It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 9

The elders were excited to hear that the powerful Duke was coming to the mansion. They knew that if the Marquis of Yongwang was doing well, they would also benefit from it. However, when they heard that Shen Qing Li had dared to offend the Duke, they were terrified and rushed to the Marquis’s mansion to save themselves from her.

It was well known in the capital that the Duke, Jun Mo Ran, was not interested in women. Previously, a noblewoman from the Earl’s mansion had tried to seduce him, but her family was punished severely for her actions.

Shen Qing Li, an illegitimate daughter from another family, was already fortunate to be taken in by the Marquis’s mansion. Yet she dared to confront the Duke, risking not only her life but also implicating their lives. It was truly unforgivable.

Led by Madam Lu, a group of people arrived outside the study to request an audience. Madam Lu had even invited the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple in case the Duke got angry, so she could sever ties on the spot.

Jun Mo Ran frowned slightly and glanced at the corner where the Marquis of Yongwang stood.

The Marquis shivered and quickly bowed her head: “Is this old woman tired of living, bringing so many people here?”

The Madam Lu loudly said, “I pay my respects to Jiu Qian Sui Duke, Jun Mo Ran. Shen Qing Li is the daughter of General Shen Zhong. Our mansion took pity on her and her mother and took them in. Today, her offense against Your Highness was not our mansion’s intention. I hope you will investigate thoroughly.”

The door opened from the inside, and a man with an extraordinary appearance stood in the light, exuding an aura that made people not dare to disrespect him.

Jiang Yuying stared at him until Qian Shi pulled her to kneel; only then did she look away. She couldn’t believe there was such a handsome man in the world.

Jun Mo Ran looked down and saw the courtyard full of people kneeling. These people completely disregarded the girl’s reputation, bringing so many people just to clear their names.

“Get out!” Jun Mo Ran’s voice was cold and without emotions, causing everyone to bow their heads even lower.

Madam Lu’s heart tightened. This wretched girl had indeed made the Duke furious. Fortunately, she had made a decision early on.

Madam Lu signaled to Lu Shi (Aunt Lu, Jiang Zhi Li’s mother), who trembled and took a deep breath before stepping forward to cry and complain.

Duke Jun Mo Ran, you are wise. Shen Qing Li has never been mistreated since living in the Marquis’s mansion. Madam Lu even arranged for her, a fatherless child, to marry my son, who is to be the future heir. Now, I don’t know what dissatisfaction she has, but she wants to break off the engagement and has brought the matter to you.”

“Qing Li, the Marquis’s mansion has raised you for six years. If you feel something is wrong, you can speak up. If it really doesn’t work, you and your mother can move out of the mansion. Bringing this matter to the Duke, do you want to repay kindness with ingratitude and ruin our mansion?”

After speaking, she began to sob softly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

The elders and the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple had only heard that Shen Qing Li had offended the Duke. They didn’t know about the broken engagement and started discussing it.

“There’s less than a month until the wedding, and she’s breaking off the engagement now. This is humiliating the Marquis’s mansion!”

“How outrageous, truly ungrateful, with no sense of gratitude…”

“I heard her mother was on the verge of death yesterday. Maybe it was because of her anger.”

The discussions grew louder; each word was more unpleasant than the last. Any one of them could ruin Shen Qing Li’s reputation if it spread among others. 

Shen Qing Li stood inside the room, her hands clenched into fists and trembling. The Duke had told her to stay in the room, hoping to resolve the matter privately, but with such a scene, how could it be resolved privately?

She walked out of the room and knelt beside Jun Mo Ran.

Jiang Yuying quietly glanced up, feeling jealous. They really looked perfect together. Shen Qing Li was also very beautiful, but her usual meek behavior often made people overlook her beauty.

Now, standing tall in front of the Duke, she didn’t seem oppressed at all. Jiang Yuying was very envious.

Jun Mo Ran saw her step out and displeased him, but it was her decision, and he respected that.

He calmly scanned the crowd, and the chatter gradually subsided.

He casually said, “I am also curious. What had happened to make a girl about to get married break off the engagement and boldly seek me out? Minister Xu, you have handled many cases; analyze this for us.”

The Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple, Xu, looked up. This was his first time seeing this girl, who he heard was the daughter of General Shen Zhong. She stood quietly, letting others slander her, with eyes full of grievances yet never interrupting anyone.

He sensed that this girl was not as bad as the old lady Lu claimed.

“In such cases, it usually means the girl has suffered too much to bear it anymore, leading her to make such a decision.”

“That’s right. Shin Qing Li is normally respectful and kind to even distant relatives like us. She often gives us food and supplies, showing that she’s grateful.”

“I’ve always seen that Li and Qing Li get along well. What happened to her to disturb the Duke?”

Seeing the change in the conversation, Madam Lu was secretly furious. Did Minister Xu forget he owed a favor to the Marquis? How could he help that girl at such a time?

Shen Qing Li’s lips regained some color, and her heartache eased a bit. She glanced secretly at the person beside her. She knew she could never repay him.

From that sword on the battlefield, she already owed him too much.

Jun Mo Ran calmly said, “Though the engagement is a matter between the Marquis’s mansion and the Shen family, since Lady Shen sought me out, I must handle it.”

“I first went to the battlefield under General Shen. He was both my teacher and my friend. Now that he has sacrificed for the country, I cannot let his only daughter suffer.”

Not many people knew that Jun Mo Ran first went to the battlefield under General Shen. The attendees, having little contact with the military, were surprised that this helpless mother and daughter had a connection with such a powerful figure.

No one dared to speak again, and even the old lady Lu was stunned.

How could this be? Instead of being punished, she was being protected?

Wasn’t the Duke Jun Mo Ran known to hate women who approached him for any reason?

Jun Mo Ran lost his mother at a young age and avoided the brutal fight for the throne. After the emperor ascended, all other princes either died or were imprisoned. Only Jun Mo Ran was raised in the palace, unseen until he was sixteen years old. Until  he was suddenly sent to the border. His life seemed charmed, conquering all and earning respect from the emperor himself.

Many beautiful women had been sent to him over the years, but he had never shown interest in any of them.

What did this mean? Did he have feelings for this girl sheltered in someone else’s home?

Jun Mo Ran knew what people would think after he spoke, but he didn’t care.

He even felt a bit of unexplained anticipation.

He bent down to help Shen Qing Li up, saying, “From now on, there’s no need to kneel to me. Tell them why you want to break off the engagement.”

With that, no one dared to speak again. It seemed Lady Shin Qing Li was destined for great things.