Chapter 30: An Overreaching Overture

Up to this point, Chi Yunjing had remained courteous, intending to show others that he was not the type of person to fawn over the powerful or look down upon the humble. Although there was a vast difference between his two sons-in-law’s families, as a father-in-law, he was strictly impartial.

Unfortunately, his warm welcome was not met with a kind response.

Mother Lü immediately attempted to assert dominance with a cutting, sarcastic remark: "Since the Vice Minister’s residence already has guests, you should have simply notified us to reschedule. Why insist on cramming us all together? It makes people think the Chi family daughter is so desperate to be married that she cannot wait a single moment!"

This single sentence caused the expressions of the otherwise composed Chi Yunjing and Old Madam Chi to darken instantly. However, constrained by the presence of guests from the Marquis of Haibo’s manor and the General of the State’s residence, they could not speak their minds and could only suppress their irritation.

"My eldest daughter’s betrothal ceremony was scheduled long ago," Chi Yunjing replied, offering a restrained reminder. "When Madam Lü sent word of the auspicious date, there was no mention that it could not coincide with others. I thought it would be a lively occasion, a chance to get acquainted early. Since we are to be relatives, is it not better to become familiar and start visiting sooner?"

Between the lines, he was practically telling the Lü family: "Open your eyes and look—are these people you would normally have the chance to meet? Instead of trying to curry favor, you dare to put on airs and get ahead of yourselves. How utterly ignorant!"

The Lü family naturally grasped the implication. Yet, for years, they had lived with inflated pride. Even knowing they were inferior in every aspect, they insisted that others bow and treat them with deference.

With that, Mother Lü swept her gaze across the guests before letting out a cold laugh. "It is good for relatives to visit, but it depends on the nature of the visit. Recently, Lady Lü sent word from the palace that the Seventh Princess had received the Emperor’s praise for her propriety. I believe this is a fine habit inherited from our Lü family’s tradition of honest living and scholarly farming. As for gold and jade, our family lacks for nothing, but we do not display such things so bluntly. Otherwise, wouldn't outsiders think the future in-laws are greedy for material wealth? Therefore, our gifts today may be modest, but they carry good intentions."

She then instructed her son, Lü Yi, to present a pair of wild geese.

"These geese were specially hunted by my son. It is not autumn, so they are rare. It is thanks to his superb horsemanship that he was able to bring them back without a single feather harmed. Look, Vice Minister Chi, these are not the kind you simply buy; one look at their eyes shows their wild spirit."

Once this was said, while others might have feigned politeness, Qiao Er and the young master Hai Yu could barely contain themselves. They were merely common wild geese—did he think he had performed some feat of legendary archery? Was this truly something to boast about?

Besides, were these not just ordinary geese? "Wild spirit"?

They were truly stunned. Did he really think these young noblemen only knew of romance and nothing of horsemanship or archery? They exchanged glances, suppressed smiles flickering in their eyes.

Lü Yi, looking around with pride, caught their expressions and felt a surge of resentment. Seeing the others either sipping tea with indifference or standing expressionless like Lady Guo, showing no sign of being impressed, he immediately wanted to lash out.

However, he could not "best" any of the people present. He scanned the room and chose the softest target, Chi Guizhao, adopting the air of an elder brother. "This must be the younger brother of the Chi family. Once I am married to your second sister, I shall take you out to see the world. My tutors at the academy always say that one must travel ten thousand miles."

"Oh? And what roads has Brother Lü traveled?"

Though young, Chi Guizhao saw through the Lü family’s deliberate posturing. He knew they picked on him simply because they dared not offend the others. He spoke with feigned innocence, intending to make Lü Yi embarrass himself.

Sure enough, Lü Yi’s expression faltered. He had only been to the outskirts of the city a few times. He spent his days either at home or at the academy, returning to his ancestral home for rites only once every two or three years. It was hardly "traveling ten thousand miles." Just as he was wondering how to extricate himself, a young woman he had not met before spoke up.

"Young Master Chi’s question is somewhat misplaced. Young Master Lü is not a wandering knight; traveling aimlessly would naturally be inappropriate. His current priority should be next spring’s imperial examination. If he places high, that would bring honor to the second Miss Chi, would it not?"

As He Lingyi spoke, everyone’s attention shifted to her. Beside her, Chi Guiwan looked puzzled, not understanding why she would say such a thing. But upon seeing He Lingyi give her a calm look that signaled "do not worry," Chi Guiwan composed herself, assuming He Lingyi had her own plans, and remained silent.

Hearing such "knowledgeable" words, the Lü mother and son felt gratified.

They looked at He Lingyi with newfound favor. Mother Lü immediately asked with a smile, "This young lady is very sensible. May I ask how to address you?"

He Lingyi rose and performed a formal bow for elders. "I am from the He family of Nanzhou."

"The Nanzhou He family? Are you the granddaughter of the great scholar Master He?"

Lü Yi asked in surprise. As a scholar, there was likely no one who did not know the reputation of the Nanzhou He family. Since the great scholar had only one relative, his granddaughter, he naturally made this assumption.

"Indeed."

Suddenly, the way the mother and son looked at He Lingyi changed. While it was not the affection between a man and a woman, they knew that having any connection with the He family was advantageous. They straightened their attire, wore their most amiable expressions, and returned the bow.

"So it is Miss He. No wonder you have such insight. Shaotong has been disrespectful."

"Shaotong" was Lü Yi’s courtesy name. To use it toward a young lady he had just met struck Lady Qiao—a woman from a distinguished family—as utterly vulgar.

*Vice Minister Chi’s move is quite poor,* she thought. *Is he not afraid of the trouble this man will bring as a son-in-law?*

The thought that her own family, the General of the State’s residence, would have such a person as a brother-in-law left her deeply dissatisfied. However, she was always stern, so no one noticed her reaction, save for Qiao Er, who sensed his eldest sister-in-law was displeased.

It was understandable; today was meant to be a joyous occasion, and no one would be happy to watch such a farce. He hoped it would end soon, but then heard the future father-in-law, Chi Yunjing, speak.

"Today is a double celebration, and my Chi residence is honored by your presence. We have arranged a meal in the floral hall; I hope you will all grant me the favor of your company. This way, please."

Chi Yunjing saw through Lü Yi’s thoughts and found him truly repulsive. That was why he spoke up—to remind him of the purpose of his visit! Instead of focusing on his future wife, he was busy fawning over Miss He—what kind of behavior was that?

His eyes chilled, though he kept a pleasant expression on his face.

Everyone present was a seasoned player; they all understood Chi Yunjing’s mind. Thinking that they would be family soon, no one refuted him. However, the Lü mother and son seemed to have cotton in their ears and continued to direct their gazes toward He Lingyi, chatting with her as they walked.

He Lingyi felt so disgusted she could have retched, but for the sake of the plan ahead, she was forced to endure.