In recent days, Ding Mujie had repeatedly told himself not to overthink things. After marrying Lin Wan, everything would head in the right direction. But now, he couldn’t help but think too much. With a heavy expression, he said, “Xiang’er, don’t rush. Start from the beginning and tell me everything that happened today. Be detailed and don’t leave out any part.”

Ding Xiang wiped her tears and recalled, “Today, I had arranged to visit Sister Lin Wan. After entering her courtyard, I saw that she was choosing jewelry to wear. All the golden hairpins and silver ones were laid out in a brocade box, looking incredibly beautiful. I couldn’t help but stare at them a bit longer and Sister Lin Wan said she would give me one.”

At this point, she hesitated a little, but seeing that her brother wasn’t angry, she continued, “I— I really liked those hairpins. I thought since Sister Lin Wan is going to be my sister-in-law, it would be okay, so I picked a silver one. Sister Lin Wan’s head maid complimented my choice, saying the piece I picked was very exquisite. Then somehow, they started talking about an heirloom golden hairpin with phoenixes that the old madam had entrusted to Aunt Shi. That golden hairpin was said to be a masterpiece, one of a kind, and even more precious than anything seen in the market, or even in the imperial palace. Brother, you know Aunt Shi is from Miaojiang and is particularly skilled in crafting silver ornaments. She also knows how to mix a solution that can make old gold and silver jewelry shine like new. Old Madam Lin handed her the hairpin to clean and it was to be returned tomorrow.”

Tears welled up in Ding Xiang’s eyes again as she choked, “I was too curious and begged Sister Lin Wan to take it out so I could see it. Brother, you have to believe me, I only wanted to look at it. I had no intention of touching it. But when the hairpin was taken out, a maid suddenly told me that the phoenix on it was made so lifelike that when worn, its wings and tail would move as if it were about to soar into the sky. When I heard that, I couldn’t resist. So I picked it up and gave it a little shake, wanting to see how the wings and tail moved. But after just two shakes, one of the wings broke off!”

Ding Xiang seemed deeply frightened that her crying became so intense she could barely breathe. “I— I was anxious, but I wasn’t too worried at first. I thought I could simply pay the old madam for it. But then, Sister Lin Wan’s maids told me that the golden hairpin was a treasure passed down from the old madam’s family, said to bless the entire family with smooth marriages and lifelong fortune. It had been passed down through nine generations and after the old madam passed, it was meant to be returned to her family for further generations. It held extraordinary significance.”

“When I heard that, I was terrified and didn’t know what to do. Brother, you have to believe me— if I had known how important that hairpin was, no matter how curious I was, I never would have touched it.” Her tone softened a bit, “Luckily, I still had Sister Lin Wan to protect me. She immediately put the hairpin back into the box and told me to go home quickly, acting as if nothing had happened. She said she would go to the old madam to take the blame for me. Two maids quietly escorted me to the side gate, sighing the whole way with gloomy faces. I already felt guilty, so I asked them what would happen to Sister Lin Wan. They said Sister Lin Wan was never favored by Old Madam Lin, and this time it would be even worse. Punishment under the family law was inevitable. Fortunately, she would be getting married soon, so enduring half a year of the old madam’s coldness wouldn’t be too bad.”

Ding Xiang rubbed her eyes and continued, “My heart was in knots. Sister Lin Wan is going to be my sister-in-law, so how could I let her bear the blame for me? The old madam is her family, and even after marriage, she would still need to fulfill her filial duties. If their relationship soured, how awkward would it be for Sister Lin Wan at her family’s home? But I’m different. I’m just an outsider. Even if the old madam disliked me, it wouldn’t really affect me. So, I turned back and personally went to the old madam to confess.

The old madam was furious, scolding me for being from a small family, envious of other people’s precious things. She even blamed the general for choosing our family as in-laws, saying how disgraceful it was. I was so ashamed I wished the ground would swallow me whole. Sister Lin Wan didn’t dare say a word. Then, Miss Lin came in and took a look at the hairpin. She said that the number nine represented the ultimate limit. Any object passed down for nine generations had already exhausted its spiritual energy and it was fated that it couldn’t be passed down further. She said that I was merely the instrument of fate and it had nothing to do with me.”

At this, Ding Xiang finally stopped crying, feeling grateful. “Old Madam Lin has always loved Miss Lin and firmly believes in Buddhism and fate. After hearing Miss Lin’s words, she immediately calmed down, no longer angry, and didn’t punish us. She just sighed and sent me out of the Lin family’s residence. But I still feel terribly guilty. After this incident, the old madam will definitely look down on our family and belittle you, Brother. In the end, I’ve caused trouble.”

Madam Ding quickly embraced Ding Xiang, comforting her for a long time before sighing. “I didn’t expect Miss Lin to be so kind. If it weren’t for her stepping in today, how could you and Wan’er have gotten off so easily? From now on, you mustn’t speak ill of Miss Lin again. You’ll also need to thank her in person. As for Wan’er, she did well too. She protected you at a critical moment. When she marries into our family, you must respect her and listen to her.”

“I understand, Mother. Miss Lin is a good person. I was wrong about her before. Sister Lin Wan is even better, like my own sister!” After this incident, Ding Xiang’s view of Lin Dan had improved and her admiration for Lin Wan grew even more.

Ding Mujie patted his sister’s head, offering a few words of comfort. But after returning to his study, he sat by the window, lost in thought. His eyes flickered with complex, unreadable emotions. He sat there from daylight until late into the night before finally rising, his silhouette appearing unusually weary.

———pr


The next day, he spent a fortune on a century-old ginseng to bring to the Lin family’s residence as an apology. Though he was privately grateful to Lin Dan, he didn’t dare meet her, instead sending his sister to the back courtyard to thank her personally. As they left the Lin family’s residence, Madam Ding quietly asked if he wanted to see Lin Wan. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he unexpectedly refused.

After returning home, he immersed himself in studying for the upcoming imperial examination, while also carefully preparing for the wedding. However, after two months of calm, he was hit by a new shock. Lin Wan had been abducted by bandits while offering incense at the temple. Fortunately, Prince Kang had passed by and saved her. But during their escape, they both fell off a cliff and weren’t found until one day later.

The fact that an unmarried woman had spent a night in the wilderness with a man was enough to stir scandal. After they were rescued, Prince Kang, to protect Lin Wan’s reputation, offered to take her as a concubine. If he didn’t already have a wife, he might have even married her with full ceremonial honors.

The Lin family naturally refused and Lin Wan herself didn’t want to become a concubine. After returning home, she fell ill. But Ding Mujie’s mother felt as though a thorn had been lodged in her heart after hearing the news. Lin Wan’s reputation had been ruined. Marrying her wouldn’t help her son’s career but would instead make him the subject of ridicule in the capital. Moreover, with Prince Kang showing interest in Lin Wan, marrying her would mean opposing Prince Kang, which would be disastrous for her son’s future……

Madam Ding mulled it over repeatedly, convinced that withdrawing from the engagement was the best solution for their family. She went to discuss it with her son, knowing full well that he had admired Lin Wan since childhood and had long considered her his wife. If circumstances allowed, she too would have wanted to see them happily married, living out their lives together. But in light of the current situation, the Ding family simply could not hold on to this engagement any longer.

If they didn’t withdraw, people would say her son was willing to endure disgrace just for the Lin family’s power. If they did withdraw, others would call him heartless and ungrateful. No matter what choice he made, he would be criticized. But being called heartless was at least better than being branded a coward. A man could afford to be heartless, but lacking dignity would only make him despised.

With that in mind, Madam Ding’s expression grew more resolute. Yet before she could speak, the utterly exhausted Ding Mujie spoke first, “Mother, I’ll go to the Lin family’s residence and see Lin Wan. We can talk about breaking off the engagement after I return. Please don’t worry.”

In just two short days, her son had become so gaunt that it wrenched at Madam Ding’s heart. Not wanting to burden him any further, she nodded and said, “Alright, I won’t rush you. Do whatever you think is best.”

Ding Mujie gave a faint smile, though his eyes were particularly dim.

———pr


That afternoon, Ding Mujie prepared some gifts and made his way to the Lin family’s residence. General Lin, feeling guilty towards him, agreed to his request for a private visit with Lin Wan, even though it was somewhat inappropriate by traditional standards.

It was the first time Ding Mujie would visit Lin Wan’s inner chambers, but there was no trace of excitement or joy in his heart. As he walked, his mind was full of heavy thoughts, and his expression was so grim that the maid guiding him didn’t even dare to breathe loudly. She couldn’t help but notice how much Young Master Ding had changed. The once refined and gentle Young Master Ding, who had always been so easygoing, now carried a commanding presence that made others wary of approaching him.

“Young Master, Miss is inside. Please, go ahead.” One of the maids said as they carefully lifted the bamboo curtain.

Without a word, Ding Mujie entered and was greeted by the sight of Lin Wan, frail and emaciated, lying on the bed. For a brief moment, he felt disoriented, as if time had shifted. In their past life, she had looked just like this when Prince Kang had abandoned her. His old habit kicked in and he reached for her hand only to have her pull away, which made him smile wryly.

“You’re here to break off the engagement, aren’t you?” Lin Wan turned her head, sounding utterly defeated.

Ding Mujie stared at her intently, not missing a single shift in her expression. “No. I came to tell you that as long as you’re determined to marry me, no matter what others say or how much pressure Prince Kang applies, I will still take you as my wife. Rest assured, as long as I am willing, the general and madam will not allow you to marry anyone else— not even a prince.”

Lin Wan turned to face him, her expression pained. “But my reputation is already ruined, don’t you care at all?”

Ding Mujie shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. No matter what has happened, I will marry you, and I will cherish you and take care of you— unless you no longer wish to marry me. Wan’er, what do you think? Are you still willing to marry me?”

As he asked this, Ding Mujie couldn’t help but think that this was the question he should have asked her himself in their past life.

Tears welled up in Lin Wan’s eyes as she choked out, “Of course I’m willing, but look at me now. How could I possibly have the face to marry you? If you do, people outside will only mock you.”

Her words were full of concern for her fiancé, without a thought for herself. Ding Mujie should have been moved. He should have felt a swell of emotion as the old him would have. Back then, this would have brought him to tears. But the Ding Mujie of today was no longer that young man. He was the Grand Chancellor, who had navigated the treacherous waters of court politics for decades, wielding power as easily as he commanded the winds and rains.

He gazed at Lin Wan and spoke slowly, “No matter what people say, as long as you’re willing to marry me, I’ll marry you. Wan’er, since you’ve agreed, I’ll go speak to General Lin and move up our wedding date. In three days, I’ll come to your home with an eight-carriage wedding procession to bring you back.” With that, he stood to leave.