Su Shihang took a deep breath and said, "Sui Feng Village Lady, I came sincerely to discuss the retraction of the marriage proposal. I disagree with the alliance between our families."
He couldn’t be bothered to delve into the reasons for retracting the proposal.
A family from the countryside, with one son who hasn’t succeeded in his studies and another in business—how can such a family be worthy of joining the Su Family?
Since they are not a match, he doesn’t need to find a reason to retract the proposal.
His presence already demonstrated the utmost respect.
To put it simply, he has not agreed to this marriage proposal, and it will not be counted.
If the Sui Feng Village Lady doesn’t want to tear things apart openly, it’s best to obediently retract the marriage proposal.
This way, everyone saves face.
I’ve heard that the little son of the Sui Feng Village Lady’s family is studying at the Imperial College and will attend the spring examination next year.
If this proposal is smoothly retracted, once the little son tops the list and enters the court, he might let go of any grievances and offer some help.
Tong Huaqiong stood her ground and said, "This is not for you to decide. Just because you can’t control your son, you think you can come to my home and boss me around? Do you think I’m easy to bully? You say you disagree with our families’ alliance, but who are you to have such a big face? It’s not like you’re becoming my son-in-law; what do you have to disagree about."
Su Shihang frowned, indeed a vulgar woman from the countryside.
However, he could understand Tong Huaqiong’s reluctance to retract the marriage.
Although the Gu Family has ties with the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is still young. The Gu Family lacks a strong backing in Shengjing and is merely a merchant.
The fact that some noble and official families are willing to associate with the Gu Family doesn’t mean they’re willing to marry into it.
Gu Taohua being able to climb up to the Su Family is a blessing from her previous life.
As for Tong Huaqiong, to become in-laws with a second-ranked official of the court means her entire family’s status would rise.
To persuade her to retract the marriage, one would have to promise that even without this marriage, the Su Family would still be a support to the Gu Family.
Su Shihang, with a discerning look, said, "Sui Feng Village Lady, your daughter grew up in Ningxiang Village, while my son grew up in Shengjing. Their living environments are different, so they will inevitably have different habits. Such differences will lead to conflicts once they become a couple. Isn’t it better to end it now rather than become a resentful pair in the future? Why don’t we find a mutually acceptable reason to retract the proposal? It wouldn’t damage your daughter’s reputation or face, and our Su Family is willing to bear the blame for the retraction."
Su Shihang carefully observed Tong Huaqiong’s expression, maintaining a calm demeanor like he’s in control, and then began to mention Gu Jingzhe.
"Though we can’t become in-laws, we can still be lifelong friends. I heard your younger son is studying at the Imperial College, and you probably have high hopes for him. The water in Shengjing is treacherous; even young men entering the court need a well-established person to guide them. If you trust me, I don’t mind being that guide."
He didn’t believe that with Gu Jingzhe’s future as bait, Tong Huaqiong wouldn’t compromise.
Tong Huaqiong sneered, Su Shihang is truly a dog.
Using Gu Jingzhe’s future as a carrot to tempt her.
Does he think she is some ignorant woman?
Now, the entire Gu Family’s fate is tied to the Crown Prince.
And since Su Shihang publicly broke up with Su Chengmin during the Crown Prince incident, he can never be on the same boat as the Crown Prince.
What can Gu Jingzhe rely on him for?
Moreover, Gu Jingzhe hasn’t even attended the spring examinations yet, and he’s already trying to win him over. If the emperor found out, it would be enough to execute his entire clan.
Tong Huaqiong said coldly, "You can tell this to your son, not me. Your son doesn’t acknowledge you as a father, didn’t even tell you about the engagement, why are you causing trouble here? Retracting the marriage is impossible. Don’t use my son’s future to threaten me; you can’t even manage your own son but want to manage someone else’s. I’m a widow not looking to remarry, so don’t bother rushing to become my son’s father."
Su Shihang was nearly thrown off guard by Tong Huaqiong’s retort.
Especially her saying that Su Chengmin doesn’t acknowledge him, it was like a stab to his lungs.
Despite his frustration, Su Shihang maintained the composure of a second-ranked official in the court, speaking loftily, "Who enters my Su Family is up to me. I do not agree to this marriage, and they will not be included in the Su Family genealogy, nor worship at the Su Family shrine. Our Su Family does not approve of this marriage, so even if they wed, it wouldn’t count. I hope Sui Feng Village Lady will consider her daughter’s welfare."
"Consider your damn self. Your Su Family genealogy, you don’t even know who your grandfather is. Where did this genealogy come from? You think I don’t know your background, starting from mud feet, so don’t put on airs as a prominent family."
If Su Shihang continues to be overbearing here, it’s possible his son might break off from the Su Family line altogether.
Tong Huaqiong stood up, unwilling to argue further with Su Shihang.
Su Shihang’s face turned livid as he threatened, "Then don’t blame me for being impolite."
"What can you do with your impoliteness? Using words like a chatterbox, who would listen to you? I don’t have time to bicker with you. The marriage proposal is non-negotiable, and if you come again, be careful I’ll break your dog’s legs."
Tong Huaqiong stood up, grabbing the dog-beating stick behind the door, she swung it in front of Su Shihang, narrowly missing his ear.
"You, you, you..."
Su Shihang’s fingers trembled with anger; he hadn’t expected Tong Huaqiong to be so merciless.
As a second-ranked official in the court, visiting to communicate about retracting the marriage was already giving her enough respect, yet she responded with a dog-beating stick.
"Are you leaving?"
Tong Huaqiong raised the dog-beating stick, ready to chase him out.
Su Shihang staggered in fright.
"Grandmother, who is bullying you?"
Nie Xiaofeng, having heard Su Shihang came to their house wanting to retract the marriage between his little aunt and master, hurried over to support Tong Huaqiong.
Seeing Tong Huaqiong wielding the dog-beating stick, chasing Su Shihang out, he shouted at Su Shihang, "Even His Majesty calls this marriage a match made in heaven. Who do you think you are, running here to retract the marriage?"
"If you don’t leave, I’ll start hitting."
Nie Xiaofeng, being a military general, knew Su Shihang always looked down on military men. He belonged to the peace faction during Mo Bei’s intrusion into the Dasheng border, while the Mighty General represented the war faction, making them arch-enemies.
Such a craven civil official was the least esteemed by Nie Xiaofeng.
Moreover, since Nie Xiaofeng’s skills were taught by Su Chengmin and he was promoted on the battlefield by the Mighty General, given this connection, he disliked Su Shihang even more.
To dare to prevent his master from becoming his little aunt’s husband deserved death.
"Barbarian." Su Shihang cursed Nie Xiaofeng after getting on the sedan.
Nie Xiaofeng sneered; since he was called a barbarian, he wouldn’t bear the bad name without action.
Nie Xiaofeng pulled the coachman down, then snatched his whip, striking the horse’s legs twice. The frightened horse shot out like an unleashed arrow.
The maddened horse galloped wildly, and Su Shihang, sitting inside, almost got flung out.
Su Shihang was scared out of his wits.
The carriage crashed into a tree with a loud bang; Su Shihang was thrown up, his head hit the carriage wall, and he blacked out instantly.