Although the Hu family was deeply disappointed that Yu Yongye had chosen Shuangye over Hu Qiaohui, the matter was already settled, and there was nothing they could do but try to comfort Hu Qiaohui.

Even Hu Qiaolan, heavily pregnant, rushed back, unable to stop advising, “That Yu Xiucai is blind, completely bewitched by that vixen and doesn’t know what to do. It’s better to leave him. I’ll ask the matchmaker to find you a better one.”

Hu Qiaohui shook her head tearfully, “I only want Brother Yongye. I don’t care about anyone else, and I won’t marry him.”

“This child…” Hu’s mother sighed, “She’s really obsessed with that Yu boy. He’s going to marry Shuangye, and you still want to marry into the Yu family? Do you want to rush into becoming someone’s concubine?”

Not to mention that being a concubine was extremely shameful; since Yu Yongye didn’t like Hu Qiaohui and refused to marry her, he probably wouldn’t let her in as a concubine either.

Hu Qiaohui gritted her teeth. “If I’m going to marry Brother Yongye, I naturally have to be his legal wife.”

“Then you…”

“It’s just a marriage proposal. Even if we set a wedding date, what if Brother Yongye breaks off the engagement?”

Hu Qiaohui’s words stunned Hu Qiaolan and her mother.

Broken engagements weren’t unheard of, but they were rare unless something major happened, and the probability of that was extremely low.

This was clearly a stubborn refusal to give up!

Mother Hu wanted to offer some more advice, but Hu Qiaolan stopped her. “Qiaohui is usually gentle, but she’s stubborn. I’m afraid she won’t agree until that Yu Xiucai is married. Once she sees him again, she’ll give up.”

“These past few days, Mother and I have been helping her see if there’s anyone better. If there is, maybe Qiaohui won’t even want that Yu Xiucai anymore. Let’s not try to persuade her too much now; the more we say, the more she’ll get stuck on this.”

Mother Hu thought this made sense and nodded. “Alright.”

The mother and daughter left the room. Hu Qiaohui sat on the edge of the bed, her fingernail broken in half.

Brother Yongye will definitely break off the engagement, definitely!

—

These past few days, the He residence has been quite lively.

Although it can’t be described as bustling, people bringing gifts and visiting cards have been arriving in an endless stream, almost without interruption.

As for the reason, first, He Yanshu’s trip to Hedong was highly successful. Despite overcoming numerous hardships and dangers, he ensured that the Ministry of Revenue’s mint established there proceeded without a hitch. Coupled with his consistent diligence in handling government affairs, he was promoted from the post of Lángzhōng to acting Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue¹.

The so-called acting Shìláng of Revenue was essentially just a Shilang, but due to his young age and limited experience, he was on a trial period and would be promoted to Shilang of Revenue after a year.

Even so, it was rare for someone of He Yanxiu’s age to be promoted to acting Shilang of Revenue; in fact, he was even younger and more capable than He Chengye had been.

Such a talented young man, valued by the Emperor, naturally required courtesies and connections.

Secondly, He Yande was seriously ill and bedridden.

Although He Yande was not as favored as He Yanxiu nor as popular in court, he still held a position in the Ministry of Works and was the eldest grandson of the He family. His sudden misfortune, leaving him paralyzed for the rest of his life, meant that, out of respect for the He family, one should at least visit him. Even if one didn’t visit personally, one should at least instruct their steward or a respectable manager to send some gifts as a gesture of sympathy.

He Yanxiu and his family handled these social obligations with ease.

However, He Yande, due to his complete paralysis from the waist down, was irritable and constantly yelled and screamed, disturbing the peace of the entire courtyard.

“This morning alone, he smashed three or four bowls and dishes during just one meal, and this afternoon he broke two vases. Now even the servants are terrified of him,” Xing’an reported. He Yanxiu raised an eyebrow. “Has he been eating his meals and taking his medicine on time?”

“He’s had three meals a day and three doses of herbal medicine every day, without missing a single one. His appetite seems even better than before,” Xing’an answered truthfully. “Besides, the eldest young master sent people several times today to invite you, Second Master, to come over. Would you like to go?”

“My elder brother is very sensible, knowing that he should take good care of his health at this time.” He Yanxiu put down his painting brush. “Since my elder brother has invited me so many times, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me, as his younger brother, not to go.”

“Yes.”

Xing’an lit a lantern and went to He Yande’s courtyard under the cover of night.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard a loud “bang,” like the sound of porcelain shattering on the ground, followed by He Yande’s cursing.

“I’ve only been sick for a few days, and you’re all so perfunctory in your work? Do you think you can all bully me just because I can’t move? Guards! Drag this ungrateful servant out and beat him to death!”

Someone entered and dragged away the servant who was kneeling on the ground, trembling and begging for mercy, his head bleeding from kowtowing.

He Yanxiu entered the room. “It’s just a small matter, brother; why be so ruthless?”

When He Yande saw He Yanxiu, his eyes turned bloodshot, as if spitting fire. “Stop pretending to be a good person here! Didn’t you secretly do something ruthless behind my back?”

“That night, you let me go to protect your reputation, but you were truly resentful, so you had someone tamper with the carriage to kill me, right? Unfortunately, I was lucky; though my legs were crippled, I survived. You must be very resentful!”

He Yanxiu replied slowly. “Since returning to the capital, I’ve only gone out one night, the night I investigated the thieves who sabotaged the mines in Hedong Prefecture. Someone did escape that night. Does my brother mean that you’re involved in that matter? That you’re the one who escaped? If so, then I need to resubmit the report, and this case should be reopened.”

He Yanxiu released He Yande largely because those people wouldn’t implicate him, and he himself would be accused of framing someone.

But if He Yande confessed, it would be different.

He Yande realized his slip of the tongue and quickly stopped talking, glaring at He Yanxiu with resentment.

He Yanxiu ignored him and simply stood up. “My elder brother has summoned me several times. If it’s just about these matters, I have other things to attend to, so I won’t keep you company any longer.”

As he spoke, he turned to leave.

“Wait!” He Yande called after He Yanxiu. “I have something to tell you!”

“If it’s just trivial matters, then forget it.”

“It’s a big deal, a matter of utmost importance!”

…

When He Yanxiu emerged from He Yande’s room, a short while had passed.

The two had closed the doors and windows while talking inside, and all the servants were waiting outside.

Seeing He Yanxiu come out, Xing’an quickly draped a cloak over him. “Second Master, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” He Yanxiu looked up and asked the servant beside him, “Why isn’t my sister-in-law here?”

(End of Chapter)

---

Footnote

1. Lángzhōng was a mid-ranking official, while Shìláng was the deputy minister of a government ministry; an Acting Shìláng temporarily exercised the duties of that office.