Chapter 18: The First Battle with the Lu Family Mother and Son

“Here it comes, here it comes—the ice!”

Nanny Pang was quick and efficient, hastening to bring the ice. She wrapped it in several layers of cloth before gently pressing it against Chi Guiwan’s face.

The moment the cold ice touched her skin, Chi Guiwan recoiled slightly.

But Nanny Pang steadied her by the shoulders and kindly explained, “Applying ice will prevent the swelling, Miss Wan. Don’t move, I’ll have it done in a moment.”

Hearing this, Chi Guiwan sat quietly. At first, the cold was sharp and stinging, but soon it became a numb chill, and she felt little sensation.

“That’s enough. Don’t harm yourself any further. After all, it’s our Hou family who unknowingly offended someone, allowing them to set such a trap. Jin’er is innocent, and you were merely caught in the crossfire. Since it’s out in the open now, let’s not mention it again, understood?”

Chi Guiwan nodded. Hearing her uncle and aunt’s words today was a comfort. Though her eldest cousin remained distant and cold, she believed that one day he would change.

As for her eldest cousin’s reputation and future, she resolved to find a way to restore them.

At last, the family had a reunion meal. Though it was quiet to the point of unease, it was far better than nothing.

When she left the Hou family residence, Chi Guiwan felt much calmer than when she had arrived. However, as she was about to enter the gate, she unexpectedly encountered a group of strangers exiting from within.

To her surprise, it was Madam Guo who was seeing the visitors off. Alarm bells rang in her mind as she eyed the unfamiliar faces warily.

One woman appeared to be in her forties or fifties, dressed simply, neither rich nor poor—a typical middle-class appearance. Beside her stood a striking young man: tall, fair-skinned, and especially notable were his alluring peach blossom eyes, making him exceptionally handsome.

Chi Guiwan glanced at him and felt as though he was captivating others with a glance.

“Mother.”

“What a coincidence! You came to visit but didn’t find the lady of the house. Now you’re leaving, and here you are at the door. Madam Lü, this is our eldest daughter.”

Madam Guo introduced Chi Guiwan to the visitors. Madam Lü scrutinized her from head to toe, a satisfied smile spreading across her face before she nodded and remarked,

“Truly a lady of the gentry—exquisitely born, and her demeanor is quite pleasant.”

*You say so?* Chi Guiwan thought sarcastically but showed no outward reaction, her face sour as she regarded the mother and son with guarded suspicion.

Madam Lü then proudly pointed to the young man behind her and said,

“Big sister of the Chi family, this is my son Lü Yi. He’s three years older than you and has studied under the scholar from childhood. Though only nineteen, he’s already a licensed scholar. With the spring imperial examination coming, his status might rise further. His sister, Lady Lü Cai, often sends greetings from the palace, showing how much she cares for him.”

“Strange. Why is Madam Lü telling me all this?”

Chi Guiwan suddenly interrupted, catching Madam Lü off guard with her sharp tone. Madam Guo quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying,

“The Lü family and our Chi family are neighbors from the same region. We’ve known each other for a long time but haven’t visited much these past years. Eldest daughter, you should address Madam Lü as ‘Aunt’ and Lü Yi as ‘Brother Yi.’”

“Brother Yi?”

What nonsense. In the past, Chi Guiwan might have naively accepted such an address, but now her face turned cold as she reprimanded,

“Mother, be careful with your words. I’m already betrothed to the Qiao family and will marry by year’s end. I’m not even this close to my fiancé, so why call a stranger ‘brother’? Where are my real brothers? They’re all at the Hou residence. This title should go to my second younger sister. As for ‘aunt’ or not, that’s irrelevant. I’m tired today and won’t entertain you further. Excuse me.”

With that, she limped away, supported by her maids, Qian Chun and Fu Dong.

The Lü pair watched her leave, surprised. They hadn’t heard that the eldest Miss Chi was lame.

A look of displeasure crossed their faces as they turned to Madam Guo, accusing,

“Madam Shi Lang, do you look down on our Lü family? You made us come all this way only for this humiliation. The eldest daughter is lame and stubborn—how can she be a suitable match for my son? Could it be you’ve sent us a subpar bride?”

Madam Guo immediately protested, worried the match would fall apart.

“Madam Lü, you wound me! When has eldest daughter ever been lame? Go ask around; it’s never been true. If I lie, may thunder strike me down. As for the match, I’ve already explained—it was arranged by her late mother long ago. We hadn’t given it much thought until you came calling, so naturally, we responded and advised accordingly.”

“But I see no affection from this young lady toward her junior.”

Lü Yi was no fool. His striking looks always attracted attention in the streets, yet when their eyes met just now, he saw no sign of interest from Miss Chi—no disdain, but unmistakable coldness.

He hoped to bind their families through this childhood engagement but had no desire to marry a woman who appeared blind to his worth. Wasn’t that a torment for the rest of his life?

His words carried a hint of impatience.

Madam Lü had always prized her children above all else, especially after her husband’s death. For years, she had managed the household’s honor and reputation.

Sending a daughter into the palace was a risky move, but her daughter had secured the rank of Fifth Rank Courtesan, a respectable position not far beneath the Fourth Rank held by the Chi family’s Shi Lang. So why did Miss Chi look down on her?

Annoyed, she coldly told Madam Guo,

“Our Lü family may not be a great aristocracy, but we come from a reputable lineage. Lü Yi is our family’s pride. With such an attitude from the eldest daughter, I think this marriage is not worth pursuing!”

The words “not worth pursuing” were sharply emphasized. Madam Guo had hoped and prayed for this chance to break off the engagement and would not give up so easily.

She grabbed Madam Lü’s hand, soothing her,

“Madam Lü, we’ve both been maidens once. Everything is better at home, so naturally there are little tempers. But once married, one’s duties are to the husband’s family. Eldest daughter is straightforward and sincere. If she truly cares for your son, she would be wholehearted. The late Lady Hai left her a dowry as vast as the sea, and our master said it must accompany her in marriage. So, Madam Lü, please show some understanding for the loss of her mother.”

Though her words were gentle, Madam Lü’s eyes gleamed with calculation as she exchanged a glance with her son and regained her haughty composure.

Madam Guo personally escorted them into their sedan chair, and only after turning the corner did her face darken.

Hmph. Were it not for using you as stepping stones, would I have been so kind?

Madam Guo’s frustration simmered, yet when entering the house, her expression reverted to the virtuous mask she had worn earlier.