"Impossible," she flatly denied her sister-in-law's words.
After speaking, she felt her reply had been too harsh. So, she softened her tone and asked as gently as possible, "Sister-in-law, who told you this? Xueyao grew up before your eyes. She wouldn't dare to act rashly with anyone, especially on something as important as marriage. Her boldness doesn't extend that far."
Zhao Jiaqi wished with all her might that the matter wasn't true, but since Qi Xuan had spoken, she had no choice but to believe him. Especially after seeing them leave one after another last night, even a fool would know something was amiss.
She sighed and uttered a name, "Yan Luo, Qi Xuan's beloved disciple. Do you know of him?"
Upon hearing this name, Wang Zhaodi's mind went blank. She felt dizzy and almost fell headfirst.
The name Yan Luo was far too familiar. Their entire family relied on Yan Luo for medical care whenever anyone felt unwell. Not only was Yan Luo Qi Xuan's disciple, but he was also the manor physician. When the manor was quiet, he would accompany Qi Xuan to the inner city clinic for consultations. His medical skills were quite good.
Minor illnesses were cured instantly, and more serious ones would heal after a few doses of medicine. Because of this, their whole family, young and old, was quite fond of him. But fondness couldn't justify...
He wouldn't seduce her child, would he? Xueyao was only fourteen, and Yan Luo was almost old enough to be Xueyao's father. And yet...
"Sister-in-law, Uncle Qi asked for a favor, which I declined. Honestly, I don't know what you and Brother are thinking. Even if you two agreed to this marriage, I wouldn't approve. Setting aside the age difference, his background is unclear, which is another drawback."
Xueyao was a quiet child, her mind far less mature than Yan Luo's. If Yan Luo truly liked Xueyao, why would he secretly meet with her behind her elder brother and sister-in-law's backs?
Didn't ancient people value reputation above all else?
Furthermore, Yan Luo was her suspect in poisoning their mother-in-law. Once suspicion arose, looking at Yan Luo seemed wrong in every way.
However, she didn't tell her sister-in-law about this later suspicion, fearing that her anger would cause her to blurt it out, thus jeopardizing her plan.
Wang Zhaodi clutched her chest and sat down on a low stool, her arm resting on the round table. After a while, feeling much better, she began to speak, "You mentioning Yan Luo reminds me that Xueyao has often praised him these past few months. When I sensed something was wrong, I asked Xueyao, and she only said she admired Yan Luo's medical skills and knowledge."
"At the time, I thought Xueyao saw Yan Luo as an uncle. I never expected her heart to feel this way. I was careless."
She paused, her face full of regret, though it was of no avail. She hurried on, "Yan Luo seems like a good person on the surface, quite kind and gentle-tempered. But if he were to become my son-in-law, I would absolutely refuse. This marriage cannot happen."
Without a second thought, she dismissed the idea of marriage, concluding that the age difference was the insurmountable obstacle.
No one could accept their beautiful, blossoming daughter marrying someone who was practically buried. Especially since their family wasn't lacking in money or land, they wouldn't be in a hurry to "sell" their daughter.
The treasure they held in their palms being snatched by an old man was something no one could stomach.
But who could control matters of the heart?
As expected, Wang Zhaodi called Fan Xueyao into her room as soon as she returned. After inquiring and learning the truth, she immediately crushed Xueyao's hopes. "I'm telling you, your marriage is not up to you to decide. Since ancient times, it has been dictated by parents and arranged by matchmakers. Even if you were to marry someone else, I would never let you marry Yan Luo. You should give up this idea."
Hearing her mother's resolute words, Fan Xueyao's stubborn nature ignited with anger. Pouting, she glared at Wang Zhaodi with defiant eyes and said, "I will not marry anyone but him."
With that, she ran out of the room, bumping right into Fan Guangping.
Seeing their child run off in tears, Fan Guangping was bewildered. He rubbed his hands together and entered the room. He saw his wife angrily gulping down water, her face ashen and displeased.
He cautiously approached and asked, "What's wrong? Why do I see our child crying?"
"It's all because you've spoiled her. Now she dares to defy me. She's asking for a beating."
Defy?
Hearing the word "defy," Fan Guangping's heart skipped a beat. He quickly went to pour her tea and asked, "Defy you with what? You know our daughter's temperament. She never argues with you and always does as you command."
Such a good child, if he didn't spoil her, should he reprimand her instead?
"Alright, calm down. The child is grown up. She'll come of age next year. Xueyao is a girl, and she has her pride. Don't talk about beating her at the slightest thing."
He finished speaking, poured her tea, and sat beside her, pouring himself a cup as well. He slowly brought the cup to his lips, gently blowing away the foam from the tea.
Wang Zhaodi snorted and glanced at him askance, a disdainful curve at the corner of her lips. She said unhurriedly, "Your daughter insists on marrying Yan Luo. You'll soon have a son-in-law in his thirties. Congratulations."
"Pfft... cough cough... cough." Caught off guard, Fan Guangping choked on the water and coughed violently a few times, the cough painful to his chest and making his face turn red.
His dark, coarse brows furrowed, and he glared with his bull-like eyes, saying angrily, "Congratulations my foot! That Yan Luo is the same age as Zehao. When Xueyao is twenty, Yan Luo will be over forty. What, are you expecting Xueyao to take care of him in his old age? Isn't that embarrassing?"
Wang Zhaodi, seeing the spittle flying from his mouth, turned her head away in disgust and snorted, "Do you think I want to find a son-in-law my age? It's because your daughter likes him. Just now she was making grand pronouncements about only marrying him."
This time, Fan Guangping couldn't sit still. He got up and stomped out, muttering, "It's true, three days without a beating, and they'll tear down the roof."
Wang Zhaodi couldn't be bothered to deal with him. He had just been talking about the child being grown and needing pride, saying she shouldn't be beaten. Yet, in a blink of an eye, he was going to discipline her. Heh heh...
She let out a few mocking laughs. While angry, the child was her own, and beating her wouldn't solve the problem.
As a mother, she was truly worn out.
If she didn't have sons, she was afraid of being gossiped about. If she had sons, she was afraid they wouldn't find wives.
Now, it was good. They had both sons and daughters.
Their son was diligently studying and was now a scholar. Their daughter was also well-behaved and sensible. They had enough money to spend, a three-section courtyard, fertile land, and shops. They had no worries about food or drink. They were just waiting for their son to marry a virtuous wife and their daughter to marry a good family.
Who knew their son wouldn't cause any trouble, but their daughter would suddenly pull this stunt on her?
Her already thinning hair seemed to lose a few more strands. Wang Zhaodi clutched the hair in her hand and suddenly felt she didn't deserve to have good days.