Shao Mingyuan looked down at his younger brother, who now stood taller than his shoulder, and smiled gently: “Yes, I’m leaving.”

“Second brother—” Shao Xiyuan called out hesitantly.

“Does the third brother have something to say?”

“Actually…” Shao Xiyuan hesitated, then said uncertainly: “I also think eldest brother shouldn’t have spoken out, but can you not blame him? Mother is ill, and eldest brother feels terrible—”

Shao Mingyuan raised his hand to pat Shao Xiyuan’s shoulder: “Third brother, at this point, whether I blame him or not doesn’t matter much. You don’t need to get involved in these matters. Don’t neglect your martial arts practice. Second brother is leaving.”

“Second brother—” Watching Shao Mingyuan walk farther and farther away, Shao Xiyuan stood in place for a long time without moving.

He hadn’t particularly liked the second brother before, especially after the second brother killed the second sister-in-law—he had found him extremely detestable. But why did he now feel that his second brother was somewhat pitiful?

When he was small, he would always tell himself that it was because his second brother was disobedient that he made mother angry, that mother wasn’t being partial. But now he knew that his mother truly wasn’t good to his second brother.

But could Mother be blamed for this? If mother wasn’t wrong either, then who was wrong?

Shao Xiyuan felt completely confused and finally returned to his room dejected.

When Shao Mingyuan returned to Marquis Guanjun’s residence, his guard reported: “General, the Li residence sent someone with a message, requesting that you come over.”

Shao Mingyuan’s heart jumped upon hearing this, and he asked: “Did the messenger say who was requesting me?”

The personal guard looked at his general with sympathy: “It was the Li residence’s master.”

Seeing his general’s expression freeze, the guard added: “Uh, that would be your father-in-law.”

“Alright, I understand.” Shao Mingyuan waved the guard away and sat in his study, rubbing his face vigorously.

Father-in-law was calling him to the Li residence at this time?

Scholars valued propriety and education. Could the father-in-law have heard about his illegitimate status and be planning to call off the engagement?

At the thought of this possibility, Shao Mingyuan felt his entire heart clench as if pierced by an awl.

He no longer had expectations for family affection. Being able to join hands with Zhaozhao in this life was his greatest wish. If the marriage encountered complications, he would probably do things even he couldn’t imagine.

The window wasn’t open, and the study was dimly lit. Shao Mingyuan sat quietly for a long time before suddenly standing up.

Avoidance wasn’t the solution. At worst, he’d be even more thick-skinned. If the father-in-law wanted to call off the engagement, he’d cry to show him.

At the Li residence in Xingzi Alley.

“Master, the Marquis has arrived.”

“Please let him in.”

Soon, Shao Mingyuan lifted the curtain and entered. His gaze swept briefly over Qiao Zhao, who sat close beside Li Guangwen, before he paid his respects: “Son-in-law greets father-in-law.”

Li Guangwen pointed with his hand: “Sit.”

Shao Mingyuan silently sat down.

Li Guangwen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked sideways at Shao Mingyuan: “I’ve heard all about the rumors outside.”

Shao Mingyuan lowered his eyes, listening respectfully.

“Is this matter true or false?” Li Guangwen asked seriously.

Shao Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then nodded gently: “Reporting to father-in-law, this matter is true. Son-in-law is indeed illegitimate.”

Saying these words, Shao Mingyuan’s ears turned slightly red.

He had earned his current position through military merit and never believed that birth determined everything, but only in front of Zhaozhao’s parents did he feel inadequate.

Li Guangwen looked at Shao Mingyuan seriously: “Did you just learn this now, or did you know before the engagement?”

Shao Mingyuan’s face turned pale.

“Father—” Qiao Zhao couldn’t help calling out.

Li Guangwen patted Qiao Zhao, indicating she shouldn’t speak.

Qiao Zhao could only give Shao Mingyuan a helpless look.

Shao Mingyuan answered honestly: “My father told me long before the engagement.”

“So Marquis Jing’an’s residence was deceiving us into this marriage.” Li Guangwen said coldly.

Shao Mingyuan’s expression changed slightly as he said shamefully: “Son-in-law didn’t handle this well. I should have informed father-in-law early on.”

“I ask you, do you have anything else you’re hiding from Zhaozhao?”

“No.” Shao Mingyuan replied immediately.

“Then you won’t hide things from her in the future?”

“I won’t. Husband and wife should be of one heart. In the future, no matter what happens, son-in-law will discuss it with Zhaozhao.”

Only then did Li Guangwen nod with satisfaction: “Just remember what you said today.”

Shao Mingyuan’s heart relaxed slightly, but he didn’t dare believe he’d gotten through this so easily and stared blankly at Li Guangwen.

Li Guangwen couldn’t help but laugh: “What, do you want me to provide dinner?”

“Uh, then son-in-law won’t refuse such kindness.”

If the father-in-law was willing to provide dinner, it seemed the wife he’d won wouldn’t fly away.

“Alright, let’s go to the dining room. The food is already prepared. Today, we, father and son-in-law, will have a good drink together.”

“Yes.” Shao Mingyuan quickly glanced at Qiao Zhao.

“Zhaozhao should come too.” Li Guangwen said indifferently.

The dining room indeed had wine and dishes already set out. Li Guangwen raised his wine cup, clinked it with Shao Mingyuan’s, and drained it in one gulp.

After three rounds of wine, Li Guangwen opened up: “I called you here today just to see if you’d tell the truth. If you were glib and smooth-talking, I wouldn’t feel comfortable entrusting my daughter to you.”

“Son-in-law is not eloquent and never speaks glibly.”

Li Guangwen was already somewhat drunk, squinting as he nodded: “That’s very good. Mingyuan—”

“Son-in-law is here.”

“Don’t mind those gossips and rumors. Is a person’s character determined by their birth? Are those born to principal wives all noble, while those born to concubines are all despicable? It’s all nonsense!” Li Guangwen raised his cup and drained it again.

“Father, you’ve had too much to drink.” Qiao Zhao didn’t understand how what she’d expected to be a hostile interrogation had turned into drinking and a heart-to-heart conversation.

“I haven’t had too much.” Li Guangwen’s eyes were bright. “Even if I have, my mind is clear. In this world, there are countless legitimate sons born to principal wives, but only Marquis Guanjun can stand against those Northern Qi wolves, tigers, and leopards. Mingyuan, you just need to be yourself and not worry about worldly prejudices. Also, Zhaozhao—”

Li Guangwen looked around in confusion: “Eh, where’s Zhaozhao?”

“Father, I’m right here.” Qiao Zhao said helplessly.

Li Guangwen took Qiao Zhao’s hand and placed it in Shao Mingyuan’s.

Shao Mingyuan was stunned.

“Zhaozhao, you also mustn’t have wild thoughts because of Mingyuan’s birth. His kindness to you—I, as your father, see it all—” Li Guangwen had indeed drunk too much. Before finishing his words, he collapsed onto the table.

Qiao Zhao looked toward Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan suddenly turned his face away, tightening his grip on her hand.

“Tingquan?”

Shao Mingyuan resumed his normal expression: “Zhaozhao, let’s help father-in-law back to his room to rest.”

After settling Li Guangwen, Qiao Zhao saw Shao Mingyuan off.

“The mastermind first pushed you to the center of the storm, then exposed your background, just to make everyone focus on this point. But these things are at most minor flaws in beautiful jade for you. I estimate they still have a trump card they haven’t played.”

“I’ve already sent people to investigate. Just leave these matters to me.”

In the study of Chief Minister Lan Shan’s residence, Lan Shan lightly tapped his desk as his son Lan Songquan pushed the door open: “Father, you were looking for me?”