So she was obsessed with her sister!

At Marquis Chengping's residence, a squad of Brocade Guards had come in person to escort them.

Su Xue'er and her son Zhuo Lingqi had only just returned to the residence and had yet to find out what was happening when they were summoned.

They saw the old madam come out in her finest clothes, her face beaming with joy.

Su Xue'er's eyes flickered. She stepped forward and affectionately linked arms with the old madam. "Mother, why have the Brocade Guards come? What's happened?"

The old madam smiled, her face creasing with wrinkles. She patted Su Xue'er's hand and took hold of Zhuo Lingqi. "Good news, wonderful news!"

The group talked as they headed outside. When they encountered the captain of the Brocade Guards, they were about to speak.

But the captain said, "There is one more person. Miss Yan Xuetong must also come to the palace!"

The old madam's expression instantly froze.

"Cousin?" Zhuo Lingqi exchanged a glance with Su Xue'er. When they looked back at the old madam, they found her expression strange.

Yan Xuetong soon hurried over. The moment she saw the Brocade Guards, her heart filled with joy. She thought her uncle had truly helped her.

It was not until she boarded the carriage with the others.

The old madam immediately seized Yan Xuetong's hand and warned her sternly, "Child, once we reach the palace, listen to your uncle. Don't go saying things you shouldn't, understand?"

Yan Xuetong was taken aback. She had hardly ever dealt with imperial power or the court, so she was naturally a little apprehensive. "I'll observe the proper etiquette. I won't cause trouble for the marquis's residence."

"What are you saying? You're a child of our household." Su Xue'er quickly pulled Yan Xuetong's hand out of the old madam's grasp and drew her into an affectionate embrace.

Zhuo Lingqi's eyes shifted. "What exactly happened? Do Grandmother and Cousin both know?"

Yan Xuetong spoke up. "It should be about the improved papermaking method I asked Uncle to present."

Su Xue'er froze, her expression changing slightly. "The one my sister and brother-in-law were researching all that time? Did they succeed?"

Yan Xuetong nodded.

"Why didn't you tell us beforehand?" Zhuo Lingqi asked.

Yan Xuetong bit her lip. "Before they died, Father and Mother told me not to tell anyone. Once I was completely safe, I was to find a way to present it to His Majesty. Otherwise, it would bring trouble to you. I originally wanted to wait a while, but as soon as I reached the capital, I heard all about the uproar over the Welfare Pavilion. I thought it was a good opportunity, so I didn't want to delay."

At that, a cold glint flashed in Yan Xuetong's eyes.

"Silly child, you should at least have waited until your cousin and I came back," Su Xue'er said helplessly.

"Mother, there's no need to worry. I heard about the Welfare Pavilion on the way back. Once this passes inspection, Cousin will have a great stroke of fortune," Zhuo Lingqi said with a smile.

Su Xue'er, however, narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at the old madam. "Mother, this is good news. Why do you look like that? Is there a problem?"

The old madam gritted her teeth. "We discussed it last night. Since you want the girl Xuetong to marry Lingqi anyway, we might as well say the credit belongs to Lingqi. That way, the marquis's household can not only bring glory to the family name, but Lingqi's official career will also be assured."

When the old madam finished, the expressions of the three people present changed.

The old madam hurriedly said to Yan Xuetong, "He's your cousin and your future husband. You can't be so selfish as to think only of yourself.

"I've decided that you'll be the young madam of the marquis's household from now on. When you see His Majesty later, you mustn't say anything you shouldn't and bring disaster on the household.

"When all is said and done, you have no one to depend on now. Our household is willing to look after you and even let the future marquis marry you as his principal wife. That's already a blessing for you.

"You're a sensible girl, aren't you?"

Yan Xuetong's expression turned thoroughly ugly. "I... I don't want the credit. I have something very important..."

"As long as you're not greedy, that's good. I knew you were a good child..." the old madam immediately interrupted.

Su Xue'er said, "Mother, I'm afraid that isn't appropriate."

"What's inappropriate about it?! What are you saying?!" The old madam was stunned. She had thought Su Xue'er was on her side.

Zhuo Lingqi said, "Grandmother, if Father really said what you told him to, His Majesty would not have summoned Cousin. So the matter isn't that simple.

"Besides, His Majesty is exceptionally wise. He places great importance on the Welfare Pavilion and would never tolerate being deceived and fobbed off over this.

"Furthermore, when did Cousin become my fiancée? How come neither she nor I knew?"

"You child..." The old madam grew anxious at once, thinking her eldest grandson looked down on Yan Xuetong.

But Zhuo Lingqi waved for her to be quiet. The Brocade Guards were right outside.

Su Xue'er's face was cold as she slowly patted Yan Xuetong's back.

Meanwhile, the imperial court was quiet on the surface, but lively underneath.

Everyone was silently eating melon and brainstorming.

Shen Anxin was urging Chacha to spill the gossip.

Shen Anxin: [What hidden story? Isn't this how the usual plot goes?]

Chacha kept her in suspense: [How about I tell you later? Didn't Emperor Hongyao send his people to bring them here? Marquis Chengping himself doesn't know there's a hidden story. Without the people involved here, I can only give you a general account. If the gossip isn't detailed enough, there won't be as many points. Once everyone involved who knows the truth is here, Chacha can give you a much more detailed account.]

Shen Anxin: [Hiss, having only half the gossip is torture, but for a better feast, I can bear it a little longer. Good gossip is worth waiting for!]

The melon-eating crowd: We don't really want to wait! This feels like a huge melon!

Back then, all they knew was that there had been an explanation given to outsiders for the change in the betrothal: the eldest daughter, Su Lingyu, who had originally been chosen, had a birth chart incompatible with that of the old madam of Marquis Chengping. Out of filial piety, the betrothal had therefore been changed to the second daughter, Su Xue'er.

But everyone in the circles of nobles and officials knew there was a scandal behind it: the fiancé and his future sister-in-law had hooked up, and she had become pregnant before marriage.

It was just that the wronged party had not pursued the matter or made a fuss, so naturally, on the surface, everyone had congratulated the newlyweds.

Now Chacha was saying there was another hidden story, instantly stirring everyone's gossiping souls.

All sorts of guesses sprang up, and everyone exchanged glances frantically. Who would have thought they could feast on gossip from twenty years ago?

Marquis Chengping was dumbfounded too. Although having the past laid bare again had cost him face-after all, his actions had violated propriety and were somewhat shameful-

There was no hidden story to it...

Marquis Chengping thought back carefully once more, and suddenly his eyes flickered.

Could it be... that Su Lingyu had still wanted to marry me as a wife of equal status, but the Su family refused to let two daughters serve one husband, so they forcibly married her off far away?

At the thought, a dull ache filled Marquis Chengping's heart. What had he missed?

Marquis Chengping immediately dug through his distant memories for all kinds of evidence. The more he thought about it, the more he believed it was true. In the end, his eyes actually reddened.

Shen Anxin: [How did Marquis Chengping talk himself into teary eyes? He looks so grief-stricken. Hiss~ Did his earlier story sound so devoted?]

Marquis Chengping found those words pleasing to the ear and even wanted to nod in response.

That was right. If Su Lingyu had wanted to go ahead and marry him back then, even as a concubine, his story would hold up completely!

Shen Anxin: [Oh, give me a break. Can he talk to the dead or something? How can he just assume Su Lingyu would let him claim all the credit for his son?

[She has a daughter of her own to dote on, but she'd dote on the son of this faithless man instead? I'm dying of laughter.

[He was just using a dead woman he betrayed, a woman who had already become someone else's wife, to play out his devoted-lover act and shield himself from the charge of deceiving the emperor, wasn't he?

[This guy is truly shameless. What sin did Su Lingyu commit to be denied peace even in death?]

Marquis Chengping went numb again, feeling as though he were being slapped back and forth across the face by an invisible hand.

In an instant, he was burning with rage!

I, I, I... Th-this... Who on earth is that?! How can she speak of the bond between Su Lingyu and me like that!!! This is an insult!!!!

Xiao Yanchen coughed. "Marquis Chengping, setting everything else aside for now, according to what you just said, did Su Lingyu formally discuss betrothing the two children with you and your wife while she was alive? What proof is there? Letters? If there were any, surely Miss Yan would not know nothing about it."

Marquis Chengping's pupils contracted. His lips moved, but every sound caught in his throat, and his face flushed red, then turned ashen.

What is wrong with His Highness the crown prince? Why does he keep making trouble for me? Is he determined to make things difficult for me? Does the crown prince want to deal with me? When did I ever offend him?

"This subject... this subject had an understanding with Su Lingyu. We simply never made it official..."

Marquis Chengping struggled to argue his case, trying to show the depth of his bond with Su Lingyu.

But the more he said, the more it sounded wrong, as though the threads between them had been severed but still remained connected.

The crowd had gained experience from eating melons, however, and could now look past appearances for clues to the truth beneath.

The melon-eating crowd: So... there really is no evidence at all. It's all just his wishful thinking!

Shen Anxin's eyes filled with contempt: [Wow, he really understands the art of language! Even after being exposed, he can still talk his way around it? He even seems to really believe it himself!

[How is he so good at treating his own fantasies as facts? His confidence must be sold by the pound.

[He was the same with Yan Xuetong before. It was all his own fantasies and assumptions. He didn't see Yan Xuetong as a person at all, but as an object he could arrange however he pleased. I hate people like that most!

[Now I'm starting to suspect that Su Lingyu never liked him at all and never wanted to marry him. Chacha, is that the hidden story you were talking about?]

Marquis Chengping: Another insult! Another insult!

He could not help wanting to retort, but the Brocade Guard beside him gripped his shoulder so hard that the pain made him unable to speak.

Chacha: [Does the host hope that's the case?]

Shen Anxin: [Very much!]

Marquis Chengping: How much do you dislike me?! Unfortunately for you, you'll be disappointed. Su Lingyu must have been deeply in love with me!

Chacha: [Congratulations, host!]

Marquis Chengping: What?!!

The melon-eating crowd: Oooooh!!!!

Chacha: [Su Lingyu really didn't like Marquis Chengping! She was only honoring the betrothal before. After it was canceled, she didn't grieve for him one bit.]

Shen Anxin: [Hahahaha, I knew it! Wonderful! I knew a remarkable woman who could improve papermaking couldn't possibly fall for a guy like that! A smart sister should be a sapiosexual. I won't allow any of those other crooked melons and split dates!]

Marquis Chengping's eyes nearly burst from their sockets: No... no... impossible!

The melon-eating crowd: ...So Su Lingyu wasn't the pitiful victim who was betrayed by her fiancé and had her betrothal stolen by her own younger sister?

So Marquis Chengping was a clown?

And the younger sister who stole her sister's betrothal was also...

Just then, the three members of Marquis Chengping's family and Yan Xuetong were brought in.

Everyone immediately turned their attention to the arrivals, watching the people at the heart of the gossip with great interest.

As soon as they entered the hall, the group saw Marquis Chengping kneeling on the ground, held down by the Brocade Guards, and instantly understood that something was wrong.

They stepped forward nervously and paid their respects.

Emperor Hongyao silently surveyed them before speaking directly. "Yan Xuetong of the Yan family."

"This commoner pays her respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise, raise your head, and answer a few questions."

The other three, still kneeling, did not dare move.

Yan Xuetong rose somewhat stiffly and carefully raised her head.

"Answer me. Was the improved papermaking method developed by your parents? Did you bring it here?"

Yan Xuetong froze and hesitated for a moment.

"Don't be afraid. Tell the truth!"

"Yes! I brought it!"

The old madam was so anxious that she wanted to speak, but Su Xue'er tugged at her.

Marquis Chengping showed no reaction. He was still numb.

"Answer me again. Are you betrothed?"

Yan Xuetong froze. "In reply to Your Majesty, I am not."

The old madam grew anxious again, but this time her eldest grandson held her back.

Naturally, everyone noticed these little movements. They could all see what sort of person the old woman was, but they could not make out what was going on with Su Xue'er and her son.

"Then did you ever say you would give the credit to Zhuo Lingqi?"

Yan Xuetong's face went white. Sure enough, Marquis Chengping really had tried to divert the credit to her cousin behind her back.

"No..." Yan Xuetong gritted her teeth and answered, but immediately added, "My cousin and aunt only just returned. They know nothing about this. Please see the truth, Your Majesty."

Su Xue'er and Zhuo Lingqi showed no particular reaction, but the old madam's face turned ashen. She looked at Yan Xuetong with a face full of resentment, then turned to her precious son for help, but he still showed no reaction.

"Very well, Yan Xuetong. You have rendered a great service. Once the improved method has been verified, it will be admitted to the Welfare Pavilion!" Emperor Hongyao finished.

Yan Xuetong's eyes reddened at once, and she was about to say something.

Then a voice abruptly rang out.

Shen Anxin: [This Yan Xuetong looks even younger than me. Poor thing, both her parents are dead, and she has relatives coveting her credit.

[I really hope Emperor Hongyao's rewards actually reach her afterward and secure her future! She shouldn't be bullied so easily.

[But she seems very protective of Su Xue'er and Zhuo Lingqi! Strange, their relationship seems different from what I imagined. Could she be a silly, sweet innocent?

[Chacha, everyone involved is here. Hurry up and tell me. I want to know exactly what happened back then!

[Su Xue'er had better not have stolen her sister's betrothal and then wanted to mistreat the orphan her sister left behind too!

[Otherwise, we'll have to help this girl guard against her. After all, what she brought will benefit Great Qi. That's a great merit!]

Emperor Hongyao nodded inwardly. The girl Anxin was right. Great Qi would absolutely favor those who had rendered it great service, all the way to the end.

Huh?

Emperor Hongyao suddenly noticed that several people below seemed off.

Yan Xuetong, Su Xue'er, and even Zhuo Lingqi had all changed expression at the same time. Though they did not dare look around, they could not stop their eyes from moving.

Could they hear it too? Was it because they were officials' family members?

But the old madam did not seem able to hear it.

He still had not figured out the pattern behind who could hear the voice.

At a glance from Emperor Hongyao, several more Brocade Guards moved nearby to stand guard.

But they probably did not have the nerve to lose their composure on the spot.

By the time Shen Anxin finished her long string of words, Chacha had completed the search.

Chacha: [Host, you can put your heart back in your belly. If we're talking about the living person who cares most about Yan Xuetong in this world, that would be her aunt, Su Xue'er!]

Shen Anxin: [What? What? What?]

The melon-eating crowd: Huh!!!! No, is that right?

Oh! Could it be... that her sister is dead, so the younger sister feels guilty for having wronged her back then and wants to make it up to her daughter?

Everyone looked at Yan Xuetong and Su Xue'er.

Neither Yan Xuetong nor Su Xue'er reacted much to that claim. They were more shocked to hear such uninhibited words from a woman in the imperial court.

Marquis Chengping, on the other hand, seemed unable to understand what he had heard.

That's not right. Su Xue'er clearly loves getting jealous of Su Lingyu in front of me!

Chacha: [Is the host surprised? Hehe, actually, Su Xue'er doesn't love Marquis Chengping at all either. She hates him most.

[The person Su Xue'er loves most is her older sister, Su Lingyu.

[The hidden story I mentioned before is that Su Xue'er schemed over the betrothal, but she wasn't trying to steal a man at all. She was helping her sister escape a sea of suffering.

[Because she thought a dog of a man like Marquis Chengping was utterly unworthy of her sister, the most perfect woman in the world!]

Shen Anxin: [Aaaaah???!!!]

[...Excellent! We're saved, she's obsessed with her sister!!!!!]