Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Su Bin was adamant about not tarnishing Su Ningâs reputation, even if it was merely an engagement.
The significance of a girlâs reputation weighed heavily on his mind.
Despite feeling helpless, he knew he had to devise a solution.
After bidding Governor Li farewell, Su Bin sought out Qin Zhenzhen, wearing a visibly discontented expression.
It was evident to Qin Zhenzhen that something was amiss. âAnother palace predicament?â
Su Bin shook his head. âItâs about my sisterâs marriage.â
He proceeded to recount the unsettling events to her.
Qin Zhenzhen shared in his astonishment. âAre they testing us, or is this an attempt to fully align us with their cause?â Su Bin remained uncertain. âIâm not sure yet.â
âHas the Dragon Phoenix Hall been informed?â
âNot yet, but Iâve alerted them. We should have a response in a few days.â âLetâs hope itâs a test,â Qin Zhenzhen suggested optimistically.
However, Su Bin couldnât shake the feeling that the Public House genuinely sought to establish a familial connection.
Their familyâs wealth, comparable to a liquid treasury, and Su Binâs meritorious status made the Su family an attractive prospect. Once he attained a third-rank official position, his younger sister would be deemed suitable for a young master of a prosperous family, perhaps even rising to the status of a princeâs imperial concubine.
Qin Zhenzhen proposed a solution.
âItâs already too late to arrange Su Ningâs engagement immediately, and it wouldnât be appropriate anyway.â
âBut thereâs a strategy we can employ. I could feign illness, pretend to have a contagious skin disease, and see if that scares them away.â
âBut Iâll need her cooperation for this.â
Su Bin considered the option, saying, âIf I canât come up with a better plan in the next few days, this might be the only way. Itâs preferable to damaging my sisterâs reputation.â
Qin Zhenzhen nodded. âThen, send someone to bring your sister back as soon as possible.â
Given that Qin Zhenzhen had recently established a new shop and training center in Ye City, Su Qing and the others were occupied with business in the capital and couldnât leave.
It had been three months since Su Ning and Su Cheng went to Ye City.
After contemplating, Su Bin decided, âThereâs no need to send someone to pick her up. Let her return directly. She can pretend to be coming home to seek treatment for her illness.â
He recognized that pretending to be sick was not the optimal solution. A girl contracting a contagious skin disease would tarnish her reputation, even if later clarified. It would leave a lasting stain.
Both Su Bin and Qin Zhenzhen spent a restless night, brainstorming for alternatives.
They had actually thought of a potential solution before going to sleep, but each pretended to be asleep, unwilling to disturb the other. As they awoke the next morning, they simultaneously declared,
âDarling, Iâve figured out a solution!â
âWife, Iâve found a solution!â
They exchanged smiles, and Qin Zhenzhen remarked, âCould it be that we have the same idea?â
Su Bin expressed confidence, âI believe the word âcouldâ can be removed.â
Qin Zhenzhen got out of bed with a grin, suggesting, âLetâs jot down our plans separately.â
âAlright!â
Su Bin no longer perceived Qin Zhenzhen as being childish; instead, the concerns from the previous day seemed to fade away.
People are naturally in good spirits when theyâre happy, especially after devising a better solution.
In the end, when the couple reviewed each otherâs plans, they couldnât help but embrace and burst into laughter.
Su Bin complimented, âWe may not be related by blood, but you are undoubtedly more intelligent than most. This plan is fantastic.â Qin Zhenzhen teased him, âAre you praising me or yourself?â
âClearly, itâs both of us!â