Volume One, Chapter 18: She Has Come to Settle the Score

Lin Xinyan entered the room and immediately threw herself into Wei Shuye’s arms, tears welling up instantly but biting her lip to keep them from falling.

“Xinyan, what’s wrong?”

“Please don’t move,” Lin Xinyan clung tightly to Wei Shuye’s waist. “I’m fine. Just let me hold you like this for a while. It’ll be better soon.”

Wei Shuye gently grasped her arms and eased her back a little, watching her bite her lip and bravely hold back her tears no matter what. His heart twitched painfully as he cupped her face. “What happened? Did someone wrong you?”

“No,” Lin Xinyan sniffled, forcing a broken smile through her tears. “I just missed you too much.”

“Ah Ye, aside from you, I have no other family in this world.”

Lin Xinyan was smart; she never spoke ill of Chang Le in front of Wei Shuye.

She understood well that Chang Le and Wei Shuye had grown up together like childhood sweethearts. As Chang Le said, their bond couldn’t simply vanish overnight.

Moreover, she had witnessed firsthand how doting Wei Shuye was toward Chang Le—he would give her the stars if she asked for them, even the moon if she wanted it.

She had once envied that deeply and often dreamed how wonderful it would be to be treated like that by Wei Shuye.

Now that she had finally taken Wei Shuye away from Chang Le, there was no way she would be foolish enough to push him back to her.

Wei Shuye cherished this dependence Lin Xinyan had on him, as if he were her entire world.

Yet she remained so strong, like a flower growing in the muddy roadside, never looking down on herself but proudly raising her head to bloom against the wind.

In his arms, this flower was always so delicate, always showing only her vulnerable side to him.

Looking at the tearful Lin Xinyan, Wei Shuye tenderly stroked her soft cheek and finally bent down to kiss her, soothing her with all the gentleness he could muster.

The attendant, understanding the mood, quietly closed the door and retreated under the eaves.

Wei Shuye lifted Lin Xinyan, gently placing her on the table behind him, his fingers deftly undoing her belt.

Mountains rose and fell, breaths came in melodious gasps.

Sweat dampened Lin Xinyan’s temple as she leaned breathlessly on Wei Shuye’s shoulder to steady herself. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with spring light, making Wei Shuye’s Adam’s apple slide as he kissed her tender, flushed lips once more.

Storms raged outside, then quieted with wind and rain subsiding.

After freshening up and dressing again, Lin Xinyan never mentioned the commotion Chang Le had caused at Qingyu Pavilion today. Reluctantly parting from Wei Shuye, she returned to Qingyu Pavilion.

“Chang Chun, go to Qingyu Pavilion and find out what happened today. Who made Xinyan suffer injustice?”

“I’m eager to see who dares bully my people,” Chang Chun said with determination.

Wei Shuye respected Lin Xinyan’s strength, but naturally, he would protect his own.

The matter was not hard to investigate, and Chang Chun soon returned.

Upon hearing the report, Wei Shuye’s face instantly darkened. “Chang Le again! How long does she plan to keep making trouble?”

Chang Chun lowered his head silently.

Wei Shuye exhaled slowly, restraining his cold anger. “What else did Chang Le do?”

“Second Miss Hua also spoke privately with Miss Lin for a while and arranged to meet her tomorrow at the Well Room of Zui Feng Xuan at the sixth quarter past the hour of Si.”

“Chang Le arranged to meet Xinyan alone? She’s going to bully her again! She’s become completely unreasonable!” Wei Shuye gritted his teeth, his disdain for Chang Le growing stronger.

He knew well that Chang Le never accepted humiliation easily. The matter between Xinyan and him was a thorn in her heart; it was only natural she wanted to vent her anger.

In the past, if Chang Le wanted to lash out, he would have protected her and confronted the troublemakers alongside her.

But now he had no intention of indulging her anymore.

If Chang Le dared to mistreat Xinyan tomorrow, he would make sure she learned a harsh lesson.

Wei Shuye made up his mind quickly—he would be there to protect Xinyan.

Once Chang Le was sure Lin Xinyan had sought out Wei Shuye, she left.

Her goal achieved, the actor was ready; now she only awaited the audience.

Chang Le leaned expressionlessly against the side of the carriage, instructing the driver, “Go to the Chang’an Marquis’s residence.”

The humiliation she suffered there that day was something she planned to avenge today.

The servants at the Chang’an Marquis’s residence recoiled as if they had seen a living ghost when they saw Chang Le returning, quickly making way for her.

Unconcerned, Chang Le went straight to the study.

The Chang’an Marquis and Hua Changqing were discussing business when she pushed past the steward blocking her and kicked open the study door.

The Marquis was about to scold her but paused, furrowing his brow and suppressing his anger as he said with a stern expression, “Look at you now; where is the demeanor of a noble lady of the Marquis’s family?”

“You have demeanor, and it’s fine, but have you seen your official rank rise even a bit?” Chang Le swaggered into the study.

His heart stabbed by her words, the Marquis winced. “You refused to come back so many times; what brings you here now?”

“Of course, to settle accounts with you.”

“You gave me three slaps that day; a thousand taels per slap. Pay up.”

Chang Le circled the study and picked out two paintings she liked, removing them and rolling them up under her arm.

“Money, money, money. I’m your father—do you have nothing else to say to me besides money?”

“Then what?” Chang Le sneered. “If not about money, what else? Talk about father-daughter affection? Do we have that? Are you even worthy?”

“Impudent!” The Marquis slammed the table in anger, his beard trembling. “You… you…”

Chang Le paid no mind to whether he was enraged. She turned and selected a calligraphy scroll, taking it down as well.

“Stop! That’s an original work by Master Qingfeng!”

But Chang Le would not stop. She rolled up the scroll with the paintings and lazily sank into a chair, ordering Hua Changqing, “Go get me the money—three thousand taels, not a single copper less—or none of us will have a good day.”

Hua Changqing frowned. “Chang Le, must you speak to us with such an attitude?”

“Speak to people as they are. You get treated as you deserve.”

“Don’t dawdle—three thousand taels, now.”

The Marquis clutched his chest in anger. “Go, go, get it for her.”

He only wanted to send this rebellious daughter away quickly before she drove him mad.

Hua Changqing didn’t need to visit the treasury; he always carried a fair number of silver notes when out.

He handed three notes of one thousand taels each to Chang Le.

Chang Le nodded with satisfaction, looking over the silver notes in her hands. “By the way, today Noble Consort Rong sent someone to deliver a message, arranging for me to meet tomorrow at the Well Room of Zui Feng Xuan at the eighth quarter past the hour of Si.”

“Noble Consort Rong’s sudden desire to meet me must be about my intent to break off the engagement.”

“I wonder if she agrees with my decision or wants to stop me.”

“What? Noble Consort Rong wants to see you?” When Qi Feirou heard the servants announce Chang Le’s return and her direct march to the study, she hurried over with Hua Zhiyu, just in time to overhear Chang Le’s words.

Qi Feirou disapproved of Chang Le breaking the engagement with the Third Prince and immediately said, “Hua Chang Le, whatever Noble Consort says tomorrow, you must listen carefully and absolutely must not break the engagement!”