This Minister of Rites was not only an honest man but also an upright official!

His reputation in the court was also good, and he had connections on all sides. Therefore, for the Kangding Marquis, his daughter was the perfect choice for his future daughter-in-law.

As Li Shiyan had yet to appear, the Kangding Marquis could only continue delaying again and again.

Making small talk!

Discussing political matters.

Occasionally bringing up old stories from the past.

So he managed to drag out quite a bit of time, but the ugly bride must eventually meet her in-laws!

Minister Zhu asked: “By the way, Marquis, we’ve been talking for so long now. Why haven’t we seen the Young Master yet?”

At this question, Zhu Yao, who had been sitting quietly the whole time, suddenly raised her eyes to look at the Kangding Marquis.

Although from entering the manor until now, she had only spoken fewer than five sentences, when that Young Master was mentioned, she seemed very interested.

The smile on the Kangding Marquis’s face froze somewhat!

He smiled awkwardly.

His gaze looked outside, but there was still no sign of his son.

The steward found the right opportunity and quickly went in, whispering a few sentences in the Kangding Marquis’s ear.

The Kangding Marquis’s expression underwent a series of changes.

What had originally been an angry expression gradually transformed into joy.

Su Ziluo had indeed calculated correctly. If the Marquis knew he was going to instruct Li Shiyan in learning, he would definitely be happy. Even if there were mountains of blades and seas of fire ahead, the Kangding Marquis would certainly block them.

After the steward left, the gazes of Minister Zhu and his wife and daughter were all locked on the Kangding Marquis.

They wanted to know where exactly the Young Master had gone.

The Kangding Marquis smiled and said: “This is truly unfortunate. Early this morning, Shiyan went to Su Manor, saying he wanted to consult with General Su about literary knowledge and some principles of military campaigns. It was agreed that he would hurry back, but he discussed things with General Su for so long that he forgot. At this moment, he’s still at General Su’s manor! Minister Zhu, you also know that Shiyan is studious. It’s rare that General Su is willing to provide instruction today, so I’m afraid he won’t be able to return to the manor for quite some time.”

He had expected him to find some reason to brush this off casually, but unexpectedly, he had actually brought out Su Ziluo as a solid excuse.

When Minister Zhu heard this, he was very shocked, then delighted, saying: “Usually General Su is taciturn and doesn’t like conversing with people. So many young masters from prestigious families want to consult with him, but unfortunately, they can’t even enter his manor gate. But now General Su is willing to instruct the Young Master—this is truly something to be desired!”

“Yes, this child Shiyan is also very progressive. Having finally obtained this opportunity, naturally he doesn’t want to miss it.”

“Understandable, understandable! The Young Master being so progressive also makes me happy!”

“I’m grateful for Minister Zhu’s understanding.” The Kangding Marquis’s heart was at ease.

Minister Zhu took a long-term view. If Li Shiyan was more progressive, he could feel reassured about his daughter marrying into the family.

However, when Zhu Yao heard that Li Shiyan couldn’t come, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, and her ten fingers involuntarily twisted together.

Actually, on the way here, she had been nervous the whole time!

Just thinking about being able to see Li Shiyan made her heart pound rapidly.

It had never settled down!

“Yao’er.” The Kangding Marquis suddenly called her.

She came back to her senses and politely inclined her head.

“This matter was sudden, and it’s truly regrettable that you couldn’t meet. In a few days, I’ll personally bring Shiyan to visit and have him apologize to you.”

“The Marquis is too kind. Yao’er is fine. Moreover, the Young Master is so progressive, Yao’er is also happy.”

“Your father often praises you in front of me. You’re indeed a sensible and well-mannered child.”

“Thank you for the Marquis’s praise.”

Zhu Yao had blossomed into a graceful young woman, and when she spoke, she was very poised. What person wouldn’t like such a young lady?

The Kangding Marquis was even more satisfied with this daughter-in-law!

Although this matchmaking meeting ended with the main character Li Shiyan not in attendance, the Marquis brought out his most sincere enthusiasm to entertain them.

He was not careless in the slightest!

After seeing off Minister Zhu’s family, the Marquis finally breathed a sigh of relief. After returning to the great hall, he had Little Lu Zi come see him.

Little Lu Zi knew that disaster was about to befall him!

So when he entered, he kept his head lowered the entire time, trembling with fear.

The Kangding Marquis’s face was full of rage at this moment. He slammed the table.

“Bang!”

This frightened Little Lu Zi into immediately kneeling on the ground!

Stammering and trembling, he said: “Marquis, this lowly one will never dare again!”

His voice shook terribly.

“The Young Master is outrageous, and you’re outrageous too! I had you stay by the Young Master’s side to watch him properly, not to collude with him. Clearly knowing what day today was, you still dared to help the Young Master run out. I think I’ve been too good to you normally, making you so lawless.”

“Marquis, this lowly one knows his mistake.”

“Mistake! You only know it’s a mistake now?”

“Marquis…”

“If it weren’t for the Young Master going to Su Manor today, I would definitely strip your skin off.”

Little Lu Zi’s body prostrated on the ground, his voice choking as he said: “This lowly one truly knows he was wrong, Marquis, please spare this lowly one.”

Seeing this, the steward beside him spoke up: “Marquis, you should calm your anger. Fortunately, the Minister of Rites didn’t say anything and even praised the Young Master.”

These words were like a basin of water, extinguishing the flames of anger in the Kangding Marquis’s heart!

Thinking about it, this was indeed the truth!

The Kangding Marquis sighed and waved his hand: “Forget it. Since the matter has already been resolved, there’s no use venting my anger on you. You may go.”

Little Lu Zi breathed a sigh of relief: “Yes, thank you, Marquis.”

“But if there’s a next time, I will definitely not show leniency.”

“Yes.”

Little Lu Zi never dared to raise his head. He trembled as he withdrew.

The Kangding Marquis drank a mouthful of tea. In his irritation, he also felt comforted.

It was rare that General Su was willing to teach his son. He was very happy in his heart.

But if he knew that his progressive son was currently still sleeping on Su Ziluo’s big bed, he would probably be angered into a heart attack.

…

The Minister of Rites’s family of three were in the carriage on the way back to their manor when Jiang Shi suddenly spoke: “That Young Master really doesn’t understand propriety. Clearly knowing we were coming today, he still ran to someone else’s manor.”

Actually, in the great hall of the Marquis Manor earlier, Jiang Shi had wanted to say these words all along!

Unfortunately, she was a woman, and in the end, it wasn’t appropriate for her to interrupt. Now that they were out, naturally she couldn’t keep these words hidden any longer.

Minister Zhu glanced at her: “In the end, it’s just a woman’s view!”

“My lord, was what I said wrong? Today was the day for the two children to meet, but that Young Master didn’t come. So what was this trip of ours about? Those who don’t know might think the Kangding Marquis was deliberately putting on airs for us to see.”

“I already told you not to speak of it, yet you continue! What’s wrong with the Young Master being progressive?”

“You…”

“Enough, don’t mention it again.”

But Jiang Shi was unwilling. She suddenly looked at her silent daughter, grasped her hand with heartache, and said: “I’m just feeling sorry for our daughter. Even before meeting, he’s already treating her so coldly. When Yao’er marries into the Marquis Manor in the future, won’t she have to constantly look at people’s faces?”