Qingyou remained silent upon seeing the char siu bao.

So he said, "Does your hesitation mean that Shi Lingqiao's position in your heart is just so-so, and that she is still not as important as the position of the heir apparent?"

Huo Jiwen was taken aback, then immediately retorted, "No, in my heart, Lingqiao is more important than the position of heir apparent."

Qingyou looked devastated, and asked in a trembling voice, "So what's your choice?"

Upon seeing this, Huo Jiwen guessed that this was a threat his mother had deliberately made to prevent him from marrying Lingqiao.

He was her only son, and also his father's only son. If he didn't inherit the Duke's mansion, who else would be qualified?

He pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I agree not to take the title of heir apparent."

This time, when he went on a hunger strike, his mother, though still angry, gave in out of pity.

Then it would be impossible to truly strip him of his position as heir apparent.

Even if they really did try to scare him into relinquishing his position as heir apparent, it would be the same if he directly inherited the Duke's mansion in the future.

After all, her mother loved her so much and had a deep affection for her father; she couldn't let the Duke's mansion be without an heir.

That's why he made this choice, because he was certain that his mother would eventually compromise.

Qingyou swayed suddenly, clearly devastated by her son's choice.

Granny Qi immediately stepped forward to support her, asking worriedly, "Madam, are you alright?"

Qingyou shook her head at her, and after a long while said, "I'm fine."

Then he looked at Huo Jiwen and asked, "Are you sure you want to give up your position as heir apparent and your position as duke in order to marry Shi Lingqiao?"

Huo Jiwen nodded. "I'm sure."

If he doesn't seize this opportunity today, it will be even harder for him to get his mother to agree to the marriage later.

He was so hungry he couldn't stand it anymore and didn't want to go through that again.

Qingyou was so angry that she looked like she couldn't breathe.

Granny Qi quickly patted her back to help her catch her breath, and after a while, she said, "You unfilial son, you're hopeless."

Then he ordered, "Someone, go and get some pen and ink."

The butler, being astute, quickly went to fetch paper, ink, brush, and inkstone.

Qingyou walked to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote down how Huo Jiwen had voluntarily given up his positions as heir apparent and duke in order to marry Shi Lingqiao.

After writing it down, he signed his name and handed the paper and pen to the steward, saying, "Take this to the Crown Prince for his signature."

The butler tremblingly took the paper and pen and brought them to the bedside.

He didn't expect his wife to actually do it.

While Huo Jiwen was certain that he would be the heir, the steward remembered that there was still a legitimate third master of the Huo family in the mansion.

The lady raised the Third Master like a son since he was a child. After being angered and heartbroken by the Crown Prince, it is not impossible that she would give the position of heir to the Third Master.

However, although he had this suspicion, he would not say it aloud.

He would be loyal to anyone who inherited the position of Duke of Zhenguo from the bloodline of the Duke's mansion.

Moreover, he realized from this incident that the heir was too emotional and might lead to the downfall of the Duke's mansion after he inherited it. The third master, on the other hand, was more suitable.

Huo Jiwen held the butler's hand and read what was written on the paper; his expression darkened.

"Mom, you don't need to write it down and sign it, right?"

Although he was certain that his mother would still allow him to inherit the Duke's mansion, he did not want to draw up a written agreement as proof.

If others find out and bring this up, it won't be good.

Qingyou raised an eyebrow. "If you don't want to sign, then don't marry Shi Lingqiao."

Huo Jiwen said unhappily, "Mother, are you just trying to use this to control me and make me give up on marrying Lingqiao?"

He emphasized, "Since I said I would choose Lingqiao, I will not go back on my word."

Qingyou didn't believe him at all. "A real man keeps his word. Since you've made your choice and decision, what's there to be afraid of in writing it down?"

"You either sign now, or you give up on Shi Lingqiao's idea. It's up to you."

Huo Jiwen was furious. He was being forced to choose again. Why did his mother always have to force him to choose?

Qingyou noticed that he looked unwell, but still didn't want to sign.

She said to the steward, "If the young master doesn't want to sign, then so be it. Put this paper away. He can marry that lowly woman whenever he signs."

He then looked at Huo Jiwen and said, "If you still don't sign after six months, I will assume that you know you have repented and no longer want to marry that woman. I will arrange a new marriage for you."

"Although with your current reputation, you can no longer marry a noble lady, I believe that if our Duke's Mansion wants to marry a respectable woman from a humble family, there should still be someone willing to do so."

Huo Jiwen: "..." Who does this person look down on? Why can't he marry a noblewoman?

His mother actually belittled him like that.

No, that's not the point.

He took a deep breath and asked, "Mother, since you are willing to let me marry a woman from a humble family, why won't you let me marry Lingqiao? She is also a rich young lady."

Qingyou looked at her with disdain. "Although she was born into a humble family, she is not an innocent woman."

Huo Jiwen: "..."

After Qingyou left Huo Jiwen speechless, she waved to him in a good mood, "Alright, I'll have the butler prepare some food for you later. I'm going back to my courtyard now."

As if certain that Huo Jiwen wouldn't sign, Shi Lingqiao was unable to enter the house.

When Huo Jiwen saw his mother turn to leave, he was driven to the brink of madness.

Afraid that she would really leave, he hurriedly said, "I'll sign, I'll sign, okay?"

He could stall, but Lingqiao couldn't.

Because of the teahouse incident, he has already ruined her reputation. If he doesn't marry her soon, he doesn't know how much more gossip she will have to endure. He can't bear to see her suffer like that.

Moreover, if he keeps refusing to sign, his mother might very well arrange another marriage for him, which would make him want to vomit blood.

Anyway, he was determined to marry Lingqiao, so let's just sign the contract.

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