Once the matchmaker arrived, Madam Tao immediately drove by carriage to the Grand Marshal’s residence.

Originally there should have been no such urgency—at least wait until Grand Marshal Luo’s charges were determined. If the crimes were serious enough to implicate the family, the marriage would naturally fall through.

But the wedding date happened to be at the end of this month. If they didn’t hurry to break off the engagement, they would have no choice but to bring Miss Luo into their family.

Crimes did not extend to married-out daughters. By that time, even if the Grand Marshal’s residence fell, they would have to hold their noses and acknowledge this daughter-in-law.

This was the Tao family’s legitimate eldest daughter-in-law—how could they have the daughter of a criminal official fill that role?

Hadn’t they seen the troubles encountered by the Marquis of Changchun’s residence and Imperial Academy Rector Lin’s household when Prince Zhennan’s residence was convicted?

At that time the Tao family was still in the provinces. Upon returning to the capital and hearing these past events, she had felt alarmed and frightened.

Never mind anything else—that Second Young Master at Imperial Academy Rector Lin’s household was a renowned talented scholar, yet could only remain a commoner his entire life, precisely because he had a mother who was a traitor’s daughter.

Even though his mother had been dead for so many years, that brand could never be removed for a lifetime.

She did not want her future grandson to bear such burdens.

This marriage, regardless of whether the Luo residence was willing or not, absolutely had to be broken off!

Madam Tao’s eyes held complete coldness.

The carriage stopped—they had arrived at the Grand Marshal’s residence.

Luo Sheng was talking with Luo Chen when she received word. Upon hearing it, she set down her teacup: “I’ll go meet Madam Tao.”

Luo Chen also stood up: “I’ll go too.”

“You shouldn’t show your face.”

Luo Chen was startled and asked with furrowed brow: “Why?”

Last time she had said he was the only male of this generation in the household, and when Father wasn’t present, he should support the family. How was it that when something actually happened, she was treating him like a child and pushing him to the back again?

“Dealing with women, especially dealing with a woman who’s come to cause trouble—I’m more skilled at that.”

Luo Sheng spoke calmly, but Luo Chen’s mind quickly flashed with an image: a delicate-looking young lady grappling with a dignified-appearing noble madam, you scratching my face, me pulling out your hair…

The young man’s expression became solemn: “Elder Sister is right.”

Luo Sheng nodded with satisfaction, lifted her feet and headed toward the front parlor, while dispatching Kou’er to inform Luo Ying.

Luo Qing and Luo Yue were still keeping Luo Ying company.

Hearing Kou’er explain her purpose, Luo Qing frowned: “Eldest Sister shouldn’t go. Let Third Sister handle the discussion with Madam Tao.”

Luo Yue nodded along: “Right, anyway Eldest Sister will listen to Third Sister, there’s no need to go.”

Having Eldest Sister see the person who should have become her mother-in-law coming to break off the engagement would only add to her heartache.

Kou’er explained: “Miss said that Eldest Miss is the party involved. Although it’s not convenient to speak directly with them, hiding behind the screen to listen would be good too.”

Luo Ying and Luo Yue both looked at Luo Ying.

Luo Ying’s expression changed several times before she stood up: “All right, I’ll go.”

“Eldest Sister, I’ll accompany you.” Luo Yue came over and took Luo Ying’s arm.

Luo Qing also stood up.

The three sisters rushed to the parlor and hid behind a row of four-seasons-blooming flower screens. They heard someone announce: “Madam Tao has arrived.”

Luo Ying’s eyelids trembled as she unconsciously gripped her handkerchief tighter.

Luo Yue boldly peered through the gap in the screen.

Through the lifted door curtain filed several women, the one walking at the very front was a matron around forty years old, wearing a deep purple jacket with dark embroidered patterns and a plain cloak over it.

Luo Yue recognized this as Madam Tao.

Several years ago when the Tao family proposed the marriage to the Luo residence, Madam Tao had come in person.

Thinking of this, Luo Yue felt indignant and rolled her eyes through the screen.

The Tao family had eagerly sought the match, and the Tao family was now urgently trying to distance themselves. Third Sister was right—such a family was not worth marrying into.

Third Sister’s words truly made more and more sense.

The young girl thought this as her gaze quietly shifted toward Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng sat upright in the grand armchair, coldly watching Madam Tao walk in without standing up.

Madam Tao deeply felt the slight and her complexion couldn’t help but darken.

This was too arrogant. Never mind that she was an elder—even among peers, a visitor was a guest. How could there be such discourteous treatment?

“Are you Madam Tao?” The young lady’s gaze wandered between Madam Tao and the matchmaker before finally asking the matchmaker.

The matchmaker was stunned on the spot and couldn’t help touching her face.

Did she look so young and prosperous?

Behind the screen, Luo Yue nearly laughed aloud and hastily covered her mouth.

Luo Qing also couldn’t help curving her lips.

Luo Ying wanted to laugh but also felt uncomfortable, finally giving a self-mocking twitch of her lips.

Madam Tao was so angry she nearly fell over backwards, asking coldly: “Is this how Miss Luo receives guests?”

Luo Sheng’s tone was even colder: “I’ve never met Madam Tao either. I naturally need to confirm which one you are before I can adopt the proper attitude for receiving guests. I can’t very well put on a smiling face for a matchmaker. Don’t you agree, Madam Tao?”

Madam Tao hadn’t yet recovered from the humiliation of being mistaken for someone else. Suppressing her anger, she retorted: “Could it be that no one in the Luo residence taught the young lady proper etiquette? Miss Luo actually cannot distinguish clothing and hairstyles?”

Luo Sheng smiled slightly: “Recognizing only clothes and not people is no good—generally speaking, that’s called being a snob with a dog’s eyes.”

“You—”

Luo Sheng impatiently interrupted Madam Tao’s fury: “Enough. Now I’ve distinguished who’s who. Is Madam Tao here to discuss breaking off the engagement or not? If you don’t want to discuss it, I’ll see you out.”

Madam Tao, whose anger had burned up to her throat, was choked until her face turned green. After quite a while she finally said: “Naturally we must discuss it.”

Luo Sheng lazily glanced at her, her tone carrying dissatisfaction: “Since you’ve come to discuss breaking off the engagement, why are you still putting on airs as some honored guest? Madam Tao is purely wasting time.”

“Miss Luo, don’t go too far!”

Luo Sheng picked up her tea: “See the guest out.”

Hong Dou extended her hand: “Madam Tao, please.”

Madam Tao trembled with anger: “Miss Luo, do you think this marriage can be left unbroken according to your residence’s wishes?”

Luo Sheng laughed lightly: “My mother passed away early, and my father is currently in prison. The Grand Marshal’s residence has no one who can make decisions. With whom would Madam Tao break off the engagement?”

Madam Tao took a deep breath and moderated her tone: “Let’s not mention superfluous matters. This marriage, our Tao family is determined to break off. If your residence has no one who can make decisions, then please invite the Luo clan elders.”

At that time, to break off an engagement, there were two situations: if the woman’s side initiated breaking off the engagement, they had to bear punishment, making it extremely difficult to achieve their wish. The man’s side did not need to bear any penalty—at most they would lose the betrothal gifts.

The man’s side had two methods for breaking off an engagement: one was to negotiate with the woman’s side to return the marriage documents and tokens, the second was to directly request the authorities’ approval.

Comparing the two methods, naturally the first was more time and effort-saving, and wouldn’t make things so ugly.

Actually the Tao family didn’t care about going to the authorities, but unfortunately with the wedding date right before them, they couldn’t afford to waste time.

Luo Sheng raised her hand to tuck stray hair behind her ear and smiled: “If we’re not mentioning other matters, then I can make the decisions.”

Madam Tao: “…” She wanted to beat this little wretch to death!

After calming her emotions somewhat, Madam Tao glanced at the old woman she had brought.

The old woman stepped forward and laid out the marriage documents and tokens one by one before Luo Sheng. At the same time, she also laid out the clothing, hats, shoes and socks that had been sent over according to etiquette, all made by Luo Ying’s own hands.

Luo Sheng stared at those garments and shoes with their fine, dense stitching for a moment, her eyes full of coldness.

“Breaking off the engagement is acceptable, but according to the rules, the betrothal gifts sent earlier cannot be demanded back, correct?”

Though Madam Tao felt the pain, she still nodded: “Naturally.”

Luo Sheng’s expression became serious: “There’s one more issue that needs to be clarified.”