Born to Be Either Rich or Noble - Chapter 74

That night, both Young Master Lan and Qian Tong proved to have poor tolerance for alcohol. After only two small cups, they grew absorbed in conversation and talked until deep into the still hours. Worried the road would be too dark for him to travel alone, Qian Tong instructed A-Jin to escort him home.

She herself walked him all the way to the outer gate. Only after watching his figure disappear into the darkness did she turn back toward the house.

But the moment she turned, she caught sight of someone standing beside the doorframe—she had no idea when he’d appeared. A young man dressed all in black blended so completely with the night that only his face, pale as moonlight, stood out.

Qian Tong froze. “Your—”

She suddenly stopped herself and smiled instead.

Song Yunzhi saw her draw in a breath, open her mouth, and raise her voice sharply. “Thief—!”

Song Yunzhi: “……”

He stepped forward, seized her arm, pulled her straight into his arms, and covered her mouth. Without giving her any chance to shout, he dragged her inside and shut the door. Only when he had her pressed against the door panels and confirmed she wouldn’t call out again did he release her.

Young Master Lan had only just left; the candles were still burning. Qian Tong blinked, as if only now recognizing him, and looked shocked and surprised. “So it’s you, Your Grace. I thought it was some prowler sneaking in. After all, someone as upright and noble as you—pure as moonlight, disciplined as a gentleman—couldn’t possibly climb over a girl’s wall in the middle of the night and wander into her bedroom.”

Her face was full of teasing. A hint of discomfort flashed across Song Yunzhi’s expression, but since he had chosen to come, he had also prepared to endure her mockery.

Qian Tong could tell something about him tonight was different. Normally he was rigidly proper; tonight, he was rigidly proper in a “say whatever you want” way.

So she asked, “Your Grace, coming so late—what pressing matter brings you here?”

His palm had only moments ago brushed her lips. The lingering warmth of her breath still clung faintly to his skin—soft, tingling. He flexed his fingers once, then stepped back and walked to the low table where she had been talking with Young Master Lan. Glancing at the untouched wine jug, he said, “I came to talk with you by candlelight.”

Qian Tong was a bit surprised.

Song Yunzhi had already taken a seat, sword laid beside him. His attire tonight made it seem as if he had come specifically for her—serious enough that she stopped joking and quietly sat down across from him on the floor cushion.

“Then—how does Your Grace wish to talk?” she asked.

Song Yunzhi asked, “Lan Yizhi was here?”

Half the oil in the lamp was burned. Qian Tong flicked the wick with a small stick and muttered, “Is Your Grace truly so unable to let things go? Must you monitor my every move?”

Song Yunzhi looked at the firelight flickering across her brow. Her lashes cast soft shadows across her cheeks. Being too close, he drew back slightly and looked away. “What did you two talk about?”

Qian Tong still remembered him gripping her shoulders and escorting her out of the salt field that day. Now, she folded her arms and looked up. “In my humble opinion, Your Grace may have a noble status, but you don’t have the standing to inquire about a young woman’s private matters—”

“What kind of status would qualify to question you?” Song Yunzhi suddenly interrupted, eyes locking onto hers.

Who was really ignoring status here?

Under his faintly displeased stare, Qian Tong dropped her teasing and answered seriously. “Young Master Lan and I were discussing proper business—and that business concerns you.”

Song Yunzhi did not miss the flash of avoidance in her eyes. Something in his chest sank.

She continued, “Princess Pingchang went to the Park residence tonight to meet Lady Park. After she left, Lady Park immediately began moving her people. She commands three professional killers—Lan Yizhi has encountered them before. All three appeared tonight. No one knows what she told them, but they left in a hurry. Afterward she returned to her courtyard, summoned the house steward, and had invitations prepared. When the Prince arrives tomorrow, she intends to invite both him and Your Grace to a banquet.”

Qian Tong’s expression was solemn, her tone steady. “Lan Yizhi suspected they intended harm toward you. He risked much to deliver that warning. Even if you hadn’t come tonight, I would have gone to find you.”

Song Yunzhi was unsurprised.
If his hidden guards could report that she drank a pot of wine with Young Master Lan, they could naturally report what they discussed.

Qian Tong added, “In my understanding, the Park family must have finally realized that opening the canal brings more danger than benefit, and since you won’t back down easily, they’ve turned desperate. They want you dead. You can host a trap-filled banquet—so can they. Fortunately, we were warned ahead of time, so their scheme is exposed.”

Song Yunzhi looked at her quietly.

“And not just you,” Qian Tong added. “I’m on the guest list too.”
She exhaled in relief. “Since we already know their intent, we can simply decline the invitation with any excuse.”

Meaning: she wasn’t going.

Song Yunzhi didn’t question it. Once she finished her message, he said, “Thank you for informing me, Miss Qian.”

“Don’t thank me,” Qian Tong replied. “We only avoided disaster thanks to Young Master Lan. Tomorrow I’ll stay home and won’t go anywhere. I don’t believe the Park family can simply barge in and drag me away again.”

She lifted her gaze, eyes carrying a hint of probing. “Your Grace won’t go either, right?”

Song Yunzhi looked at the empty cup in front of her, still faintly scented with wine. “I won’t.”

Qian Tong let out a visible breath. “Then I can rest easy. There’s still half a jug of wine—would you like some? I’ll drink with you.”

Yet she did not bring out a new cup for him.

Everything on the table was leftover wine—and two cups she had used to drink with another man.

Song Yunzhi swept the table with a cold glance and refused. “I cannot drink much. Keep it for your other guests, Miss Qian.”

He rose and headed for the door.

Seeing him walk off so casually, Qian Tong quickly warned: “Your Grace, be careful. If someone sees you leaving my room at this hour, I’d never be able to explain—”

Song Yunzhi halted, then—right in front of her—pulled the doors wide open and walked out without looking back.

Qian Tong: “……”

Still a temper on him.

At dawn the next day, Prince Pingchang arrived at the provincial governor’s residence.

His small mounted entourage dismounted, and he immediately demanded of Wang Zhao, “Is my nephew truly here?”

Wang Zhao nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. It is indeed the heir of the Song family.”

Prince Pingchang was the late emperor’s brother, but three generations removed from the current emperor. Ironically, the woman who had once been merely a minor princess—the eldest princess—had become the current emperor’s only full sister.

Years ago, when that princess married into the Song household, Prince Pingchang had visited the Song estate. How many years ago that had been, he no longer remembered. The Song heir in his memory was the youthful boy who had ridden into the capital with the emperor five years earlier.

“All these years without a greeting, and he doesn’t even notify me of his arrival,” the prince grumbled. “If I hadn’t run into that boy Shen Che first, I wouldn’t even know our famed Song heir was in Yangzhou.”

Wang Zhao only smiled politely. “Please, Your Highness.”

Song Yunzhi waited in the main hall.
When he saw the prince approaching, he stepped to the doorway to welcome him. Dressed in imperial court robes, hands clasped behind him, the once-youthful figure now stood tall and solitary like bamboo on a cliff. The moon-like brightness of his former face, framed by crimson official garments, had turned into something austere—upright and unyielding.

Prince Pingchang stared for a moment. “Yunzhen? I almost didn’t recognize you. You look more and more like your mother.”

Song Yunzhi bowed. “Your Highness.”

The prince, older even than the eldest princess, was short and had once been a civil official. Repeated wartime crises had pushed him into battle; the forced hardship had hardened his body more than any deliberate martial training.

Five years ago, when invaders stormed the capital and the imperial clan fled or disappeared, it was Prince Pingchang alone who held the gates until the emperor’s forces arrived.

The emperor had rewarded him with land and authority over the Two Huai region.
Yangzhou’s prosperity of recent years owed much to him.

“How is Yangzhou treating you?” he asked as they walked inside. “Is the climate different from the capital? Are you adjusting well?”

Song Yunzhi answered courteously, “Very well, thank you for your concern.”

The prince summoned Wang Zhao. “Bring more wine. Charge it to me. Today I drink properly with my nephew.”

Song Yunzhi sat with him.

Once wine was poured, the prince began, “Your mother is strict with you and your sister. For the emperor to persuade her to let you come—he must have worked hard. When Shen Che told me you were here, I didn’t believe it. The emperor didn’t even tell me—”

Then he abruptly asked, “Are the merchants of Yangzhou behaving themselves?”

Song Yunzhi did not answer.

Of course the prince had heard about the troubles among the four major Yangzhou families. He sighed heavily—ashamed and irritated.

“Though Yangzhou isn’t part of my assigned territory, my friendship with the head of the Park family is well known. My youngest daughter was even betrothed to their second son. Who could have predicted that boy would slaughter the entire Lu family out of spite? I’m furious! I came here partly to see you—and partly to demand an explanation from the Park family.”

Song Yunzhi offered no comment on the broken betrothal.

The prince set down his wine cup and asked gravely, “Tell me—what is going on with Lady Park’s third wife? She truly dared attempt an assassination on you?”

Song Yunzhi nodded.

The prince slammed his palm on the table, rattling the wine jug and cups. “The Park family! They dare ignore me? Ignore the imperial court?!”

Song Yunzhi answered, “Please be at ease, Your Highness. My investigation shows the attack had nothing to do with the Park family as a whole.”

The prince’s fury eased slightly—but his displeasure remained. “Even so, she’s one of their people. Don’t worry—I’ll demand justice for you personally.”

He wouldn’t need to go far.

Moments later, the Park family’s third son arrived with a visiting card in hand. “Ever since Your Grace arrived in Yangzhou, my family has repeatedly failed to host you properly, leading to many misunderstandings. Now that we have learned His Highness is here, our family has prepared a banquet. First, to apologize to Your Grace, and second, to honor His Highness. We humbly ask you both to attend.”

Prince Pingchang did not take the card. He swept a cold look over the young man kneeling before him.

“You should apologize. Go tell Lady Park that tonight both I and the Song heir will come to the Park residence. Let me see how your family intends to make amends. Do not disappoint me.”

The Park family and the prince had many years of cordial relations. The third son had visited the prince’s manor many times alongside Lady Park.

Now that the situation with the Song heir had soured, the prince’s involvement was the best possible rescue.

Realizing the prince was giving them a chance to repair matters, the third son rose and offered the invitation with relief. “Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Grace. My family will prepare to receive you with utmost respect.”

The Parks also delivered an invitation to the Qian household.
It was received by Qian Tong’s second uncle.

Qian Tong herself was not at home.

When Second Uncle learned that both the prince and the Song heir would be present, he repeatedly assured the Park family’s representative that the Qian family would not be absent. As soon as he had the invitation in hand, he hurried to send someone to find Qian Tong.

The third son returned to the Park household after delivering the invitations, just in time to run into his eldest brother—who looked ready to leave again.

“Brother.” The third son hurried to call him back, trying to stop him. “His Highness and the young lord will both be visiting our home tonight. If you have no urgent matters, could you stay and help share the responsibility?”

The eldest son of the Park family remained unmoved.

So the third son dropped his voice, almost pleading. “I know that because of Sister Copper’s matter, you and Mother have grown distant, and you don’t want to interfere in family affairs. But tonight involves His Highness and the young lord—it concerns the future of our family. Father still isn’t home, Second Brother has vanished, and I’ve never been as sharp as you or Second Brother. At an occasion like this, I—I fear I won’t be able to handle it…”

Afraid he would still refuse, he added softly, “Sister Copper will be coming tonight as well.”

Park Chengyu’s expression shifted.

“Brother?”

Whatever moved him—whether it was earlier words or the last sentence—Park Chengyu finally answered, “All right.”

Seeing him agree, the third son let out a long breath of relief and smiled. “I’ll go report to Mother. Brother, you can tidy up a bit. We’ll greet the guests together later.”

Just as he was about to turn around, his elder brother stopped him.

“Come to my room first. I have something to give you.”

The third son froze, thinking his brother meant to offer him a gift. Suspecting nothing, he followed him inside and waited at the desk obediently.

He waited quite a while without seeing his elder brother emerge again. Finally, unable to resist, he walked behind the screen. “Brother—”

He had only taken two steps when a sudden wave of dizziness struck.

Before he even registered what was happening, he collapsed.

Park Chengyu came out, lifted him onto the bed, then summoned his trusted servant. After ordering him to watch over the unconscious young man, Park Chengyu went in his stead to their mother’s quarters.

“Your eldest son is here. Whatever orders you have tonight—give them to me.”

The Lady of the Park family hadn’t expected him to walk in. Her expression stiffened for a moment.
“What orders could I possibly have? Since you’re here, you can help host our guests tonight.”

After dusk, the first guest arrived: Qian Tong.

When a servant reported, “The seventh young lady of the Qian family has arrived,” the eldest son was present as well.

The Lady of the Park family knew exactly what he was thinking. She shot him a warning glance.
“Your affairs are none of my concern—but mine are none of yours either. Know what you should and should not do.”

Then she turned her head and instructed the servant, “Invite her in.”

But the servant didn’t move. Head down, he shifted uncomfortably, unable to speak.

The Lady frowned.
“What? Do you expect me to go invite her myself?”

As it turned out—yes.

The servant sneaked a glance at the eldest son, then forced himself to say, “Miss Qian said… unless the Lady or the eldest young master personally comes to receive her, she—she doesn’t dare enter.”

The Lady’s temples throbbed instantly.

The rumors calling her a schemer were not wrong—Qian Tong truly knew how to make trouble.

Before the Lady could explode, the eldest son had already stood up and walked out.

Still having received no word from His Highness or the young lord—and unsure whether the young lord would come at all—the Lady clenched her jaw, shot up from her chair, and followed her son to the entrance.

She would like to see for herself whether the girl really believed she had no legs and needed to be carried inside.

Qian Tong did have legs. She stood outside the Park household’s gates, chin lifted as she studied the carved plaque overhead.

She couldn’t recall the last time she had been here—at least two years. Two years ago, she had been blocked at this very gate, refused entry no matter how politely she pleaded.

But today, they had sent her an invitation. And the gates were open for her.

It wasn’t that she refused to enter—she simply didn’t dare trust it. She wasn’t sure whether she had misread the invitation, or whether the Park family had made a mistake. So she’d forced the poor servant to fetch the Lady herself, to confirm whether she was truly invited.

Her exact words had been:
“Are you sure your Lady genuinely agreed to let me in? If there’s been a mistake and I get thrown out again, I’ll lose all face.”

The servant had nodded. “Absolutely true. The invitation is indeed from the Lady. Please enter, Miss Qian.”

Qian Tong shook her head. “I don’t believe it.”

The servant felt his head swelling. “Then what would make you believe it?”

“Only if I see your Lady with my own eyes.”

The servant knew her well—recognized her, understood what she was doing. He also knew she still remembered the grievances of the past. So he tried to brush her off.
“The Lady is busy. Please enter.”

Qian Tong wasn’t hurried.
“That’s fine. Your eldest young master is home, right? If the Lady can’t come, he’ll do.”

The servant hadn’t wanted to entertain her at all—thinking privately, Come in or don’t, it’s none of my concern.

But Qian Tong might as well have read his thoughts. She turned immediately.
“Forget it then. I must have misunderstood. I won’t go in.”

The servant froze. He had been ordered explicitly to ensure she entered. Seeing her about to walk away, he panicked.
“Please wait, Miss Qian—just a moment! I’ll go report right away.”

Qian Tong allowed herself to wait—barely.

A moment later, the first person she saw was the eldest son. Qian Tong blinked, surprised.
“You’re home? I thought you wouldn’t be.”

There was a smile on her lips. It sounded like an ordinary greeting, yet anyone could hear the deliberate barb.

Park Chengyu’s face went pale.

Then she saw the Lady arrive behind him. Genuinely surprised, Qian Tong rushed to offer a polite bow and explanation.
“My Lady, please don’t blame me. When I received your invitation today, I didn’t dare believe it. And I was afraid I had misunderstood your intentions. So I came personally to ask whether you truly invited me.”

The Lady’s face had long since gone stiff and dark, but she forced herself to smile.
“You saw correctly. The invitation was mine. I only hope Miss Qian will grant me the honor.”

Qian Tong curtsied.
“Since it was truly your wish, how could I dare refuse?”

The Lady didn’t bother looking at her again. She turned and walked inside.

Qian Tong lifted her skirt, stepped forward one small step at a time, and after crossing the threshold, glanced back casually.

Smiling, she said to the servant behind her, “Hmm? Your threshold seems lower than before.”

Servant: ……

As for the eldest son’s expression—there was almost nothing left to salvage.

Before she could send another verbal dagger his way, he finally snapped. He grabbed her arm and called to his mother ahead,
“Mother, you’re busy. I’ll escort Copper.”

The Princess was still living in the Park home.

His Highness and Her Highness would arrive soon. Seeing her son dragging that “vixen” around would put her in an impossible position. The Lady nearly stumbled with fury, needing a maid to catch her. Under her breath she muttered, “What sin have I committed…”

The maid whispered, “Please endure, my Lady…”

The Lady inhaled deeply, composing herself. After tonight, all this trouble will end.

The second guest to arrive was the Princess Consort.

The Lady escorted her to the banquet and quietly assured her that everything was prepared—they only needed to wait.

Both women waited in mounting anxiety. Night was falling, and only when the sky had darkened fully did they hear movement outside.

A servant rushed in.
“My Lady, His Highness and the young lord have arrived.”

The Lady and the Princess Consort exchanged a glance of relief, rose, and hurried to greet their guests.

The group arriving had chosen darkness to avoid drawing attention. With only two attendants, His Highness walked in front, the young lord half a step behind him. The two spoke lightly as they approached.

The Lady of the Park family went forward and, together with the household, bowed deeply.
“This humble woman greets Your Highness and the young lord…”

His Highness glanced at her, still visibly displeased, and only after a moment did he say, “Rise.”

The Lady straightened and warmly offered, “It is the greatest honor of our Park family to host Your Highness and the young lord tonight. Her Highness, the Princess Consort, arrived earlier and is waiting at the banquet. Though the master of the house is away, I will personally see to your comfort.”

Then she turned and told a servant, “Go fetch the eldest young master.”

Hearing that the eldest son was home, His Highness was mildly surprised.
“Park Chengyu is here?”

The Lady nodded.
“Yes. He returned the day before yesterday. When he heard that Your Highness and Her Highness were coming, he stayed to greet you…”
Realizing the entrance wasn’t the place for conversation, she quickly said, “Please, Your Highness, Young Lord—this way to your seats.”

Every casual remark between them exposed how closely the two families were tied.

The young lord said nothing.

His Highness beckoned him, and together they entered the great hall, where they exchanged greetings with the Princess Consort.

She spoke warmly, asking about the long princess’s recent years, then mentioned the young lord’s sister.
“When Mingfeng left the capital, she cried for days—not wanting to part from your sister. It took her a long time in Jiangnan before she opened up to others. How has your sister been in recent years? Has the Marquis’s young heir already settled on a wedding date?”

The young lord replied politely, “Everything is well. The wedding date is being discussed.”

“Good. When the time—”

“Father, Mother.”

The voice cut her off.

Mingfeng rushed in breathlessly, face dark with anger. She gave the young lord only the barest nod before kneeling before her parents.

“Please, Father, Mother—withdraw my engagement to the Park family.”

She had barged in unexpectedly, refused the marriage openly, and both His Highness and the Princess Consort looked embarrassed.

The Princess Consort had known she was in Yangzhou, but His Highness had not. Seeing his daughter behave so rashly, he said coldly, “Who allowed you in here? Get up.”

The Lady of the Park family had already been startled by the girl’s words. She quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
“Your Grace, let us sit first. Whatever troubles you have, we can discuss them slowly. I assure you—you will leave satisfied.”

Mingfeng turned, fixing her with a wintry smile.
“Then why don’t you say first—how exactly do you plan to satisfy me?”

Before the Lady could speak, Mingfeng pressed on.
“Your second son is dead. Which son do you intend to push onto me now?”

Her bluntness struck like a slap. The Lady’s face stiffened, though she feared making a scene.
“Your Grace, I have already pledged to honor our agreement. I will not go back on my word.”

But Mingfeng sneered.
“Are you referring to your eldest son?”

Just then, the eldest son entered, with Qian Tong behind him. Mingfeng smiled and asked the Lady,
“Is it him?”

Park Chengyu didn’t know what had happened inside. Standing with the young woman beside him, he bowed with her toward the four nobles.
“Your Highness, Your Grace, Young Lord, Your Ladyship…”

The entire royal household had their eyes on him—everyone except the young lord, whose gaze had fallen behind him.

When their eyes met, both he and Qian Tong saw in the other the same question, the same disdain, the same calm.

Their late-night conversation the night before had amounted to nothing.

But Qian Tong had no time to dwell on it; she felt trouble incoming and was preparing to retreat when Mingfeng said,
“Perfect timing, Miss Qian. Don’t rush off.”

So Qian Tong was forced to stop.

Mingfeng turned back to the Lady and spoke clearly:
“Are you truly unafraid that, if I marry your eldest son, I will take revenge on your household?”

Everyone froze. The Lady stared, baffled by her meaning.

Mingfeng gave a cold laugh.
“Your desire to climb above your station is truly poisonous. First, you tried to marry me to your cut-sleeve second son (t/n: cut-sleeve refers to a man who prefers male lovers; a classical euphemism). Now that he’s dead, you want to shove your impotent eldest son at me. Who do you think I am? Who do you think my parents are?”

At the word cut-sleeve, the Lady’s face drained.
By the end of the accusation, she was stunned.

“Absurd—who—who said such things?”

Not only she—His Highness and the Princess Consort had both turned dark.

The second son being a “cut-sleeve”?
The eldest son “unable to perform as a man”?

The royal family had known nothing of this. The marriage between the two households had been begged for by the Park family’s patriarch. If these accusations were true, it would mean the Park family held no respect for the royal house at all.

Truth or not, the Princess Consort was already glaring at the Lady.

Even the young lord lifted his eyes.

Mingfeng continued mercilessly, before the Lady could defend herself:
“Is the matter of the eldest son’s impotence what you want clarified?”

She raised her hand and pointed directly at Qian Tong.
“Miss Qian once had a relationship with him. If anyone knows whether he can perform or not—it’s her.”

Qian Tong’s vision almost went black.

The Lady’s face turned green.

Mingfeng looked at Park Chengyu—whose eyes were pinned silently on Qian Tong—and her voice struck again like a blade.

“Back then, your family treated him as a treasure—too good for anyone. Miss Qian wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t good enough. But now that he’s useless as a man, suddenly you dare offer him around, to one girl after another.”

She had come tonight for one goal only—to break off the engagement, even if the house burned down around them.

“If your Lady hadn’t locked Miss Qian and your eldest son together in Haizhou, the truth about him being unable to perform would never have come to light.”