After lunch, the group was no longer in the mood to stroll around.

This was especially true for Xiao Wan’er.

Although she had gotten to eat the delicious meal she’d been craving thanks to Chen Yi, her mood had inevitably been affected.

Specifically, what Liu Wen had said about a "marriage proposal" made it difficult for her to calm down.

She was very worried that the Old Marquis would agree to a marriage alliance with the Jing State Liu Family.

It was just like how Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi’s marriage had been single-handedly arranged by the Old Marquis.

Before that, no one else in the Xiao Family knew about it.

If Xiao Jinghong hadn’t accepted, perhaps the entire Great Wei Dynasty would be laughing at the expense of the Xiao and Chen Families right now.

Now that a similar situation was happening again, and to her of all people, Xiao Wan’er couldn’t help but feel nervous and uneasy.

So much so that on the way back, she sat silently on one side of the carriage.

Her face, which had just regained some color, turned pale once more. Her delicate eyes gazed out at the dreary rain.

She was like a vibrant flower on the verge of withering—exquisitely beautiful, yet tinged with sorrow.

Chen Yi saw it all but could only pretend he knew nothing about it.

He tried to crack a few jokes along the way, but Xiao Wan’er remained lost in her worries.

Instead, it was Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie who were amused by his antics.

Before long, the carriage entered the Marquis’s Mansion.

Without waiting for Xie Tingyun to return from the stables, Xiao Wan’er instructed Shen Huatang to take her to Qingjing Residence under an umbrella.

Chen Yi wanted to follow, but on second thought, he felt it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Whether the marriage alliance happened or not was an internal matter for the Xiao Family, and the decision would ultimately be made by the Old Marquis.

Never mind him, a mere husband married into the Xiao Family; even Xiao Wan’er’s own wishes were unlikely to sway the Old Marquis’s decision.

In this era, the saying "a parent’s command, a matchmaker’s word" was not just empty talk.

This was especially true for Noble Families like the Xiao Family.

The marriages of their children were mostly used to ensure the family’s continuation or to forge new paths for advancement.

Just like Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu.

Just like Xiao Jinghong and him.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yi patted Xiao Wuge on the shoulder, pointed at the departing Xiao Wan’er, and said in a low voice,

"You haven’t gone to pay your respects to the Old Marquis in a long time."

Xiao Wuge froze for a second, then remembered the last time Chen Yi had told him to go to Qingjing Residence to eavesdrop. His eyes darted around as he said,

"Brother-in-law, I want to learn to play chess with you at the mansion tomorrow."

Chen Yi chuckled, patting his head. "I can’t make that decision. You’ll have to ask your Big Sister and see if she agrees."

"Brother-in-law, if you’re the one who asks, Big Sister will definitely agree."

Seeing that Xiao Wan’er had already entered the central courtyard, Chen Yi agreed. "I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee anything."

Xiao Wuge giggled. "It’ll definitely work."

With that, he ran after Xiao Wan’er and Shen Huatang, completely ignoring the rain that was still falling.

Chen Yi shook his head and muttered, "That kid’s getting smart," then told Xiaodie to follow them.

Xiaodie paused and hesitated. "Sir, then how will you get back?"

"I’m not going back yet. I have some business to take care of in the West Market."

"Then..."

"If you wait any longer, Wuge will be soaked to the bone."

Although Xiaodie didn’t quite grasp the expression, she understood he was worried about Young Master Wuge.

Without another word, she quickly opened her oil-paper umbrella and hurried after them.

Once they were some distance away, Chen Yi looked up at the sky.

The dreary rain was still falling, but it was much lighter than it had been at noon.

The wind from the north blew the rain into southward-slanting lines.

Chen Yi let the fine droplets hit his face, feeling their slight chill as his heart grew calm.

’The Jing State Liu Family...’

’It seems they’re dead set on taking a pound of flesh from the Xiao Family.’

With that thought, Chen Yi averted his gaze, calmly turned, and left the Marquis’s Mansion, heading for the West Market.

His figure, unprotected by an umbrella, walked with steady steps through the curtain of rain.

Fading into the distance.

...

Xiao Wan’er hurried to Qingjing Residence, followed by Xiao Wuge, who wore a mischievous smile.

As soon as she reached the residence, she heard faint voices coming from the main hall.

"...My Liu Family’s junior came to Shu State for the first time and, not knowing the rules, caused some offense. I hope you can forgive us, Marquis."

"I am not aware of any offense."

"You are a man of great importance, Marquis. It’s only natural you wouldn’t concern yourself with the business of a mere Medicine Hall, hehe..."

’Someone from the Liu Family?’

Xiao Wan’er froze, her hands clutching her chest as she stared at the main hall. She unconsciously bit her lip, her expression tinged with worry.

Xiao Wuge heard the voices from inside as well. He looked up at her, then took her hand and asked in a low voice,

"Sister, can I go pay my respects to Grandfather?"

Xiao Wan’er snapped back to her senses and shook her head gently. "Let’s wait."

Even though she didn’t know who from the Liu Family had come, just hearing the words "Liu Family" threw her mind into turmoil, making her even more anxious than before.

She didn’t know how to describe it.

Resistance, hesitation, worry...

Amid the complex emotions, it all boiled down to three words: I am unwilling.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the person inside finally said his goodbyes.

Only then did Xiao Wan’er relax.

Fortunately, during that time, she hadn’t heard words like "marriage alliance" or "proposal" from inside.

Before long, the Old Marquis, leaning on his cane, escorted a slightly paunchy, middle-aged man in fine clothes out of the main hall.

"When you go back, give my regards to Liu Xuan. We haven’t seen each other in many years, and I fear we won’t have the chance to meet again."

"This junior will certainly pass on your words, Marquis."

The somewhat portly middle-aged man spoke and bowed respectfully. "Marquis, please, don’t trouble yourself further. This junior will be on his way."

"Very well."

When the middle-aged man turned and saw Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Wuge at the entrance, he paused for a moment, then smiled and bowed as well.

"You must be Miss Wan’er and the Young Master, I presume?"

The Old Marquis made the introduction. "Wan’er, Wuge, this is Liu Yu, of the Jing State Liu Family."

Xiao Wan’er hesitated before giving a slight curtsy. "Wan’er greets Uncle Liu."

Xiao Wuge greeted him as well.

Liu Yu sized them up and praised, "Miss Wan’er is indeed as gentle and graceful as the rumors say."

"And the Young Master is a dragon among men. I’m sure he will one day carry on Brother Fengchun’s legacy and bring glory to the family name."

The Old Marquis glanced at him and said with a chuckle, "Now those are words I like to hear."

After looking at Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Wuge, Liu Yu suddenly turned his head and asked, "I wonder, would my Liu Family be so fortunate as to marry into your esteemed family?"

For a rare moment, the Old Marquis was stunned.

Beside him, Xiao Wan’er’s heart leaped into her throat. Her mind went blank, and she felt a strange wave of dizziness.

’It’s here.’

In the end, the Old Marquis was far more experienced. He feigned confusion and asked, "My good nephew, what do you mean by that?"

Liu Yu decided to lay it all out. "To be honest with you, Marquis, before I came to Shu State, my elder brother gave me instructions."

"If you agree, Marquis, my Liu Family hopes to join with the Xiao Family in marriage to strengthen the relationship between the Xiao and Liu Families."

"What are your thoughts on this, Marquis?"

The Old Marquis glanced at the stunned Xiao Wan’er, his expression unchanging as he spoke.

"I recall that the eldest legitimate son of your Liu Family’s main branch is already engaged, is he not?"

"You are correct, Marquis. My eldest nephew, Liu Wu, is indeed engaged."

"However, the second son of the main branch, Liu Wen, is not yet betrothed."

"His scholarship, talent, and Martial Arts are all superb. He would be a fine match for Miss Wan’er."

Before the Old Marquis could speak, Xiao Wan’er, who had heard everything, said with a pale face,

"I... I do not agree..."

Liu Yu glanced at her, then looked back at the Old Marquis as if he hadn’t heard a word she said.

’A parent’s command, a matchmaker’s word—was that just for show?’

The Old Marquis looked at Xiao Wan’er, who was biting her lip, and said after a moment’s thought, "Allow me to decline this matter for now."

"I will make a final decision after I have corresponded by letter with the main branch of your Liu Family."

The smile on Liu Yu’s face froze, and a flash of displeasure crossed his eyes, but he said nothing more.

"In that case, this junior will take his leave."

"Marquis, please take care."

The Old Marquis nodded. He watched him walk out of Qingjing Residence, waited a moment, and only then turned to Xiao Wan’er with a smile, beckoning her over.

"The wind is strong out here. Come inside to talk."

Xiao Wan’er nodded numbly and followed him inside.

Xiao Wuge, however, rushed forward and spoke first. "Grandfather, that Jing State Liu Family is so awful! I don’t agree to any proposal either."

The Old Marquis chuckled, patting his lap for the boy to sit. He asked with a smile,

"You know the people of the Liu Family are awful?"

Xiao Wuge nodded. "I heard Big Sister say before that if the Liu Family hadn’t been causing trouble, our family’s Medicine Hall business wouldn’t have been affected."

"Brother-in-law also said... um..."

Seeing the boy clamp a hand over his mouth, the Old Marquis’s interest was piqued. "What did your brother-in-law say?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Brother-in-law said something about how a tall tree attracts the wind, and that our family has become a target."