Chapter 18: The Dongyang Marquisate Is About to Die Out

"If you refuse to marry Lu Lanxi, so be it. I will find you a better match in the future, but as for Lu Wanhe, do not even think about it."

Seeing his mother’s firm stance, Zhuang Huaijin ceased his kneeling and stood up abruptly. "I don't care. I am determined to marry Lu Wanhe. Otherwise, I would rather become a monk and let the line of the Marquis of Dongyang end with me."

The Marchioness of Dongyang nearly choked on her own breath. This unfilial son was willing to let their house die out just for that vixen. "You... you unfilial wretch... are you truly trying to be the death of me?"

"Mother, why must you be so stubborn? Regardless, if you do not wish to be the one who ruins the House of Dongyang, you will agree to my marriage with Wanhe."

Nanny Gui could not help but interject, "Young Master, the Marchioness has spent half her life managing everything for your sake. You cannot be so unfilial just for one woman."

"Nanny Gui, you have no right to interfere with my affairs. If you have such idle time, you would be better off trying to persuade my mother," Zhuang Huaijin retorted with dissatisfaction.

"I naturally have no right to meddle in your affairs, Young Master. However, in my eyes, that eldest daughter of the Lu family is deeply calculating—a master of deception. You must not let her lead you astray or trick you."

Zhuang Huaijin was furious. An aging servant, relying on the fact that she had been his mother’s dowry maid, dared to forget her place and slander the woman he loved! "Since when does a servant have the right to interrupt when masters are speaking?"

Nanny Gui fell silent in embarrassment.

"My son, look at you. You are completely manipulated by Lu Wanhe. Nanny Gui only spoke the truth, and you’ve already lost your composure."

"If she were as innocent as you claim, she would not be seeing you in private and bewitching your soul. In my eyes, she is nothing but a vixen."

No matter how she pleaded, Zhuang Huaijin refused to listen. He declared firmly, "I will only marry Lu Wanhe in this lifetime! If Mother continues to force me, I will have no choice but to take my own life to prove my resolve."

The Marchioness of Dongyang was heartbroken. "Then go ahead and die."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Huaijin lunged for the fruit knife on the altar table.

"What are you doing?" The Marchioness was horrified, never expecting him to actually pick up the blade.

"Did Mother not tell me to die?"

"Zhuang Huaijin, oh, Zhuang Huaijin, when did you become so blinded by love? You have disappointed me so deeply." The Marchioness could not stop her tears from falling. Her husband had passed away young, and she had raised Zhuang Huaijin alone, teaching him with all her heart, hoping only that he would bring honor to their ancestors, live a long life, and find happiness.

Yet, when did this obedient, sensible, and ambitious son turn into such an unreasonable man? It was all that wretch Lu Wanhe; she had bewitched her son and led him into a stupor of lust from which he could not escape.

"I don't want this either, but you are forcing me, Mother."

"Fine. If you want to die, then let me die before you. I will go to the underworld to see your father first." With tears streaming down her face, the Marchioness pulled the pearl hairpin from her hair and pressed it against her own throat. She refused to believe that love could truly outweigh the bonds of family and the debt of being raised by her.

Zhuang Huaijin’s expression shifted dramatically. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Mother, I am sorry. If I cannot marry Wanhe, living is worse than death. Since you force me with your own life, do not blame your son for being unfilial."

Before the Marchioness could react, she saw Zhuang Huaijin plunge the knife into his own leg without hesitation. Blood spurted out instantly.

The Marchioness dropped the hairpin, her hands trembling. She covered her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears. She had only meant to force him to compromise; she had never imagined he would actually die for that Lu Wanhe. She had lost—lost to that shameless woman.

"Young Master! Someone, quick, get the physician!" Nanny Gui screamed toward the doorway. The entire residence of the Marquis of Dongyang descended into total chaos.

***

"My Lady, the Young Master is no longer in danger. Let him rest. The physician said to apply the medicine on time; you don't need to keep watch anymore."

Watching Zhuang Huaijin, who seemed possessed, the Marchioness sighed in despair. Her heart was cold and dead. No matter how unwilling, she had to appease him to prevent him from doing anything more reckless.

"Fine. If you must marry her, then do so. However, you must first confirm if her heart truly lies with you. If she is equally determined to marry only you, then even if I must swallow my pride, I will go to the Lu family to propose on your behalf."

Seeing his mother concede, Zhuang Huaijin’s face lit up with joy. He grabbed his mother’s trembling hand. "Thank you, Mother. I knew you were the best to me."

With that, he acted as gleefully as a peacock in heat, then drifted into a heavy sleep. He had been through a day and a night of turmoil and hadn't rested properly. He needed a good sleep to clear his mind and plan his future after this rebirth.

"My Lady, dawn is almost here. You’ve been through a whole night of distress; let me help you to rest."

The Marchioness shook her head, looking at her son’s sleeping face, and could not help but shed two tears.

"Look at him, falling asleep so quickly. He is truly heartless."

"A grown son is no longer under his mother’s control. Look at me, I can no longer manage him. I have failed the final wishes of his father."

"My Lady, do not lose your composure. That eldest Miss Lu appears so fragile and pitiful; it is no wonder the young master is so bewitched by her."

"It is my fault. I protected Huaijin too well, leaving him vulnerable to the charms of beauty and clouding his judgment. How will he ever achieve anything in the future?"

"My Lady, there is still time. They are not married yet; who knows what variables may arise? Furthermore, even if Lu Wanhe enters the house, she will be a daughter-in-law. Won't everything still be decided by you, the mother-in-law?"

The Marchioness could only nod through her tears; there was nothing else to be done for now.

Every move within the Marquis's residence had been clearly observed by Lu Lanxi from the rooftop. She knew Zhuang Huaijin had also been reborn, and she wondered if he would take action against her. A person who knew her so well was like a thorn in her side, a bone stuck in her throat. She had to see for herself to find peace of mind.

She had not expected to witness such a grand drama. What a devoted lover.

Lu Lanxi’s lips curled slightly. How wonderful—heaven was helping her. A devoted Zhuang Huaijin was exactly what she needed. She would find the right moment to help him fulfill his heart's desire. After all, love is the easiest thing to send a person to heaven, and just as easily, the easiest thing to drag them into hell.

In her past life, the Marchioness had looked down on her, feeling that she was not worthy of her son, and constantly praised Lu Wanhe in her presence. She wanted to see if, in this life, the Marchioness would still treat Lu Wanhe like a treasure.

As dawn approached, Lu Lanxi rose to return home. As she turned, her eyes locked with those of a man in black wearing a silver mask, perched on the tree across from her.

He looked familiar. Had she seen him somewhere before?

Lu Lanxi suddenly tapped her forehead, a realization dawning on her. *It was him! The night she went to dispose of the body!*