"I was away in Nanchuan for only two months," the Third Prince said bitterly, "and Shengjing has turned upside down. I heard that the Seventh Brother was granted the title of Grand General Prince and sent to fight in the Northern Frontier. If he gains military merit..."
"It's only because Your Highness was not in Nanchuan," Qian Xingzhi said, unwilling to let the Third Prince lose heart. She had to spur him on to continue meddling in the succession struggle. "Now that the Crown Prince is confined in the palace, if you don't take the chance to pull him down, he might make a comeback."
The Third Prince hesitated. "The Fifth Brother is arrogant, but not rash enough to do such a thing. I don't believe he actually did it."
"Whether the Crown Prince did it or not is irrelevant," Qian Xingzhi said softly, coaxing him. "As long as His Majesty believes he did it, then he did it. If Your Highness hesitates, you may never have such an opportunity again."
Unfortunately, this whole drama was orchestrated by Jun Anche himself. No matter how much the Third Prince jumped around, the Crown Prince was innocent. To press the matter now was to play with fire.
The Third Prince fell silent and didn't continue the conversation. Had she pushed too hard, making her deception too obvious? Qian Xingzhi's heart skipped a beat, and she changed the subject. "Your Highness, I have raised the three hundred thousand taels you requested."
At these words, the Third Prince perked up, as if the despondent figure from moments ago were someone else. "Really?"
Then he furrowed his long brows. "How did you manage that?"
Qian Xingzhi feigned mystery. "Your servant has my own connections. If I hadn't divined that Your Highness is the most likely to ascend the throne, why would I spend my days in such fear and anxiety?"
The Third Prince snorted. "If you have such ability, why be afraid? Never mind. Just get the money to me quickly."
After leaving the Third Prince's residence, Qian Xingzhi considered visiting the Liang Mansion to probe the situation.
But on second thought, it seemed inappropriate. The marriage was as good as settled. Showing up empty-handed would be improper, but if she sent betrothal gifts now, she didn't have enough money to do Miss Liang justice. Besides, she still hoped to get the marriage annulled. However, if she didn't visit the Liang Mansion at all, it would be a slight to the Liang family and embarrass Miss Liang.
So she changed course and headed straight for the Lu Mansion.
"Big brother, I've come to collect the money," Qian Xingzhi said, waving the promissory note. "It's written in black and white; you can't deny it."
Lu Yu signaled to Yuan Bai with his eyes, and soon several servants carried out large chests.
Qian Xingzhi's "good big brother" sat in the seat of honor, leisurely sipping tea, seemingly unfazed by the three hundred thousand taels of silver. "Take it. Ten thousand taels of gold."
Qian Xingzhi swallowed. "Thank you, big brother. But I have one more favor to ask."
Lu Yu raised an eyebrow, surprised she dared to push her luck. "Speak."
Qian Xingzhi straightened up. "Since His Majesty has granted the marriage, I'll have to pay a visit to the Liang family..."
Since she'd already borrowed three hundred thousand taels, could she borrow a few thousand more?
It was too shameless. Qian Xingzhi opened her mouth but then closed it, chagrined.
Lu Yu glanced at her sideways. "What, you want me to fill out your betrothal gifts too?"
Qian Xingzhi felt guilty. "Ahem... joking. I'm worried I might be lacking in etiquette. I don't know what to prepare, so I'm asking you, big brother."
Lu Yu's smile faded. He put down his teacup, pulled out a fan from somewhere, and tapped Qian Xingzhi on the head. "Dream on."
How could she be angry with him over the marriage this morning, needing to be coaxed and coaxed before she'd relent, and now she had the nerve to ask him how to prepare? Saying she had feelings for him, always teasing and flirting with him, but in reality, she was heartless!
Qian Xingzhi weakly retorted, "I've calmed down now. Since it's His Majesty's decree, I can't make too ugly a scene. I'll first pay my respects and at least see what the lady thinks. If she's also unwilling, wouldn't that be much easier?"
He even wants to check out the lady first? Men really are no good! Lu Yu fumed inside, growing more irritated the more he heard. He had originally thought she would suffer hardships in the future, and since she had feelings for him, he felt a momentary sympathy. Now he regretted it a thousand times, but he couldn't easily go back on his word. He snapped, "You really are my good little brother! In just a few hours, you've changed your mind and want to cozy up to the Liang family."
Qian Xingzhi cried injustice. "Wasn't it you yourself who said just hours ago that this marriage must have His Majesty's own intentions? Now that I'm obediently accepting my fate, why are you blaming me?"
Lu Yu stood up, flicked his sleeve, and slapped several banknotes onto Qian Xingzhi's face. "Fine, fine, fine! In all of Nansheng, I can never out-argue you. Take the money and get the hell back to your Qian Mansion!"
With that, he turned and left without a backward glance. Qian Xingzhi scrambled to catch the fluttering banknotes. "What are you angry about! It's not like I've fallen for someone else!"
Lu Yu's figure paused, then he hurried away.
Qian Xingzhi counted them. Nine notes in total, special prints as it seemed, with astonishingly large denominations. Was he being a tsundere? Was he jealous? Could she possibly make Lu Yu fall for her?
The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly gathered the money and returned home.
The next day after court, Qian Xingzhi sent a servant to deliver a visiting card she had arranged for someone to write the day before to the Left Censor-in-Chief. After receiving the Liang family's approval, she paraded ostentatiously to the Liang Mansion with three carts full of gifts.
If you put in effort but no one notices, it's all for naught. So Qian Xingzhi deliberately went slowly, spreading the word. Not only would Jun Anche be pleased, the Liang family would gain face, and she herself would benefit somewhat.
The Liang Mansion was far more spacious and grand than the Qian Mansion. Left Censor-in-Chief Liang Shi'an treated her kindly and invited her to take the seat of honor.
But among the other family members, who were probably being polite out of collegiality, their expressions were quite sour.
Qian Xingzhi was only a fifth-rank civil official who had just been granted the lowest noble title. Although she had a backer, it was the Third Prince, a mortal enemy of the Liang family. And although she was quite handsome, she was also short. How could she be worthy of their precious pearl?
The gifts were decent, and since it wasn't a formal betrothal, it passed muster.
Qian Xingzhi was hypocritical: "I was just a commoner, favored by His Majesty to receive this lowly post. The Liang family is a noble house of integrity. To be granted this marriage by His Majesty is a great honor, and I am truly humbled."
Integrity, my foot. Lu Yu had told her the Liang family's dirty secrets. From the top, Left Censor-in-Chief Liang Shi'an, down to his sons, none of them were good. They styled themselves as a distinguished family but had secretly done many corrupt and illegal things. She wondered what Miss Liang's temper and character were like.
Now Liang Shi'an was the head of the Liang family, and since he was amiable, the others had to swallow their anger. "Lord Qian is too modest. Please summon Luming to join us in meeting Lord Qian."
Liang Luming? That was a nice name.
Although she didn't truly intend to marry, Qian Xingzhi inexplicably felt nervous.
Before long, a young girl entered gracefully from outside. She was lightly made up, with eyes as cold as a deep pool—a classic cold beauty.
"I have met Lord Qian," Liang Luming's greeting was flawless. "I've heard that Lord Qian is skilled in divination and fortune-telling. Could you cast a fortune for me?"
Her tone was neither servile nor overbearing. Qian Xingzhi couldn't tell if Liang Luming was looking for trouble or genuinely curious, so she answered seriously: "It is only when one is confused about the path ahead that one seeks guidance from gods and Buddhas. Is Miss Liang troubled about something?"
Liang Luming nodded, feigning innocence. "Concubine Su said that the Qian Mansion is humble and shabby, far inferior to our Liang Mansion, and yet His Majesty specifically ordered the eldest daughter of the main branch to marry into the Qian family. This is a slight to the Liang family, and we will be on the decline from now on."
At these words, everyone's expressions changed several times. Qian Xingzhi, however, was delighted to hear such juicy gossip and wasn't the least bit angry. "Is that so? In my opinion, Miss Liang, you are a woman of noble character. No matter what you choose in the future, you will certainly not suffer hardship."
Shifting the topic, Qian Xingzhi smiled lightly at Liang Shi'an. "To think that the Liang Mansion has such an extraordinary person as Concubine Su. I am truly enlightened."
Liang Shi'an was about to speak, his face dark, when Qian Xingzhi continued: "Today, I have specially prepared a zitan wood chessboard. I heard Miss Liang is skilled in chess. Would you honor me with a game?"
Not wanting to get involved in the Liang family's domestic squabbles, Liang Luming led Qian Xingzhi into a small pavilion in the courtyard. From afar, they could see the tense atmosphere in the main hall after they left, but with Qian Xingzhi present as an outsider, they argued in hushed tones, feeling stifled.
Qian Xingzhi had long heard about the Liang family's main branch favoring a concubine over the wife, but what Liang Luming had just done was completely unexpected. "Aren't you afraid of being punished?"
Those words had insulted Qian Xingzhi, demeaned the Liang family, and also tarnished Liang Luming's own reputation. Qian Xingzhi was certain that Liang Luming was extremely dissatisfied with this marriage. That made things easier. If they put their heads together, they might come up with a way to change Jun Anche's mind.
Liang Luming remained indifferent. "So what if I'm punished? What's one more time? Lord Qian, aren't you angry?"
Qian Xingzhi shook her head. "The Qian Mansion is indeed humble and shabby. That's the truth. I would feel bad for Miss Liang if I married you."
Liang Luming thought Qian Xingzhi was serious about playing chess and studied the board. "Lord Qian has gone to great expense. It wasn't necessary. After all..."
"After all, you don't want to marry?" Qian Xingzhi said with a smile, finishing her sentence. "That's a coincidence. I don't want to either..."
"After all, this marriage must go through."
Qian Xingzhi was dumbfounded. "...Huh?"
Liang Luming was also stunned. Her usually calm face first showed surprise, then quickly turned to irritation.
She hadn't even said she didn't want to marry, and "he" dared to say he didn't want to marry! Although she didn't think too highly of herself, she was certainly more than a match for Qian Xingzhi. She, Liang Luming, was unmatched in talent and beauty, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Who in Shengjing didn't know her name?
Qian Xingzhi quickly said, "Miss Liang, you misunderstand!"
Only then did Liang Luming revert to her "ice queen" expression. The person before her was a talented young man. Although his background was poor, he wasn't like those young masters from noble families who made her sick at first sight. Marrying Qian Xingzhi might not be that bad?
No, no. If Qian Xingzhi gained power after marriage, who knew what "he" would be like? How could she so easily entrust her future to a stranger she had met only once?
"Since that's the case, tell me: if I marry you, what advantages would I have over marrying someone else?"
Advantages? Qian Xingzhi was puzzled. She wanted to list all the disadvantages to dissuade her, but now she was being asked for advantages. Was she supposed to answer a different question?
At that moment, Qian Xingzhi suddenly realized that most women in this era were trapped by men's opinions. Although Qian Xingzhi didn't want to marry because of Liang Luming herself, she was still a daughter of the prestigious Liang family. If Qian Xingzhi didn't want to marry, it would be a great humiliation, and if word got out, it would be fatal for Liang Luming.
A peaceful annulment was almost impossible, and Qian Xingzhi certainly couldn't leave Liang Luming embroiled in a scandal of being jilted. In that case, the only way out was for Qian Xingzhi to be so despicable that even Jun Anche couldn't force the marriage, but that would be cutting off her own retreat. Qian Xingzhi didn't dare take that risk.
Was she really left with no choice but to marry Liang Luming?