Chapter 4

Chapter 4

In my previous life, Shen Qi had never proposed to my sister. He had not even dared to reveal his feelings for her. All he could do was watch her from the shadows, burdened by inferiority and secret longing.

My sister had a childhood sweetheart: the second son of the Great General’s household. The two families were close, and they had grown up together. They were well matched in family standing and looked like a perfect pair. Although no formal proposal had yet been made, both families’ elders already regarded the marriage as settled.

Shen Qi might have possessed a promising future, but he still lacked deep foundations, and the Shen family stood far below ours. He had not risen high enough for my father to consider him a worthy match. Aware of this, he never dared betray his feelings for my sister.

Later, he rescued me by mistake. After my sister died, he used me as her substitute, which gave him even more reason to keep his love hidden.

Now that Shen Qi had been reborn, he must have wanted to make up for his old regret. The moment he returned to the capital, he came to propose to my sister.

Hmph.

As if he deserved her.

I had never liked Second Young Master He, that bookish fool who would someday steal my sister away. At least he was honest and kind. How could a scheming wretch like Shen Qi ever be worthy of her?

Naturally, my father was reluctant as well and politely declined. Before Shen Qi could respond, his old harridan of a mother brought up the incident at the retreat.

“When your daughter was in danger, my son risked everything to save her. I trust your honored household has not forgotten such a debt. Now that we speak of marriage, a union would satisfy both families and spare your daughter from suffering because of gossip.”

Her meaning was plain. My sister owed her son her life, and now that her reputation had been compromised, no other respectable family would want her.

The ugly face she wore as she demanded repayment and threatened us with my sister’s so-called honor was exactly the same as in my previous life.

Shen Qi’s face darkened. He pulled his mother several steps back and hurried to apologize before she ruined his chances completely. He was clever. After allowing her to finish, he said nothing more about the debt. Instead, he invited my father to inspect the chests of gifts behind him, displaying his sincerity, resolve, and resources.

The first chest had barely opened when the gatekeeper rushed in.

“My lord! The He family has come to propose on behalf of their second son. The young master himself is here too!”

Shen Qi had broken convention by arriving with his elders, so the He family broke it as well and brought Second Young Master He in person.

That bookish fool had run so fast his hat sat crooked. Beneath his outer robe, part of his official uniform was still visible. It looked as if he had taken emergency leave, rushed home to change into formal clothes, then sprinted straight here. Now that he had arrived, all he could do was smile shyly and stammer with nerves.

Clearly, the He family had not planned to propose today. Terrified that someone else would steal the bride, they had assembled a delegation on the spot. Hasty though it was, they had omitted nothing. His parents, elder brother and sister-in-law, and every available senior relative had come. Chest after chest of betrothal gifts was carried through the gates until the entire courtyard was packed in a dark sea of people and presents.

Beside them, the handful of Shen relatives and their few chests looked shabby—almost laughable.

Every member of Shen Qi’s party gradually turned grim.

By an ordinary family’s standards, their display would have been impressive. The He family had simply put far more heart into theirs.

Face red, Second Young Master He gathered his courage and spoke to my father.

“Uncle, this junior has cherished A-Wan for many years. I beg you to grant us your blessing.”

My father’s attitude changed completely. He smiled until his face nearly folded into wrinkles and agreed to the match without the slightest hesitation.

The two families celebrated together. The Shen party should have withdrawn gracefully, but Shen Qi’s mother refused to give up. If her son married into the Duke Rong household, she would practically become imperial kin.

“Since your eldest daughter is already promised, I hear you have a second daughter. She would do for my son as well—”

Before she could finish, the gatekeeper came running back.

“My lord! The Imperial Tutor, the Minister of Rites, Prince Zhong, Prince Qing, the Chief Administrator of the Eastern Palace—and a squad of Imperial Guards… There are too many people to name, all waiting outside! They say…”

He gulped for breath.

“They say they have come on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince to ask for your second daughter’s hand.”