Chapter 82 Negotiation
Xie Wulu raised his head, his gaze meeting Wei Shi's scrutiny with composure: "The troubles of the Marquis's mansion are precisely the marriage contract between my elder sister, Xie Wuyou, and General Wei of your esteemed family."
He got straight to the point, without beating around the bush: "Madam must be aware of my elder sister's current situation. Her reputation is ruined and her family is destitute. Under such circumstances, if the Marquis's mansion were to honor the marriage agreement and marry my elder sister, it would be detrimental to the Marquis's reputation and to General Wei's future. I'm sure you understand my pain."
Wei's eyes flickered slightly, but she did not speak, waiting for him to continue.
“But if the Marquis’s family rashly cancels the engagement,” Xie Wulu’s tone changed, becoming heavy, “the Marquis’s family’s century-old reputation for integrity and keeping promises will be ruined in an instant! The world’s voices will surely accuse the Marquis’s family of being opportunistic and kicking someone when they’re down! Such a stain is not something the Marquis’s family can bear. Whether we advance or retreat, we are worried.”
He pinpointed the biggest dilemma in Wei's heart, as if he had stabbed her in the heart.
Wei's expression turned even more unpleasant.
“Therefore,” Xie Wulu straightened his back slightly, his eyes gleaming with a desperate light, “I have come here today to offer the Marquis’s residence a win-win solution!”
He stepped forward, his voice seductive: "I can get my elder sister to take the initiative to annul the engagement! Dissolve this troublesome marriage that has plagued the Marquis's mansion! And restore the Marquis's mansion's clean reputation!"
Wei's pupils constricted sharply! He'd voluntarily annul the engagement?!
This is indeed... the best solution!
If Xie Wuyou takes the initiative to propose it, the Marquis's family will occupy the moral high ground, thus getting rid of this shameful marriage without damaging their reputation!
This temptation is too great!
But she calmed down instantly.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Would someone like Xie Wulu give away such a great benefit for nothing?
"Conditions?" Wei's voice was filled with deep wariness.
Xie Wulu was waiting for these two words.
He smiled and bowed again: "I don't ask for much, I only ask that the Marquis's Mansion give me a way out, considering that I have relieved the Marquis's Mansion of its troubles."
He raised his head and stared intently at Wei: "General Wei is currently training in the army, and he must need capable people by his side. Wulu was once a second-class Jinshi, and he has been well-versed in military books since childhood, and has some understanding of strategy."
"I earnestly request that you, Madam, intervene with the Marquis to allow Wulu, a commoner, to serve under General Wei as a military advisor. Wulu will be willing to give his all to serve the General and share his burdens!"
Staff officer! Military attaché!
Wei's heart sank!
What a cunning Xie Wulu! What an outrageous demand!
He's trying to use the Marquis's mansion's influence to climb back up!
Once he joins the army and achieves some merit, he might be able to clear his name and make a comeback!
This is not a way to relieve worries; it's clearly asking a tiger for its skin!
Wei's expression kept changing.
On one hand, there is the immense temptation to completely break free from the engagement and preserve one's reputation; on the other hand, there is the enormous risk of introducing a venomous snake.
Looking at the undisguised ambition and scheming in Xie Wulu's eyes, she felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet.
A deathly silence fell over the side hall.
After a long silence, Lady Wei slowly spoke: "Xie Wulu, what do you take the Marquis's mansion for? What do you take the Northwest military camp for? A person who stole gold, committed immoral acts, and was expelled from the clan, dares to talk about strategy? And dares to presume to interfere in military secrets?!"
She stood up abruptly, looking down at him with disdain: "Your so-called perfect solution is nothing but wishful thinking! My Yongning Marquis's mansion would rather bear some disgrace than let a wolf into the house and raise a tiger to cause trouble! Get out! Get out of the mansion right now! If you dare take another step closer, I'll break your legs!"
Wei's anger and rejection were unexpected. Xie Wulu's humble smile vanished instantly, replaced by coldness and ruthlessness.
Instead of being rebuffed, he took a step forward:
"Why is Madam angry? The Marquis's reputation and century-old foundation are they really so worthless? Do you think I, Xie Wulu, have come here today to beg for your charity?"
"You're wrong! I'm showing your Marquis's mansion a way out! What's my sister Xie Wuyou like now? She has nothing left!"
"If I were to step out of this manor today, I would immediately make her wear a bright red wedding dress, wailing all the way that Wei Zikai of the Yongning Marquis's Mansion is unfaithful and heartless, and crash to her death in front of your manor! I want to see if the century-old reputation of the Marquis's Mansion can withstand the stain of a human life! Can it withstand the spittle of the entire capital! Can it withstand the impeachment memorials from the censors and officials!"
"Can the Marquis's title and General Wei's future still be saved?!"
"you--!"
Wei was terrified by his vicious plan. "How dare you! You...you beast!"
"What do I have to be afraid of?!"
Xie Wulu roared fiercely, his eyes bloodshot, like a demon crawling out of hell: "I, Xie Wulu, am now disgraced and have nothing left! Those with nothing to lose are not afraid of those wearing shoes! Your Marquis's mansion is high and mighty, rich and noble, while I, with my worthless life, will drag you all down to hell with me. It's worth it! Madam, you can gamble and see if I dare to!"
He stared intently at Madam Wei, his gaze sharp as a snake's tongue: "Give me a position as an advisor, and in return, the Marquis's mansion will cleanly and gracefully get rid of Xie Wuyou, that stinking rag! In return, General Wei's future will be unimpeded and he will not be implicated! In return, the Marquis's mansion's century-old reputation will remain completely intact! Madam, do you think this deal is worth it?!"
"You...you..."
Wei felt dizzy and her chest felt so tight that she couldn't breathe.
Looking at the man before her, who seemed to have gone mad, she felt despair for the first time.
Xie Wulu stopped speaking and just stared intently at Wei Shi, awaiting her final verdict.
In the side hall, only Wei's heavy breathing could be heard.
I don't know how much time passed, it felt like an eternity.
Wei slumped back into her seat, as if all the bones in her body had been removed. Her well-maintained face instantly lost all its luster, leaving only ashen and exhausted expression.
She closed her eyes: "Okay... Advisor... you can have it."
A triumphant smile appeared on Xie Wulu's face.
He bowed deeply again, his voice regaining its previous respect: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Wei. I have nothing to worry about and will certainly not fail you."
Wei waved her hand weakly, as if she didn't even want to look at him anymore: "Get out...get out now..."
Xie Wulu straightened up, turned around without looking back, and strode away from the side hall.
Outside, the sunlight was blinding.
Xie Wulu narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling the scorching temperature, and a smile appeared on his lips.
Only by putting yourself in a desperate situation can you survive.
The most important thing now is to persuade Xie Wuyou to pave the way for him with her own marriage.
Even if she didn't want to... Hmph, Xie Wuyou had no choice.
She had no choice but to agree.
When Xie Wulu returned to the teahouse in high spirits, he saw three familiar yet disheveled figures huddled on the street corner.
Scattered around them were several equally dirty and tattered packages, making them look exactly like three homeless beggars!
"Don't worry! My son! You've finally returned!"
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