The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Upon seeing the approaching person, everyone tacitly made way for them.

Yu Zhi walked directly to Chen Yiru's side.

"It is very beautiful, no wonder you like it so much." Yu Zhi looked at the headdress beside him and praised it sincerely.

“Yes, Sister Qin is so thoughtful. She also gave me that jade hairpin last time.” Chen Yiru said, turning to Qin Yao.

"Little sister, I'm going to have a headache with all these gifts you're giving me. When you come of age, I don't know what gift will be worthy of you."

Everyone laughed when they heard this, saying that Qin Yao was very generous and that it made everyone else wonder how they were going to survive.

This also brought Qin Yao into their sights, as if this group of young ladies had always known her.

Liu Qingping, who was watching from the side, was very envious and kept looking at Qin Yao with starry eyes.

Everyone was joking around, but Qin Yao noticed that the smile on Yu Zhi's face had faded a little.

So she quickly spoke up: "Sister, please don't say that. We're giving you gifts out of sisterly affection, and we'll definitely reciprocate based on our friendship."

"Besides, as the saying goes, it's easy to find priceless treasures, but hard to find a loving man. No matter how good your things are, they can't compare to Young Master Yu's affection!"

Qin Yao's words steered the conversation back to Yu Zhi, and everyone looked at him.

Chen Yiru also remembered Yu Zhi's purpose, and she felt like a cooked duck, at a loss for what to do.

Looking at the shy Chen Yiru, Yu Zhi was momentarily speechless.

It was a woman in a light yellow dress who stood to the side who spoke up to defuse the situation.

"Young Master Yu, if you don't hand over the item soon, are you trying to make a fool of Sister Chen?"

She is Ms. Lin, Chen Yiru's cousin. She is already married, so no one will care if she makes a joke about her.

But her words elicited another round of low laughter, and only then did Yu Zhi belatedly take the things out.

“Sister Yiru, this…this is something I specially had someone make.”

"Look, look!" As soon as Yu Zhi opened it, Miss Lin was the first to step forward and take a look.

Several more curious women squeezed in from behind, causing the man and woman in the middle to be momentarily caught off guard and pushed together.

When everyone saw the gifts being distributed, both of their faces were flushed, which drew another round of laughter from everyone.

Yu Zhi gave the jade rabbit pendant to Chen Yiru, and said something with a smile, but Chen Yiru had already taken the item and turned to run away.

Yu Zhi was still unaware of what had happened when he heard someone behind him joking, "Young Master Yu, why aren't you chasing after her? You'll lose the wife you've just got."

Yu Zhi then apologized and left, chasing after Chen Yiru.

"Hahaha……"

With both of them gone, everyone laughed in relief, especially Miss Lin, who laughed the loudest.

Liu Qingping didn't dare to laugh, but seeing Qin Yao smiling faintly, she also smiled.

"Sister, is that Young Master Yu Miss Chen's fiancé? Why is everyone laughing at them?" After the ceremony ended and everyone was about to go home, Liu Qingping finally dared to ask the question.

Qin Yao walked behind, and when she saw the things in the hall, she raised her chin, letting Liu Qingping see for herself.

The hall was filled with chests and boxes covered with red silk cloth.

"This is?"

Qin Yao shook her head, wondering if Liu Qingping was just too young or genuinely foolish.

"Of course it's betrothal gifts! Miss Chen's marriage to the Yu family was arranged long ago. Today, Mr. Yu came to present the betrothal gifts as soon as Miss Chen turned 18. Why do you think they were joking?"

"Oh! I see." Liu Qingping seemed to understand, but didn't ask any more questions.

As the two reached the main gate, a maid suddenly called out to Qin Yao.

The two stopped.

"Miss Qin, thankfully we made it in time. Our young lady would like you to wait a moment; she needs to speak with you."

Liu Qingping tactfully prepared to leave, saying to Qin Yao, "Sister, I'll come find you to play again next time."

Qin Yao nodded and watched her leave before following the maid to Chen Yiru's courtyard.

Chen Yiru sat under the tree, holding the jade pendant in her hand, seemingly lost in thought. She didn't react when Qin Yao approached.

It was only after her maid reminded her that she hurriedly put her things away, and happily took Qin Yao's hand.

"Here you go, sit down!"

Qin Yao sat down calmly, waiting for her to continue.

Seeing Qin Yao's calm face, Chen Yiru couldn't sit still any longer.

"You're really calm! I don't know how you were bullied so badly by those people the other day."

Those people naturally refer to Jiang Su's family.

"They haven't been released yet! That's something to be happy about."

Qin Yao picked up the teacup in front of her and slowly began to sip.

Early this morning, Mo Yao sent Jin You's family over, along with a letter written in blood.

They accused Lady Liu of murdering the Marquis and framing her, ordering her to be beaten to death.

Even if Jin You is dead, the Prefect of the Capital cannot simply release him.

"I knew it was your doing," Chen Yiru said reproachfully, but her tone was gloating.

Qin Yao put down her teacup and changed the subject.

"Enough about me, have you two settled your marriage plans?"

"What!" Chen Yiru suddenly raised her voice, then looked around and punched Qin Yao, "Don't talk nonsense."

Qin Yao, who had been married once before, seemed a little unable to understand this shyness. "What's wrong with that? Everyone saw the betrothal gifts in the hall. Doesn't that mean good things are just around the corner?"

"You! I'm not talking to you anymore!" Chen Yiru stood up and went back to her room.

Caixia then whispered a reminder, "Miss Qin, my young lady just found out that Young Master Yu is in such a hurry. The wedding was originally scheduled for next year."

"Miss also wanted to spend more time with Master and Madam, but who knew that Young Master Yu would act first and report later? Master Yu has arrived, and he's still discussing it with my master!"

"So, is your young lady willing or not?" Qingzhi asked curiously.

Caixia nodded slightly.

Miss must be willing, otherwise she wouldn't be so lost in thought while holding the gift from Young Master Yu.

Qin Yao did find it strange that the wedding was being brought forward.

This didn't happen in my past life; the wedding was postponed until next year.

"I'll go in and take a look. Qingzhi, you and Caixia talk."

As soon as Qin Yao entered, Chen Yiru turned around, but Qin Yao still saw the hesitation on her face.

"Sister." Qin Yao walked over and stopped beside her. "Sister, are you dissatisfied with Young Master Yu?"

"No way!" Chen Yiru turned around, hesitated for a moment, but still said, "It's just that the wedding that was supposed to be arranged was suddenly moved up..."

"That's because Young Master Yu wants to marry you as soon as possible! Sister is so wonderful, what if someone tries to take you away from him?"

"You're just teasing me!" Chen Yiru pretended to pinch her before continuing, "Actually, I'm conflicted too. Why don't you help me think about it, little sister?"

“My aunt…she just contacted me a few days ago, asking me to help my cousin before my wedding. I agreed, and she’s coming in a few days. If I start preparing for the wedding now, I won’t be able to leave…”

"My sister is so kind; she always thinks of her cousin."

Although Chen Yiru's mother came from a good family, her uncle was not very capable, and after her maternal grandfather passed away, the family returned to their hometown.

Sending their daughter here so eagerly, they naturally hope to find a suitable husband through the Chen family so they can help their maternal family.

Chen Yiru may not be unaware of this, and it's likely that her mother played a role in pushing things along.

That's why she's in such a predicament.

"After all, I've already agreed, it wouldn't be good for me to go back on my word." Chen Yiru's face showed hesitation again.

She definitely wants to get married. Yu Zhi just told her that he wants to take her to another place to take up her post after they get married.

If she doesn't agree, the two of them will probably have to wait until next year to meet.

But she couldn't refuse her mother's request.

"Sister, there's actually another way!"

"any solution?"

Qin Yao smiled and kept everyone in suspense, "Sister, you're so smart, why can't you figure it out all of a sudden?"

"Your cousin only asked you to take her along to meet a few familiar women. You can't possibly take her on a blind date, can you?"

Chen Yiru suddenly realized, "That's right!"

Whether it's finding a match or learning etiquette, what can a young woman of marriageable age do?

"So! It's perfectly normal not to ask your aunt to take care of her, whether it's to find a partner for your niece or to plan for your adopted daughter. There's absolutely no need to drag you into it!"

Chen Yiru stood up, took a few steps, then turned back. The next second, she took Qin Yao's hand again and said:

"Sister, why do you think this is?"

Why did her mother painstakingly tell her to wait, saying that her uncle's family had a hard time, and why did her uncle and aunt want her to take care of her cousin?

Qin Yao then grasped her somewhat cold hand in return.

"Sister should know what's going on."

Normal people wouldn't do that; if they did, they must have had some ulterior motive.

"The most important thing right now is for you to try and get it done, sister."

Mr. Chen dotes on his daughter, but if Chen Yiru is unwilling, he has no choice but to agree.

Chen Yiru quickly regained her composure.

"I understand, little sister. I'll go first and won't see you off."

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Yao walked out of the Chen family's gate.

As she boarded the carriage, she turned back to glance at the gate of the Chen residence.

She understood what she couldn't figure out last time.

Chen Yiru's uncle and aunt were plotting to have their daughter take her place.

That scholar was probably someone they found.

Inside the carriage, Qin Yao suddenly asked the driver outside.

What is Chen Yiru's maternal surname?

The man outside quickly replied, "My surname is Jiang, Miss!"

Qin Yao understood; that was it.

Ruining Chen Yiru and letting her cousin marry into the family would benefit both the Chen and Jiang families.

Qin Yao felt that this matter wouldn't end there, so she immediately gave the following instructions:

"Go and investigate the Jiang family and Madam Chen."

A response came quickly from outside: "Yes, Miss."