Chapter 58

Qianning王府，内宅。

The old lady was furious. The man's shout not only startled her but also spread throughout the Mu family, and it would soon be all over the capital. The idea of a rogue running to the inner quarters to profess his love was laughable and truly hateful.

"This past few months, I've seen him act with propriety and courtesy, and I thought he was a gentleman. Who knew that after getting drunk, he would immediately show his frivolous nature? He cannot be let off lightly," the old lady said angrily.

Muxuesnow, who had come at the news, found it strange. The man's character was not so unstable. She said, "Mother, why would he cause a commotion in front of the inner quarters for no reason? There must be a reason. We should ask him face-to-face before punishing him."

The old lady, who was seething with anger, gazed at her daughter. She had always believed that her daughter's nature made it impossible for her to have any private contact with that scoundrel. But why was she defending him? Could there really be a private affection?

The old lady slowly asked, "Tell me, do you like him too?"

Muxuesnow replied frankly, "He is a young scholar of noble birth, with an extraordinary appearance and graceful demeanor. Everyone here is a romantic and passionate person! However, according to what I know, he has always been self-disciplined. He has never visited the Qinhuai pleasure boats or shown affection to the maidservants.

"After reading for months at our house, he has not fallen into luxury and extravagance. He is simple and diligent, which is why I find him somewhat commendable. Therefore, I dare not look at him with contempt! But human hearts are unpredictable. If his nature is unstable, he will easily become fickle. If his feelings are not deep, he cannot be entrusted with a lifetime. I have only met him once by the stream; how can I give him my heart so easily? Not to mention whether he is talented or not, how can I let him tarnish the reputation of our noble Mu family?"

These words came from the depths of Muxuesnow's heart. Her upright intentions made her face radiant, and the old lady's suspicion immediately dissipated.

While the old lady was pleased that her daughter was sensible, she could not hide her slight fondness for the young man outside. It was strange that the young man, with average talent and martial skills, and many others who were superior in appearance and family background, could still win her daughter's favor.

Since the young man had met her daughter, there was no need to avoid him. She wanted to see what would happen next.

With this thought, the old lady said, "Let's test him. If he is a frivolous rogue, you should cut off this affection for him."

Muxuesnow nodded, "Yes."

Thus, Xu Hao, who was tied up in the woodshed, was brought in by four or five old women. Once inside, they untied him.

Xu Hao stretched his legs and formally greeted the old lady, who was sitting upright. He glanced at Muxuesnow, who was sitting gracefully on the side, and nodded.

The old lady inwardly sneered but smiled on the surface, "You are too reckless, child. Considering your bravery and Muxuesnow's plea on your behalf, I will not hold this against you this time. Tell me honestly, do you really like my daughter?"

Xu Hao answered without hesitation, "A graceful lady, of course I like her."

The old lady smiled in satisfaction and asked, "If I were to betroth her to you, what would you say? And I am unwilling to let my daughter marry far away. I hope that the future son-in-law can live in our Mu Wangfu."

Everyone in the room was waiting for Xu Hao's answer. At this moment, it was so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping. They were all looking forward to the birth of a princess and her prince.

But to everyone's surprise, Xu Hao still answered without thinking, "If the condition is living in, I refuse. I have matters to attend to and no time to chat. Goodbye."

With that, Xu Hao turned and left, leaving a room full of stunned women. The old lady was furious and shouted, "Stop! Explain yourself before you leave."

Xu Hao turned back and explained, "There was a reason for my actions. Otherwise, why would I have lost my mind and caused a commotion at your door? I have important matters to attend to tonight, as instructed by my elders. I really have no time to stay. I will come to apologize another day."

Seeing Xu Hao's impatient manner, Muxuesnow coldly said, "Mother, let him go."

Xu Hao looked deeply at the slightly displeased Muxuesnow. He was also annoyed and said loudly, "I have caused trouble for Miss these past days, and I apologize. If Miss is willing to consider Xu Hao as a friend, I would be honored. If not, we will not see each other again. Goodbye."

After Xu Hao left, the old lady, feeling her dignity was lost, angrily summoned the managers to inquire about the reason. A manager who knew the truth did not dare to hide it and said that several young masters from wealthy families had been lying in wait outside, using Miss's name to lure Xu Hao and beat him up to vent their anger.

"These scoundrels, they infuriate me."

The old lady laughed and cursed, realizing that Xu Hao had indeed taken desperate measures. Although his actions were somewhat frivolous, he could not be entirely blamed. As for those scoundrels using her daughter's name, such absurd and evil deeds were common, and she was already numb to them. Even if she was angry, she could do nothing about them, so she could only vent her anger on the servants. Such treacherous and despicable people could not be forgiven.

At the Wei Guogong Mansion, Xu Hao stood in the hall, waiting for his second uncle Xu Da's summons. It was cold, and he kept rubbing his hands to keep warm. After waiting for about half an hour, as Xu Jingqin had said, a maid came out to inform him that the old man was unwell and would see him another day.

Xu Da had been in seclusion for ten years. Xu Hao did not think that this historically undefeated Xu Da, the first Duke of the Ming Dynasty, still had the power to influence events! He was probably an old man on his last legs, relying on wine and women to numb himself, constantly fearing Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

If he did not see him, so be it. The future still depended on himself. Although Xu Hao repeatedly told himself that he did not care about Muxuesnow, his heart still ached.

He had originally planned to invest in a hotel with Mu Ang or Muxuesnow, intending to help the siblings earn some private money. After this incident, not only did he fail to achieve his goal, but he also fell out with the Mu family.

Walking gloomily, he turned a corner and bumped into several people. Xu Hao quickly moved aside and respectfully bowed, "Nephew greets Uncle."

The person was Xu Da's eldest son, Xu Hui Zu, who stopped and frowned, "Wandering around like a headless fly, lost in thought. Are you going to see the old man? Tell me, what have you been up to recently?"

Xu Hui Zu was always serious and had inherited his father's military strategy and strict discipline. He was very strict with his younger relatives, so none of the Xu family's children were not afraid of him.

Xu Hao did not dare to hide anything and said, "I came to pay respects to Second Uncle as ordered by Grandmother. I have been a companion reader at the Mu family."

"Companion reader at the Mu family?" Xu Hui Zu sneered, "Another one who is attaching himself to outsiders. You can leave, and you don't need to come here again."

Xu Hao was stunned, and his anger rose, "Going to the Mu family to study was the good intention of my uncle."

"Did he send you?" Xu Hui Zu, surprised, narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, "Is it because of you that the mighty Prince of Yan is concerned? Don't you find that strange?"

Xu Hao calmly replied, "Not strange. I like the princess of the Mu family, and I asked my brother, who then asked my uncle. Thanks to my uncle's kindness, I was able to enter the Mu family, unlike some elders who never care about their younger relatives."

Xu Hao thought this would anger Xu Hui Zu, but to his surprise, Xu Hui Zu smiled and said meaningfully, "You blame me for not caring? What you say is true, and I don't want to explain. Let you children hold a grudge. But if you can move the Prince of Yan, it shows that you have some merit and are not a fool. In the future, think carefully and don't just focus on women. Look more at the capital, the court, and the world."

Xu Hao was shaken. If it were someone else, he might have to ponder these words, but he immediately understood their deeper meaning. Xu Hui Zu's indifference and the old man's seclusion were for the sake of the family.

As for looking at the court and the world, did he see the Prince of Yan's ambitions?

It was very possible. After all, his sister was married to Zhu Di, and the two families had been close for years. As a brother-in-law, Xu Hui Zu, with his deep scheming, might be one of the people who understood his brother-in-law Zhu Di the most.

Unfortunately, this topic could not be continued. He had no means to protect himself and could not speak recklessly. Otherwise, he might have used this opportunity to change Xu Hui Zu's impression of him.

Xu Hui Zu was someone he needed to closely monitor in the future. He was not simple. Xu Hao immediately replied, "Yes."

"Go," Xu Hui Zu frowned and waved his hand, watching Xu Hao leave. He was actually very surprised. How many young people would not try their hardest to answer him in such an opportunity? This young man, on the contrary, showed his sharpness and then immediately reined it in. Indeed, Zhu Di had good judgment, and the Xu family had produced a smart person in this generation.

Smart people often think too highly of themselves and often make mistakes because of their intelligence. Xu Hui Zu faintly ordered, "From now on, send someone to watch him and report his every move."