Just kidding, who is Prince Yan?
The sole heir of two of the capital's most powerful families, a figure synonymous with high official rank, comparable to a prince. Moreover, he was exceptionally handsome and charming, with countless noble ladies lining up to marry him.
Take, for example, the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet not long ago. At first, not many people came, but after Yan Ling appeared, countless young ladies flocked to her, hoping to seize the opportunity to meet Prince Yan and win his favor.
Why did he suddenly take a liking to his own daughter?
Madam You couldn't believe it. She felt like she was in a dream. But she knew this was no small matter, so she immediately sent Granny Lai to find the servant. She was determined to find the Earl even if she had to turn the whole capital upside down!
However, she couldn't keep Yanling waiting, and although she was secretly overjoyed, she smiled demurely.
Prince Yan, there's no need for this. Please rise.
Logically speaking, what you are asking for is a wonderful thing, a match made in heaven, but this is something I, a woman, cannot decide.
"How about this, you go back first today, and after my master returns, my husband and I will discuss it and then send someone to your residence to report back, okay?"
Yanling was a dignified person; although she was extremely anxious, she did not force the issue.
He rose to his feet. "As Madam You has said, I will go home and await news. But my sincerity towards A-Yue is as clear as day, and I have not been dishonest in the slightest. I hope that Madam and the Marquis will grant my request!"
He bowed again before leaving.
No sooner had he left than Madam You rushed into Chu Yuan's courtyard, pretending to be stern as she questioned Chu Yuan about what had happened.
"He didn't come back all night last night. Could he have gone off to fool around with Yanling?"
Why would a family marry her after she's lost her reputation?
Before Chu Yuan could even retort, You Fangying couldn't sit still any longer. Ignoring the fact that the person standing before her was the one she feared most, the one who would flee like a mouse before a cat, she huffed and puffed.
"Madam, you are Second Sister's biological mother. How can you think such filthy thoughts about her? What if others hear this and misunderstand Second Sister?"
Even if it's just something said in one's own home, wouldn't the servants secretly gossip about it behind one's back?
If Second Sister marries the Heir Apparent one day, that's fine. But if she doesn't, how will you expect her to re-arrange a marriage?
She was eloquent and spoke from Chu Yuan's perspective in every way, never giving an inch.
This left Madam You, who wasn't very good at managing a household, completely bewildered.
Granny Lai gritted her teeth, "You little bastard, the Madam and the Second Miss are talking, what right do you have to interrupt?"
"Alright, you should say less."
This time, contrary to her usual behavior, Madam You was not angry. She just gave You Fangying a meaningful look and snorted, "You can say these things, it's no wonder Yue'er is so good to you. You should protect Yue'er like this when you're out and about, that's what makes you a truly good person."
"Of course I'll protect my second sister!" You Fangying clenched her fist tightly.
Madam You ignored her and continued with the previous topic.
Chu Yuan lowered her head and fiddled with the fabric and threads in the embroidery frame, completely calm: "Mother is really something. Before there was such a marriage, she couldn't wait for her daughter to climb up a high branch. Now that there is, she's starting to doubt me."
To be honest with my mother, I was indeed at the Yan family's house last night, but not in the way she thinks.
Lord Yan was injured while inspecting the Tongzhou military camp, and Xingwu Guard imposed martial law throughout the city to arrest rebels, so I dared not go out casually.
Those Xingwu Guards are vicious and ruthless, they never hold back. If my daughter says anything wrong and they arrest her and take her to the yamen, even if she's investigated and released, will her reputation be intact?
Upon hearing this, Madam You's mouth dropped open, and she asked Granny Lai, "Was the whole city under martial law last night? Why?"
Granny Lai's expression was indescribable. "Otherwise, why do you think the Marquis had to return last night of all times, Madam?"
Upon hearing this, Madam You understood everything and was immediately filled with lingering fear.
Yue'er is right. Xingwu Guard is the most unruly. They can arrest officials below the fourth rank without hesitation, let alone a down-on-her-luck daughter of a marquis!
He immediately forgot about any private matters and asked Chu Yuan with concern if she was frightened.
Chu Yuan shook her head. "No, I just wanted to explain to Mother that my feelings for Yan Ling and I were purely platonic and we didn't do anything inappropriate. But it's true that Yan Ling likes me and I like Yan Ling. If Father comes back, Mother will have to help mediate this marriage with the Yan family."
Madam You chuckled, "As long as Prince Yan really wants to marry you and is willing to go through all the proper formalities, your father... tsk tsk, I probably won't even need to mediate; he'll agree with both hands."
"My Yue'er is truly amazing; even Prince Yan is captivated by her charms," Madam You said with a mixture of admiration and pride.
Chu Yuan, "..."
When Fang Ying presented the five thousand taels of silver she had earned from selling raw silk to Madam You, not only Fang Ying but also Chu Yuan felt much more confident. "Mother, this money is what Fang Ying earned during this time. Please take it. And please don't use those nasty words to curse people anymore!"
Madam You stared blankly at the silver notes in her hand.
Chu Yuan continued, "This money is a gift from the two of us to you. Don't let Dad know. If he runs out of money outside, he'll be relying on me and Fang Ying to leech off him. You don't want us all to be thrown into chaos, do you?"
It's alright when I'm at my parents' home, but if something like this happens after I'm married into the Marquis's household, it would be a real joke!
These words struck Madam You like a blow to the head, bringing her back to her senses and making her fully aware of her situation.
Clutching the silver note, she said resolutely, "Mother knows, Mother won't say anything, absolutely not!"
No one knows how she has survived all these years, or the bitterness in her heart.
In order to prevent her family from losing its former glory, she pawned almost all the good things she had brought from her maiden home.
In the end, it wasn't Qingyuan Bo who felt sorry for her, but rather her two daughters, one of whom wasn't even her biological daughter, who understood her suffering and were willing to give her money to help her out.
Madam You felt a mix of emotions.
He didn't dare to even glance in You Fangying's direction.
Seeing her like this, Chu Yuan knew that the five thousand taels of silver had been spent effectively!
Madam You will definitely not make things difficult for Fang Ying again in the future.
Although the amount of money was not small, Chu Yuan did not feel it was expensive because it achieved such an effect.
A short while later, the steward announced that the Earl of Qingyuan had returned, and Madam You busied herself going to the front yard to discuss the matter of Yanling's marriage proposal with the Earl of Qingyuan.
The two sisters remained in the house.
"Fang Ying, after giving them five thousand taels, how much money do we have left?"
You Fangying said, "There are still five thousand taels left. I spent 1,000 taels on silk before, and the price of silk has increased almost tenfold in the past month or so, so the total is ten thousand taels. I gave Madam 5,000 taels..."
Thinking of those 5,000 taels, Fang Ying felt a pang of heartache.
But she wasn't stupid. She could tell that Chu Yuan gave her the five thousand taels because of her. Besides, they were both daughters of the You family. If the Earl's mansion was honored, it would also be their honor. They were inseparable.
"Fang Ying, I'd like to hear your opinion on what we should do for our next business deal," Chu Yuan asked curiously, resting her chin on her hand.
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