Chapter 164 I, I disagree...

After lunch, the group lost their desire to wander around.

Especially Xiao Wan'er.

Although Chen Yi allowed her to enjoy the delicious food she had been longing for, her mood was still somewhat affected.

In particular, the "marriage proposal" that Liu Wen mentioned made it difficult for her to calm down.

She was very worried that the old man would agree to the marriage alliance with the Liu family of Jingzhou.

Just like when Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi got married, it was the old master who arranged it.

Even before that, no one else in the Xiao family knew about this.

If Xiao Jinghong hadn't refused, perhaps the entire Great Wei Dynasty would be laughing at the Xiao and Chen families right now.

Now that something similar has happened again, and it happened to her, Xiao Wan'er couldn't help but feel uneasy and anxious.

So much so that she sat silently on one side of the carriage on the way back.

Her face, which had just regained some color, turned pale again, and her eyes gazed weakly at the rain outside the window.

Like a vibrant flower about to wither, it is exquisitely beautiful yet tinged with a touch of melancholy.

Chen Yi saw it all, but could only pretend he didn't know anything about it.

He tried to make a few jokes during the time, but Xiao Wan'er remained preoccupied.

On the contrary, Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die were amused by him.

Not long after, the carriage entered the Marquis's residence.

Before Xie Tingyun could return from the stable, Xiao Wan'er instructed Shen Huatang to hold an umbrella and take her to Qingjing Residence.

Chen Yi originally wanted to go with them, but after thinking about it, he felt it wasn't appropriate.

Whether or not a marriage alliance is formed is an internal matter for the Xiao family, and the decision will definitely be made by the patriarch.

Let alone him, the son-in-law of the Xiao family, even Xiao Wan'er's own wishes are unlikely to influence the old master's decision.

At this time of year, arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers are not just empty words.

Especially prominent families like the Xiao family.

The marriage of one's children is often used to ensure the continuation of the family line or to expand one's business.

Just like Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu.

Just like Xiao Jinghong and him.

He pondered for a moment.

Chen Yi patted Xiao Wuge on the shoulder, pointed at Xiao Wan'er who had walked away, and whispered:

"You haven't paid your respects to the old master in a long time either."

Xiao Wuge was taken aback at first, then he remembered that Chen Yi had instructed him to go to Qingjing Residence to eavesdrop on the last time, and his eyes darted around as he said:

"Brother-in-law, I'd like to learn chess from you at the mansion tomorrow."

Chen Yi chuckled and patted his head, saying, "I can't make that decision. You'll have to ask your older sister and see if she agrees."

"Brother-in-law, as long as you ask, my sister will definitely agree."

Seeing that Xiao Wan'er had already entered the Central Court, Chen Yi agreed: "I'll give it a try, but I can't guarantee it will work."

Xiao Wuge chuckled twice, "It will definitely work."

As he spoke, he chased after Xiao Wan'er and Shen Huatang, not caring that it was still raining.

Chen Yi shook his head, muttered that the kid had become shrewd, and then instructed Xiao Die to follow.

Xiao Die paused, then hesitated and asked, "Young Master, how will you get back?"

"I'm not going back. I have some things to take care of in Xishi."

"That……"

"If we wait any longer, Wu Ge will be soaked to the bone."

Although Xiaodie didn't know what a drowned rat looked like, she knew he was worried about Young Master Wuge.

Without saying a word, she quickly grabbed her oil-paper umbrella and chased after him.

After the group had gone some distance.

Chen Yi looked up at the sky.

Although it was still drizzling, the rain was much lighter than it was at noon.

The wind blowing from the north blew the rain into streaks of rain running southward.

Chen Yi let the fine raindrops fall on his face, feeling the slight chill in them, and his heart calmed down.

"The Liu family of Jingzhou..."

"It seems they're determined to take a piece of the Xiao family."

Thinking this, Chen Yi withdrew his gaze, calmly turned and left the Marquis's residence, heading towards the West Market.

Without an umbrella, the figure walked steadily through the rain.

They drifted further and further apart.

...

Xiao Wan'er hurriedly arrived at the quiet residence, followed by Xiao Wuge, whose smile was somewhat quirky.

As soon as she entered the house, she heard faint sounds coming from inside the main hall.

"...When my younger generation from the Liu family first arrived in Shu Prefecture, we were unfamiliar with the rules and offended you in many ways. I hope you will forgive us, Lord Marquis."

"I don't know what offense I have in mind."

"My lord, you are a man of great importance with many affairs, so naturally you look down on the business of a pharmacy, hehe..."

Are people from the Liu family here?

Xiao Wan'er paused, clutching her chest with both hands and staring straight at the main room. She subconsciously bit her lip, her expression slightly worried.

Xiao Wuge also heard the sounds from inside the room. He looked up at her, then took her hand and whispered:

"Sister, may I go and pay my respects to Grandfather?"

Xiao Wan'er came to her senses and gently shook her head: "Wait a minute."

Even though she didn't know who the people from the Liu family were, just hearing the words "Liu family" made her feel uneasy and even more anxious than before.

She didn't know how to describe it.

Resistance, hesitation, worry...

Amidst these complex emotions, the root cause is largely "unwillingness."

About an incense stick later, the person inside finally said the words "I'm taking my leave."

Xiao Wan'er finally relaxed.

Fortunately, during this time, she did not hear any words like "marriage alliance" or "proposal" from inside.

Not long after.

The old man, leaning on his cane, saw a slightly overweight middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes out of the main room.

"Go back and give my regards to Liu Xuan. It has been many years since we last met, and I'm afraid we won't see each other again."

"This junior will certainly convey the Marquis's words."

The slightly plump middle-aged man bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, please wait. I will return now."

"good."

When the middle-aged man turned around and saw Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Wuge at the door, he paused briefly, then smiled and bowed as well.

"I presume this is Miss Wan'er and the young marquis?"

The old man introduced them: "Wan'er, Wu Ge, this is Liu Yu, from the Liu family of Jingzhou."

Xiao Wan'er hesitated for a moment and then bowed slightly. "Wan'er greets Uncle Liu."

Xiao Wuge then greeted him.

After looking the two over, Liu Yu praised, "Miss Wan'er is indeed as rumored, gentle and generous."

"Young Marquis is also an outstanding person. He will surely be able to carry on Brother Fengchun's legacy and bring glory to the family in the future."

The old man glanced at him and said with a smile, "I like to hear that."

Liu Yu glanced at Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Wuge, then suddenly turned and asked, "I wonder if my Liu family has the honor of being associated with you?"

The old man was unusually stunned for a moment.

Xiao Wan'er, standing next to her, was even more on edge, her mind went blank, and she felt inexplicably dizzy.

They've arrived.

The old man, being more knowledgeable and worldly-wise, feigned ignorance and asked, "What do you mean by that, my dear nephew?"

Liu Yu simply blurted out, "To be honest, my brother gave me some instructions before I came to Shu Prefecture."

"If Your Excellency agrees, my Liu family hopes to form a marriage alliance with the Xiao family to enhance the relationship between the two families."

"What is your opinion, Lord Marquis?"

The old man glanced at the stunned Xiao Wan'er, and said without changing his expression:

"I remember that the eldest son of your Liu family's main branch is already engaged?"

"To be honest, my nephew Liu Wu is indeed engaged."

"But Liu Wen, the second son of the first wife, is still unmarried."

"With his excellent knowledge, talent, and martial arts skills, he is a perfect match for Miss Wan'er."

Before the old master could speak, Xiao Wan'er, her face pale, said:

"I...I disagree..."

Liu Yu glanced at her, then looked at the old man, as if he hadn't heard her words.

The orders of parents and the words of matchmakers are not just empty words.

The old man looked at Xiao Wan'er, who was biting her lip, and thought for a moment before saying, "I will refuse to do so for the time being."

"I will make a decision after I have corresponded with the eldest branch of your Liu family."

Liu Yu's smile froze, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he didn't say anything more.

"In that case, I shall take my leave."

"My lord, please take care."

The old man nodded, watching him leave the quiet house. After a short while, he turned to Xiao Wan'er and greeted her with a smile:

"It's windy outside, let's go inside and talk."

Xiao Wan'er nodded blankly and followed her into the house.

Xiao Wuge stepped forward quickly and said first, "Grandfather, that Liu family of Jingzhou is so wicked, I don't agree to any marriage proposal."

The old man chuckled, patted his leg to invite him to sit down, and asked with a smile:

"You know the Liu family is very bad?"

Xiao Wuge nodded. "I heard my eldest sister say before that if it weren't for the Liu family causing trouble, our family's pharmacy business wouldn't have been affected."

"My brother-in-law also said yes..."

Seeing him cover his mouth, the old man became interested and asked, "What did your brother-in-law say?"

“My brother-in-law once said that tall trees catch the wind, and now our family is being targeted.”

(End of this chapter)