Old Lady Song and First Lady Song asked a few questions of Ye Jingchuan and grew increasingly convinced of his reliability. It wasn’t that they wanted to rid themselves of Song Chuyi, but rather that gossip could be a terrifying thing. Take the case of the Ninth Miss of Duke Chengguo's household—merely beled as possessed by a demon, and she was burned alive...

  They wanted the best for Song Chuyi. With the King of Zhennan and Ye Jingkuan at the helm of the Zhennan's Estate, alongside the protection of Princess Rongcheng and the Empress, it would be easy to safeguard a daughter-in-w already married into the estate.

  Moreover, Ye Jingchuan’s obvious affection for Song Chuyi made Old Lady Song feel both relief and ment. She looked at the eight-treasure chest he had prepared, yer after yer revealing items such as the intricate gold hairpin carved like a crouching ox gazing at the moon, exquisite crystal figurines of the twelve zodiac animals, and an array of novelty trinkets that any young dy would adore. His dedication was evident.

  But even after waiting for a long while, Song Chuyi didn’t appear. Just as they were about to send someone to fetch her, Yun walked in softly, lifting her skirt as she approached. She gnced at Ye Jingchuan and whispered, “Sixth Miss… walked into the courtyard but then turned back and left…”

  Lady Yu saw the expressions on Old Lady Song and First Lady Song and knew her suspicions had likely been confirmed. After a moment’s thought, she stood and excused herself to check on Xiang Mingzi but instead headed toward Guanjiu Courtyard, where Song Chuyi resided.

  Song Chuyi was just about to leave her residence, a dark green cloak with pink floral trim draped over her shoulders. The combination complemented her fair skin, which resembled a fine milk pudding that seemed to melt at the slightest touch.

  Lady Yu stepped forward and took her hand, startled by how cold it was, like a block of ice. She frowned, “How long were you standing out in the snow? Why are you so cold?”

  Since Lady Yu was here, Song Chuyi couldn’t leave immediately. She led her inside to the warm room, sat down silently on the chaise, and pressed her lips together.

  Qingying served Lady Yu tea and subtly shook her head.

  Having been with Song Chuyi for so long, Qingying knew her mistress wasn’t like other noble daughters. While most dreamt of good marriages and dashing husbands, Song Chuyi avoided such prospects like the pgue.

  This time, Yuan Hui’s careless words had unintentionally drawn the attention of the Empress, the Zhennan’s Estate, and her family to her marital affairs, leaving her feeling utterly cornered.

  Lady Yu, understanding this, reached across the table to hold Song Chuyi’s hand. She asked gently, “You don’t like Second Young Master Ye?”

  “It’s not about liking or not,” Song Chuyi replied after a pause, her voice low. “His attentiveness and persistence weigh on me, like a mountain pressing on my chest.”

  She wasn’t an ignorant girl untouched by the realities of life. After enduring a disastrous marriage, it was almost impossible for her to imagine offering her heart again.

  Even in her rebirth, she knew she needed to choose a husband who matched her in status and could protect her and Song Yan. But no amount of preparation could quell her fear and unease when faced with the reality of marriage.

  Faced with Ye Jingchuan’s passion, she would rather marry someone purely for mutual benefit. A marriage devoid of love but filled with cooperation and shared interests would give her the peace she craved.

  Lady Yu sighed softly, pulling her into an embrace and patting her back like a child. “Don’t be afraid, Xiaoyi. This isn’t your nightmare. In life, you’ll meet many people. You can’t let one bad experience make you distrust everyone.”

  Song Chuyi’s eyes brimmed with tears as she shook her head, her voice trembling. “It’s not that I’m afraid of snakes because of one bite… I know Second Young Master Ye is good, but I don’t know how to like someone anymore, Aunt.”

  She csped the colorful button on her cloak and lowered her gaze. “Right now, he likes me, and he thinks his efforts are worthwhile, even if I don’t reciprocate. But what about ter?

  “Life isn’t all poetry and romance. I don’t like him. I’d be fine letting him take concubines or maids to his bed, but will there come a day when he feels it’s unfair? When he thinks my ck of effort makes his devotion meaningless? Once that seed of resentment grows, everything he once admired in me will turn into fws…”

  Lady Yu was shocked at how deeply and far ahead Song Chuyi had thought. She finally realized how much this motherless girl cked guidance in love.

  For the first eight years of her life, Song Chuyi had only experienced suffocating praise from her stepmother, Li Shi. No one had ever taught her how to love.

  Even in her dreams, joy had been a rarity, overshadowed by pain. A husband who didn’t love her, a son who died, and a life spent alone had shaped her fears and skepticism about marriage.

  Though she appeared to have woken up from the dream, its influence lingered. The better Ye Jingchuan treated her, the heavier her guilt and sense of responsibility became. She didn’t know how to reciprocate his love, nor did she know how to respond, leaving her paralyzed by fear.

  Lady Yu patiently patted her back. “I understand… this matter isn’t set in stone yet. Don’t be afraid.”

  But in a world where unmarried girls were a rarity, avoiding marriage was nearly impossible. Lady Yu sighed deeply, knowing how difficult it would be for Song Chuyi to build a happy life with such a mindset.

  Perhaps some time away in Jinzhong with First Lady Cui would give her space to reflect and decide what she truly wanted for her future.