Zhao Cheng looked down at the pouch in his hand, unsure how to feel in that moment. Though Wang Qingchen insisted the money was a loan he intended to repay, Zhao Cheng saw clearly that it was merely an excuse for Wang Qingchen to offer aid.

Zhao Cheng’s emotions were complicated. On one hand, he fundamentally disliked accepting money acquired this way, yet on the other, he recognized it as Wang Qingchen’s genuine goodwill. Since Wang Qingchen had been so considerate of his feelings, refusing now would seem ungracious.

Furthermore, he was deeply touched by Wang Qingchen’s consideration for him. Weighing the pouch, the money inside was substantial; not everyone would be so generous, especially one who had so carefully considered his sensibilities.

Ultimately, Zhao Cheng resolved to accept the funds, vowing to repay them twofold once he was capable. With that thought, he secured the silver, mentally planning how he would explain the situation to his mother and how he would tell Liu Hao that he had changed his mind and decided to travel with them after all.

Meanwhile, after giving Zhao Cheng the money, Wang Qingchen casually returned to where Liu Hao and Li Yuntai were waiting.

Liu Hao eyed Wang Qingchen’s return, asking with exasperation, “Well? Did you manage to persuade him?”

Wang Qingchen beamed at Liu Hao’s appearance, cheerfully replying, “Of course! With me making an appearance, how could he possibly refuse to travel together?”

“What?” Liu Hao frowned. “In just that short time, you actually convinced him to change his mind?”

Wang Qingchen nodded smugly, “What do you think?”

“No, no, no, this disparity is too great! I reasoned and persuaded for ages, and he wouldn't budge an inch. Yet you, in just a moment, get his agreement—what kind of logic is that? Absolutely not, I must go ask him if he looks down on me!” Liu Hao was clearly unconvinced.

Li Yuntai immediately grabbed the arm of Liu Hao, who was about to storm over to Zhao Cheng. “Stop it, man! He just agreed to come along. If you rush over there now, what if he changes his mind again? I’d like to see how you handle that!”

Tugged back by Li Yuntai’s grasp, Liu Hao couldn't move and insisted, “You saw it! The way Zhao Cheng treats me is different from how he treats Qingchen. I need to ask him exactly why!”

“Oh, for this small matter? It’s nothing huge, just let it go and be more accommodating!” Li Yuntai chuckled.

Wang Qingchen also found it amusing. “Yeah, you’re how old already, and you still care about trifles like that!”

With that, Wang Qingchen turned and walked away, completely forgetting his earlier self-satisfaction over the matter. Li Yuntai followed Wang Qingchen out, leaving Liu Hao behind, looking perplexed and unwilling to question Zhao Cheng, fearful that any inquiry might cause the newly committed Zhao Cheng to renege on his decision to join them.

Upon returning from the county school, Zhao Cheng told his mother, Madam Huang, about Wang Qingchen’s gift of silver. Hearing the news, Madam Huang’s first concern was for her son’s feelings. She knew her son well; he was not one to easily accept charity or pity, preferring to endure hardship without showing weakness. Thus, upon hearing about the money, she worried Zhao Cheng might feel distressed.

Fortunately, her son seemed no different than before, which brought Madam Huang some relief. However, this was not enough to fully reassure her, as she knew her son might just be masking his true feelings for her sake.

Thinking this, Madam Huang tested the waters. “Cheng’er, did you bring the pouch back?”

Zhao Cheng nodded. “Yes, Mother. I felt that since Qingchen had gone to such lengths to consider me and respect my feelings, it would be inappropriate for me not to accept.”

Hearing this, Madam Huang nodded with satisfaction. “That you see it that way, Cheng’er, reassures me. Not only did he think everything through for you, but this money is exactly what we need most right now. So, I fully approve of you accepting it.”

Zhao Cheng nodded in return, then took out the pouch and handed it to his mother. “Mother, with this money, we can finally follow along to the Provincial Capital.”

Madam Huang accepted the pouch, nodding happily, while internally offering her gratitude to Wang Qingchen.

Meanwhile, back in the Imperial Capital, Master Fu was discussing the marriage alliance between the two families with Master Xia.

“Brother Xia,” Master Fu began, “our families are not just old acquaintances; our children were betrothed from a young age. It was agreed that our Lan’er would be matched with your Ting’er. Why has this changed now, to a mere concubine’s daughter? It’s not that our household looks down on a secondary daughter, but this is simply not what was arranged previously. Your Ting’er was already considered our daughter-in-law by my wife and me!” Master Fu stated.

Master Xia listened to Master Fu calmly and replied without haste, “Brother Fu, it is not that our Xia Residence wished for this. It was Lan’er himself who came to our residence and personally requested to marry Wan Yu. I was quite taken aback at the time. Why would Lan’er suddenly desire to change the engagement, and to a daughter born of a concubine in our family? However, Lan’er seemed very sincere, so my wife and I decided to grant his wish and betroth Wan Yu to him. We thought Wan Yu’s status was unequal to Lan’er’s, so we have already adopted Lan’er under my wife’s name; Wan Yu will now be a legitimate daughter. You need not worry.”

Master Fu thought to himself, How can I not worry? Why would a perfectly fine legitimate daughter be refused in favor of a concubine’s daughter? This mess was caused by his own son. If any other family’s child had done this, I’d mock them for ages. Master Fu sighed helplessly. “Brother Xia, those were just the careless words of children; they hold no weight.”

“Ah, Brother Fu, that’s where you are mistaken. We found Lan’er to be very sincere. Moreover, he indicated that he and she are already… we are all parents. If the children are fond of each other, why not indulge them? If Lan’er marries someone he is unhappy with, not only will Lan’er be displeased, but the young lady’s family will also be unhappy. It would lead to an ugly scene for everyone.” Master Xia reasoned.

Hearing this, Master Fu felt a chill; he realized the situation might be thorny. Still, even if it was difficult, he had to face it head-on—it was his son’s mess, after all! And if the matter couldn't be resolved, wouldn't the entire Fu Residence become the subject of ridicule?

Master Fu forced a dry laugh. “What fondness or not? Those mean nothing. The most crucial thing is that the wife must be virtuous and capable of managing the inner quarters so that Lan’er can strive outside without worry. Don’t you agree, Brother Xia?”

Master Xia nodded. Master Fu was pleased by this agreement and was about to press further when Master Xia interjected first. “You are absolutely right, but Brother Fu, you needn’t worry about that. Whether our Xia daughters are legitimate or born of concubines, they are all raised by governesses from childhood. Managing the inner quarters is something they all excel at. Therefore, Wan Yu will certainly satisfy your esteemed household.”

Master Fu had intended to use this point to illustrate the difference between a legitimate daughter and one born of a concubine, but instead, he had handed Master Xia the perfect counterargument, leaving him speechless.

If Master Fu’s delegation encountered a poor start, Madam Fu’s meeting was equally fruitless. No matter how persuasively Madam Fu argued, Madam Xia refused to yield, repeating the same points. In short, she would never allow Xia Wanting to marry into the Fu Residence.

Madam Fu was furious. She felt that both she and her husband had come to show the Xia Family great deference in coming personally. Even if the Xia Family was reluctant, they should at least afford the Fu Family some respect. Yet, the Xia Family was utterly impermeable, refusing to budge.

In the end, both Master and Madam Fu returned home boiling with suppressed anger. Master Fu immediately administered a harsh punishment to Fu Lan once home; all these troubles were caused by his reckless son! His wife and he had planned everything perfectly for their son, only for him to shatter those plans himself. They had no scapegoat to vent their frustration upon, making their mood utterly miserable.

Seeing the expressions on his father and mother, Fu Lan guessed the situation was less than optimistic. Being clever, he wisely kept silent and accepted the punishment, hoping it would appease Master Fu’s wrath.

Madam Fu, watching her son being disciplined, felt a pang of pity, but seeing Master Fu’s grim face, she dared not say a word, praying only that her husband would be lenient with his own son.

Meanwhile, in the Xia Residence, Xia Wan Yu felt both anxious and enraged when she learned that the elderly Fu couple had come to uphold the original betrothal arrangement. How was she lacking now? She and Xia Wanting were both legitimate daughters now, and she too had been taught by governesses since childhood. Everything a legitimate daughter learned, she had learned. If so, what dissatisfaction did the Fu Residence still hold? Was it simply because her birth mother was of lower standing that she was so despised? Thinking this, Xia Wan Yu grew to hate her own mother’s relative even more, and she directed the same venom toward the elderly Fu couple.

Chunlan watched her young mistress’s darkening expression with some trepidation, yet she tried to soothe her. “Miss, I heard that Master and Madam did not agree to Master and Madam Fu’s requests!”

“Hmph. Even if Father and Mother didn't agree, this is still a matter of face. Master and Madam Fu haven't even met me yet, and they’ve already decided against me. If others find out, who knows what they’ll say about me!” Xia Wan Yu fumed.