The old man, unable to win the argument, resorted to force and sought to expel Lu Yuxin from the Lu family.
"Elders, please forgive my disrespect, but activating the family records requires the old patriarch himself to pay respects at the ancestral hall with three bows before the process can commence," Xiao Qinglan declared with equal parts humility and dignity.
"However, to my knowledge, the old patriarch has fallen sick, brought down by your own power struggles," she retorted, her composure laced with grace.
"Witch, what nonsense are you spouting? It's clear that the patriarch fell ill because of you all!" the old men blurted out angrily, throwing accusations.
"Everyone, please calm your tempers. Allow me, Liu Chengye, to say a few words," a middle-aged man's voice suddenly erupted.
"Brother Chengye, your presence here in Lu Village amidst your busy schedule is an honor. Please, speak," Lu Zhenhai responded.
Lin Feng furrowed his brows, thinking that Chairman Xiao had controlled the situation with her eloquence, making his intervention unnecessary. Yet, out of nowhere, Liu Chengye appeared.
"Yuxin is young, and her rashness can be understood. Despite her breach of our customs, why don't we consider this: the Liu and Lu families could enter into a marriage alliance. Have her marry my son Liu Zhihao, and she will become a daughter-in-law of the Liu family. We will ensure that she learns to support her husband and raise her children properly," proposed Liu Chengye, stunning everyone, especially since Lin Feng was all too familiar with the name Liu Zhihao—it was he who had harassed Lu Yuxin and sought retribution against her just days ago. Now he had the impudence to propose marriage, taking advantage of the Lu family's internal conflict. If this wasn't opportunism, what was?
"Yuxin and I are mutually in love, and we cherish each other deeply. I humbly ask our uncles and grandfathers for their blessing. After the wedding, I will surely treat her well," Liu Zhihao claimed, his audacity thicker than city walls.
"Mutual love? Your harassment is something I have yet to settle with you!" Lu Yuxin exclaimed, seething with anger.
"Elders, Yuxin and I have hit a rough patch, and she's still livid, which might have amused you all," Liu Zhihao said, feigning innocence.
"Lu Yuxin, the matter of marriage is not a child's play. With your father absent, your marriage naturally falls under the decision of the family elders. Young Master Liu doesn't mind your temper; what more could you want?"
"Today, we will make the decision to betroth you to Young Master Liu Zhihao. We might overlook the matter of your assaulting an elder, but once you cross the threshold into the Liu family, you must observe the three obediences and four virtues, support your husband and raise your children, and respect your in-laws—do not tarnish the Lu family's reputation..." The old man spoke with righteous indignation, but before he could finish, the front door suddenly burst open with a bang, and amid the scattering dust and smoke, a silhouette emerged with an astonishing presence, like that of a god or a demon.
Of course, that figure was Lin Feng. He could have ignored Lu Yuxin's expulsion from the Lu family, but the thought of her being married off to someone else was unacceptable. Whether it was his duty as a bodyguard or the possessive instincts of a man, the last few words he heard set a fire raging within him.
"Lin Feng..." Lu Yuxin recognized him first, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and grievance.
At that moment, aside from her mother, probably only Lin Feng would stand by her side.
"You? Weren't you supposed to be...." Liu Zhihao almost let slip.
Lin Feng sneered internally. It seemed the bald man hadn't dared tell Liu Zhihao about their failed revenge plot.
The young men guarding outside finally realized the commotion and rushed in, only for Xiao Qinglan to immediately reprimand them in a cold voice, "Get out, the elders here will handle this matter."
"Elders? I doubt there are many here worthy of that title. Marrying off Yuxin is merely a ploy to divide mother and daughter, a step by step tactic to devour the corporate shares. Whether or not the groom-to-be is a human-faced beast doesn't concern you in the least."
"You so-called elders are even worse than the ancients who used princesses in marriage alliances to procure disgraceful peace. You're not worthy of being men!" Lin Feng cursed loudly, indignant at the gathering of men who ganged up on a widow and her daughter. What kind of people would do such a thing?