The toad who came to propose

Zhou Luming quietly withdrew her hand, took out a silk handkerchief and wiped it, then crumpled the handkerchief and tossed it aside.

Concubine Liu's expression briefly froze. She turned to Jiang Shuyue with a smile. "The child is young and easily embarrassed. It's hard for her to speak about such matters, so why don't we adults discuss it instead?"

"Discuss what? Paving the way for your nephew?"

Jiang Shuyue looked utterly serious. "He's already twenty, isn't he? The marquis was a general at his age, yet he's only a seventh-rank official. He really isn't worthy of the Marquis's Residence."

"Oh, did he earn his position through the examinations? Which year's Spring Imperial Examination did he pass? Who was his teacher?"

Liu Xi's face went deathly pale.

He had never even taken the Spring Imperial Examination. Even his licentiate title had been bought.

His current position was an idle post the second branch had secured for him through backdoor connections.

Concubine Liu's face fell. "New bride, I don't care for that tone! My nephew's rank may not be high, but he's still an official! With someone to promote him, he'll surely soar straight into the clouds!"

"Oh, I see. Who exactly do you expect to promote him? If I remember correctly, your birth family were all Booi Aha. They may no longer be servants, but they still have no backing or connections."

"Second Uncle himself holds an idle post with no real power. As for promoting him..."

Jiang Shuyue looked at Liu Xi with regret. "I really can't think of anyone who could promote him. Little Liu, you'll have to rely on yourself!"

Concubine Liu nearly choked on her own breath and fainted from rage.

The old marquis of the Marquisate of Southern Pacification had been sworn brothers with the late emperor. The late emperor had personally declared that no matter which descendant inherited the throne, the marquisate's hereditary title must remain untouched.

Zhou Yunshen had also grown up alongside the current emperor. He had entered the army at fourteen and earned military merit, becoming a general at twenty.

Marquis of Zhennan and General of Southern Pacification-those two titles together embodied wealth and status.

Anyone connected to the Marquisate of Southern Pacification, whether human or beast, stood a cut above those outside.

Jiang Shuyue had not met many people, but she knew their petty calculations perfectly well.

The moment people like these stuck out their backsides, she knew what kind of fart they were about to let loose.

Liu Xi gave an irritated snort. "Once I'm married, I'll naturally work hard to advance."

Jiang Shuyue tilted her head and clapped lightly. "What admirable ambition, Official Liu! Then allow me to wish you steady promotions and a meteoric rise to success!"

Seeing their mistress humiliated, the two matrons loyally stepped forward and pointed at Jiang Shuyue's nose as they berated her. "A country peasant woman through and through! You don't know what's good for you, nor do you understand rank and respect!"

"Madam, we only call you that out of respect for the marquis, so don't put on too many airs. Who in the Capital City doesn't know that the marquis loves your younger sister? You're merely basking in her reflected glory."

"My Jiaxige is a dragon among men. You couldn't find such a fine match even with a lantern, so stop being so picky."

Jiang Shuyue sneered. "With looks like his, you'd need a lantern to find him? How blind would you have to be?"

Liu Xi stamped his foot in fury and roared, "Ignorant woman! How dare you humiliate me?"

"Speaking of humiliation, aren't you the ones humiliating the Marquis's Residence?"

"You came while my husband was away, thinking a country woman like me would be easy to bully. A few threats and promises, and I'd nod along so you could trot home happily to prepare the wedding."

"Let me tell you-dream on! With your looks and family background, you want to marry my daughter? Even a toad wouldn't dream so sweetly!"

Jiang Shuyue crossed her legs and raised a huge middle finger in her mind. [Fuck, this toad actually thinks I'm humiliating him. Is he even worth the trouble?]

System: [This Liu Xi actually has a sweetheart named Rui'er at the Happy Red Courtyard. He spent a thousand taels of silver to buy her freedom, then bought a courtyard house in the South Fourth Ward to hide his beauty in a golden nest. By the way, Rui'er is already carrying his child.]

Jiang Shuyue raised both middle fingers in her mind. [A respectable family takes a wife before a concubine. He wants to marry my daughter so she can clean up his mess!]

System: [Exactly. Later, he'll elevate Rui'er to equal-wife status. Although he ultimately won't marry your eldest daughter, this incident will still damage Zhou Luming's reputation.]

[People will spread rumors that she broke off her engagement, saying she had a foot in two boats and was involved with lots of men.]

[If it weren't for this, the Shen Family wouldn't have held Young Master Shen back and forbidden him from proposing!]

Zhou Sesong crushed her teacup and nearly charged over to punch Liu Xi twice.

He had bought a brothel courtesan's freedom and now planned to exploit her older sister. He was courting death!

Zhou Shiye held her hand down and rose to his feet. "Mother has made herself very clear. If you have no other important business, please leave."

Liu Xi hurriedly shot Concubine Liu a meaningful look.

Rui'er's belly would soon be impossible to hide. If he didn't find someone to marry before word got out, his reputation would be ruined.

Concubine Liu frowned and scolded him. "Zhou Shiye, is that how you speak to your elders? Born to a mother but never raised by one, just as I-Ah!"

Clutching her face, Concubine Liu stared at Jiang Shuyue in disbelief. "Y-you dared hit me?"

"You're a mere concubine, yet you came to the Marquis's Residence and insulted its young master. Why shouldn't I hit you?"

"You!"

"What about me? Let me tell you, a slap is getting off lightly. If you know what's good for you, get out before you force my hand!"

Concubine Liu had never suffered such treatment even at home. Her face and neck flushed crimson as she cursed, "You disrespectful creature! Today, I'll teach you a proper lesson on Zhou Yunshen's behalf!"

Concubine Liu searched around for something to lash Jiang Shuyue with.

Jiang Shuyue stood up unhurriedly. "In that case, only kneeling and apologizing will do."

"Too late! I was going to spare you any trouble since you've only just married into the family, but I never imagined you'd be so outrageously defiant. Today, I'll make sure you learn the rules of the Marquis's Residence!"

Jiang Shuyue called loudly, "I'd like to teach you some rules too! Men, seize them and take them to the front gate!"

"Yes!"

Several household servants came in and pinned them down in a few quick moves.

Concubine Liu could not believe it and remained stunned for a while.

By the time she understood what was happening and tried to struggle, she had already been hauled to the front gate.

Jiang Shuyue stroked Zhou Luming's head. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will take advantage of you!"

Two rosy blushes bloomed on Zhou Luming's fair, tender cheeks.

Her birth parents had died when she was five. After Zhou Yunshen brought her home, she had lived with the first mistress of the household for three years.

But she had never felt the slightest affection from that woman.

This was the first time an outsider had said she would protect her.

"Luming, can you pretend to cry?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Shuyue pinched her own face and squeezed out two tears for a live demonstration. "Remember, from now on, you're a little lotus blossom that's suffered every kind of abuse!"