Chapter 111: Schemes of the Pampered Scion

Qin Wanru smiled. Under the lamplight, her delicate face lifted gracefully—beautiful yet, in the shadows cast by the light, her snow-white skin, vivid cherry lips, and eerie smile exuded a chilling, bloodthirsty coldness.

Qi Rongzhi was so frightened that she involuntarily took a step back, her heart pounding wildly.

This version of Qin Wanru made her legs go weak without her even realizing it.

“Qi Rongzhi, if I hear you call me ‘Sister Wanru’ again, don’t blame me for being impolite!” Qin Wanru said coldly, then turned and left.

Qi Rongzhi opened her mouth slightly behind her, wanting to stop her, but no sound came out. She scolded herself silently for being so weak. Gathering her composure, a flicker of fierce anger appeared in the corner of her eyes, but she bit her lip and suppressed it.

“Miss…” Chunyi glanced behind and spoke softly, warning her. Voices were faintly audible from behind; more people were approaching.

“Let’s go!” Qi Rongzhi snapped back to awareness, glanced left and right, then slipped behind a rock garden on the side. She refused to believe she had lost her chance.

“Cousin, can I go back with you?” Footsteps approached, many voices. At the front were Di Yan and Qin Yuru. Qin Yuru lowered her head slightly, displeased.

“Cousin, you have to listen. You can’t go back today. Next time, I’ll have my mother send someone to fetch you. Don’t worry,” Di Yan assured her.

“But… I want to live in the Yongkang Marquis’s residence. I don’t want to stay here. I don’t even know if it’s ready. It’s been so long since anyone lived here—can it still be lived in?” Qin Yuru stopped and glanced around with disdain.

Though the Qin residence was decent, it paled in comparison to the Yongkang Marquis’s mansion. Moreover, it wasn’t fully furnished yet. Many areas awaited proper arrangement once the masters moved in. The overall layout looked dilapidated, only accentuating its decay.

“Cousin, now that Aunt and Uncle have both gone to the capital, it’s unreasonable for you not to return home. It’s improper. Honestly, I’d prefer you to stay at my place forever and never return here, but now isn’t the time. You know, because of past events, my mother is a bit unhappy. She even said she wants to find me a new match,” Di Yan comforted Qin Yuru.

Hearing this, Qin Yuru grew anxious, her eyes reddening with grievance. “Does Aunt not like me?”

Di Yan hated to see a beauty shed tears. He quickly took the handkerchief from Qin Yuru and wiped her tears. “How could my mother not like you? But you know, there was talk about your previous engagement with someone else. No one knows where the rumors started. Though there’s no solid proof, my mother heard them and feels uneasy.”

“Will Aunt really find you a new match?” Qin Yuru asked anxiously. This trip to the capital, she had been especially cautious, particularly before her aunt, acting respectful and obedient, afraid of giving anyone a reason to criticize her. She had even pleased the Yongkang Marquis’s wife greatly.

But Mrs. Shi had yet to say anything about immediately arranging an engagement, despite earlier correspondence promising that the match would be made as soon as Qin Yuru arrived in the capital.

Qin Yuru knew her own affairs and feared Mrs. Shi might learn something, which would jeopardize her engagement to Di Yan. Hearing his words, she truly panicked.

“Don’t worry, it won’t happen. My mother was just speaking offhandedly. I don’t even know whose gossip she overheard that day. It’s nothing. Just behave well and obey. Even if my mother hears rumors, you’re the most innocent!” Di Yan didn’t actually know the full truth. When Qin Yuru told him, she only mentioned that Qi Tianyu liked her and had asked for her hand in marriage from Qin Huaiyong.

Since Qin Huaiyong was unaware of her relationship with Di Yan, he agreed. But she adamantly refused. Just as she intended to break off the engagement, Qin Wanru intervened, claiming she wanted to marry Qi Tianyu. Thus, the match naturally fell to Qin Wanru, as the prefect only requested to marry a daughter of the Qin family, without specifying Qin Yuru.

Qin Wanru’s betrayal, her secret affection with the second young master of the Qi family, and her refusal to marry the eldest son caused a stir. She later denied everything, insisting Qi Tianyu had asked for Qin Yuru’s hand, damaging Qin Yuru’s reputation.

Throughout the whole affair, Qin Yuru played both the innocent and deeply affectionate role. As for Qin Wanru, it went without saying—so young yet so licentious, how could she be anything but a villain?

“Yes, cousin, I’ll listen to you!” Qin Yuru replied obediently. “Come visit whenever you’re free.”

“Good, good, good!” Di Yan was pleased with Qin Yuru’s delicate dependence. He was willing to indulge her, thinking this flower-like, passionate cousin would make a fine match for him. Later, he could take several concubines, and since she was gentle by nature, she wouldn’t complain.

As for the elder cousin, she didn’t seem as pretty as the younger one!

“Cousin, do you think the second cousin really understands what it means to marry at such a young age?” After coaxing Qin Yuru, Di Yan suddenly recalled a small, delicate but somewhat childish face, and couldn’t help but ask.

“Don’t you trust me?” Qin Yuru bit her lip, tears shimmering.

“How could I not trust you? You’re family. How could I believe a stranger!” Di Yan reached out to wipe her eyes again. His cousin was far too fragile. He promised himself to treat her better in the future, never letting anyone bully her.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qin Yuru nestled against Di Yan’s chest, clutching his clothes, lamenting, “The second cousin looks like an innocent darling on the surface, but that’s just a facade. Look at her now—so arrogant she doesn’t even call her mother ‘mother,’ but ‘madam’ instead. After all these years, hasn’t mother earned some credit?”

Di Yan agreed heartily. “Your household is truly unruly. Even though Shui Shi is Uncle’s secondary wife and second cousin is raised under her name, when meeting Aunt, she should show more warmth. At least call her ‘Aunt.’”

He couldn’t understand the situation, feeling it was improper unless Aunt had done something wrong. But regarding Qin Yuru’s matter, he didn’t believe Aunt was at fault! Before coming, his father had warned him not to speak rashly even if he saw Uncle treat Aunt coldly. He assured him he would handle it.

“Cousin!” Qin Yuru grew even more aggrieved and threw herself into Di Yan’s embrace.

Di Yan’s heart ached and stirred. Not only was Qin Yuru beautiful, but her figure was also alluring. Her sudden embrace made him struggle to maintain composure. He paused, reminding himself this was the Qin family estate, and forced down his desires. Gently patting her back, he whispered soothingly, “It’s alright now. You’re in the capital, with the Yongkang Marquis’s mansion to rely on. Even if your uncle wants to mistreat you, he can’t.”

“Alright, it’s getting late. I’ll head back!” Glancing at the sky, Di Yan thought it was the perfect time to go out for some fun. He had already made plans.

Since Qin Yuru came to live at the Yongkang Marquis’s, she had been quite clingy. Though a beauty, Di Yan didn’t mind and even sometimes went out of his way to please her. But this had cut into his time for courting other women, causing several close friends to privately complain.

He couldn’t afford to break his promise today!

“Cousin, take care on your way!” Qin Yuru wiped her tears, standing up from Di Yan’s embrace, speaking softly.

“Alright, don’t worry. You go ahead; I’ll watch you leave. After you’re gone, I’ll turn here and head to the back courtyard,” Di Yan said affectionately. The spot where they stood was indeed a crossroads.

“Cousin, I’m going!” Hearing her beloved would wait until she disappeared from sight to leave, Qin Yuru’s heart swelled with sweetness. Shyly pulling her handkerchief from Di Yan’s hand, she walked gracefully inside, turning halfway to flash him a radiant smile.

Seeing Di Yan wave back, she reluctantly walked away.

She vowed to urge her mother to finalize her engagement with Di Yan soon to prevent any more unpleasant rumors. Though she believed Jiangzhou was too far to spread news easily, she still wanted to be cautious, especially since Qi Tianyu was also in the capital.

She also needed to find a time to meet Qi Tianyu. Previously, staying at the Yongkang Marquis’s mansion was inconvenient, and until Qi Tianyu’s side was settled, her heart wouldn’t be at ease. They had to be on the same page.

Di Yan, true to his word, only left after Qin Yuru had completely disappeared. Unexpectedly, someone stood behind him. Turning around, he accidentally bumped into the person.

Before seeing clearly who it was, Di Yan instinctively reached out and caught the person in his arms.

“Master Di!” The soft, coquettish voice resembled Qin Yuru’s but was more alluring. Looking down, he was surprised to see Qi Rongzhi and froze momentarily.

As a scion of a noble family in the capital, he quickly regained composure and politely helped Qi Rongzhi to her feet. “Miss Qi, why are you behind me?”

“Master Di, I got lost and couldn’t find my way. I wandered here and saw you, so I wanted to ask for directions. But you suddenly turned around!” Qi Rongzhi blushed deeply, lowering her head and twisting the handkerchief in her hands.

“I didn’t notice anyone behind me just now,” Di Yan said, his gaze falling on Qi Rongzhi’s delicate face. She was as pretty and refined as Qin Yuru, though slightly younger. Her shy, almost childish demeanor made Di Yan glance at her a few more times.

He was always gentle toward delicate beauties and hated to see such a lovely girl hesitating to speak. Seeing Qi Rongzhi’s conflicted expression, his heart stirred. He softly asked, “Would you like me to take you to the guest quarters?”

Having accompanied Qin Yuru to the Qin residence a few times, he was somewhat familiar with its layout.

“Well… that would be a trouble for Master Di,” Qi Rongzhi replied shyly.

“No trouble at all. Since you live in the Qin residence and grew up with my cousin, you’re practically my sister!” Di Yan turned and led the way inside, pausing at a junction to wait for Qi Rongzhi, smiling warmly at her flushed cheeks and teasing, “Then I’ll be counting on you, sister Di.”

“Thank you very much, Brother Di!” Qi Rongzhi’s voice was low and melodious but could still be clearly heard in the quiet night.

Behind the rock garden, Qin Wanru watched the scene quietly with Qing Yue, a cold smile curling at the corners of her lips. Qi Rongzhi had indeed made her move…