Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

It's no wonder Lin Ping changed the subject. Those two had been guarding outside the door the whole time. Logically speaking, they should have rushed in long ago and given Lin Ping a chance to explain.

Wan'er was also a little curious. These two usually listened to her the most, so they shouldn't have been unable to hear the crying inside.

With doubts in their hearts, the two pushed open the door, but indeed, the two people were nowhere to be seen.

"Could something have happened?" Lin Ping wondered to himself, but dared not say it aloud so as not to worry the girl.

"You should run away quickly," Wan'er suddenly said.

Men and women always think differently. Lin Ping was able to guess that something big had happened in the manor based on the two's unusual behavior, and Wan'er wanted Lin Ping to take the opportunity to escape.

"Wait a minute," Wan'er continued, "You can't escape looking like this. Why don't you wear my clothes?"

Putting aside the fact that Lin Ping's appearance was somewhat unfamiliar, just looking at his attire, he definitely couldn't have left the Zhou residence.

The servants and maids here are all dressed in uniform. Anyone wearing a robe must be identified. If you want to escape smoothly, you really need to wear a servant's clothes.

"A cross-dressing master?" Lin Ping shook his head frantically, imagining his alluring appearance. With his handsome face, if he were to wear a maid outfit, the servants' eyes would probably light up with envy, let alone allow him to leave the house.

This is not just provocative, it's bewitching.

"Don't you want to know why those two aren't here?" Lin Ping asked softly, utterly speechless at the girl's thought process.

However, Wan'er's actions warmed his heart, and even if it was only for her sake, he still wanted to help the Zhou family.

"Oh no! The son of the fortune teller has come to propose marriage today!" Wan'er screamed and ran out in a panic, even forgetting Lin Ping's presence.

At this moment, a magnificent carriage arrived outside the gate of the Zhou residence, surrounded by a dozen or so servants.

A cold-faced young man slowly stepped out of the car; his arrogant demeanor was simply outrageous.

"I'm here today to propose marriage. Go and call your master out!" the cold-faced young master said, looking up and showing no respect for the Zhou family head.

The four gatekeepers were terrified by the scene. The cold-faced young master was a nobleman, so they dared not delay. Two of them hurriedly ran into the mansion.

"Make way, I'll wait inside!" The cold-faced young master pushed the door open and walked in with an air of nonchalance.

What else can a doorman do?

Take action?

He'd probably get beaten to death.

Is it reasonable? They are the ones who are reasonable!

And so, a dozen or so people barged into the front courtyard of the Zhou residence. If they didn't know where Master Zhou's study was, they would have gone there to wait.

"Young Master Ruan is here! Young Master Ruan is here!" the doorman shouted as he ran, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The two servants guarding the woodshed door left at this moment, and all ten servants in the mansion gathered together, picked up wooden sticks, and prepared to fight to the death.

"What do you want?" Zhou Xiyin arrived upon hearing the news, angrily glaring at everyone.

"Young Master Ruan is here, let's go and chase him away!" the leading servant said, patting his chest as if he were ready to die for his cause.

This was something Master Zhou had specifically instructed them to do. If Young Master Ruan dared to come, they would take action. They didn't care if he was the son of a fortune teller; at worst, they would fight to the death or go bankrupt.

"Go back, all of you!" Zhou Xiyin said coldly, clearly not wanting these servants to die.

Beating up the son of a transport official?

That would be terrible! They'd only be at a disadvantage in court, since their father was an official and likely had some connections with the prefect. They would definitely be punished with the most severe penalties.

Moreover, this was Zhou Xiyin pleading with the other party.

The Salt Transport Commissioner was the third-in-command of the Salt Transport Office, wielding considerable power. He could at least sell the limited amount of salt to the Zhou family, or prevent the Zhou family from buying any salt at all.

In order to enable the Zhou family to purchase salt, Zhou Xiyin was willing to sacrifice herself.

She felt she had been willful enough over the years and it was time to do something for the family. However, this was also another act of willfulness, since Mr. Lin did not want to exchange his daughter's happiness for personal gain.

Knowing the young lady's personality, the servants dared not speak, and even the doorman who was supposed to go and inform Master Zhou turned back.

"Sister Zhou really missed me! She actually came out to greet me personally." The son of the fortune teller said excitedly, his lecherous little eyes fixed on Zhou Xiyin.

Zhou Xiyin didn't want to give such a disgraceful person a second glance. She treated marriage as a transaction and said bluntly, "We'd better sign a contract first. After we get married, you will immediately supply the Zhou family with salt."

"Bring...bring a pen!" The magistrate's son wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and anxiously ordered someone to bring a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. He then wrote a line of crooked characters on the Xuan paper with flamboyant strokes.

“From now on, we’re family. How could I not supply salt to my father-in-law?” The magistrate’s son fawned over Zhou Xiyin as he handed her the written agreement, shamelessly holding her delicate hand tightly.

Zhou Xiyin despised this kind of sleazy man the most. If it were before, she would have slapped him across the face. But now, she didn't resist at all, which shows how helpless she felt.

Zhou Xiyin felt a lump in her throat, and tears welled up in her eyes. She forced herself not to cry out loud. Since she had made her choice, she shouldn't let the other person look down on her.

Suddenly, Zhou Xiyin revealed a faint smile, her long hair fluttering in the wind, and said seriously, "Okay, I agree to marry you!"

A smile is just a facial expression and doesn't represent one's true feelings. Zhou Xiyin just didn't want everyone to worry, so even though she was unwilling, she left with a smile.

Lin Ping, who happened to arrive, was frozen in place by this scene, and he would probably never forget the other person's helpless expression. A strange pang of sorrow welled up in his heart.

This was Zhou Xiyin's own choice, not an arranged marriage by her parents, but it still fell into the category that Lin Ping could not accept.

“Miss…” Wan’er ran straight to Zhou Xiyin’s side and burst into tears. She knew best what the other was thinking. She was crying on Zhou Xiyin’s behalf.

"You dog slave, how dare you cry when I, your young master, am so happy? Are you tired of living?!" The son of the fortune teller said angrily, and slapped Wan'er across the face.

In his eyes, Wan'er was nothing but a servant, without any human rights, and deserved to be beaten to death, since she had spoiled his fun.

However, the slap remained frozen in mid-air, refusing to land.

"You dare to hit her and see what happens!" Lin Ping said coldly, gripping the wrist of the prefect's son.

Although Master Ping's martial arts skills are low, his eyes are sharp. He's definitely a great tool for pretending to be a coward. If you don't believe me, just look him in the eye!

"Fuck you!" Lin Ping kicked the other man in the chest with all his might.

The magistrate's son staggered back several steps, almost falling to the ground, and coughed violently, in great pain.

This was only because Lin Ping showed mercy; otherwise, he would have kicked your testicles to pieces.

"You brat, do you want to die? You dare to interfere in my affairs?" the magistrate's son said through gritted teeth.