The First Obstacle on the Road to a Marriage Proposal

"Isn't that because you spoiled him?" Kang Shilin scoffed. "If you didn't constantly praise him to belittle aristocratic families and civil officials, would he ever think he was so arrogant?"

"Leaving aside the Marquis of Pingnan, just look at Wei Qiu. Just because he comes from a humble background, you wanted to promote him to put down the powerful families. And what did you produce? Not only does he fawn all day long, but he also dares to kill and seize official positions. How audacious has he become?"

"I never expected Wei Qiu to do something like this," Xiao Ge sighed.

"You're lucky you weren't too confused to protect Wei Qiu, otherwise I would have given you a good scolding." Kang Shilin knew the principle of giving a sweet treat after a slap. However, the sweet treat he offered tasted a bit sour, and it didn't sound like a nice thing to say.

"Uncle, with you watching over me, I wouldn't dare to act foolishly," Xiao Ge said with a fawning smile. "You must take good care of yourself and keep a close eye on me, so I don't do anything foolish."

Kang Shilin waved his hand. "Don't drag me into this. I can't be bothered with your trivial matters. Do you have a death wish or something?"

He downed his tea in one gulp, clapped his hands, and stood up. "Alright, I'm going back. Let's get this straight. My little apprentice teaches those bastards in the yamen, and he gets 1,500 taels each—that's his hard-earned money. Make sure it's clearly written down. The officials in your yamen still get paid for their work; don't let people gossip about my girl over such a small amount of money. Also, don't let anyone from the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence's mansion come to my girl's house. My little apprentice is too unlucky to accept that."

After saying that, he casually went back.

After leaving the palace and returning to the Kang Family, Kang Shilin had just alighted from his carriage when he saw a young man standing at his door. Judging from the man's resolute face and straight back, he knew who it was without his attendants needing to tell him.

Upon seeing Kang Shilin alight from the carriage, Fu Yunkai quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Fu Yunkai of the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence greets Mister Kumu."

Kang Shilin waved his hand. "I dare not accept such a gift. I am but a lowly official, unworthy of Young General Fu's courtesy."

Without paying any attention to Fu Yunkai, he walked straight inside.

Fu Yunkai quickly followed, "I wouldn't dare. I came specifically to apologize to Mister Kumu."

"Then I dare not. Young General Fu has done nothing wrong, why should he apologize? I have never met the young general, we have no connection whatsoever, so there is no basis for such a question."

Fu Yunkai clasped his hands in a respectful bow again. "This is a long story, it was all my younger brother's fault. I had already whipped him before I came. I beg Mister Kumu to give me a chance to apologize."

Kang Shilin then stopped and glanced at Fu Yunkai.

Fu Yunkai stood there, head slightly lowered, letting Kang Shilin scrutinize him, but his heart was pounding like a drum.

If Mister Kumu is willing to let him in, he will have a chance to win Mister Kumu's favor.

Kang Shilin nodded. "Your father certainly raised a good son."

Fu Yunkai was pondering the meaning behind Kang Shilin's words—whether it was praise or sarcasm—when Kang Shilin continued, "Alright, you can go back now. There's no need for apologies. The Emperor already apologized to us, master and disciple, on behalf of your Marquis of Pingnan's Residence in the palace. If I make things difficult for you further, I'll be disrespecting the Emperor. Go back now."

As he spoke, Kang Shilin continued walking inside. Fu Yunkai wanted to follow and say a few more words, but was stopped by the Kang Family's servants.

"Thank you for your consideration, Mister Kumu. I will definitely discipline my younger brother and prevent him from causing any more trouble." Fu Yunkai could only shout loudly at Kang Shilin's back.

"That's your family's business. As long as you're true to the Emperor, that's fine." Kang Shilin didn't even turn his head. He stepped across the threshold, and his figure disappeared inside the doorway.

Fu Yunkai stared blankly at the door, then gave a bitter smile.

His father's idea of challenging these aristocratic officials to a contest of power and test his standing in the emperor's eyes was utterly delusional and naive.

These are all cunning old foxes; the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence is no match for them.

Putting everything else aside, just look at this Mister Kumu. On the surface, he seems to be someone who is solely focused on painting, never paying attention to worldly affairs, and even somewhat ignorant of the ways of the world. If he doesn't like someone, he'll pick a few words and curse them, as if he's someone who, relying on his status as the emperor's elder and his friendship with the late emperor, will cause trouble and be afraid of no one.

Listen to those two sentences that this old gentleman just said; weren't they quite insightful?

The implication, both overt and covert, is that the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence's family, relying on their military achievements and the Emperor's favor, bullies others, not only failing to fulfill their duties as subjects but also daring to steal from others, causing the Emperor to have to clean up their mess and tarnishing his reputation.

The hidden veil of sarcasm here is deadly!

He had just been grateful to his younger brother for giving him the opportunity to meet Fifth Miss Zhao in front of the Court of Judicial Review, but now he was feeling down.

After what happened today, it's likely he'll have a hard time winning Mister Kumu's favor. It's unknown whether Mister Kumu will become an obstacle in his pursuit of her.

No matter what, he absolutely had to get this marriage; he was determined to marry Fifth Miss Zhao.

He stood in the evening breeze and let out a long breath. "Let's go back."

After thinking for a moment, he changed the subject again. "To the Second Prince's villa."

Xiao Lingpu was not yet married and did not have his own residence outside the palace. However, he was considered an adult and did not need to be confined to the palace to study like Xiao Lingyan. On weekdays, apart from attending court and handling official business, he always liked to stay in his villa and would not return to the palace until it was dark.

When Fu Yunkai arrived at the villa, he found Xiao Lingpu standing under the eaves, personally feeding the birds and occasionally whistling to amuse them.

"Your Highness." Fu Yunkai walked over and bowed to him.

Xiao Lingpu glanced at him, tossed the things to the servants, washed his hands in the basin brought by the maid, and asked, "Haven't eaten yet?"

Fu Yunkai a wry smile, "No. I just came back from apologizing to everyone I met."

As a prince, Xiao Lingpu knew about today's events as soon as Fu Yunkai left him, having sent people to inquire about the situation.

He asked, "What do you plan to do with Yunlang?"

Fu Yunkai understood that the punishment he was referring to was not things like hitting with a cane, whipping, or forcing someone to kneel, but rather how to discipline Fu Yunlang.

"I plan to send him to the border once he recovers," he said.

Xiao Lingpu nodded. "That's excellent."

He was about to go inside when he stopped after taking two steps. He glanced at the sky, frowned, and looked at his eunuch, Xiao Fuzi: "Go and see why the Fifth Prince hasn't come yet. Even if he's staying in the palace to dine with the Imperial Concubine, he should at least send someone to let us know."

"Yes." Xiao Fuzi bowed and was about to turn around when he heard his master say, "Don't go into the palace yet, see if he's next door."

Xiao Fuzi agreed and left.