Xiao Baoxin's words were so enlightening that even the deaf could hear them. It stunned everyone in the room and it instantly became pindrop silent.
Madam Yin's face turned green and purple, just like a paint board.
"Ah Xiao, you can punish me however you want if you're angry, but the marriage was decided by the elders of the two families. We had already completed the matchmaking and sent betrothal gifts. We're only short of the bridal escort. How can we take it lightly?" Yuan Chen's face turned even paler from anger. Xiao Baoxin was even afraid that he would shake off the powder on his face from anger.
The powder was thicker than hers!
"That's right." Madam Yin sighed and looked at Madam Xie helplessly. "Younger Sister, there's a reason for this incident. It wasn't because our Yuan family regretted the engagement. It was all because of the conflict between the younger generation. Our Yuan family is here to sincerely apologize to the Xiao family. I've also told Younger Sister about our difficulties…"
"Yes, I understand." Madam Xie came back to her senses. "Baoxin just can't think straight in such a short moment."
"It's inevitable for young people. But we adults can't be muddle-headed too, can we? Wouldn't it be better to be related by marriage than enmity?" Madam Yin didn't even talk to Xiao Baoxin anymore and only directed her words at the soft-hearted Madam Xie.
"Although the marriage was arranged by Madam Xie of Minister Qi's family, I really do like Baoxin from the bottom of my heart. Otherwise, I wouldn't have directly made the decision to agree to the engagement. Baoxin is magnanimous and bright, she is practically a match made in heaven with Chaoyu. They are the most compatible couple. When it comes to this marriage, I feel proud talking about it no matter where I go."
"That's right. My Baoxin has both talent and looks." Madam Xie was delighted.
"…" Madam Yin choked. 'How about you praise my son as well?'
"Rumors are flying everywhere now. Everyone could do anything they wanted, I'm just afraid that there will be someone with unkind intentions. To put it bluntly, the Yuan family is an aristocratic family that has been around for a hundred years and has a deep foundation. The head of the Xiao family is like the sun in the midday sky and an important minister of the country. How many people would covet the marriage between our two families? If people believe everything others say, we won't have to live our days anymore."
"Little sister, don't worry. This is a daughter-in-law that I like. If I say no and make things difficult for Baoxin after she marries into our family, I'll be considered immoral."
"That's right." Madam Xie was an honest person and listened to her advice. "If you say so, I'll be relieved."
When Xiao Baoxin heard this, she exploded. "Mother, can you take a stand? What did we talk about yesterday?"
As if someone had exposed her shortcomings, Madam Xie blushed and asked angrily, "Isn't that a misunderstanding?"
"That's right. It's fine if the misunderstanding is resolved." Madam Yin smiled and said, "Auntie has already personally come to apologize to you. Are you still not satisfied?"
Displeased, of course.
But she could not say that. After all, she was an elder and her status was naturally higher than hers.
Xiao Baoxin knew that she could not count on her mother anymore. The fence-sitter had fallen with the wind, and she was swayed by a few good words from others. She could only brace herself and turn down the marriage.
"Even if it's a misunderstanding, Baoxin has no choice but to turn it down."
No matter how magnanimous Madam Yin was, she could no longer sustain the smile on her face.
"Ah Xiao, stop fooling around. Don't you know my feelings? I've written so many poems for you. The poems represent my true feelings—"
Yuan Chen was so anxious that he choked on his saliva and started coughing.
He placed his hand on his chest. His posture was beyond words, it was just like the legendary 'Beauty Of A Sick Lady'.
"I really don't know you very well. Can you stop calling me that?" Xiao Baoxin felt disgusted. If people knew Yuan Chen, they would know him as someone who acted close to others. Those who didn't know him would even think that they were very close and had already addressed each other as husband and wife.
"You have indeed written quite a number of poems. I don't dare to be presumptuous."
Madam Yin felt sorry for her son and went forward to soothe Yuan Chen's back. Yuan Chen coughed for a long time before finally stopping. His face was even paler, and he actually looked a little weak and slender.
"So Baoxin is jealous." It was unknown whether it was because he was coughing or smiling, but his narrow eyes were moist.
Xiao Baoxin felt a chill run down her spine. Why was he so girly?
What was the trend in Jiankang nowadays? Why did a good man become like this?
"I'm not—"
"Then I won't write to anyone else in the future. I'll only write to Baoxin, okay?"
"Don't—"
Madam Xie and Madam Yin looked at each other and smiled.
"These kids are just playing tricks."
"No, I'm serious about annulling the marriage." Xiao Baoxin spoke up for herself and ignored Yuan Chen's burning gaze. She could not explain herself clearly with a narcissist like him at all.
"Madam, forgive me for being blunt, but your son is not worthy of me!"
"Enough, are you done?! Madam Yin and Young Master Yuan have already come personally to explain. Why are you so stubborn? Just because they gave you some face, you can't possibly expect more!"
Madam Xie was furious. To be able to make the previously arrogant Madam Yin personally come to her door to explain herself and lower herself in front of her, it was enough to show how much importance the Yuan family placed on this marriage. Killing someone was nothing more than a nod of the head. What else did she want them to do? Kneel three times and kowtow nine times before repenting to the Xiao Residence?
"I don't think I said anything wrong. My father has a high position and authority. He has also earned many achievements. I am beautiful and have literary and martial talents. What does Yuan Chen have? He is just a wanderer who has nothing better to do. Just because he can write a few words, and his good friends were promoting him, he gained some fame. But what scholar is he? He is merely writing a few lines of trashy poetry."
"Not only is his looks barely satisfactory, but he's also learning how to apply makeup like a girl. May I ask how he's worthy of me?"
Xiao Baoxin was full of confidence. Standing in the room, she naturally attracted everyone's attention, not to mention her explosively shocking speech. The people in the room seemed to have their brains sucked away, and they had no time to think.
In the end, it was still Madam Xie whose face was flushed red from embarrassment. She hurriedly said, "Someone, send Young Miss back to her courtyard!" This girl has gone mad!
"I'd like to see who dares to touch me!" Xiao Baoxin did not want to punch and kick those unarmed maids and senior servants who obeyed orders. Otherwise, a room full of them would not be enough for her to kick.
As expected, no one dared to approach her after she shouted this.
"I will definitely annul this marriage!"
"I've already said that it's a misunderstanding. Why are you still rejecting the marriage? You're all blockheads. Why aren't you taking Young Miss away?" Madam Xie waved her hand and asked someone to quickly pull Xiao Baoxin away. Did she think that annulling the marriage was anything good? She could only do this since she really had no other way out.
This society was inherently unfair to women. If you were to turn down a marriage, regardless of who was right or wrong, it would be extremely difficult for you to get married.
Not to mention breaking off the engagement with an aristocratic family like the Yuan family. In the future, any aristocratic family that was related to the Yuan family would not even consider them. However, the aristocratic families in Jiankang City had always been particular about being well-matched in terms of social status. Basically, they would internally arrange marriages. Every family was somewhat related to the Yuan family. If they broke off the engagement with the Yuan family, it would be equivalent to giving up on marriage with another aristocratic family. Her marriage would be restricted and she could only get married to someone of a lower status.
Who would want their own daughter to marry someone of lower status? She had been pampered for so many years, yet she had to suffer after marrying someone?
If there were any choice, she would not do it.
"Mother, no matter what, I won't marry this wastrel! I hope you can respect me!" Xiao Baoxin firmly reiterated before leaving the room.
Since she had already offended so many people, it didn't matter if she said more.
She hoped that Madam Yin would fly into a rage out of humiliation and turn down the marriage.
Unexpectedly, she had still underestimated Madam Yin's self-restraint. She had watched the entire process without batting an eyelid.
"I don't know why, but this child has gone overboard." Madam Xie's face was burning hot. Ignoring everything else, just from the fact that she raised her little neck high and confidently said that others were not worthy of her— she had never seen such a thing in her life. How thick-skinned did she have to be to raise her arm and call for action in a room of outsiders?
Even if she really thought so, couldn't she put it in her heart?
One had to be humble.