Yunling was furious when she heard about the rumors, “The Li family is clearly in the wrong, yet they are accusing you!”
Mu Wan carefully loosened the soil around the potted herbs, chuckling. “It’s a common occurrence. Why be angry? Let them choke on their own words when they have to take them back.”
The rumors reached Mu Xingde even earlier, so when Third Madam Li arrived at the Mu Manor with the engagement gifts and tokens, ready to exchange the marriage, Mu Xingde barred her way, “Third Madam, my eldest daughter has just returned to the capital after observing three years of mourning for her mother. How can you accuse her of lacking moral conduct? If there’s real evidence, produce it. Otherwise, you’re setting a dangerous precedence here, putting blame on an innocent girl in order to get back on a marriage contract. How many girls will suffer if others start imitating your behavior?”
Third Madam Li was surprised by Mu Xingde’s obstruction. She had thought this was a sure thing, perhaps only facing some useless resistance from Mu Wan, but she had not expected Mu Xingde to be the first to stand in her way. Hadn’t Shen-shi informed him that they called off the engagement for his second daughter?
Shen-shi, initially overjoyed to hear that Mu Wan was to be jilted, hurried out from the inner yard, but her excitement turned to concern when she saw Mu Xingde angrily refusing to annul the engagement. “Master!” She nervously tugged at his sleeve, pleading.
Mu Xingde cast her an icy glance and ordered a servant, “Take the madam back inside. She is not to leave the manor without permission!”
At that moment, Mu Xingde was genuinely furious. He admitted that he had favored Mu Rou more in the past, but after talking with Mu Wan, even though he knew her plan would be disadvantageous to her, he still reluctantly agreed, since this would allow both daughters to get what they wanted. But when Mu Wan’s open-minded and rational approach came into contrast with Shen-shi and Mu Rou’s continuous malice, his heart turned cold. The mother and daughter, after seeing Marquis Zhenbei’s support of Mu Wan, knew their reputation would suffer no matter what, so they simply chose to break the jar. By fabricating more self-deprecating rumors, not only would Li Yichen pity them, but they could also blame the rumors on Mu Wan, crafting the perfect pretext for him to call off the engagement.
If all they did was manipulate Li Yichen, Mu Xingde wouldn’t have been so disheartened. But their choice to frame Mu Wan, who was at a critical juncture of finding a new marriage, showed the extent of their ruthlessness. That’s how they treated a family member! If Mu Wan hadn’t been smart enough, her life would have been ruined!
With this in mind, Mu Xingde’s stance hardened, “If the Li family wants to call off the engagement, fine, but they need to be honest about the reasons. Don’t just throw the blame on my daughter! Otherwise, we will not agree to annul the contract!”
Third Madam Li was about to explode in anger, but her son quickly stopped her. Li Yichen still intended to marry Mu Rou, so he did not want to completely fall out with Mu Xingde.
As the deadlock continued, Mu Wan emerged from the main gate. She halted, looking down at Li Yichen from her position atop the stone steps, “Greetings, Li Tanhua1. I agree to annul the marriage contract, but on three conditions.”
Li Yichen bowed politely, “Please speak. As long as it’s within my power, I will comply.”
Mu Wan was direct, “First, you must write a formal annulment letter detailing your true reasons for dissolving our engagement. I refuse to carry the blame for your sake.” Her gaze was icy as she continued, “You understand how unforgiving the world can be towards women. The real reason you want to break off our engagement is merely a fleeting romantic affair that others will soon forget, but for me, it could mean a lifetime of seclusion in a nunnery.”
“You seek a true love? Fine, but it’s unjust to sacrifice my life for it.”
As soon as Mu Wan finished speaking, a woman in the crowd suddenly shouted, “That’s right!”
Once someone started, others joined in, “Exactly! Li Tanhua, everyone knows you favor the second miss Mu and don’t wish to marry the eldest. It’s fine for you to break off the engagement honorably since the second miss is indeed beautiful and talented, but it’s ungentlemanly to slander the eldest miss.”
And another bluntly added, “Men are all lustful. This is normal.”
Li Yichen’s face turned red, and seeing this, his mother couldn’t hold back anymore, “Eldest Miss Mu, marriage matters are decided by parents. By stepping forward like this, where do you put your shame?” She turned to Mu Xingde with a threatening tone, “And Master Mu, we’re not severing ties completely. The Li family has always cherished its relationship with the Mu family. Must we make this so ugly?”
“Since your eldest daughter also wishes to cancel the engagement, let’s discuss the details inside.”
Mu Xingde bowed respectfully, “I apologize, Third Madam, but your words do not inspire trust. If your mother-in-law came forward to handle this matter, we could believe her fairness and be willing to settle things privately, but you insist on breaking off the engagement without just cause and even slander my daughter’s character. I, Mu Xingde, am but a lowly merchant, but I believe in honesty and integrity. We must resolve this matter here at the gate, in full view of public eyes, lest you fabricate another accusation against my daughter as soon as the crowd disperses.”
He then turned to Li Yichen, “Li Tanhua, my Mu family is not unreasonable. If you still have any honor, let’s settle this engagement honorably. Otherwise, even if it means my daughter remains unmarried for life, we will not let go of this marriage contract!”
As previously noted, one of Mu Xingde’s significant advantages as a businessman was his sincere demeanor, which made him exceptionally persuasive. Li Yichen, already burdened with guilt and finally realizing his actions could condemn Mu Wan to a lifetime in a nunnery, felt even more remorseful. Mu Xingde’s firm attitude also won his admiration, so he didn’t hesitate to bow and earnestly acknowledged his wrongdoing, “Uncle Mu is right. I have wronged Eldest Miss Mu. Whatever demands she has, as long as I can meet them, I will do so.”
Third Madam Li tried to protest, but was stopped by a look from Li Yichen.
Mu Wan smiled slightly. “If only you had been so reasonable from the beginning.”
Li Yichen paused, struck by her words. Did she mean that if he had talked things properly, she wouldn’t have clung to the engagement? What had he been doing all this time, then?
Meanwhile, Yunling directed a servant boy to set up a writing desk with paper, ink, and brushes. Once they were ready, Mu Wan raised her hand and said, “Please write the annulment letter now. Let me be clear—if it lacks sincerity, I’ll never agree to cancel the engagement.”
Third Madam Li frowned in disapproval, “Here?”
Mu Wan responded, “Why not? I don’t like procrastinating. With so many witnesses here, Li Tanhua won’t suffer any injustice. Or, Third Madam, do you have other intentions that require privacy?”
The onlookers, enjoying the entertainment, naturally were unwilling to have it ended midway, so they chimed, “It’s just a letter. Li Tanhua surely doesn’t need to draft it first, does he?”
Li Yichen silently picked up the brush and began to write. As the third-highest scorer in the last imperial examinations, writing was his forte, and it didn’t take him long to complete the task.
Yunling brought the annulment letter to Mu Wan, who read, […Mu family’s A’Wan is as pure as jade and as fragrant as orchids. Our two families are supposed to be united in a matrimonial bond, but my heart longs for another. With divided affections, unity is impossible. This fault is mine, and I hope she may marry well elsewhere, clearing any misunderstandings without harboring resentment…]
Mu Wan nodded, “Good enough. But add to this the compensation for breaking the contract. Transfer to me one suburban estate and one shop you personally owned, the combined value of must not be less than five thousand taels.”
Third Madam Li’s eyes widened in shock, “Five thousand taels! Are you robbing us?”
Mu Wan calmly explained, “I am already seventeen, and my engagement has been called off once. Who knows if I could get another marriage prospect? This calls for compensation. I don’t need the five thousand taels, but you must pay for your action.”
If Mu Wan was short of money, this might have been seen as extortion, but everyone knew she had inherited a substantial fortune from Xu Qinglan, so the sum of five thousand taels was just pocket change to her. What she demanded was a gesture of good faith; the Li family was already at fault, and their reputation would fall deeper if they refused.
Li Yichen gritted his teeth and agreed, realizing money could simplify matters, “Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Mu.”
Mu Wan smiled, “Whether I cooperate or not is up to you. There are still two more conditions.”
“First, return all valuable gifts my family gave you during the six years of our engagement. That’s reasonable, right?” Mu Wan had Yunling present a list of gifts, “In case Li Tanhua has forgotten, here’s a list. I believe none of these items should be difficult for the current you to pay back.”
Li Yichen heard the sarcasm in her words. He took a deep breath and nodded silently.
But this request seemed to agitate his mother again, “Shouldn’t you also return the gift we gave you?”
“I had planned to do just that,” Mu Wan replied with a smile. “But after searching through what your family sent, I found nothing of value. Perhaps you would like to provide a list as well?”
“The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all ready. Since they are valuable items, you should remember them.”
Third Madam Li was rendered speechless. The first branch of the Li family had just been conferred the title of count last year, so while they had gained some wealth, that wasn’t the case for the other two branches. Her third branch was never particularly well-off—where would they find valuable gifts to send to their son’s fiance? At most, just some fruits, produce, and local specialties that were of little worth.
Li Yichen frowned in annoyance, “Mother!”
Feeling the disdainful eyes around her, Third Madam Li finally shut up, allowing Mu Wan to continue, “The last condition is to restore my reputation.”
Li Yichen frowned, and Third Madam Li erupted again, “What does your reputation have to do with us? Your own arrogance and shamelessness are to blame, yet you forbid others to gossip?”
Mu Wan looked at her sweetly, “Third Madam, if you continue to tarnish my reputation, this engagement can never be annulled.”
Li Yichen, exasperated, stopped his mother and looked up at Mu Wan, “Is this demand too much for us?” Was this simply a ploy to continue the engagement?
Mu Wan sneered coldly, “You allowed your mother to smear my reputation, hoping I’d be ashamed enough to break the engagement on my own, didn’t you? Why didn’t you think it was too much back then?”
“Unfortunately, I won’t comply with your wishes. If it wasn’t for you, who would know who I am? Before you passed your exams, you enjoyed the money and resources my mother provided. After achieving success, you allow others to belittle me at will. Now you think I’m being unreasonable?”
“To put it simply, these are my three conditions. Meet them, and I will sign the annulment letter and return the engagement token immediately. Otherwise, your sweetheart can keep waiting.”
She then looked at Third Madam Li, who glared ferociously at her, “I suggest that you attend more banquets and speak well of me there.”
Finally, she bowed at the onlookers and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I kindly ask that you recall my good qualities and speak well of me at your gatherings. This will greatly assist Li Tanhua, and he will surely be grateful for this favor. I trust he’ll appreciate your efforts.”
The crowd burst into laughter, finding the notorious eldest daughter of the Mu family both bold and entertaining. Only the Li mother and son stood by, their expressions exceedingly rigid.
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Yes!!!! This is how a true queen acts! FL is 🔥🔥🔥
So gooddddd.. can’t wait for the next. Thank you for translating –