I fought back after reselling my engagement

Su Gang's brothers are unwilling to help their uncle's family, so why should his son be sacrificed?

Su Jingzhai sighed, "I have discussed with my second uncle that as long as the Su family supports the second branch of the Xie family to establish branches and roots in Luoyang and helps the girl of the Xie family marry into the royal family, Wulang can choose not to marry the girl of the Xie family."

The second uncle he mentioned was the biological uncle of Su Gang and Su Jin. The first uncle was the eldest brother of the Xie family. He died of illness a few years ago, and the first and second branches of the Xie family had some disputes in recent years. The first uncle Xie was the patriarch of the Hedong Xie family. Before he died, he left a will, asking the second uncle Xie to take over the position of patriarch.

However, the three legitimate sons of Uncle Xie refused to agree to this matter, and were even more unwilling to hand over the 900 acres of fertile land in the clan’s public domain to the second branch of the family.

In a rage, Second Uncle Xie took his descendants to Luoyang and separated from the Hedong Xie family. They had settled in the county town under the jurisdiction of Luoyang for several years. Perhaps to feel at ease, Second Uncle Xie tried to please Su Jingzhai and show weakness, using both soft and hard tactics to form an alliance with him.

He originally wanted to marry his nephew's children, but Su Gang and Su Jin looked down on the commoner status of the second branch of the Xie family. Usually, marriages required legitimate children. To them, every legitimate child was a treasure.

Another branch was established in Luoyang, and the girls in the family were required to marry into the royal family. Now the royal family in the capital had established new rules, and the prince's legitimate wife and concubines were all selected from the Noble Ladies' Society. Palace maids, eunuchs, and palace nannies were sent to manage the Mingzhu Garden.

Su Shao couldn't help but smile bitterly, "This time Princess Changle left the capital to select wives and concubines for the princes and sons of the royal family. According to Princess Changle's selection method, there won't be many people in the entire Hunan Province. How can Miss Xie be selected?"

Su Jingzhai pointed at him and said, "Among the younger generation of the Xie family, there is one who looks very similar to Wen Jiang. This time when Xie Liulang came to Yueyang, he brought her with him."

"Who do they want to marry? The Emperor or the Prince?"

Su Shao's expression was full of sarcasm.

No wonder he didn't marry his daughter to their family. It turns out he wanted to marry into a rich family.

Su Jingzhai said, "Can't you just talk properly? You'll be getting married in a few years, so why are you still so cynical?" He pointed again and again, "You and your second sister are too noble, you'll suffer a great loss."

"Aren't we like our father's character?" Su Shaoluo's words left the blame in Su Jingzhai's heart, and a hint of helplessness from a loving father appeared instead.

"Father, I'm not going to be an official, so how much loss can I suffer?"

His character is too upright, and he will suffer a lot if he works in the officialdom.

"I can't protect you forever." Su Jingzhai said.

"Wu Lang and Qi Lang's personalities are different from mine. In a few years, they will be able to support the third house. Ba Lang's personality is like mine. I will teach him more and let him follow the path of a famous scholar."

"A famous scholar is leaving so easily. There have been many famous scholars since ancient times, but how many of them have had a good end? You are over 30 years old, but you still act on impulse? As an old man, how many years can you take care of you? Can't you be careful with your words and actions?"

Su Jingzhai scolded his youngest son. Seeing that he was really angry, Su Shao dared not argue anymore and listened sincerely. Su Jingzhai scolded him for half an hour before saying, "You want to be a famous scholar, but your calligraphy and painting are not as good as Wen Jiang. Go back! When you surpass your father, you can talk about being a famous scholar again, otherwise you will be slandered. You should also help Yaxian Manor. After all, the Su family gave you and your son 30% of the money. Wen Jiang worked harder than you, but she only got 30% of the money."

"Son understands." Su Shao clasped his fists, bowed, and left the study.

Su Jingzhai called out, "Someone come here!" and took out a box. "This is the pass from the county lord. Send it to Tingyuxuan tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir." Even at his age, he is still planning for his children and grandchildren.

The peace their family has now was earned at the cost of Su Wan's life and entire life. Su Wan lived her life as the emperor's beloved at the cost of a lifetime of pain.

After Su Jingzhai finished giving his instructions, he blew out the oil lamp. With the servant holding a lantern, he left the study and headed towards his bedroom.

Shi Jian led his men away and quickly returned to Princess Changle.

Princess Changle was lying on the couch reading a storybook. When she raised her hand, the people around her retreated.

Shi Jian repeated exactly what he had heard.

Princess Changle smiled bitterly, "Uncle Royal is really patient. His own daughter was almost killed, but he didn't show his face. If it wasn't for my father letting it slip, who would have thought of this."

*

The pavilions and buildings in the Governor's Mansion have carved beams and painted rafters, and flying eaves on all four corners. The courtyards are simple yet exquisite. The courtyards are quiet and elegant. Several large trees with lush branches and leaves are planted in an orderly manner in the spacious courtyard. A field of autumn chrysanthemums are in full bloom, and there are overlapping rockery, flowing water under small bridges, and long and secluded corridors, with unique scenery.

Zhou Yiqing and Zhen Su lay side by side in the tent. They got up this morning and practiced calligraphy and painting together. Zhen Su had some experience, but Zhou Yiqing was full of theories and classics. They each had their own strengths and benefited a lot from each other.

"Wen Jiang!" Zhou Yiqing called out, and she responded with a low "hmm".

Zhou Yiqing said, "I heard from my mother that your mother and my aunt were close friends before they got married. They once joked that they would become relatives after they had children. I think you and the fifth prince are a good match, and he really likes you."

"Yiqing, it's impossible for him and I to be together. I'd rather be a peasant woman than a concubine of a noble family. Back then, I swore an oath at my mother's bedside that I would never change my vow."

The Fifth Prince was sincere, but he was not her type at all. In her eyes, he was just a childish kid. She did not like men younger than herself and felt insecure around them.

Zhou Yiqing asked: "Is there no chance at all?"

"The oath I made to my mother must not be broken."

Zhou Yiqing sighed, "I should have guessed it, but I couldn't help but try again for him."

"Yiqing, if one day you want to be someone's concubine, I will definitely dissuade you. This is the dignity of a woman. A person who can give up her dignity and bottom line has already lost herself. Being a peasant woman is my bottom line, but being a concubine is something I will never do." Zhen Su looked at Zhou Yiqing, "As a friend, you shouldn't persuade her to be someone's concubine."

"I'm sorry, I thought the Fifth Prince was different."

The Fifth Prince traveled thousands of miles to Yueyang Prefecture just to attend her coming-of-age banquet, which shows that he was sincere.

Zhen Su was not moved at all. If the Fifth Prince made a scene in Yueyang Prefecture, the entire Hunan officialdom would know that she was chosen by the Fifth Prince, and no one would come to ask for her hand in marriage. She was afraid that her relationship with Su Mo would also be hindered. After all, Su Mo, a commoner in white, did not have the courage to compete with the prince for a woman.

"For you and me, being a concubine means giving up dignity."

There are so many men in the world, but no man in this world is important enough to make her give up her dignity.

"I...will never be a concubine, I will never be a stepmother, and I will never share a husband with anyone. This is my bottom line."

As the two were talking, Chunyue stood outside the beaded curtain and said, "Princess, the governor's servant has brought something over. Please take a look."