Chapter Fifteen: A Letter of Divorce

Liu Dingkun snorted coldly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Yang Tiejin and Yang Ruyan with a threatening tone: “If the military token truly lies in your hands, then Chu Nan’s matter wouldn’t be an issue at all.”

“If he is unwise, just eliminate him directly. The Tianjian Marquis House will cover for the Yang family; I will take full responsibility.”

A twitch flickered across Yang Tiejin’s face as he cursed Liu Dingkun’s ignorance and arrogance in his heart.

Little did Liu know that the Yang family had long since handed over the military token to the Sovereign.

If they acted rashly now, not only would the Yang family be unable to extricate themselves, but they might also face severe punishment from the Empress.

Yang Ruyan was also aware of the gravity of the situation. She forced herself to remain calm, trying to downplay the matter lightly: “Young Marquis, you know that although Chu Nan lacks discernment, he is after all an imperial merchant, and the Sovereign has recently placed considerable trust in him.”

“If we act rashly, it may invite unnecessary trouble.”

Liu Dingkun furrowed his brow, a hint of impatience in his voice: “Trouble? Has the Yang family ever been so hesitant before? Why now, with Chu Nan, are you so cautious?”

He paused, a cold edge creeping into his tone. “Or could it be, Ruyan, that you still harbor some old feelings for Chu Nan?”

Yang Ruyan’s expression shifted slightly; she hurriedly shook her head: “Young Marquis, you misunderstand! I have long grown disgusted with Chu Nan. There is no lingering affection.”

“It’s just that his status as an imperial merchant is indeed intimidating, and with the Shangguan family seemingly supporting him, acting lightly is truly unwise.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Dingkun’s eyes darkened slightly, his voice chilling: “The Shangguan family? They dare to stand in the way of the Tianjian Marquis House?”

“Ruyan, if you truly wish to marry me, what is a mere Chu Nan? We can settle this matter once and for all.”

Yang Ruyan’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze slightly to conceal the panic in her eyes.

She understood clearly that Liu Dingkun valued her because of the military power the Yang family once wielded, which made him regard her differently.

Now that the military token was no longer in their possession, if she appeared too weak at this moment, Liu Dingkun might see her as useless.

Seeing her change in demeanor, Yang Tiejin quickly interjected to ease the tension: “Young Marquis, rest assured, Ruyan is sincere in her feelings for you and harbors no second thoughts.”

“But the matter of Chu Nan truly requires careful deliberation. Acting rashly might provoke the court’s displeasure.”

Liu Dingkun snorted coldly, clearly displeased with the Yang family’s stalling: “Lord Yang, since when did your family become so timid and hesitant?”

“A mere imperial merchant, yet you treat him with such fear. Could it be… that you still have some attachment to Chu Nan?”

Yang Ruyan hurriedly shook her head, anxiety flickering in her eyes as she quickly replied: “Young Marquis, you misunderstand! The Yang family is loyal to you without a doubt.”

“Chu Nan is nothing but a merchant; how could I have any feelings for him?”

“It’s just that since he holds the imperial merchant token, we must be cautious to avoid unnecessary trouble for the Yang family.”

Liu Dingkun’s expression had darkened to an extreme.

Both Yang Ruyan and Yang Tiejin could clearly see that the young marquis’s patience was wearing thin.

Liu Dingkun cast a sharp, unyielding glance at Yang Ruyan.

He slowly set down his teacup, brushed off the faint dust from his robe sleeve, and his voice carried a cold impatience: “Ruyan, Lord Yang, if that merchant Chu Nan is ungrateful, why are you still entangled with him?”

He paused, a meaningful smile curling at his lips as he continued: “If you break off the engagement, the Tianjian Marquis House and the Yang family can formally join forces.”

“Then, who in the capital dares to challenge us?”

At these words, both Yang Ruyan and Yang Tiejin were stunned.

Yang Tiejin’s face showed surprise, but in his heart, he silently lamented.

This young marquis was far too impatient and unreservedly mentioned the marriage alliance’s true purpose, treating Chu Nan’s matter as a mere obstacle to be swiftly removed.

Yet, he had no idea that the military token—the very foundation of the marriage alliance between the Yang family and the Tianjian Marquis House—was no longer in their hands.

If they acted rashly and made too much noise, it could easily arouse the Empress’s suspicion and wrath.

Yang Ruyan’s expression also shifted slightly. Though she despised Chu Nan, the marriage alliance was a weighty matter, not to be decided lightly.

Moreover, the Yang family was no longer the powerful house they once were, capable of standing alone with military might.

She forced a faint smile, her tone tinged with awkwardness: “Young Marquis, you speak truly. The matter of breaking off the engagement can indeed be discussed, but…”

Liu Dingkun frowned slightly, clearly displeased by Yang Ruyan’s evasive words.

His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, a trace of mockery and dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes. His tone turned cold: “Ruyan, what are you still hesitating for? Chu Nan is just a merchant; even if he is somewhat clever, he cannot stir up any real trouble.”

“If there is anything to fear, it would only be the Shangguan family. But I, the Marquis, do not believe they would oppose the Tianjian Marquis House over a mere merchant.”

Yang Ruyan lowered her head slightly, concealing a flicker of unease in her eyes.

Though she did not know Chu Nan’s true background, the interference from the Shangguan family was certainly no coincidence.

More importantly, the Yang family had handed over the military token to the Sovereign. If they acted against Chu Nan, they would almost certainly provoke the Empress’s furious wrath.

Seeing Liu Dingkun’s displeased expression, Yang Tiejin quickly stepped forward with a conciliatory smile: “Young Marquis, please calm your anger. Ruyan is not a fool; it’s just that this matter concerns the family’s reputation. The Yang family always acts cautiously and would never jeopardize its name over a trivial matter.”

Liu Dingkun cast a cold glance at Yang Tiejin, his eyes sharp as blades, his dissatisfaction growing. His tone was harsh: “Lord Yang, if you are to marry into the Tianjian Marquis House, you must be decisive and resolute. Otherwise, how can I not feel disheartened?”

As he spoke, his gaze turned coldly toward Yang Ruyan, filled with scrutiny and warning.

A chill ran through Yang Ruyan’s heart. She knew that further delay would only anger Liu Dingkun more, and might even cause the Tianjian Marquis House to doubt the Yang family and abandon the marriage alliance.

So she forced herself calm, offering a slight smile and speaking softly: “Young Marquis, you are right. We will handle the matter of breaking off the engagement as soon as possible. Please rest assured, I will never disappoint you.”

The next morning, as dawn’s light gently brightened the sky, Chu Nan opened his eyes and sat up from beneath the covers, his mind still foggy with fatigue.

The night before, he had rummaged through a pile of old clutter in his shop and finally found a yellowed marriage contract among the tattered relics.

The paper was slightly aged and curled at the edges, seemingly long forgotten in a corner.

Yet faintly visible on it were the signature and seal of the Yang family patriarch, solemn and clear.

Chu Nan sneered coldly, thinking to himself, “Since Yang Ruyan and that young marquis look down on me so much, then as they wish, I shall send them a letter of divorce.”