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

After arranging things, Qin Yao returned to her courtyard to rest.

Meanwhile, the Marquis's residence on the other side was already in an uproar.

When Xia Qiutang woke up and realized her situation, her first reaction was to cry, make a scene, and threaten to hang herself, which terrified everyone who was taking care of her.

Jiang Su arrived just in time to see her standing on a stool, about to hang herself. No one around could persuade her to stop, so Jiang Su rushed over and pulled her down.

When Liu and the old lady arrived, they saw Xia Qiutang struggling in Jiang Su's arms, shouting, "Let her die."

Liu was relieved to see that nothing was wrong, but the old lady was different. She could tell that Xia Qiutang was not a peaceful person and that if she didn't deal with her properly, she might become a menace.

"Alright, stop making a fuss! I've already sent someone to invite the Vice Minister's wife to our residence so we can discuss the marriage."

As soon as the old lady spoke, Xia Qiutang forgot to cry.

Discussing marriage? Her and Jiang Su? But Qin Yao hasn't fallen into the water, and her reputation is fine!

"Tang'er, don't worry, I swear I will never let you down." Jiang Su held Xia Qiutang with one arm, using the other to make the vow.

But Xia Qiutang wasn't worried about that at all!

"Your Highness!..." Xia Qiutang wanted to ask, but was too embarrassed to ask in front of so many people, so the question stuck in her throat.

If the engagement with Qin Yao is directly called off, what use is the Marquis's mansion, which is just an empty shell, to her?

Or have they already figured out a way to make Qin Yao back down?

Xia Qiutang never considered becoming a concubine. Although she was a concubine's daughter, she looked down on the impoverished Marquis's mansion.

If it weren't for the Qin family's support, she wouldn't have paid any attention to Jiang Su.

Unable to ask, Xia Qiutang could only continue wiping away her tears, but her mind was preoccupied with other things, and her sobs were no longer so genuine.

Seeing this, the old lady knew that she had stopped making a fuss. "Let's go! Go to the main hall and wait."

After the old lady finished speaking, she turned around and left, and the people behind her followed one after another.

Xia Qiutang, supported by Jiang Su, also went over there.

In the main hall.

Everyone except Xia Qiutang remained calm and waited for the Vice Minister's family to arrive.

But after waiting for a long time, no one came.

The old lady's face grew increasingly grim, and just as everyone was becoming restless, the person she had sent out finally returned.

To show her regard for the Vice Minister's family, the old lady still sent the steward out on a errand, but this time the steward looked worried.

The old lady's prayer beads suddenly started spinning faster.

When Liu looked behind the steward, her eyes widened immediately.

So... a nanny has come to the Vice Minister's residence?

"Madam, Madam, Young Master," the steward greeted them in turn before introducing the people behind him.

"This is the dowry maid of the Vice Minister's wife. She's here to... to fetch Miss Xia."

The butler wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart pounding.

His purpose in going there was to invite the Vice Minister's wife, but only a maid came. He didn't do his job well.

As the nanny stepped forward, Xia Qiutang almost slumped into Jiang Su's arms.

The arrival of the mistress of the house signified her status, and no one dared to neglect her; otherwise...

Xia Qiutang's mind was in turmoil. She didn't want to marry Jiang Su, since the Qin family member hadn't even entered the family yet.

But she can't be a concubine!

"Madam Hou, Madam Hou, my surname is Qian. Madam said that she is really ashamed of the Third Miss's misdeed. The rumors are spreading everywhere, and she feels that now is not a good time to step forward."

Granny Qian lowered her head and continued, "So, Madam's idea is that this old woman will take the person back for the time being, and we'll discuss the matter between the two of them when the Marquis's mansion comes to visit."

Granny Qian spoke cryptically, but the mistress of the house was unwilling to even come in person.

Firstly, he didn't think much of the dilapidated Marquis's mansion, and secondly, he didn't care much about this daughter.

The old lady knew exactly what was going on, but she had to maintain appearances and not refute the other party's words.

As for the rumors outside... she originally intended to have the Vice Minister's family suppress them, but now she understands that they don't want to care at all.

Before Granny Qian could finish speaking, Xia Qiutang could no longer stand and leaned into Jiang Su's arms.

Jiang Su naturally felt sorry for her. He had originally planned to take her as a concubine, but seeing how weak she was now and how she had no family to support her, he knew that if she became a concubine, she would suffer terribly.

If I go back like this, I might get bullied by my family even more!

With this in mind, Jiang Su made up his mind:

“Grandmother, Mother, this is my fault for not thinking things through. Miss Xia is pure and innocent, and she must not be disgraced because of me. Since the Vice Minister's wife cannot come, then we will go there ourselves!”

Taking a concubine is something that can be discussed between the two families. Now that Jiang Su has sent his grandmother and mother to visit in person, it's obvious what he wants to do.

Liu didn't think that much about it, only that her son was making too much of a fuss. With the old lady present, she didn't say anything.

However, the old lady knew very well that she could not agree to it.

Her heart has always belonged to Qin Yao.

"The Vice Minister's wife is very thoughtful. Granny Qian, please take Miss Xia back first! We will visit again in a few days."

Not to mention me, nor Lady Hou, but just us, as for who went, no one knows.

Granny Qian naturally understood as well, bowed to everyone, and then walked to Xia Qiutang's side.

"Third Miss, come with me!"

Xia Qiutang realized that she had shot herself in the foot; she couldn't just leave like that, so she put away her despairing expression.

She revealed a cowardly and easily bullied expression, looking at Jiang Su with affection in her eyes.

Jiang Su couldn't bear it and repeatedly assured her that he would come to propose marriage as soon as possible.

As soon as the Xia family left, Jiang Su knelt down and pleaded with the old lady.

"grandmother!"

"Shut up!" The old lady turned away, not looking at him. He was so stupid that he didn't even realize it! Being so easily bewitched by a woman was a disgrace to the Marquis's mansion.

"The Crown Prince's consort can only be Qin Yao. If you like her, she's already damaged her reputation. Just bring her back; it'll save face for all the families." After saying this, the old lady left with the help of her maid.

"Grandmother!" Jiang Su was about to say something, but the old lady didn't even give him a glance.

Liu was still confused about the intricacies of the situation when she went over to help her son up, feeling sorry for him.

"Alright, Su'er, your grandmother has agreed. I will definitely throw a big party for you and Xia San'er, even bigger than Qin Yao's!"

Although she disliked Xia Qiutang's seductive charm, she was still a daughter of an official family, which gave her a much higher social standing than Qin Yao, a mere merchant.

In the future, her son will be able to rely on his father-in-law's family, won't he?

What use is Qin Yao, a businesswoman, besides having some money?

That night, unable to sleep, Jiang Su climbed over the wall of the Vice Minister's house; he needed to talk to his beloved.

In a dilapidated courtyard of the Vice Minister's residence, the two embraced, Xia Qiutang crying uncontrollably in his arms.

It broke Jiang Su's heart, and he held the person in his arms tightly.

"Su Lang, why don't I just cut my hair and become a nun? Otherwise, so many people will laugh at me!"

Xia Qiutang was truly heartbroken. She had other options; if Jiang Su wasn't an option, she could still try to get close to the youngest son of the Imperial Academy Chancellor.

Now that her reputation is ruined, she has no other choice but Jiang Su.

How could she not be heartbroken?

The main reason was that her stepmother wanted her to be a concubine, a concubine of a penniless, powerless, and unserving son of a fallen noble family.

This was something she, with her proud and arrogant nature, could not tolerate.

"Don't worry, I will definitely marry you!" Jiang Su promised.

"But you and Qin Yao..."

"Don't worry, she's just a merchant. Making her my concubine is already an honor! If it didn't work this time, we'll try again!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Xia Qiutang's eyes. "Su Lang, actually we can use someone!"

To ruin a woman's reputation, all it takes is a matter between men and women, and she just happens to have a knife.

Xia Qiutang told Jiang Su about Qin Liu, and Jiang Su was overjoyed, thinking it was a brilliant idea that killed two birds with one stone.

Qin Yao trusted Qin Liu so much that framing them for having an affair was practically flawless.

"I'll send him a letter. Su Lang will go catch the thief and recover the stolen goods in a couple of days. At that time, you should pretend to be magnanimous and say that given Qin Yao's feelings for you, she can't be your wife. She'll definitely be willing to be your concubine!"

The two conspired together again, comforting each other for a long time before Jiang Su finally left.

What if her grandmother disagrees? When Qin Yao loses her reputation, she'll still have to humble herself and enter the Marquis's mansion with her dowry.

Despite his lowly status, he was at least handsome and had wives and concubines, so Jiang Su laughed heartily.