Zhao Hai brought a pot of freshly brewed Rain Pre-Longjing tea. Yun Yichen took it and poured a cup for Xiao Jingkang first, then King Jing, Xiao Yi, and finally himself.
Xiao Jingkang was also impressed by Yun Yichen's performance today. There weren't many people who could make him do this! Humph! His daughter was no worse than him, okay?
When the first cup of tea was finished, King Jing knew it was time to speak.
"Thank you, Brother Xiao, for coming to drink this cup of tea. I won't say much. Our whole family loves Ping'an, and I hope Brother Xiao will agree to let her be our daughter-in-law." King Jing didn't elaborate, directly stating the purpose of his visit today. He knew Xiao Jingkang also had something to say. If they could reach a consensus today, he hoped to invite his in-laws to stay for a glass of wine.
"Since King Jing is so frank and straightforward, I, Xiao, will not hide anything. Everyone can see the prince's conditions, and we have no dissatisfaction." Xiao Jingkang carefully observed Yun Yichen for the first time today. He was a man with excellent conditions in every aspect, and countless young ladies dreamed of marrying him.
Yun Yichen always just listened to the compliments from others, but today when Xiao Jingkang praised him, his heart leaped with joy, and even his usually calm face was filled with a faint smile.
Xiao Yi pursed his lips and turned back to sipping his tea. He admitted that Yun Yichen was excellent, but apart from his social status, was he as handsome as his fourth uncle? Was his kung fu necessarily superior to his own? In comparison, his sister was clearly more outstanding, more outstanding.
"He still lacks experience, and he is still a long way from becoming a responsible and independent man." Although King Jing agreed with Xiao Jingkang's words, he also knew that the Xiao family never valued those external conditions. They wanted to entrust Xiao Yao to a real man, a son-in-law who made them feel at ease.
"Prince Jing is too modest. The Crown Prince has always been a role model for young people in Kyoto. Who wouldn't give him a thumbs up when he's mentioned?"
"Ping'an is truly outstanding! What's commendable is that she is neither impatient nor irritable, intelligent and kind, without those bad habits of being spoiled and willful." King Jing listed Xiao Yao's advantages with a smile. After hearing his words, Xiao Jingkang and his son felt more at ease and comfortable.
"Others might think Ping An doesn't look like a lady from a wealthy family, and that she's only known for her looks. But our family doesn't think so. Ping An is proficient in reading, writing, needlework, and cooking. She's also very filial and has a good temper.
I believe King Jing has also heard that our family wants to recruit a live-in son-in-law. We haven't found a suitable one in the past few years. One of the most important reasons is that we haven't found the one we like.
Men from ordinary families may not be able to protect her well, and we will not consider those dandy boys, no matter how noble their status. The prince is indeed the most suitable one among all. But I, Xiao Jingkang, will not marry my daughter to the Jingwang Mansion and the prince without saying a word just because of their status and position.
"Brother Xiao, please feel free to speak up." King Jing had long guessed that Xiao Jingkang had something to say. He had analyzed that the first one might be that his son was not allowed to take a concubine; the second one was probably about the old man, which required the joint efforts of both families.
It just so happened that I also had a small request, which was that Xiao Yao should marry into the palace after she came of age, because by that time my son would be twenty years old, and it would be unacceptable for him not to get married.
"Xiao has only one request, that is, if the prince falls in love with someone else after marrying my daughter, please divorce her and let me take her away."
Yun Yichen just opened his mouth to speak when he heard Da Xiaoyi, who had been holding back for a long time, add: "Even a concubine is not allowed. My Ping An cannot bear that kind of grievance."
No one said she was being wronged! If someone said something like that on a normal day, it would be like challenging Yun Yichen. Even if he didn't get angry, he would definitely put on a gloomy face and embarrass the other person.
Today, facing Xiao Jingkang and his son, he couldn't get angry at all. This is what relatives who truly love their daughters should do. But he would not give him this opportunity. Marrying him is a lifelong commitment. Apart from being by his side, he is not allowed to go anywhere else, and he can't even think about going back to his parents' home.
"I know that no matter what I say now, my uncle and second brother won't believe me." Yun Yichen reached out from his pocket, pulled out a seal, handed it to Xiao Jingkang, and continued, "From now on, all my private property will be transferred to... Junior Sister's name. This includes land, shops, banknotes, and two private vaults, and all future income will also be included. As for taking her away, I will pretend I never heard it. That day will never come in this lifetime."
What a joke! I spent so much effort to marry my wife, there is no reason for me to give her back. But the Xiao family is so cruel and ruthless. No wonder the little girl said to save money for future life, it turns out it’s hereditary!
Xiao Jingkang's words were unexpected enough. King Jing didn't expect his son to do something even more outrageous. Others might not know how much wealth his son had, but he knew it in his heart. He admired his son's sincere words very much!
"It's fine as long as your son has this attitude. You can keep your things. We in the Xiao family have never thought of exchanging our daughter's lifelong happiness for money. Besides, Ping'an will not starve on her own now." Xiao Jingkang's words were full of confidence. His daughter's shop could make a lot of money every year, and she didn't need charity from men at all. The child's excellence made the father feel proud. The smug look on Xiao Jingkang's face became more and more obvious.
Having a daughter-in-law who is too capable is also a headache! King Jing shook his head slightly. Son, your days of headaches are still to come!
"The seal and other things will be sent along with the betrothal gifts. This is my intention and attitude. I hope uncle will not refuse." Yun Yichen withdrew his hand. His mind would not change easily. Since the Xiao family wanted to make a guarantee, he would just give it to them.
"It's a bit premature to talk about the betrothal gift now. You two should know that this matter won't count without our old man's approval. I'm only here to express our position as husband and wife. As for my old father, frankly speaking, Xiao hasn't figured out a way to convince him yet."
"We need an opportunity to get the old man to seriously consider this issue. Then we can add fuel to the fire and, if necessary, find a few people to help mediate. My wife, A-Chen, and I will all step in at that time."
This was a very thoughtful move. Xiao Jingkang nodded repeatedly as Prince Jing spoke. Actually, Prince Jing didn't need to go to such great lengths. With the Emperor making an appearance, no one dared to say "no." Their willingness to do this now was proof of their deep regard for their daughter.
"But I believe King Jing's method will work." Xiao Jingkang is not as optimistic as King Jing. Once this matter is exposed, the Xiao family will be in chaos.
"Brother Xiao, don't worry too much. We will definitely become in-laws." King Jing did not mention the time of his son's marriage again. Just as Xiao Jingkang said, it would be useless for them to discuss more without the old man's nod.
The girl's parents had simply come to tell him that they took the proposal seriously and were quite satisfied with Achen. However, they had a bottom line: their son-in-law couldn't have second thoughts. If he agreed to this condition, they could work together to convince the old man, and they could discuss other matters later. If he disagreed, there was no point in continuing the conversation.
Xiao Jingkang politely declined Prince Jing's fervent invitation to stay and left with Xiao Yi without looking back. Yun Yichen kept wondering if today's meeting had been a success or a failure. Prince Jing continued to sip tea, racking his brains over how to deal with the old man.
The father and son did not rush home after walking out of Juxianlou. Instead, they went to a relatively small and remote teahouse and carefully analyzed the behavior of King Jing and Yun Yichen.
In the end, they came to a conclusion that made them very unhappy: Prince Jing's Mansion really wanted to marry into their family and attached great importance to peace.
"I don't know since when he started targeting our Ping'an. I shouldn't have let Ping'an get so close to Prince Jing's Mansion. Ajun has almost finished his studies. From now on, I will let him keep an eye on Ping'an. We must not give anyone with bad intentions the opportunity to take advantage of us." Xiao Yi is now extremely regretful. If he had been alert earlier, his sister would not have been targeted by Yun Yichen.
"Can your sister remain unmarried forever? If there's no Yun Crown Prince, there are still Zhang Crown Prince and Li Crown Prince! Don't say such foolish things again. The whole way here, I've been thinking about the opportunity King Jing mentioned. It boils down to two things. First, we need a girl as soon as possible. If your grandfather is happy and safe, things will be easier to handle."
Xiao Yi looked up at the sky speechlessly... No, he looked up at the beams speechlessly. He had always dreamed of having a daughter, a smart and intelligent girl like his sister. But it was not up to him to decide whether his wife gave birth to a boy or a girl, and he couldn't use his strength, okay?
"Second, if someone our family can't afford to offend, but the Jing Palace can easily handle, comes to your grandfather and asks for Ping'an's hand in marriage. In that case, your grandfather might seriously consider the marriage for Ping'an's safety, and then ask the Yuan and Wen families to lobby for it, and maybe it will be successful."
Neither of these two things is easy to do. Isn't it about opportunity? Then just wait! Anyway, I'll be fourteen if I survive the Chinese New Year safely. I can completely rely on my family.
The men did not return home to report the news, which made Yin Qianhua and Tong Mingyu, who were waiting for news at home, very anxious. They sent people to the gate in groups. Tong Mingyu was in no mood to deal with anything. She wanted to go outside and find her husband to ask him clearly.
Yun Ruonan was so anxious that she went to the gate to wait in person. What she wanted to hear most was the sound of her father and brother returning on horseback, the "da, da, da, da" sound of horse hooves.
Yin Qianhua kept looking at the hourglass. She made an important decision. If the father and son did not come back in half an hour, she would not give them any food tonight.
Why can't these careless men understand the feelings of the women who are waiting for news at home!
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