Deep in her eyes, Wen Rou hid a trace of pity for Su Li, thinking she had concealed it well, but she hadn’t realized that Su Li had long seen through her heart.
Thinking of the woman across from her, though beautiful, as an ancient woman, she couldn’t escape the traits assigned by this deformed society: obey the father at home, the husband after marriage, and the son when the husband died.
Her entire life seemed predictable to the end, utterly dull. What use was there in being beautiful if she couldn’t make decisions for herself—look, even the significant matter of marriage was decided by others.
Whenever Wen Rou thought of these things, a rush of exhilaration surged within her, accompanied by a strong sense of superiority as she casually dismissed the displeasure stemming from being ignored by the other.
She was just a pitiful woman bound by feudal society.
Su Li wore a stoic expression, her gaze sweeping over Wen Rou, not needing to guess her thoughts as they were written clearly on her face, which she assumed unnoticed.
"Ah, this young brother, I forgot to ask your name." Wen Rou revealed her gentle smile, unabashedly grabbing the beggar boy’s arm.
Xuanyuan Jian frowned, his slender fingers itching.
He really wanted to chop off that dirty arm.
His cherished Little Cutie had one flaw; she never learned to be smart and neglected her own status.
Of course, Xuanyuan Jian wouldn’t think Wen Rou was at fault; he’d blame everything on the ignorant beggar before him.
The beggar boy shivered in his tattered clothes and shrank his neck as the chill spread from his feet to his head.
However, he was so struck by the incredible surprise before him that he overlooked the cold enveloping him.
Gratefully, he smiled at Wen Rou and declared boldly, "My name is Bigfoot..."
Wen Rou couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her gaze drifting to the beggar’s feet, where his tattered shoes completely failed to conceal his large feet.
Wen Rou, struggling to contain her laughter, said, "No wonder, no wonder you’re called Bigfoot—you truly have big feet."
Embarrassed, Bigfoot scratched the back of his head, "Yes, according to my mother, I was born with much larger feet than others, so she gave me a name easy to sustain, calling me Bigfoot."
After her laughter, Wen Rou, holding back a smile, turned to look at Su Li’s face.
Su Li harbored a faint smile, forming a stark contrast with Su Zhao-shi next to her, whose deeply furrowed brows darkened his complexion.
Wen Rou, said, "Miss Su, what do you think of the name... Bigfoot?"
Su Li elegantly reached up to brush a strand of hair from her forehead, displaying a perfect smile, neither too much nor too little, her every move reflecting the immaculate standards of a well-bred lady.
Wen Rou didn’t see the image she had envisioned on Su Li’s face, feeling somewhat disappointed, losing even the desire to converse further with Bigfoot.
Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Jian stood by nonchalantly, watching Wen Rou’s mischievously smiling expression.
Su Zhao-shi, slumping slightly, had deepened creases between his brows forming a distinct character.
"The name Bigfoot is too... indelicate." After a moment, Su Zhao-shi reluctantly used the word "indelicate."
"Perhaps it should be changed."
"This name was personally given by my mother; it cannot be changed lightly," Bigfoot retorted proudly, an intense and thrilling excitement blooming within him, facing nobles who usually made him tremble with fear.
His twinkling eyes paused on Wen Rou for a few seconds, initially filled with nervous unease, which quickly smoothed over.
Huang Dajiao stiffened his neck like a brave warrior facing a dragon about to be defeated and continued powerfully, "I know Old Master Su has always looked down on people like me who make their living in the mud, but just as Miss Su put it, do not scorn the young for being poor ..."
Su Li was amused by the man’s comical performance and chuckled.
In that moment, everything around dimmed.
Su Li saw Wen Rou’s lips silently move twice.
"Ah Jian, let’s go." Wen Rou raised her vigilance by twofold.
Indeed, Su Li was so extravagantly beautiful she just wanted to pull Ah Jian and leave quickly.
Huang Dajiao was dissatisfied with Su Li’s contemptuous smile, and just as he was about to rebut, Wen Rou casually intervened, "Bigfoot, although the name is vivid, since Old Master Su has a different opinion, perhaps you should listen to him...after all, he will be your future father-in-law."
For some reason, Wen Rou stressed the term "father-in-law."
Su Li watched as Huang Dajiao’s expression changed from disdain to one of a groveling pup in front of Wen Rou in a heartbeat. He did not object with excuses like the name was given by his parents but agreed smoothly, "Miss Su is right; what name do you suggest then?"
Wen Rou glanced meaningfully at Su Li, satisfied with Huang Dajiao’s respectful attitude, and smilingly replied, "How about Huang Zheng? It means ’upright’ and ’honorable’..."
Huang Dajiao, now Huang Zheng, eagerly agreed like a loyal dog, "Miss, that’s a good name."
Su Li watched silently with a smile, thinking that if Wen Rou suggested "dog poop" as a suitable name, he would probably loudly praise it too.
So, even back then, Huang Zheng was utterly devoted to Wen Rou. No wonder he would later manage the entire vast estate of the Su Family as a devotion to her.
"Since the matter is settled, let us leave."
Xuan Yuan Jian gave Wen Rou a meaningful look. She was more than eager to leave, as Miss Su seemed like a demon bewitching people.
She feared that a smile from Su Li would be enough to captivate even a steadfast man like Xuan Yuan Jian.
Su Li watched as the future Emperor and Empress hurriedly left, leaving a mess behind.
Huang Zheng was quite reluctant, watching Wen Rou’s receding figure for a long time.
Only when he could no longer see her did he turn around, twisted his mouth reluctantly, and bowed to Su Li and Su Zhao-shi, "Father-in-law, Lady..."
The remaining bystanders, barely dispersed, emitted sneers. Huang Zheng, usually accustomed to bending and bowing, now stubbornly straightened his back.
Old Master Su was now filled with resentment mixed with complexity. He didn’t know how to address the man before him now.
Su Li: "Xiao Xi, take Mr. Huang down to freshen up first."
Xiao Xi didn’t want to acknowledge such a son-in-law, but under Su Li’s firm gaze, he could only hesitantly bow, "Mr. Huang, this way, please."
Su Zhao-shi could tell despite his daughter’s gentle smile she was possibly forcing calm, her heart perhaps in turmoil inside.