Chapter 108: The Burden That Cannot Be Shaken Off

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“Master, yes, we only entered the capital at noon today without any fanfare. Once inside, we went straight to the palace!” Xiao Xuanzi reported respectfully.

Chu Liuchen tugged at the corner of his thin lips but didn’t raise his head as he said, “They don’t want others to know they followed me, but what does that matter? I simply go wherever I please, casually. Let’s see what they’re trying to hide!”

“What do you mean, Master?” Xiao Xuanzi looked at his master’s harmless smile, uncertain of his true intent.

“Nothing much. Hasn’t Prince Zhou been searching for those two these past few days? Let him see them leave without him.” Chu Liuchen replied lazily, his lips curling deeper into a sly grin, adding a hint of mischief to his previously innocent demeanor.

Prince Zhou was the emperor’s second son, Chu Liuzhou, born of the empress, thus the legitimate heir, but ironically, he did not take precedence over the eldest. He had a notoriously contentious relationship with Prince Yue, Chu Liuyue, and Prince Xin, Chu Liuxin.

“Yes, I understand!” Xiao Xuanzi nodded knowingly. The rivalry between Prince Zhou and Prince Yue over the throne was no secret in the capital. Their public demeanor was merely a facade of brotherly respect.

One brother claimed the eldest title, the other the legitimate birthright—it was a complicated matter, especially with Chu Liuchen, the deposed crown prince, still in the picture.

Chu Liuchen had been stripped of his title due to his youth, not any fault of his own. There were even rumors that the late emperor had promised the previous ruler that the throne would eventually pass to his nephew—Chu Liuchen.

Of course, these were mere rumors without evidence.

Still, many courtiers remained cautious, as the late emperor was a legendary figure who had expanded the empire’s borders with valor. Even after many years, some senior officials still secretly supported the late emperor and his son, Prince Chen.

“Has the Ningyuan General’s Mansion set out yet?” Chu Liuchen asked softly, lifting one long hand to pick up another dossier, pausing briefly as he looked up with a gentle tone.

“I honestly don’t know, Master,” Xiao Xuanzi replied, considering the departure of the Ningyuan General’s Mansion not particularly urgent.

“Fool!” Chu Liuchen’s previously curved lips fell flat, his expression darkening. He lowered his head to scrutinize the documents, his hair falling over his pale face, lips thin and tightly pressed, tinged faintly with blood. After a moment, as if about to say more, his long lashes lifted, his dark eyes glinting sideways with an almost sinister aura—completely unlike the carefree youth from moments before.

“Find out when they’ll arrive!” he ordered sharply.

“Yes, your command shall be obeyed!” Xiao Xuanzi bowed quickly, feeling a chill under that gaze. He wondered what he had done to draw such displeasure. Could it be that his master had spent time with that young lady from the Ningyuan General’s Mansion and developed a genuine, playful camaraderie?

In all these years, he had never seen his master display such childish charm.

Since following Chu Liuchen, the young lord had always been composed—whether quietly angry or mischievously seductive, never childlike.

Could it be that now, with the Ningyuan General’s heir’s daughter, he had found a true playmate?

Xiao Xuanzi admitted he didn’t understand—he had no playmates of his own.

“Go now, don’t waste my time!” Seeing Xiao Xuanzi dumbfounded, Chu Liuchen’s eyes dropped again, his tone sharp.

“Yes, yes, I shall investigate immediately, so Master can play with Miss Qin Er again,” Xiao Xuanzi said, suddenly alert, then withdrew respectfully. At the door, he paused and smiled to himself.

All these years, his master had never had a close companion. Beautiful as a porcelain doll in childhood, now grown into a more exquisite, yet still lifeless doll.

Porcelain dolls are lovely, but ultimately lack vitality.

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Qin Wanru did not know that before she even entered the capital, people were already keeping an eye on her. The old madam’s carriage was large and spacious; Qin Wanru half-reclined with the madam, with plenty of room to spare. It was late autumn, and the weather was growing colder.

The carriage was lined with thick cushions—warm and soft.

Each day, Qin Wanru accompanied the old madam in cheerful conversation, and after lunch would take a short nap. Life was comfortable.

The journey from Jiangzhou to the capital was long, especially with a large convoy and an elderly passenger; they could not hurry. Thankfully, Qin Wanru’s care kept the old madam healthy, even improving, which eased Qin Huaiyong’s worries.

With the old madam’s consent, they hastened the carriage’s pace.

Qi Baiyu rode alongside Qin Huaiyong, occasionally joining him in paying respects to the old madam. Compared to others in the Qi family, the old madam favored Qi Baiyu, seeing him as the most promising son of Governor Qi. Although not the legitimate heir, he was courteous and tactful, with a bright future ahead.

The convoy finally reached the capital. Upon arrival, Qin Huaiyong went to report to the Ministry of Personnel, while the old madam led the others to their residence.

The Qin family had a house in the capital, since Qin Huaiyong’s father once served there. The marriage arrangement with the Yongkang Marquis’s household had been made then, but after a scandal, he was demoted. Fortunately, Qin Huaiyong had regained favor and returned to the capital—a fortunate turn.

When the convoy was en route, Qin Huaiyong had already sent his steward and a few trusted men ahead to prepare the old residence.

As soon as the old madam’s carriage arrived, the steward and his men greeted them at the gate and ushered everyone inside.

Qin Wanru stepped down from the carriage, quietly sending Yu Jie out to rent a small, secluded house nearby. She then supported the old madam to enter, suddenly noticing Qi Baiyu and Qi Rongzhi also disembarking. She was slightly surprised.

Why were they staying here instead of returning to their own mansion?

“Old madam, please take care of my sister!” Qi Baiyu approached and bowed respectfully.

The old madam paused, her gaze shifting from Qi Baiyu to Qi Rongzhi, her eyes darkening. “It’s no problem. Our families have long-standing ties. Your father hasn’t come to the capital, your elder brother is busy with imperial exams, and you are still young. Having your sister stay here is only proper.”

“Thank you, old madam!” Qi Baiyu bowed sincerely again before looking up. “Old madam, Baiyu will return to the mansion now. Tomorrow, my brother and I will come to express our gratitude.”

“No need for such formality. You should rest after the journey,” the old madam said kindly.

After bowing to Shui Ruolan and Madam Di as well, Qi Baiyu turned to leave.

Qin Wanru blinked and glanced at Qi Rongzhi, who lowered her head submissively, a stark contrast to her usual arrogant and hot-tempered self in Jiangzhou.

So Qi Rongzhi was to be raised here in the Qin household?

This was likely the arrangement between her father and Governor Qi—a compensation from the General’s Mansion for past debts owed to the Qi family.

In the previous life, no such arrangement existed, so Qin Wanru hadn’t thought it through.

Now, considering Governor Qi’s character, he would not easily suffer loss. The General’s Mansion’s repeated debts had to be repaid somehow. Qi Rongzhi’s presence here was the price—and one they had no choice but to accept.

A cold gleam flickered in her eyes as she glanced at the shocked and angry Madam Di. Qin Wanru’s thin lips curved slightly—this was a clever move.

Madam Di was both surprised and furious—not only because Qi Rongzhi was moving into the Qin residence, which she disliked, but also because as the Qin family’s matron, she had been kept in the dark.

“Mother, this matter…” Madam Di’s face darkened as she stepped forward to block the old madam’s way. “What is going on?”

The old madam stood firm, staring coldly at Madam Di. “It is exactly as you see it.”

“Mother, why wasn’t I informed?” Madam Di’s expression soured. She had planned to reclaim control of the household upon arrival in the capital, but on her very first day, she had suffered such a blow. It was humiliating.

“Isn’t this your own doing? The household bore the burden; what more do you want?” The old madam’s disdain for Madam Di grew. “If not for you and Yu Ru, Governor Qi would never have allowed Miss Qi to stay here.”

Her words were harsh, striking both Madam Di’s and Qi Rongzhi’s pride.

Qin Wanru quietly observed Qi Rongzhi. The once fierce and arrogant Miss Qi now seemed like a different person, bowing her head submissively.

“Mother, I…” Madam Di’s face shifted between pale and flushed. She could only step aside, suddenly understanding the old madam’s meaning.

“Go inside. Everyone is tired. Is Ruolan’s courtyard arranged?” the old madam said, unwilling to argue further as she moved on.

“Everything is prepared,” Shui Ruolan replied softly.

“Everyone is tired; return to your courtyards first. No need for ceremony now. We’ll have a reunion dinner tonight,” the old madam said wearily.

Though physically able, the long journey had worn on her. Everyone felt the same—longing for rest before any other affairs.

The residence was large for the capital, with many courtyards. The old madam stayed in the Xin Ning Courtyard, Madam Di in Yulan Pavilion, Shui Ruolan in Liufeng Courtyard, Qin Yuru in Yalan Chamber, Qin Wanru in Zhifang Chamber, and the guest quarters housed Qi Rongzhi.

Everyone was too preoccupied to speak. After a light meal, they each retired to rest.

When evening came, the household awoke, refreshed and ready to share a reunion meal.

Qin Wanru rose early and sent Yu Jie to retrieve the carriage driver who had tried to sabotage her at Jingxin Nunnery, locking him in the rented house. With the household in chaos, no one would notice.

This was her carefully laid trap. The carriage driver was connected to the wife of the heir to the Marquis of Yangqu—a hidden chess piece for a backup plan.

Approaching the flower hall, the old madam had not yet arrived, but a clear, tinkling laugh drifted from inside—deliberate and distinct. Qin Wanru slowed her pace.

Were there others here?

As she caught sight of the man standing between two women inside, a shadow of gloom darkened her brow…

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