Chapter Sixty-Eight: Interference, the Lady of the Heir

"Qingyue, go and invite Aunt Shui over. Don't disturb Grandmother; her health can't withstand such things," Qin Wanru lowered her brows, appearing deeply saddened, and softly instructed Qingyue.

Her face was the only part of her body with a hint of flesh, still rounded with baby fat, making her look small and delicate. When she lowered her head, her long eyelashes drooped, casting uneven shadows across her fair little face—beautiful and stirring a sense of pity.

Her words were thoughtful, refraining from complaining to Grandmother about such matters out of concern for her fragile health.

Truly, such a filial and gentle girl—yet someone could be so cruel as to target her? It was outrageous. Everyone present sided with Qin Wanru.

Shui Ruolan arrived quickly, sweat already beading on her forehead.

She hurried into the crowd, anxiously looking Qin Wanru up and down several times. Only when she confirmed the girl was unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief, gathering Qin Wanru into her arms and gently stroking her hair to comfort her. "Wanru, it's all right now. Nothing will happen. From now on, you'll stay with Aunt Shui, and I'll protect you!"

Held in Shui Ruolan's embrace, tears welled at the corners of Qin Wanru's eyes, yet she did not break into sobs. Her large, dark eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a sight that tugged at the heartstrings of the older women present.

So young, and already bereft of her birth mother; pitiful enough. Now, her adoptive mother schemes against her so viciously—her misfortune seemed boundless.

"Aunt Shui, I... from now on, I want to be with you and Grandmother," Qin Wanru bit her lip so hard it turned pale at the edge, then spoke quietly.

No one noticed the flash of coldness in her eyes. Since Lady Di had handed her the leverage, how could she let it slip? Lady Di was counting on her father and Shui Ruolan being unable to accomplish anything for the time being, planning to stir up trouble in the interim. Qin Wanru intended to catch her unawares.

She would ensure Aunt Shui entered the General's manor openly, without anyone daring to gossip.

"Yes... Wanru will stay with Grandmother. Both Grandmother and Aunt Shui will protect you," Shui Ruolan continued to comfort her, genuinely moved by concern for Qin Wanru. On hearing trouble had arisen, she had rushed over at once.

"Aunt Shui, please marry Father—for my sake... I want to stay with you," Qin Wanru raised her head, her eyes misty with tears, clear and luminous as if veiled in haze, both aggrieved and pitiful.

Yet those words startled everyone present—they clearly carried deeper meaning.

Shui Ruolan hadn't expected Qin Wanru to bring up such a matter at this moment. Her face stiffened, but seeing the hope in Qin Wanru's gaze, she reached out to pat her head, uncertain of how to respond.

Qin Wanru gently pushed Shui Ruolan aside and knelt with a thud, clutching at her skirt. Her mournful eyes pleaded, "Aunt Shui, Mother has schemed against you and Father. If you truly retreat into quiet devotion, what will become of Wanru and Grandmother? I beg you, marry Father!"

Her words left everyone stunned, exchanging bewildered glances—the implications were immense, leaving them shaken and speechless.

The General's wife hadn't only plotted against her stepdaughter, but also against this guest, Miss Shui? Had anyone else said such a thing, it might have been doubted, but Qin Wanru had just escaped danger. In her youthful panic, such words were understandable.

Everyone instinctively accepted this explanation.

Frightened by the black-clad assailants, she had forced herself to stand strong, but after all, she was only a child. Seeing a caring elder, she immediately sought solace, blurting out whatever was in her heart.

---

Shui Ruolan's cheeks flushed, embarrassed beyond measure. She grabbed Qin Wanru and pulled her up firmly, scolding in a low voice, "Wanru, what are you saying? Children shouldn't talk about such things!"

"Aunt Shui, you promised to protect me!" Qin Wanru, though pulled to her feet, stubbornly fixed her gaze on Shui Ruolan, with a child's unwavering determination.

"I... I..." Shui Ruolan was at a loss, unable to respond. Protection meant more than mere words; as a guest in the General's manor, she had no real authority to shield Qin Wanru.

"Aunt Shui, I'll speak to Father. I'll beg him to agree." Qin Wanru wiped her tears, no longer pressing Shui Ruolan, but her tone remained resolute. "Aunt Shui, please have someone take this coachman to Father."

"All right, I'll have someone escort him down the mountain for your father to deal with!" As long as Qin Wanru stopped saying things that left her mortified, Shui Ruolan would agree to anything right now.

She sensed some of Qin Wanru's intent but couldn't bring herself to address it directly.

"Aunt Shui, can you ensure he won't be taken by Mother's people on the way down?" Qin Wanru asked, worried, tugging at her sleeve.

"This..." Shui Ruolan hesitated—she couldn't guarantee it. Lady Di was no fool; surely she had arranged for contingencies.

"What should we do then?" Qin Wanru said helplessly, holding onto Shui Ruolan's sleeve. The two, one young and one not of proper status, seemed utterly vulnerable—incapable even of dealing with a servant, reflecting their precarious position in the General's manor.

One was too young, the other lacked formal standing. The onlookers sighed inwardly, pitying them both.

The kneeling coachman overheard their conversation, a smug look crossing his face. Surely the Madam had arranged someone at the foot of the mountain to rescue him. With the witness gone, whatever the Second Miss said would be dismissed as false.

"I'll send someone to escort him to General Ningyuan," came a voice from the crowd. Everyone turned to see the speaker—a lady of about thirty, the temporary mistress of this courtyard.

Qin Wanru nudged Shui Ruolan, who immediately bowed respectfully. "May I ask who the lady is?"

"My husband's surname is Luo, my maiden name is Xin. You may address me as Lady Xin. My daughter nearly suffered harm in this affair. Since this coachman serves the General Ningyuan's household, the General must give our family an explanation. Someone, escort him to the General Ningyuan's manor and present my visiting card. If anyone tries to intercept him, drive them off."

Thinking of her daughter nearly being implicated, Lady Xin's expression grew grim as she issued her orders.

"Yes, madam!" A matron stepped forward, saluted Lady Xin, then summoned two coarse servants to drag the coachman up. Four more robust matrons followed to guard them.

Seeing their formation, the coachman panicked. "Hey, Jiangzhou is a place of law! You can't—"

Before he could finish, a matron stuffed a cloth into his mouth, and the two others yanked him away. The men and women moved with practiced skill—clearly not ordinary household staff.

---

Qin Wanru looked up, her gaze complex as she studied Lady Xin. She now knew who this woman was.

In her previous life, she hadn’t met her but had heard of the Lady Heir of Yongqu Marquis, whose maiden name was Xin and married into the Luo family.

Lady Xin’s family was one of military officers, reputed for her forthrightness beyond that of most ladies. What made Qin Wanru remember her so clearly was Lady Xin’s daughter. Her gaze drifted toward the sobbing young lady nearby—surely Luo Xiaowan, Lady Xin’s daughter.

Lady Xin was strong-willed, yet had a gentle and frail daughter. Miss Luo was soft-natured, and had married a husband who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, who tormented her until she was sickly and wasted, yet she dared not tell her mother.

Eventually, Lady Xin noticed something amiss, investigated, and stormed her daughter's husband's home, delivering several slaps to her son-in-law and forcing him to sign a divorce then and there.

She took her daughter and dowry back to Yongqu Marquis’s manor that very night.

The affair caused a huge stir at the time—some said Lady Xin was overbearing and improper, others said she was rightfully protective of her daughter.

The entire capital was in uproar, with petitions even submitted to impeach the Yongqu Marquis. Lady Xin was summoned to the Empress's palace for questioning.

Though the matter fizzled out, it had been so notorious that even Qin Wanru, sheltered in her own home, had heard many tales about Lady Xin.

This was certainly her. Unexpectedly, Qin Wanru had encountered Lady Xin in Jiangzhou. With her decisive and straightforward assistance, Lady Di could not hope to escape this time.

"Thank you, Lady Xin." Shui Ruolan, though unaware of Lady Xin’s true identity, was not foolish. Seeing her take charge, she felt relieved.

If no one stepped in, she would have had to trouble Granny Duan by Grandmother’s side. Like Qin Wanru, she preferred not to alarm the old lady if possible—her health couldn’t withstand too many shocks. If Granny Duan knew, so would the old lady.

The coachman was taken away, and the rest of the crowd dispersed. Shui Ruolan, holding Qin Wanru’s hand, was about to leave, but Lady Xin called after them.

"Miss Shui, please wait. May I invite you inside to talk?"

Shui Ruolan, grateful to Lady Xin, nodded and released Qin Wanru’s hand. "Wanru, you head back first. I’ll speak with Lady Xin."

"Second Miss Qin, please stay as well. Would you mind speaking with Xiaowan?" Lady Xin’s gaze fell on Qin Wanru. She was younger than Lady Xin’s daughter, but the earlier scene had greatly impressed Lady Xin. The child was endearing, and possessed a poise uncommon for her age.

That poise was what Lady Xin had hoped to cultivate in her own daughter, but Xiaowan was too gentle by nature, leaving Lady Xin regretful.

Yet it only made her appreciate Qin Wanru all the more.