Yue Ning pricked up her ears, carefully distinguishing the sounds outside the room.

After confirming there was no danger, she thought there was no need to worry.

She then turned over, yawned with her mouth wide open, and hugged the pillow to her chest before closing her eyes to lightly doze off again.

But this second sleep didn’t last long before it was interrupted once again.

...

The morning sun rose.

The rays of dawn cascaded down, as if gilding the entire world with a light layer of gold powder.

A sedan chair stopped outside the main gate of the Qin Family Old Mansion, and then, a pale-faced maid lifted the curtain of the chair.

She kept her head down, appearing respectful as she invited out the Yan family’s young lady sitting inside.

This maid was none other than Li Luo, the little maid from the Yan family who had been punished by kneeling in the rain yesterday. The identity of the young lady was thus obvious—Yan Xiyu, the one claiming to have a marriage agreement with the Young Master of the Qin family.

Yan Xiyu visited early in the morning, and the name card she presented was immediately delivered to the Second Elder of the Qin family.

The Second Elder was currently at the window, entertaining a pug bird.

She glanced at the name card.

"What’s this girl coming to the Qin family for?"

The marriage between Yan Xiyu and Qin Xuan was orchestrated single-handedly by the Second Elder. Although it was merely a verbal agreement and the formal tokens of betrothal had not yet been exchanged, this affair was already settled.

However, when mentioning Yan Xiyu, the Second Elder seemed rather dismissive, seemingly not holding Yan Xiyu in high regard.

The trusted servant tasked with attending to the Second Elder was somewhat puzzled.

"Elder, why did you choose this marriage for the Young Master?"

Yan Xiyu was indeed a bit spoiled, but her status was undeniable.

Though Yan Xiyu wasn’t the biological child of the Yan Family Master, there were rumors that the Yan Family Master intended to groom Yan Xiyu as an heir. Meanwhile, Young Master Qin Xuan was the nominally adopted son of Old Lady Qin, making this marriage quite a proper match.

But truly, if Qin Xuan were to get entangled with the Yan family, it seemed of no benefit to the Second Elder?

Therefore, the trusted servant couldn’t quite understand.

The Second Elder chuckled.

"Since Qin Xuan is the Young Master of our Qin family, no matter how poor his reputation may be, he must not be matched beneath his station, otherwise it would be a disgrace to our Qin family."

"But isn’t there a chance Yan Xiyu might inherit the Yan family?"

If that were the case, this marriage might actually benefit Qin Xuan, becoming a good thing, providing Qin Xuan a massive support.

The Second Elder set down the bird food, extended her aged and bony hand, and the trusted servant immediately handed over a handkerchief.

After wiping her hands, the Second Elder picked up the name card resting on the desk, her expression quite indifferent as she tossed it into the wastepaper basket beside the table.

"Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, it’s still uncertain."

The trusted servant’s heart tightened, instantly understanding that the Second Elder’s actions were by no means out of goodwill. This so-called marriage was likely a pitfall, a trap. If Young Master Qin Xuan were to jump in, he might not escape unscathed.

But as a servant, staying by the Second Elder’s side for years, though not as if walking on thin ice, she had developed some perceptiveness.

Therefore, though the trusted servant was full of confusion, she did not press further.

It should be known, some things, if truly understood, could be deadly.

In that case, it was better to hold back her curiosity, lest she inadvertently harmed herself.

...

The Second Elder went to the conference hall to meet Yan Xiyu. Yan Xiyu straightforwardly stated her purpose.

"Junior greets the Second Elder. To be frank, this visit is to see Qin Xuan. I have some matters I wish to discuss with him face to face."

The Second Elder appeared benevolent and kind.