Xia Wanyu listened as Madam Xia introduced her to the crowd, feeling a surge of elation and pride. She was finally able to stand before these people openly, and moreover, as the legitimate daughter.

Though Xia Wanyu was a concubine’s daughter, she had received proper tutelage from her governess, so her manners and conversation were impeccable. Furthermore, since the guests assumed the Xia family had elevated her status to that of the legitimate daughter in preparation for a high-profile marriage alliance, none dared to slight her; instead, they heaped praise upon Xia Wanyu.

The compliments from the assembled guests only inflated Xia Wanyu’s self-satisfaction, yet simultaneously sharpened her resentment towards Madam Xia. See, she thought, I am no worse than Xia Wanting in the slightest! It’s only because I failed to be born well that my fate was sealed to be inferior to Xia Wanting from birth. But now, she was proving to Madam Xia, and indeed to the entire Xia household, that she was in no way inferior to Xia Wanting! Hadn't these guests just lavished praise upon her? If Madam Xia had presented her to guests sooner, her excellent reputation would have spread long ago, and she wouldn’t have been promised to a mere Juren scholar. However, she had snatched Xia Wanting’s engagement now. This was Madam Xia’s own doing; who told her not to secure a good match for her daughter?

What Xia Wanyu didn't realize was that while the guests appeared to be praising her, many of them privately held her in disdain. They felt that after just a few courteous words, this concubine’s daughter had become hopelessly conceited, her smugness unconcealable, utterly lacking in composure. Indeed, a concubine’s daughter—unfit for the grand stage.

Even Madam Fu held Xia Wanyu in some contempt, but considering the two families would soon be in-laws, she chose not to let it show on her face.

However, the next moment changed Madam Fu’s composure entirely. Whether intentional or not, Madam Xia uttered a single remark while Madam Fu was taking tea, causing Madam Fu to sputter her drink across the room and leaving several familiar family heads stunned.

Madam Xia remarked smoothly, "Now that Wanyu is also a legitimate daughter, the Master and I believe she is finally worthy of your Fu Lan."

"Pfft!" Madam Fu immediately spat out her tea.

What had Madam Xia just said? Worthy of their Fu Lan? Was the Xia family intending to marry a concubine's daughter off to their Fu Lan? How could that be? Fu Lan was already betrothed to Xia Wanting! Moreover, even if this girl was now registered under Madam Xia’s name, she was still fundamentally a concubine’s daughter!

Madam Fu couldn't immediately grasp the true implication of Madam Xia’s statement. Had she misheard? Madam Fu could only force a dry laugh. "Heh heh, Madam Xia, what a joke you’re making. Haven't the marital arrangements between our two houses been settled for ages?"

"Indeed, our two houses long ago agreed that the legitimate daughter of our residence would marry into your Fu residence. And now, isn't Wanyu equivalent to the legitimate daughter? Besides, wasn't it your residence seeking to marry Wanyu?" Madam Xia responded unhurriedly.

This not only stunned Madam Fu, but the familiar families present were equally taken aback. Was the Xia residence planning to swap the legitimate daughter out for the concubine’s daughter? Why? Had the legitimate daughter secured a better match? Was this why they were attempting to substitute the concubine’s daughter into the existing arrangement? That was awfully dishonorable!

Madam Fu shared this suspicion, and believing she had grasped the truth, she retorted angrily, "Madam Xia, I fear this is inappropriate. I heard that your eldest young lady has already..."

"Yes, Wanyu and Fu Lan are deeply in love. At first, the Master and I felt it improper to have your legitimate son marry our concubine’s daughter, given that our families are old acquaintances, after all. But we couldn't deny Fu Lan, that boy, when he personally pleaded with our residence! The Master and I reasoned that since the previous agreement only stipulated that our legitimate daughter marry Fu Lan, as long as Wanyu is the legitimate daughter now, everything is in order. That’s why we arranged this today. Madam Fu, all our efforts over this time have been for the sake of your Fu residence!" Madam Xia explained benevolently.

Upon hearing that it was young Master Fu Lan who had actively sought out the Xia residence to propose marriage to the concubine's daughter, the crowd began to look down on him. To reject the legitimate daughter in favor of a concubine's daughter—what sort of sense did that make? Furthermore, judging by Madam Xia's implication, the prior engagement between the Fu and Xia residences was merely a verbal agreement concerning the legitimate daughter. Now the Xia family had simply declared the concubine’s daughter a legitimate one and offered her instead. While this technically left no grounds for complaint, it seemed Madam Fu was kept entirely in the dark beforehand, which struck the observers as rather uncouth on the Xia family's part. Still, whether it was proper or not was none of their business; they had entertainment to watch.

Madam Fu was now so incensed she struggled to speak. In her mind, she was certain Madam Xia was lying. And the reason for the lie, she suspected, was that Xia Wanting had secured a far superior match and now looked down on the Fu residence. The more Madam Fu thought about it, the angrier she became. She realized arguing with Madam Xia now would only make them a laughingstock, as the guests already had a preconceived notion. Therefore, Madam Fu decided to confront Madam Xia once everyone had departed.

Madam Xia seemed to anticipate Madam Fu's plan, showing no concern and continuing to host the remaining guests as if nothing had happened. Only after the last guest left did Madam Xia calmly address Madam Fu.

"Madam Xia certainly has a sharp plan! If your household looks down on minor families like ours, you should simply say so. Why must you try to pin the blame on us?" Madam Fu demanded, barely restraining her fury.

Madam Xia slanted a glance at Madam Fu, then slowly sipped her tea before speaking deliberately, "Madam Fu, you wrong me. Every word I spoke just now was the absolute truth. Wanyu was indeed sought after by your residence, and we merely acquiesced to your request. Madam Fu, rather than wasting time being angry, you should return and question your dear son properly."

"You..." Madam Fu pointed at Madam Xia, trembling with rage. "Even now, you refuse to tell me the truth, do you? My son has been studying at home these past few days; how could he possibly have gone to your residence to propose to a concubine’s daughter? You need to have your lies straight before you utter them!"

Madam Xia remained utterly unconcerned by Madam Fu’s explosive temper. He dared to treat my daughter like that, she thought. To merely tarnish his public image and anger you is already an act of great mercy.

"If you refuse to believe me, there is nothing I can do. However, I must tell you, we are old acquaintances, and I have no reason to deceive you. As for whether your Ting'er has found a better match, that truly has nothing to do with your household. What your residence ought to be concerned with is whether Wanyu has a valid engagement," Madam Xia stated blandly, uttering words that made Madam Fu jump with anger.

"Fine! Since you insist that Lan'er himself came to propose to a concubine’s daughter, I shall go back and question him thoroughly. If things are not as you say, I will settle this with you! Our Fu residence is not to be trifled with!" Madam Fu declared, before storming out in a fury.

Madam Xia watched Madam Fu’s retreating back with a mocking smile. I fear you'll be quite startled when you discover the real truth!

Afterward, Madam Xia ceased worrying about Madam Fu’s reaction and proceeded to Master Xia’s study to discuss amending the family register. After all, for Xia Wanyu to be permanently recognized as the legitimate daughter, her name would have to be officially recorded under Madam Xia in the clan records.

Listening to Madam Xia’s query, Master Xia felt that his wife was truly virtuous and enlightened, and he nodded. "I will discuss this with the Clan Elder. As for the rest, I must trouble you, my dear."

Madam Xia, however, smiled and shook her head. "These are all things I ought to do, as your humble wife."

Meanwhile, Madam Fu, upon returning home, did not go to consult Master Fu but marched directly to her son’s study, pushing the door open without knocking.

Fu Lan, seeing his mother enter without ceremony and noting her terrible expression, was immediately perplexed. "Mother, what is wrong?"

Madam Fu, struggling to suppress her rage while observing her son's countenance, slowly began, "I visited the Xia residence today, and they actually intend to register the concubine’s daughter under the legitimate mother’s name..."

Madam Fu intended to gauge her son's reaction, but before she could finish, Fu Lan became agitated. "Really? Mother, are you saying Wanyu is now the legitimate daughter?"

Seeing her son’s reaction, Madam Fu felt as if struck by lightning. She pointed at him, dumbfounded. "You... you really went to the Xia residence and proposed to their concubine’s daughter?"

Fu Lan looked at his mother's expression, unsure of her current feelings. However, thinking how much his mother had always doted on him, and now that Wanyu was the legitimate daughter, he assumed his mother wouldn't object. Thus, he nodded. "Yes, Mother. I love her, and I wish to marry her. Mother, please agree to it!"

As Fu Lan spoke, a torrent of thoughts flooded Madam Fu’s mind. One moment she wanted to ask how her son had even met that concubine’s daughter, the next she wanted to ask if he had considered the consequences of his actions. Then, she recalled Madam Xia’s mocking gaze. Gradually, Madam Fu felt as if she couldn't stand firm anymore.

Fu Lan had initially watched his mother nervously, but he immediately sensed something was terribly wrong. He rushed forward to support her, but Madam Fu violently flung his hand away and slapped him hard across the face. "Who gave you permission to propose marriage to that concubine’s daughter? Have you considered the consequences of doing this?"

Fu Lan was stunned by the blow, his mind a blank slate. He couldn't comprehend why his mother was so enraged. Even if she disagreed, he could simply choose not to marry Xia Wanyu; why resort to physical violence?

The servants witnessing the scene wisely scurried off to summon Master Fu. (To be continued.)