Chapter 6

Tang Ming’an was a man of striking appearance, and with the wealth of his family, he carried himself with an air of extravagance that made him seem far more charming than the respectful and dull demeanor of He Yanzhou. The moment Qin Yuling caught sight of him, she cast He Yanzhou to the back of her mind, her heart and eyes entirely filled with her lover.

However, remembering that the He family had at least come to formally propose a marriage, while the Tang family had shown no such intent, Qin Yuling forced herself to stop before she could throw herself into his arms.

She held back, but Tang Ming’an pouted and pulled her in anyway. "My little darling, you haven't come to see me these past few days. I’ve missed you so much."

At this, Qin Yuling struggled slightly in his embrace and said, "My mother has been keeping a tight rein on me these days, haven't you heard? That man from the He family, He Yanzhou, came to my house today and said he wants to marry me."

Tang Ming’an didn’t even pause at these words; he was focused only on being intimate with her.

Annoyed, Qin Yuling pushed him away. "Did you hear what I said? I’m going to be married to someone else! Aren't you worried at all?"

Tang Ming’an seemed to finally register this. Qin Yuling continued, "Have you spoken to your elders? When are you coming to my house to propose? You must get there before the He family does."

Tang Ming’an dared not mention such things to his family. He only thought that once Qin Yuling was married, he would no longer be able to be intimate with her, so he needed to seize the moment and dally with her while he still could.

"Don't worry, Ling'er. I will go home and discuss our marriage with my elders." He reached out and held her tightly, as if the tighter he held her, the more he could prove his devotion—and Qin Yuling was precisely the type to fall for that.

The two had met in secret many times. Qin Yuling was addicted not only to the gold and silver he lavished upon her but even more so to their wanton trysts in the dead of night. As he held her, her body went soft, and her soul seemed to drift away.

Qin Xiangyi stood behind the wall. Only when she heard the sticky sounds of kissing coming from behind her did she heave a long sigh. Having heard enough, she turned to leave. Her conclusion on the matter was that it was best to stay out of it.

She merely felt sorry for that young Master He. Although Qin Yuling wanted to marry Tang Ming’an, everyone in the Qin family expected her to marry He Yanzhou. Looking at Qin Yuling, it didn’t seem likely she would defy her family for Tang Ming’an; she would eventually marry He Yanzhou against her will. But the two lovers would not break things off, and it was clear Tang Ming’an would never marry her. The end result would simply be He Yanzhou becoming a cuckold.

Regarding this matter of He Yanzhou being made a fool, Qin Xiangyi decided to stand by her niece for now. After all, they were family, provided her niece was careful enough not to be discovered by the He family.

Consequently, when Qin Xiangyi went to serve in the palace the next day and ran into He Yanzhou, she felt somewhat unable to face him.

She was not close enough to He Yanzhou to betray her own kin, so regardless of her awkwardness, she could only remain silent, even though she had seen his betrothed meeting a lover in secret just the night before.

When He Yanzhou saw her, he took the initiative to greet her: "Good morning, Aunt."

The title "Aunt" made Qin Xiangyi feel all the more guilty. Before entering the palace gate, she happened to have something to ask him. "Master He, how was the matter from yesterday handled? Currently, in the palace..." She turned to look toward the palace gates.

He Yanzhou understood her meaning and reassured her: "