Crossing Over to Yamada Love

"No need, we're not here for tea. Besides, these teacups are too expensive for us, and we don't want to be ripped off again," Qin Guozhong snorted.

"What are you saying, sir? Lanlan doesn't understand, but don't worry, sir, this teacup is from our own family, it's not valuable, you can smash it as much as you want without any problem." Mo Lan pretended not to understand Qin Guozhong's anger and said with a smile.

"Oh dear, what are you saying, girl? Are you implying we're the unreasonable ones who came to your house to smash cups? You're not afraid of smashing them, but we're afraid of hurting our arms from the effort." Jiang's smile was fake, her words laced with sarcasm towards Mo Lan.

Mo Lan smiled slightly, not caring, and took a few steps back.

"I wonder what brings you here this time?" Mo Changhe asked as his daughter stepped back, omitting even the proper form of address. This clearly showed his displeasure.

"We've come to see Young Master Xue to discuss the cup. Since the cup truly belongs to Young Master Xue, we're willing to pay compensation and would like to meet him to discuss the price," Qin Guozhong said. Earlier, Steward Xue had gone to the Chen family and demanded a thousand taels of silver, claiming he had broken Young Master Xue's cup and needed to pay for it. This infuriated him; the girl had said the cup was worth fifty taels that morning, and now she was demanding a thousand. Wasn't this blatant extortion? It seemed the Xue family was using the money to pressure him into agreeing to Chen Xuan and Mo Mei's marriage—no way!

"Is that it? Young Master Xue has already entrusted this matter to me. When will you give me the money, sir?" Mo Lan asked with a calm smile.

"Could I possibly see Young Master Xue? You can't just dictate the price, can you?" Qin Guozhong's chest heaved with anger; this girl was really good at extorting people. His anger surged, but he forced himself to suppress it.

The old lord glanced at the two Xue brothers from inside the house. The voice outside sounded familiar. Who was it? And how did it get involved with the Xue family again?

"I'm so sorry, sir, but the young master of the Xue family left a message saying he wouldn't see anyone unless he got the money. Perhaps we can meet again another time," Mo Lan apologized to Qin Guozhong.

"Girl, don't go too far. Aren't you just trying to force me to agree to Xuan'er and your sister's marriage with money? Let me tell you, there's no room for negotiation. Either your sister becomes a concubine or the engagement is called off. Don't think we have to give in just because we can't afford a thousand taels of silver. I simply won't agree, and what can you do about it!" Qin Guozhong's eyes flashed with cold light as he stared at Mo Lan.

"You jest, sir. This cup belongs to the Xue family, and the one who wants the money is the Xue family. It has nothing to do with my sister's marriage. Whether you agree or not is your business. As long as Brother Xuan agrees, that's fine." Mo Lan smiled faintly. Compared to Qin Guozhong's angry face, Mo Lan appeared very calm.

"I agree, I will marry Mei'er." Chen Xuan stepped forward to express his stance. He knew that Mo Lan's words often carried weight in the Mo family. So when Mo Lan spoke, he immediately gave his opinion.

"You, you little brat!" Qin Guozhong was furious that Chen Xuan had ruined his chance, so he grabbed the teacup and threw it at him again. Anyway, it was just an ordinary cup this time, so he wasn't worried about losing money.

The sound of the ground breaking rang out, and the old Marquis could no longer sit still. He wanted to go out and see who had the audacity to take his sister's granddaughter as a concubine.

Wang tightened her grip on his hand, shook her head at him, and gestured for him not to go.

“Girl, let’s be frank. A thousand taels is an astronomical price, and we won’t pay it. Your sister can’t marry into the Chen family either. To show our respect for the Xue family, I have a plan as compensation. What do you think?” Qin Guozhong, having vented his anger by smashing the cup, calmed down and spoke to Mo Lan.

"What method? Tell me, sir." Mo Lan remained calm and let him speak.

"I think you're quite good-looking, though not particularly polite, but you're beautiful. I'll introduce you to a good marriage. I have an old friend in the capital; he has a son. His first wife died, and his family is a scholarly family. I'll propose to him. Although it's a second marriage, his family's background means he'll be willing to marry you. It's your good fortune; your family is incredibly lucky. It's better than you marrying a peasant. What do you say?" Qin Guozhong finished speaking with an air of great favor, wanting the Mo family to be grateful. They've been eyeing Xuan'er relentlessly, aren't they? They just want wealth and status. This family he's introduced seems really good; she should be willing to marry him.

Just as Mo Changhe was about to explode in anger, Mo Lan gave him a wink, and he sat back down. His face was extremely sullen, and he was breathing heavily, clearly very angry.

"I wonder how old is the only son of this old friend you mentioned? What does he do?" Mo Lan wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, she had a smile on her face.

"My old friend's only son is thirty-eight this year. His first wife left behind two sons and a daughter, and he has four concubines. If you marry him, you will be his legal wife. Although he has a bad temper and is older than you, with your family background, you can't find a better family than him. He will also help your family. If this goes through, the matter of the cup will be forgotten. What do you say?" Qin Guozhong waited for Mo Lan to agree. Although this family was of low social standing, the girl was beautiful, and the master's son was lustful, so he should agree.

“Yes, miss, think it over carefully. A grown-up will be more caring. Although he has many concubines, don’t worry, none of them can surpass you. In a couple of years, you can give him a son or daughter, and you’ll be able to stand on your own two feet. It’s much better than you finding a farmer in this poor mountain village and having to work in the fields every day.” Madam Jiang also advised, hoping Mo Lan would agree. This way, they wouldn’t have to pay the Xue family for the cups, and they could also resolve Mo Mei’s problem. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

"I really have to thank you, sir, for finding me such a good marriage. What about my sister?" A cold glint flashed in Mo Lan's eyes as she laughed heartily. Qin Guozhong, the stronger you are now, the worse you'll be later.

"Don't even think about it, Xuan'er's marriage is already arranged, she can only be a concubine." Qin Guozhong was firm and did not change his mind.

"I wonder which family's young lady she is, that the master speaks of her so highly? Tell us, sir, so we can understand what our family is lacking." Mo Lan looked unwilling to give up.

"Hmph, you little brat, you wouldn't understand even if I told you," Qin Guozhong snorted, raising his chin and ignoring Mo Lan.

“Grandpa, since they want to know, I’ll tell them so they can give up on that idea.” Jiang Shi, eager to show off, chimed in. Seeing Qin Guozhong nod, she said to Mo Lan, “The other party is the granddaughter of our Marquis Dingyuan’s second brother. Although she’s born out of wedlock, she’s still a proper young lady from a prominent family. She’s not someone like you poor folks can compare to. Your sister is worlds apart from her. Dream on if she thinks she can surpass her and become the legitimate wife.”

Her words startled Mo Changhe in the main room and also startled the people in the inner room.

The old Marquis's face flushed red. He said the voice outside sounded so familiar. It turned out to be Qin Guozhong. He had just settled him down and found him a job. Qin Guozhong had asked his second brother's illegitimate granddaughter to act as a matchmaker for his nephew. His second brother had agreed, and he hadn't said anything. But now Qin Guozhong was showing off and bullying his sister's family. His nephew and his sister's granddaughter were already engaged, and Qin Guozhong actually wanted Mo Mei as a concubine. It was infuriating.

"I will not marry the Marquis's daughter. I will only marry Mei'er. Uncle, you should break off this engagement. I will not agree to it."

As soon as he finished speaking, another cup shattered on the ground. The old marquis could no longer bear it, stood up, and walked out.

Wang Zhi and Wang Mingda also followed them out.

Wang was stunned. After all this commotion, the person the other party was asking for was actually her second brother's illegitimate granddaughter? What a coincidence!

Xue Lingfeng and Xue Lingyun's eyes flashed with cold light. This guy actually wanted Lanlan to marry a middle-aged man whose first wife had died, and a lecherous one at that. Qin Guozhong, is it? We'll remember you. You won't have a peaceful life in the capital from now on.

Qin Guozhong was reprimanding Chen Xuan, but his words were actually directed at the Mo family. When he saw people coming out, he didn't stop talking immediately. He thought they were from the Mo family and was about to reprimand them when he was dumbfounded. Weren't these the Marquis and his two grandsons? Was he seeing things? Why were they at the Mo family's residence?

The old marquis glanced at the stunned Qin Guozhong and gave a cold snort. Qin Guozhong knelt down with a thud as the old marquis gave the snort. The old marquis ignored him, walked past him, and sat down in the seat of honor.

Qin Guozhong's forehead was beaded with sweat. He had just unleashed his power, and the old Marquis was in the inner room; he had probably heard everything. He wondered what the Marquis's relationship was with the Mohists, and whether he would blame him.

Wang was the last to come out. As soon as the old Marquis saw her, he hurriedly said, "Zhi'er, help your aunt to sit down."

Wang Zhi hurriedly stepped forward to help Wang Shi to a seat, then stepped back and stood behind her.

Qin Guozhong and Jiang Shi were stunned, their minds went blank. This old lady was the Marquis's sister? Was this really true? How come they didn't know? This was too unbelievable.

Madam Qin was also dumbfounded. So her aunt was actually the Marquis's sister? She only knew that she probably came from a good family, but she never knew that she would be the Marquis's sister. How should this be resolved?

Chen Xuan was also stunned, but he was secretly delighted. Now his uncle could no longer stop him from marrying Mei'er. He had finally gotten his wish; he could be with Mo Mei without having to fight anymore.

"Sister, what's going on?" The old Marquis didn't even glance at Qin Guozhong, but asked about Wang Shi.

"Alas," Wang sighed, "Our family is too lowly to be related to Lord Qin. Since Lord Qin insists, and I cannot allow my granddaughter to become a concubine, then let's not get married. Besides, my Lan'er cannot become someone's second wife. We appreciate Lord Qin's kindness, but you can keep her for your own daughter. We are truly not worthy of his patronage."

Qin Guozhong and Jiang Shi blushed deeply, but dared not utter a word. Times had changed; they were now the weaker party. They could only listen to what others said.

"How dare you!" The old Marquis picked up a teacup from the table and smashed it over. Qin Guozhong knelt there, not daring to move. At this moment, he was filled with regret. If he had known that this family was related to the Marquis, why would he have made such a fuss? He really had nothing better to do.