Christoph descended to the living room, dressed impeccably. Duke Schneider, who was reading the newspaper, cast him a glance with a slight smile.
Oscar, holding a teapot in one hand and the other hand behind his back, asked, “Would you like some tea?” Christoph responded with a slight shake of his head.
The reason for his haste in the morning was obvious. He intended to wait in front of Marianne’s boarding house, timing it with her departure for work.
Duke Schneider clicked his tongue silently, observing his grandson only reacting after Marianne had run away.
At that moment, Oscar set down the teapot on the table and spoke.
“If you leave now, you’ll be caught by the reporters.”
“Reporters?”
“They won’t just let it slide that you defended Paul Keller. Moreover, rumors are circulating that Mrs. Schneider works at the police station. According to the guard, journalists have been stationed at the private entrance since dawn.”
Christoph frowned at this. His straight eyebrows twitched.
“What about Marianne’s boarding house?”
“They don’t seem to have found that out yet. Of course, it’s only a matter of time.”
“I’ll have to take action before that.”
Half-muttering to himself, Christoph gave Oscar a look.
“Warn them not to bother Marianne. Make it clear that anyone hovering around her won’t be able to set foot in Blauburg anymore. If necessary.”
Christoph paused briefly before adding slowly,
“Even if I have to sell Duke Schneider’s name. Show them we’re serious.”
Duke Schneider’s white eyebrows fluttered. Oscar, who caught the glance, bowed his head respectfully.
“Yes, Christoph.”
“Ah, also.”
Christoph seemed to remember something and cast his eyes back to Oscar.
“I’m planning to send a few dresses to Marianne’s boarding house.”
Hmph.
Unable to restrain himself, Duke Schneider clicked his tongue. Christoph stopped speaking and turned his gaze toward him. The Duke, who had put down his teacup, spoke for the first time.
“Do you want Marianne to like it?”
Christoph merely stared at him, as if trying to gauge his intentions.
Duke Schneider sighed, his eyes filled with regret. He looked up at his grandson, who was perfect in every way but woefully inexperienced in romance.
“After all, a single word from you would have women falling at your feet. You’ve never had to work for a woman’s favor. That’s why you only choose actions Marianne would dislike.”
“……”
Christoph’s eyes narrowed at this. The moment his dark eyes emitted a sharp light, the Duke added,
“If Marianne would be moved by dresses and jewelry, she wouldn’t have thrown divorce papers at you in the first place. Be grateful if she doesn’t get angry. Don’t forget that she left the house empty-handed.”
“……So.”
Christoph pursed his lips, agreeing with the Duke’s point. If Marianne had been satisfied with dresses and jewelry, she would never have abandoned her position as Mrs. Schneider.
“So what should I do?”
It was a genuinely anxious voice. Christoph was sincere. He wanted to win Marianne’s favor and was prepared to do whatever it took.
Duke Schneider swallowed a rising laugh and feigned a somber expression.
Christoph was like a racehorse—blinders on, only looking forward as he galloped. He needed to slow down.
“Do nothing.”
Christoph looked at him skeptically. He slowly clenched his fist. Duke Schneider casually picked up the newspaper from the table and offhandedly advised,
“Do nothing.”
“Don’t do anything Marianne doesn’t want. That’s the best course of action. If the girl was swayed merely by money and jewels, this fuss wouldn’t have started in the first place.”
Money and jewels.
Christoph had always tried to win Marianne’s heart with them. When he failed to keep a promise with her, he would have Oliver present her with appropriate jewels.
What expression did she wear each time?
Ah.
Strength surged into his clenched fist. His nails dug into his palm. Marianne’s resigned, faintly smiling face surfaced in his mind.
Christoph swallowed slowly and closed his eyes, then opened them again. Suddenly, his mouth felt dry. He didn’t know how to win her favor if not with money and jewels.
It was as if he was standing in a dense fog where no path was visible. Christoph stood there aimlessly, unable to decide which way to go.
Then.
“A dress should be fine. There’s a good reason for it.”
“A reason, you say?”
Christoph asked with a suppressed voice. Cough, the Duke Schneider licked his lips again.
“Have you forgotten this old man’s birthday now?”
“…….”
“Even if she threw divorce papers, Marianne will attend my birthday party. That girl is more affectionate than anyone. Prepare a dress for that occasion, Oscar.”
Duke Schneider cast his gaze at his loyal servant. Oscar understood his intent without further words and responded, “Yes, I will prepare it.”
Duke Schneider turned his attention back to the newspaper. Then suddenly, as if recalling something, he looked at Christoph. An eerie dignity swirled in his until-then lax grey eyes.
“You say there are people who have disrespected Marianne?”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
