"I'm quite surprised that they didn't come to ask for betrothal gifts." Qin's mother took the plate handed to her by the servant and placed it in front of Qin Su. "Eat it while it's hot. I heard from Lian Tao that you haven't had much of an appetite lately."

Qin Su turned around and glared at Lian Tao, then said in a sweet, soft voice, "It's too sweet, I don't like it anymore."

Qin's mother took her hand and said, "Are you still thinking about Xue Huai'an? Susu, don't just look at appearances. That man from the Duke of Cheng's mansion is indeed outstanding in appearance, but he is too scheming and is really not suitable for Susu."

She had said this many times, but her daughter seemed to be bewitched, insisting on having Xue Huai'an.

Qin Su shook her head, "Mother, I've long since given up on Xue Huai'an."

"They certainly didn't come for a dowry, because they wanted much more."

Qin's mother was very pleased with Qin Su's current thoughts. If she still thought about Xue Huai'an, and the Duke of Cheng's mansion wanted her to go back, it would be like parents trying to separate a loving couple.

"Does SuSu know what they want?"

Qin Su smiled, and still gave him face by picking up a pastry and taking a bite. It tasted just like she remembered.

"If you don't like the taste, then don't eat it and ask the kitchen to make it again."

The Qin family only has one daughter, and they couldn't bear to let her suffer even a little bit.

"It's quite nice with tea." In her previous life, Chen Yirou had only been in the household for a short time when her parents met with misfortune one after another, so she couldn't enjoy these pastries.

Thinking of her parents, Qin Su tightened her grip slightly, and the pastry crumbled into pieces.

"What's wrong?" Qin's mother quickly rescued the pastries and wiped her hands with a soft handkerchief.

Qin Su composed herself and did not mention what Xue Huai'an wanted. Instead, she changed the subject, saying, "I was wondering if there are frequent frictions between the Yuehai Kingdom and our country's borders."

The topic jumped so drastically that even Qin's mother was stunned.

She recalled what her husband had recently mentioned and nodded. "I don't know the specifics either. You know your father handed over his military power a long time ago. His Majesty... this matter is most likely none of our business."

How can it be unrelated? In my previous life, His Majesty sent my father to lead troops into battle, and my mother followed. They disappeared during that war.

"What if—I mean, what if His Majesty sends Father with the troops?"

Qin's mother said gently, "Of course we have to go. Since we have accepted the offer of amnesty, we must bear the corresponding responsibilities."

Qin Su had nothing to say.

"Madam, Miss, the Duchess of Chengguo has come to visit," a servant announced as he entered.

Qin's mother immediately frowned and said coldly, "I won't see you."

She then looked at her daughter, scrutinizing her expression.

"Don't worry about this, I'll handle it."

Qin Su smiled; she hadn't planned to go anyway.

If the person who comes is Xue Huai'an, she might as well go.

Even if Xue Huai'an thought about it, his body must be struggling quite a bit, right?

Qin Su was conflicted. On one hand, she felt that she should have just killed him back then, but on the other hand, she felt that killing him would indeed bring a lot of trouble.

Her father and mother are still alive, but she hasn't found Nannan's father yet, and she can't go to jail for Xue Huai'an's sake.

She was not as lonely and helpless as she had been in her previous life.

...

Outside the gate of the Marquis's residence.

After the servant came out, he spoke very gently and politely to Madam Li, the wife of the Duke of Cheng, who was full of resentment, saying, "Our lady said she will not see her."

Madam Li immediately said, "We are in-laws, why won't she see us? Is it really because her daughter has done something wrong and dares not see me?"

Upon hearing this, the servant immediately frowned. "Madam of the Duke of Cheng, please watch your words. Our young lady will not be like your young master, who has been involved with other people before marriage."

"The Duchess of Cheng should leave as soon as possible. Our lady can refuse to see us if she says she will."

He slammed the door shut, completely ignoring Li's outburst.

Li was mindful that they were in public and dared not yell at anyone; she still had her pride.

But looking at the tightly closed door, she couldn't let go of her anger.

"Is this how the Marquis of Zhongyi treats his guests? I've really learned something new today." Hearing Cui Gu's words, she understood immediately and said loudly.

The surrounding people also felt that the behavior of the Marquis of Zhongyi was really bad. After all, they were in-laws before, and it was really inappropriate to make such a scene.

“Madam, let’s go back. The behavior of the Marquis of Zhongyi’s family is truly despicable. It’s better to end this in-law relationship.” Cui Gu pulled Li Shi from the side.

Li was also anxious. Outsiders thought that the Marquis of Zhongyi was trying to climb the social ladder by marrying into the Duke of Chengguo's family, but only they knew that they were the ones who needed the Marquis of Zhongyi's family.

As if hearing Cui Gu's words, Li Shi calmed down a bit and said, "Alright, Su Su has been wronged after all. If I can't see the Lady of Zhongyi Marquis today, I'll just stand outside and wait."

The gates of the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion finally opened, and Madam Li took a few steps forward, but her face immediately fell when she saw the people coming out.

Old Hu was a man in his forties, but he had fair skin and looked refined, which was hardly the image of a bandit.

"Madam Xue, our lady has already made it very clear that this marriage is off." He stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the onlookers, and spoke loudly.

“Madam, this is the steward of the Marquis of Zhongyi’s mansion. His surname is Hu, Gu Yue Hu,” Cui Gu explained to Madam Li in a low voice.

Even the Qin couple looked down on Li, let alone a housekeeper.

She snorted coldly and said, "Steward Hu, I will not make things difficult for you. This matter involves two families and we cannot let our children make a fuss. I must go see Madam Qin in person."

Old Hu remained unmoved. "Our lady does not wish to see anyone from the Duke of Cheng's mansion. This time, it is your Duke of Cheng's mansion that has wronged my young lady. This marriage cannot continue. From now on, the marriages of men and women are separate matters. Please, Madam Xue, do not harass my young lady again."

"How can this be called harassment?!" Mrs. Li immediately objected. "Besides, you keep saying my son wronged Qin Su, but my son has always been upright and would never do such a despicable thing. Without evidence, it's slander!"

Old Hu's gentle smile crumbled. "My daughter witnessed your son's rendezvous with the young lady on the night of the 18th. How could that be faked? Everyone knows that my daughter is in love with your son. If she hadn't suffered such great harm, why would she give up?"

"Our Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness has not yet asked your Duke of Cheng's Mansion for an explanation, so why are you trying to reverse the roles of the living and the dead now?"

"Without evidence, it's all baseless. I only care about evidence. As long as Qin Su comes back with me, I can let this matter go."

Old Hu felt that he was being too reasonable; some people, no, she couldn't even be called human.

Humans are reasonable; only animals are unreasonable.

"In that case, why not let the authorities investigate and see if your son did anything despicable on the 18th?"

Li felt a little guilty. Although she trusted Xue Huai'an completely, she asked Xue Qi in private and found that her son was indeed not in the mansion on the 18th.

Moreover, what if the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion takes this opportunity to smear us...? That won't do.

"Madam Xue, please leave. If you continue to insult our young lady, then we will have no choice but to personally escort you back to your residence."

His serious threat has almost become a reality.

Li was genuinely afraid they would do that, after all, there was no one reasonable in the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion from top to bottom.