Second Madam moved quickly. Instead of going to find the First Madam, she went straight to Marshal Li Xiao.
“Marshal!” Her voice came before she even entered the room. The moment she stepped inside, she eagerly announced, “Zhenting told me he wants to get married. Our Li family is about to have a daughter-in-law!”
Li Xiao, who had been engrossed in the newspaper in his hands, looked up at the anxious-looking Second Madam. He raised an eyebrow slightly and replied calmly, “This is something you should discuss with Wanrong. She’ll make the proper arrangements.”
At those words, Second Madam’s heart sank. She clenched her fists secretly, but on the surface, she remained composed. She even put on a pitiful expression and complained coquettishly, “But, Marshal, the Third Young Master is still unmarried. Zhenting is Juechen’s younger brother. If he marries before his elder brother, I’m worried Madam might take it to heart…”
Hearing this, Li Xiao casually set the newspaper aside, skillfully lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. Narrowing his eyes, he glanced sideways at Second Madam and asked with an amused expression, “Oh? Which family’s daughter does Fourth Young Master want to marry?”
The anxiety that had lingered in Second Madam’s heart instantly disappeared. Her eyes lit up as she smiled brightly and moved to sit beside Li Xiao. She lifted a handkerchief to cover the corner of her mouth, unable to conceal her excitement.
“To answer you, Marshal, it’s Miss Du Shiru, the daughter of Commander Du. The two of them are deeply in love and have feelings for each other. They only dared to tell me about it after they had both confirmed their feelings.”
Li Xiao took another deep drag of his cigarette and let out a cold laugh.
“Zhenting certainly knows how to pick a wife. Fine. I approve. Go talk to Wanrong.”
Second Madam’s heart leaped with joy, but afraid of appearing too delighted, she quickly rose and gave a slight bow.
“Yes, Marshal. You’re busy with countless affairs, so I won’t disturb you any longer!”
With that, she turned and left.
Through the swirling smoke, Li Xiao narrowed his eyes.
It seemed his fourth son needed to be taught a lesson. His hands had already reached into the military. He was practically wearing his ambition on his face.
After leaving the study, Second Madam headed straight for First Madam Xiao Wanrong’s room. Before she even entered, the strong, pungent scent of perfume wafted directly into First Madam’s nose.
She frowned in disgust.
Ever since her eldest son, Jueliang, had passed away, she had devoted herself to chanting Buddhist scriptures and practicing Buddhism. Every month, she went to the slums to distribute porridge and medicine, hoping to accumulate more blessings for her deceased son.
Consequently, her room was always filled with the soothing fragrance of agarwood. The intrusion of the overpowering perfume immediately unsettled her.
“What do you want?”
Second Madam secretly rolled her eyes.
“First Madam, I came to inform you that Zhenting wants to get married. The Marshal has already given his approval. Would you like to personally handle the arrangements, or should I take care of them?”
Xiao Wanrong let out a disdainful snort.
“It’s hardly a major matter. Why did you need to bother the Marshal with it? He has countless important affairs to deal with. In the future, come directly to me with such trivial matters. Zhenting is your son, so it’s only natural for you to handle the wedding yourself. Go.”
Second Madam tightly gripped her handkerchief, struggling to suppress her excitement. She cautiously tested the waters.
“And what about the expenses?”
Xiao Wanrong returned to her meditation cushion and slowly closed her eyes.
“Go to the accounts office and withdraw whatever you need.”
Hearing this answer, Second Madam was ecstatic. She hurriedly suppressed her excitement, then practically skipped away while humming a cheerful tune.
After she left, Xiao Wanrong slowly opened her eyes. Her expression was dark and unreadable.
Meanwhile, Du Shiru returned home with an exhausted body.
She had rested at the inn for an entire day and had recovered somewhat, but every step still brought a dull ache between her legs. To keep her father from noticing anything unusual, she gritted her teeth, forced herself to stay composed, and did her best to make her steps appear steady and natural.
When she reached her father’s study, Du Shiru gently knocked on the door.
“Dad, are you busy?”
Du Bin’s voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
Du Shiru took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked inside.
Du Bin and his first wife had only one daughter, Du Shiru. Her biological mother had passed away, after which Du Bin promoted his concubine to the position of principal wife. They later had two sons.
His eldest son, Du Shangwen, currently worked at a newspaper office.
His younger son, Du Shangwu, had been thoroughly spoiled. He spent his days wandering around with a group of rich young men. However, those young masters looked down on him for being so stingy and miserly, and they barely paid him any attention.
At that moment, Du Shangwu was clinging to his father, sweet-talking and pestering him for more pocket money.
The star performer at the Paramount, Xiao Hongyu, had already promised to spend a month with him if he bought her a house.
If he could have one of the Paramount’s top performers by his side, how impressive would that make him look?
Therefore, no matter what, he had to buy that house!
His father was already about to agree when Du Shiru suddenly interrupted them.
Du Shangwu was so annoyed that he nearly blew a gasket. He called out sarcastically, “The study is where men discuss important matters. What are you doing here?”
Du Bin immediately scolded him. “What kind of attitude is that toward your elder sister? If you can come to see your father, does that mean your elder sister has no right to do the same? You’re both my own children. Show some respect!”
Du Shangwu continued arguing.
“Dad, that’s not what I meant. Ever since Elder Sister returned from studying abroad, she’s been disappearing all day long. You’ve been worrying yourself sick over her. I’m only speaking up because I feel sorry for you!”
It had to be admitted that Du Shangwu understood his father’s temperament extremely well. With just a few words, he successfully shifted Du Bin’s attention.
Du Bin turned his sharp gaze toward Du Shiru and questioned her sternly.
“Where have you been these past two days? You didn’t even come home last night. I see you really don’t regard me as your father anymore. You’re a young woman, yet you spent an entire night away from home. If word gets out, what will happen to your reputation?”
Du Shiru pointed at Du Shangwu and shouted, “Shut up! I’m talking to Dad. What does this have to do with you? Get out! I have something important to discuss with Dad!”
Du Shangwu arrogantly rolled his eyes.
“I’m not leaving. What can you do about it?”
Du Bin slammed his hand down on the desk.
“I’m not dead yet, and you two are already arguing right in front of me! Xiaowu, get out. If I hear you fighting with your sister like this again, don’t expect to squeeze another penny out of me!”
Du Shangwu shrank his neck and glared viciously at Du Shiru before leaving the study.
However, he didn’t actually go far. He crouched down outside, pressing his ear against the door and straining to listen to their conversation.
Du Shiru took a deep breath and looked firmly at Du Bin.
“Dad, Zhenting and I love each other. He has proposed to me, and I’ve accepted.”
Du Bin took quite some time to recover from the shock. Then he slapped the table again and burst into hearty laughter.
“Good! Although Fourth Young Master is the son of Second Madam, marrying into the Marshal’s residence will bring honor to your father! Every one of those old fellows in the military wants to marry their daughters into the Marshal’s family. You’ve really made your father proud!”
Du Shiru finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Whatever else could be said, her father’s reaction was completely beyond her expectations. She had thought he might refuse to let her marry a son born to a concubine.