Being Handsome Really Does Have Its Privileges!

Chapter 21: Being Handsome Really Does Have Its Privileges!

Bai Yan's hand, holding his wine cup, paused for a moment. His gaze swept around, and he saw Ye Youcai looking at him with a broad smile. There was an indescribable meaning in his eyes.

Ye Lingdang, sitting beside him, lowered her head, and a layer of crimson spread across her fair neck.

Seeing this scene, how could Bai Yan not understand? Ye Youcai had taken a liking to him and wanted to recruit him as his son-in-law.

Bai Yan set down his wine cup and said frankly:

"My mother died when I was young, and my father passed away not long ago as well. At present, I'm all alone and still unmarried."

A trace of regret appeared on Ye Youcai's face. He consoled him, "Please accept my condolences, Lord Bai."

As soon as he finished speaking, his tone suddenly shifted, and a hint of urgency flashed in his eyes.

"Then, Lord Bai... do you have someone in your heart?"

Had it been another Imperial Guard, Ye Youcai would not have dared ask such a question even with ten times his courage. After all, most Imperial Guards were fierce and ruthless men. Who would tolerate others prying into their private affairs like this?

But Bai Yan was different. Although he possessed formidable strength, he had none of the arrogance that came with it. He treated people with calm courtesy and measured grace. Besides, for the sake of his daughter's lifelong happiness, Ye Youcai could no longer worry about so many things.

Seeing this, Bai Yan smiled and shook his head.

"I have no one in my heart. What is it, Family Head Ye? Are you trying to play matchmaker for me?"

"I heard Family Head Ye is a wealthy merchant in Yongtang City, mainly doing business in restaurants and jewelry, earning buckets of gold every day. When did you take up the matchmaker's trade as well?"

Ye Youcai stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

"That is indeed my intention. Since Lord Bai has no sweetheart yet, what do you think of my daughter, Lingdang?"

After hearing this, Ye Lingdang grew bashful. She clutched her handkerchief with both hands and did not dare raise her head.

Bai Yan glanced at Ye Lingdang and said sincerely:

"Miss Ye was born with extraordinary beauty and has a gentle temperament. She is one of the few peerless beauties in all of Yongtang City."

Ye Youcai was overjoyed. The wrinkles on his face spread into a smile, and he hurriedly pressed on.

"If that is so, may I ask whether Lord Bai would be willing to take my daughter as his wife?"

"As long as Lord Bai nods, this old man will certainly prepare a generous dowry. I guarantee that Lord Bai will marry in glorious style!"

Ye Youcai had no sons. He had only one daughter, Ye Lingdang.

Over the years, he had painstakingly built up the Ye family's business until it flourished like a raging fire. Yet whenever he looked at his vast wealth, a knot remained in his heart. If his daughter married out one day, who would inherit the family estate?

In his early years, he had indeed considered taking in a live-in son-in-law, but after thinking it over again and again, he had always felt that something was wrong.

Taking in a live-in son-in-law was easy enough. What he feared was taking in a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Ye Lingdang was already twenty years old this year. In an ordinary household, she would have long since become a married woman, with children old enough to toddle around.

Because he had never found a son-in-law candidate who satisfied him, the matter had been dragged out until now.

It was only with Bai Yan's appearance that Ye Youcai's eyes lit up.

Bai Yan was an Imperial Guard, and the youngest centurion in the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau. He was young, immensely powerful, and possessed prospects as boundless as the sea.

Secondly, Bai Yan himself was not short of money. After all, no one had ever heard of an Imperial Guard centurion being poor. If Bai Yan could rise to become a chiliarch in the future, he certainly would not lack ways to make money.

With that, Bai Yan could not possibly be plotting the Ye family's wealth.

Finally, and most importantly, although Bai Yan was an Imperial Guard, he carried none of their violence or domineering arrogance. He treated people with warmth and courtesy, and when he looked at Lingdang, his eyes were clear, without the slightest trace of frivolity.

Ye Youcai had read countless people. He could tell that Bai Yan was a steady-minded young man who conducted himself with integrity. If his daughter married him, she certainly would not be mistreated.

As for the inheritance of the family estate, Ye Youcai had long since thought it through. Of course, he would not make Bai Yan a live-in son-in-law. Once the two of them had children, those children would be his grandchildren—his precious grandchildren. Whether the estate was inherited by a daughter's child or a son's child made no difference.

Ye Youcai looked at Bai Yan with burning expectation, waiting eagerly for his answer.

Bai Yan lifted his wine cup, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.

"Family Head Ye certainly sees things clearly. However, would Miss Ye agree?"

"We have known each other for only two days. Wouldn't it be too hasty to settle a marriage so quickly?"

"Besides, aren't you afraid that I might be the sort of man who toys with a woman's affections and then abandons her?"

Ye Youcai waved his hand.

"Let us set aside the commands of parents and the words of matchmakers for now."

"Just the fact that Lord Bai saved my daughter's life is enough to merit her gratitude."

"Moreover, my daughter Lingdang is deeply enamored of Lord Bai. I also trust Lord Bai's character. If that were not the case, why would this old man speak so bluntly?"

Ye Lingdang sat to the side. Upon hearing her father speak so directly, her pretty face had already flushed crimson, and her earlobes were red as ripe cherries.

She gripped the hem of her skirt tightly and buried her head even lower, yet she never objected. Clearly, she tacitly accepted what Ye Youcai had said.

Bai Yan sighed inwardly. Marriages in this ancient world really were hasty beyond belief.

They had known each other for only two days, yet Ye Lingdang was actually willing to marry him.

And Ye Youcai, instead of refusing as her father, had personally come to play matchmaker.

Not only was he asking for no betrothal gifts at all, he was even offering a huge dowry.

In his previous life, he would not have dared dream of anything this outrageous, not even in his wildest dreams.

This detestable feudal society really was...

Really too wonderful!

Bai Yan straightened his expression and immediately cupped his hands.

"Since Family Head Ye and Miss Lingdang are both willing, I naturally will not refuse."

"Your son-in-law, Bai Yan, pays his respects to Father-in-law!"

"Good, good, good! Good son-in-law, rise quickly."

Ye Youcai roared with laughter and hurried forward to help Bai Yan to his feet.

Only after seeing Bai Yan accept the marriage did Ye Lingdang dare slowly raise her head.

When she looked toward Bai Yan, he happened to be looking at her as well.

Their eyes met. Ye Lingdang was so shy that she could hardly bear it, yet she did not look away. Deep in her eyes was nothing but admiration and love.

They said that when an ancient woman was saved by someone—

If her savior was a handsome young gentleman, she would say, "This humble girl has no way to repay you. I can only offer myself to you."

If her savior was an ugly man, she would say, "This humble girl has no way to repay you. I will work like an ox or horse in my next life to repay this great kindness."

As it turned out, those words were not false.

Being handsome really did come with a few special privileges, just like it did for you on the other side of the screen.

Now that the marriage had been settled, Ye Youcai's attitude toward Bai Yan grew even more intimate. When drinking, he dropped the formalities and became more relaxed, like a father-in-law with his son-in-law.

Ye Lingdang blushed as she poured wine for the two men, making the atmosphere even more harmonious.

However, just then, a frivolous and lecherous voice suddenly rang out from beyond the door.

"Uncle Ye, your nephew Zhen Xiaoren has come to pay you a visit!"

"I heard Miss Lingdang is here too, so I have a modest gift for her."

As soon as his voice fell, a burst of shoving and arguing came from outside the door.

The Night Manor guards stationed outside had clearly tried to stop the visitor, but they had failed. With a bang, the door was shoved open with tremendous force.

A young man dressed in garish colors swaggered inside. On his head was a green silk cap decorated with a large red flower.

Four burly guards followed behind him. Each carried numerous gift boxes, all tied with bright red cloth flowers.