Marquis Jing’an became overly excited and couldn’t help but cough. Shao Mingyuan hurried to pour him water.

After drinking the water, Marquis Jing’an recovered slightly and spoke earnestly: “Marriage and having children to continue the family line – this is a major life event. How can you remain unmarried for life?”

Shao Mingyuan’s expression remained calm: “Mingyuan has an elder brother above and a younger brother below. They are sufficient to continue the Shao family lineage.”

“How is that the same?” Marquis Jing’an slammed the table in anger. Meeting his second son’s surprised gaze, he explained: “When you brothers divide the household in the future, who will worship at your grave after a hundred years?”

“I don’t care about such things.”

In this lifetime, nine out of ten things have been unsatisfactory. Now, being alone might not be such a bad thing.

“You unfilial son, cough cough cough cough—” Marquis Jing’an’s face turned red with anger.

Shao Mingyuan took out a porcelain bottle from his chest and handed it over: “Father, please try taking one pill. If you find it useful, your son will find a way to get more.”

“What is this?”

“Cold-dispelling pills.” Shao Mingyuan thought for a moment and added, “Mingyuan has already taken them. The medicine is safe.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Miss Li, but anything given to his father naturally required extra caution.

Marquis Jing’an accepted it with gratification on his face: “Rascal, wouldn’t your father trust you?”

He took out one pill and swallowed it directly. After a while, he clicked his tongue in amazement: “Where did this medicine come from? As soon as it entered my stomach, my whole body felt warm and comfortable – extremely pleasant.”

“A friend gave it to me.”

“This medicine must be quite rare, right?”

“Father, please take it freely. That friend has more.”

Marquis Jing’an happily put away the cold-dispelling pills, then put on a stern face again: “Rascal, don’t think you can fool me by showing filial piety with this. I’m telling you, you can delay marriage if you want, but you must take a wife!”

“Father, please don’t make things difficult for your son. I can agree to everything else, but not this.”

“Everything else can go according to your wishes, but not this one thing!” Marquis Jing’an was equally unyielding.

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.

His father had three sons, and he wasn’t even the eldest. Why was his attitude so firm about him not marrying?

Shao Mingyuan simply threw caution to the wind and said, “Father, to be honest, your son has been in the Northern Territories for years. Once, because I was buried in the snow for two days and two nights in an ambush, I was… damaged by the cold.”

Well, all is fair in war and deception.

“Damaged by cold?” Marquis Jing’an’s expression went blank. “Damaged by cold? Mingyuan, you don’t mean… that meaning, do you?”

“It’s exactly what Father is thinking.”

Marquis Jing’an collapsed into his armchair with a thud, his expression showing complete inability to accept this: “How could you be damaged by cold? This… how can the family line continue? It’s my fault. When you went to the Northern Territories, I should have driven you back. It’s all my fault!”

Shao Mingyuan was dumbfounded.

His father, at his age, was crying?

He was both shocked and guilt-ridden. However, the decision he had already made naturally wouldn’t change. He gently patted Marquis Jing’an’s arm: “Father, please don’t be sad. At least you still have your eldest brother and your third brother to give you grandchildren. Your son shouldn’t harm other families’ daughters, don’t you think?”

Marquis Jing’an turned his head away.

He didn’t want to talk!

“Then… your son will go to Mother’s place, or Mother will start calling.”

“Come back!” Marquis Jing’an looked heavy-hearted as he looked Shao Mingyuan up and down.

Such an outstanding son, and he’s incapable?

“Mingyuan, when you were in the north, did you see a doctor?”

“I did. The doctor was helpless, too.”

“The doctors in the Northern Territories are incompetent. I’ll get you an imperial physician.”

“Father, if you do that, everyone in the world will know about your son’s hidden ailment.”

Marquis Jing’an was stunned, then held his head in anguish: “This won’t work, that won’t work either – what can we do!”

Shao Mingyuan remained silent.

“Right, Physician Li’s medical skills are divine. Perhaps he can cure you!”

“Physician Li has already left the capital. We don’t know when he’ll return.”

Marquis Jing’an completely gave up hope.

“Then I’ll go to Mother’s place.”

“Wait.” Marquis Jing’an stood up. “I have something to discuss with your mother. I’ll go first.”

When Lady Shen saw Marquis Jing’an enter, she couldn’t help asking: “Why has the Marquis come again? Where’s the second son?”

“Madam, let’s forget about Yun’er’s matter.”

“What does the Marquis mean?”

Marquis Jing’an dismissed the attending servants and said in a low voice: “Second son has… some problems in that aspect.”

“Which aspect?”

Marquis Jing’an felt somewhat embarrassed: “The marital aspect. I asked privately, and he was injured in the Northern Territories—”

Lady Shen understood immediately, and joy flashed in her eyes before disappearing.

The second son actually couldn’t perform his marital duties?

This was excellent!

A few days ago, she had wanted the second son to adopt Qiu Ge’er from the eldest son’s family. Both the Marquis and the second son refused, so she had settled for the next best thing – trying to marry her niece to him.

No matter what, the title of Marquis Guanjun couldn’t benefit outsiders.

Now things were perfect. The second son couldn’t perform his duties, so adoption would be inevitable sooner or later. There was no rush.

“Would the second son tell the Marquis about such things?” Lady Shen asked with concern.

“I mentioned his lifelong matters to the second son. He didn’t want to harm other families’ daughters, so he told me.” Marquis Jing’an sighed. “I’ve wronged him—”

Lady Shen became unhappy upon hearing this: “What does this have to do with the Marquis? Everyone has their fate.”

She had thought the second son was so devoted, wanting to remain in mourning for his deceased wife. Turns out he was just covering up his shame.

“Fine then. I’ll have Yun’er return home after staying a few days.”

Since he was incapable, she wouldn’t push her niece into a fire pit. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to her natal family later.

Lady Shen had originally used the excuse of caring for the sick to bring up Shao Mingyuan’s marriage. Now knowing that Shao Mingyuan was useless, she found him annoying to look at. Why would she need him to care for the sick? She immediately sent him away.

Shao Mingyuan quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, within two days, news that Marquis Guanjun was incapable spread quietly throughout the capital.

Marquis Guanjun held high position and great power, yet was young and handsome. Such a person naturally attracted the most attention. This rumor, which somehow started circulating, seemed to grow wings – its speed of transmission was jaw-dropping.

When Chen Guang heard about it, he almost ran crying to Chunfeng Tavern.

General, are you planning to make your subordinate a lifetime coachman? This is unfair!

“Is the General inside?” Seeing the door tightly closed, Chen Guang asked the guard standing outside.

“He’s inside. The captain returned and is currently reporting to the General.”

Hearing this, Chen Guang obediently waited outside.

Captain Shao Zhi had been sent by the General on an important investigation. Disturbing them now would result in a beating.

Chen Guang waited outside for about half an hour before the door opened. Shao Zhi, looking travel-worn, walked out.

“Captain, is the General alright?”

Shao Zhi patted Chen Guang’s shoulder meaningfully: “He’s fine. Go in.”

Well, the General was in a rather foul mood. Since Chen Guang had conveniently arrived, letting the General beat him up for some relief would be good too.