County Magistrate Li scolded, "You foolish woman, don’t you realize that if we do this thing today, our daughter Jin Zhi’er will still have a chance to enter the Huo Family. If we placate Young Master Huo, naturally there will be a chance of being valued. If we don’t do anything, we won’t even have that chance, so where would the question of being valued come from?"
Rebuked by her husband, Lady Bian hesitated; this matter involved her daughter’s innocence, how could she easily agree?
Unexpectedly, just as she was undecided, Li Jinzhi’s voice came from outside the door, "Mother, I am willing!"
As she spoke, Li Jinzhi had already walked through the door, not caring about decency and reputation. She bowed and said, "Mother, I really cherish Young Master Huo. I beg for your blessing."
As she spoke, her eyes actually turned red.
She was not being pretentious, but truly was moved by her feelings.
From the first moment she saw Huo Yuan, she’d been attracted by his handsome and noble demeanor, his elegant posture, and his elegant manner. From then on, she couldn’t focus on anyone else; every waking and sleeping moment, her thoughts were filled with his image.
She’d obsessively sought out every opportunity to meet with him in hopes of attracting his attention, wishing he would see her good qualities, and to experience a mutually attracted love story with him. However, he’d always treated her coldly and distanced himself, heartlessly refusing her obvious hints.
Seeing him increasingly infatuated with that lowly girl from the countryside, she couldn’t wait any longer. If her status as a wealthy daughter couldn’t attract a man, then she’d have to resort to some disgraceful means to achieve her heart’s desire. As long as she could become Huo Yuan’s woman, she was willing to do anything, no matter how degrading and despicable!
Lady Bian responded, "It’s not that I don’t want to fulfill your wish, but if you go down this path, I’m afraid you won’t be able to enter through the front door as Young Master Huo’s official wife. I can’t bear to let the daughter of a high-ranking official become a concubine for a merchant family!"
Magistrate Li snapped: "Given the Huo Family’s current status, it would not be a slight for our Jin Zhi to enter as a noble concubine, or even a chambermaid. You ignorant woman, what do you know?"
"The Huo Family is not an ordinary merchant family, but the imperial merchant and the richest family of the Great Jin Nation. Importantly, they are the family of the Virtuous Consort. Looking at the entire palace, apart from Virtuous Consort, which other woman can compete for favor with Jin Guifei? Is such a family something we can easily connect with? Now there is such a great opportunity in front of us, and you actually want to miss it. Do you think that these heaven-sent chances will happen all the time?"
Lady Bian, who lacks decision-making and is an ignorant lady, had always wanted to find a good family for her daughter, and wanted her to have a life of wealth and honor, and to have someone to depend on in her old age.
After hearing her husband’s scolding and seeing her daughter’s firm agreement, she vaguely agreed. She took her daughter to dress up and prepare.
After talking to his daughter, County Magistrate Li summoned his eldest son, Li Jingui. Although this son was not successful, he was in fact the most beloved son of his, and he would not miss any opportunity for his son to make connections with the powerful.
But Li Jingui didn’t want to befriend Huo Yuan at all. Thinking about Huo Yuan’s arrogant and contemptuous attitude towards him made him furious. He wished he could kill Huo Yuan’s entire family to vent his hatred! Therefore, only after being scolded and having his ear twisted by his father, did he reluctantly follow his dad, braving the cold wind, and leaving the mansion.
When several carriages arrived in front of the mansion, County Magistrate Li greeted them with a full smile, making small talk with Huo Yuan. Huo Yuan nodded slightly as a greeting, and then turned his attention to the carriage behind him.