Then, the doorkeeper took the visiting card inside.
After a moment, he returned and said to Wang Youbao, "Young Master Wang, our master invites you in."
"Thank you." Wang Youbao politely spoke to the doorkeeper before being led into the Prime Minister’s residence.
Yu Sanming and Yu Xiaoming followed behind Wang Youbao, the young master, carrying the generous gifts.
Once the young servant had shown Wang Youbao into the main hall, he went back to his post at the door.
Wang Youbao did not recognize Prime Minister Li, but at that moment, just one person was seated in the highest seat drinking tea. Without needing to think, Wang Youbao knew it was Prime Minister Li and quickly knelt to pay his respects, saying, "Commoner Wang Youbao greets the Prime Minister."
Yu Sanming and Yu Xiaoming also knelt and paid their respects.
"Rise," Prime Minister Li said indifferently as he set down his teacup.
"Thank you, Prime Minister." Wang Youbao stood up and signaled Yu Sanming and Yu Xiaoming to present the gifts, "These humble gifts are offered with the hope that the Prime Minister will kindly accept them."
Prime Minister Li picked up the visiting card that Wang Youbao had just handed over, glanced through it, and said indifferently, "You come from afar, from Qilin County, so it’s no wonder you didn’t know that in the Imperial Capital, everyone knows I don’t accept gifts."
Wang Youbao immediately knelt again and said, "It was an oversight on this commoner’s part, I hope the Prime Minister will forgive me."
This time Prime Minister Li didn’t tell him to rise, but asked calmly, "You’ve come from a long way, what do you seek from me?"
Li Wuyu had returned home the day before and must have already told Prime Minister Li about her situation with him. Now the Prime Minister was pretending not to know, while being perfectly aware.
Wang Youbao knew this but didn’t expose it, instead directly addressing the matter at hand, "This commoner admires your beloved daughter and hopes the Prime Minister will grant his blessing."
Prime Minister Li threw the visiting card back onto the table and scoffed, "You are quite frank."
Wang Youbao said, "This commoner dares not deceive the Prime Minister."
Prime Minister Li closed his eyes for a moment before saying, "Rise."
"Thank you, Prime Minister."
"Thank you, Prime Minister."
Only after Wang Youbao had seated himself did Prime Minister Li slowly speak again, "Wuyu told me about the matter between you and her as soon as she returned yesterday. For me to agree to your marriage is not difficult. I just have one condition."
Wang Youbao hadn’t expected Prime Minister Li to agree and asked eagerly, "What is the condition, Prime Minister?"
Prime Minister Li said, "You must become a son-in-law who will live with my family."
Wang Youbao’s smile froze on his lips.
Prime Minister Li continued, "She is my only daughter and I’ve always spoiled her. Since she is fond of you, I don’t want to break her heart. If you agree to enter our family as such, the marriage is settled. What do you say?"
Wang Youbao stood up with a bow, speaking very solemnly, "Prime Minister, this commoner cannot enter the family in that way."
"Oh? You don’t wish to become my son-in-law and be with my daughter anymore?"
Wang Youbao said, "This commoner wishes to be with your beloved daughter, but that does not mean this commoner will enter the family in such a manner. Under my father’s knees, there is only this one son. My father dearly loved this commoner while living, and this commoner cannot be unfilial by entering into another family, allowing my family’s lineage to end with me."
Prime Minister Li said, "Then I cannot agree." He paused, "You should go back and think it over carefully, don’t make a decision you’ll regret."
Wang Youbao immediately said, "This commoner will not regret it! I will absolutely not enter the family in that way!"
Prime Minister Li’s face darkened, "You are being unappreciative."
Wang Youbao said, "I thank you, Prime Minister, for your generous affection, but this commoner truly cannot enter in such a manner. If because of this, I cannot be joined in marriage with your beloved daughter, then it must be the will of heaven. This commoner will not insist, but I hope the Prime Minister will forgive me."