"Father, we can't go on like this. Why don't we write to the north and tell the eldest prince that we have done our best?"
"Besides, Qiao Zhizhi won't fall for my tricks at all. There's no way she'll marry into the Ouyang family."
Ouyang Yi suspected that, given Qiao Zhizhi's personality, even if she lost her reputation, she wouldn't care at all. In her eyes, it wasn't her fault anyway, so why should she blame herself, belittle herself, and then marry him?
Moreover, he prefers the kind of sheltered woman who unconditionally obeys men, but Qiao Zhizhi is too independent.
Master Ouyang lifted his eyelids and glanced at Ouyang Yi: "Do you think the First Prince will let us go?"
These words carried a hint of sarcasm, discouragement, and frustration.
"There's nothing we can do about it. I don't believe the Crown Prince won't need the Ouyang family in the future. As long as there's a use for them, there's still room for discussion."
Seeing that Master Ouyang was still hesitating, Ouyang Yi sighed.
"Today's situation has truly frightened my son. If it were to be reported to the Dali Temple, or even to the Emperor, I'm afraid the Ouyang family would be severely punished. Although the lives of conscripted laborers are worthless, if this becomes a big deal, the Emperor will have to make a statement to show his compassion for the people."
"My son is afraid that the Qiao and Pei families still have some tricks up their sleeves."
"What other tricks could they possibly have up their sleeve?" Master Ouyang said irritably.
"They must have done everything they could to get these laborers out."
“Father, our family’s business extends far beyond just canal transport.”
Upon hearing Ouyang Yi's reminder, Master Ouyang felt a cold sweat break out all over his body.
Although he always proclaimed himself to be upright and honest, Master Ouyang knew in his heart how many shameful and dirty things he had done that couldn't withstand close scrutiny.
Ouyang Yi stood in the courtyard and released a carrier pigeon. He watched the pigeon until it disappeared, his eyes dark and gloomy.
The landmines planted in the past may suddenly explode at any time.
It's likely that the eldest prince, the Qiao family, and the Pei family are not the only ones who possess the secrets of the Ouyang family; it's an unknown quantity.
In the days that followed, the Ouyang family became quiet, and Ouyang Yi stopped hanging around Qiao Zhizhi.
A rumor has been spreading and growing stronger: the fifth young lady of the Sun family was constantly pursuing the third young master of the Lin family, saying that she would marry no one but him and that no man in the world could catch her eye except the third young master of the Lin family.
Normally, such things are just gossip. Young men and women are at the age where they yearn for marriage, so what's so strange about them having someone they admire?
However, the Sun and Wu families have just finalized their engagement and are currently going through the formalities, which makes the situation a bit sensitive.
There were also rumors that the Third Young Master Lin refused to accept the Fifth Miss Sun, even though she had a physical disability, so the Sun family lowered their requirements and chose the Wu family instead.
Such news was extremely jarring to the Wu family.
At Qing Teng Painting Academy, students were discussing this matter during their breaks.
"I heard that right at the crucial moment of the betrothal ceremony, the Wu family seems to have given up on the idea of presenting the betrothal gifts."
“The Wu family is also a prominent family. Master Wu is a third-rank official and has a lot of influence in the capital. He certainly doesn’t want to be someone else’s backup vehicle.”
“Miss Sun is no good either. I always thought she was arrogant and presumptuous. Now, the Lin family doesn’t want her, and the Wu family also has a grudge against her.”
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