She dared not gamble, fearing the other party might actually take action.

Li adjusted her facial expression, unwilling to leave her like this; at worst, she would simply not mention Qin Su.

"Perhaps my words were inappropriate, but it is only natural for me to want my daughter-in-law to come home."

Old Hu didn't want to talk to Li anymore, so he turned around.

Seeing this, Madam Li hurriedly chased after them and said hastily, "Since we can't be in-laws, the betrothal gifts should be returned."

Old Hu appeared impatient, but he quickly composed himself as he turned away. Compared to the reckless Qin Su and his father, he paid more attention to tactics.

"The betrothal gifts have been returned in full as agreed. Madam Li, please do not use this to smear the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion."

The surrounding people said one after another: "Yes, didn't it already go back yesterday? Many people saw it being carried away."

“I saw it too. Everyone’s talking about the past of the Marquis of Zhongyi’s family, but they didn’t take any advantage of it at all.”

"This person is even more well-educated and reasonable than many officials' families."

"But I feel like the numbers don't match up," one person said thoughtfully. "Could I be seeing things? No way. The difference is so big."

Upon hearing this, Li's face lit up with joy. "Steward Hu, you heard that too? It's obvious to everyone that you didn't return all the betrothal gifts. The Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion can't possibly renege on its promise, can it?"

Old Hu glanced at the onlookers, not angry at all, and continued, "Who made the agreement that half of the betrothal gifts would be returned? Do I have to point it out?"

Madam Li was stunned for a moment, knowing that Steward Hu wanted to bring up Prince Chen, but she was unwilling to do so.

"Qin Su broke off the engagement shortly after the wedding ceremony with my son, so naturally the entire dowry must be returned. Our Chengguo Duke's Mansion has not embezzled a single penny of Qin Su's dowry."

Upon hearing this, not only Steward Hu, but also many onlookers couldn't help but cast disdainful glances at him.

He wants to embezzle someone else's daughter's dowry? Is he even human?

The dowry was meant for the bride's family to use after the marriage; how could they have the nerve to do that? They're shameless.

Cui Gu tugged at Li Shi's clothes, and Li Shi realized that she had said the wrong thing. She pursed her lips and said, "I was just saying that. Logically speaking, you should all return."

Li's idea was simple: Qin Su was hard to control and refused to go back with her now. Since that was the case, she might as well take back all the betrothal gifts and then let her son marry another girl.

Anyway, she didn't like Qin Su at all, really didn't like her.

"The agreement to return half of the betrothal gifts was made by Prince Chen. According to our young lady, your Chengguo Duke's Mansion had no objection at the time. Now, you think that since Prince Chen is not here, you will go back on your word?" Old Hu sneered, and after saying the last sentence, "If the Chengguo Duke's Mansion has any objections, go directly to Prince Chen. If Prince Chen asks the Zhongyi Marquis's Mansion to return half of the betrothal gifts, we will not delay."

He then glanced at the doorman and said coldly, "Close the door."

The gates of the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion were once again tightly shut. Li knew that she could not bear to see the other members of the Qin family today.

Would she dare to force her way in? No, she wouldn't.

Aside from the imperial palace and the Prince Chen's residence, this Marquis of Loyalty's residence is the one that no one dares to forcibly enter.

When Lao Hu got back, he briefly told Qin's mother, Qin Su, about the matter.

Qin's mother looked down on the Chengguo Duke's family more and more, while Qin Su remained indifferent.

She had already witnessed Li's shamelessness.

"It seems this matter should be temporarily resolved; they dare not go to Prince Chen." Qin's mother comforted Qin Su. She was actually very worried about her daughter, as she felt that her daughter had changed a lot recently, which must have been due to some great shock.

Privately, she also needed to investigate which shameless slut Xue Huai'an was having an affair with. She could do without Xue Huai'an, but she had to teach that woman a lesson.

How could they allow their precious Qin family member to be bullied?

Qin Su wasn't quite sure what her mother was thinking. She simply told her mother, "Things aren't that simple. Mother, you underestimate Xue Huai'an."

Hearing her daughter still defending Xue Huai'an, she felt uneasy. "Does your mother think too highly of him?"

Qin Su said, "Mother should be highly regarded. Xue Huai'an is a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. It's not hard to guess what Li Shi is thinking. The reason she wants the betrothal gifts back is probably because she wants to find Xue Huai'an a new partner."

"But Xue Huai'an will definitely come back; he will definitely come tomorrow."

"So sure?" Qin's mother raised an eyebrow, then hesitated to ask her daughter if she had already let go of this person. "What if he comes?"

She was somewhat worried that her daughter would go with Xue Huai'an. After all, Li was the mother-in-law, and the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has been difficult to resolve since ancient times. It was normal for her daughter not to go back with her.

But Xue Huai'an is different. Xue Huai'an is the apple of my daughter's eye, so we can't generalize.

"No matter what, let her stand outside the door." Qin Su couldn't help but sneer.

"Didn't he almost die a few days ago? How could he still come?" If he could come, wouldn't that mean he's secretly in love with Su Su? No, no, Qin's mother quickly banished the thought from her mind.

Xue Huai'an is utter garbage; he's not worthy of Su Su at all.

Qin Su's face showed a sneer, "Mother, don't worry, as long as he is still conscious, he will come even if he has to be carried." After a moment of silence, she smiled and continued, "Perhaps he can even stage a self-inflicted injury."

It has to be said that Qin Su understands Xue Huai'an best. Sure enough, the next day, just as dawn was breaking, an elegant yet luxurious carriage stopped outside the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence.

In recent days, the affairs of the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion and the Duke of Cheng's mansion have been the talk of the town, and many people have also been paying attention to this place. Now that they see people coming again, many people immediately gather around.

A young man dressed in a plain-colored long robe stepped down from the carriage. He was slightly hunched over and pale, clearly in poor health.

I've never heard of the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng's family being unwell before; the rumors from a few days ago are probably true.

"Xue Qi, go and deliver the invitation." Xue Huai'an's voice was still very weak, but his tone was gentle.

According to custom, visiting cards should be sent in advance, but given the current special circumstances, Xue Huai'an can't be too particular about that.

Qin Su had just returned from martial arts practice and was washing up when Lian Tao told her that Xue Huai'an had arrived.

She simply smiled and said, "Come on in, let's have breakfast first, then we'll head out of the manor later."

Lian Tao took the damp handkerchief and tentatively asked in a low voice, "To see Xue Huai'an?"

"What are you thinking, you brat? Do you think I have to go see him just because I leave the manor?"

Lian Tao shut her mouth awkwardly, but she was secretly pleased.

To be honest, the entire Zhongyi Marquis's household used to look down on Xue Huai'an except for the young ladies, but now things have changed, and they've parted ways.

The Marquis of Zhongyi's residence didn't have many rules. At the dinner table, Qin's mother asked about this matter. Before Qin Su could say anything, Qin's father snorted coldly, "Let him stand there. Daughter, you are not allowed to see him. A person should have backbone!"

“Even if you reconcile, that woman must be dealt with. My daughter’s husband must never take a concubine.”