Su Yinyin walked out of the mansion.
A servant followed beside her. "Miss, Miss Qin looks a bit unhappy. Should I inform Madam again? It wouldn't be good if you can't handle it then."
"No need, I can handle it myself. You may go," Su Yinyin dismissed the servant.
Qin Mingyan was just entering the mansion gates and bumped into Su Yinyin.
Her face was pale, and her voice was so hoarse she could barely speak. "It's you! I knew no good could come from any of the Su family girls!"
No wonder Father suddenly spoke of finding her a good marriage, and said it was through an introduction.
After inquiring, she learned the matchmaker was Zhou Wanyou, whom she had offended at the mansion gates before.
She must have colluded with Su Yunmo to get revenge!
"Where is your brother? Call him out for me. I want to see what kind of person he is, daring to reach for a swan!"
Su Yinyin noticed the fine wounds on Qin Mingyan's lips, clearly scratched by something.
Su Yinyin knew a little about what happened in the cold palace. Although the details were unclear, she could guess the general idea.
With so many shards of porcelain stuffed into her mouth, Qin Mingyan's throat was practically ruined. It was a miracle she could speak at all now.
Su Yinyin sneered inwardly. "My second brother is in the inner room, but you don't need to be in a hurry to see him. After all, you've already met."
Qin Mingyan froze.
Already met? When?
Su Yinyin curved her lips and reminded her, "My second brother was quite taken with you at the flower appreciation banquet. Now that you are about to become my second sister-in-law, congratulations."
Qin Mingyan's face changed drastically. "No! That's impossible!"
It was him!
Why would Father choose him as her husband!
That man was so conceited and rude.
More importantly, she had heard that Su Xingzhe had been imprisoned for forcibly occupying a civilian woman, and only recently settled the matter with money.
Father could choose anyone but him!
Seeing her face grow paler, Su Yinyin felt a sense of satisfaction. "Second sister-in-law, you don't need to hate Lord Qin. You know what you've done. It's a blessing you can still get married alive."
She couldn't believe her own mother thought that by clinging to the Qin family, everything would be safe. Little did she know, the Qin family was likely also trying to use them to escape disaster.
The two families marrying wouldn't resolve anything; it would only hasten their demise!
"No! No!" The words "second sister-in-law" jolted Qin Mingyan.
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.
Qin Mingyan clutched her handkerchief tightly, her face ashen.
Although she looked down on Consort Liang, she had to admit that even after being demoted to the cold palace, she was still the Emperor's person. How she was dealt with was the Emperor's prerogative.
If the Emperor found out about her attempt to murder the Imperial Prince's mother, the Qin family would be annihilated.
Father was sacrificing her future to save the lives of hundreds of Qin family members!
"What should I do? What should I do? I can't marry Su Xingzhe, I can't marry him!"
If she married someone like him, her life would be ruined, completely ruined!
Su Yinyin's eyes flickered. She stepped forward and helped her up. "Sister Qin, don't be afraid. Actually, I don't want you to marry my second brother either."
Qin Mingyan flung her hand away, her voice hoarse and heartbroken. "You're lying. You wish I would suffer!"
Su Yinyin shook her head, a hint of sadness crossing her face. "How could I wish you ill? You probably know a little about my situation; I'm also despised by my second brother in this mansion."
"Although you hit me before, that's all in the past. My second brother is cruel. I don't want you to suffer his beatings and abuse, to be tortured to death by him."
She rolled up her sleeve, showing Qin Mingyan the injuries on her arm, her words filled with genuine emotion.
Seeing the bruises and scars on her arm, Qin Mingyan felt a chill run from her head to her toes.
Did Su Xingzhe inflict these? Su Yinyin was his sister, yet he was so heartless. If she were to marry him...
No, she couldn't marry him!
But if she refused, Father would be difficult to appease. Moreover, if the cold palace incident was investigated, the Qin family, including herself, would face dire consequences.
Su Yinyin sighed. "In the entire mansion, only my eldest brother treats me somewhat well. It would be great if you could marry my eldest brother."
A flicker of hope ignited in Qin Mingyan's eyes. "You have an eldest brother?"
Su Yinyin: "Of course. My eldest brother is learned and plans to pursue officialdom in the future."
Learned? Pursue officialdom?
Qin Mingyan's eyes suddenly brightened.
She didn't know what her eldest brother looked like, but he was surely better than Su Xingzhe. If she married him, perhaps she would have a chance to turn things around!
Qin Mingyan struggled to her feet. "Where are they talking? Hurry and take me there!"
Su Yinyin turned and pointed in a direction.
Qin Mingyan didn't have time to wait for her and ran in the direction she pointed.
Su Yinyin watched her hurried retreating figure, lowered her gaze, and chuckled softly.
The sound was sinister and suppressed.
Qin Mingyan burst into the room.
Everyone was seated around the dining table, waiting for her.
As soon as Dou Ying saw her enter, she immediately got up to greet her, her face beaming with joy.
Su Xingzhe's eyes also lit up instantly. He openly looked her up and down, subconsciously licking his lips.
Seeing his action, Qin Mingyan felt a chill down her spine and anger surged within her.
"Weren't you sick? Why are you out?" Qin Shu stood up, desperately signaling to her, his hand trembling slightly as he held his wine glass.
Qin Mingyan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Since today is about finding a husband for your daughter, how could I not come to see?"
Qin Shu was taken aback, somewhat surprised.
He had expected her to overturn the table and cause a scene. Now, it seemed as if she had agreed to the marriage?
"Miss Qin is right. The person is here. You should also take your seat quickly," Dou Ying enthusiastically invited her.
Qin Mingyan scanned the room, her gaze finally landing on Su Yunmo, whom she glared at hatefully.
Su Yunmo, fiddling with a pastry in her hand, felt her gaze and looked up, a playful smile on her lips, her eyes full of amusement.
An inexplicable rage flared up in Qin Mingyan's heart.
Su Yinyin entered from outside. "Second sister-in-law walked so fast. Yinyin couldn't catch up. It seems second sister-in-law is eager to see second brother."
These words struck Qin Mingyan's chest like a hammer.
She shifted her gaze from Su Yunmo. "Father, I don't want to marry the second young master."
The stone that had just settled in Qin Shu's heart was immediately lifted again. He quickly said, "Don't be absurd! Marriage is a matter for parents to decide!"
Dou Ying's heart skipped a beat, her joy shattered. Her voice rose. "Miss Qin, you must choose your words carefully. Marriage is no small matter, and it cannot be decided by you alone."
She couldn't let this duck that was already in her grasp fly away!
Dou Ying was anxious and desperately signaled to Zhou Wanyou, hoping she would say a few good words.
Zhou Wanyou used her handkerchief to wipe the mouth of the little dumpling in her arms, pretending not to see.