Chapter 29: The Arrival of Scumbag Father Lu

She had been taught from a young age to be dignified and decorous, serving as a model for her younger siblings. Consequently, she often felt compelled to act in accordance with propriety, and over time, she had grown accustomed to presenting a stern face to the world.

Looking at Chi Guiwan, her future sister-in-law, she saw a spirit filled with heroism and a romantic innocence untouched by worldly constraints; naturally, she felt a twinge of envy.

She stepped forward to steady the young woman, and before they had even officially become sisters-in-law, she spoke with genuine warmth: "You look much better today than you did when you were ill. Our grandmother had intended to come as well, but being elderly, she is prone to sleepiness. After sleeping long yesterday afternoon, she suffered from insomnia at night, so she didn't join us. However, she personally selected some fine gifts—those eye-catching trunks over there; you may examine them later."

Her words were both polite and sincere, so much so that even Lady Qin, the Marchioness, felt that this future eldest sister-in-law was a fine match, and that her niece would surely live in harmony with her after marrying into the family.

"You are too kind, Madam. It should be I who calls upon the old matriarch to pay my respects."

The response was not particularly polished, but it was earnest. The eldest Lady Qiao nodded with a smile. "Grandmother will be delighted to see you."

Chi Guiwan’s smile was sweet, carrying a certain guileless innocence. Qiao Er, who had long run in the same circles as the second young master, Hai Yu, felt an inexplicable sense of kinship with her radiant expression.

Having learned that she had personally come to the Marquis's residence to kneel and beg for forgiveness, his previous prejudices against this eldest Miss Chi had faded significantly. In the words of the second young master, Hai Yu: "A crooked tree, once straightened, can still bear good fruit."

Thus, he was quite at ease with this marriage. Furthermore, he could see how much his eldest sister-in-law favored Miss Chi; to him, the eldest sister-in-law was as a mother, and as long as she was pleased, everything else was fine.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, and said to Chi Guiwan: "Please do not take offense at the foolish things I have done in the past. In the future, I will treat you well and we shall live our lives together."

Coming from a military family, he did not speak with the circuitous manners of a civil official. This was just as well, for Chi Guiwan would not have understood such subtlety anyway. She mimicked his gesture and declared: "Fair enough! If you do not mind me, young General Qiao, I shall certainly live well with you too!"

Their exchange sent everyone into a fit of laughter.

To those unaware, it might have seemed as though the two were swearing a brotherhood oath rather than entering into a matrimonial union. He Lingyi, standing to the side and observing Qiao Er—her future "father"—felt deeply satisfied. How wonderful; this was the kind of husband her mother deserved. To hell with the Lu family, who had caused her mother’s miserable death! She wanted to see how Chi Guiying would manage to turn the tables after this marriage was finalized.

Her smile carried a hint of triumph, a look that did not escape Lady Guo, whose hostility toward Chi Guiwan now spread to include everyone else. She was seething with resentment; such a fine son-in-law should have been hers. Why did Chi Guiwan, a girl who did nothing but stir up trouble, get to claim all the good things? A noble background, a stellar marriage, and even the promise of immense wealth—it truly paid to be born into the right family!

A dark, sullen expression clouded her face. She stood beside Chi Guiying, and had the bustling crowd turned to look at them, they would have instantly spotted her displeasure.

Lady Qin, the Marchioness, was no fool. While responding with a smile, she caught a glimpse of Lady Guo. After a moment of internal calculation, she took the initiative and spoke to Chi Yun, addressing him with measured, righteous intent: "It is a coincidence, but I dreamt of the late lady last night. She was overjoyed to know her daughter was to be married, yet she was somehow uneasy and begged me to look after her well. I suspect she simply worries for her daughter. So, brother-in-law, please do not be offended, but we wish to help make arrangements for Wan’er’s wedding. Would that be acceptable?"

The request was gentle, and Chi Yun had no reason to refuse. "Madam, you are too formal. Her mother passed away early, and as her aunt, it is only natural for you to help with the preparations. I am grateful for your kindness; how could I be offended?"

He then took the opportunity to project the image of a devoted father, picking up the list of dowry items and speaking with feigned sincerity: "The belongings her mother left behind were clarified by my late father-in-law years ago and registered in her name. They shall, of course, accompany her to the Qiao residence. These betrothal gifts from the Qiao family shall also be sent with her in their entirety. Furthermore, I shall add fifteen thousand taels and thirteen shops in the city to her dowry. I am ashamed to say this is all I, as a father, can manage. It cannot compare to the generosity of the Marquis’s residence or the General’s estate. I hope you do not find it meager."

The Marquis of Haibo sneered inwardly—a schemer, indeed. He made his words sound so graceful that it would be rude for them to complain about the small dowry.

Lady Qin, however, replied with a calm smile: "A dowry should be based on one's capacity. We are satisfied with what you have done, brother-in-law. Rest assured, the Marquis’s residence will handle the rest. We shall ensure this wedding is a grand affair, to honor the late lady’s dream."

Her true intent in visiting today was not to extract more from the Assistant Minister’s estate, but to ensure that what remained in the storerooms—along with the Qiao family’s gifts—would be enough to provide for her niece for a lifetime.

The Marchioness’s words were grand, and the Assistant Minister felt his own reputation burnished as a result.

The three families sat together, deliberating, and managed to finalize most of the arrangements for the wedding of Chi Guiwan and Qiao Ruoyu, setting the date for the twenty-ninth of the eleventh lunar month.

It would be quite cold by then, but with over four months remaining, there was ample time for preparations. Furthermore, the date had been selected by the Director of the Imperial Board of Astronomy, so Chi Yun nodded in agreement.

Just as they finished their discussion and were preparing to move the betrothal gifts to the Shijin Courtyard, the butler returned. His expression was just as festive as before, and he announced bluntly that the Lu family had arrived.

He Lingyi’s eyes lit up. They were here.

"Show them in."

"Very well, Master."

No matter how fast the servants moved, they could not clear away all the betrothal gifts in an instant. Thus, when the Lu family arrived with a matchmaker and the items for the engagement ceremony, they were met with an awkward scene as they entered the courtyard.

"This is..."

"Do not be offended, Madam Lu. These are the betrothal gifts sent by the Qiao family for the eldest daughter; we were just about to move them. Please, come inside!"

The butler’s words were innocent enough, but to the ears of the Lu mother and son, they sounded like a deliberate provocation. Was this not a public slap in the face? Knowing they could not afford such a lavish betrothal, the family had deliberately chosen this day. The mother and son exchanged a glance; they were already full of suppressed rage, feeling forced into this marriage, and now they felt that since the Chi family had shown no kindness, they need not show any righteousness either.

They walked into the front hall with their heads held high, ready to exchange greetings with the Chi family. Even though they were the only ones present without noble rank or title, they put on the most ostentatious display of all.

"Oh, so Madam Lu has arrived."