When the 永昌伯 (Yongchang Bo) decided to marry off Qiao Yujing to an old wealthy merchant from Jiangnan, he hesitated.

After all, he still didn’t know the background of his youngest son. Although he didn’t like this son, he was still his flesh and blood. No matter how much he despised him, he wouldn’t go so far as to lose his mind over it.

Moreover, the 伯府 (Bo Fu) had a reputation to uphold; selling off a son for money couldn’t be too blatant.

But he couldn’t resist the persuasion of his wife, the 伯夫人 (Bo Furen)!

Zou Shi had always vented her frustrations about not being favored by her husband onto her youngest son. She was even more worried about Qiao Yujing’s background being exposed, fearing that her husband would discover her past infidelity.

So, when the opportunity arose to marry her off far away, she spared no effort in pushing for it.

As for why she chose such an old man?

First, the Yun family from Jiangnan offered the highest betrothal gift, a whopping five hundred thousand taels of silver.

Second, torturing Qiao Yujing gave her a twisted sense of pleasure; it was like saying, “If I’ve been rained on, I’ll tear someone else’s umbrella apart.”

Having endured a long, unhappy marriage, lacking her husband’s affection, and having to force a smile while helping her rival raise children, Zou Shi had been repressed for so many years that her mental state was no longer normal.

Otherwise, who would be so cruel to their own child?

However, Qiao Yujing couldn’t understand, nor did he want to understand Zou Shi’s mental journey.

Yes, she had given him life, but coming into this world wasn’t his choice. His mother had never treated him well, so why should he understand her self-inflicted suffering?

He had already repaid the debt of life he owed Zou Shi through years of neglect, beatings, humiliation, and his death in his previous life.

He owed her nothing, and she could forget about controlling his life again.

……

When Qiao Yujing stormed into the main courtyard with a sword in hand, the servants and the couple from the 伯府 nearly died of fright.

“Unfilial son, what are you doing? Put down the sword! Do you want to kill your mother and father?”

“A young man wielding a sword to attack people, do you want to ruin your reputation…?”

The couple was so scared they nearly wet themselves, trembling as they scolded him.

The surrounding servants wanted to intervene, but Qiao Yujing had learned not only the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, but also dancing, and he particularly loved sword dancing. So naturally, he knew a few martial arts moves.

He was still the young master of the house, and even if he wasn’t favored, he was still the master, so it was normal that no one could stop him.

But Qiao Yujing didn’t have so many concerns.

He swung his sword wildly in the courtyard, scaring Zou Shi and her husband enough before he finally spoke.

“Reputation? You’re marrying me off to an old man who could be my father as a concubine, what reputation do I have left? Rather than being humiliated and suffering, I’d rather drag you down with me to die together. It would be a clean and easy end.”

As soon as he said this, the couple’s expressions changed, “Y-you know?”

Which servant had been so careless as to leak such important news? They were furious and resentful, but they felt no guilt towards their son.

Seeing their expressions, Qiao Yujing knew what they were thinking.

Fortunately, he had already died once, so he had no expectations of this couple.

Qiao Yujing felt no waves in his heart, but he put on a face of sorrow and anger, after all, he had to perform for the surrounding servants, showing that it was his parents who had wronged him and driven him mad, not that he was truly unfilial.

With tears streaming down his face, he choked out, “Father, Mother, what have I done wrong that you’ve never liked me from childhood to now? And now you want to humiliate me like this? The 伯府 is wealthy, when did it need to sell off its son for money?”

“Both I and my second brother are your own legitimate children. Why can my second brother marry the crown prince as a concubine, while I have to marry an old man who could be my father? And he’s just a merchant.”

“Is the 伯府 so poor that it needs to marry off its legitimate son so low just to exchange for silver…?”

The surrounding servants, upon hearing the truth, suddenly had different expressions.

Indeed, no matter how one looked at it, the third young master was still a young master of the 伯府, and his reputation in the capital was quite good. There was no way he should be matched with such a poor marriage. This wasn’t just ruining the third young master; it was also a disgrace to the 伯府.

How could the master and mistress do such a thing? Was the 伯府 really going to fall?

Stability among the household was crucial.

Such rumors must not spread.

Yongchang Bo immediately scolded, “Unfilial son, stop talking nonsense! The 伯府 is doing just fine, why would we need to sell off our son for money? Marrying you off to a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan is the result of the family’s careful consideration.”

“Since ancient times, marriage has been decided by the parents and matchmakers. You, a young master from the inner courtyard, should just obey. What nonsense are you making? Put down the sword and go back to your courtyard.”

Zou Shi nodded, suppressing her conscience as she scolded, “Being able to marry a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan is already your fortune. Do you want to be like your second brother and marry into a noble family?”

“Just look at yourself! You’re not as good-looking as others, your personality isn’t likable, and you dare to point a sword at your parents? You’re unfilial and unattractive; it’s already a miracle that someone wants you, and you still dare to be picky…”

The more she spoke, the worse it got, her tone filled with disgust.

This was how she usually scolded her youngest son, and now that she was on a roll, she could say anything.

“Fine, since you won’t let me live, then let’s die together!”

Qiao Yujing raised his sword again.

Having explained the situation clearly, there was no need for further nonsense. With people who couldn’t understand reason, he could only use his fists to make his point.

Otherwise, if he continued to argue, he would be the only one to get angry.

After all, he had already found a husband and wasn’t afraid of a bad reputation or not being able to marry out. As long as his second brother still wanted to marry the crown prince, the farce of the 伯府 wouldn’t spread, and he could act however he wanted.

The three of them chased each other around the courtyard like this.

Until other masters in the house heard the news and rushed over, carrying the disabled Qiao Grandmother, before the farce finally stopped, and everyone entered the hall to talk.

……

After a round of explanations, everyone understood the situation.

The concubines looked at Zou Shi and her husband with different eyes.

Although the 伯府 was currently in decline, it hadn’t reached the point of selling off its son for money, right? How could the master and mistress be so cruel to their own son?

What on earth was going on in the house that they needed to marry off their children to fill the gaps?

If even the legitimate third young master was treated this way, how terrible would the marriages of their illegitimate children be?

Seeing that things weren’t being clarified, a group of concubines and illegitimate children were also starting to stir, looking like they were ready to rebel. Yongchang Bo had no choice but to reveal the truth about the dowry for Qiao Yujing.

Yongchang Bo sighed, half-truthfully, “… It’s not that I’m biased; the second brother is the crown prince’s concubine. For the sake of the royal family’s face, our dowry cannot be less, otherwise, it would be a provocation to the royal family.”

“But the situation in the house is like this; we can’t sell off the ancestral property, right? In this case, we can only make things difficult for Jing Ge’er. He alone can bring back five hundred thousand taels, so there’s no need to let the other young ladies and young masters marry low.”

Saying this instantly turned the concubines and other children’s positions around.

Sacrificing the third young master for the happiness of everyone was quite a bargain!

Qiao Yulan immediately gloatingly said, “So that’s how it is, really worrying for father. Third brother, since you are a young master of the 伯府, you should contribute to the family. How can you point a sword at your parents for this?”

“Since the fourth sister thinks this marriage is a blessing, do you want this blessing for yourself?”

Qiao Yujing replied coldly.

Since childhood, this fourth sister had never gotten along with him. Clearly, he had never provoked her, but she always liked to find trouble with him. In his previous life, she even snatched his marriage, forcing him to hide in the family temple.

Unfortunately, despite her scheming, she didn’t end up well. Even if she snatched a good marriage, due to her personality, her relationship with her husband, in-laws, and children was terrible, living a life of constant quarrels.

However, her miserable past life was self-inflicted, and he would still take revenge!

He couldn’t be bothered to waste words with such a fool.

Qiao Yujing directly looked at the person in power.

“Father, Mother, Grandmother, calling you this way is out of respect, but it doesn’t mean you can suppress me with your elder status. Everyone knows how you’ve treated me over the years.”

“So, don’t expect me to have any feelings for the 伯府. And don’t say I’ve enjoyed the wealth of the 伯府; since I’m a young master of the 伯府, you have the obligation to support me. I didn’t choose to be born here.”

“When I get married, if you withhold my betrothal gift, then we’ll be even. If you want to control my marriage, that’s absolutely impossible. I’d rather we both perish.”

His attitude was clear, with no room for negotiation.

The disabled Qiao Grandmother was furious, but now that her limbs were disabled and her tongue cut, she couldn’t scold him, only glaring at him in anger.

This grandson was truly too unruly!

Zou Shi also angrily said, “Since ancient times, marriage has been decided by parents and matchmakers. You must agree to this marriage; I am your biological mother, and you must listen to me.”

Yongchang Bo didn’t speak; he always liked to let his wife be the villain while he played the good guy.

Qiao Yujing was the one benefiting, so he wouldn’t speak up either.

The other concubines and their children were also happy to watch the show.

Qiao Yujing looked around at everyone and sneered.

“You can choose anyone for this marriage, but I won’t agree. After all, there’s no one in this house that I care about. I don’t mind dragging everyone down with me.”

“Moreover, who says I can’t find a marriage with a high-ranking family? If you dare to randomly betroth me, my lover won’t spare you.”

His words were shocking.

One sentence left everyone present stunned, as if struck by lightning.

Qiao Yulan panicked and angrily shouted, “You’re actually having an affair while unmarried!”

“Yeah, if my second brother can have secret dealings with the crown prince, why can’t I have an affair while unmarried? Shout louder; it’s best if everyone knows that the young master of the Yongchang Bo’s residence doesn’t follow the rules.”

“Then the family’s reputation will be ruined, and my second brother won’t be able to be the crown prince’s concubine. You’ll all have to marry low or far away, but I’m different. My lover will still carry me into the house in a grand procession.”

Qiao Yujing laughed lightly, not caring about his reputation.

After all, he was the one without shoes, and he was currently that barefoot person.

Everyone was both angry and panicked.

But Qiao Yujing didn’t believe it, saying, “Third brother, since things have come to this, why put on a false front?”

He wore a gentle smile, but his tone was filled with unspeakable disdain, as if to say, with your appearance, what kind of powerful husband could you find?

“That’s really disappointing for my second brother. I believe my talents and looks should still qualify me to marry into a high-ranking family.”

Qiao Yujing glanced at him.

Using a handkerchief that had been soaked in medicine, he slowly wiped away the makeup that concealed his face.

As his true appearance was revealed,

His skin was as smooth as jade, and his posture was as graceful as a pine tree;

His beauty was stunning, unmatched!

Everyone present gasped, their expressions changing.

Qiao Yujing’s second brother directly knocked over the teacup beside him, his face filled with disbelief, jealousy, and anger.