After reading the letter, Shao Mingyuan’s smile immediately disappeared, and his entire person radiated coldness.

He had gone to great lengths to achieve the current situation, yet that emperor wanted to interfere?

“Tell your young lady that I already know, and she can rest assured. I’ll handle the remaining matters.”

Having received this message, A’Zhu curtsied to Shao Mingyuan and took her leave.

Shao Mingyuan mounted his horse and headed straight for Marquis Jing’an’s residence.

In Marquis Jing’an’s residence, the heir’s wife Lady Wang was tearfully complaining to Heir Shao Jingyuan: “Young Master, why didn’t the Marquis inform us when arranging Second Brother’s engagement? Today, when I was visiting Marquis Liuxing’s residence, I only heard about it from others. I was completely confused – how embarrassing!”

“Which family’s daughter did Father seek in marriage for Shao Mingyuan?” Listening to Lady Wang’s crying, Shao Jingyuan felt somewhat impatient.

He didn’t know why, but ever since Lady Wang had begun managing the household, she wasn’t as pleasing as before. Despite being pregnant, she watched him more closely than when she was carrying their first two sons, which was truly off-putting.

“It’s the third daughter of Hanlin Scholar Li’s family, the one with the ruined reputation.” Lady Wang wiped the corners of her eyes. “I really can’t understand why the Marquis would arrange such a match for Second Brother. What’s most humiliating is that they haven’t even agreed! Young Master, you don’t know – today our marquis’s residence became the laughingstock of the entire capital.”

“Father has his thoughts. Why are you worrying about so much?” Shao Jingyuan felt inexplicably irritated.

After learning that Shao Mingyuan was merely the son of a concubine, he no longer wanted any connection with this person.

He was the eldest legitimate grandson of the Shao family. When he thought about how he had secretly competed with his brother since childhood, but was always inferior, only to discover that the other person was merely a concubine’s son, he felt incredibly frustrated.

He hoped this person would stay as far away from his life as possible.

Lady Wang opened her mouth, feeling waves of grievance in her heart.

How was this worrying too much? She would be the future mistress of the marquis’s residence. As long as they didn’t divide the household, shouldn’t the marriages of her two brothers-in-law be her concern?

“In any case, don’t meddle in Shao Mingyuan’s affairs. I have matters to attend to, so I’m leaving first!”

A mere concubine’s son – if he didn’t marry a girl with a ruined reputation, did he think he could marry a princess?

Right at the entrance of the marquis’s residence, Shao Jingyuan encountered Shao Mingyuan hurrying in.

The two brothers’ eyes met.

“Elder Brother.”

Shao Jingyuan nodded perfunctorily and passed by.

A concubine’s son was destined never to compete with him. If Father showed too much favoritism in the future, at worst, he would ask the clan elders to intervene.

Shao Mingyuan looked back at Shao Jingyuan’s retreating figure and tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Ever since learning that he and his elder and younger brothers weren’t born of the same mother, he knew the brotherly bond between them was completely severed.

This wasn’t necessarily bad. Knowing that the reason he hadn’t been treated well wasn’t because he wasn’t good enough, his heart had found peace.

Shao Mingyuan found Marquis Jing’an practicing boxing in the training ground.

“You want me to go propose marriage at the Li family again?” Marquis Jing’an looked troubled. “We were just rejected – going immediately wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”

“Father, rest assured. This time, the Li family won’t refuse.”

Marquis Jing’an studied his second son, who had hurried over somewhat hesitantly.

This child, being so anxious, was truly abnormal.

“Does Father think your son is being too hasty?” Shao Mingyuan smiled self-mockingly. “Father doesn’t know – your son has received news that His Majesty intends to bestow a princess in marriage to me—”

Marquis Jing’an suddenly became tense: “Is this true?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded solemnly.

“I’ll immediately have someone go propose marriage at the Li family again!” Marquis Jing’an suddenly appeared even more anxious than Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan quietly lifted the corners of his mouth.

Looking across the capital, the person most afraid of being connected to a princess should be his father.

When Marquis Jing’an was young, the imperial family had intended to bestow the Eldest Princess Changrong in marriage to him. At that time, because the Eldest Princess Changrong had not yet reached marriageable age, the engagement wasn’t formalized, but it was an unspoken understanding between both parties. Who knew that after Marquis Jing’an went to the frontier for half a year, when he returned, the Eldest Princess Changrong had efficiently chosen a poor scholar as her prince consort, becoming a celebrated tale for a time.

At that time, Marquis Jing’an was extremely frustrated. The noble sons he associated with mocked him, while the common people viewed him as the villain who destroyed true love. In the end, though he was the wronged party, he couldn’t utter a word of complaint and could only silently swallow the bitter fruit.

Once bitten by a snake, one fears ropes for ten years. Whoever mentioned bestowing a princess in marriage to his family would face Marquis Jing’an’s wrath!

“Father, since the matchmaker has already been rejected once, this time please invite someone of high virtue and prestige to accompany the matchmaker.”

“Such a person isn’t easy to find on short notice.” Marquis Jing’an looked troubled.

It wasn’t that Marquis Jing’an’s residence couldn’t find such a person to serve as guarantor, but this marriage proposal was being made too hastily.

“What do you think of Minister Su from the Ministry of Rites?”

“Su He?” Marquis Jing’an frowned. “Su He also serves as Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy and is Scholar Li’s superior, so he would be extremely suitable. However, I don’t have deep ties with him—”

Shao Mingyuan smiled and interrupted Marquis Jing’an: “Your son has already sent someone to invite Minister Su. Father just needs to receive Minister Su properly when the time comes. After all, marriage requires parental consent and matchmaker’s words – it’s not convenient for your son to appear too much.”

Marquis Jing’an opened his mouth, wanting to ask how Shao Mingyuan had managed to invite Minister of Rites Su He, but meeting the other’s half-smiling gaze, he ultimately swallowed his questions.

His son had grown up and was already an influential figure in the capital. Naturally, he couldn’t probe too deeply into some matters.

The Li family’s West Residence in Xingzi Alley suddenly became lively.

Those wives and ladies who had little contact with the Li family all sent calling cards requesting visits. Of course, socializing was false – probing into the inside story of Marquis Jing’an’s residence’s sudden marriage proposal was the real purpose.

Old Madam Deng was exhausted from dealing with them and simply claimed illness to refuse them all.

Old Lady Jiang from the East Residence learned the news and had someone help her hurry to the West Residence.

“Sister-in-law, such a major matter as Marquis Jing’an’s residence proposing marriage – why didn’t you tell me?”

“Old Lady, please sit down first.” Old Madam Deng spoke unhurriedly.

Old Lady Jiang couldn’t see, and hearing Old Madam Deng’s calm voice made her angry. She raised her voice: “Sister-in-law, I heard your eldest son refused Marquis Jing’an’s residence’s proposal? He’s truly confused!”

Old Madam Deng became unhappy upon hearing this.

Calling her son confused? Her son was at most stubborn – how could he be called confused? This was insulting!

“Third Girl is still young. I think there’s nothing wrong with my eldest son refusing this proposal.”

“Nothing wrong?” Old Lady Jiang raised her walking stick, nearly hitting Old Madam Deng. “You’re not unaware of Third Girl’s reputation. Forget about Marquis Jing’an’s residence – having any decent family propose marriage would already be burning incense to the gods. Let me tell you, if Third Girl misses this village, there won’t be another shop. Does she plan to remain an old maid in the Li family for life?”

Old Madam Deng was even more displeased and said coolly: “That’s not necessarily true. Perhaps Marquis Jing’an’s residence will persistently come to propose marriage again.”

Old Lady Jiang sneered: “Then I’ll wait and see!”

Would they come to propose marriage again? Unless the sun rose from the west!