“But since I arrived in Xicheng, I have seen Young Master Zhong getting along very well with other young ladies more than once. Just recently, he and Miss Mu Jinzhi published some remarks in the newspaper that damaged my reputation. Many people think that I married into the Zhong family because I was grateful for their help.”

Upon seeing this, Zhong Rentao stepped forward and slapped Zhong Yunsheng twice. As a martial arts expert, Zhong Yunsheng was dazed and confused by the blows. He then dragged Zhong Yunsheng to kneel before Bai Yan, blaming himself deeply, and said, "My dear niece, your father and I have always had a good relationship. It's just that I couldn't control this little beast, which made you sad and damaged the relationship between our two families."

Zhong Yunsheng also looked flustered. He looked at Bai Yan and said, "I...I didn't know your identity before...I'm sorry...I..."

"If I were just an ordinary orphan, would you think you could bully me?"

Bai Yan scoffed: "Or are you trying to say that you're resisting marriage because you're pursuing freedom and true love?"

Before Zhong Yunsheng could nod, she continued, "Stop using true love as a fig leaf. Do you even know what propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are? If you do, you should understand that without my father, there would be no Zhong family today."

Zhong Rentao's face began to darken.

Bai Yan continued, "You and your Miss Mu are truly in love, and love is everything to you. But you've forgotten even the most basic human decency. How are you any different from beasts who only know how to be in heat?"

“You are a beast, and Mu Jinzhi, who is in love with a beast, is also a beast.”

"But I am not."

"Please don't mention my marriage to the Zhong family again." She scoffed, "Didn't the newspapers say it too? I'm just an orphan, and I can't possibly marry into the Zhong family's social standing by taking advantage of their kindness."