The Jing'an Marquis, Zheng Jinghong, finally learned of his eldest daughter Zheng Qian's actions.
He was informed by his second daughter Zheng Yutan, who had seen people from Zhai Yu Xuan arrive at the gate.
"Father Marquis, our eldest sister took some crudely made Buddhist beads to Zhai Yu Xuan. The matter hasn't spread yet. They probably refrained out of respect for you. But now they're here with such ceremony—they're likely here to admonish her and warn our family," Zheng Yutan said anxiously. "I didn't tell you sooner because I worried you would be upset."
At home, the affair had become a laughingstock, rumors spreading over several conversations, yet no one informed the Marquis.
He had been busy preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival poetry event at the Imperial Academy, drafting topics and rhymes.
Unexpectedly, such a scandal occurred at home.
"Absurd. She simply…" The Marquis, a former top scholar with both talent and handsome looks—the dream of many capital maidens—was furious.
Even in his early forties, he had maintained his distinguished, refined demeanor. Yet his eldest daughter Zheng Qian had tarnished his dignity, leaving him seething.
"Alas, an unfilial daughter brings misfortune to the family," he sighed deeply, trying to restrain his anger.
In public, he would not lose the graceful composure befitting a scholar of his generation.
"Yutan, step aside. I must see the people from Zhai Yu Xuan and deal with this unfilial daughter," he said.
Zheng Yutan blinked slowly. "Father Marquis, I want to see too. If I can help, I want to defend our eldest sister. She wouldn't have embarrassed herself if it weren't for me."
"You are always so thoughtful," the Marquis sighed and did not refuse.
Father and daughter, accompanied by their book boy, went to the main hall of the outer courtyard.
After sitting, the Marquis allowed the people from Zhai Yu Xuan to enter.
Zheng Yutan sat beside him.
In this era, women could move and receive guests, though class and status distinctions were strict. A concubine-born daughter could not formally receive guests, but a legitimate daughter could.
The concubine-born Second Miss had effectively assumed the role of the eldest legitimate daughter; she handled the family's affairs.
With the rise of the wealthy commoner class, old noble families were forced into alliances with merchants. Dignity became a facade. Even if someone wanted to mock the Marquis's household for lack of rules, it was a small matter.
The concubine-born Second Miss thrived in this environment, enjoying wide popularity among noble girls in the capital.
She was extraordinarily beautiful, educated by her father in proper etiquette, and talented—destined to marry into a wealthy family. There was no need to offend her.
If she found a suitable match, no one would care about her birth; there was no reason to create trouble.
At present, all noble families had their difficulties.
Zheng Yutan's neck was long and elegant, her attire luxurious. Sitting upright, her aura was noble and transcendent, like a crane.
The servants invited the manager of Zhai Yu Xuan in.
Liu Zhongde entered first, followed by several assistants carrying multiple crates.
The Marquis, puzzled, glanced at his footman.
The footman whispered, "Marquis, Zhai Yu Xuan seems to have brought a gift."
"A gift?" The Marquis was confused.
Wasn't this supposed to be a complaint?
He straightened in his seat.
Liu Zhongde entered and knelt to pay respects to the Marquis.
The Marquis gestured for him to rise.
Before he could ask, Liu Zhongde explained: "Marquis, I have come to see the young lady. Please forgive the intrusion."
The Marquis cleared his throat: "This young lady is shy and inexperienced. If you have business, tell me—I will decide for you. If there is any disrespect, I will ensure justice."
Liu Zhongde hesitated: "Marquis, perhaps you should speak to the young lady—"
"Manager, our young lady is under my authority. You may not approach her at will. I, as head of the household, will decide. Any grievance you have, tell my father. Even if my eldest sister erred, the father punishes, not you."
Her voice was gentle and melodious, like celestial music. Even her firm words stirred the heart.
Liu Zhongde had heard of the Second Miss's reputation and looked up.
Sure enough, she was graceful, dignified, and elegant.
The eldest daughter who had visited the shop before was plain in comparison.
The Second Miss, beautiful and noble, was the true daughter of a prestigious family—no wonder the young noblemen of the capital sought to marry into the Zheng family.
He had even heard that the Second Prince, Yu Wang, admired her.
"Second Miss, you misunderstand—I'm not here to take revenge…" Liu Zhongde quickly explained.
He thought: This Second Miss is beautiful and dignified, but is she blind?
They had brought covered crates as a gift, yet she treated it as a complaint. Did she misunderstand, or was she deliberately twisting it?
At that moment, footsteps were heard outside.
A cheerful female voice called: "Father Marquis, am I late?"
The Marquis immediately frowned.
Zheng Yutan shook her head slightly. Their eldest sister really had no sense of tact.
"Miss!" Liu Zhongde, before the Marquis could speak, eagerly approached Zheng Qian, bowing. "Greetings, Miss! As promised, I have brought the silver for you."
The Marquis was stunned.
He had been trying to figure out the purpose of Liu Zhongde's crates, expecting trouble.
Unexpectedly, Liu Zhongde said he had brought silver.
Silver?
"Twenty thousand taels in total. My master instructed that it be delivered to you personally. Please inspect it," Liu Zhongde said, face glowing.
The red cloth was lifted, revealing dazzling silver ingots, five taels each, four thousand in total.
Four thousand ingots filled six large crates—when uncovered, they glittered brilliantly.
The Marquis froze.
As a Four Gates Scholar at the Imperial Academy, his monthly salary was thirty taels—a lifetime wouldn't yield this amount. The Zheng family's ancestral wealth had nearly been lost by his father. They relied on the Marquis's name to marry daughters into merchant families and rebuild their fortune.
Twenty thousand taels was enormous to him; his eyes went wide.
The icy, elegant Second Miss suddenly stood, descending from her celestial aura, revealing a touch of worldly greed in her eyes, impossible to conceal.
"Not bad. You truly keep your word," Zheng Qian said lightly, smiling.