Chapter 557 Future In-Laws

Chapter 557: Prospective In-Laws

After Bai Xiaofeng inquired in detail, she learned it was Chancellor Zhou's family.

Bai Xiaofeng was so furious she nearly saw red!

At present, the only women in the household who weren’t pregnant were Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rouer. Bai Xiaofeng slammed the table loudly and vented to Su Rouer:

"What on earth does Chancellor Zhou’s family mean by this?! When our Liu Ge'er became the provincial champion, they acted high and mighty, telling me their daughter was raised like a precious jewel, so once she married in, they expected me and my mother-in-law to be extra accommodating. I politely declined, saying our family was just ordinary, and filial duty was paramount—how could they demand special treatment from elders before even entering the household?!"

Su Rouer was equally incensed: "Exactly! When two families discuss marriage, it’s common to reject each other if it’s not a good match. But this? Boldly declaring to be Liu Ge'er’s prospective in-laws—what’s the meaning of that?... Second Sister-in-law, don’t mind me speaking out of turn, but with people like this, you’ll need to be extra cautious when dealing with them."

Bai Xiaofeng was already in high spirits, and now her anger only amplified her agitation. She drained two cups of tea before calming down enough to instruct the servant who had delivered the message: "Go and invite them in!"

Bai Xiaofeng sneered: "I’d like to see how they have the nerve to call themselves prospective in-laws!"

—But even Bai Xiaofeng didn’t expect that the moment Chancellor Zhou’s wife saw her, she would act so warmly, first calling out "Sister Bai," then linking arms with her as if they were close sisters, beaming from ear to ear: "I’ve come to offer congratulations! Sister Bai, you truly have such good fortune, raising such an outstanding son!"

As the saying goes, you don’t hit someone who’s smiling at you. With the woman being so cheerful and affectionate, even someone as hot-tempered as Bai Xiaofeng was momentarily stunned.

It was only when Su Rouer, seated nearby, coughed that Bai Xiaofeng collected herself and pulled her arm away stiffly from the chancellor’s wife’s grasp.

"Madam Zhou..." But before Bai Xiaofeng could continue, the chancellor’s wife sighed admiringly and began praising Yu Yongliu: "Back when my husband taught Liu Ge'er at the Imperial Academy, he often told me how talented the boy was, no common talent, and that he must be a diligent teacher to do justice to Liu Ge'er’s extraordinary brilliance. And now, just as my husband predicted, Liu Ge'er has swept all six imperial exams!"

Su Rouer found something off about these words.

Bai Xiaofeng, however, caught on faster—the chancellor’s wife was leveraging Chancellor Zhou’s role as Yu Yongliu’s teacher to press their case!

In Great Xia, the principle of "once a teacher, forever a father" was upheld. Was Chancellor Zhou planning to use this to pressure Liu Ge'er?

Bai Xiaofeng pasted on a smile: "...Our Liu Ge'er hasn’t returned yet, but once he’s back from the Imperial Banquet, he’ll surely hold a banquet to thank all his teachers. However, there’s one thing I must ask Madam Zhou first. Earlier, our doorkeeper seemed to have misheard—did Madam Zhou really claim to be Liu Ge'er’s prospective in-laws?... That can’t be right. Madam Zhou, we never even exchanged betrothal cards—how could we be prospective in-laws? I’m not worried about Liu Ge'er’s reputation, but your daughter still needs to marry. Wouldn’t such rumors harm her?"

At these words, the eldest Miss Zhou, standing behind the chancellor’s wife, turned beet red.

The chancellor’s wife hadn’t expected Bai Xiaofeng to be so unbending. She coughed: "Sister Bai, what do you mean by this? Back then, we were discussing things so well, and then you suddenly said it wasn’t suitable—we were completely baffled... Here, look at my daughter. Sister Bai, tell me, what exactly isn’t suitable?"

Bai Xiaofeng was stunned that, even after all that had been said, the chancellor’s wife could still play dumb.

Glancing at the eldest Miss Zhou, whose face was flushed with humiliation, Bai Xiaofeng felt even more exasperated.

But she also understood that if this wasn’t resolved now, it could lead to endless trouble later.

Bai Xiaofeng said solemnly: "Madam Zhou, marriage is about uniting two families in harmony. Our families aren’t compatible, and forcing a match would only damage any goodwill between us. Why go down that path?"

Her meaning was clear: if they kept pushing, even the little remaining teacher-student bond would be ruined.

The chancellor’s wife’s expression darkened slightly, and she put on a mournful act: "...Sister Bai, surely you’re not thinking that now that Liu Ge'er has swept all six exams and has such a bright future, our modest chancellor’s family is no longer worthy, so you’re calling it off? Do you think that’s appropriate?"

Xingxing stepped forward: "Madam Chancellor, mind your words!"

Recognizing Xingxing as a favorite of the Crown Prince’s household, the chancellor’s wife hurriedly bowed: "My respects, Township Lady."

Xingxing raised a hand: "No need for formalities, Madam Chancellor. My second aunt has already said she declined your proposal even before the palace exams. Moreover, since no betrothal was ever formalized—none of the three betrothal letters or six ceremonial rites were exchanged—how can you speak of breaking an agreement? Madam Chancellor, you ought to be more precise with your words."

She smiled. "Otherwise, if this spreads, it’ll harm both Miss Zhou’s reputation and my third brother’s."

The chancellor’s wife dropped her gaze in shame.

She found it strange—this was just a little girl only slightly older than her youngest. Though she held the title of Township Lady, she was still just a child. Yet, under this *little girl*’s few words, she felt an unsettling, commanding presence!

The Imperial Academy Chancellor's wife gritted her teeth: "...You're right, Township Lady. I will be more careful with my words in the future."

Not long after Xingxing entered, the chancellor's wife could no longer stay and slunk away in disgrace with her daughter.

Bai Xiaofeng let out a long sigh and praised Xingxing: "Our Xingxing really holds her own. I talked with Madam Zhou for so long, but she just kept trying to weasel out of it."

Xingxing smiled: "It's because Second Aunt is too nice for your own good. People always push around the nice ones and cower before the tough ones."

Bai Xiaofeng looked at Xingxing: "You? Fierce?"

Xingxing put on a fierce expression: "Fierce and intimidating enough for you?"

This made both Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rou'er couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The laughter completely dispelled the unpleasantness brought by the chancellor's wife earlier.

"...With so many congratulatory gifts, I still have to send return gifts. It's wearing me out. Your Eldest Aunt, Youngest Aunt, and Huai Ge'er's wife are all pregnant, so I can't ask them for help. I can only call on you, Xingxing. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you today."

Xingxing, already seated on the couch, reached for the account book: "Second Aunt, we're family. There's no such thing as trouble among family."

Bai Xiaofeng smiled warmly: "Later, Second Aunt will make you another dress, guaranteed to be beautiful!"

Just as they were talking, someone suddenly rushed in to report: "Emergency!"