Chapter 7 The Li family's Schemes The carriage rolled forward at an even pace. The floor within was softened by wool carpets. On the small table, a plate of delicate pastries waited, and it piqued Ma Ting's curiosity. The whispers of people in Ming City told her that Qi Rong despised sweets. She wondered if these cakes were meant for some noble lady instead. As she puzzled over it, a calm male voice came from outside. "Ms. Ma, now that your engagement is broken, do you have someone else in mind?" Ma Ting's heart stirred faintly. "Not yet, but there's still time. I'm not worried." "You have a fine reputation. I imagine you won't lack any suitors." Ma Ting tugged lightly at the corner of her lips. Qi Rong's reply didn't feel like praise at all. Silence settled after that. Inside the carriage, she felt her eyelids grow heavy. It was perhaps the work of the faint bamboo fragrance that lingered in the air. It soothed her weariness. She liked it so much that after a while, she asked, "Lord Zhu, from whence did you buy the scent?" "If you enjoy it, tomorrow I'll have some delivered to Ma Residence," he replied. Judging from his tone, it didn't sound like incense that could be bought in Ming City. "If it's some faraway land, I shouldn't trouble you for it, Lord Zhu." There was a pause outside before his indifferent voice came again. "It's nothing. Just small things. If you like them, I might as well give it to you." His lazy drawl made her hidden hand clench inside her sleeve, her heart skipping fast. Why did his words always sound so suggestive? It would be wiser to keep her distance. As though he sensed her thoughts, his voice came again, steadier this time. "Ms. Ma, you don't need to hold back with me. I received a kind gesture from The Loyal Noble when I was younger. Since you are his daughter, I should look after you." A wave of confusion rose in her chest. She couldn't remember her father ever dealing with Qi Rong. Maybe it was some small favor that had been forgotten.. Still, since he helped her today, she would repay him in time. 1/3 "Though it was my father's kindness, what you did today, my lord, I'll remember with gratitude." Riding beside the carriage, Qi Rong's gaze flickered, "Since that's the case, I'll hold onto your words. If one day I need your Help, Ms. Ma, I expect you won't refuse." "As long as it isn't criminal, I'll never say no." The carriage sped along, and before long, it halted at the gates of Ma Residence, News of Ma Ting's broken engagement had already spread through Ming City, so a crowd had gathered, Those who had expected her to return in shame froze when they saw Lord Zhu himself escorting her. Their mocking expressions vanished. "When did the Ma family start having ties with Lord Zhu?" "Probably His Majesty sent him, just to give Ms. Ting some backing." "Exactly. If I were Ms. Ting, I'd be so humiliated after today that I'd have drowned myself in the river." Their chatter made Qi Rong frown. His sharp eyes swept across the crowd, and at once, the whispers died. Helped down by Tang, Ma Ting caught Qi Rong's action and felt even more grateful. "There's no one at home, though I'd have loved to have tea with you should there be anyone else with us. Another day, I'll have someone send you a fine golden couch as thanks." "It's nothing. It was just the emperor's orders." His voice lifted deliberately, loud enough to silence the lingering gossip.. Without another word, he spurred his horse and rode away. Only after watching him leave did Ma Ting breathe easier and turn toward the gate. "Tang, shut the doors. I won't receive anyone. For the next three days." The uproar was so great that Marquis Sunfair's wife would surely come to lecture her. She had no patience for it, so she would rather shut them out. "Yes, ma'am." Tang nodded and gestured for the servants. The gates swung closed, cutting off the prying eyes outside. Ding Jie finally couldn't hold it back. "Ms. Ting, even though His Majesty gave us a month, the marquis has great influence over Ming City. If no one proposes within that time, you'll really have to become a nun!" The girl's reddened eyes showed her worry. Ma Ting smiled and poked her cheek gently. "No rush. Spread the word first that when The Loyal Noble passed, he left a generous dowry for his daughter, which is me." Ma Ting did say she was in no hurry, but Ding Jie's worry had truth in it. Li Han never forgave insults, and since she had embarrassed his whole family today, they would never let her marry easily. 2/3 So, she might as well cast out some bait. That dowry belonged to her, and no matter who she married, no one had the right to touch it. "Ms. Ting, do you truly wish to proceed? What if these suitors pursue only your dowry? What shall you do then?" Ding Jie's voice trembled with unease. She wished to dissuade her mistress, yet after weighing the matter, she knew this was the only path. So, she clenched her jaw and stepped out to spread the word. Inside, Ma Ting sat alone. Her gaze lingered on the bridal veil, and suddenly Qi Rong's face appeared in her mind. She lifted her hand and pressed her forehead. Her voice sank to a whisper. "I must be losing my senses. How could I ever think such a thing?" She slipped out of the heavy bridal gown. For the first time, she felt chains fall away from her. She touched the gown she had labored over with delicate care. "Put this gown aside. Then, go to the cloth shop and bring me new silk. I will sew another myself." Ding Jie's lips curved in a pout. "My lady, you spent so long on this, and it was wasted on a man worse than a beast. All your effort feels lost. I believe this gown is cursed. It would be best to burn it." Ma Ting's laughter rang bright at her maid's anger. "Silly girl. Put it away. And send Tang to converse with Dame Hong. "Find out if the marquis' family dealt with matters." Just as Ma Ting foresaw, once the wife of the marquis learned what happened at the palace gates, she flew into such rage that she smashed objects across her chamber. When Li Han entered with He Xinying, she strode forward and struck his cheek with a fierce slap. He Xinying dared not weep. She only cast Li Han a pitiful glance, but he had no time for her. His thoughts raced on how to reclaim his right as heir. "Old Mrs. Li, word from the Ma family claims that when Ms. Ma Ting weds, her dowry will reach ten million taels of gold." Old Mrs. Li froze in astonishment. She turned to her husband. "The Ma family was never so wealthy. How could they possess such fortune? Could they be concealing something?" Marquis Sunfair glared at her. "How dare you speak so? Old Mrs. Ma was born of the Lang family. That Lang family of Southriver is among the richest in the land. They command the gold mines. Ten million taels is nothing to them. "Why else did I insist Han'er must wed Ma Ting?" 3/3