Chapter 95 Short-sightedness

Xiao Jue, on the other hand, was completely blinded by the love he had cultivated over this period of time. His heart was filled with Xiao Yuyao, and all his previous rules and restraint had been thrown to the back of his mind.

He also wanted to know whether, in Yuyao's heart, the possibility of a better future was more important, or whether she herself was more important.

However, he was confident that only he and the Xiao family could provide Yuyao with the most comfortable and pleasant life. Yuyao was so smart and sensible that she would surely know how to choose.

All three of them were silently waiting for an answer.

Xiao Yuyao's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she nodded gently. She turned around, and her gaze met Xiao Jue's. A myriad of emotions intertwined between them, as if she were weeping and lamenting.

Just when Xiao Jue was convinced that Xiao Yuyao would acknowledge and agree to marry him.

The girl in the hall had a flicker in her eyes, as if she was overwhelmed with guilt, and two lines of clear tears slid down her cheeks.

"Father, Mother, this is all Yuyao's fault. Yuyao only has brotherly and sisterly feelings for her eldest brother and has no improper thoughts. She also did not want this to cause a rift between her eldest brother and Sister Dai!"

As Xiao Yuyao spoke, she turned her head and said to Xiao Jue in a gentle and tender voice:

"Brother, it was Yuyao's youth and ignorance that led to a misunderstanding and a terrible mistake! Yuyao can go and explain to Sister Dai. You and Sister Dai are about to get married. Please don't let Yuyao's unintentional mistake ruin your life!"

As she finished speaking earnestly, tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string.

What should have been a heartbreaking scene for anyone who heard it or saw it was instead met with strange expressions from the people in the hall, who did not show the affection she had predicted.

Xiao Yuyao paused in the tears welling up in her eyes, and suddenly clenched her handkerchief tightly with her fingers.

Did she say something wrong?

"Yuyao, do you really have no romantic feelings for your elder brother at all?"

She had read all the letters the two children exchanged; they were full of affection. How could it possibly be just a brother-sister relationship?

Madam Xiao still felt that Yu Yao must have never seen such a scene before, and was flustered and dared not admit it.

She had regained some of her strength by now. She got up from the bed, walked to Xiao Yuyao's side, gently patted her back, and said in a gentle tone:

"Yuyao, don't be afraid. Your mother will stand up for you. There are no outsiders here, so just speak freely. No matter what, you are still your mother's most beloved daughter."

Xiao Su realized that Lin Hui actually wanted the two of them to get together, which was why she was trying to persuade them. He couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

"Since Yuyao says no, then no. It was just a joke between siblings, why make such a fuss!"

"Alright, Yuyao, you should go back and rest. This matter has nothing to do with you."

Xiao Su tried to send Xiao Yuyao away with just a few words, which naturally displeased Xiao Jue.

He crawled two steps on his knees, his eyes filled with pain and determination.

He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, always learning at lightning speed and possessing a photographic memory, which enabled him to pass the imperial examinations one after another and enter officialdom. At a young age, he rose to the position of Junior Chamberlain. How could he not understand Xiao Yuyao's thoughts!

She must have heard that he wanted to break off the engagement with the Dai family, and was worried that he would make enemies of the Dai family. She was even more afraid that the rumors in the capital would be detrimental to his career, which is why she resolutely denied their relationship!

That must be it!

The more Xiao Jue thought about it, the more heartbroken he felt.

Before today, his feelings for Xiao Yuyao were merely those of a naive young man's infatuation; now, he is so moved that he is willing to give everything for her!

How could his Yuyao be so sensible, it breaks my heart!

Looking at Xiao Yuyao, who was so willing to compromise, consider the overall situation, and think only of him and the Xiao family, Xiao Jue's eyes were filled with pity and admiration.

"Yuyao! I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for me like this. Father and Mother have already read our letters, they already know. Calling you here is only to reaffirm our love... Rest assured, I, Xiao Jue, am willing to swear that my life will only be for you..."

Before Xiao Jue could finish saying that he would never betray Xiao Yuyao, Xiao Yuyao rolled her eyes and fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string.

Upon closer inspection, her eyes were tightly closed, her breath was weak, and she was unconscious.

"Yuyao! What's wrong, Yuyao!"

Xiao Jue and Madam Xiao were startled and rushed to help Xiao Yuyao, but this time she had truly fainted and was not someone two flustered people could lift up.

Xiao Su sat on the high platform, his face showing concern, but inwardly he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that I'm dizzy.

Although he couldn't tell Yuyao the truth at this time, he still hoped from the bottom of his heart that his daughter could live a good life.

Who hasn't fallen for the wrong person in their youth? He was just unaware of the truth and was deceived. I believe that once Yuyao wakes up and understands his expectations of her, she won't care about Xiao Jue anymore...

Xiao Yuyao was eventually sent back to Baozhen Courtyard unharmed.

Xiao Jue, however, did not have such a good ending.

After Xiao Yuyao was sent back, his attitude was even more forceful than before she arrived.

Since the marriage with the Dai family was already beyond repair, he was determined to marry Xiao Yuyao.

Xiao Su was so angry that his beard bristled and his eyes widened, his hand already scratching the "family discipline" several times:

"Are you trying to drive your father crazy?! Yuyao is still young, but you're already twenty-one, dragging your feet on getting married. Do you want Yuyao to become the laughingstock of the entire capital along with you?!"

Madam Xiao also advised:

"Why are you so stubborn, child! Didn't you see that Yuyao couldn't accept it and fainted? Why are you still saying such things? Let's wait a couple of days before bringing it up again."

Xiao Su interrupted her with a cold face:

"What are you talking about! Xiao Jue, give up on that idea as soon as possible. Yu Yao will never marry you!"

Xiao Jue seemed not to understand his mother's meaning, or perhaps he understood but was unwilling to compromise, insisting on getting an answer today, and stubbornly sticking to his own ideas:

"Father, Mother, if I am unable to marry Yuyao in this life, I would rather remain unmarried for the rest of my life!"

What kind of talk is this?! Xiao Jue has gone mad!

Xiao Su could no longer restrain himself. He grabbed the "family discipline" he had at hand—a stick over three feet long—and lashed out with it.

"Never to marry?! Fine, I'll beat you to death right now and grant you your wish!"

Xiao Jue passively endured the blows, biting his lips until they bled, but he didn't utter a sound.

Madam Xiao was shocked and tried to stop her, but was held back by Li Mama. Her body, which was already at its limit and barely holding on, could not withstand the shock and she also fainted.

Xiao Su was in a fit of anger and had no time to care about her, while Xiao Jue was being beaten and had no time to pay attention to anything else.

The father and son were hitting and being hit. It was unclear whether Xiao Su was tired or Xiao Jue couldn't take it anymore. They stopped, one standing and panting, the other lying down and panting.

Just then, a maid from Baozhen Courtyard rushed in:

"Oh no! Oh no! Fourth Miss is trying to commit suicide!"

"What?!"