Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Hearing Sheng Han’s response, the last thread of hope in Li Qi’s heart was extinguished.

Grandfather was right, the Sheng Family did intend to back out, and Sheng Han was certainly aware of it.

”Qi’Er, Sheng Han is not wrong. Lord Sheng is over eighty years old and in poor health. He mustn’t be further agitated. You need to understand.”

Listening to his daughter’s somewhat accusatory and questioning tone, Li An stepped in to defend Sheng Han.

”Father, let’s annul the engagement with the Sheng Family.”

Li Qi looked at her father and uttered words that left both Li An and Sheng Han stunned. The difference was, after Sheng Han realized what had been said, a trace of delight flashed in his eyes. Li An missed this, but Li Qi saw it clearly.

”Nonsense, Qi’Er, what are you talking about? This engagement was set by both families. How can it be annulled without reason? How will this let your grandfather rest in peace?”

Li An scolded, ”I know you’re grieved by your grandfather’s passing, but you shouldn’t act on impulse. Sheng Han said it too, Lord Sheng is ill and cannot come. We must understand.”

”I can’t understand, Father... I’m calling off the engagement.”

”Qi’Er, I know you’re angry right now, let’s put the annulment aside for now. We can discuss it after your grandfather’s funeral, alright?”

Sheng Han spoke with an understanding face, but at this moment, Li Qi found it unbearably hypocritical. She blamed herself for having been blinded and not seeing Sheng Han’s true nature sooner.

”Father, these were instructions from Grandfather before he passed. If Sheng Han’s grandfather doesn’t come to pay his respects, then my engagement with Sheng Han is annulled.”

Seeing her father still trying to persuade her, Li Qi directly brought up her grandfather. The words Li An was about to say were immediately silenced.

”Qi’Er!”

Sheng Han raised his voice, his expression turning cold, ”I know you’re upset by Grandfather’s passing, but you shouldn’t be so unreasonable. If I forced my sick grandfather to come for our engagement, wouldn’t that be unfilial?”

”So, if we annul our engagement, then you won’t be unfilial and can continue to be the filial grandson of the Sheng Family.”

Li Qi looked at Sheng Han with no emotion, only disgust.

”You...you’re simply unreasonable. Uncle, I’m leaving.”

Sheng Han threw down these words and left in anger, while Li An did not stop him this time, only looking at his daughter, ”Qi’Er, did Grandfather really say these things?”

”Yes, I wouldn’t lie before Grandfather’s spirit.”

Li Qi answered, her mind recalling her grandfather’s words.

”Your father is not sharp-minded, and he’s timid, but he has one good trait, which is his filial piety towards me. As long as you tell him these are my instructions, he won’t object.”

Seeing her father’s low murmuring demeanor, Li Qi looked towards the coffin before the shrine and softly said in her heart, ”Grandfather, you truly read people well.”

...

In the front hall, when Sheng Han stomped out, many guests resting there showed looks of confusion. What had happened?

The engagement between Miss Li Qi of the Li Family and Sheng Han was not a secret in Quzhou Prefecture. A son-in-law is half a son, and moreover, Li Qi was the only daughter of the third generation of the Li Family, so it was normal for Sheng Han to keep vigil for the deceased as the Li family’s grandson-in-law.

But why did he leave so abruptly?

”Sheng Han, what’s the matter?”

In the front hall, someone who recognized Sheng Han couldn’t help but inquire.

Sheng Han stopped, showing an expression of helplessness, ”Elder Lord Li has passed, and Qi’Er is overwhelmed with grief, her emotions out of control. She actually said I should force my sick grandfather to come and pay respects, or else the engagement would be annulled.”

Hearing Sheng Han’s words, many guests were abuzz; indeed, Li Qi’s demand seemed excessive. But some guests wore amused expressions; Elder Lord Li’s passing, Sheng Family’s elder being just ill—how coincidental was that?

Sheng Han surveyed the expressions of the guests, his face showing helplessness, but pride simmered within. He deliberately aired Li Qi’s demands to spread the story. As long as his grandfather didn’t come to pay respects, the engagement would indeed be annulled.

A few days ago, when he learned from Li Qi that Elder Lord Li was unable to get out of bed due to leg problems, he reported the matter to his grandfather and father. After analyzing the power dynamics in Quzhou Prefecture, they concluded that with Elder Lord Li’s passing, the ineptness of Li An could not hold up Liang, and the Li Family would inevitably decline.

Of course, the Li Family still had its foundation, and he could marry Li Qi to seize their resources. However, this would mean grappling with families in Quzhou Prefecture eager to target the Li Family.

Ultimately, his grandfather and father believed the disadvantages outweighed the advantages, and annulling the engagement was the best route. But, there needed to be a reasonable justification for the annulment to maintain the Sheng Family’s reputation, allowing him to pursue heiresses from other prominent Quzhou families.

Originally, he hadn’t thought of a reason, but Li Qi had provided one herself. Were it not for the crowd, he would’ve laughed out loud.

The reason he approached Li Qi in the first place was for the Li Family’s resources. There was a rumor of Elder Lord Li’s extensive connections, but after his engagement to Li Qi, Elder Lord Li never availed those resources to him.

Now it seemed those rumors weren’t reliable at all; just look at how few significant guests attended the funeral. Severing ties with the Li Family now was the best decision.