“Living together?”

Father Tang’s voice volume was very loud, as if his tone held a ball of fire that slowly rolled into a fireball, being hurled bit by bit at the innocent Muruo.

His lips twitched as he gave a dry laugh and said, “Don’t misunderstand, old sir. My relationship with your daughter is completely pure. She is she, I am I. It’s absolutely not what you’re thinking.”

“Shut up. Did I ask you?”

“…”

“Slick-tongued.”

“…”

The gods above could witness—he was truly wronged!

But he was choked speechless.

He finally understood who Tang Si took after!

Tang Si glanced at him from the corner of her eye, tugged lightly on his sleeve, and said in a lowered voice, “Who says we have no relationship? You’re going to marry me. In the future, I’ll be your wife.”

“I said that casually.”

“Well, I took it seriously.”

“Look at your father, just look—do I still dare to marry you? Aren’t I afraid of being skinned alive by him?”

“My father is my father, I am me. Why wouldn’t you dare marry me? Tell me!”

Just as she finished speaking—

Smack!

Seeing those two whispering to each other, Father Tang slapped his palm on the table beside him.

The sound was very loud!

Jingrong had been holding tea, preparing to drink, but was startled into trembling, nearly dropping the lid.

Thinking to himself, Muruo would have quite a time digesting this father-in-law.

Silent condolences!

Father Tang was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes glared as he continued questioning his daughter. “I’m asking you a question—are you living together now or not?”

“Yes.”

“When did it start?”

“A few months ago.”

“Is it because of him that you refused to go back?”

“Yes.”

Tang Si answered honestly.

Father Tang’s brows furrowed deeply as he began sizing up Muruo from head to toe, his eyes like scanners. Pointing at him, he asked Tang Si through gritted teeth, “What’s so good about this person? He looks like a little white mouse. Look at that mouth—pointed face and monkey cheeks, his whole face looks dishonest. He definitely goes around seducing women. His body is also weak, skinny as a rail. Any warrior we randomly pull from Houliao—which one wouldn’t be better than him? Look at his shifty-eyed appearance, like a thief. His facial features aren’t good either, and his legs have no strength. What exactly is good about him? What did you see in him? Speak!”

Pfft!

Just as these words finished, Jingrong finally couldn’t hold back his laughter. The mouthful of tea he’d just taken nearly sprayed out.

Though Ji Yunshu maintained a serious expression, Father Tang’s words still made her suppress her laughter until her abdomen ached. She then looked at Muruo with sympathetic eyes.

Silent condolences!

This father-in-law’s mouth was like it had been laced with poison.

Muruo glared fiercely at the two of them!

Then—he straightened his back and, with flushed face, refuted Father Tang’s earlier words. “Old man, look clearly—I, Muruo, am a divine physician renowned throughout the land. I don’t rely on my face or my mouth, but on these hands. Besides, my physique is no weaker than yours. Just now, if you hadn’t ambushed me from behind, you wouldn’t have been able to touch even a finger on me. As for the facial features you mentioned, I might as well tell you honestly—when I was first born, my father had someone read my fortune. They said my destiny contains both gold and water, and whoever stays with me will surely prosper. This is an auspicious fortune rarely seen in a hundred years. How did it become so worthless when it comes from your mouth? There’s one more thing—if you want to take your daughter back, then hurry up. I can have someone prepare a few thousand-li horses for you, guaranteed to get you to Houliao quickly without wasting time.”

Father Tang listened dryly, his face growing uglier and uglier, steam coming from his nostrils. He asked, “You’re saying this because you look down on my daughter?”

“Of cour—” Before he could say the word “course,” Tang Si pulled him back, making him stagger several steps.

She directly took over, saying earnestly, “Father, he and I have already pledged ourselves to each other privately. He’ll marry me very soon. Whether you agree or not, you must agree. Anyway, I’m determined to marry him. If you forcibly take me away, I’ll die right in front of you.”

Her face showed absolute determination.

Father Tang had the feeling that his own cabbage had been rooted up by a pig.

He glared at Muruo!

The atmosphere was tense and somewhat awkward.

Jingrong quickly came out to smooth things over, wearing a friendly smile as he said to Father Tang, “You’re Third Master, right? Allow me to say a few words.”

“Speak!”

“Actually, matters of young people’s affections should be left for the young people themselves to choose. Miss Tang has her heart set on someone—as her father, you should be happy. Moreover, they have mutual feelings for each other. Why beat the mandarin ducks apart? Although Miss Tang is extremely excellent, my brother here isn’t bad either! He’s a person of genuine character, values relationships and righteousness. If Miss Tang marries him, she certainly won’t suffer any loss. Although you’re from Houliao, Dalin and Houliao have always coexisted peacefully. If this matter succeeds, it will also be a testament to the friendship between Dalin and Houliao!”

Truly worthy of being a prince—he came with built-in diplomatic abilities.

Father Tang was silent for a while. “According to what you’re saying, I should agree?”

“As parents, don’t we just hope for our children’s happiness? Since Miss Tang has her heart set on this, why not fulfill it?”

“…” Father Tang smiled. “Truly worthy of being a prince of Dalin. The words you speak are indeed different from others.”

Huh?

When did this old fellow learn he was a prince?

Truly unfathomable!

Jingrong still wore a smile and said no more.

Father Tang inadvertently glanced at Ji Yunshu again, seemingly calculating something in his heart. Then he stood up, walked in front of Muruo. “Since even a prince has said so, then today I won’t make an issue of it and won’t discuss it further. But this doesn’t mean I agree. In short, if by tomorrow you can’t come up with a reason that makes me feel at ease handing my daughter over to you, tomorrow morning I’ll take her away.”

A naked threat.

Muruo: “…”

Father Tang: “We’re tired from traveling all the way to the capital. We’ll rest here today. Prepare a few rooms.”

“Oh.” Muruo instinctively agreed, clearly subdued by this man’s aura.

But as soon as he agreed, he regretted it and wanted to slap himself!

Very quickly, he had a young servant clean up several very spacious rooms in the rear courtyard, swept them spotlessly clean, and invited those ancestors to stay.

Tang Si was also dragged away by her father for questioning.

Once the storm dispersed, Muruo went limp in his chair!

He then began complaining to Jingrong. “What were you saying just now? What do you mean by ‘mutual feelings’? What ‘beating mandarin ducks apart’? Do you know you’ve harmed me terribly?”

Jingrong glanced at him sideways. “Aren’t you clear about your own thoughts? Do you need others to enlighten you?”

“What thoughts do I have?”

“If you truly disliked Miss Tang, you wouldn’t have brought her to the capital in the first place, much less allowed her to stay here all these months. You’re just being stubborn.”

“…” He was struck speechless, unable to say anything for a moment.

Ji Yunshu added, “Actually, Miss Tang is a very good person. At least she’s very straightforward. You two have complementary temperaments—one quick, one slow. You should really complement each other well.”

Two matchmakers!

Singing in harmony!

They stirred Muruo’s head until it swelled.