The next day.

The main gate of the Xie residence opened. Guests coming to offer birthday congratulations arrived in an endless stream.

In previous years, it was always Third Master Xie standing at the entrance greeting guests. Third Master was handsome and sweet-tongued, making elders fond of him.

This year, for some unknown reason, Third Master didn’t even show his face. Only a plump Manager Little Hua accompanied guests with a twelve-point smile.

The birthday banquet was set for noon. Amid toasts and exchanged cups, the opera began.

Though the old lady regretted that Yan Sanhe hadn’t come, seeing the scene of children and grandchildren filling the hall, her heart was happy.

Only Third Son didn’t know what was wrong—he had a listless appearance.

At dusk, the Xie residence, lively all day, finally quieted down.

The evening meal was set at the water pavilion, with family members gathering to accompany the old lady for a reunion dinner.

Strangely, Third Master, who had been listless all day, suddenly became energetic. He frequently toasted everyone at the table, even toasting three cups to Xie Buhuo, whom he usually didn’t favor.

When things are abnormal, there must be demons at work.

Xie Buhuo savored his wine, his gaze constantly on Xie Zhifei.

Since spring began, he was rarely seen in the residence. What was this person busy with?

When the last dish was served, Xie Zhifei, without any preamble, spoke casually:

“Old Ancestor, Father, Mother, I’ve taken a liking to a young lady. You all know her too—it’s Yan Sanhe, who stayed at our home.”

In the water pavilion, instant silence fell.

Everyone froze, except for First Madam Zhu Weixi’s lips silently curving upward.

Xie Erli, seeing his mother’s obviously displeased face, rebuked: “Third Son, marriage is a major matter—parents’ command…”

“Elder Brother, don’t interrupt me. Let me finish speaking.”

Xie Zhifei simply stood up.

“I’ve had my eye on Yan Sanhe for some time but haven’t dared tell the family. First, I feared hurting the elders’ hearts. Second, Yan Sanhe doesn’t favor me.

I’m quite a scoundrel—if she doesn’t favor me, she has her reasons for not favoring me. But this sincere heart I’ve given can no longer be taken back.”

He pulled his chair back, lifted the corner of his robe, and knelt straight down.

“I can only shamelessly beg Father and Mother to grant this. Beg Old Ancestor to grant this.”

A complete silence—no one spoke a word.

Standing at the doorway, Manager Xie Xiaohua secretly rejoiced. No wonder the young rascal was preoccupied all day—it was all for Miss Yan!

Miss Yan entering the family would be good.

Though her temperament was cold outside but warm inside, she had great capabilities. Add to that her close friendship with First Madam—sisters-in-law helping each other—if the second branch wanted to stir up trouble, it would be impossible.

Xie Xiaohua stole a glance at the old lady, thinking she would be the first to nod in agreement.

Who would have thought the old lady said nothing, only smiling as she looked at her son with her eyes.

Right, Third Master’s marriage still required the master and mistress to decide.

Xie Xiaohua secretly observed their master.

Miss Yan’s background was somewhat lacking, but her grandfather was Yan Xing. Just for Yan Xing’s sake, the master wouldn’t object.

Who would have thought the master also pondered silently without speaking.

What was this situation?

Xie Xiaohua quickly glanced at eldest son Xie Erli, only to see his two eyebrows tightly knitted, his expression gloomy.

Xie Xiaohua’s heart suddenly clenched.

In the silence, someone finally couldn’t help but speak.

“I don’t agree to this match.”

Madam Wu’s face was full of indignation. “What status is Third Brother? What status is Miss Yan?”

“Mother?”

“You be quiet!”

Thinking of yesterday’s encounter at the villa, Madam Wu was determined not to let Yan Sanhe enter the family.

“People like us aren’t those who cling to the powerful. We just seek a well-matched family where the couple loves each other, and both sets of parents help support the household.”

Madam Wu sneered:

“Miss Yan has no father or mother, no relatives or dependents. To put it bluntly, she doesn’t even have a dowry. Old Third, if you marry such a person, the days ahead will be difficult.”

Xie Zhifei: “I’m not afraid of difficulty. Moreover, the household should be supported by the man anyway.”

“Don’t talk back.

Madam Wu was so angry her vision darkened.

“In marrying a wife, marry virtue. In taking a husband, take worthiness. Appearance and such are secondary. Miss Yan’s temperament—first, she’s not virtuous; second, not gentle; third, not considerate. How can she be your capable assistant?”

“Those gentle and virtuous ones—this son doesn’t want them.”

“You…”

Madam Wu tensed her face. “In short, one sentence: if you dare marry that Yan Sanhe, Mother will dash her head against you and die.”

“Slap!”

Xie Daozhi’s chopsticks struck the table hard.

Seeing the situation deteriorating, Xie Erli quickly mediated: “Mother, say less. Old Third’s marriage—there’s still Father and Old Ancestor to decide.”

Madam Wu, seeing her husband angry, tensed her face and said no more.

Seeing this, Xie Wanshu quickly extended her embroidered shoe and secretly nudged her own brother’s foot.

Xie Buhuo’s peripheral vision swept over with warning meaning: This doesn’t concern our second branch. Just watch the show.

The atmosphere froze in place.

Xie Erli, thinking of Yan Sanhe’s good points, pointed his finger at Third Son on the ground with an expression of disappointment:

“No wonder Miss Yan doesn’t favor you. On Old Ancestor’s happy day, you make such a scene—you’ve really gone too far.”

These words were expertly delivered, pleasing the old lady while reminding Madam Wu—don’t criticize Miss Yan; it’s your son who’s chasing after her.

With the man speaking to this extent, Zhu Weixi’s elegant brows curved as she smiled: “Scoundrel though he is, his eye is good.”

She didn’t continue, but the meaning was clear—except for family status, Miss Yan was excellent in every other way.

With the first branch couple expressing their positions one after another, Madam Wu’s face tensed even tighter, the handkerchief in her hand twisted into a ball.

“Eldest Son, help your mother back to her room.”

Xie Daozhi stood up and said to the old lady: “Mother, it’s late. I’ll help you back to your room.”

The old lady’s gaze coldly swept over Madam Wu before she supported herself on her son’s extended hand and slowly rose.

Mother and son walked a few steps.

The old lady stopped and turned to look at Xie Zhifei on the ground.

“Third Son, rise. Marrying a wife is a major matter. Let your father consider it well. The rest of you, disperse.”

Hearing these words, Xie Xiaohua secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The old lady’s meaning was obvious—Mother’s words don’t count, Father’s words count. This was secretly helping the young rascal.

“Third Brother’s status is different now from before.”

Xie Wanshu’s heart jumped. Her two eyes widened as she looked at her own brother—didn’t we agree to just watch the show?

Xie Buhuo’s finger stroked the wine cup, smiling with a gentle expression.

“Everyone outside is saying Third Brother is now the Crown Prince’s right-hand man. His future prospects are immeasurable. Miss Yan is excellent in every way, except this family status… should be reconsidered carefully.”

Xie Zhifei stood up. Without even glancing at Xie Buhuo, he only looked at the old lady and Xie Daozhi.

“The Du residence’s status was sufficient, yet it fell to ruin overnight.”

He smiled lightly: “Father, Old Ancestor, the old saying goes ‘a virtuous wife means fewer calamities for the husband.’ Beside a scoundrel, there must be a clever person, otherwise he becomes even more of a scoundrel.”