Chapter 31: Negotiation (Part 1)

Xiao Jingyan did not expect that while he was observing others, he himself had become the center of admiration. The two Miss Fangs were captivated, thinking how there could be such a good-looking man—describing him as dashing and charming seemed too weak and inadequate.

Both sisters thought simultaneously: if this man could become their husband, life would be complete. Fang Qinglian tried hard to showcase her flamboyant peacock-like attire to Xiao Jingyan, while Fang Qinghe thought that this man was beyond her reach and decided to just admire him from afar.

Fang Yufu was dissatisfied with his grandson’s performance. Even such a trivial matter was not handled well, making his earlier instructions to him seem in vain.

Madam Fang shielded her grandson with her body to prevent him from being scolded by the master. As for whether he would face reprimands at home, she could not afford to think about it now.

She did not understand what was so special about that girl. How could she catch the master’s eye so firmly that he wouldn’t consider anyone else? Her grandson did not dare to approach her now; how could he not be bullied in the future? The more she thought about it, the more indignant she felt on behalf of her grandson.

“Fang Yuanwailang, please come in.” Steward Feng stepped forward, interrupting the awkward atmosphere.

Xiao Jingyan carried Xiao Yao with large strides toward a nearby courtyard, as though staying a moment longer would result in his little niece being snatched away.

He returned to his study to teach his niece about the propriety between men and women, establishing from an early age that apart from Xiao family men, no other male—whether aged eighty or newly born—should come close to her.

With so many of his own issues to deal with, Xiao Jingyan felt that worrying about his niece on top of it all was pushing him towards premature aging.

“Who was that just now…?” Fang Yufu asked tentatively, unsure of the man’s identity.

“He is our Fourth Master,” was the brief reply, offering no further introduction.

This simple title left varying impressions among the crowd. Fang Yufu saw no need to associate with someone without an official post or influence. Miss Fang Qinglian, however, found him to be a suave, elegant figure—an ideal suitor that was rare and elusive.

Daydreaming and wishful thinking seemed to be a Fang family tradition, each generation outdoing the previous one.

“Master, you should meet the general. We will visit the backyard to see the young mistress and have the children pay their respects to the grand-aunt,” Madam Fang suggested, assuming this visit would be the same as the last, where they met Madam Qin directly.

“Madam Fang may not know this, but our lady had made a vow before the Bodhisattva to personally transcribe one hundred Buddhist scriptures and offer them at the altar for the general’s safe return. She has been confined to the Buddhist hall ever since, meeting no one,” Steward Feng explained, repeating the instructions that Xiao Jingkang had given long ago.

In truth, General Xiao had no intention of letting his wife know about the Fang family’s visit. He had initially thought that discussions about the marriage would involve only the couple but had not expected them to bring the whole family.

“We can visit the main wife instead,” Madam Fang suggested.

At this time, the main wife should indeed be in high spirits. Her husband had been promoted, she firmly held the reins of the household, and her courtyard was neat and spotless. How could such good fortune always fall to her? Life was unfair.

“Our general requests that everyone go to the drawing room,” Steward Feng, unwilling to negotiate further, led them there. The backyard was off-limits today—what if Madam saw them?

In the drawing room, General Xiao and Xiao Jingtai were sipping tea and chatting about current affairs, while Xiao Jingkang and Xiao Jingmin played chess, the atmosphere relaxed and carefree.

Were they not taking the Fang family seriously at all, or had they already devised a winning strategy? Fang Yufu began to feel unsure.

“Greetings, General Xiao. Greetings, esteemed gentlemen of the Xiao family.” Fang Yufu, despite his reluctance, had no choice but to lower his head in deference given the circumstances.

General Xiao barely responded with a faint “Hmm.”

“Fang Yuanwailang, no need for such formality,” Xiao Jingkang replied indifferently, his tone unreadable as he gestured for them to sit.

Xiao Jingtai and Xiao Jingmin nodded slightly, their demeanor making it clear that they deferred entirely to their elder brother.

The others stepped forward to pay their respects. The aura of General Xiao, imbued with authority and ferocity, made them all tremble with fear. The youngest boy simply hid behind his grandmother, refusing to show himself despite his grandfather’s coaxing.

Once everyone was seated, the servants serving tea quietly withdrew, and Steward Feng personally closed the doors and dismissed everyone else, standing guard outside himself.

For a moment, silence engulfed the room.

“General, we missed your birthday celebration due to certain obligations. Fang humbly apologizes,” Fang Yufu began, though his eyes were fixed on Xiao Jingkang and Xiao Jingtai, suspecting them of orchestrating obstacles to his attendance.

“Everyone has times when they are too busy, especially since Fang Yuanwailang has just arrived in the capital and must have many pressing matters. We fully understand,” Xiao Jingkang replied with deliberate undertones, sipping tea leisurely without looking at anyone.

Understand my foot, Fang Yufu cursed internally. He wasn’t afraid of them discovering his connections with the Han family. If anything, it would be advantageous. Many sought an entry into the Han family without success, yet he had managed it.

Seeing Fang Yufu’s smugness, Xiao Jingkang chose to ignore him. He had encountered plenty of people who relied on borrowed influence, oblivious to the miserable ends that often awaited them.

After an exchange of veiled remarks, the room once again fell into silence.

“Our visit today is to seek the general’s instructions regarding the engagement between our grandson and granddaughter. What are your thoughts?” Madam Fang asked, still hoping to secure the marriage for her granddaughter.

“What does Madam Fang propose?” General Xiao finally spoke, curious about their intentions.

Madam Fang turned to her husband, hesitant to take the lead.

Fang Yufu regretted bringing his family, as they were more of a hindrance than a help. He thought grimly that whoever spoke first would lose the upper hand, as only those who remained composed could achieve great things.

“Please share your thoughts first, General. Everything is negotiable,” Fang Yufu said, masking his displeasure at his wife with a polite demeanor.

“I… I am willing to stay by Grand-Aunt’s side and serve her,” Fang Qinglian suddenly knelt in the center of the drawing room, summoning her courage to stammer out her request before exhaling deeply.

Her resolve to marry into the Xiao family had solidified upon seeing that gentleman at the gate.

Her unexpected action stunned both families, leaving them momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, the Xiao men merely sat back, ready to watch the drama unfold.

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