The Strategy of Love

Ling Hua had agreed to meet at noon, but Qin Huan had already left at the hour of si (9-11am).

The Old Madam of Duke of Anguo had people keep a close watch on Qin Huan's movements, fearing he might not go at all. Now, hearing that the third son left an hour early and seemed quite eager and happy to do so, she was puzzled.

She wondered for a long time, "How did he suddenly come around?"

An old nanny said with a smile, "Perhaps the third son has finally become sensible."

"He wouldn't become sensible. If he had, he wouldn't have learned bad habits from Yan Qing," the Old Madam retorted.

The old nanny said, "Old Madam can rest assured, Miss Ling is someone with a strategic mind. Our third son cannot escape her palm. It's likely that she used some tempting method, and naturally, the third son happily went."

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam of Duke of Anguo didn't know whether to feel happy or worried. "Huan'er has such a fiancée, which is good. Over the past three years, our Duke of Anguo Residence has been the envy and praise of many, making me often feel fortunate that I encountered the Second Prince on the road, which delayed us and prevented the withdrawal of the marriage before Ling Hua could beat the Drum of Grievance. But as I watch Ling Hua and the Ling Family grow stronger, my heart also grows more and more uneasy."

"Why would you feel uneasy, Old Madam?"

"Huan'er is unaccomplished. With such a prestigious wife, I fear Huan'er and our family will not be able to control her. Wouldn't our Duke of Anguo Residence be swallowed up by her in the future?"

"Old Madam, you worry too much."

The Old Madam of Duke of Anguo shook her head, not too worried at all.

Ling Hua was indeed too formidable. In the past two years, there were many who praised her, and Duke of Anguo Residence benefited as well, holding our heads high. But this year, those who revered her increased, and with it, Duke of Anguo Residence became cautious and wary.

As an unmarried fiancée, it was very improper for someone her age to send someone to keep an eye on her fiancé. But after she beat the Drum of Grievance, she came to the Duke of Anguo Residence and said in my presence that she was controlling, obsessed with cleanliness, and did not want her fiancé to be dirty or surrounded by a mess of beautiful women. She wanted to place someone by her fiancé's side for peace of mind. If I agreed, the marriage would proceed, but if I disagreed, the marriage would be called off. After all, Ling Hua was now in charge of the Ling Family, and calling off a marriage was easy for her.

I was stunned at that moment, but seeing that Ling Hua did not seem to be joking, I did not utter the words to call off the marriage and agreed.

Now, three years have passed, with both Qin Huan and Ling Hua at sixteen, the age for marriage. I fear Ling Hua backing out as much as I fear her marrying into the family and engulfing the Duke of Anguo Residence, which leaves me increasingly torn and anxious.

Regrettably, Qin Huan doesn't understand any of this.

He actually gave up everything, stopped his studies, and in rebellion, played the fool, turning to a life of debauchery.

Fortunately, Duke of Anguo Residence is not dependent on him alone, otherwise, I, too, would face the same fate as the two Marquises of Marquis Residence, exasperated to death.

"Ah, she insisted on seeing him frequently in those two years, wanting to meet Qin Huan every few days. This year, she stayed in Jiangnan for half a year and then in Longxi for a few months, busy and barely touching the ground, not arranging any meetings with Qin Huan for a year. Let's see what Qin Huan says when he returns. If she wants to discuss the engagement, we should also start preparing soon. Regardless, the marriage that should happen, must happen," the Old Madam of Duke of Anguo instructed, "Send someone to keep an eye out at Juxian Building and bring back some news."

"Yes!"

Qin Huan certainly couldn't appreciate the Old Madam's profound concerns. He was eagerly and joyously on his way to Juxian Building to meet Ling Hua and hear about the annulment.

He had thought he would live under Ling Hua's control for the rest of his life, without any recourse. Unexpectedly, there came a day when Ling Hua was considering letting him go.

How could he not jump for joy, almost driven mad with happiness?

Qin Huan's joy was so great that he did not take a carriage or mount a horse, but hopped and skipped along the main street towards Juxian Building.

Cheng Chu, who had been inundated with alcohol by people the previous day, woke up today and remembered that he had given away all one thousand copies of the poetry collection, forgetting to keep even one for himself. So he hurried to Sihai Bookstore to buy another, and on his way, he encountered Qin Huan, who seemed nearly frenzied and quite different from usual. The passersby in the street were all watching him, and his odd behavior piqued Cheng Chu's curiosity. He called out, "Brother Qin, the Third."

"Brother Cheng!" Qin Huan's eyes smiled merrily, unable to hide his joy, and upon seeing Cheng Chu, he even hopped on the spot a couple of times.

Cheng Chu: "..."

He looked at him quizzically. "You... what's the good news?"

"I..." Qin Huan was about to blurt out that he was going to call off the engagement, but feeling that the matter wasn't yet settled, he refrained from spreading the word. What if Ling Hua took offense at his indiscretion and changed her mind?

So, he clamped his mouth shut and said nervously, "Anyway, it's good news, but I can't tell you."

Cheng Chu: "..."

He eyed Qin Huan up and down.

The more he looked, the more nervous Qin Huan became, and he quickly moved away, "I... Anyway, it's a good thing, it's none of your business, I'm leaving."

He even started to run off.

Cheng Chu: "..."

He was speechless for a while. "What an idiot!"

Thus, paying no further attention, he hurried to Sihai Bookstore to buy his books.

Meanwhile, at Marquis Duanjing's residence, Yan Qing had been truly inebriated the day before. Sent home by the butler, he didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.

The best thing about Begonia Brew, besides its delightful aroma, was that even if one drank too much, it didn't torment the drinker with an unbearable hangover. So even after a night of heavy drinking, Yan Qing awoke feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

The butler hadn't slept well last night since Xiao Zhen had come for a mysterious visit in the wee hours and had stared at his young Marquis with a heavy gaze for quite some time before leaving. Hearing that Yan Qing was awake, the butler hurried over to inquire.

Yan Qing only remembered drinking an entire jar of Begonia Brew given as an apology by the host of Qiyun Mountain. He had completely forgotten about Xiao Zhen's late-night visit.

He was extremely puzzled. "Xiao Zhen? He came looking for me last night? Have I offended him? No, I haven't!"

Although they both resided in the Capital City, he didn't enjoy mingling with royalty and nobility, and he hadn't seen Xiao Zhen for a year. Where could he possibly have offended him?

The butler recounted in detail Xiao Zhen's visit to the residence the night before, his words, and his expression. "Young Marquis, please think carefully?"

Yan Qing couldn't recall anything and, after a while, said, "He must be sick?"

Butler: "..."

"Forget about him!" Yan Qing waved his hand dismissively and went to play with his birds.

Butler: "..."

Alright then. If the young Marquis said there was no offense, then there was no offense. Besides, with the Empress Dowager around, even if he had unwittingly offended someone, the Second Prince couldn't do much to the young Marquis.