It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 25

Shen Qing Li noticed Nanny Su was in distress and immediately knew something had happened to her mother.

She jumped up from the chair: “Is it my mother? What’s wrong with her?”

Madam Su hesitated but glanced at Lord Jiu Qian Sui, realizing it was inappropriate to discuss such matters in front of him.

Jun Mo Ran’s voice remained indifferent: “You all talk first; I’ll go to the backyard to fetch some things.”

Once he left, Madam Su urgently said, “Madam found out about the broken engagement and got sick from anger.”

Shen Qing Li looked worried: “How did you know, Nanny Su?”

“With the wedding day approaching, Madam urgently sent a message asking you to return home early. I thought the mountain road was still blocked and decided to delay a few days before telling her. This morning, she sent someone directly to inquire about the broken engagement.”

It turned out her mother had suspected something was wrong when she hadn’t seen anyone from the Marquis’ residence for days. With the wedding day approaching and no activity in the house, she decided to visit the front yard. Madam Lu claimed to be ill and didn’t see her, so she went to Lu’s courtyard.

No one knew what Madam Lu had said, but upon returning, your mother fell ill.

After hearing this, Shen Qing Li immediately asked Chua Hua to pack their things and went to the backyard to find Jun Mo Ran.

“Your Highness…”

“I’ve already asked Yun Sheng to prepare the carriage. The three of you can leave first. I’ll send your manor accounts later.”

Before she could speak, he had arranged everything.

“Thank you for your help, Your Highness. I will never forget it.”

Too many words of gratitude would lose their value, but she still looked into his eyes seriously, her face full of sincerity.

Jun Mo Ran’s voice was slightly hoarse: “Hmm, that’s good. Remember well, there will always be a time to repay.”

Shen Qing Li paused, not expecting him to say such a thing.

After Jun Mo Ran left the backyard first, the two came out; Yun Sheng was already at the door, and Chua Hua and Madam Su were waiting nearby.

Shen Qing Li got on the carriage and told Chua Hua and Madam Su not to tell her mother about the danger they encountered until her health improved.

They nodded. Madam Su knew that Jiu Qian Sui had not been staying with Lady Shen these days, but she still pondered.

Jiu Qian Sui seemed to treat her differently from others.

Outside the carriage, Yun Sheng whispered to Jun Mo Ran: “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will safely escort Miss Shen back. You be careful on the road.”

Jun Mo Ran responded softly, and the sound of horse hooves began.

Shen Qing Li couldn’t help lifting the carriage curtain. The figure on horseback had already ridden far away, quickly disappearing from sight.

Yun Sheng gently reminded her, and the carriage swiftly moved along the official road.

Her heart felt like it was being gnawed by ants. She wanted to ask him where he had gone, but had no reason or position to do so.

This feeling was very unpleasant.

The carriage sped along the road and arrived at the Marquis’ residence by noon. Despite Yun Sheng’s excellent driving skills, the bumpy ride left everyone looking pale.

The second-class maid Qiu Yue from Shen Qing Li’s courtyard waited at the small gate and took the bundle from Yun Sheng.

Watching him leave, Shen Qing Li ultimately didn’t ask. It wasn’t her business. She would leave once the Marquis’ residence’s matters were resolved.

… She feared getting too involved.

They walked toward her mother’s courtyard, and along the way, Qiu Yue recounted everything she knew.

Over the past few days, no one from the Marquis’ residence came to visit, so Madam started to get suspicious. Seeing that the wedding day was approaching and her daughter hadn’t returned, she went to ask the Madam Lu. Qiu Yue has a simple personality and choked up as she spoke.

“The Madam Lu spoke harshly, blaming the broken engagement on you, Lady Shen, saying that you went out to check accounts every month but suspected what you were really doing. The Marquis’ family didn’t dislike you, yet you had the nerve to break off the engagement. Who would dare to marry Shen Qing Li in the future?”

“Miss Shen, Tian Xing got slapped for speaking up for you… and your mother, Madam Yingwan, fainted from anger.”

Shen Qing Li anxiously asked, “How is my mother now?”

“We called Doctor Yang, and he said it was just an emotional outburst, not serious. She needs to rest well.”

Hearing that her mother’s health was alright, Shen Qing Li felt relieved.

As they reached the gate of the side courtyard, Tian Xing came out with a swollen face.

“Miss Shen, you’re finally back. Your mother was just called to Madam Lu’s courtyard. I couldn’t go because of my face and was worried, so I came to the gate to look for you.”

Shen Qing Li saw the clear handprints on Tian Xing’s chubby face, patted her hand, and said, “You’ve suffered. Chua Hua, come with me. The rest of you, pack our things. We won’t stay in this Marquis’ residence anymore.”

She took Chua Hua with her, disregarding the usual etiquette, and ran through the residence.

Without waiting for an announcement, she went straight into Chaohui Hall, where Aunt Lu, her mother, and the family members of the second and third families were gathered.

Jiang Yuying, who hadn’t seen Shen Qing Li for a long time, nodded and smiled at her.

Shen Qing Li nodded slightly.

“Grandmother, First Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt.” After paying her respects, Shen Qing Li turned to Jiang Yingwan, who looked at her with misty eyes and a relieved expression.

“Mother, I’m back.”

Jiang Yingwan smiled warmly and beckoned her over: “Qing Li, come here.”

Holding her hand, she examined her carefully: “You seem thinner.”

Before Shen Qing Li could speak, Madam Lu spoke in a sarcastic tone: “I heard you encountered danger while checking on the Xiangyun Cloth Shop. Nothing bad happened, right?”

Jiang Yingwan’s face filled with worry, and she tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand.

Shen Qing Li’s eyes turned cold, and she replied in a chilly voice: “It was just slippery in the rain, and I fell. It’s nothing serious. I wonder what bad things you are referring to, Aunt Lu?”

“How would I know? I was just asking. What’s with your attitude?” Aunt Lu retorted.

Grandmother Lu lightly coughed: “Yingwan, I called you here for a discussion.”

“Your father has been serving as Guangluqing for a long time. There’s an opportunity for him to advance to the third rank. If he gets promoted, your life will be better.”

Jiang Yingwan didn’t understand how this was related to her, being a widow with no connections.

Seeing her confusion, Madam Lu signaled to Aunt Lu.

Although unwilling to ask for help, Aunt Lu, pressured by her mother-in-law, awkwardly smiled: “The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is coming up. I heard that your grandfather had a precious jade that stayed cool in summer and warm in winter. If you offer this jade…”

Jiang Yingwan looked troubled. She understood but knew that the jade was a keepsake meant for Qing Li’s child as a birthday gift.

She couldn’t just give it away.

“That jade isn’t as magical as the legend says. It’s just a piece of good-quality jade.”

Hearing this, Grandmother Lu looked displeased.  Aunt Lu, losing her patience, bluntly said, “Sister, are you hesitating?”

Shen Qing Li’s mother, Jiang Yingwan, being already resentful toward Lady Lu for the broken engagement, found her aggressive attitude even more unpleasant. However, her years of upbringing made it hard for her to refuse outright.

Shen Qing Li coldly said, “First Aunt Lu is right. We are unwilling to give it.”