Chapter 5
The Old Princess rolled her eyes at her oblivious grandson. It seemed someone had deliberately set out to intimidate this young woman.
However, since the girl claimed the Ruan Marquis Residence had sincerely sought her hand in marriage, The Old Princess wondered if she might have overthought things.
But then, seeing the courtyard filled with dowry gifts, she suddenly understood why the Ruan Marquis Residence was so insistent on marrying this Li Family girl.
Still, considering the Ruan Marquis Residence’s negligence, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her grandson to send the girl back now.
"Young lady, since you are the Ruan Marquis Residence’s new bride, surely they will send someone to fetch you soon," The Old Princess said with a smile, looking at Li Zhiwei.
Li Zhiwei’s heart sank at her words. It seemed The Old Princess had no intention of helping her.
She sighed inwardly. Of course—why would anyone go out of their way for her? She had nothing to offer in return.
"Grandmother, the heir of the Ruan Marquis Residence married someone else three days ago. Don’t you remember? You even sent Uncle Liu to deliver congratulatory gifts!" Xu Qingshi protested indignantly.
Only then did The Old Princess recall that such an event had indeed taken place. She turned back to Li Zhiwei. "Young lady, did the Ruan Marquis Residence provide you with a marriage contract?"
The Old Princess wondered—could it be that the Ruan Marquis Residence intended for this Li Family girl to be the heir’s concubine?
But if she were merely a concubine, such a grand display of dowry was unacceptable. A concubine’s dowry must never surpass the principal wife’s, let alone this extravagant display of one thousand three hundred and sixty dowry chests. How many noble wives in the capital even possessed such wealth?
"Your Highness, yes. Here is the marriage contract between the Ruan Marquis Residence and myself," Li Zhiwei replied without hesitation, pulling the document from her sleeve. She was relieved she had kept it on her person—normally, such things were stored among the dowry.
But she had carried it with her.
The Old Princess took the contract and examined it. It clearly stated that the Li Family girl was to be wed as the principal wife.
Three days ago, the Lin Family had announced the heir’s marriage to his principal wife. Still, this was another family’s affair, and as an outsider, she had no right to interfere.
Yet it was obvious—this girl had been deceived by the Lin Family.
"Xu Qingshi, what trouble have you caused now?" Xu Heming, summoned back by The Old Princess, stared at the courtyard filled with red silk, his scalp tingling with dread.
He couldn’t tell if this was The Old Princess forcing him into marriage or if Xu Qingshi had gotten greedy again.
And outside the estate, he had seen an impossibly long procession.
Was Xu Qingshi trying to bankrupt the Xu Family with all these purchases?
Hearing his father’s voice, Xu Qingshi ducked behind The Old Princess, pleading, "Grandmother, I just really wanted a mother! Besides, this elder sister is so beautiful—just imagine how perfect she’d look standing beside Father! And when they have pretty little siblings for me, they’ll be just as lovely!"
Xu Qingshi didn’t fully grasp the implications of his words. But he remembered Wei Herui’s mother wasn’t very pretty, and neither was Wei Herui.
The Old Princess, initially annoyed, now studied Li Zhiwei closely. Indeed, the girl was strikingly beautiful.
Suddenly, The Old Princess felt a surge of excitement.
It was no surprise Xu Qingshi adored beauty—he was handsome himself, and it ran in the family. The Old Princess had never had patience for ugliness.
"Young lady, how about considering my son instead?" The Old Princess blurted out impulsively.
The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them. But now that they were spoken, why not?
The Li Family the girl mentioned was unfamiliar—likely not a prominent noble house. If her son married her, so be it.
If the Ruan Marquis Residence dared make trouble, she had the means to handle it. After all, they were the ones who had deceived the girl first.
Even if this reached the Emperor, they wouldn’t have the moral high ground.
Li Zhiwei turned curiously toward the voice.
In her past life, she had only heard of the An Manor. After arriving in the capital, she had been confined to the Lin Family’s rear courtyard until her torment led to her death.
When the imposing man strode in, Li Zhiwei froze for a moment before lowering her gaze in shyness. Staring at a stranger was improper.
Xu Heming halted mid-step at the sight of a woman in bridal red standing in the hall. What fresh chaos was this?
"Father, I... I got you a new mother today! Look, isn’t she beautiful?" Xu Qingshi, relieved his father hadn’t roared his name in fury, pointed proudly at Li Zhiwei.
Nearby, Xie Yanzhi quickly bowed his head, silently praying, The Prince doesn’t see me! The Prince doesn’t see me!
Xu Heming felt fury surge through him.
A new bride? For him?
What a devoted son.
Was he afraid his father would die alone?
He had never seen someone so eager to find themselves a stepmother.
Xu Heming stormed forward, ready to grab the little troublemaker by the scruff, but in his rage, he tripped over a dowry chest and nearly fell.
"Grandmother, look! Father is so happy about his new mother that he can’t even stand straight!" Xu Qingshi declared solemnly.
The Old Princess glanced between her son and grandson and sighed.
She refused to acknowledge these two fools. This son couldn’t possibly be hers.
Such idiocy must have come from his father!
"You—how dare you crush my young mistress’s dowry! That pair of fertility vases took my lady ages to find!" Cuiguo, who had just caught up, gasped in horror at Xu Heming’s stumble.
"Cuiguo, it’s all right. His Highness didn’t mean to," Li Zhiwei quickly interjected.
If she didn’t speak up, the Prince might demand Cuiguo’s life in apology. The nobility of the capital was not to be trifled with by a small family like theirs.
Xu Heming reined in his temper, studying Li Zhiwei with surprise. He had to admit—she was dazzling.
No wonder the brat had kidnapped her.
The Xu Family shared one trait: an appreciation for beauty.
"Young Mistress, why are you here?" Cuiguo, unfamiliar with the capital, had nearly lost her way chasing after them. Now, in this strange place, she was utterly confused.
"This young master brought me here," Li Zhiwei said helplessly, gesturing at Xu Qingshi.
"Xu Qingshi, care to explain?" Xu Heming glowered at his son.
"Father, everyone else has a mother, except for me. Since you refuse to give me one, I’ll just find one myself." Xu Qingshi spoke with such a pitiful expression that it tugged at The Old Princess's heartstrings. She couldn’t help but shoot a reproachful glance at her troublesome son.
