TRWSB – Chapter 136 Marriage, Resentment, and Redemption

In the Tavern

“Is my fourth brother doing well?” Qi Shaofu asked Zhuang Qian with concern.

“Very well. Fourth Young Master Qi seems to have gained some weight, while my brother has slimmed down. It seems Fourth Young Master truly has a carefree heart,” Zhuang Qian replied lazily, stirring his tea with a spoon.

“Is that so?”

“Shaofu, if you’re so curious about your fourth brother’s condition, why not ask him directly?” Zhuang Qian suggested.

Qi Shaofu gave a wry smile. “Forget it. My fourth brother… To be honest, ever since he returned, his position has become even more prominent.”

Zhuang Qian nodded. “Indeed. With the support of the Commerce Alliance, Fourth Young Master Qi will find his ventures much smoother. The Allure Cosmetics store was already thriving; now, its development should accelerate even more.”

“I heard Mu Tingxuan has returned and is about to marry Young Master Yi. Is that true?” Qi Shaofu inquired.

Zhuang Qian confirmed, “Yes, it’s true. Yi Fan plans to keep the wedding simple and hasn’t invited anyone from the Yi family.”

“Yi Fan hates his family even more than my brother does,” Qi Shaofu remarked.

When Qi Shaorong married Zhuang Hao, he at least sent an invitation to the Qi family, even if it was more symbolic than sincere. However, Yi Fan seemed determined to cut ties with his family entirely.

Zhuang Qian chuckled. “That’s true.”

Qi Shaorong’s estrangement from the Qi family stemmed mainly from their early neglect, but Yi Fan’s situation was different. He was Yi Xun’s legitimate son, yet he faced constant mistreatment and sabotage from Yi Bing, Yi Huo, and Yi Chuxue. Rumor had it that Yi Fan’s suppressed talent was partly due to the interference of Yi Xun’s second wife, Yang Man.

“Yi Fan seems so cold and detached. I wonder what kind of person would fall for someone like him,” Qi Shaofu mused.

Zhuang Qian shook his head. “His coldness is reserved for most people. According to my brother, when Yi Fan is with Mu Tingxuan, he’s like a love-struck teenager.”

Whispers Across the Capital

Following Qi Shaorong’s rising prominence, those around him also gained fame. The news of Yi Fan and Mu Tingxuan’s upcoming marriage quickly spread throughout the capital.

Yang Man’s Refuge

“Mother, I heard Yi Fan has returned to the capital and is preparing to marry,” Yi Chuxue said.

Yang Man, her face weary and lined with age, responded without looking up. “Is that so? Have you been sneaking into town again? We’re on the run; it’s best not to draw attention to ourselves.”

Once a radiant beauty, Yang Man now appeared as if she had aged decades in just a year. Caring for Yi Bing and Yi Huo, combined with their financial troubles, had drained her spirit.

Yi Chuxue clenched her fists. Yi Bing’s gambling debts had been their downfall, leading to his brutal punishment and their family’s ruin. They had sold everything of value, even the land Yi Xun had left them, just to pay off the creditors.

Now, the mere thought of returning to the capital filled Yi Chuxue with dread. “I kept my identity hidden,” she muttered, unwilling to face the humiliation of encountering anyone from her past.

Yang Man gave a tired nod. “That’s good.”

But deep down, Yi Chuxue was consumed by bitterness. Just a year ago, Yi Fan had been nothing but a discarded member of their family. Now, he was a rising star, and she could only stew in resentment and emptiness.

Shopping with Friends

“You don’t need to accompany me, Liuyun,” Mu Tingxuan said, his face expressionless.

Bi Liuyun, slinging an arm over Mu Tingxuan’s shoulders, grinned. “We’ve been friends for years. Don’t be so formal with me.”

“Liuyun, can’t you see how many people are staring at you?” Mu Tingxuan said.

Bi Liuyun laughed. “You’re mistaken. They’re all staring at you. They’re just too shy to admit it, so they pretend to look at me instead.”

Mu Tingxuan shot him an unimpressed look. “Liuyun, stop joking. There’s nothing special about me.”

“You don’t realize your own charm, do you? Even the young master once said that if you restored your appearance, you’d be breathtaking,” Bi Liuyun replied with a sigh.

“Stop saying such things,” Mu Tingxuan said, glancing around nervously.

Bi Liuyun shook his head. “You’re so oblivious.”

Since Yi Fan’s transformation from an outcast to a powerful figure, countless people had taken notice of him. The news of his marriage naturally piqued curiosity about his mysterious fiancé.

“I don’t need much for the wedding,” Mu Tingxuan said. “I can handle it alone.”

“You’re getting married! How can you be so casual about it? Besides, it’s your first time. Do you even know what you need to prepare?” Bi Liuyun retorted.

Mu Tingxuan blinked. “Have you been married before, Liuyun?”

Bi Liuyun coughed awkwardly. “Well… no.”

“Then—”

“Just because I haven’t eaten pork doesn’t mean I haven’t seen pigs running. Now, let’s go!”

Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Haochen’s Tea Break

Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Haochen sat on the second floor of a tea house, sipping tea and casually observing the bustling street below. Their attention was caught by Bi Liuyun and Mu Tingxuan passing by.

“Has the wedding date for Mu Tingxuan and Yi Fan been decided?” Zhuang Haochen asked, his tone tinged with jealousy.

“Mu Tingxuan finally agreed to get married, and Yi Fan immediately set the earliest auspicious date he could find. There are less than fifteen days left—it’s rather rushed,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“Less than fifteen days? That guy Yi Fan is way too eager. I bet he’s afraid Mu Tingxuan might back out, so he’s in such a hurry,” Zhuang Haochen remarked.

Qi Shaorong nodded slightly. “That’s likely the case. But Yi Fan doesn’t need to worry so much. Tingxuan is a serious person—once he gives his word, he rarely goes back on it.”

Zhuang Haochen fixed his gaze on Qi Shaorong. “When are we going to set a date? Honestly, we’ve been together longer than those two, yet now we’re falling behind.”

Qi Shaorong gave him a sharp look. “What does it matter if we’re ahead or behind? Besides, Yi Fan and Tingxuan have known each other for over a decade—they’re practically childhood sweethearts. How can we compare to that?”

Zhuang Haochen fell silent, at a loss for words.

“Why is Bi Liuyun shopping with Mu Tingxuan? Where’s Yi Fan? Shouldn’t he be accompanying his fiancé?” Zhuang Haochen grumbled.

Qi Shaorong shrugged. “Yi Fan’s in a hyperactive state right now. His head’s a bit muddled, and his actions are all over the place.”

Propping his chin on his hand, Zhuang Haochen smirked. “Such a fragile mindset doesn’t bode well. With that level of emotional vulnerability, he’d be easily defeated by any strong opponent.”

Qi Shaorong chuckled. “Getting married makes people foolish—it’s normal.”

Zhuang Haochen snorted softly. “Well, it’s not like this is his first marriage. You’d think he’d have experience by now.”

Qi Shaorong smiled faintly. “It’s not the same.”

Yi Fan’s first marriage had been orchestrated by the Second Prince, with Yi Fan’s family fully in charge to curry favor. Mu Xuelan wasn’t someone Yi Fan cared for, and he hadn’t been invested in that marriage. Mu Xuelan herself only married him to provoke the Second Prince, so neither had truly cared.

Mu Xuelan’s Dilemma

At the Snowfall Emporium, Mu Xuelan stood in front of a counter, hesitating over a delicate pearl hairpin.

“Miss Mu, do you still want this pearl hairpin? This design only has three pieces made, and this is the last one. If you don’t act now, it’ll definitely be gone next time,” the shop assistant urged.

Mu Xuelan gently ran her fingers over the hairpin, her thoughts wavering. “I’ll think about it.”

The assistant looked at her and said, “Miss Mu, this hairpin suits you perfectly. If you really want it, you’d better make your decision quickly.”

Nearby, Yi Fan’s voice reached Mu Xuelan’s ears. “I need some items for my wedding.”

“Ah, so the rumors are true—Young Master Yi is getting married?”

“Yes, he agreed,” Yi Fan replied, his voice full of joy.

“We’ve just received an Eight-Treasure Glazed Cabinet. It’s gorgeous but quite expensive. Would you like to take a look, Young Master Yi?”

“Yes, I want only the best. Price doesn’t matter.”

“You’re quite the generous one, Young Master Yi.”

“Money can always be earned again. I just want to give him the best,” Yi Fan said, his smile wide and unrestrained. His usual shrewdness seemed to have vanished, replaced by a carefree air that seemed to shout, ‘I’m rich, and I’m in love—take my money!’

Mu Xuelan stood frozen at the counter, her heart tightening as she heard his words. She didn’t turn around.

“Miss Mu, are you alright?” the shop assistant asked gently.

Mu Xuelan shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Yi Fan caught sight of her and called out in surprise, “Mu Xuelan.”

Composing herself, Mu Xuelan turned and forced a smile. “Yi Fan, I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations!”

Yi Fan smiled warmly. “Thank you.”

“You really care for him, don’t you?”

“Of course. I’ve loved him for over ten years,” Yi Fan said without hesitation.

Mu Xuelan clenched her fists, feeling her heart ache. “Congratulations on getting what you’ve always wanted.”

“Thank you. I hope you find someone who’s perfect for you as well,” Yi Fan replied sincerely before heading upstairs with the shop assistant.

Mu Xuelan bit her lip, her chest tightening painfully as snippets of the shop assistants’ gossip drifted into her ears.

“Young Master Yi was so generous! He bought several of our most prized items.”

“No kidding. I didn’t realize he was this wealthy.”

“What’s so surprising? He owns Allure Cosmetics—it’s practically a gold mine.”

“So, who’s he marrying? They must be incredibly lucky!”

“I heard the person he’s marrying is one of Qi Shaorong’s people. They have an extraordinary background—their father is even a Level Nine Mage.”

“Wow, a future father-in-law who’s a Level Nine Mage? That’s incredible!”

Mu Xuelan lowered her head, a bitter smile on her lips. The person Yi Fan loves really is far superior to me.