The Xiao family hadn't expected things to turn around so quickly. In just a few days, their daughter had gone from a troubled beauty to someone worthy of sympathy. Tong Mingyu hadn't expected such a change, and she couldn't help but look forward to her daughter's future again.
"This time, we are grateful for the help of Prince Jing. If it weren't for his full support, Ping An's life would probably be over." Tong Mingyu said with lingering fear, but she no longer mentioned the matter between her daughter and Prince Jing even in front of her husband.
Knowing that the two children are no longer suitable to be together, why bother to mention it again! No matter what her daughter looks like in the eyes of others, in Tong Mingyu's heart she is the best and deserves the best person to treat her wholeheartedly.
Xiao Jingkang also holds the same mentality. He has never looked down on his daughter because of other people's criticism. He will only feel more and more distressed and pity her. If there is someone who really wants to marry his daughter and they are a good match, he will safely hand his daughter over to him. If this person never appears, he does not want to let his daughter down.
The couple chatted about family matters, tacitly avoiding talking about their daughter's marriage or topics related to Yun Yichen.
Xiao Yao herself wasn't affected at all. She wasn't a real ancient person, so how could she be so overwhelmed by such a small blow? On the contrary, if this incident could postpone her marriage or even prevent her from getting married, she would be more than happy to do so!
As usual, she rushed back and forth between her home and the princess's mansion every day. Her family either sent Li Jiaoying to accompany her or Yuan Yutong to accompany her. There was also the unshakable Xiao Yuan, who even wanted to accompany Xiao Yao to the toilet. It was really speechless.
Xiao Yao knew that no matter what she said, it would be useless. If they wanted to follow her, then so be it! As long as it could make her family feel at ease, she would do anything.
After observing his daughter for a few days and seeing no change, Xiao Jingkang left the house. Now, all matters in the Xiao family's backyard were handled by Tong Mingyu and Xiao Yao. All matters outside were left to Xiao Jingkang.
When he finished his work and was about to go home, he heard someone calling him from behind.
"Where are you going, Brother Xiao? Could you please have a cup of tea?"
Xiao Jingkang turned his head and saw King Jing walking towards him with a smile on his face.
"Xiao Jingkang greets Prince Jing." Xiao Jingkang greeted Prince Jing according to etiquette, and stood where he was, neither moving forward nor making any intention to continue the conversation with Prince Jing.
Prince Jing chuckled to himself. The Xiao family was indeed different. Unlike other families, they were not so eager to send their daughter to the Prince Jing's palace. Now it seemed that they wanted to break off the engagement. His son had waited for so many years, and he and his wife also loved Ping An. He believed that his daughter would not agree with the Xiao family's approach.
The relationship was set, and it would last until the end. King Jing didn't care how awkward Xiao Jingkang was or how embarrassed his expression was, he just pulled him up and left.
When the two entered the private room of Juxianlou, Prince Jing immediately put on a serious expression. After pouring Xiao Jingkang a cup of tea, he immediately said, "Brother Xiao, do you think that we in Prince Jing's Mansion are the kind of people who change our minds with the wind and don't keep our promises? My husband and I, Achen, and my daughter all know exactly what kind of child Ping An is. We will not look down on Ping An because of those rumors outside. We will only feel more sorry for her.
If our family wasn't sincere, Achen wouldn't be so busy and absent all day, just to help Ping'an restore his reputation and to help the old man vent his anger. He has offended many people so far. Would he do this if he didn't really want to marry Ping'an?"
"You won't look down on Ping An because of what happened a while ago? No matter how others look at my daughter, she is the best in my heart. If I can't find someone who loves her wholeheartedly, I would rather support her for the rest of her life." Xiao Jingkang spoke out his true feelings. If Prince Jing's Mansion agreed with his statement, the two families would need to continue the talks; if Prince Jing hesitated at all, he would not have to stay.
"Of course not. My wife has mentioned several times that she wanted to go visit my wife and Ping An. I stopped her because I was afraid of attracting the attention of the Han family and Xie Zhuoliang. You don't know that she is worried about Ping An and my wife. Her teeth are so swollen that she has trouble eating."
"It is wrong of us to make the princess worry. Please ask Prince Jing to tell the princess that Ping An and his mother are doing well now. Please take care of your health as well."
"We are all one family from now on, so why do we have to be so polite? Brother Xiao, do you think what I said makes sense?" King Jing really wanted a clear reply today. His son was nineteen in a blink of an eye, and he would be twenty after the New Year. He really couldn't wait any longer!
"Since you said so, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse again, but as for my old father..." I have no say in his decision at all!
"Let's find a solution together." Prince Jing believed that after this incident, Old Marquis Xiao's attitude would change. He would realize that without the support of Prince Jing's Mansion, Xiao Yao would face only two choices: becoming a monk or being taken away by Prince Qi's Mansion or Prince Qin of Northern Jin.
Without a powerful force to rely on, the Xiao family is simply unable to protect Xiao Yao. King Jing understands this, Xiao Jingkang also understands this, and I believe that the old Marquis Xiao understands it even better.
Towards evening, a dusty young man rode a fast horse straight to the Xiao family. After the man dismounted and stood still, the doorman looked at him carefully for a long time before recognizing who he was.
"Tang...Tang Zhuangyuan, where are you from?" Didn't he go back to Suzhou? Why did he suddenly appear outside the Xiao family's door?
"I'm here to apologize. Ever since I came to Kyoto to study, I, Tang Hao, have been under the care of the Xiao family and the Third Young Master. I wanted to express my gratitude by sending gifts on the old marquis' birthday, but I didn't expect it to be misunderstood by someone, causing a lot of trouble for the Xiao family and Miss Xiao. Tang Hao has come here today specifically to apologize."
It turned out that Tang Zhuangyuan gave the gift because he was a classmate of the third young master of the Xiao family, and not because he missed the young lady at all.
The onlookers nodded to show that they believed what he said and accepted his reasons.
"Tang Hao, how did you know about this?" Xiao Yang rushed to the gate after hearing the report. He was very puzzled. Who on earth tipped him off?
"A distant relative of mine in Kyoto wrote to me and told me that." Tang Hao answered with an evasive look. In fact, he didn't know who had passed the message to him. The other party wanted him to write a letter to explain the birthday gift.
Tang Hao didn't expect that he would cause such a big trouble because of himself. He felt even more guilty towards the Xiao family and Xiao Yao. After careful consideration, he chose to go to Beijing in person to express his sincerity.
He also had a selfish desire, hoping to meet Xiao Yao and apologize to her in person.
Perhaps she and I were truly not meant to be! Meeting at the wrong time, no matter how much sincerity or effort we put in, it would be in vain. Take the matter of Lord Xiao's birthday, for example. I was clearly filial and well-intentioned, but I didn't expect it to end up like this.
The Xiao family must hate him! And Xiao Yao didn't know if she blamed him.
"Let's go! Let's talk outside." Xiao Yang helped Tang Hao up, patted his shoulder, and asked his followers to bring him a horse. At this time, Xiao Yang would never bring anyone into the Xiao family.
It was not until the night deepened and all the lanterns were lit that Xiao Yang returned home with blurry eyes and unsteady steps.
To his surprise, except for Qin and the two girls, everyone else gathered in the hall, and it was obvious that they were waiting for him.
"Hey! It's so late, why don't you go to bed?" The family couldn't stay calm when something happened to their sister. What if she got married one day... Xiao Yang shook his head to get rid of the thought, but he knew in his heart that this day was getting closer and closer.
"Tang Hao just came to apologize and will go back after a few days of rest. He also asked if we have anything to bring to grandpa and grandma?" She rejected all other requests. Although his deep affection for her sister was touching, she could only choose the latter between him and her sister.
"Anyway, he's here for your sister's sake. When he returns to Suzhou, go see him off at the city gate!" Xiao Jingkang still had a good impression of Tang Hao. If he were a Kyoto native, if he respected his daughter from the bottom of his heart, if his family loved and tolerated Ping An like the Jingwang Mansion did...
All of this only shows that the two children are not destined to be husband and wife. The relationship between the daughter and Tang Hao, and the Xiao family and Tang Hao can only end here.
The next day, Tang Hao sent people to post notices at major intersections in Kyoto, explaining in detail the reasons and consequences of his visit to the Xiao family to celebrate the birthday, and stated that he would stay in Kyoto for three days. If anyone had any questions, they could come to him.
It has to be said that Tang Hao's method was very effective. In just one day, the people accepted this statement.
When Xiao Yang came to see Tang Hao again, he saw a young man who was bookish, elegant and gentle.
"Thank you for everything you have done." Xiao Yang expressed his gratitude sincerely. With Tang Hao's proof, his sister's future would be much smoother. In addition, everything that Prince Jing had done, even if it could not completely restore his sister's reputation, it was enough to shut up most people.
Is this a thank you? I came all the way from Suzhou to Kyoto just to help her once. If the Xiao family is willing to give me another chance, if I can see my sweetheart one more time before returning to Suzhou, I will have no regrets on this trip.
"When you leave, I'll see you off."
"Brother Xiao, can you let me..."
"cannot."
One made a sincere request, the other refused without hesitation.
The room suddenly became eerily quiet, with the sound of a pin drop being audible.
"I understand. I will leave Kyoto in two days and probably... will never come back. Take care, Brother Xiao." Tang Hao said with a wry smile, with obvious disappointment on his face. It was really a wrong step, and then all the steps went wrong!
"All I can do in this matter is to say sorry. My sister is in a bad situation right now, and I hope you can understand."
Tang Hao forced a smile that was uglier than crying. He couldn't help her much, so he decided not to make things worse! Tang Hao suddenly recalled the first time he met Xiao Yao. Back then, she was carefree and innocent. He really hoped she could live that kind of life again, with a smooth life and eternal happiness!
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