Ye Xuan grandly and ceremoniously left the Ye Family through the front gate to get married.
Meanwhile, Ningwan was quietly sent by the Ye Family through the back door to the Zhan Family’s wedding car.
Zhan Hanjue had failed to marry several times, and the Zhan Family was afraid that making a big scene would again bring disaster. So, the wedding was canceled, and they simply brought the bride over.
The Ye Family naturally had no objections. They were fully focused on preparing Ye Xuan’s wedding and had nothing prepared for Ningwan, so the Zhan Family’s decision not to hold a wedding was in line with their wishes.
The Zhan Family’s housekeeper was quietly reporting to his master, "Young Master, the Young Madam has been brought over, but the person the Ye Family gave us is not the same."
"Not the same?" The man’s thin lips parted slightly, his voice icy and cold.
Housekeeper Wu explained with his head lowered, "It was originally agreed that it would be the Second Miss Ye, but now they’ve sent the Third Miss Ye. The Ye Family explained that they hadn’t specified by name, and since the Second Miss Ye has already married into the Lin Family, they could only send the Third Miss Ye."
"Ye Henghui has quite the audacity." The man reprimanded sharply.
He didn’t care who married into the family, but he detested being deceived.
Housekeeper Wu shivered in fear, cautiously asking, "What should we do with the Young Madam?"
The man stood up, his posture tall and commanding, with a face of exceptional handsomeness, his features chiseled like a sculpture. Innately noble, even though his deep eyes showed no light, it did not affect his imposing presence.
"Send her back, prepare to implement the plan to acquire Ye Group."
Dare to deceive him? He would show the Ye Family the consequences of deceiving him.
"Understood." Housekeeper Wu nodded.
Old Mrs. Zhan walked in with the help of a cane, signaling for Housekeeper Wu to leave.
"Grandmother, why are you here?" Zhan Hanjue asked.
Old Mrs. Zhan said, "Today is the day your new wife enters the family, how could I not come? I’ve heard about it, and I immediately had someone check your compatibility; your fates are a perfect match with a bond that promises many children and great fortune. The bride cannot be sent back. Since there’s a mistake, let’s make the best of it."
"Jue’er, it’s time for you to leave an heir for the Zhan Family." Old Mrs. Zhan spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.
Zhan Hanjue lowered his gaze, his long fingers gently tapping the table, making a "tat-tat-tat" sound.
He neither agreed nor refused.
Old Mrs. Zhan knew that this meant he agreed to keep Ningwan, and she left satisfied.
Ningwan was waiting in the hall.
But she knew that the Zhan Family would definitely keep her.
Although time was tight, she made some small preparations to ensure her stay.
Old Mrs. Zhan had been a devout Buddhist for many years and was somewhat superstitious, even taking a liking to fortune-telling in recent years. So, she had secretly bribed the fortune-teller commonly used by Old Mrs. Zhan last night to ensure that she would be kept by the Zhan Family today.
Sure enough, Housekeeper Wu soon returned: "Young Master asks for the Young Madam to come over."[1]
Ningwan nodded and followed him daintily into the backyard.
The backyard was quiet and somber, even the streetlamps emitted a dim and dreary light.
Passing through a corridor, a domed gate loomed ahead like the mouth of a monster. It seemed that passing through it would lead to eternal doom.
"Young Master, the Young Madam is here." Housekeeper Wu pushed open a dark red wooden door.
The door made a heavy sound, seemingly quite aged.
Ningwan entered and saw a man standing by the bed who turned around at the sound.
But he quickly waved Housekeeper Wu away.
Housekeeper Wu left, thoughtfully closing the wooden door behind them.
Ningwan had prepared herself mentally for meeting a man who was possibly ugly, old, and blind.
However, when she saw Zhan Hanjue’s appearance, she was amazed!
Handsome and distinguished, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a nose like a hanging gall. Just standing there, he exuded an air of impressive nobility.
It’s no wonder she was surprised; Zhan Hanjue was known as a business prodigy, but no one had ever seen his true face. For over ten years, he had remained a mystery.
However, combining the car accident, the fire, and his blindness from thirteen years ago with his series of lost wives, it was naturally believed that he was hideous and fierce.
Otherwise, why would he have the nickname "Living Yama"?
"Thirteen years ago you were sent back to the countryside, and it was only yesterday that you were brought back to the Ye Family." Zhan Hanjue recalled her past without showing any emotion.
Ningwan’s doe-like eyes flickered. The other side had dug into her background so quickly.
"Do you know why I kept you," Zhan Hanjue’s voice was low, "despite knowing you are a replacement, even with an ugly appearance and compromised purity?"
"I don’t know." Ningwan answered quietly.
"I am blind and am not concerned about whether or not you are beautiful." Zhan Hanjue’s lips curved into a cold smile, "There is no place for you in the Ye Family, you can stay with the Zhan Family, but you need to perform your duties as Madam Zhan."
"The duties as Madam Zhan?" Ningwan’s eyes raised slightly.
No wonder his eyes were devoid of spirit; he really was blind.
This made things much easier; it would be more convenient for her to act.
"Come over and help me undress," Zhan Hanjue commanded.