chapter 12

Parents were already pale with fright, shrinking into the corner without uttering a word.

Madam Duan spoke anxiously, “I thought we could find someone we knew well, but never expected such a huge mess. Jiming, how could you be so muddle-headed, lending them money to settle matters without asking the reason?”

I said, “The Eldest Young Master never gave them any money.”

Duan Jing gave me a subtle look, signaling me to step back and keep silent.

Madam Duan seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. “Never gave? Then the hundreds of taels of silver we found-were they stolen?”

Parents, hearing this, kowtowed and argued, “Please, sirs, see clearly! It was indeed the Eldest Young Master who gave it!”

I grew anxious, “You’re lying! The Eldest Young Master just returned to the manor, how could he have had time to give you silver?”

Mother widened her eyes, “Girl, you delivered it yourself just now, how could you forget?”

The aunt beside Madam Duan chimed in, “Indeed, I saw Miss Zhang come out of the East Side Room just now.”

At that moment, I was utterly disheartened.

I had thought that human nature was flawed, but not to the extent of forcing their own daughter onto a dead end.

They insisted the silver was given by Duan Jing. If my brother’s murder case was settled and the charge of favoritism fell on Duan Jing, he would never rise again.

“I-” I had just opened my mouth when Duan Jing covered it mercilessly, smiled calmly, and said, “That’s right, I gave the money. My father- and mother-in-law came to visit, so I showed filial respect to my elders. What’s wrong with that?”

Madam Duan raised a meaningful smile, “If that’s so, why has Yangzhou already released the person?”

The officials in court robes, who had been listening indifferently, suddenly paid attention. “Is this true?”

Lord Duan coughed lightly, “Don’t be hasty… These are just rumors… Nothing is settled yet…”

He seemed very afraid of the officials.

“Sir, just yesterday, my cousin from Yangzhou happened to come to the Capital. She said it herself-the matter is causing a huge stir locally, how could it be false?” Madam Duan’s smile relaxed, her mood much improved.

Duan Jing sneered, “Mother’s cousin is hardly as reliable as an official document.”

With that, he bowed respectfully to the officials. “Honorable sirs, the nation has its laws. I have long heard of the matter in Yangzhou, and a few days ago, I asked someone to inform the Yangzhou prefect, insisting that everything be handled impartially. At this moment, the supervisory document should have already arrived in the Capital. May I trouble you to send someone to check it.”

Madam Duan’s smile froze, “Impossible…”

Duan Jing smiled politely, “Mother, rumors in the marketplace, once they spread, only disgrace Father.”

Lord Duan could not keep his composure, glared fiercely at Madam Duan, then forced a smile as he turned to the officials, “Please forgive us, sirs. Jiming has always been kind since childhood and would never lie. You see… the official appointment is tomorrow…”

The senior official glanced at me and Duan Jing, “Last spring, the younger brother-in-law of the Vice Minister of Rites rode his horse recklessly in the street, angering His Majesty, who dismissed and investigated him… How long has it been since then? Even if His Majesty doesn’t mention it, who would dare to defy the rules? Sir, we’ve served together for years. Tonight, let me be frank: if this matter reaches His Majesty’s ears, he remembers your service over two reigns and your distinguished merits, which is why he sent us here.”

He hinted, “Only with a clean family reputation can one’s career go smoothly…”

I understood everything.

If I stayed by Duan Jing’s side, I would only harm him.

I took out the Indenture Contract from my bosom, but before I could speak, Duan Jing declared resolutely, “Impossible. I will not break off this engagement.”

“Duan Jing!” Lord Duan slammed his palm on the table in anger. “Even if you break off the engagement tonight, you may not be able to clear yourself! Because of this family, wherever you go, people will point fingers at you! Break it off! You must!”

Parents were dumbfounded, rushing over to hold me. “Child, what is happening? Why is the engagement being broken off?”

Clutching the Indenture Contract, bitterness filled my heart as I calmly asked, “How could things be fine? If everything were fine, how would our family owe a life?”

Mother knelt on the ground, starting to make a scene, “No! What about our daughter’s innocence? I won’t return the betrothal gifts!”

“What innocence does she have? If the parents are crooked, how could the daughter turn out well!” Lord Duan was so angry his face turned red and he was panting heavily.

Duan Jing gripped my wrist tightly, pulling me behind him, standing like a lone gate against a thousand men, his face cold. “From today on, Zhang Wanyi is my wife. She has nothing more to do with you two.” Then he said to Lord Duan, “She is still pure and innocent, gentle and kind, treats me sincerely. If I don’t marry her, should I marry a woman with a Buddha’s face and a snake’s heart, who stirs up trouble?”

Madam Duan, being indirectly scolded, turned pale and pointed at Duan Jing, “You!”

“Outrageous! You’ll be the death of me!” Lord Duan’s legs gave out and he collapsed into his chair, trembling all over.

The scene was utter chaos: on one side, Parents were rolling and wailing on the ground; on the other, Lord Duan and Madam Duan were scolding harshly; nearby, the clan relatives whispered among themselves.

I lowered my head and quietly unfolded the Indenture Contract. “Enough. Stop arguing.”
The voices were too quiet; none of them heard me.

I took a deep breath, mustered all my courage, and shouted, “Stop arguing!”

The hall fell silent. Everyone turned to look at me in unison.

My hand trembled slightly as I raised the Indenture Contract high. Under Duan Jing’s gaze, I spoke clearly and forcefully, “I was sold to Duan Mansion, not here to get married.”

A deathly silence.

Duan Jing’s lips quivered. He gritted his teeth and said, “Zhang Wanyi, shut up!”

I shook off his hand, stepped back, walked to the center of the hall, and knelt down. “Wanyi was bought by Duan Mansion. My family is poor, and the Eldest Young Master is kind enough to give a servant some silver to support my Parents. My younger brother has committed heinous crimes and will be punished by the law. It has nothing to do with the master’s family. I beg you, sirs, to explain this to His Majesty. Please do not blame the Young Master for a servant’s mistake.”

Madam Duan shot up from her seat. “Your Betrothal Letter is still kept in my room!”

Duan Jing rushed over, grabbed me, and tried to drag me away. “To hell with being a servant! Zhang Wanyi, tonight this Young Master will consummate the marriage! Next spring, we’ll have a child! I’ll split from the family! I won’t stay in this filthy, chaotic place any longer!”

I struggled desperately, finally broke free, and fell to the ground with a thud. Facing the officials, I kowtowed. “This servant is audacious, wanting to climb into the Young Master’s bed. Madam had no choice but to accept my Betrothal Letter and take me as a chamber maid. It was all my doing… I beg you to see the truth…”

Madam Duan was shaking with rage. Lord Duan, agitated, slapped Madam Duan and stood up. “Exactly! Exactly! She’s just a coarse maid-how could the family’s reputation be questioned? Someone, drive these people out!”

The officials exchanged knowing glances. “If she’s just a servant, there’s nothing much to fuss about. As long as it’s confirmed that the criminal in Yangzhou is dealt with according to the law, we can return and report.”

I lay prostrate on the ground, closing my eyes in exhaustion.

Two thousand taels-enough for me to serve Duan Mansion for a lifetime.

My mother rushed over and grabbed my neck. “You worthless thing! Ungrateful wretch! I should have strangled you at birth!”

I knelt numbly, letting her choke me.

It would be better if she did.

None of them would ever harm Duan Jing.

My father raised his hand high, about to strike, when suddenly someone kicked him away. He flew across the room and crashed into the corner.

Then I was swept into someone’s arms, and the light suddenly dimmed.

Duan Jing’s voice trembled. “Wanyi, I’m taking you away.”

The noise faded into the distance. The cool night breeze lifted my hair as I stayed silent in Duan Jing’s embrace.

He walked quickly, afraid of being chased, and didn’t stop until we left the mansion. He shouted, “Chunsheng! The carriage!”

I heard the horses whinny, then was shoved into a carriage. Duan Jing followed, his robe swirling, and threw me hard onto the soft couch-bang!

His fist grazed my ear and slammed into the carriage wall.

I shuddered. Duan Jing snapped, “Now you’re scared! You want to be a servant? Fine! Zhang Wanyi! Do you know how I treat servants? Tie them up and lock them away-if I want you dead, no one can stop me!”

My eyes reddened, and I shouted back, “What else could I do? Just watch Madam Duan ruin you? My brother has blood on his hands! Even if you break off the engagement, they’ll still say you can’t judge people! That you don’t know right from wrong!”

“I, Jiming, am no fool! Even if the Emperor himself came, he couldn’t stop me from marrying you!” Duan Jing gritted his teeth. “In this life, it has to be you! If you won’t marry me, I’ll become a monk!”

“You!” I had never met anyone so shameless. “You’re unreasonable!”

Duan Jing’s tone was fierce. “Reasonable? If I keep being reasonable, my damn bride will run away!”

With that, he grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me forward, biting my lips fiercely like a mad dog.

Soon, the taste of blood spread.

As the carriage jolted, our lips and teeth clashed again and again. I groaned in pain, but Duan Jing didn’t let up, panting, “Does it hurt? Good! Pain will make you remember!”

He kept biting and grinding.

At first, I fought back, hitting him in a panic. Duan Jing even took a few slaps.

But gradually, I collapsed, curling up in the corner, forced to endure his anger.

In the darkness, there was a rustling sound. Duan Jing took my hand, pulled it to his chest, and pressed it there. “Can you hurt for me, too? Your Husband’s heart was stabbed and cut by you-how could you bear it?”

Of course I couldn’t bear it. Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed like a wounded animal, my resistance fading until I melted in his arms.

Duan Jing was heartbroken. He pressed his chin to my forehead, his stubble scratching me. “Wanyi, trust me, will you? Marry me tonight. If I don’t marry you, your Husband will die of heartbreak.”

He was always good with sweet words, but his feelings were real.

I closed my eyes, unable to suppress the urge in my heart any longer, and whispered, “Alright.”

He suddenly scooped me up, tossed me into the air, and I screamed, clinging to Duan Jing’s neck as I landed on his lap.

He curled his lips. “Good girl, tonight we’ll consummate our marriage!”