Chapter 2

Life was getting better and better. My dream of becoming a restaurant proprietress was almost within reach.

Then his former fiancée turned up and flaunted herself right under my nose.

What play was she putting on?

Something was wrong. There had to be a reason.

Sure enough, Yang Dongye came bouncing home that evening. I could hear him calling for Xihua and Mother from far away.

“I’ve had a letter from Father and my elder brother!”

After nearly six years, the Yang family had finally been exonerated.

His Imperial Majesty’s mind really was unfathomable. After all this time, he had somehow remembered Old Father Yang and his eldest son languishing in prison.

My father-in-law and brother-in-law had been restored to their posts, and someone would arrive to fetch us in a few days. There was plenty of time for Dongye to settle matters at the academy and pack.

He and my mother-in-law were beside themselves. They held my hands and promised me a grand house with a grand courtyard, the newest hair ornaments, and the best schools for our son and daughter.

While those two celebrated on one side of the room, I sat on the other, thinking.

News traveled faster in the capital. That woman must have heard the rumors and rushed here to rekindle the old romance.

Today’s visit had been reconnaissance. Ideally, she’d have frightened me into retreat.

She hadn’t gotten the result she wanted, but once we reached the capital, she’d doubtless have plenty of tricks waiting.

“A young lady came to put on a performance at my stall today. She said people from the capital couldn’t stomach plain food or the bustle of ordinary life.”

I asked my mother-in-law to take the children to bed, and only spoke once Dongye and I were alone.

“Who? Has another family had its property seized and been exiled?”

He looked so foolish. The man truly hadn’t a clue.

I described her appearance.

“Qin Xinyue? She came looking for me?”

He knew at once who it was. Then, seeing me sit there silently, he caught on.

“Xihua, you have to believe me! I’m innocent!”

He flung himself at me with a wail and clung tight.

“I made a clean break with her back then. I’ve never done anything to betray you! Has she been telling you lies about me? Don’t listen!”

He was baffled. He felt wronged. He even lay against my shoulder and whimpered, trying to use his handsome profile to stir my wifely affection.

“No use. This isn’t just about her.”

I explained my reasoning.

Before marrying, we’d agreed to talk things through whenever anything happened. If we could make it work, we’d stay together. If we couldn’t, we’d part.

“First of all, I don’t want to go to the capital.”

“My brother and his wife are very easy to get along with!”

“If your family were all I had to deal with, I wouldn’t mind.”

Who didn’t have a difficult relative? My mother saw my aunt every day back in the countryside.

I liked Yang Dongye himself. An eye-catching exterior, a solid heart, capable in bed and out of it, and obedient, too.

Goodwill went both ways. For all the affection and reassurance he gave me, I was willing to fit into a new circle for his sake.

But in the capital, Qin Xinyue would only be the beginning.

I could deal with her. What about afterward?