Volume 1, Chapter 5: No One Shall Take Him Away

In truth, Qin Huaisheng had only passed the imperial examination as one of the third-tier successful candidates. During the palace examination, the emperor, seeing his handsome appearance and remembering the late Old Master Qin, waved his hand decisively and bestowed upon him the title of third-ranking scholar.

Unexpectedly, being the third-ranking scholar required not only talent but also good looks!

Xu Yunwan was also utterly captivated by Qin Huaisheng’s handsome visage, vowing never to marry anyone else.

As for the crown prince, his appearance was rather plain and honest... Moreover, he had already taken the primary wife and had the full backing of the Prime Minister’s residence, which meant that any secondary consort was merely ornamental.

Returning to Mingzhu Courtyard, Xu Yunwan locked herself inside her room. The angrier she became, the more vases and jade cups she smashed.

“That despicable Xu Zhiyi! How dare she speak to me like that! Huaisheng can only be mine—no one else shall take him away!”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Lin hurried over. “Wan’er, I heard that wicked girl bullied you? Don’t be afraid. With your father here, he will surely stand up for you. Now be good and open the door.”

“Go away! None of you care about me anymore. I’d rather be dead!”

Sweat beaded on Aunt Lin’s forehead as she anxiously patted the door.

“How could we not care about you? Don’t say such nonsense. Your father has already given the order. Your dowry will make everyone envious! Now, in this scorching heat, don’t let yourself get sick.”

Reluctantly, Xu Yunwan opened the door, her eyes swollen from crying. Aunt Lin felt a pang of pity and soothed her gently.

“My dear treasure, don’t mind whatever that little vile girl from Wutong Courtyard says. Just wait and see how I’ll teach her a lesson!”

She then instructed Madam Wang standing nearby, “Go bring the eldest miss here and make her kneel in Wan’er’s courtyard until Wan’er calms down!”

It was midsummer; the leaves had curled under the fierce sun, and the bluestone ground was scorching hot.

“Does this make you feel better, my good daughter?”

Xu Yunwan pouted in frustration.

“Mother, I don’t want to marry the crown prince! He’s not as good-looking as Brother Huaisheng! Please, help me.”

Aunt Lin paused, then quickly covered Xu Yunwan’s mouth.

“Oh, my dear, you mustn’t speak such words! The crown prince is the heir apparent.”

Lowering her voice, she continued, “If he ascends the throne, you will be the noble consort. Apart from looks, how could Qin Huaisheng compare to His Highness? You must never say such things again.”

Xu Yunwan knew she had spoken wrongly but felt even more stifled inside.

She had to find a way to prevent Xu Zhiyi from marrying Qin Huaisheng!

Thinking Xu Yunwan had heeded her advice, Aunt Lin went on.

“The crown prince may be older, but such men cherish their loved ones dearly. And He Xiangwan isn’t young anymore; she can’t compare to our Wan’er. Remember, no matter how old a man is, he always prefers youth and beauty! You won’t lack the crown prince’s favor.”

At that moment, Xu Zhiyi happened to enter Mingzhu Courtyard and overheard every word clearly.

A concubine was just a concubine—petty and short-sighted.

Besides her beauty, Aunt Lin could hardly teach Xu Yunwan anything else.

“Kneel!”

The harsh gaze of the housemaid swept over the still upright Xu Zhiyi.

“I advise the eldest miss to recognize the situation. The second miss is Master’s favorite. If you really upset her and something happens, you’ll regret it!”

The sunlight was scorching, blinding her eyes.

Despite receiving two slaps, Little Fish stubbornly stood in front of Xu Zhiyi.

“Madam Wang is just an old servant. Why does she dare speak rudely to the eldest miss?”

“Smack!”

The sharp slap echoed throughout Mingzhu Courtyard.

“The madam’s orders must be obeyed!”

Xu Zhiyi pulled Little Fish behind her and straightened her back.

“I don’t know who Madam Wang calls ‘madam.’ When did Father take a commoner as a formal wife? I’ve never heard of it.”

Madam Wang’s expression stiffened, unable to respond.

Xu Zhiyi glanced at her coldly.

“Could it be that the ‘madam’ Madam Wang refers to is Aunt Lin? If Father hears this...”

Though Xu Huai’an despised Xu Zhiyi’s birth mother, he had not remarried after her death.

Outsiders thought he was devoted, unable to forget his first wife.

Xu Zhiyi, however, found his hypocritical pretense disgusting.

Aunt Lin was charming but ultimately a courtesan who performed but did not sell herself.

Xu Huai’an might pamper Aunt Lin immensely but would never elevate her to a formal wife.

Otherwise, the whole Xu household would become the laughingstock of the capital.

Xu Zhiyi’s voice was loud enough for Aunt Lin to hear inside the room.

She clutched her heaving chest and drank several cups of cold tea.

“Has that little wretch lost her mind today? How dare she slander me like this! She must be taught a proper lesson!”

Aunt Lin’s methods of tormenting Xu Zhiyi were relentless.

If she could be beaten to death today, no one would be able to take Brother Huaisheng away!

A triumphant, determined smile crept across Xu Yunwan’s lips.

Aunt Lin rushed into the courtyard and raised her hand to slap Xu Zhiyi.

“Your mother is a lowlife who bore such an unruly, shameless little wretch! If you dare anger Wan’er, I’ll see to it you lose your life!”

Xu Zhiyi turned her head; Aunt Lin’s slap missed, and she stumbled forward.

Madam Wang quickly grabbed her, preventing her from falling into the pond.

Aunt Lin stared at her in disbelief.

“You dare dodge? I’ll beat you to death today, little wretch!”

Cursing, she lunged at Xu Zhiyi again.

Xu Zhiyi stepped aside and precisely jabbed several embroidered needles hidden in her sleeve into Aunt Lin’s acupuncture points.

Aunt Lin cried out in shock.

Her knees weakened, and she fell heavily to the ground, her palms scraped and bleeding from the rough stones.

Just then, Xu Huai’an’s stern voice rang out.

“What is going onI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.