed, grabbed a pillow to hug, and threw one to Su Yan: “It’s great that it can be resolved!”

What more could you ask for?

Su Yan: “That’s true.”

The matter of the engagement wasn’t a small thing, but it wasn’t huge either. Initially, the fathers of both families had agreed to marry their children and exchanged a jade pendant as a token. Since the discussion started because of Yang Yanzong’s marriage, it was undoubtedly him who was engaged. However, on the Su family’s side, because Su Yan was quite unconventional and always talked about finding a husband to join her family, Father Yang subtly indicated that she might not be a good match for Yang Yanzong. So, it was tacitly agreed that it would be her younger sister, Su Ci. Both Su Di and Father Yang understood this, but it was never explicitly stated which of Su Yan’s sisters was engaged.

Su Ci had always known about this loophole. It was the only thing she could rely on, but even though she knew, she couldn’t make a fuss about it because everyone, including Yang Yanzong himself, assumed it was her.

She never intended to offend Yang Yanzong. But now, she didn’t have to rack her brains anymore.

Su Ci stretched her back, “Sister, give me a massage. I’m exhausted.” After standing for Aunt Yan and sneaking around to eavesdrop, her back was killing her. She didn’t even need to do anything; she just had to wait. After all, according to the original book, after “she” died, it was Aunt Yan who facilitated Su Rong to take over the engagement. Whether it was her or Su Rong, they were proactive and quickly agreed. She could just comfortably play the role of an innocent victim, hehe.

Su Yan cursed but still resigned to giving her lazy sister a back massage: “You only stood for a little while, and you’re already complaining about pain!”

“Just a little while? We stood for almost an hour!”

They had been standing behind Mrs. Chen for as long as Aunt Yan had been there. She had timed it—an hour, which was two hours. Wasn’t that long enough?!

Su Ci regretted not going to the pharmacy earlier. But then again, if she had gone, she wouldn’t have gotten the first-hand information.

“Alright, alright, stop complaining. Let me tell you something serious!”

Su Yan became serious. She knocked several times and pulled her sister up, asking earnestly: “If this works out, the engagement will be truly over?”

Are you sure you won’t regret it?

Everyone feared Yang Yanzong; he was cold, but no one could deny his excellence. At his age, most young people were still working under their fathers, but he had already made a name for himself, excelling on the battlefield and navigating the political landscape like a wolf. If you miss this chance, it will be hard to find another like him. If Su Ci gave him up, she would most likely marry someone less outstanding in the future.

Su Ci almost hurt her back when her sister pulled her. She yelped a few times, and Mrs. Chen, who was packing Su Di’s clothes in the main room, heard and asked loudly. Su Ci quickly said it was nothing. The sisters then rechecked the doors and windows. They had just been eavesdropping and didn’t want anyone to overhear them.

Sitting cross-legged back on the kang, Su Ci became serious too. She shook her head: “No, I can’t handle a man like him.”

Indeed, Yang Yanzong was an extremely outstanding person, especially since Su Ci knew his ultimate achievements. He was ruthless enough to make one’s heart tremble, but no one could deny his charm. But Su Ci had no interest in managing such a man. Too exhausting!

In the original book, it was written that Su Rong struggled until she was seventy or eighty years old to win his heart. After some time interacting with him, Su Ci believed it. Even though she had become somewhat familiar with him, Yang Yanzong remained as concise and indifferent as ever, not much different from before. Actually, Yang Yanzong had no feelings for her at all. He was probably satisfied with this fiancée. But that was all. Su Ci wasn’t a narcissist; she understood that this satisfaction was perhaps similar to being satisfied with the choice of a wife.

This man’s ambitions were too great. Whether he could accommodate romantic feelings was another matter. As his status rose, he could easily obtain more treasures and beauties, and a house full of concubines would be very annoying. The female lead’s life in the original book was something she had no interest in experiencing.

Su Ci’s eyes sparkled: “I’m doing great now. Who would want to stick with a man? If he doesn’t let me go out after we get married, I’ll be so miserable!”

She wanted to be a salted fish, not a canary. This was a man who walked on the edge of a knife. Winning him over was too difficult, and living with him was too thrilling. She had no desire for that. She preferred to focus on research and medicine, living a relaxed life with enough status. She had thought about the future. Even if Su Rong married Yang Yanzong, she wasn’t afraid of the main house’s suffering. Throughout history, filial piety has been paramount. A single word of filial piety could suppress Su Rong. The relationship between the Su and Yang families wasn’t maintained because of her; their deep ties meant her marriage would only be the icing on the cake. Yang Yanzong would never allow Su Rong to disrespect Mrs. Chen, let alone indulge her. It would take years for Su Rong to win his heart. Of course, Su Ci wouldn’t leave all the initiative to others. She was confident in her medical skills. If she succeeded in researching penicillin, she and the main house would be secure.

“Sister, don’t worry. I’ve thought it all through.”

Su Ci winked at Su Yan, and the sisters decided to pack up and head to the pharmacy. Being optimistic, Su Yan thought it was a good idea and started listing things, “How about Lin Yichu? Lin Yichu is pretty good, too.”

Their parents had raised him since he was young, so they knew his character well. It was better to keep things within the family!

Su Yan agreed with Su Ci’s principle of not sharing toothbrushes or men, “If he dares to mess around, I’ll castrate him!”

Su Ci laughed heartily. Su Yan was the first girl she had heard make such bold statements, and it was so refreshing!

“Alright.” Lin Yichu, huh? A steadfast and considerate big brother, not bad at all!

Su Ci’s eyes sparkled, and as she made a sharp turn, the sisters almost collided with someone. The person stopped just in time, and luckily, they didn’t bump into each other. Su Ci, still shaken, patted her chest and heard him say, “Castrate what?”

Su Ci blinked: “Castrate chickens. Mother said she wants to raise some chickens in the backyard, but the ones we caught are all roosters. Mother said to find someone to castrate them so they won’t crow and make noise when they grow up.”

Yang Yanzong nodded indifferently.

The sunlight was just right today, and Su Ci’s clear, bright eyes sparkled. She smiled, a small dimple appearing at the corner of her lips, looking calm and cheerful: “You’re back? Then we’ll head to the medical camp first?”

“Go ahead.”

The sisters quickly made their escape.

Around the corner, Su Yan gave her sister a thumbs up. She had been scared to death just now, her heart jumping to her throat, blocking her words.

But her sister was amazing, lying without blushing or skipping a beat.

Su Ci: “…” Ah, that didn’t sound like a compliment!

“Alright, alright.”

The sisters exchanged a knowing glance and didn’t mention the topic again. They hadn’t heard the whole conversation earlier, so they weren’t too worried. But the more they talked, the more likely they would slip up. Su Ci couldn’t let Yang Yanzong know she was secretly planning to break off the engagement. Otherwise, it would be a big trouble.

Su Ci gave her sister a sly smile and pulled Su Yan forward, and they ran lightly together, letting her be an innocent victim of a stolen marriage.

So, did Su Ci finally get what she wanted?

Su Ci only guessed the beginning; she didn’t guess the result at all.

…

In mid-October, Aunt Yan moved into her villa in the western suburbs.

The snow hadn’t come down yet, but it was already freezing for the nobles in Suiping City, and many families moved into their hot spring villas. This small hot spring villa under Aunt Yan’s name was a reward from the princess the year she gave birth to the heir. Of course, as a concubine, she couldn’t come out to soak in the hot springs alone, so she used the name of worshiping Buddha. The year before last, Aunt Yan invited a small golden Buddha into the villa, so she would come out to worship Buddha every winter and generally return to the mansion by the New Year.

“If only this child could stay by my side often.” Aunt Yan had phoenix eyes and raised eyebrows, a character like Wang Xifeng, with a strong desire for power. She couldn’t show it in the prince’s mansion, but she revealed it entirely in front of the women of the Yang and Su families.

With one having the intention and the other having the desire, Su Rong easily won Aunt Yan’s heart, and she became increasingly satisfied with her.

Aunt Yan glanced at Su Ci, who slowly bowed: “Aunt is right.”

No matter how Aunt Yan approached her, Su Ci always responded with such phrases, looking dull. However, occasionally, her eyes would move flexibly, a small action that people who were dull for years could never learn.

Aunt Yan understood in her heart that this girl was definitely not as dull as she appeared, but the other party was respectful and polite, answering every question without a single mistake.

Su Ci, this soft nail, just standing there made her uncomfortable. She would never be happy to see her most promising nephew marry such a girl.

So, with Su Ci’s secret instigation, Aunt Yan quickly decided.

Only Mrs. Chen was unhappy, but the Su sisters soon persuaded her. Her daughter shed a few tears and finally even brought up Lin Yichu, and she couldn’t hold on anymore, “Fine, fine, do as you wish.”

Yang Yanzong was indeed an excellent and satisfactory son-in-law, but she still wanted to keep her daughter at home. Actually, regarding Lin Yichu, the couple initially had this plan. They had two daughters, and either one of them would be fine. Yichu was a good child who grew up under their watch, and their daughter could stay by their side. Unfortunately, the plan couldn’t keep up with the changes. She had only given birth to these two daughters in her lifetime, and this situation hit her right in the heart.

So, everything was ready. Only the east wind was missing. Strictly speaking, Su Ci didn’t do much, but she never expected Yang Yanzong to be so sharp. He didn’t even understand the cause and effect, but based on the speed of progress, he concluded that her instigation must have been behind it.

…

On this day, the overcast sky cleared up, and Aunt Yan invited their family to play in the villa. While they were bored, a maid suddenly came in and reported that Yang Yanzong had come to greet Aunt Yan.

Aunt Yan’s eyes lit up immediately, “Quick, let him in!”

The tall, pale figure walked in with a stride, and Aunt Yan couldn’t stop smiling, “Get up, sit down, please sit.”

Then the maid said, “The eldest and second young ladies rarely come and haven’t gone for a walk. You take them for a walk. They might be tired of listening to us talk.”

Su Ci’s heart moved slightly, and she exchanged a slight glance with her sister. It’s happening!

Sure enough, they hadn’t even left the courtyard gate when they heard a slight exclamation inside. The maid spilled tea and wet Mrs. Chen’s clothes, and Mrs. Chen also went out.

Yang Yanzong raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Alright, I have something to tell you.”

Aunt Yan smiled and waved her handkerchief, instructing Su Rong, who stood beside her, “Clumsy thing, Third Miss, go serve tea to the young master!”

Su Rong lowered her head slightly, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, but she was nervous inside. She was a little afraid of Yang Yanzong, but when she walked toward this man with the tea, she couldn’t help but feel excited.

The man in front of her was leaning slightly on the armchair, with one hand resting on the high table, looking relaxed, but his imposing manner was not diminished at all. He glanced at her lightly, and Su Rong’s hand tightened, but the teacup remained steady. She held the tea, lowered her head slightly, and walked to Yang Yanzong’s side, “Eldest Young Master.”

Yang Yanzong’s gaze fell on the teacup in her hand. The tea Su Rong served today had some significance. It was lotus leaf tea, and in the capital and Yangdu, there was a custom of serving lotus leaf tea when an engagement was successfully arranged. The homophonic “heye” meant “harmonious career” and symbolized prosperity.

Aunt Yan said happily, “Third Miss understands me best. To marry a virtuous wife, you need to find someone dignified and virtuous,” thinking of Su Ci, she pouted unhappily, “Those who are dull and inconsistent, whether they can be good wives and mothers is a problem.”

“When your parents return, I’ll tell them this marriage is more suitable for Third Miss…”

Actually, at the beginning, no one placed the obstacle on Yang Yanzong.

It wasn’t that his opinion wasn’t necessary, but that this man wouldn’t care whether the engagement was with the Su family’s second or third young lady.

When Father Yang told him about the engagement with the Su family, he just nodded and didn’t even have any interest in looking at his fiancée.

So Aunt Yan was confident, chattering happily, “Eldest Young Master, what do you say?”

Yang Yanzong: “The Su family has no objections?”

Aunt Yan smiled, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.” It wouldn’t affect the relationship between the two families, and Mrs. Chen had tacitly agreed.

Yang Yanzong’s eyes darkened. He held the lotus leaf tea, the lid scraping the bowl lightly. The slight sound made Su Rong’s heart jump to her throat. For some reason, this man’s aura suddenly gave her a bad feeling.

A sharp light flashed in Yang Yanzong’s eyes, but when he looked up, his eyes were as deep as water. He didn’t drink the lotus leaf tea and casually placed it on the table. With a “snap,” the cup moved, and water spilled. He said lightly, “I don’t agree.”

The gloom gathered in his eyes, and he didn’t even glance at Su Rong, whose face had turned pale. He made the final decision, and Aunt Yan was shocked and tried to persuade him. He glanced at her lightly, his eyes dark and sharp, as if looking through her, but the look quickly disappeared. He didn’t waste any words, said a few sentences, and left.

Yang Yanzong walked out quickly, catching a glimpse of Su Rong’s bloodless, pitiful face. He sneered coldly, but his chest was filled with an indescribable anger.

How sharp he was!

Based on the clues from these two visits to the villa and in such a short time, Mrs. Chen’s tacit approval of this matter must have been due to Su Ci’s instigation!

The sly smile of that girl flashed before his eyes. At first, she pretended to be timid in front of him, but later, when she couldn’t keep up the act, she revealed her true colors. Was she trying to avoid his attention? She must have been planning to break off the engagement from the beginning!

Good, very good!

Yang Yanzong laughed in anger, mounted his horse in one step, and pulled the reins heavily. The horse neighed and leaped out.

…

Su Ci and her sister were feeling frustrated. In front of the small villa was a hunting ground, but the sisters had no interest in hunting. After riding the horses for a while, they got off and found a long green flower bush by the creek to hide and talk quietly. They vaguely heard the sound of horse hooves at the villa gate. The sisters quickly stood up to find out what was happening. Someone grabbed Su Ci’s shoulder from behind just as they stood up. She was startled and turned around to see Ji Chengtang’s face.

His forehead was still wrapped in bandages, with a scab faintly visible underneath. This guy had sneaked out before his injury healed.

Su Ci was shocked, and Su Yan reacted quickly, pushing her shoulder against him and grabbing his hand, “What are you doing here?!”

The sound of horse hooves approached rapidly. Su Ci felt a piercing gaze, and her heart suddenly raced. She slowly turned her head.

It was Yang Yanzong. He was looking down from his horse, his eyes cold and sharp like the calm before a storm. Su Ci’s hair stood on end.

Yang Yanzong didn’t even glance at the entangled Su Yan and Ji Chengtang. He stared coldly at Su Ci, “You don’t want to marry me?”

His voice was as cold as the core of the frozen Antarctic, sending a chill from her spine to the top of her head.

Su Ci shivered. Oh my!