Chapter 6: Returning the Betrothal Gifts, Exchanging for Banknotes

“Yes, Miss, the Master wants you to come quickly!” Before the maid could even finish her sentence, the several young ladies who had arrived swaggering and aggressively had already vanished in a flurry of movement. None of them could be bothered to remember to teach Xiao Xi a lesson anymore.

The people restraining Xiao Xi beside her also left along with their masters, granting Xiao Xi her freedom. She pouted her small lips and glanced toward the direction of the Ouyang family's main residence front hall. That Ouyang Mo said this morning that he wanted to marry her; he wasn't actually serious, was he!

She hadn't originally wanted to marry into the Ouyang family this morning, but looking at it now, her only way out was to marry Ouyang Mo. Marrying him was certainly better than marrying a fool!

However, why did he send people to propose, yet Old Man Tang had people invite several older sisters instead of her? It was truly strange! Just what was he playing at?

Xiao Xi walked slowly back to her own small courtyard to see her mother. Thinking about how her mother had specially pleaded with that old man when she was taken away by the servants earlier, her heart ached uncontrollably. That old man was far too heartless. To actually allow his own wife to kowtow to him—he was truly so ruthless that it reached a level most people wouldn't dare to cross.

*

In the front hall.

The several young ladies were extremely excited. Their rapid departure just now hadn't been a direct flight to the front hall, but rather a return to their respective boudoirs to dress up meticulously. Although this Ouyang Mo, the wealthiest man in the four kingdoms, was already in his forties, he was very handsome—a man of mature charm. Most importantly, because of his vast family estate, even the emperors of the four kingdoms had to show him a degree of respect.

The head of the Tang family, Tang Mengyou, also wore a face full of excitement and agitation. If his daughter could marry into the Ouyang family and bear a son, wouldn't the Ouyang family's entire fortune fall into his daughter's hands in the future? He had long known that although Ouyang Mo had married eight wives, he had no children to his name.

He did not believe his daughter would marry in merely as a concubine; his gaze was far-reaching, thinking only of the Ouyang family's immense financial power.

At this moment, he was smiling broadly while stroking the beard on his chin, looking at his four beautiful, flower-like daughters with great satisfaction.

The Ouyang family butler, Fang Jun, glanced at the four Tang daughters and found that the Tang Xiao Xi mentioned by his master was not among them. He frowned and said, "Master Tang, the Miss Tang my master spoke of is not here."

"Not here!" Tang Mengyou was stunned, then immediately thought of his other daughter, Tang Xiao Xi. However, he was very unwilling for Ouyang Mo to have taken an interest in his youngest daughter, Xiao Xi. At this time, the Tang family matriarch, the First Madam, whispered to Tang Mengyou, "I heard from the servants that the girl Xiao Xi didn't return all night again last night. I truly don't know if she is still a virgin. If she marries in like this and the engagement is broken, where will the Tang family's face go!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Mengyou's furrowed brow instantly relaxed. It seemed his daughter's impurity suited his intentions. "I wonder if Butler Fang is referring to my useless youngest daughter, Tang Xiao Xi?"

Fang Jun nodded and smiled, "It is indeed Miss Tang Xiao Xi!"

The several Tang young ladies standing aside looked at each other, doubting if they had heard correctly. That high and mighty man, possessing immense wealth and a mature, seductive charm, would actually take an interest in that brat Xiao Xi? Was there some mistake? They were the true young ladies of the Tang family, weren't they? They were the best candidates to marry into the Ouyang family, weren't they?

A very awkward expression appeared on Tang Mengyou's face, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated. "That... my useless daughter, she... her character isn't very good! Most importantly, she... is likely no longer a virgin."

Fang Jun's face suddenly turned cold as he glared at Tang Mengyou. In his thirty-some years of life, this was the first time he had heard such words about one's own biological daughter from a biological father. It was truly absurd and heartless to the extreme!

"In that case, I will have these betrothal gifts carried back!" Fang Jun had no desire to deal with this Master Tang; such a person was truly trash. No wonder Tang Mengyou had squandered almost the entire Tang family estate!

Upon hearing that the other party was going to move those chests of rare treasures, gold, silver, and jade, Tang Mengyou instantly grew anxious. "Don't, don't! Besides Xiao Xi, our Tang family has four other daughters. Butler Fang, look, each of my four daughters is more beautiful than Xiao Xi. Moreover, they are all proficient in the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If they marry in, they will surely be able to expand the Ouyang family's lineage!" He thought to himself that since Ouyang Mo had no children yet, he must have married so many wives because he wanted to have a son as soon as possible.

Fang Jun gave Tang Mengyou a cold look, truly not wanting to stay here for another second. However, his master had said that the engagement must be finalized today. Thus, he merely acted as if he had taken Tang Mengyou's suggestion and glanced at the young ladies.

The young ladies, caught by the butler's glance, instantly came to life. They winked and tossed their heads toward Butler Fang.

Seeing this, Butler Fang nearly vomited on the spot. He turned his head, looked at Tang Mengyou, and gave a faint, mocking laugh. "My master has already set his heart on Miss Tang Xiao Xi. No matter how outstanding your other daughters may be, they cannot climb up to our master!"

When Butler Fang had intentionally glanced just now, Tang Mengyou thought there was hope. But hearing Butler Fang's cold words now, his heart sank. If that girl Xiao Xi actually married in, wouldn't she take the opportunity to retaliate against him ruthlessly? But now that the man had laid it out clearly—Ouyang Mo had his eyes on Xiao Xi and would marry no one else.

The second Tang daughter could no longer hold herself together. She reached out a slender finger and pointed at Fang Jun, cursing, "What kind of eyes are you using! With Xiao Xi's trashy body, she's not even afraid of tainting herself!"

As soon as the words fell, a dark shadow suddenly flashed silently through the hall. With a "slap," five red finger marks instantly appeared on the second Tang daughter's face.

Fang Jun raised his head and looked at her with utter disdain: "Those who slander my master shall surely be punished! Once Miss Tang Xiao Xi marries into our Ouyang family, if you all continue to be this insolent, you will suffer the punishment of the palm just the same!"

Fang Jun's words, combined with that dark shadow that had appeared and disappeared silently just now, instantly made Tang Mengyou feel guilty. The second Tang daughter also shut her mouth, looking at her father with indignation while clutching her red, swollen cheek, wanting her father to stand up for her. She herself didn't dare say another word, fearing that the dark shadow would appear out of nowhere to slap her again.

Receiving his daughter's pleading gaze, Tang Mengyou was currently unable to look after himself, let alone anyone else. He carefully apologized to Butler Fang: "I will send someone to call Xiao Xi over immediately!"

As he spoke, he had the First Madam beside him take people to invite Xiao Xi over. Along the way, he whispered in her ear, "You must warn that girl not to talk nonsense. Otherwise, I will certainly make her mother pay for it once she is married!"

Upon hearing this, although the First Madam's mood had been very unpleasant just now, she immediately felt much better. Even if that girl Xiao Xi married into the Ouyang family, as long as her mother was still in the Tang residence, there was no fear that she wouldn't behave obediently.

A short while later, the First Madam brought Xiao Xi over. As soon as Xiao Xi entered, the incredibly arrogant Butler Fang immediately became amiable. Seeing Tang Xiao Xi, Butler Fang stepped forward respectfully and bowed slightly. "Miss Xiao Xi, my master has specially ordered me to bring the betrothal gifts to the Tang family to propose. The wedding date is set for three days from now. I wonder if Miss Xiao Xi is willing?"

Xiao Xi raised her eyes and glanced at the large chests placed in the hall. Her eyes instantly lit up; to think they were using so much gold, silver, and jewels to propose. However, it would all go to Old Man Tang, which made her feel quite unwilling. Looking again at Old Man Tang's complex expression and those self-righteous young ladies, Tang Xiao Xi nodded.

"Fine, I agree! However, I have one condition: you must carry these betrothal gifts back, exchange them for bank notes, and then bring them to me personally! Remember, to me personally!" Xiao Xi pointed at the large chests of gold, silver, and jewels.