The sun blazed overhead, and the spring breeze was gentle.
A country estate on the outskirts of the city covered a full ten acres. Though it was broad daylight, red lanterns hung all around the grounds, and guests came and went in great numbers. The atmosphere was lively.
On the upper floor of a tall building in the rear courtyard, a beautiful woman in elegant finery watched the commotion in the distance. She took out a Boundary Barrier Pearl and clenched it in her hand, then snorted. "Just look at the rabble who've come. There aren't even ten Second-rank Star Officials, and not a single Third-rank Star Official. Yingying marrying him is simply..."
"Things have come to this. What's the point of saying that now? He's not a bad person, at least."
The middle-aged man beside the beautifully dressed woman had a gentle air about him. He reproached her softly.
The woman's brows furrowed with even greater resentment. "Not bad? Ask around all of Huaixi. Everyone knows exactly what kind of man your son-in-law is..."
The middle-aged man cut her off. "Yingying told us herself that Xiuhua was afflicted by a Yin Cha Worm; that isn't his true nature. Besides, I've met the boy. He's polite and considerate, if a little quiet. Most importantly, he truly cares for Yingying, and Yingying likes him. That's enough."
The woman's furrowed brow eased not at all. She sighed. "My dear, you don't have to comfort me. Though I'm unhappy with Gong Xiuhua, I know Yingying marrying him is better than becoming a concubine to someone else. Your eldest brother is consumed by greed. Sooner or later, he'll bring the Qu family to ruin."
The middle-aged man let out a heavy sigh and said no more. Then he spotted a pretty young woman in