Chapter 7

Qin Mansion

Qin Ye met Jia Heng's gaze, sighed deeply, and said, "My young nephew, you don't know the whole story..."

Qin Ye was not the kind of person who would turn his back on someone just because of power. He recounted his encounter with Jia Zhen, and if Jia Heng were to back down, he would feel justified and at ease.

Qin Ye's thoughts were caught in a complex and wavering situation.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, sensing Qin Ye's inner conflict and contradiction, and asked, "Uncle Qin, my marriage to your daughter is already arranged. Could you possibly break the engagement?"

Qin Ye smiled bitterly and said, "I would never break the engagement, but this matter involves the head of your family. Once you return, there might be more complications."

Jia Heng replied, "They say it's better to break down ten temples than to ruin a marriage. Although the Ningguo Mansion is powerful, in the end, it all comes down to reason. Besides, I am also a member of the Jia family."

However, Jia Zhen would undoubtedly act recklessly.

The original *Dream of the Red Mansions* mentions multiple times how the Jia family interferes in others' affairs, from Wang Xifeng's manipulation at the Tiekan Temple, using the Chang'an Governor to meddle in the marriage of the Chang'an Prefect and the Chang'an Guard, to Jia Lian's affair with You Er and Wang Xifeng's persecution of Zhang Hua, the aggrieved party. The Jia family has done more than just a few such things.

Of course, he still bears the surname Jia, so if the matter escalates, he could seek the highest-ranking matriarch, Grandma Jia, for justice.

But whether he can see Grandma Jia is uncertain.

Therefore, he needs to be prepared in advance.

He always plans before taking action.

If he hadn't met Qin Keqing, it would be one thing, but since he has already met her, if he were to back down now, wouldn't he become the aggrieved party like the others?

With this thought, Jia Heng's eyes showed determination, and he said firmly, "Uncle Qin, rest assured. I will find a way to deal with the Ningguo Mansion. Uncle, please set the wedding date as soon as possible, otherwise, the Jia family might use more tricks."

If he were to marry Qin Keqing, it would be much harder for Jia Zhen to interfere.

Qin Ye hesitated and said, "Nephew, isn't this too hasty?"

Jia Heng was about to persuade Qin Ye when he heard a soft, gentle voice, "Father..."

Behind the curtain, a figure moved, and a woman appeared.

Qin Keqing had been listening behind the curtain and, upon hearing that the head of the Ningguo Mansion would propose on behalf of his son, her face changed.

"Daughter, how did you come out?" Qin Ye's face changed slightly. Although the strict separation of men and women was not as rigid in this era, it was still inappropriate for an unmarried woman to meet a man outside her family.

But the Qin family was a small household and did not have such strict rules.

"Father, I have heard most of what happened just now. Since the marriage was already arranged, how can we break our word? Even if there are issues, it is my fate," Qin Keqing said, looking at Qin Ye with a clear voice.

Seeing this, Jia Heng was moved. He hadn't expected Qin Keqing to speak such words.

Indeed, if she could hang herself at the Tianxiang Pavilion, she must have some spirit and courage. After all, death is a difficult thing, and it requires courage.

Seeing Qin Keqing come out to plead, Qin Ye's aged face showed helplessness, and he sighed deeply.

Having spent half his life in the Ministry of Works, his character was inherently soft, which was why he was so indecisive. If he had refused Jia Zhen, he could have done so at Tao Ran Ju, and Jia Zhen couldn't have forced him. If he wanted to break the engagement, he could have directly turned Jia Heng away.

But he feared Jia Zhen's power and didn't want to be the bad guy, while also worrying about Jia Heng causing trouble, leading to his hesitation and indecision.

Qin Keqing clearly knew her father's character.

Qin Ye's expression changed, and he said, "Enough, enough. Since the engagement is set, we cannot break our word. Baozhu, take the young lady back. It's improper for her to meet men outside the family like this."

Baozhu walked over and gently pulled on Qin Keqing's sleeve, whispering, "Young lady, please go back."

Qin Keqing also realized her mistake and blushed. She had come out in a hurry just now, but now she understood how improper it was.

She glanced at the calm and refined young man, who nodded at her with a warm smile. Her heart raced, and her lips moved, but before she could say anything, Baozhu pulled her into the inner quarters.

"My daughter is not well-versed in etiquette. I apologize, my young nephew," Qin Ye sighed, looking troubled.

Jia Heng's expression turned serious, and he said, "Not at all. Your daughter values her word and upholds righteousness. She is truly an extraordinary woman."

Compared to the Ningguo Mansion, he came from a poor branch of the Jia family, but Qin Keqing still honored the engagement, which was especially commendable.

Her courage to step forward was even more admirable.

If Qin Keqing could do this, how could he back down?

Hearing Jia Heng's praise, Qin Ye smiled and looked at him, saying, "But, my young nephew, how will you deal with the Jia family?"

Jia Heng replied, "Although Jia Zhen is the head of the Ningguo Mansion, I am also a member of the Jia family. His methods will not go beyond threats and inducements. If it escalates, I will first seek the matriarch of the Rongguo Mansion. If that doesn't work, it will just be a legal battle."

In this era, breaking an engagement was like this. Although Jia Zhen was the head of the Ningguo Mansion, he was not all-powerful. If he forced a lawsuit, the Jia family would also have to deal with it.

However, he estimated that if he sought Grandma Jia, the matter would be resolved.

Qin Ye, with his soft character, looked troubled and said, "But won't this cause a city-wide scandal?"

Jia Heng sighed, understanding Qin Ye's mindset. But he really didn't have many resources to oppose the Jia family, and said, "Uncle Qin, that's just the worst-case scenario. Although Jia Zhen is domineering, if he tries to take a family member's marriage, the matriarch of the Rongguo Mansion, who is known for her compassion, would not allow it."

Qin Ye sighed and said, "We have no choice. But, my young nephew, think carefully and act prudently and thoroughly."

Jia Heng said, "Uncle, rest assured. I am well aware of the risks."

Although Qin Ye felt it was not entirely appropriate, he had no other choice and agreed to set the wedding date for the 15th of next month.

After Jia Heng left, Qin Ye sighed deeply and returned to the back yard, looking at Qin Keqing and saying, "This matter might still have complications."

Qin Keqing said softly, "Father, since we have already agreed, how can we easily change our minds? I think this Jia gentleman is also a man of high aspirations. From what you heard, he seems to be a straightforward and unyielding person. If we change our minds, it might cause more trouble."

Qin Ye looked up at Qin Keqing, shook his head, and said, "But his family... compared to the Ningguo Mansion, it will be hard for you."

Qin Keqing sighed and said, "I am not someone who craves wealth and status. Besides, the Ningguo Mansion is a family of great wealth and power, and our small household cannot match them. If I were to break the engagement, even if I married into the Ningguo Mansion, I would still be criticized."

Qin Ye sighed and remained silent.

Jia Heng left the Qin family, his expression still uncertain. He could see Qin Ye's inner conflict, and as for Qin Keqing's thoughts, he couldn't quite grasp them. A woman's heart is hard to fathom.

However, his first impression of her was good. If not, she wouldn't have caught Grandma Jia's eye and received her constant praise.

"Marrying her will require some silver, and I need to quickly pass the imperial exams. Otherwise, even if I bring Qin Keqing home, I won't be able to protect her." Jia Heng suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

He returned to the Jia residence, heavy-hearted. As soon as he entered the room, Cai Shi asked about what happened, and Jia Heng told her the truth.

Cai Shi said, "Heng, you did well. If the Ningguo Mansion acts recklessly, I will seek the matriarch of the Rongguo Mansion."

Jia Heng said, "The marriage has been agreed upon with the Qin family. The most urgent matter now is to get married as soon as possible to prevent any changes."

As long as Qin Keqing is in the family, Jia Zhen will back down. Any further plots will have to be dealt with as they come.

Cai Shi smiled and said, "Don't worry about the expenses. When the young lady was alive, she left several hundred taels of silver. It will be enough for the wedding."

Jia Heng said gratefully, "Thank you, Aunt Cai, for your help."