He looked the woman in front of him up and down.

The man was about the same age as his granddaughter, but he showed no signs of timidity; his face radiated composure and confidence.

He sighed.

"I was forced into this situation."

"As you can see, Hongdou looks like a boy but is already of marriageable age, but no one cares about her. Her parents are both dead. Although I have a small fortune, she won't be able to keep it after I'm gone."

"I only asked the king to take her into the palace so that she could have a place to stay and someone to rely on for the rest of her life."

"Given her appearance, she can't compete with you for favor. Why don't you do a good deed and try to persuade the king?"

"As long as Hongdou can stay with you, I will do my utmost and die for you."

Xiao Qingyin listened calmly.

She had just guessed that there was more to the story, and the truth was not much different from what she thought.

"How do you know that Hongdou will have a good life if she follows us?"

She asked Guan Yongde.

"It's never as good as relying on yourself as relying on others. Instead of depending on us, you should cultivate Hongdou."

Guan Hongdou, who had been silent all along, interjected, "Grandfather, Miss Xiao is right. You can't rely on others. I don't want to enter the palace."

"What do you know!"

Guan Yongde glared at her.

"If you don't enter the palace, you won't even be able to save your life."

Xiao Qingyin was a little curious about what he meant by that. If he only had a little wealth, he wouldn't be so afraid of being murdered for his money. If he was really worried, he could just give away all his wealth before he died.

However, she didn't ask about that. Instead, she reminded her, "If your granddaughter's illness isn't cured, even if she enters the palace, she won't be able to save her life."