Bai Qiong and Bai Lu hurriedly bid their farewells, appearing somewhat disheveled.
Father and daughter boarded a beautifully decorated four-wheeled carriage in front of the Tian'en Marquis Mansion.
Accompanied by a few horse-mounted servants, the carriage traveled dozens of yards along Tian'en Street. Suddenly, Bai Qiong leaped up from his seat and kicked the carriage wall forcefully.
"Arrogant, audacious, filthy dog! How dare he? How dare he?"
"A pledge worth a thousand taels? A pledge worth a thousand taels?"
"You wretch, aren't you afraid of being choked to death?"
Bai Qiong angrily growled in a low voice, his face contorted, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. "Fine, fine, fine! You dirty mutt, refusing to accept a toast but still indulging in punishment! Very well!"
Bai Lu sat quietly beside him, twisting a silk handkerchief in her hands, her gaze hazy as she murmured softly, "Father, to be honest, his talents and knowledge are excellent."
She sighed softly. "If not for Lord Lu's demise and Uncle Lu being unreliable, his family's fortunes wouldn't have declined so rapidly. Ah!"
Bai Qiong's face grew cold, and he returned to his seat.
He looked at his precious daughter, mocking her with a cold smile. "Talents, knowledge, are these things useful? Are they? In the current Da Yin, what matters is family background and ancestry."
"If his grandfather were still alive or if his father had succeeded his grandfather's position as a captain of the Yulin Guards. Tsk!"
"But now, he cannot rely on the Marquis of Lai's mansion."
"When his grandfather was alive, he had a favorable relationship with the Marquis of Lai's mansion. However, with the rise of the Tian'en Marquis, his branch of the family split from the Marquis of Lai's mansion."
"Can he expect Hu, who hates us so much that she wants to move our family back to her natal home, to allocate the mansion's resources to someone from his collateral branch?"
"Without the support of a family, even if you are extremely talented and well-educated, even if you work hard to pass the imperial examinations and become a xiucai or a bocai, what of it? It is far inferior to a prestigious clan selecting a filial and literate talent and directly advancing to great glory!"
"That Lu Xian boy is not a suitable match for you."
Bai Qiong contained his anger and looked at his daughter, who was both beautiful and spirited, proudly saying, "Over these years, our lord and your uncles have exhausted every effort to build up your status, reputation, and hopes. What were they seeking?"
"For your future, even if you can't be a royal consort, you must at least be matched with the legitimate son of a clan that has enjoyed prosperity for a millennium."
Bai Lu's face grew even redder, and she bashfully scolded her father.
She stomped her foot forcefully, hesitated, and asked Bai Qiong, "But father, since he is unwilling to relent and Lady Tian'en Marquis supports him, having this marriage contract in his hands poses a significant, significant risk."
Mentioning the word "risk," Bai Lu's face turned pale, and she bit her lip, gripping the handkerchief tightly, nearly tearing it in two.
"Our family's reputation is currently well-regarded in court. Not to mention our grandfather, father, and uncles, even I, as a daughter, have an impeccable reputation!"
Bai Lu looked at Bai Qiong with great concern.
If Lu Xian held onto the marriage contract, Bai Lu would be suspected of being a commodity for sale. If news of this were to spread, it would be a severe stain. Who among those prestigious clans and noble families would tolerate such a woman entering their doors?
Bai Qiong flicked his sleeve and, though his expression was gloomy, he returned to his seat.
He glanced at his daughter, who had a charming and vibrant appearance, and smiled smugly. "After all these years, the old master, your father, and your uncles squeezed their brains to accumulate power, nurture expectations, and build a reputation for you. What were they seeking?"
"Even if you can't marry into the royal family, you must marry a legitimate son of a clan with a thousand-year heritage. That Lu Xian boy is not worthy."
Pursing his lips, Bai Qiong contemptuously sneered as if commanding a thousand troops and horses, casually waving his hand. "A mere yellow-mouthed brat, gone in the blink of an eye. Nothing more."
Pausing for a moment, Bai Qiong narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Just wait and see tonight."
The carriage quickly moved away, but Bai Qiong's sigh still faintly echoed from within.
"It's just that tonight's arrangement has fallen short and carries some risks, leaving some loose ends."
"Hateful boy, your father and I went to great lengths to arrange for Lu Jun to suppress and harass you at the clan school, tarnishing his reputation in the Lu clan, all to find a legitimate reason for a broken engagement."
"Who would have thought that this ignorant brat would actually say such words as 'a pledge worth a thousand taels'?"
Tian'en Marquis Mansion, reception hall.
Lady Hu looked at Lu Xian with great anticipation. Her previously sullen face was now filled with a radiant smile. She appeared even more charming, like a blooming flower, as lovely as a young girl.
Lu Xian sat upright in Bai Qiong's vacant seat, holding a cup of fresh tea, observing Lady Hu seriously.
"A gentleman's word is as good as gold. This is an undeniable truth."
"If the Bai family wants to break off the engagement, I understand their reasoning. My Lu Xian family has fallen from grace, and I am now a penniless youth. I am not worthy of their daughter. That is a fact."
"We men are responsible for our own actions. If I were to speak honestly and sincerely, I would naturally be calm and benevolent. But if you scheme to undermine and suppress me for the past four years, I, being petty, won't let you off without paying a price!"
"Your cunningness and Hu's ruthlessness, who knows how to make a tiger pounce on a wolf, just wait and see the show."
(End of this chapter)