Chapter 190: Father… Will You Marry Someone Else in the Future?

Upon hearing that Liang Tian’er might be in trouble, the expressions of the Bai family members subtly shifted.

Even the youngest, Juanjuan, appeared a bit worried.

What kind of trouble has Sister Liang encountered? It must be significant, or else Sister Mu wouldn’t have spoken so seriously.

“Her father arranged a marriage for her with the Second Son of the current Minister of Revenue.”

Jiang Dai raised an eyebrow. “Logically, the Second Son of the Minister of Revenue holds a respectable position. Could it be that his character is questionable?”

【If he’s like the male protagonists in historical novels—handsome and virtuous—then it wouldn’t be a big problem.】

Juanjuan nodded earnestly, agreeing with her mother’s words. She already understood what historical novels and male protagonists meant.

Her mother often mentioned them while writing stories, so she naturally picked up on their meanings.

Mu Zhaoyuan nodded. “In theory, Liang Tian’er, being the daughter of a first-tier merchant—even as a legitimate daughter—would be considered marrying above her station with the Minister of Revenue’s Second Son.”

“But unfortunately, that Second Son is a complete libertine. Purely indulgent. To the point where…”

Mu Zhaoyuan lowered her voice, leaning close to Jiang Dai’s ear. “He even caused a girl from Bichun House to die in bed.”

Jiang Dai’s brows immediately furrowed.

Mu Zhaoyuan straightened up, her voice returning to normal. “For ordinary girls, they might resign themselves to such a marriage, but I know Liang Tian’er is very opinionated and capable, so she doesn’t want to settle.”

“That’s why I said she’s in trouble now.”

Jiang Dai frowned slightly, not expecting to encounter such a melodramatic situation.

Bai Tian looked at Mu Zhaoyuan. “I wonder if Miss Mu could arrange a meeting with Liang Tian’er?”

【Liang Tian’er is only fifteen, the age of a high school freshman in modern times, yet she’s expected to marry. While normal in ancient times, it just doesn’t feel right.】

Juanjuan was used to her father’s inner thoughts and didn’t comment anymore.

At first, she thought people from her father’s world were all old and unmarried. Over time, listening to her parents’ inner thoughts and spoken words, she realized that in their world, being “old” meant just beginning.

In Juanjuan’s eyes, her parents’ world was magical, like heaven on earth, filled with amazing things, including so many “chickens¹“!

Not only were there washing “chickens” and drying “chickens,” but also flying “chickens” and bombing “chickens.”

Though she didn’t know what bombing “chickens” were for, they sounded impressive.

“In a couple of days, I’ll have Seventh Sister arrange a gathering and invite Liang Tian’er. I don’t usually interact with the Liang family, so going there directly would involve too many complications.”

Jiang Dai said, “Thank you for the trouble.”

Mu Zhaoyuan chuckled. “It’s no trouble at all. Besides, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, Seventh Sister was already planning a banquet in two days to invite Liang Tian’er.”

The letter Liang Tian’er sent to Liuyun Pavilion a few days ago was extremely important. They needed to meet to discuss the matter of the sweet potatoes in detail. It was unclear where Liang Tian’er had found them.

Mu Zhaoyuan was grateful to have a sister like Seventh Sister in her family.

Both were daughters of the Mu family, yet one was seen as a rebellious woman no one dared to marry, while the other was the epitome of a noblewoman, a model for all.

Perhaps due to the impending war, the direct descendants of the Mu family were off to battle, leaving the family unusually united, unlike other noble families with their internal strife.

Because you never knew when the relative you argued with last might fall on the battlefield, never to be seen again.

Mu Zhaoyao, though a cousin in Mu Manor, lost her mother at a young age due to childbirth complications, and her father died of grief soon after. She was then taken in by the Mu family, raised under the Old Madam’s care as her own.

With Liang Tian’er’s situation temporarily settled, Jiang Dai and the others could relax, simply waiting for the meeting in two days.

“Let’s go. We promised to visit Liuyun Pavilion. No time like the present, let’s go today!”

Mu Zhaoyuan took Juanjuan’s hand and noticed the melting ice treat the little one hadn’t finished.

“Juanjuan, is the ice treat not to your taste?”

Juanjuan: ???

It’s delicious! That’s why…

“She might just be reluctant to finish it,” Bai Tian suggested, seeing through the little one’s thoughts.

Juanjuan nodded shyly, agreeing with her father’s words.

Mu Zhaoyuan: …

“If it weren’t for the fact that eating too much ice in summer can upset a child’s stomach, I’d buy out the whole ice treat stall for you!”

By the time they reached Liuyun Pavilion, Juanjuan’s ice treat had been replaced with a fruit dessert.

Don’t ask why her parents and brothers didn’t have any fruit dessert. They simply finished theirs already.

By the way, Bai Tian liked the fruit dessert so much he ordered an extra serving.

Mu Zhaoyuan was impressed.

She thought to herself, this pair of parents is truly…

Not that they don’t act like parents, just that they’re different from the usual.

Typical parents: Let the kids have the fruit dessert.

Jiang Dai and Bai Tian: Come on, son! Let your parents have a bite!

【Wow! This Sister Mu is truly impressive! The Spiritual Energy here is abundant! What to do, Bai Yunqi, control yourself, hold back!】

As they were about to enter, Juanjuan heard her Eldest Brother’s voice.

Since arriving in Jingcheng, her Eldest Brother often marveled at others’ Spiritual Energy, which was akin to wealth, and seemed a bit pitiful to Juanjuan.

Juanjuan quietly resolved to work hard and earn money in the future, so she could give it to her Eldest Brother!

After a quick tour of the first floor of Liuyun Pavilion, Mu Zhaoyuan invited the group to the second floor.

However, before they could ascend, they heard a commotion from the wooden stairs leading to the second floor.

Juanjuan, munching on her fruit dessert, curiously looked up.

She wasn’t the only one watching.

Almost everyone in Liuyun Pavilion turned their gaze upward.

“Ah! So this is where all your money went, on this wench! This hairpin alone costs a hundred taels!”

A woman’s hysterical voice echoed.

“It’s my money, and I’ll spend it how I like! Even if it’s eight hundred taels for Yunniang, I’m willing!”

“You woman, you gave me two useless daughters, while Yunniang gave me a son. What’s wrong with buying her a hairpin?”

A man’s voice, full of confidence, followed.

Soon, everyone saw a crying, hysterical woman dragging and hitting a man down the stairs, followed by a gentle, elegant woman.

Jiang Dai thought, 【Wow! Jingcheng really lives up to its name. The chances of a wife confronting a mistress are much higher than in Songyuan County!】

Seeing the crowd gather, the man seemed embarrassed, his anger flaring. He slapped the woman, pushing her down, inadvertently knocking a jade pendant off a table.

Juanjuan shrank back in fright, nearly getting hit by the shards due to her height.

“Wretched woman! Causing trouble without reason!”

Seeing the shattered jade, the man threw out these words, grabbed the other woman’s hand, and quickly left.

Just as he was about to leave, someone blocked his way.

Mu Zhaoyuan, taller than the average woman, stood in the doorway, showing no hint of weakness.

“You there, Young Master, this jade pendant isn’t expensive, just twenty-five taels of silver. Compared to your future prospects, this is hardly a significant amount, right?”

The man grumbled as he pulled out a banknote from his pocket, which was only worth twenty taels.

Mu Zhaoyuan chuckled and turned to the shopkeeper, “Uncle Guan, put it on my tab.”

After the man left, Mu Zhaoyuan approached the woman who had fallen and handed her the banknote.

“Go home. Your hand is injured. There’s a clinic not far from here; get it checked out. Use the rest to buy yourself some clothes. Life goes on.”

The commotion dispersed.

Bai Yunqi quietly sidled up to Mu Zhaoyuan.

“Sis, can I have this broken jade? My parents will pay for it.”

Bai Tian: ?

“Yes! I’ll pay for it.”

He was suddenly called upon, not knowing what had happened, but agreed instantly.

Mu Zhaoyuan said, “It’s yours! Who would want these scraps anyway? Talking about money hurts feelings!”

Bai Yunqi smiled, “Alright! Thanks, Sister Mu!”

【So happy! Little Spiritual Energy, here I come!】

Juanjuan: …

As they headed upstairs, people were still discussing the earlier commotion.

Even Jiang Dai was no exception.

Only Bai Tian noticed that his little daughter seemed to be looking at him with that peculiar gaze again.

Bai Tian said, “Juanjuan~ What’s up? If you have something to say to Dad, just say it.”

【Staring at Dad like this makes him nervous! It’s like you’re planning to assassinate your own father.】

Juanjuan looked at her dad, hesitated for a moment, then spoke up under his encouraging gaze, “Dad… will you marry another wife? Like, like the one just now…”

The more the child spoke, the softer her voice became.

The moment she finished speaking, Bai Tian felt as if many eyes were suddenly on him.

Translator’s Notes