Volume One, Chapter One: He Is Not Marrying You

“Miss, the top scholar has arrived to propose marriage!”

At that moment, Ye Yuntang was digging under a tree to unearth a jar of top scholar’s wine buried five years ago when her maid Sangzhi hurried over, breathless with the news.

Ye Yuntang paused, a faint trace of joy touching the corner of her lips. “Five years... he has finally come to fulfill his promise.”

Sangzhi’s heart tightened.

“Wait for me to dig out the wine, then we shall go to the main hall,” Ye Yuntang signaled for Sangzhi to help.

“Mi-Miss...” Sangzhi hesitated.

“What is it?” Ye Yuntang asked, puzzled.

Biting her lip, Sangzhi said resentfully, “He’s not here to marry you, but the Second Miss.”

It struck Ye Yuntang like a thunderclap. After a long moment of steadying her nerves, she clenched her fists and headed to the main hall.

“Brother Zimu, from now on we’ll all be family. Since you’ll have to call someone soon anyway, why not change now?”

“Father, mother.”

“Ah!”

Upon entering, Ye Yuntang saw her stepsister Ye Feiyao clinging affectionately to Xue Zimu’s arm, coaxing him to change his words quickly.

The young man, dressed in splendid brocade, without hesitation complied.

Her father and stepmother each wore a smile brighter than the last.

Those glaring smiles stabbed at her already wounded heart...

Such harmony, as if they alone were truly a family.

Suppressing the pang in her chest, Ye Yuntang carried the jar of top scholar’s wine inside.

The atmosphere instantly fell silent at her entrance.

“What is the meaning of this...”

Ye Yuntang stood firm, eyes fixed on the pair before her.

“Didn’t Brother Zimu tell you?” Ye Feiyao snapped impatiently.

“Tell me what?”

Ye Yuntang feigned ignorance.

“Isn’t it obvious? Brother Zimu is now my fiancé!”

Ye Feiyao declared with a coquettish tone, tugging Xue Zimu’s arm possessively.

Ye Yuntang turned to Xue Zimu, accusing, “You swore before, yet now you hide from me and break your engagement. Why do you treat me like this?”

Five years ago, his father brought a concubine to their door.

Her mother, unable to bear the blow, took her own life in her chamber. On her deathbed, unwilling to leave her daughter behind, she chose a gentle and refined scholar from the mansion’s attendants—Xue Zimu.

Admiring his character and learning, her mother had arranged their marriage early.

Though Xue Zimu came from a humble background, he was willing and knelt before her mother to swear an oath: once he became the top scholar, he would come to claim her hand.

“Yuntang, we were too young then to understand marriage. Now I know the one I truly love is Feiyao; you have only ever been like a sister to me.”

Xue Zimu’s face remained calm and warm, as always.

He stood tall and dignified, no longer the destitute scholar who once depended on others.

Ye Yuntang stared at him steadily. “Do you dare say that again, looking me in the eye?”

Ye Feiyao, feeling guilty and panicked, quickly pulled Xue Zimu between them and shouted, “He’s told you already—he doesn’t like you. Why do you persist shamelessly?”

Smack!

Ye Yuntang struck Ye Feiyao across the face.

“You’re insane!”

Xue Zimu immediately shielded Ye Feiyao in his arms, glaring coldly.

“Yes, I am insane! You and your mother are the shameless ones, always stealing other people’s men! Are all the men in this world dead? You and your mother insist on devouring what’s left behind!”

Ye Yuntang trembled uncontrollably, not out of love for Xue Zimu, but out of sorrow and indignation for her mother.

“Ye Yuntang, have you made enough of a scene?”

Ye Xiang slammed his palm on the table, sending tea cups flying.

Ye Yuntang shuddered, her heart pierced with agony.

This vast Prime Minister’s mansion was a den that devoured people without leaving bones, ruining her mother’s life and now tormenting her.

Her stepmother Wang, who had said nothing, finally rose and spoke, “Yuntang, now that things have come to this, you should settle down. From now on, we are all family...”

“Who wants to be family with this wicked couple!”

With that, Ye Yuntang slammed the door and left.

“Zimu, go explain things properly to her. Don’t let her misunderstand and act against the mansion’s interests.”

Wang hurriedly instructed.

Ye Feiyao anxiously clung to Xue Zimu’s sleeve, refusing to let go. “Why should Brother Zimu explain to her? Who does she think she is?”

Wang shot a cold glance at her, and Ye Feiyao immediately released her grip.

Xue Zimu smiled tenderly at Ye Feiyao and said softly, “Feiyao, now that this has come to a head, it must be resolved. I will make things clear to her today and never let her interfere with us again.”

“She’s so strange and solitary. Can you really persuade her?” Ye Feiyao sneered.

“Trust me.”

Xue Zimu solemnly took Ye Feiyao’s hand.

Soon, Ye Feiyao melted into the depths of his affectionate gaze and nodded.

Watching Xue Zimu leave, Wang stood and reproached, “Our mansion still relies on your sister. Don’t throw childish tantrums!”

Hearing that, the Prime Minister finally left satisfied.

To him, nothing else mattered but his career!

Whether he could remain standing depended on the usefulness of these two daughters...

Xue Zimu hurried to the Tangli Courtyard.

He grabbed Ye Yuntang’s wrist and dragged her into the room.

“Let go!”

Ye Yuntang struggled fiercely, glancing at her reddened wrist, then grabbed a fine handkerchief to rub it viciously.

Xue Zimu, clad in brocade robes and wearing a jade crown, looked at her once again with deep affection on his handsome face.

“Is that all you have for me?”

Ye Yuntang: “???”

He took a deep breath, eyes reddening. “Tang’er, today’s events have indeed wronged you, but my heart for you is witnessed by heaven and earth!

However, now that I serve in the court, the Wang family supports me greatly. I must marry Feiyao for our future. Please endure this, will you?”

Feiyao’s uncle happened to be Xue Zimu’s superior.

Ye Yuntang’s heart shattered!

How could such a despicable, shameless man exist?!

Flirting with another woman one moment, then feigning deep affection before her!

When they made the engagement, she was not even ten years old. It was only because of her mother’s dying wish that she regarded him differently.

In her grief, Xue Zimu had been her comfort.

Whenever servants bullied or insulted her, he stepped up to protect her.

He rescued her multiple times. But now, seeing it all, it was likely all calculated!

Ye Yuntang shot him a cold glance, cursing her childish ignorance for mistaking fool’s gold for a pearl!

“So, what is your plan? To pretend indifference toward Feiyao in public while secretly carrying on with me?”

A chill ran through her as she looked up to ask him.

A shadow passed over Xue Zimu’s face. “It’s not like that. My scheming is for you.

You are unloved here in the mansion, living precariously and unhappily.

When I rise to power, I will discard Feiyao and marry you. But until then, you must endure, keep the bigger picture in mind, and not hold me back.”

Damn it!

Did he really think she was a blind, lovesick fool?

And keep the bigger picture!

If she really did that, no one else would get to pluck the wild vegetables!

Ye Yuntang clenched her disgust. “Since you’ve considered me so much, I cannot treat you unfairly either.

After all, a love well matched is what’s worthy, right?”

Upon hearing this, Xue Zimu’s expression brightened.

“Yes, Tang’er, you’re right!”

He eagerly tried to pull her into his arms, but in the next instant, a dagger slid from Ye Yuntang’s sleeve, pressing sharply against his groin.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Xue Zimu’s eyes widened in horror, his face turning pale.