Chapter 52 [CTCGP 13]

Letting Madame Jing assume that Third Young Master Jing and Yan Yi Ming were not a good match, while the young Miss from the Zhou family was a match made in heaven for him. This would not only delay their imminent engagement, buying time for Third Young Master Jing and Miss Zhou to interact more, but it would also seize the perfect opportunity to settle their matter once and for all by binding the two together, leaving no room for regret.

Not only would this ruin the existing engagement, but it would also strategically remove the Jiang family, who had deliberately concealed Yan Yi Ming’s actual condition, from the situation without suspicion. Thus, killing two birds with one stone without leaving any loopholes.

Neither the Jiang family nor the Jing family would suspect anything, and even if they did, their suspicions would only fall upon the apparent beneficiary—the Zhou family.

Although Miss Zhuo’s reputation was tarnished, it was ultimately Third Young Master Jing who had erred first. Although the Zhou family was wealthy, their official rank was still inferior to that of the Jiang family. Yet, now that their daughter has successfully secured a marriage with Third Young Master Jing, there were both gains and losses. At this moment, Madame Zhou was secretly ecstatic.

Jiang Yi sat leisurely in the garden pavilion, sipping tea. The maidservants bustled about, their movements neither quiet nor orderly; it was even somewhat noisy. However, despite usually preferring to stay in a quiet environment, Jiang Yi did not find this bothersome.

The maids were all discussing the scandal of Third Young Master Jing—how, despite being on the verge of an engagement with their lady, he had committed such a grave mistake.

The Jing family was at fault, while the Jiang household had been wronged. If things continued like this, what would become of their young Fifth Miss if she could no longer find a suitable marriage?

The others merely shook their heads, sighed, and walked away.

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Madame Jiang was furious, yet Madame Jing’s sincere apology and the unmistakable affection in Third Young Master Jing’s eyes as he looked at her daughter left her unable to lash out. No matter how upset or furious she felt, she could only swallow her grievances in silence.

After sending Madame Jing and Third Young Master Jing off, Madame Jiang finally broke down, tears streaming down her face, as she held her daughter in an embrace and sobbed sorrowfully.

“My poor child… How could you have encountered such a cruel fate…”

Her daughter had waited two years for a good marriage, and just when it was finally within reach, it fell apart in the next instant. No matter how many gifts the Jing family sent as compensation, no amount of apologies could undo the damage that had been done. Her poor, pitiful child, her long-awaited marriage was still no more.

What would become of her Ah Ming now?…

She would likely have to endure scolding from Old Madame Jiang again, not to mention the ridicule of Second Madame Jiang. Just the thought of it made Madame Jiang’s heart ache unbearably.

The surrounding maidservants, who had served by Madame Jiang’s side for years, understood her sorrows and could not help but sob as well.

Yan Yi Ming, having more or less guessed the culprit of this series of events, found herself unable to cry. Instead, she spoke a few soft words to comfort Madame Jiang, though her mind had already drifted elsewhere.

Yan Yi Ming knew that Jiang Yi must have had a hand in this. However, she had not expected that, at barely over ten years old, his approach would already be so ruthless.

How did Jiang Yi know about Miss Zhou’s feelings for Third Young Master Jing? How had he managed to orchestrate a situation where both of them were present with witnesses around? Was this entirely his doing, or had he colluded with the Zhou family to set this up?

Yan Yi Ming had no way of knowing.

Yan Yi Ming had grown accustomed to seeing Jiang Yi’s ever-smiling, seemingly innocent demeanour. This was the first time she had truly experienced the extent of his schemes.

But it was no wonder he was able to climb to a position of immense power before even reaching thirty. A man like him was never meant to lead a mediocre life. The political battlefield was a place where a single misstep could cost one’s life. Compared to that, this was merely a minor skirmish.

With this move, Jiang Yi had completely severed the ties between the Jiang and Jing families. Even if Third Young Master Jing still harboured feelings for Yan Yi Ming, it was already too late to change anything.

When Madame Jiang finally calmed down and fell asleep, Yan Yi Ming carefully stepped away. As soon as she stepped outside, she encountered Master Jiang, who had been waiting at the outer quarters for a long time.

Seeing her come out, even he could only sigh deeply and close his eyes, as if resigning himself to the inevitable.

After a long pause, Master Jiang, who was never good at offering comfort, finally spoke awkwardly, “Perhaps you and Third Young Master Jing were never meant to be. You… don’t need to be too sad.”

“Daughter is not upset,” Yan Yi Ming replied. “Today was the first time I’ve met Third Young Master Jing, so I don’t feel any particular attachment. If there’s no fate between us, then I will simply wait for the right one. And if I truly never—”

“Don’t speak nonsense!”

Master Jiang sternly interrupted her. “Father will definitely find you a good match. You’ve had a long day, return to your courtyard and rest. I’ll go check on your mother.”

Yan Yi Ming nodded and got up to leave. Master Jiang watched his daughter’s figure slowly disappear into the distance before covering his face with both hands, sitting motionless for a long time.

Meanwhile, Old Madame Jiang, who had spent nearly a month boasting about this excellent match, was furious. To have a sure thing slip through one’s fingers still enraged her to the point that she refused to eat dinner that night. Though it was not Yan Yi Ming’s fault that the engagement had fallen through, and it was due to Third Young Master Jing’s indiscretion, it did not quell her dissatisfaction. 

As for Second Madame Jiang, who had endured nearly a month of embarrassment, she had rushed to the main branch residence with her daughter the moment she heard the news. Upon learning that Madame Jiang was unwell and not receiving visitors, she was visibly disappointed. She could only visit Old Madame Jiang instead, her expression one of deep sorrow. “Sigh, my pitiful niece. One moment, everything was set in stone, and in the blink of an eye, it’s gone like the wind.”

Old Madame Jiang, who was still seething with anger, immediately snapped that she had a headache and chased Second Madame Jiang out of her courtyard.

Yet, Second Madame Jiang did not mind at all. Smiling, she took her daughter on a leisurely stroll around the Jiang estate before finally leaving in satisfaction.

The entire Jiang household was enveloped in gloom, and everyone wore expressions of disappointment and frustration.

Everyone, that was, except for two people. No, perhaps it was three.

Other than Yan Yi Ming and Jiang Yi, there was one more person—Lan Xiu, who had accidentally discovered Jiang Yi’s intentions a few days ago.

Ever since that day, Lan Xiu had more or less guessed what the young master might do. However, it was not until today that she fully grasped what had happened.

And it left her utterly flabbergasted.

Lan Xiu could hardly believe this was all Jiang Yi’s doing. After all, he was only in his teens, a boy without power or backing. How could he possibly have the ability to pull this off?

Yet, the facts were right in front of her.

Lan Xiu hesitated the entire way before finally taking a deep breath, dismissing the other maidservants. She turned to Yan Yi Ming and said, “Miss, this servant… has something to tell you.”

Before she could finish, someone approached from ahead. Causing both master and servant to look up.

Jiang Yi walked toward them under the starlit sky. The night was deep, making it hard to read his expression.

Lan Xiu’s heart skipped a beat. Watching Jiang Yi draw closer, her voice faltered, “Young- Young Master…”

“I have something to discuss with your mistress. You may leave,” Jiang Yi said, his gaze fixed solely on Yan Yi Ming.

Lan Xiu bit her lip, her unease evident as she glanced between Yan Yi Ming and Jiang Yi. After a moment’s hesitation, she bowed and retreated to a distance.

Yan Yi Ming could more or less guess what Jiang Yi wanted to talk about.

However, logically speaking, she was not supposed to know anything, not about Jiang Yi’s feelings towards her, nor about what he had done.

Still, she had just lost a long-awaited ‘good marriage’ today. Even if she did not actually care, she should at least appear visibly distressed or sorrowful.

After adjusting her expression, she cast a fleeting glance at Jiang Yi. Her smile was faint, tinged with effort.

“You’re always busy with your studies. How is it that you have time to wander about tonight? Have you had dinner?”

“I’ve had my dinner.” Jiang Yi’s gaze remained fixed on her face. The evening deepened, but he could still make out the exhaustion in her countenance. For a brief moment, he was unsure whether the feeling rising within him was frustration or unease.

He stepped closer to her, “Third Young Master Jing is marrying Miss Zhou. Are you… disappointed?”

“Disappointed?” Yan Yi Ming repeated the word softly. “Of course I am.”

Jiang Yi’s breath caught slightly.

Yan Yi Ming, as if oblivious to his reaction, continued, “I’m already eighteen. Females at my age had already married, and some already had children who could run around. Grandmother complains about me every day, Mother prays and fasts for me, and Father has gone grey worrying over me. I thought I could finally put their concerns to rest, but in the end, it was all for nothing. Having been given such hope, how could I not be disappointed?”

“And what about you?” Jiang Yi’s eyes locked onto her. “You lost a good marriage prospect. Are you disappointed?”

Yan Yi Ming chuckled lightly, studying him for a moment before sighing. “Everyone assumes I must be heartbroken over losing a good potential husband and feels sorry for me. But no one has ever asked how I feel.”

She paused, then said softly, “I suppose I’m used to it.”

The cool moonlight illuminated her visage, making her already cold voice sound even more distant.

“Ever since I was a child, Grandmother said I was born unlucky, destined to be unwanted. Back then, I didn’t understand and was just angry. However, as I grew older, I realised she was right. I’ve always been in poor health, and I’m unlikely to live long. Who would dare marry someone like me?

“Since I came of age, Mother has been searching for a match, but three years have passed with no results. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I’ve long accepted my fate. No one in this world would ever marry me…”

“There is,” Jiang Yi interrupted her.

Yan Yi Ming let out a small chuckle. “You sound just like Father. Fine, fine, there is someone. It’s just that the right time hasn’t come yet, and sooner or later, someone will—”

Jiang Yi reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. The youth had now grown much taller than her. He looked down at her from above, yet he was standing so close. Under the moonlight, his deep eyes were filled with a suppressed yet boundless affection.

Perhaps the night was still tender, for even Jiang Yi’s voice and expression carried an unusual gentleness at this moment. He said, “I will marry you.”