Reborn as the Regent's Beloved

Seeing her father angry, Xiao Qingyin was delighted and continued to add fuel to the fire.

“Father, please don’t be angry. My sister will be the Princess Consort of Zhao in the future, how noble she will be! When she is married, the court will send a princess and her consort, there will be no need for my poor mother who has no official title.”

Xiao Fengyi's beautiful eyes shone brightly, her sharp expression seeming to see right through people. Was this Xiao Qingyin playing the role of the weak and easily bullied little white jasmine again?

Xiao Qishan actually believed this nonsense without a doubt. "Fengyi, a son does not despise his mother for being ugly. I really cannot believe that you do not want to hand over the key to the betrothal gifts and the gift list to your mother for this reason."

Faced with pointless criticism, she glanced at the golden ginkgo leaves and sighed. She didn't mince words; she spoke her mind directly, unlike Xiao Qingyin who was sarcastic and cryptic.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Xiao Qishan became even angrier. "Fengyi, I'm talking to you! Answer me!"

Looking back, Xiao Fengyi lowered her eyes to her father and said in a low voice, "I didn't mean that. I didn't give the gift list to my aunt because of my status or position. It's just because I don't trust her. I don't believe my aunt can keep the valuable betrothal gifts safe."

She spoke very bluntly, but it angered those who heard her.

This nonchalant, indifferent attitude enraged Xiao Qishan, made Shen Shi sob, and made Xiao Qingyin gloat.

Xiao Qishan wanted to curse loudly, but when he saw Yue Qi, he thought of the respected Prince Zhao, and he suppressed his anger by clenching his teeth. Every word seemed to burst out from between his lips and teeth, "Xiao Fengyi, no matter whose queen you are in the future, you will always be my daughter. I will not allow you to speak to your mother like this, nor will I allow you to bully her."

"I..." I didn't bully her...

Xiao Fengyi swallowed her words of reasoning, knowing that further discussion was pointless; she only needed to remember that her original intention was to return the dowry to Feng Xingye.

Sobbing, Madam Shen said to Xiao Qishan, "My lord, I am an unlucky person. I have been married to you for so many years and have never received an imperial decree."

The man's remorse immediately surfaced in his aged eyes. "I'm sorry."

When Liu heard her son apologize to Shen, she glanced at the two of them but said nothing more.

Even though he disliked Lady Shen, he still felt it was absurd that she, as the Duchess of the State, did not have the title of Imperial Noblewoman. All of this stemmed from his son's lack of achievements in politics over the past few years, and he was frustrated but helpless.

In his earlier years, Xiao Qishan relied on the protection of his ancestors to grant his first wife, Lady Shen, the title of Imperial Noblewoman. When she was buried, she was dressed in the robes bestowed by the Emperor.

Xiao Shenshi was the younger sister of Da Shenshi. She was Xiao Qishan's second wife. Because she came later, she did not receive the same honors as her older sister, although her life was still much better than her sister's.

Although Lady Shen held the title of Duchess, she had no formal imperial decree or bestowed robes. When attending royal banquets, she always wore ordinary clothes. For many years, she was in an awkward position. Others called her Duchess Xiao, but there was no respect in their eyes. It was all in remembrance of the eldest Lady Shen, which always stung her and Xiao Qingyin.

Xiao Qingyin, in particular, complained about the fact that Madam Shen held the title of her mother's noblewoman because of this incident. After being beaten by Madam Shen, she dared not say another word.

She could vaguely sense her mother's strange feelings towards the Great Shen family, which was also the reason why she disliked Xiao Fengyi.

Xiao Qishan asked his eldest daughter in a tone that severed ties, "I'm asking you one last time, are you not planning to give the betrothal gifts to your mother?"

"Yes!"

Regardless of her father's attitude, Xiao Fengyi was determined to return the betrothal gifts to Feng Xingye when she saw him tonight, and naturally would not hand them over to Shen Shi.

"it is good."

This single word already reveals Xiao Qishan's attitude: "Fengyi, once you marry into the Zhao Prince's mansion, don't come back."

After saying that, he strode away from the garden, ignoring Xiao Ye's calls.

Although he didn't say he wanted to sever ties, everyone present knew what he meant.

Xiao Ye chased after her, saying, "Father, you can talk to my younger sister properly. You don't have to sever our father-daughter relationship so easily!"

Xiao Qishan ignored his son's advice and left anyway.

Xiao Ye could only turn back to persuade his sister, "Fengyi, quickly give this betrothal letter to Mother and calm Father down."

Xiao Fengyi closed her eyes tightly and sighed, "Brother, I cannot hand them over."

"Think about it yourself."

Xiao Ye didn't force her, but instead went after Xiao Qishan.

Shen's strategic retreat, Xiao Qishan's furious outburst, Xiao Ye's repeated attempts to dissuade her, and Liu's silence all strengthened Xiao Qingyin's resolve to seize the betrothal gifts.

These were originally betrothal gifts for the Xiao family; why should Xiao Fengyi take them all?

This was Xiao Qingyin's thought, which she did not tell anyone.

Seeing that Xiao Fengyi looked very tired, Liu said in defense, "Fengyi, you did the right thing. Follow your own heart and you don't need to explain to anyone."

Xiao Fengyi nodded, "I understand, Grandmother."

All the betrothal gifts were placed in the storeroom of Qingya Courtyard, and Yue Qi prepared to leave.

Before leaving the Duke's mansion, he said to Xiao Fengyi, "Miss Xiao, I will tell the Prince that I will come to see you tonight."

“Then I will ask the seven guards of Ma Yue to intercede on my behalf,” the woman said gently, bowing.

Seeing that they couldn't gain any immediate benefits, Madam Shen and Xiao Qingyin went to find Xiao Qishan, and the old lady also wanted to go to him to ask for the key to the storeroom and take out the dowry belonging to Xiao Fengyi.

Xiao Fengyi stepped forward and said to Madam Liu, "Grandmother, you have been standing for too long. Why don't you go back to Changyi Courtyard to rest? As for the dowry... let's talk about it later, okay?"

The old lady gently stroked her granddaughter's delicate nose. "I know you feel sorry for me, but the dowry can't be withheld. This old woman is going to fight for it with them."

As she spoke, her cane tapped incessantly on the bluestone slabs. Hearing the rapid rhythm, Xiao Fengyi stopped trying to persuade her grandmother; let the old woman do whatever she wanted.

Strolling along the stone path covered with osmanthus blossoms, Xiao Fengyi helped the old lady out of Qingya Courtyard. "Grandmother, why don't we take stock of the betrothal gifts and go to find Father with you? It seems he wants to sever ties with me?"

The old lady patted Xiao Fengyi's fair and slender fingers, "Your father is in a bad mood right now, so you shouldn't go to him for the time being. As for the dowry, I've already taken care of it for you."

She bowed slightly and said, "It is up to Grandmother to decide."

After the old lady left, Xiao Fengyi, with the help of Zihua and Xuanhua, checked the betrothal gifts. Zihua and Xuanhua were amazed when they saw the valuable gifts.

Xuan Hua spoke first, "Miss, His Highness Prince Zhao is very sincere."

Seeing Xuan Hua speak, Zi Hua also chimed in: "Miss, didn't you see? The neighbors next to the Duke's mansion are all incredibly envious of you. And the Second Miss's face—she almost voiced her jealousy."

In contrast, Xiao Fengyi remained remarkably calm: "Regardless of sincerity, we must first ascertain the source."