Chen Xiang thought he had covered all the bases, even going so far as to connect himself to Chen Jinxin through a distant, convoluted family retionship. But this—he hadn't seen this coming! His face turned livid, even his battle-hardened composure momentarily lost. How could anyone have predicted that a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl had an out-of-wedlock pregnancy? This would never happen to a noble girl in the capital, yet it had happened to Chen Jinxin!

  Cursing Lady Su and Su Shu internally, he stood up abruptly and countered, "Why didn't you tell me this earlier instead of asking all those strange questions?!"

  Sanniang, smiling wryly, looked at him with a mix of mockery and foreknowledge. "You came to propose without asking me anything first," she said in a peculiar tone.

  Chen Xiang was left speechless, naturally assuming all women should remain chaste, even those with prior engagements. Who could have imagined such a scenario? Now, knowing that Chen Jinxin's body had been compromised and she could no longer bear children, he couldn't possibly marry her. Marrying her might get him the secret letters, but it would bring countless troubles. She was the daughter of a martyr, and her situation was widely known, even to the Emperor. Marrying her would mean he couldn't mistreat or divorce her. She was a hot potato he couldn't afford to hold.

  Realizing the secret letters could be obtained through other means, Chen Xiang decided it wasn't worth gambling his life on. He calmed down and addressed the old dy and Eldest Master Song, "Aunt, Brother, I wasn't aware of this situation..."

  No wonder the old dy and Eldest Master Song looked shocked—they already knew about Chen Jinxin's damaged reputation. Chen Xiang's st doubts dissipated, and his tone grew somber, "I know this wasn't her choice, but as the eldest grandson, I need to marry a virtuous wife. I can understand the loss of parents, but this... Please forgive my presumptuousness."

  Eldest Master Song finally understood his mother's composure, gncing at Sanniang before turning to Chen Xiang with a pained expression. "How do we even begin to discuss this? We aren't her proper guardians, so we can't decide for her. It's good that you understand. Marriage should be based on mutual affection and satisfaction."

  In the adjoining room, Qingtao couldn't help but scoff, "What nerve! Didn't he just swear he'd get her at any cost? Now one word from Sanniang, and he's backing out."

  Ziyun sighed, "The one who suffers is Miss Chen. She had just started to recover, and now this mess, bringing up painful memories. She must be so distressed. The sins of Su's eldest son have caused such trouble for an innocent girl..."

  Such is the world, where men are often indulged and women harshly judged. Song Chuyi's disdain for Chen Xiang and Su's eldest son deepened—one had ruined Miss Chen, and the other, an overbearing retive, sought to exploit her further.

  The old dy, who had remained silent, coughed and addressed Chen Xiang and Sanniang, "I didn't speak earlier for this reason; some matters are hard to discuss. I shouldn't have brought Sanniang in... I thought you were sincerely different. So be it."

  Sanniang ughed, her tone mocking, "What sincerity? What a happy marriage? Our Miss had given up hope long ago. We hope the old dy and Master stop worrying about her. She's already blessed to be alive."

  Chen Xiang felt his dignity slipping, especially as a servant entered, reporting urgently to the old dy and Eldest Master Song, "Old dy, Master, some Jinyiwei officers are here seeking Commander Chen on urgent business."

  Chen Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and promptly took his leave, "It's te, and there might be urgent business. I won't dey any further and will come back another day to apologize."

  The old dy and Eldest Master Song didn't stop him. Eldest Master Song personally saw him out. Sanniang, seeing him depart, couldn't help but rex, wiping the sweat from her forehead. She turned to the old dy, "This gentleman must be after the secret letters, not Miss Chen."

  The old dy nodded, and as Song Chuyi, Qingtao, and Ziyun entered, she patted the seat beside her for Song Chuyi to sit and reassured Sanniang, "Now that everything is clear, his intentions are thwarted. Don't worry, go back and take care of your dy. No need to mention this to her, to avoid distress. I'll send you to Tongzhou Manor for a few days to rex."

  Sanniang bowed respectfully, still concerned, and hesitated before saying, "But the secret letters are a lingering threat. Holding onto them isn't a long-term pn. You should consider a solution soon."

  The old dy, understanding her worry, nodded solemnly, "Rest assured, we have a pn. Go back now, and ensure she doesn't get anxious if she wakes. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the dy of the house."

  With the secret letters now in the old dy's care, Sanniang felt slightly reassured, knowing there was a pn. She bowed deeply, giving Song Chuyi a meaningful look before leaving.