Chapter 2: The One Who Has No Choice But to Give Up

The front courtyard of the Marquis’s mansion was bustling with activity in the flower hall.

From a distance, one could see everyone chatting and laughing. Outside the hall, the younger generation was gathered around Qin Yan, the heir to the Marquis’s mansion, and He Yan, the heir to Duke Yan’s estate. Qin He, in particular, looked charming and dignified, clearly the center of affection.

Almost all the children from the various branches who were worth mentioning were present, all admiring the gifts He Yan had brought for Qin He.

"Second-grade beast crystals? These are beneficial for cultivation."

"I prefer agate and jade; they look beautiful as hair ornaments."

"That’s right, I love jade."

The women favored jewelry, while the men preferred the crystals used for cultivation.

When Qin Bi arrived, no one paid her any mind. One cousin greeted her briefly, but everyone else continued their lively conversation. He Yan glanced over; the man was handsome and noble, his brocade robes only adding to his air of distinction, but his gaze was merely a fleeting, indifferent sweep.

Qin He spoke to He Yan: "I want to go hunt spirit beasts, too."

He Yan turned his head, continuing to discuss the aforementioned beasts with Qin He.

Qin Bi instantly felt her standing within the Marquis’s mansion. She didn't care; if the marriage didn't work out, she could just go back with her third aunt. The younger siblings had all grown up, and she was neither familiar nor close with any of them.

After a moment of hesitation, Qin Bi walked toward the main seat where everyone was crowded.

"Why are you only just arriving?" Qin Yan saw Qin Bi and smiled. "The heir to Duke Yan has been here for quite a while. He brought gifts for all the younger ones in the family. The one for you was already sent over, wasn't it?!"

Qin Yan was the heir to the Marquis’s mansion and the eldest son of the first branch; he held absolute weight among the younger generation.

Qin Bi gave a polite smile. "A box of books."

Qin Bi dared not act out, but she took the opportunity to look at the gift trays on the table and glanced at He Yan. "Are these for Qin He? Beast crystals, agate, jade—none of these are cheap items. Heir, are you here today to perform the wedding betrothal rites? Actually, you didn't need to send me anything at all. It was just a box of books; I haven't touched them, so you might as well take them back."

As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Yan’s smile vanished. Qin Bi was taking issue with He Yan giving gifts to Qin He.

The younger sister of Qin He from the second branch was displeased and stepped forward. "What do you mean by that? The heir gave my sister valuable gifts, and you’re jealous? Everything was given openly; there’s no need for you to be so sour here."

The girl from the second branch was agitated, and her loud voice caused everyone to stop talking and laughing, their expressions shifting.

"What could I possibly mean?" The second branch was unhappy, but Qin Bi could not back down. She was in the right, and she needed to make things clear. She said to He Yan, "If the heir intends to proceed with the wedding rites, then take back the gifts you’ve given out."

He Yan narrowed his eyes. "We’ll talk about this back home."

He was protecting Qin He, worried about the impact on her reputation. Qin Bi’s heart turned cold.

She had tested the waters, and the result was not what she wanted.

Several of the legitimate sons of the Qin family wanted to speak, but Qin He grew angry. She pulled her sister back and said, "What’s the big deal? Is it worth the cousin making such a fuss? I don’t want the gifts anymore; Heir, take them all back."

"Why shouldn't you want them?" Qin He’s sister retorted. "They were given by the Heir; what does it have to do with her?"

In truth, it had everything to do with her. He Yan was Qin Bi’s fiancé, and they were currently in the midst of discussing their marriage.

However, it didn't matter. Clearly, the entire Marquis’s mansion did not take Qin Bi’s marriage seriously. Otherwise, the legitimate daughter of the second branch would never have asked what He Yan had to do with Qin Bi. He Yan’s attitude toward Qin He had given the second branch’s daughter the confidence to speak.

Qin Bi looked at He Yan, waiting for him to speak.

Qin He pulled on her sister, her eyelids lowered, lost in thought.

He Yan sat down calmly and poured tea. After taking a sip, he looked at Qin Bi, his eyes sharp. His tone was indifferent, yet carried both oppression and disdain: "You want to compare yourself to Qin He? You have been betrothed before, while Qin He has only ever had me."

The words were venomous. Qin Bi was stunned, her mind going blank.

The legitimate daughter of the second branch was satisfied and shot a triumphant, mocking look at Qin Bi.

Qin Yan, the heir to the Marquis’s mansion, sighed and looked worriedly at his cousin from the fourth branch. He Yan’s words were hurtful; if they could be resolved later, it would be fine, but otherwise, it would become a knot in their hearts, and he feared the couple would never be harmonious.

The children of the various branches looked at each other, wearing expressions that suggested they had seen this coming.

He Yan and Qin He had originally been a pair. Over these years, it hadn't been easy for Qin He to wait for the heir to Duke Yan, and she was truly pitiful. If it weren't for his reputation as a "wife-killer," Qin Bi’s status would never have allowed her to climb up to someone like He Yan.

Seeing Qin Bi’s stunned expression, several of the brothers in the mansion couldn't bear to watch and shifted their gazes.

Qin Bi’s heart ached. So, this was all she was in He Yan’s eyes. She had been betrothed before, and it had been ruined by two powerful officials—don't ask how Qin Bi knew; it was them who had meddled.

Her marriage prospects had always been uncertain, and now He Yan was using this to slap her in the face. The old wounds she had suppressed were now impossible to hold back.

Qin Bi’s eyes turned red, her sockets aching, but the tears did not fall. She was no longer angry; she felt a strange, settled calm, as if everything had been decided. Qin He’s transmigration was too successful; she couldn't compete.

"You despise me for having been betrothed," Qin Bi sneered.

Did He Yan not know she had been betrothed? He Yan had known from the very beginning. To be so disgusted by her past betrothal yet still insist on marrying her—Qin Bi felt it wasn't worth it for him. If he wasn't satisfied, he shouldn't force it.

"Let’s just call off the engagement. Marry whoever you like," Qin Bi said, feeling suffocated.

"Qin Bi," Qin Yan warned, stopping her from saying words that couldn't be taken back.

Qin Bi marrying He Yan was the best choice—for the Marquis’s mansion, for everyone.

Qin Bi was the one who had to be the sacrifice.

At this moment, Qin Bi understood everything, but she had no intention of following the arrangements made by the Marquis’s mansion and the Duke’s estate.

Qin Lang, the legitimate son of the third branch, had the best relationship with Qin Bi and felt sorry for her. He pulled her arm. "Stop talking. Go back to your courtyard."

"Are we just going to let her ruin our second branch’s Qin He like this?" the girl asked, unwilling to let it go.

"Have some shame," Qin Bi snapped.

The daughter of the second branch was furious.

He Yan’s expression changed. He looked at Qin Bi and decided to be blunt: "After you and I are married, I will bring Qin He into the house. It hasn't been easy for her to wait for me all these years, and I intend to make her a co-wife."

Qin Bi crumbled, feeling dazed.

So, after all these years, it was still like this. He Yan bullied her so; if she had to endure this, she might as well be dead. Qin Bi couldn't suppress her anger, but she couldn't afford to offend powerful officials, and the Marquis’s mansion wouldn't allow her to cause a scene.

She broke down, tears streaming from her eyes, and she cast a hateful look at He Yan.

He Yan didn't flinch. As he looked back, the expressions of the Qin family members shifted. Now, they truly pitied this concubine-born daughter of the fourth branch. He Yan marrying her was simply a way to break his "wife-killing" curse.

Once the heir to Duke Yan was no longer cursed, he would immediately marry Qin He.

The daughter of the second branch was secretly delighted, pulling on Qin He with pure admiration. Only her sister, Qin He, could be so highly regarded by the Duke’s heir.

Qin Lang was displeased and opened his mouth to speak, but Qin Bi grabbed him. This third-branch cousin was the only one who stood by her; she couldn't let him ruin his future for her sake. Qin Lang and Qin Bi locked eyes.

Qin Bi shook her head, and Qin Lang slumped in defeat.

Qin Tang, the eldest legitimate son of the fourth branch, felt a pang of pain. He walked up to Qin Bi. "I’ll take you back."

Hearing her eldest brother’s words, Qin Bi could no longer hold back her breakdown. But few people cared whether she cried or not. She couldn't cry here. Qin Bi hurried away.