After Marrying My Ex-Fiancé’s Younger Brother

“What’s wrong? No appetite? Since when did you become so reserved about eating osmanthus cakes? I remember when you were little, you couldn’t get enough of them, always eating several large pieces at a time,” Madam Li said, her gaze filled with reminiscence.

“Mother, I am eighteen now…” Liu Chuirong started.

Before she could finish, Madam Li exchanged a glance with Nanny Liu, signaling for the servants to leave the room.

“You’re still holding a grudge against me? Do you know that I had no choice back then? Your grandmother was so superstitious—if I hadn’t sent you back to Qingzhou, your father would have sent you to a nunnery to become a nun!” Tears streamed down Madam Li’s face as she spoke, her hands gripping Liu Chuirong’s arms tightly, as if she would shatter her bones.

Watching her mother cry, Liu Chuirong felt conflicted. She recalled how, in her childhood, her mother had personally sewn her winter clothes on cold nights and had stayed up tending to her when she was ill.

Hearing Madam Li’s tearful words, Liu Chuirong’s heart was thrown into turmoil, a chaotic mix of emotions, as if an overturned jar of spices.

“Mother, I…” Liu Chuirong hesitated, torn between emotions.

With no other choice, she took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully wiped the tears from Madam Li’s face, her movements as gentle as a spring breeze.

After a while, Madam Li, exhausted from crying, picked up a cup of tea and drained it in one gulp. Turning to Liu Chuirong, she spoke earnestly, “Your elder sister is about to be married, and you’ll be next. No matter how much your grandmother dislikes you, she won’t deliberately make things difficult when it comes to your marriage.”

Liu Chuirong bit her lip and couldn’t help but protest, “Mother, do I have no say in my own marriage? Just because our birth charts align, I must be married off? I have lived in Qingzhou for years—have you ever cared about me? Now that I’m back, all you want is for me to marry for the marquis manor’s benefit!”

Her voice quivered with emotion, full of both stubbornness and grievance.

Madam Li’s face darkened as she said, “Rong’er, don’t be willful! The Duke of Wei’s household is an esteemed family of the highest rank. It is your fortune that they have taken an interest in you! If you let this marriage slip away, you will suffer in the future! Besides, you are well aware of the current state of our marquisate. As the daughter of this family, you should consider the greater good!”

Tears streaming down her face, Liu Chuirong cried out, “Family? When has this family ever considered me? When I was suffering alone in Qingzhou, where was my family?”

Madam Li slammed the table, her voice sharp. “Rong’er, how can you say such a thing? No matter what, it was the marquisate that gave birth to you and raised you. You must obey! Otherwise, consider yourself no longer my daughter!”

Liu Chuirong’s body trembled, and her tears fell like rain. She knew she could not defy her mother and the family’s will. With despair in her voice, she whispered, “Mother… your daughter will obey.”

Madam Li’s heart ached as she saw the hopelessness in Liu Chuirong’s expression. She turned her head away, discreetly wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.

From the moment she received the marquisate’s letter, Liu Chuirong had known that the so-called invitation to the wedding was likely just a pretense. The real reason they wanted her back was to use her for the benefit of the family.

Yet, now that the moment had arrived, her heart still felt as though it were being torn apart.

“All will be as Mother decides,” Liu Chuirong murmured, her head lowered, hiding the emotions in her eyes. Her mind, however, was in turmoil.

Seeing her submission, Madam Li finally felt relieved. This daughter of hers might appear obedient and gentle, but she had a stubborn streak.

When she was little, she had once broken her father’s favorite inkstone while playing around. Afraid of being punished, she had secretly hidden the inkstone under her father’s pillow. When her father discovered it, he had given her several strikes with the cane, yet she had gritted her teeth and refused to plead for mercy. In the end, she had fainted from crying.

Now, she seemed more compliant, but if she truly resisted this marriage, it would be a minor issue within the household—but if the Duke of Wei’s family got wind of it, it would be a major problem.

“Mother is doing this for your sake. A few days ago, the Duchess of Wei saw your portrait and was utterly delighted. She even had a fortune teller match your birth charts with Shen’s Eldest son. The reading said your compatibility was exceptional, so Mother agreed on your behalf.”

Madam Li gently patted Liu Chuirong’s hand, coaxing her. “You have always had an unusual fate. Since childhood, it has brought you hardship, but now it has secured you such an advantageous marriage. Your future days will be filled with blessings.”

Having been away from the capital for many years, Liu Chuirong was no stranger to the name of the Duke of Wei’s household.

The Duchess of Wei had once been the most beloved princess of the late emperor. She had fallen in love with the Duke of Wei at first sight when he was merely a top scholar.

The late emperor, deeply aware of his daughter’s feelings and unable to bear seeing her disappointed, had immediately decreed their marriage.

The princess bore two sons after their wedding, but ten years ago, the Duke of Wei had fallen ill and died unexpectedly while returning from an inspection in the northern border.

Liu Chuirong had a strong feeling that there was more to this matter than met the eye.

By all logic, a marriage alliance with the Duke of Wei’s household should not have fallen upon her. There were countless noble ladies in the capital, many of whom would also have compatible birth charts.

For them to specifically seek out a declining marquisate and marry a concubine-born daughter? There was undoubtedly an untold secret behind this arrangement.

Right now, Madam Li was certainly not going to tell her the truth. She could only wait until Li left and then send Lvzhu out to gather information.

Madam Li instructed Liu Chuirong to rest early and to pay respects to her grandmother first thing in the morning.

As she stepped out of Liu Chuirong’s room, Nanny Liu(servant of Madam Li) immediately approached and fastened a cloak around Madam Li’s shoulders.

“How did it go?” Nanny Liu asked eagerly in a hushed voice.

Madam Li glanced at the room where the lantern was still lit and whispered, “Rong’er seems to have agreed, but…”

She recalled the odd look in Liu Chuirong’s eyes before she left. Whether it was due to exhaustion or suspicion about the marriage, she couldn’t tell. Frowning slightly, she ordered, “Make sure everyone keeps their mouths shut. If I hear even a single bad word about Shen’s eldest son spreading, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Nanny Liu nodded repeatedly, lifting the lantern to light Madam Li’s path. The silhouettes of the mistress and servant gradually faded into the depths of the night.