Volume One, Chapter Four: Presenting the Family Genealogy in Public

Yan Huaicheng’s expression darkened as he snapped, “Don’t speak nonsense.”

“How dare you be so insolent as to curse my elder brother.”

At that moment, a young boy dressed in black stepped out from behind Yan Huaicheng. He appeared to be around eight or nine years old. Though his face was stern, he was remarkably handsome.

A large red silk flower was pinned to his chest, giving him an oddly charming appearance. Holding a piece of red silk in his hand, one might mistake him for the groom.

“Second Young Master, please forgive her; the young lady merely spoke out of turn,” Yan Huaicheng said, bowing slightly and forcing a smile at the boy.

Seeing Yan Huaicheng grovel before a child with such obsequiousness filled Jiu Mu’s eyes with disdain.

Yet, this was part of why she was willing to marry into the Marquis’s household. After all, in terms of status, she would soon surpass the Yan family completely.

Once she avenged herself and her frail husband passed away, she would roam freely, with the entire world at her feet. Perhaps one day she would even be able to return to her previous life.

The young boy ignored Yan Huaicheng and instead clasped his fists toward Jiu Mu. “My elder brother is unwell and cannot come out today. I am Luo Yan, sent by him to receive the bride. I hope Miss Yan will understand.”

“You’re not going to take your brother’s place and marry me yourself, are you?” Jiu Mu found the thought amusing.

Luo Yan’s cheeks flushed suddenly. “Silence! Who said I’d marry you?”

“Alright then, tell me—since you’re here to receive your brother’s bride, do you have the authority to speak on his behalf?” Jiu Mu raised an eyebrow, no longer teasing him.

Luo Yan didn’t quite understand her implication, feeling she was underestimating him due to his age. He quickly responded, “I have been sent by my parents to fetch the bride. Naturally, I have the authority to speak.”

“Good. Then do you know who the bride you are to receive is? Her full name?”

“Silence! What are you trying to do?” Before Jiu Mu could finish, Yan Huaicheng’s face changed, and he interrupted sharply.

That troublesome girl was certainly restless, feigning obedience only to cause a scene in front of everyone.

“Second Young Master, don’t listen to her—”

“Quiet! I’m speaking with her.” Though young, Luo Yan sensed something unusual.

Seeing Yan Huaicheng’s face flush deep red—whether from anger or anxiety—Jiu Mu suddenly felt a fondness for Luo Yan.

After all, seeing Yan Huaicheng displeased made her happy.

Luo Yan looked at Jiu Mu. “I understand what you mean. Of course, I know who I am to receive. Her name is Yan Qing... Qing—”

He scratched his head, momentarily forgetting. A companion leaned over and whispered in his ear.

“Yes, her name is Yan Qingling.”

He recalled his parents mentioning that the Yan family had only one daughter. They had worried the Yan family might refuse the marriage, but unexpectedly, the Yan family had agreed.

“But I am not Yan Qingling,” Jiu Mu’s voice rang out clearly, audible to all present.

“You are not Yan Qingling?”

Luo Yan glared angrily at Yan Huaicheng. “You wicked old man! How dare you send someone to impersonate the bride and mock the Marquis’s household?”

Yan Huaicheng shot a sharp glance at Jiu Mu and hurriedly said, “Second Young Master, please calm down. Allow me to explain.”

Luo Yan stared at him, silent, as if daring him to make excuses.

“Qingling is not the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan family. Yan Jiu Mu is. Therefore, the bride should be her,” Yan Huaicheng said reluctantly, recalling Jiu Mu’s request from the day before. He finished with a warning glance at her.

“Is what he says true? Are you truly the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan family?” Luo Yan looked at Jiu Mu, clearly skeptical of Yan Huaicheng’s words.

Jiu Mu smiled faintly. “Yes. I have lived in the countryside all along. People in the capital seem unaware that the Yan family has another daughter.”

“Yes, the young lady has been frail since childhood, convalescing at the estate. She only recently returned,” Yan Huaicheng added.

Luo Yan was doubtful and found himself in a dilemma. What if the Yan family was conspiring to deceive him?

His parents and elder brother were waiting at home. What explanation could he give if he brought home a fake?

“Don’t believe me? Then you can look at the family genealogy,” Jiu Mu said, as if daring him.

Ah, the genealogy.

Luo Yan’s eyes lit up. The genealogy could not be falsified, and only the legitimate daughters were listed. He turned to Yan Huaicheng. “Please have someone fetch the genealogy.”

Yan Huaicheng’s face paled. He suspected Jiu Mu was doing this deliberately. How could a girl raised in the countryside know such details?

He had granted her the position of legitimate eldest daughter merely to trick her into the Marquis’s household for auspicious purposes. He never intended to put her in the genealogy.

His hesitation appeared suspicious to Luo Yan. “What’s this? Am I not allowed to see the genealogy?”

“Or perhaps she isn’t the legitimate eldest daughter at all, but a substitute you found. This is a marriage arranged by the emperor—how dare you deceive the sovereign!”

“Second Young Master, you misunderstand. I am only concerned about delaying the auspicious time,” Yan Huaicheng hurried to justify.

Luo Yan was unconvinced. “If you don’t produce the genealogy soon, that will truly delay the auspicious time.”

Yan Huaicheng took a deep breath. “Second Young Master and everyone else, please wait a moment. I will fetch it immediately.”

Watching him almost jogging away, Jiu Mu’s smile deepened. Now her identity was truly confirmed.

Feeling Luo Yan’s probing gaze, she met it without hesitation.

“You said you weren’t in the capital before. Do you know about my elder brother’s situation?” Luo Yan doubted she hadn’t been deceived; otherwise, how could she still smile?

“I’ve heard some things,” Jiu Mu nodded.

“Then you’re still willing to marry?” Luo Yan asked, puzzled.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Jiu Mu laughed lightly. Was this little one worried about her?

“I’ve heard the Marquis’s household is upright. The Marquis and Marchioness are kind to others and will surely treat me well. It’s better than staying here.”

Hearing this, Luo Yan grew more sympathetic. “Of course. If you truly marry into the Marquis’s household, we will all treat you kindly.”

After a moment, Yan Huaicheng returned, panting. He opened a wooden box and presented it to Luo Yan.

“Second Young Master, please see for yourself.”

As Jiu Mu had anticipated, her name appeared under the legitimate eldest daughter. The details mattered little now.

“Since there is no problem, Sister-in-law, let us depart,” Luo Yan said directly to Jiu Mu.

Surprised that he accepted her so quickly, Jiu Mu smiled in response. “Very well.”

Walking side by side, Jiu Mu and Luo Yan left the mansion, heading toward the bridal sedan chair. Summer Lotus hurried over to support her, accompanied by a strange maid.

Firecrackers sounded as the bridal procession slowly departed. Yan Huaicheng finally relaxed, relieved to have sent her off.

Just as Jiu Mu began to feel drowsy, the sedan chair came to a steady halt. A clear voice outside announced, “The bridal sedan has arrived!”

“Please have the bride descend,” the matchmaker’s voice called.

Jiu Mu lifted the veil over her head and stepped down, allowing the matchmaker to support her inside.

She still needed to establish herself in the Marquis’s household. Riding on their influence, she would cooperate accordingly.