A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 455: Chapter 455: It’s Not Easy to Take a Wife

In the study of the front courtyard, Lady Ni wore a stern expression.

”Old Master, we absolutely can’t just take this lying down!”

”If they are already so arrogant before we are even married, won’t they disregard us even more afterward?”

”Moreover, if word of this gets out, what will become of our daughter’s reputation?”

As Lady Ni spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

General Ni was so enraged his face darkened, and he slammed his fist onto the desk.

”Outrageous!”

The teacups on the desk, shaken by the impact, produced a loud CLATTER.

”The Xia Family is really pushing things too far!”

”Though the Ni Family may not be a prominent and influential clan, we will not tolerate such disrespect!”

After speaking, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

”Old Master, where are you going?”

General Ni didn’t look back, just tossed a sentence over his shoulder.

”I’m going out to take care of some things!”

Lady Ni was deeply worried. My husband has such a rash temper; I hope he doesn’t go over there and beat someone up. But deep down, she also harbored some anticipation. Then again, a beating would serve them right for being so shameless.

After much thought, Lady Ni decided to leave it be.

She took her maids and returned to the main courtyard, reminding them sternly along the way.

”Not a word of this to anyone, or else you can all prepare to be sold off!”

The maids, thoroughly frightened, all stammered that they wouldn’t dare.

「We shall speak no more of this for now.」

Meanwhile, General Ni had left the estate and was heading towards Xia Tingfeng’s residence. He didn’t know if Xia Tingfeng was on duty tonight, but he had to find him regardless. He couldn’t let his daughter suffer such an injustice while that damn brat remained oblivious.

Fortunately, Xia Tingfeng was not on duty that night and had just returned from the palace. Before he even entered his door, he ran into General Ni.

Heh, it seems even the heavens can’t stomach this anymore, General Ni thought.

Without a word, General Ni strode up and landed a punch. He was a Military General; simple and crude, there was nothing amiss with his methods.

”You damn brat!”

Xia Tingfeng didn’t even dare to dodge, let alone fight back. He took the punch squarely and then hurriedly asked, ”General Ni, why have you come here so late at night? Has something happened?”

General Ni scoffed, ”You rotten brat! Do you think our Manxue isn’t good enough for you?”

”Your Xia Family is utterly outrageous!”

With that, he threw several more punches.

Xia Tingfeng was still bewildered. What is all this about?

Wait, isn’t today... the day to discuss the marriage? Could it be Father and Mother...

A surge of anger welled up within him; Xia Tingfeng could guess what had happened without much thought. He immediately hurried to apologize.

”It is my fault, General Ni. Please, calm your anger!”

General Ni was so furious he stomped his foot.

”Calm your anger, my foot!”

After saying his piece, he angrily roughed Xia Tingfeng up again before dragging him off.

”You damn brat, go and see for yourself!”

Xia Tingfeng dared not delay and hastily followed.

Moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone path before the door.

The two figures gradually moved farther away.

No one noticed three heads lined up neatly on a nearby courtyard wall. Only after the figures disappeared from sight did the three climb down.

They looked at each other, all wearing bewildered expressions.

Finally, the three shook their heads and sighed, ”Marrying a wife is truly not easy!”

Having said that, they each returned to their rooms.

First thing the next morning, Xia Tingfeng, seething with anger, went to Old Master Xia and Lady Yao’s quarters. He had bundled up all the betrothal gifts they had sent to the Ni Family the day before and now tossed the bundle in front of Old Master Xia.

Xia Tingfeng scoffed. ”Father, you should keep these things for yourselves. Don’t take them out and embarrass us!”

They were supposedly packed in a trunk, but without the trunk, the contents barely filled a large bundle—not much, and all of it shabby!

Old Master Xia glanced at the bundle and frowned immediately. ”What is all this? Where did it come from?”

Xia Tingfeng sneered. ”If Father doesn’t recognize them, just summon Lady Yao and ask her. She’ll know!”

He couldn’t bring himself to utter the word ’Mother,’ not even for show. That woman wasn’t worthy of the title!

Old Master Xia frowned. ”Presumptuous! Is ’Lady Yao’ a name for you to use?”

Xia Tingfeng didn’t deign to argue.

Old Master Xia glared at him but said no more on that point. Ultimately, he turned and had someone summon Lady Yao.

As soon as Lady Yao entered, she saw the miscellaneous items strewn on the floor, recognizing them with a start. Her expression instantly became unnatural. She forced an awkward smile. ”Oh my, Eldest Young Master, what is all this?”

He returned in such a rage, what is he planning?

Xia Tingfeng sneered. ”Did you prepare these items?”

Lady Yao’s eyes darted about. Feigning ignorance while knowing full well, she nodded.

”Yes!

”The Eldest Young Master must find them unsatisfactory...

”Oh, Old Master, you don’t understand. I, your concubine, also wished to prepare something perfectly presentable for the Eldest Young Master, but...

”We come from a small place; we can’t afford grand gifts! Old Master, even with these... I, your concubine, have already done my utmost...”

Xia Tingfeng was rendered somewhat speechless. Looking at Lady Yao’s luxurious attire, then at the pile of trash on the floor... Heh... He had finally witnessed what it meant to be truly shameless!

Unwilling to waste more words on her, Xia Tingfeng stated directly, ”Since you claim to have poured all your effort into these, then you should keep them. I will handle my own marriage. There’s no need for Father and Mother to trouble themselves!”

Having said this, Xia Tingfeng didn’t spare them another glance and departed with a flick of his sleeve.

Old Master Xia looked at the items on the ground, then back at his departing son. He felt a mixture of emotions.

He scolded Lady Yao, ”You’ve truly gone too far!”

Lady Yao’s eyebrows shot up defiantly. ”How have I gone too far? Your savings are limited, Old Master. Are we to give everything to him? Don’t forget, he’s merely a son born of a concubine. He has no claim to the family property to begin with!”

For me to have done this much is already giving him immense face!

Old Master Xia considered this. Indeed, I still have my legitimate children to provide for! This eldest son, now an official, has such high standards; we likely couldn’t satisfy him anyway. In that case... it’s best not to meddle if we don’t have to. A son from a concubine... is ultimately unimportant.

After a moment’s thought, Old Master Xia nodded. ”You are right. He is, after all, a son from a concubine.”

Lady Yao immediately beamed. ”Old Master, you truly are wise!”

Old Master Xia said, feeling perfectly justified, ”If he scorns these items, then put them away. In the future, as long as his affairs are superficially presentable, that will suffice. Just don’t bring disgrace upon me, your Old Master!”

”Rest assured, Old Master. When have I ever brought disgrace upon you?”

Lady Yao employed all her wiles to flatter him, and sure enough, Old Master Xia’s spirits lifted. He wrapped his arm around Lady Yao’s waist. ”What I, your Old Master, like most about you is your sensibility and how you know your place!”

Lady Yao cast a flirtatious glance, then chided him with a coy shyness. ”You scoundrel!”

Old Master Xia, thoroughly captivated, gave her waist a pinch! This made Lady Yao both annoyed and embarrassed.

”Old Master, what are you doing? It’s broad daylight!”

Old Master Xia, lecherous and a self-important fool, cared little for day or night once his desires were stoked. He embraced Lady Yao and headed for the inner chamber.

After an interlude best left undescribed, Lady Yao was both coquettish and feigned annoyance. ”You weren’t like this when you were younger. Now, in your old age, you’ve become quite the libertine!”

Old Master Xia was immensely pleased with himself. ”If I, your Old Master, weren’t a libertine, with whom would you have had those twins?”