The Young Master Becomes a Wife Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Mission Accomplished?  

If you do something, you must admit it. If you commit evil, you must bear the consequences yourself—this was what his mother had told him in his past life. He thought that since his mother had said so, both she and her daughter should abide by it, even if they might not be willing. But he was willing to help them become people who keep their word.  

Meanwhile, in the flower hall of the Duke's residence where a banquet was being held for female guests, Yan Jingyu was assisting her mother in entertaining the young ladies from noble families who had come to celebrate her grandmother's birthday. 

[The flower hall (花厅, huā tīng): a traditional Chinese ornamental hall or reception pavilion adorned with floral motifs, often used for leisure, social gatherings, or as a decorative space within gardens, estates, or wealthy households, blending architectural elegance with nature-inspired aesthetics.] 

With delicate and elegant features, gentle eyes, and a smile as comforting as a spring breeze, she conducted herself with perfect grace and ease. Her generous and amiable temperament made her approachable, and she carried the distinguished air of someone meticulously raised in an aristocratic family for years. Coupled with her status as the legitimate daughter of the Duke's household, though she was still months away from her coming-of-age ceremony, suitors had already flocked like fish in a river, nearly wearing out the threshold of the Anguo Duke's residence.  

[The coming-of-age ceremony (及笄, jí jī): a traditional Chinese rite of passage for aristocratic girls at age 15, where they received a hairpin (笄, jī) to symbolize their transition into adulthood and eligibility for marriage.]  

However, the Duke and his wife doted on their youngest daughter and were reluctant to marry her off early, so Yan Jingyu remained unmarried. This led many to speculate that the Duke and his wife might have greater ambitions for their daughter. What outsiders didn’t know, though, was that while the Duke and his wife’s love for their daughter was genuine, the real reason Yan Jingyu had not yet been betrothed was that her heart already belonged to someone, and she refused to marry another.  

Thinking of her beloved, a glimmer of emotion flashed in Yan Jingyu’s smiling eyes, but it quickly darkened. She subtly glanced outside the flower hall but didn't see the person she was waiting for, and an uneasy restlessness grew in her heart.  

According to the plan, if things had gone smoothly, Biyun should have come to inform her by now. But there was still no sign of her—had something gone wrong?  

"Sister Yu, what’s wrong? Are you tired?" Xue Wenxuan, the daughter of the Minister of Rites and Yan Jingyu’s close friend, noticed her distraction and asked with concern.  

Yan Jingyu snapped back to attention and smiled softly. "It’s nothing. I just think I’ve had too much of this plum wine. I indulged a little too much."  

Seeing that Yan Jingyu was fine, Xue Wenxuan relaxed and smiled. "In that case, don’t drink anymore. Have some food to sober up, you’ll feel better soon." As she spoke, she picked up a slice of ginger-glazed fish and placed it in Yan Jingyu’s bowl.  

"Thank you, Sister Xuan." Yan Jingyu smiled and ate the fish.  

Ginger could counteract the effects of alcohol, and the light flavor of the fish was perfect for someone slightly intoxicated. Her friend’s thoughtfulness was something she naturally appreciated.  

Not long after, Yan Jingyu finally spotted the person she had been waiting for. Her handkerchief slipped from her hand, and though the maid beside her quickly picked it up, it was no longer usable.  

She stood and apologized to everyone at the table, "My apologies, everyone. I need to fetch a new handkerchief. I’ll return shortly."  

No one at the table minded, though some wondered why she needed to fetch it herself instead of having a servant bring it. Only the older guests understood that this was likely an excuse for her to step away for some urgent matter.  

Yan Jingyu walked at a steady pace out of the flower hall and stopped only when she reached a secluded corridor. Biyun followed closely behind.  

"Well? How did it go?" Though there was no one around, Yan Jingyu kept her voice low, betraying her nervous urgency.  

Biyun nodded, her face visibly pleased, and whispered, "Miss, it’s done. That little maid screamed as soon as she saw the Second Young Master, and the Duke was called away from the banquet in the front hall. I heard he took many people with him and looked furious."  

Unlike Biyun’s obvious delight, Yan Jingyu’s expression barely changed—except for the sudden brightness in her eyes and the tight clenching of her hands, which betrayed her inner turmoil.  

Seeing her young lady so composed, Biyun gradually calmed down as well. Knowing her young lady wanted more details, she continued, "...Though many heard the maid’s screams, they only knew something had happened to the Second Young Master, not the specifics. As you instructed, I immediately went to the outer kitchen and spread the news among the most gossipy servants. With so many guests here today, it won’t take long for the whole capital to hear about it—"  

Biyun finished in one breath, panting slightly as she watched her young lady. Finally, Yan Jingyu’s lips slowly curled into a satisfied smile. "Good. You’ve done very well."  

Only then did Biyun relax.  

With the major task accomplished, Yan Jingyu felt an indescribable lightness. By tomorrow, everyone would know that on the day of their grandmother’s grand birthday celebration, Yan Jingshu had been caught in an illicit affair with an outsider. Such a shameless and unfilial person would have no place left in the capital, and certainly no right to compete with her for Brother Tingyuan’s affection.  

Thinking of how that detestable person would no longer be in her and her mother’s way, Yan Jingyu returned to the flower hall in an exceptionally good mood, her steps light and cheerful.  

The banquet continued as usual, but no one noticed how a shocking rumor gradually spread among the servants of the Duke of Anguo’s residence. Even some of the maids accompanying the guests overheard fragments and quietly stored them away in their minds...  

As the sun set, the banquet ended, and guests began to take their leave. The Duke of Anguo, his wife, and Yan Jingyu personally saw them off at the gate. When asked why the second son, Yan Jingshu, was absent, the Duke explained that he was unwell. Though the guests might have had their own thoughts, they naturally expressed concern before departing.  

"My lord, Shu’er is sick? Since when? Why wasn’t I informed?" As soon as the last guest left and the gates were closed, the Duke's wife, Xie Shi, frowned and turned to the Duke.  

[In ancient China (e.g., Han to Tang), a married woman was commonly addressed by her natal family's surname + 氏 (shì) (e.g., 谢氏 for a woman born into the Xie family) as a formal marker of her original lineage]

"Ah, you don’t know, it’s..." The Duke nearly blurted it out but caught himself, remembering Yan Jingshu’s warning. He quickly amended, "It happened during the midday banquet, but it’s nothing serious. The physician has seen him, and he’ll recover after a few days of rest. We didn’t want to worry you, so we didn’t send word immediately."  

Xie Shi’s frown deepened. She had noticed the Duke’s hesitation and was skeptical. She wanted to press further, but the Duke cut her off with, "I’ll go inform Mother," before striding toward Rong’an Courtyard.  

"Mother, if Father says so, then Second Brother must be fine. Don’t worry too much." Yan Jingyu knew exactly what had happened to Yan Jingshu, but she wasn’t foolish enough to reveal it. Instead, she comforted her mother affectionately.  

Yet Xie Shi’s expression remained stern. As the matriarch who had managed the Duke’s household for years, she disliked being kept in the dark—especially by her own husband.  

After a moment of thought, she ordered a maid, "Suxin, go check on the Second Young Master and ask what exactly is wrong with him."  

"Yes." A maid in lotus-colored robes bowed and turned to leave.  

"No need." Yan Jingyu stopped Suxin, her face tinged with disdain. "Second Brother would never admit the truth after committing such a disgraceful act."  

Xie Shi’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze sharpening. "What exactly happened?"  

Yan Jingyu gestured to Biyun behind her. "Tell Mother everything you heard."  

Biyun stepped forward and recounted how, during the midday banquet, Yan Jingshu had been caught in a compromising position with an outsider in his room. A maid had stumbled upon them and screamed so loudly that half the residence heard.  

"That’s impossible!" Xie Shi immediately rejected the claim.  

Though she had never favored her second son and could hardly bear to look at him, she knew his character. He would never engage in such behavior, especially on an elder’s birthday.  

Seeing her mother’s disbelief, Yan Jingyu was both surprised and anxious. "It’s true, Mother! Many servants saw it. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone in the residence—they all know. Mother..."  

She desperately wanted her mother to believe her, but under Xie Shi’s silent, penetrating gaze, she gradually fell quiet.  

"Come with me." After studying Yan Jingyu for a long moment, Xie Shi finally spoke. Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed toward the inner courtyard.  

Yan Jingyu pressed her lips together, unease flickering in her eyes, but she followed in silence.  

Instead of returning to her own quarters, Xie Shi took Yan Jingyu to Linglong Pavilion, Yan Jingyu’s residence. Once inside, she dismissed all the servants, leaving only the two of them.  

"Speak. What exactly did you do?" Without preamble, Xie Shi cut straight to the point.  

"N-nothing! What do you mean, Mother? I didn’t do anything!" Yan Jingyu stiffened, her eyes darting away as she denied it.  

Xie Shi chuckled softly. "A father knows his son, and a mother knows her daughter. Yu’er, if you want to deceive me, you’ll need more practice. Now, tell me the truth, what really happened with your Second Brother? Otherwise, if your father and grandmother find out, even I won’t be able to protect you."  

Though her tone was light and almost amused, as if discussing embroidery patterns, the certainty in her words left no room for doubt.  

Yan Jingyu bit her lip. Knowing she couldn’t hide it, she finally glanced at her mother’s expression and quietly confessed everything she had orchestrated.