Lu Tongzhi couldn’t hold back his explosive temper. He kicked his son, sending him stumbling back two steps.

"Stop interrupting all the time. This Miss Xiao is preparing to choose a husband, and I want you to steer clear for a while." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Why?" Lu Ping’s eyes suddenly went wide. "Dad, that’s not what you used to say. You said that if I could marry Miss Xiao, I’d gain a powerful backer. Why have you changed your tune now?"

"You little rascal, don’t play dumb. Don’t you know the situation Mr. Xiao is in right now?

Back in the day, with your qualifications, she wouldn’t have even given you a second glance."

Lu Ping pouted. "..." ’That’s perfect, then.’

"Listen to your father," Lu Tongzhi’s voice softened. He was genuinely afraid this little rascal would push back and end up marrying a holy terror. "If it were the legitimate daughter, I certainly wouldn’t object.

But unfortunately, our humble family isn’t worthy of her.

As for Mr. Xiao’s illegitimate daughter, she may be favored, but our family can’t handle that temper of hers."

"Wait, Dad, didn’t you say before that Mr. Xiao was planning to pick one of those Scholars? Why is he turning the knife on our own people now?"

Lu Tongzhi was so exasperated by his son’s words that he laughed. ’The knife?’ "Everyone’s as sharp as a tack these days. Some Scholars arranged their marriages long ago, and the rest have all skipped town.

As for the ones who are left, she might not even find them acceptable.

I heard Lord Niu is already on his way back. If Mr. Xiao doesn’t hurry up and settle his family’s affairs, he won’t have any chance to recover later."

"With our family’s standing, what good would it do her? Dad, don’t worry for nothing. She wouldn’t be interested in us."

Lu Tongzhi blurted out in anger, "Mr. Xiao spoke to me today! He was hinting that I should have your mother go to their home and propose marriage."

"No way!" Lu Ping turned his head with difficulty. "I used to see that Second Miss Xiao always staring at Mr. Bai—oh, no, he’s Prince Bai now. How could she possibly be interested in someone like me?"

"I don’t care about any of that," Lu Tongzhi said. "He’s already made his intentions clear. What do you suggest we do?"

"Do nothing! Dad, don’t you know how to stall? Just say you can’t find me!"

"If I can’t find you, you think Mr. Xiao can’t?" Lu Tongzhi replied. "What if he arranges for the two of you to be alone together? It’ll be too late for regrets then."

"He wouldn’t go that far!" Lu Ping licked his lips and suddenly held out his hand. "Dad, give me some more Silver Taels. I’ll go seek refuge with Prince Bai right now. With the protection of Prince Bai’s guards, I bet he won’t have the guts to try anything."

Lu Tongzhi also wanted his son to secure a good future and was naturally eager for him to build a stronger relationship with the future Marquis Wu’an. After fumbling for a while, he took out a crumpled silver note. "Be frugal with this. When you’re out in the world, be observant and don’t offend anyone."

Having gotten what he wanted, Lu Ping summoned his attendant. Without staying a moment longer, he hurried off toward Shangjing.

* * *

When Xiao Yunhai received the news, he angrily swept the inkstone off his desk and pointed at Xiao Wanyu. "Now do you see what a difficult position your father is in!

And yet you’re still being picky, crying and screaming about marrying a Scholar who already has a wife. Are you trying to make things even more chaotic for me?"

Weighed down by so many problems, Xiao Yunhai had long lost his patience with this illegitimate daughter he had always doted on.

He had originally thought that if the Scholar was unwilling, he could just find a family with someone who already held an official post.

Lu Tongzhi’s family was relatively simple, and Mr. Lu was on good terms with Prince Bai. If they were to become in-laws, he would gain another person to help him in the future.

A hint of glee flashed in Xiao Wanyu’s eyes. "Father, didn’t you say you also admire Scholar Gu’s literary talent? And you also said that if he were to take the exam to become a scholar, it would be a guaranteed success.

Besides, she’s just a country bumpkin wife. At worst, I’ll just give her some extra Silver."

"Hah! You think you’re so clever. As if she’d give up being a proper Scholar’s wife just to be bought off with a bit of Silver Tael."

It wasn’t that Xiao Yunhai hadn’t considered it himself. He had secretly sent people to inquire about Gu Wenheng and his wife; they had supported each other through thick and thin.

Furthermore, Gu Wenheng’s success today was largely thanks to the dowry his wife had brought with her.

Besides, it wasn’t wise for him to make any big moves right now. If he really stirred up more trouble, what awaited him was likely a bottomless abyss.

"But I like him," Xiao Wanyu blurted out.

"Tsk, tsk. Just what you’d expect from a daughter raised by a concubine. She hasn’t learned a thing about etiquette, honor, or a woman’s virtues. Shameless words just fall from her lips." Mrs. Xiao stood outside the study, watching the father and daughter and shaking her head in disdain.

"Why are you here?" Xiao Yunhai asked with a frown. "This is the study, a private place. What are you doing here?"

"If a mere illegitimate daughter can come and go as she pleases, am I, the Madam of this house, not allowed?" Mrs. Xiao, Tian Lanfen, stepped into the study while leaning on her maid’s arm and found a seat for herself.

"Wanyu, you may leave," Xiao Yunhai said. He didn’t bother correcting his daughter for not greeting her legal mother, wanting only to dismiss them both quickly.

Tian Lanfen didn’t seem to mind. "It doesn’t matter whether she’s here or not. I’ve come to inform you, my lord, that our Shiyu’s dowry is almost ready. However, aside from the household’s public funds, it seems you haven’t made a personal contribution."

"Isn’t it all the same if it comes from the public funds?" Xiao Yunhai’s brows were practically tied in knots. He had been having his confidants disperse some of his assets recently, and now this woman was pulling this stunt.

"You said it yourself, that’s from the public funds. How will people tell the difference between a legitimate daughter and an illegitimate one?

My Shiyu is our true, legitimate daughter. She’s not like those stray cats and dogs you’ve raised.

Besides, my maiden family is providing the bulk of the dowry this time. As her biological father, you can’t just contribute nothing, can you?"

"Shiyu’s dowry is already extravagant enough, and besides, I don’t have much Silver Tael on hand," Xiao Yunhai said, his head truly starting to ache.

Xiao Wanyu twisted her handkerchief forcefully. "Madam, Big Sister’s dowry is already a magnificent procession. Father has more important uses for the Silver in his hands. Please don’t force him."

"Is this your place to interrupt?" Tian Lanfen said coldly, looking at her own fingers. "It seems the rules of this mansion need to be properly enforced. Wu Chan, teach her the rules."

Wu Chan, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly took two steps forward and swiftly slapped Xiao Wanyu twice.

"You damned servant, how dare you?" Xiao Wanyu clutched her face. "Father, look at them!"

"Wu Chan, continue," Tian Lanfen said. "Although she was raised by a concubine, when she goes out in public, it is my face as the legal mother that she shames, and she represents the dignity of the Xiao Mansion. If she remains defiant, send her to the small Buddhist Hall in the back to kneel. That should temper some of her insolence."

"That’s enough!" Xiao Yunhai shot to his feet the moment Wu Chan moved to strike again. "You are her legal mother. If there’s an issue, teach her properly. Don’t always resort to beatings and threats."