, the second day saw an explosion of activity, the second update! Two consecutive days of intensity, requesting double monthly votes for support!

With her original slender figure restored, Dugu Xiaoyi trailed behind her, catching sight of Jun Moxie. She stuck out her tongue and gave him a meaningful glance, silently signaling: Be careful.

“That… is that Jun Moxie? Step forward and let this old lady take a proper look! I want to see what kind of heroic figure has managed to bewitch my granddaughter into such scandalous rebellion!” After emerging, the Old Madam planted herself directly in front of Jun Moxie. She looked left and right, beginning her search for the detestable youth who had stolen her granddaughter’s heart.

Jun Moxie broke out in a cold sweat. He had always heard that the entire Dugu clan were a bunch of intractable brutes, and now he saw there was truth to it. Such a formidable matriarch appearing before him! For Dugu Xiaoyi to have grown up in such a family and reached this point without becoming just as fierce was truly an achievement; it would be difficult not to be tough.

With no other choice, he stood up and said, “This humble one is…”

“Oh,” the Old Madam continued, turning her gaze. “And that must be Tang Yuan?”

“Yes, that is me,” the fatty quickly bowed deeply in deference.

The Old Madam smiled faintly. “The newly ascended God of Wealth of the Capital. Truly remarkable!”

What? God of Wealth of the Capital? Since when did Fatty earn such a flashy nickname? Jun Moxie was taken aback, and a playful grin twitched at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Fatty Tang. But then again, it wasn't entirely surprising. Fatty was now the influential figurehead of the Noble Hall, completely dominating the scene. Even based on what Jun Moxie knew, his worth had already reached thirty million taels; bearing the title of God of Wealth was not an overstatement!

While Jun Moxie was silently critiquing the situation, he watched the Old Madam wave her hand. “You seven little rascals, go keep Young Master Tang company and show him around. You are not needed here anymore. Entertain our honored guest well.”

The seven young heroes rushed forward, hastily agreeing. They immediately hoisted Fatty Tang up and hurried him away, moving so fast and frantically it was as if hounds were nipping at their heels. Finally, they were free!

“No need for formalities. Please, sit.”

The Dugu Old Madam nodded, then took her seat in the grand armchair, motioning for Dugu Zongheng and his son to sit as well. The host of ladies stood behind the Old Madam, each fixing the young master with the scrutinizing gaze of a mother-in-law sizing up a prospective son-in-law. They were intensely curious how this young man, so notorious for his poor reputation, possessed such ability to capture their girl’s affection, leaving her utterly dazed and infatuated.

Especially one middle-aged woman seated to the Old Madam’s left, who watched him without blinking.

The moment the elder lady arrived, Dugu Zongheng and Dugu Wudi instantly lost the fierce, imposing demeanor of Mount-Carving Vulture they had previously displayed, becoming as silent as cicadas in winter, scarcely daring to speak above a whisper.

“Jun Moxie,” the Old Madam mused. “Hmm, the boy is quite good-looking, very good-looking. A handsome young man.” The Old Madam offered a compliment, then turned to the others. “Look at him, his nose is a nose and his eyes are eyes; he certainly looks like a proper human being, doesn’t he?”

The assembled ladies nodded in agreement, all chiming in their approval.

Jun Moxie felt a line of black descend over his head: What kind of compliment was that? ‘Looks like a proper human being’? Does that imply I wasn’t human before, just that I happened to have a human face? And what exactly does ‘his nose is a nose and his eyes are eyes’ even mean? If his nose wasn't a nose, and an ear was growing there, would that even qualify as sight? Was she praising me or subtly insulting me?

“Well, Young Man Jun, you have already brought things to this pass. I want to know clearly: what exactly do you plan to do about my Xiaoyi?” The Dugu Old Madam was brutally direct, skipping even the slightest pleasantries to jump straight to the sharp, unavoidable question that allowed for no hesitation or evasion.

“What arrangements do I plan to make?” Jun Moxie looked up in astonishment. “Old Madam, that’s a strange way to put it. I genuinely don’t know what ‘thing’ I have done to warrant your questioning. If you could please illuminate me, what exactly have I done?”

“Damn it! Looking at your fine features, how can your words be so sly and lazy? That day, you instigated Xiaoyi to walk out in full view of the multitude, carrying a huge belly. You can’t possibly be unaware of the consequences that would follow, can you?” The Dugu Old Madam’s face darkened, and her tone grew decidedly unfriendly.

“That is correct, Miss Dugu’s actions that day were indeed ill-considered…” Wait— “But it wasn't instigated by me! I never conceived of such a bizarre scheme, never even thought of it. Heavens above…” Jun Moxie hurried to clarify.

Without waiting for the young master to finish, the Old Madam cut him off. “I believe you wouldn’t stoop to such mischief. But regardless of whether you instigated it or not, her original intent was entirely for you! You cannot deny that, can you?” Jun Moxie could only nod helplessly. This point was impossible to deny.

Having lived two lifetimes, this young master always sought a clear conscience. To deny this now would be a deep betrayal of his own principles, causing immense self-reproach!

“This matter has caused immense damage to the reputation of my Dugu family. You are aware of that too, aren’t you?” The Old Madam pressed him relentlessly with question after question.

“Yes, but for the Dugu family…” Jun Moxie frowned slightly. “Surely, that’s not such a monumental issue, is it?” Seemingly, the Dugu family's reputation had always been synonymous with ferocity; there wasn't much spotless reputation left to tarnish anyway. Furthermore, anyone with a discerning eye could see through the little girl's stratagem. He hadn't even suggested he wouldn't marry her, so why the grave seriousness?

“But this has gravely impacted Xiaoyi’s reputation as a young lady! You should be clear on that point, boy?” The Old Madam let out a sharp ‘Hmph,’ annoyed that this boy wasn't reading the room.

“It has indeed affected her reputation immensely,” Jun Moxie admitted frankly.

“Then what are your plans?” The Old Madam circled back to her main point after that momentary detour.

“To be honest, I don’t have a specific plan yet,” Jun Moxie replied truthfully.

“No plan?!” The Old Madam suddenly shot to her feet. “Are you saying you’ve taken everything and now plan to simply wipe your hands clean and refuse accountability?”

“Why would I take everything and refuse accountability? I haven’t taken anything, so how can there be a question of taking and running?” Jun Moxie felt utterly wronged. Why was everyone treating him like Chen Shimei [a notorious philanderer in Chinese folklore]? Besides, the stunt that little girl pulled off that day nearly destroyed this very Lord Xie! If it weren't for recognizing the depth of her selfless devotion and her willingness to pay any price, this young master wouldn't even bother engaging in this tedious back-and-forth! How is it that the moment I soften slightly, everyone piles on to bully me?

“Since things have come to this pass, I shall be straightforward with you!” the Old Madam said slowly, her eyes fixed on Jun Moxie’s. “That girl Xiaoyi has set her heart on you. Her infatuation is sincere and deep; you absolutely must not betray her. Otherwise, I will be the first one to deal with you.” She paused, then continued, “Are you perhaps still concerned about that Guan Qinghan?”

Jun Moxie frowned slightly. “Please rest assured on that matter, Old Madam. If I truly intended to accept this path, then I will not wrong Guan Qinghan, nor will I wrong Xiaoyi. I naturally have my own arrangements.”

“Your arrangements? Haha! While it is common for a man of standing to have multiple wives and concubines, there must still be a proper status assigned to each. The Old Madam smiled, fixing her gaze on Jun Moxie. “And every man’s household must have a head; the principal wife is the one who rules the inner court! If the inner chambers lack a mistress, and everyone vies for favor, won’t it descend into chaos? What do you intend to do? That is why I summoned you today—to ask you directly: In your heart, is your choice for the primary wife that girl Xiaoyi?”

“‘When the Harem is stable, the Empire is secure.’ Although this saying applies to emperors, it is just as true for an ordinary family. Harmony within the household is the path to advancement,” the Old Madam continued, slowly observing Jun Moxie. “This must be settled soon, to prevent prolonged uncertainty and giving false hope, which would be disastrous.”

“What exactly are the Old Madam’s intentions?” Jun Moxie raised an eyebrow.

“Our Dugu family has only this one precious girl. I absolutely will not allow her to take a lesser position! Our Dugu family cannot afford such humiliation! While Yi must marry, that is inevitable, but she must be the principal, recognized wife of the Jun family!” the Old Madam declared with a sniff.

“Principal wife?” Jun Moxie couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. “Old Madam, you have a good sense of humor. Though this particular joke isn't funny at all.”

“A joke? Are you actually planning to make my Xiaoyi your secondary wife? That is simply outrageous!” The Old Madam’s eyes flashed, and she brought her dragon-headed cane down sharply.

Dugu Xiaoyi, standing behind her, instantly panicked, terrified that her grandmother and her beloved would erupt into a full-blown quarrel right there. She rushed to hug the Dugu Old Madam’s arm, shaking it incessantly while pleading, her eyes fixed on Jun Moxie—clearly begging him not to oppose her grandmother. If they clashed, her hopes for this beautiful marriage could be dashed instantly! She had worked so hard to bring the two families to this favorable juncture.

The surge of anger Jun Moxie had been about to unleash was forcibly suppressed by that look from Dugu Xiaoyi. Recalling the depth of her devotion, Jun Moxie took two deep breaths, struggling to contain the fiery temper that was on the verge of exploding. However, his expression had become unprecedentedly serious and grave.

“Since the Dugu Old Madam has laid everything out on the table, I will be just as clear and forthcoming on this matter.”

Jun Moxie’s gaze suddenly sharpened like a sword, slowly sweeping over everyone present. All of them felt a sudden clench in their hearts. “In my view, the matter of marriage is my affair. My own business. My sole concern. Who I spend the rest of my life with requires careful selection. A wrong choice results in a lifetime of pain and animosity for two individuals, and even two families! This matter cannot be treated lightly, nor should it be rushed.”

“Xiaoyi’s affection for me is profound; that is unquestionable, and I noticed it from the very beginning. But I always felt that Xiaoyi might not have fully settled her temperament yet, or perhaps she might meet an even more suitable and desirable husband in the future, which is why I never gave a definitive answer! Then, on the way back, the stunt she pulled nearly destroyed me. Frankly, I was furious. However, the scene of her walking out through the Tianxiang City gates with that visible pregnancy completely moved me! It truly, deeply moved me! From that moment onward, I finally affirmed that Dugu Xiaoyi will be my woman, Jun Moxie’s woman—the woman I, Jun Moxie, acknowledge!”

The moment the young master spoke these words, the expressions of the Dugu Patriarch and Matriarch involuntarily relaxed.

However—

“But this does not mean I will accept everything wholesale.” Jun Moxie’s next sentence preempted the question already forming on the Old Madam’s lips. “Xiaoyi drugging me in Tiannan and entering the city gates pregnant in Tianxiang both demonstrate her immense love for me, Jun Moxie. People are not wood and stone; how could I be untouched? Facing such reckless devotion, I am indeed sincerely moved, profoundly grateful!”

“But we must also see the other side of the coin: both of these incidents were ultimately entirely her own initiative! She acted completely according to her own desires, using a method taken to the most extreme degree to force my hand, to force both families into acceptance! Surely, no one here can deny that fact! I believe you are all currently suffering the consequences of that action as well!”