Yuan Xi was handsome and dashing, a refined gentleman.
Yuan Xi's father, Yuan Shao, held the positions of Commandant of the Capital Region and Governor of Ji Province!
Yuan Shao's father, Yuan Feng, and uncle, Yuan Wei, were even more remarkable, one being the Minister of Works and the other the Minister of Education!
Later, Yuan Wei even became Grand Tutor, reaching the highest position among officials.
Yuan Shao's brothers were all extraordinary: Yuan Shu, Yuan Ji, Yuan Yi, and Yuan Yin—each of them started as a prefect.
If the Zhen family were to establish this marriage alliance with the Yuan family, they would definitely become a prestigious and influential family.
If it weren't for the thought of their daughter becoming a prince's consort, Madam Zhen Yao and her four elder sisters would have been tempted long ago by Yuan Xi's sincere offer.
"How could a woman protected by a lion possibly be interested in a stray dog!"
In their eyes, however outstanding Yuan Xi was, how could he possibly compare to the current prince of the Han Dynasty?
"I am already aware of Young Master Yuan's intentions."
"It's a pity you're too late; my daughter is already betrothed!"
Madam Zhen suddenly remembered Zhen Yi's earnest instructions: she must not announce her marriage to Liu Wei to anyone in the Yuan family, or she would suffer a great disaster.
When Liu Wei came to Zhenjiazhuang to marry his bride, Youzhou had already been pacified, and Liu Wei had a strong and well-equipped army around him!
Moreover, once the marriage is finalized, Liu Wei will surely send troops to protect the safety of the Zhen family, so there will be no need to fear Yuan Shao!
Therefore, it is best not to mention it to the Yuan family before Liu Wei comes to arrange the marriage.
But now that Madam Zhen has spoken, there is no room for maneuver.
This is the only way to politely refuse the Yuan family!
"Hmph! Betrothed to someone? I wonder who he's betrothed to? Can he compare to me?"
Yuan Xi's handsome face twitched.
In this Hebei region, apart from his brother Yuan Tan, there is no one else who can compare to him!
He had twice declined the marriage proposal, but now when he came to the door in person, he was told that Zhen Mi had already been betrothed to someone else.
Yuan Xi was furious when he saw that the gift he had painstakingly prepared had become a joke.
"In any case, she has already been betrothed to someone, Young Master Yuan, please return!"
Madam Zhen noticed the cold glint in Yuan Xi's eyes, as if he were harboring murderous intent and anger, and her heart tightened.
What should we do if Yuan Xi and his men resort to force?
"Hehe, Madam Zhen, that's not very nice of you! Are you taking advantage of my lack of education?"
"You think you can send our second young master away just because he's already betrothed? No way!"
Xu You stepped forward, "Please tell us, Madam Zhen, which family's son has she betrothed to? We and the Second Young Master will pay him a visit!"
His words appeared calm and ordinary, but they were filled with a threat.
"Hmph, daring to steal our second young master's woman, I'll be the first to object! Dare to say who it is, and I'll chop off their head and play football with it!"
Han Meng seized the opportunity and said fiercely.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't frighten Madam Zhen! It would be terrible if she got sick from the fright!"
"Madam Zhen, you will definitely tell me, won't you?"
Yuan Xi's seemingly harmless face belies the daggers hidden in his words, which send chills down one's spine.
Madam Zhen understood Yuan Xi's meaning perfectly well. Looking at the menacing cavalry outside the manor, she panicked a little!
Women are inherently at a disadvantage in such situations.
"We...we won't tell you, you...you should all leave now!"
Zhen Yao's teeth chattered as he spoke.
Yuan Xi's men are not as easy to deal with as the Black Mountain Army that came last time!
But he was well aware that if word got out that Liu Wei was his sister's betrothed, Yuan Xi would immediately order his troops to raze this place to the ground.
"You're the third son of the Zhen family, right? You're such a grown man, how come you speak so incoherently?"
Yuan Xi smiled contemptuously, "If you don't tell me who the betrothed is, we're not leaving today!"
"However, as soon as we tell you, we'll leave immediately and won't disturb the Zhen family in the slightest!"
Yuan Xi's idea was simple: as long as he knew who this person was, he could go to his door and tear him to pieces, and then Zhen Mi would have no one to marry.
Once this news got out, no one dared to marry Zhen Mi anymore.
Therefore, Zhen Mi has no choice but to marry Yuan Xi!
Yuan Xi couldn't help but feel smug about his brilliant idea.
Now all we have to do is wait for the Zhen family to reveal who it is!
"Speak quickly, or I'll smash down your Zhen family's gate and turn this place into ruins!" Han Meng seized the opportunity to do his job as a lackey's flatterer.
Xu You stroked his goatee and let out a sinister laugh.
In the territory of Jizhou, no one who dares to fight against Young Master Yuan has yet been born!
Faced with Yuan Xi's aggressive questioning, Madam Zhen and Zhen Yao exchanged bewildered glances.
The four older sisters of the Zhen family had already lost their composure.
Zhen Mi, hiding in the crowd, had her soft hand held by Liu Wei, her palms sweating profusely.
She was just forced to choose between her parents' wishes and her beloved, and now the Zhen family is being pressured by the second young master of the Yuan family.
What should we do now?
Zhen Mi looked lost and helpless, her innocent eyes instinctively glancing at Liu Wei beside her.
Unlike the last time when the Black Mountain Army came to ask for money and grain, this time Yuan Xi came to ask for people!
She didn't expect the man in front of her to be of any help.
After all, it was already quite remarkable for a commoner from Zhuojun to survive on the brutal battlefield and become the Marquis of Qu through military merit.
The Yuan family, however, is a powerful force in Hebei, and not one that can be easily challenged!
Even if that Han prince were to arrive, he might have to be somewhat wary.
Just then, Liu Wei turned around and saw Zhen Mi's helpless and pitiful eyes, and his heart fluttered.
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