Xin Liao, with a fierce stare, glared at Mù Qiānxún, who sat there as if nothing had to do with her, then frantically started explaining, "Chairman Gao, I honestly didn't mean to deceive. The truth is, neither of my daughters are suitable!"
Wu Chun screamed, "So your own daughters aren't suitable, but the illegitimate one is? Xin Liao, if you don't give me a plausible explanation today, the deal's off!"
Xin Liao responded helplessly, "It's an uncontrollable situation. My youngest daughter hasn't reached adulthood. My eldest daughter is betrothed to Ou Zun of the Ou family, they are to set the formal proposal in a few days. Therefore, I could only assign Qianxun to this marriage. I wish to collaborate with the Gao family as well. Chairman Gao, think about it, the perks of being in-laws with me when Xianglian marries into the Ou Family, do I need to say more?"
Mù Qiānxún sat off to the side, eyes half-closed.
It seemed she understood something.
So... did Xin Liao think Ou Zun's fiancee was Xin Xianglian?
What a grave misunderstanding!
However...
If Xin Xianglian is betrothed to Ou Zun, and Xin Xiangsi, being underaged, is not suitable to be sent to the Gao family,
Then what about her?
She's underaged as well!
From this, one could figure out her standing as a daughter in Xin Liao's book.
Perhaps, Xin Liao was considering that one day Xin Xiangsi would marry Ou Zun, elevating her status and position, therefore giving her even better prospects than the Gao family. He couldn't see the worth, the gratification in offering up his daughter to the Gao family now.
Indeed, she was the abandoned one!
However, upon Xin Liao's explanation, Gao Cheng, Wu Chun, and Gao Wen were all stunned.
However, Gao Cheng was the first to regain his voice.
"You're saying the girl Ou Zun is going to be engaged to is your daughter?"
News of the Ou family's young master's impending engagement was put out by Ou Zun himself. The date wasn't set and nobody knew who he'd be engaged to.
Turns out it's the young miss from the Xin family?
That's just...
Gao Cheng mulled it over. If Ou Zun's fiancée truly was Xin Xianglian, that would mean Mù Qiānxún, even though being the illegitimate daughter of the Xin family, would indirectly have a connection with the Ou family.
However... would the young master of the Ou family really be engaged to the Xin family's daughter?
This matter still required further investigation!
After careful consideration, Gao Cheng proposed his plan to Xin Liao, "Here's the deal, let Gao Wen and Qianxun spend some time together. Regardless, Prersident Xin, Qianxun is your daughter. If Gao Wen and Qianxun do reach the stage of engagement, I would like you to acknowledge Qianxun as your daughter at their engagement ceremony. My Gao family can accept an illegitimate daughter, but not an unacknowledged one!"
Xin Liao hurriedly agreed, "Of course! I promise the in-laws relationship between our families will be aboveboard. Everybody in the Imperial City will know about it."
Upon hearing the news of Ou Zun's impending engagement to Xin Xianglian, Wu Chun also fell silent, seemingly affirming this development.
"..."
Mù Qiānxún watched as everyone in the room peacefully discussed the plan, apparently excluding her.
Mù Qiānxún quietly stood up, smiling at Xin Liao, "Daddy, do you remember how old I am?"
Xin Liao looked at her, puzzled, "You..."
Mù Qiānxún grinned brightly, "Dad, you might have forgotten, I'm underage as well..."
Having said that, she stuffed her hands into her pockets and swaggered out of the room.