Chapter 2: The One Who Must Be Abandoned

In the front courtyard of the Marquis Manor, the flower hall was bustling.

From afar, one could see everyone laughing and talking. Outside the hall, the younger generation was gathered around the Marquis Manor's Heir, Qin Yan, and the Heir of the Yan Guogong, He Yan. Qin He, in particular, was delicate, dignified, and deeply cherished.

Almost all the children from the various branches who could be presented were there, all looking at the items He Yan had sent to Qin He.

"Tier 2 beast crystals? They are beneficial for cultivation."

"I like the agate and jade; they look good made into headpieces."

"Yes, I like jade."

Women like jewelry, while men prefer crystals used for cultivation.

When Qin Bi arrived, no one cared. A cousin greeted Qin Bi, and everyone continued to chat and laugh. He Yan looked over; the man was handsome and noble, his brocade robe making him appear even more distinguished, but he only gave a faint glance.

Qin He spoke to He Yan: "I also want to go kill beasts."

He Yan turned his head to continue chatting with Qin He about the beasts just mentioned.

Qin Bi immediately felt her status in the Marquis Manor. She didn't care; if the marriage didn't work out, she could go back with her Third Aunt. The younger brothers and sisters had all grown up, and they were all unfamiliar and not close to her.

After hesitating, Qin Bi walked to the main seat surrounded by everyone.

"Why did you just arrive?" Qin Yan saw Qin Bi and smiled: "He He Shizi of the Yan Guogong has been here for quite a while and brought gifts for all the younger ones in the family. The one for you has already been sent over, right?!"

Qin Yan is the Heir of the Marquis Manor, the eldest legitimate son of the First Branch, and holds absolute weight among the younger generation in the Marquis Manor.

Qin Bi smiled politely: "A box of books."

Qin Bi didn't dare to act presumptuously, taking the opportunity to look at the gift trays on the table, then glanced at He Yan: "Is this for Qin He? Beast crystals, agate, jade—none of these are cheap items. Heir, are you here today to finalize the marriage? Actually, you really don't need to send me anything. It's just a box of books; I haven't touched them. You can take them back."

As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Yan stopped smiling. Qin Bi was calculating the items He Yan had sent to Qin He.

Qin He's younger sister from the Second Branch was displeased and stood out, saying: "What do you mean? The things the Heir gave my sister are precious. Are you jealous? Everything was given openly; do you need to be so sour and sarcastic here?"

This girl from the Second Branch was angry, and her voice was loud. Suddenly, everyone stopped laughing, their expressions varied.

"What could I mean?" The Second Branch was displeased, but Qin Bi couldn't retreat either. She was in the right and needed to make things clear. She said to He Yan: "Heir, if you want to proceed with the marriage, take back the things you've given away."

He Yan narrowed his eyes: "We'll talk about this when we go back."

He was protecting Qin He, worried about damaging her reputation. Qin Bi's heart turned cold.

She had tested him, and it wasn't what Qin Bi wanted.

Several legitimate sons of the Qin family wanted to speak, but Qin He was angry. She pulled her sister back and said: "What's the big deal? Is it worth Cousin being so calculating? I don't want the things anymore. Heir, take them all back."

"Why shouldn't you want them?" Qin He's sister said: "He He Shizi gave them; what does it have to do with her?"

Actually, it did have to do with her. He Yan is Qin Bi's fiancé, and they were currently discussing the wedding.

However, it didn't matter; clearly, the entire Marquis Manor didn't take Qin Bi's marriage seriously. Otherwise, the legitimate daughter of the Second Branch wouldn't have said that it had nothing to do with Qin Bi. He Yan's attitude toward Qin He gave the Second Branch's daughter confidence.

Qin Bi looked at He Yan, waiting for him to speak.

Qin He pulled her legitimate sister, her eyelids drooping, not knowing what she was thinking.

He Yan sat down calmly to pour tea, took a sip, and then looked at Qin Bi, his eyes sharp. His tone was indifferent but carried pressure and disdain: "You want to compare yourself to Qin He? You've been betrothed before, while Qin He only has me."

These words were very poisonous. Qin Bi was stunned for a moment.

The legitimate daughter of the Second Branch was satisfied and gave Qin Bi a triumphant look.

The Marquis Manor's Heir, Qin Yan, sighed and looked worriedly at his concubine-born cousin from the Fourth Branch. He Yan's words were hurtful; it would be fine if they could be resolved later, but otherwise, they would become a knot in the heart after marriage, and he feared the couple would not be harmonious.

The children of each branch looked at each other, looking as if they had expected this.

He Yan and Qin He were originally a pair. For so many years, it hadn't been easy for Qin He to wait for the Heir of the Yan Guogong, which was also pitiful. If it weren't for the fate of bringing misfortune to wives, Qin Bi's status would never have allowed her to climb up to He Yan.

Seeing Qin Bi stunned, several brothers of the Marquis Manor couldn't bear to watch and shifted their gazes.

Qin Bi's heart ached. So, in He Yan's heart, she was nothing more than this. She had been betrothed, and it had been stirred up by the two powerful Heirs. Don't ask Qin Bi how she knew; it was just them who stirred it up.

Her marriage had never been settled, and now He Yan was using this to slap her in the face. The past knots in her heart could not be suppressed at this moment.

Qin Bi's eyes were red, her eye sockets aching, but the tears didn't fall. She wasn't angry anymore; she seemed to become as calm as if everything were settled. Qin He had transmigrated too successfully; she couldn't do it.

"You dislike that I've been betrothed." Qin Bi sneered.

Did He Yan not know she had been betrothed? He Yan had known from the start. To be so disgusted that she had been betrothed and yet still want to marry her—Qin Bi felt it wasn't worth it for him. If he wasn't satisfied, he shouldn't force it.

"Let's call off the engagement. Marry whoever you like." Qin Bi felt stifled and uncomfortable.

"Qin Bi." Qin Yan stopped her from saying words that couldn't be taken back.

Qin Bi marrying He Yan was the best choice; it was good for the Marquis Manor and good for everyone.

Qin Bi could only be the one who was abandoned.

At this moment, Qin Bi understood everything in her heart, but she didn't want to follow the arrangements of the Marquis Manor and the Duke's Manor.

The legitimate son of the Third Branch, Qin Lang, had the best relationship with Qin Bi and felt a bit sorry for her. He pulled her: "Stop talking, go back to your courtyard."

"Are we just going to let it go after ruining Qin He of our Second Branch?" The girl was somewhat unwilling.

"Have some shame." Qin Bi scolded.

The legitimate daughter of the Second Branch was furious.

He Yan's expression changed. He looked at Qin Bi and simply told her directly: "After you and I marry, I will welcome Qin He into the house. It hasn't been easy for her to wait for me for so many years, and I intend to make her a co-wife."

Qin Bi collapsed, feeling dazed.

So many years, and it was still like this. He Yan bullied her so much; if she had to endure this, she might as well be dead. Qin Bi couldn't suppress her anger, but she couldn't afford to offend a powerful official, and the Marquis Manor wouldn't allow her to make a scene.

She collapsed, tears streaming down her face, and she gave He Yan a hateful look.

He Yan didn't flinch, looking over. The expressions of the Qin family disciples changed. Now they truly sympathized with this concubine-born daughter of the Fourth Branch. He Yan marrying her was entirely to break his fate of bringing misfortune to wives.

Once the Heir of the Yan Guogong no longer brought misfortune to his wives, he would immediately welcome Qin He.

The legitimate daughter of the Second Branch was secretly happy, pulling Qin He with full admiration. To be so highly valued by the Duke's Heir, only her sister Qin He could do it.

Qin Lang was displeased and opened his mouth to speak, but Qin Bi pulled Qin Lang. Only this cousin from the Third Branch was on her side; how could she let her cousin ruin his future for her? Qin Lang and Qin Bi looked at each other.

Qin Bi shook her head, and Qin Lang felt discouraged.

The eldest legitimate son of the Fourth Branch, Qin Tang, felt his face ache and walked up to Qin Bi: "I'll take you back."

Hearing his eldest brother's words, Qin Bi couldn't hold back anymore and was about to collapse in tears, but not many people cared whether she cried or not. She couldn't cry here, so Qin Bi left quickly. ===== CHAPTER 3 =====