Seeing Lin Yuan frown, Xia Zheng resolved her confusion, "Yecheng’s first tavern is called Drunken Immortal Residence, and it’s part of the same establishment as the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in the Capital. They have both been in business for many years and have quite a deep heritage."
Finally, he looked at Lin Yuan with a meaningful glance and added, "Moreover, both these taverns belong to the family of Consort Liu, who is the mother of the Second Prince."
Lin Yuan nodded in sudden understanding—it had a royal background, no wonder Xia Zheng couldn’t compete with them.
But, Xia Zheng also had a background!
"Xia Zheng, what exactly is your background?" Lin Yuan blinked playfully as she looked at him. Although she had vaguely guessed that Xia Zheng came from no ordinary background, it seemed like he had never talked about it himself.
Lin Yuan had asked in jest, not expecting a real answer. To her surprise, after Xia Zheng looked down for a while, he said, "I didn’t tell you before because I was afraid you’d feel pressured. Anyway, I’ve already set my heart on you, so even if you wanted to leave me because of my identity, it’s impossible now. Because I’ll tie you to my side, and you won’t be able to go anywhere."
Stunned by Xia Zheng’s domineering declaration, Lin Yuan hummed, but her heart was sweetly content.
Xia Zheng reached into Lin Yuan’s neck and the jade pendant that he had given her appeared: "This jade pendant has a ’Xia’ character on it. It is the token our Xia family gives to our daughters-in-law. You’ve accepted my jade pendant, you’re mine, still thinking of escaping?"
Lin Yuan blinked; she had never said she wanted to run away. Even if his status was high, in her belief, all people are born equal. So what if there’s a difference in family status? She believed that with her abilities, it was possible for her to stand on an equal footing with Xia Zheng.
Xia Zheng grabbed Lin Yuan’s hand; although it was a bit cold, he didn’t feel any unease, which somewhat reassured him. He then introduced his family to Lin Yuan one by one.
"My father, Xia Yuan, comes from the Martial General Family, the forever triumphant General Changsheng, conferred the title of Protectorate General. My mother, Princess An Le, is the Emperor’s cousin."
Usually, only the Emperor’s legitimate daughters or full sisters would be conferred the title of princess. How come his mother, being just his cousin, was made a princess? Shouldn’t it be Commandery Princess?
Xia Zheng smiled bitterly, "My maternal grandfather died saving the Emperor’s life, and my grandmother followed him in death, leaving only my mother as their sole daughter. Out of gratitude for my grandfather’s life-saving favor, the Emperor conferred the title of princess on my mother and took her to live in the palace."
So that was it. Lin Yuan lowered her gaze, feeling that Princess An Le’s story was indeed a sad one. She just wondered how the Protectorate Grand General was treating her.
As if seeing through Lin Yuan’s worries, Xia Zheng smiled and gently rubbed her fingers, "My father is very good to my mother, treating her with respect, and they’ve never had a single argument."
After saying that, Xia Zheng laughed to himself; indeed, they had never quarreled with each other, but it seemed as if they had made a pact to direct all their anger at him.
"You must have other brothers or sisters, right?" If there were none, with just this one son and given his parents’ status, chances are they would have cast a wide net to haul him back already.
Xia Zheng tapped her forehead approvingly, "Smart! I’ve got an older brother, yes, and he always bullies me. When you see him, just ignore him!"
Lin Yuan held her forehead, wondering why it seemed more like Xia Zheng was the one doing the bullying.
"He hasn’t married yet, but he already has a fiancée. Barring any accidents, they will marry next year," Xia Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Next year, you’re coming back with me."
Lin Yuan twitched her eyelids, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and quickly changed the subject, "So, your family does have quite a background, but why can’t you outdo Drunken Immortal Residence? Looks like the food in your tavern is not up to par!"