Crossing Over to Yamada Love

Qin Guozhong and Jiang Shi both looked rather displeased. The other party had actually refused. Didn't they both value academic achievements highly? Didn't they know that there were many benefits to having a scholar in the family?

"Well, I was being nosy. I never imagined that you, Aunt, would be so noble and virtuous as to look down on fame and fortune. Besides, since you don't care about these empty titles, why insist that your Momei be Xuan'er's principal wife? Isn't it the same if she's a concubine?" Jiang Shi countered Wang Shi's words.

“Madam, that’s not funny. Xuan’er is the one who asked for Mei’er’s hand in marriage. She is his betrothed wife. It makes no sense for a wife to become a concubine. Madam is a reasonable person. It’s better not to make such jokes.” Madam Wang’s face darkened, and she began to scold Madam Jiang.

Jiang gritted her teeth inwardly. "You old hag, I've given you a little respect, and you're already taking advantage of me."

"Auntie, you may not know this, but my husband has already arranged a marriage for Xuan'er in the capital. The bride is a lady from a high-ranking family. Tell me, how can a peasant girl be the principal wife and a lady from a high-ranking family the concubine? So I was thinking of discussing this with you, Auntie, about letting Mo Mei be a good concubine. We won't mistreat her either. You should be a reasonable person, Auntie. You won't put my husband in a difficult position, will you?" Jiang's words stunned everyone. Qin Guozhong had really arranged a marriage for Chen Xuan?

“Sister-in-law, let’s not talk about this anymore. Xuan’er won’t agree, and neither will I. We have Mei’er, that’s enough. We can’t afford that Miss, and we’re not of high enough status to marry her. Let’s not mention it again.” Qin Shi stepped forward and interjected. She didn’t want her sister-in-law from her own family to continue talking.

“What are you saying, sister? They say the eldest brother is like a father. Now that your father-in-law is gone, you have to listen to your brother. My husband and I have been pitying you for all the hardships you’ve suffered over the years, which is why we’re bringing you to the capital to live out your days. Do you know how many times Heaven has prayed and pleaded for this marriage for Xuan’er? He’s even swallowed his pride for you. And yet, you’re ungrateful and don’t appreciate our good intentions. Instead, you’re teaming up with outsiders to oppose us. Are you trying to anger us to death?” As Jiang spoke, she stood up and pointed at Qin, her chest heaving as if she was furious with Qin.

"Sister-in-law, it's my fault. It's all my fault. I know you're doing this for my own good. Please don't be angry. If you hurt yourself, how can I bear the consequences?" Qin hurriedly admitted her mistake. She knew that her brother and sister-in-law were doing this for her and Xuan'er's sake, but she couldn't agree to their decision to break off the engagement with the Mo family.

“I know it’s for your own good, yet you still refuse! She’s a young lady from a high-ranking family, would she be allowed to be your concubine? Making her a concubine while your wife is a peasant girl, there’s no logic to it. Everyone has their own destiny, and it’s not right for someone who isn’t meant to be the principal wife to have their lifespan shortened.” Although Jiang was speaking to Qin, her words were actually meant for the Mo family.

"Sister-in-law." Qin looked at Jiang with difficulty. Why didn't her sister-in-law understand her meaning? She didn't want a young lady from a wealthy family to be her daughter-in-law. She wanted Mo Mei. Why didn't her sister-in-law agree?

"Since everyone's here today, and Xuan'er's aunt has already spoken at length, and we understand what she's saying, let's get straight to the point. Our Mo family's requirements are simple: Mei'er will be the principal wife, Xuan'er will have no secondary wives, and we will not take concubines. If you can do this, we'll be good in-laws, and we'll give our daughter a grand send-off. If you can't, we won't force you, and this marriage will be called off. We're not of high status, and we would never rush to become someone's concubine. We hope you won't mention becoming a concubine in the future, and don't come here to ruin my granddaughter." Madam Wang didn't want to argue any further; she was tired of listening to them and wanted to be decisive. If the Chen family had such intentions, they wouldn't have been so eager to marry into the Chen family.

“Auntie, what you’re saying makes no sense. It’s common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Forbidding a woman from taking a concubine is considered jealousy, which is a violation of the seven grounds for divorce. Auntie, you’re from a farming family, so you must have heard of the rules for women, the precepts for women, and the prohibitions for women. How can you be so unreasonable? My husband and I will never agree to such conditions and bring a jealous woman into our family. Don’t even think about it!” Seeing that Wang’s attitude was firm, Jiang also became assertive.

Qin stood there, looking troubled. On one side was the Mo family, and on the other was her brother. The Mo family had been kind to her family, and Mo Mei was the wife she and Xuan'er had chosen. As for her brother, they had finally reunited, but now they were arguing so much over Xuan'er's marriage. What should she do?

Chen Xuan stepped forward, knelt down, kowtowed to Madam Wang, and then to his uncle and aunt before saying, "Thank you for your love and care for me, Uncle and Aunt. However, my marriage with Mei'er has already been arranged and cannot be changed. I am not fortunate enough to go to the capital, nor am I worthy of the affection of a young lady from a noble family. I would rather spend my life with Mei'er here. I hope you will grant my request."

"You good-for-nothing! You're going to drive me crazy! What's so great about her? You've been bewitched! I will never agree to this marriage. Just give up on that idea!" Enraged by Chen Xuan's words, Qin Guozhong smashed his teacup in front of Chen Xuan. The porcelain shards shattered on the floor.

The Mo family members were seething with anger, but since the other party was Chen Xuan's maternal uncle, they couldn't say anything.

Mo Lan stepped forward, looking at the broken porcelain shards on the ground with a pained expression. She picked up a shard and said, "Master Qin, you are an honored guest. We have prepared the best for you. This teacup is from the official kiln. It costs fifty taels of silver for just one cup. You have ruined this tea set by breaking it."

Qin Guozhong's face was full of anger. He was stunned for a moment after hearing Mo Lan's words, then became even angrier. He said to Chen Xuan, "Listen to this! What kind of family are they! They lie through their teeth and try to cheat us. They want to extort fifty taels from us for a broken cup. They reek of money and have nothing but silver in their eyes. Are you blind to have fallen for their daughter? They'd sell you out and you'd still be helping them count the money."

"Lord Qin, you're mistaken. What do you mean we're trying to extort you? This tea set was a gift from Young Master Xue, who said it was a treasure and was specially made for him to use when he comes. We only brought it out to serve our guests today because of Lord Qin's arrival. We even had to wash it clean and keep it for Young Master Xue's use afterwards. Now that Lord Qin has smashed it like this, how are we supposed to explain this to Young Master Xue? We don't want the fifty taels. Lord Qin can talk to him about it when Young Master Xue arrives. It's truly a case of good intentions gone unrewarded." Mo Lan's face was full of grievance. She threw the broken porcelain shards aside, turned around, and stood back down.

Lord Qin was speechless, unable to say anything. He couldn't say that Young Master Xue's things were inferior. He regretted his hasty act of smashing the cup earlier; how was he going to save face now?

"Master, don't listen to her nonsense. How could Young Master Xue bring such a good thing here? Doesn't he even know if her family is suitable? She's just trying to fool you because she thinks we don't want her daughter. Don't fall for it." Madam Jiang quickly gave her husband a way out.

"I doubt they have anything that good. Alright. Let's not get sidetracked by the cup. I'll make this clear: I'm taking over my sister's and Xuan'er's household. If your daughter is willing to be a concubine, we'll bring her to the manor after Xuan'er's wedding. If she's not, then forget it, and we won't ask for the betrothal gifts—consider it compensation. Think it over. Don't rush to answer. You should know that being a concubine in an official's household is a hundred times better than being a commoner's wife. Ask your daughter's opinion as well, and see if she's willing." Qin Guozhong said this with a stern face.

Mo Mei's face was pale. After listening to Qin Guozhong's words, she stepped forward, steadied herself, and said, "I'd rather be a poor man's wife than a rich man's concubine." Her eyes were filled with tears, but her voice was firm. She thought to herself: If the Chen family also has this attitude, she would rather not marry.

Seeing Mo Mei heartbroken was more painful for Chen Xuan than a beating. He stood up, walked to Mo Mei's side, looked at her intently, and said firmly, "I will not marry anyone but you. I will not go anywhere else. I will stay here with you until the end. Even if I am accused of disobedience, I will never go back on my word."

Mo Mei was deeply moved by Chen Xuan's words, and seeing the deep affection in his eyes, she couldn't help but sob softly.

The Mo family members nodded at the two of them. Mo Mei was a good person, and Chen Xuan was also quite good. They knew that here, disobedience was a serious crime. The two of them were loyal to each other, and they shouldn't be separated unless absolutely necessary.

Qin was torn between two conflicting emotions. She had her eye on Mo Mei and hoped the marriage would go through, but she also didn't want to upset her brother and sister-in-law. It was a difficult situation!

Qin Guozhong, his face dark, stood up from his chair, slapped Chen Xuan across the face, and pointed at his nose, cursing, "You disobedient brat, do you want to defy the heavens? No way! You better behave yourself, or I'll send people to destroy their shop, and then let's see how they dare to challenge me!"

"You dare. Don't think that just because you're Xuan'er's uncle we're all being polite to you. What makes you so arrogant? If it weren't for Xuan'er's sake, do you think we'd let you come to our door?" Mo Changhe couldn't hold back any longer and stood up to confront Qin Guozhong.

"Why wouldn't I dare! You're only doing this because you're under the protection of the Xue family. So what if they're the Xue family? They still have to give me some face. They won't turn against me for the sake of this shop. If it weren't for the fact that you helped my sister, I would have dealt with you long ago." Qin Guozhong looked at Mo Changhe with disdain.

"Then let's see. If Xuan'er wants to marry Mei'er, no one can stop him. If he marries her, I'll marry my daughter off. Even if he has nothing, I'll still marry my daughter to him. Don't try to control him. And let me tell you, if he dares to have any such thoughts, whether he takes a concubine or a secondary wife, I'll break his legs." Mo Changhe wasn't backing down either. In his heart, he considered Cheng Xiao as family. He could rely on him.

"Let's go, let's go. There's no reasoning with these barbarians. This afternoon I'll send men into town to have their shops shut down. Let's see what they'll rely on after the government closes their shops! They won't become concubines? They'll be begging us to make her their maid. Let's see if they'll still be so arrogant then." Qin Guozhong flicked his sleeves and strode out.