It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 8

Zhaohui Hall was filled with people: the second wife Qian and her daughter Jiang Yuying, the third wife Wen and her daughter Jiang Yurong, and various concubines and their children. Among the Marquis’ grandchildren, only Jiang Zhi Li was a legitimate grandson, while the rest were girls. This showed how influential Madam Lu was in the household.

Madam Lu, with a kindly face, first asked about Jiang Yingwan’s condition and then warmly said to Qing Li, “Li’er, your mother’s situation doesn’t look good. Madam Lu suggested that you and Zhi Li get married soon. If your mother is happy, she might wake up. Even in the worst case, you wouldn’t waste three years in mourning. What do you think?”

“We’ve already prepared everything for the wedding, so you won’t be mistreated.”

“This doesn’t seem right…” Jiang Yuying frowned, looking dissatisfied, but Qian pulled her back, shaking her head gently. In this household, only the legitimate wife’s children had a say.

Madam Lu glared at Jiang Yuying and quickly added, “It’s only half a month earlier; it won’t affect anything. Li’er is a filial girl, and her mother will be at peace if she marries early.”

Qing Li’s fingertips trembled with anger… such cruelty.

With her mother critically ill, they still had the heart to discuss her marriage, even mentioning mourning as a waste of time.

Her mother had given them so many good things, yet they showed no warmth in return.

They feared that if her mother passed away, Qing Li would cancel the engagement and they wouldn’t get any money so they came up with this idea.

Qing Li regretted not bringing her whip. Her voice was icy, “No, I don’t agree.”

Since they showed no kindness, she decided to confront them.

With her mother in this condition, she feared nothing.

“Grandmother, I told you last time, I want to break off the engagement. Have you forgotten?” she said coldly.

Madam Lu, not expecting the usually obedient girl to defy her, dropped her smile and sternly said, “Nonsense! This engagement was agreed upon by your mother and me. How dare you talk about breaking it off? With your mother critically ill, you still dare to mention it? You ungrateful child!”

Everyone was too scared to breathe, and the room fell silent.

Qing Li met Madam Lu’s gaze with unprecedented determination. “If I endure this humiliation and marry Jiang Zhi Li, that would be true ungratefulness. My mother always said she wanted me to be happy.”

“You…” Madam Lu slammed the table in anger. No junior had ever dared to defy her like this.

Before she could speak further, a servant reported, “Madam, the Duke is here. The Marquis wants you to prepare a banquet, and he must not be neglected.”

The room buzzed with excitement at the news; even Madam Lu’s face lit up.

The Yongwang Marquis’ household wasn’t considered prestigious in Shengjing. Although they had a title, most of the household members weren’t very capable. The highest official rank held was by the Marquis, a third-rank official at Guanglu Temple.

In recent years, they had enjoyed some prosperity due to Jiang Yingwan, Shin Qing Li’s mother, but without her, they couldn’t sustain their expenses for long.

The fact that the Duke had taken notice of the Marquis’ household made Madam Lu even more determined to have Qing Li marry into the family.

The most important thing now was to properly host the Duke.

Madam Lu, seeing the delighted faces of the women in the household, coughed lightly and said, “The Duke rarely visits. You must not be disrespectful. Go and dress up nicely. I’ll ask the Marquis if you need to join for the meal.”

Seeing Shin Qing Li still standing there, Madam Lu softened her tone, “Li’er, go back and take care of your mother. We’ll discuss the marriage tomorrow.”

“No need to discuss further, Grandmother. My mind is made up. If you insist on disagreeing, I’ll have to ask the Duke for justice.” Qing Li turned to leave.

Madam Lu panicked.

The Marquis’ household was on the verge of joining the upper class. How could they risk offending the Duke now?

“Bring her back.”

Aunt Lu, knowing the Duke’s importance, grabbed Shin Qing Li before Madam Lu finished speaking.

Several maids chased after her, pulling her back at the main hall entrance. Qing Li, trained in martial arts, easily overpowered the pampered maids, knocking them down with a few punches.

Madam Lu, anxious, said, “Quick, go get the elders. The more people, the better. We need witnesses to show that Qing Li’s actions have nothing to do with our household.”

The Duke, though unpredictable, wouldn’t make a scene in public. They could deal with Shin Qing Li later to appease him.

Shin Qing Li ran to her grandfather’s study, a place she knew well. Every month, her mother sent her with silver to offer, and her grandfather would only praise her then.

Two rows of guards in dark blue uniforms stood outside the study. Yun Sheng didn’t stop her.

The study was lavishly decorated with valuable paintings and antique vases, either gifts from her and her mother or bought with their money.

Qing Li immediately saw Jun Mo Ran standing by the desk while her grandfather fawned over a painting.

Jun Mo Ran’s expression remained indifferent, revealing no preferences.

Sensing someone approaching, he looked up as she stepped inside.

Against the light, her expression was unclear, but her disheveled appearance and the grievances surrounding her were evident.

Jun Mo Ran’s calm demeanor turned sharp, exuding authority.

The Marquis, frightened by the Duke’s sudden change, scolded Qing Li, “You blind fool, get out… If you disturb the Duke, I’ll skin you alive.”

Ignoring the Marquis’ anger, Shin Qing Li knelt before the desk, her eyes filled with tears of grievance.

Tears fell to the ground, intensifying Jun Mo Ran’s anger.

The Marquis, thinking her mother had died, rushed over to hit her, “If you want to mourn, do it far away…”

With a crash, the Marquis fell against a valuable vase.

Did he hit the wrong person?

He looked at the Duke’s face, still smiling obsequiously, trembling as he pointed at Shi Qing Li, unable to speak from the pain: It’s her, Shin Qing Li! She angered you!

“Whose skin do you want to peel?” Jun Mo Ran kicked the annoying old  man aside and found him to be irritating.

Bending down, he helped Qing Li up, his voice warm and soothing. “Don’t cry; I’m here to support you.”

The Marquis’ trembling lips fell silent, realizing something significant had happened.