Chapter 151: In a Single Thought

Gu Huanghou smiled and said to Zhou Hai's parents, "Lord Zhou, Madam Zhou, you said you have always wanted to meet this future daughter‑in‑law; now that we have, are you very satisfied?"

Zhou Hai is ugly, undoubtedly a perfect inheritance from his parents.

Father Zhou is short and skinny, with a narrow goatee, looking somewhat lecherous. Mother Zhou is stout, but with arched eyebrows and slanted eyes, appearing extremely sharp‑tongued and vicious.

Mother Zhou's gaze was as if appraising goods; her blood‑red, lipstick‑stained mouth opened and closed: "I think it's acceptable! The face is decent, fits our Hai well. But I heard she's behaved improperly and is no longer a virgin, which I find very unsatisfactory! A girl should be pure, give her first to her husband! Moreover, although Hai is a civil official, his abilities are decent; Ye Qingran lacks a Spiritual Root and cannot cultivate, which I find even more unsatisfactory. Yet, because of Ye Qingran's unwavering affection for our Hai, I will reluctantly agree to this marriage."

Han Xing Leng Yue could hardly believe she had heard wrong!

Zhou Hai's mother, is she ill? Does she even know what she's saying? In this world, there are people so self‑righteous, blind‑eyed, heart‑blind, turning black and white, despicably shameless…

Moreover, even if she truly thinks that, could she consider the setting before speaking? She truly has no upbringing at all!

Han Xing Leng Yue was absolutely furious!

Ye Huanhuan and the others, upon hearing this, couldn't help but show a mocking smile.

Just now, because of the Zhao Shi matter, the pent‑up gloom in his heart was instantly swept away.

Madam Zhou's attitude and words were like a series of slaps, loudly striking Ye Qingran's face! It seemed to foreshadow that Ye Qingran's married life would be extremely hard. After all, once Madam Zhou looks, she would not be a good mother‑in‑law.

"Tsk tsk, this Madam Zhou is no good! I think Ye Qingran's days will be miserable after she marries into the family!"

"I've heard about this Madam Zhou before; several of Zhou Hai's previous wives have not escaped her discipline!"

"Ye Qingran is doomed!"

……

The group whispered among themselves; the words reached the ears of several people from Xia Zhimeng, and they couldn't help but snort.

Will Ye Qingran marry Zhou Hai?

What daydreams are the Zhou family having!

Gu Huanghou remained silent, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, and continued, "And Lord Zhou? What do you think of Ye Qingran, this future daughter‑in‑law?"

Lord Zhou squinted his bean‑black eyes, twirling his goat‑goatee, his smile rather lecherous: "Our Hai is accomplished in both civil and martial arts, his charm unparalleled, handsome in appearance, and of excellent temperament…"

Lord Zhou did not answer Gu Huanghou directly; instead, he lavishly praised Zhou Hai with flowery language unrelated to him, forcibly applying it to him, truly awe‑inspiring.

This Lord Zhou, could he be blind?

"Although Ye Qingran is not a virgin and is a waste, I don't mind that much; there's a saying that a woman's lack of talent is virtue, as long as she looks good and can bear children, that's enough!" Lord Zhou said, a lewd glint flashing in his eyes. Though brief, some caught it, and they couldn't help but show intrigued expressions.

It seems that if Ye Qingran marries over, she'll have not only a vicious mother‑in‑law but also a lecherous father‑in‑law watching her.

Ling Shaoyang's aura darkened, and the murderous aura around him grew heavier. His gaze froze on Lord Zhou, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Ninth Prince Dongfang Mo withdrew his gaze, his gentle temperament now laced with a sharp edge.

"It seems that Lord Zhou's parents are quite satisfied with you. Ye Qingran, I wonder what impression they left on you?"

Gu Huanghou smiled lightly, knowingly asking.

Zhou Hai's family clearly aren't the type that can catch the eye of a noble lady from Xiliang.

Not to mention Zhou Hai is merely a lowly Minister of War, a court official, but compared to the aristocratic families with silk ribbons, he falls far short of a true prestigious lineage.

Moreover, Zhou Hai is not only ugly in appearance, his temperament is lecherous, he has countless quirks, a trash people avoid. His father and mother are no good either!

Who would want to marry into such a family?

Ye Qingran pinched her teacup, took a shallow sip, and calmly said, "I think, it's not so great."

Not so great?

Zhou Hai's complexion darkened, and he raised his voice, "Ye Qingran, they are at least your future parents‑in‑law; how can you speak of them like that?"

Zhou Hai's words were full of questioning, his face also filled with displeasure.

In his view, with the Imperial edict from the Empress preceding, Ye Qingran's marriage into the Zhou Residence is already a done deal. Since she will be his wife, she must understand the Zhou family's rules!

The Zhou family is a filial clan, he greatly respects his parents. Basically, matters of the household are decided by his mother, which he never meddles in. Apart from court affairs, other trivial matters are handled by his father, whom he rarely questions.

As a Zhou daughter‑in‑law, Ye Qingran dares to speak so disrespectfully of her parents‑in‑law?

How dare she?

"Future parents‑in‑law?" Ye Qingran raised an eyebrow lightly, seeming quite puzzled.

"Who are my future parents‑in‑law?"

Zhou Hai furrowed his brow, "Ye Qingran, after tomorrow you will be married into the Zhou Residence; aren't my parents your future parents‑in‑law?!"

"Oh? Did I ever say I'd marry into the Zhou Residence? Lord Zhou, are you suffering from delusions?"

Zhou Hai was stunned.

He seemed not to have expected Ye Qingran to say that.

"Ye Qingran, what are you saying? Marrying into the Zhou Residence is the Empress's Imperial edict. Now you keep saying you won't marry; are you trying to defy the edict and failing?"

Madam Zhou arched her eyebrows, her tone extremely cutting.

"Indeed. Ye Qingran, the marriage between us is the Empress's selection! How dare you refuse? Do you truly disregard the Empress?"

Zhou Hai at this moment no longer the meek yes‑man he once was.

Now he has the Empress as his backing. As for the Ye Residence, Ye Yu has always been timid and would never act against the Empress's wishes. Zhao Shi is eager for Ye Qingran to marry him. As for Ye Qingran, although she is the heir of General Dingyuan, her conduct is improper and she is a waste, what wave can she stir up?

Zhou Hai lifted his chin slightly, his expression arrogant, a look of contempt flashing in his eyes.

He concluded that Ye Qingran lacks the ability to overturn fate, so he firmly believed her ultimate destiny was still to marry into the Zhou Residence and become his wife!

By then, everyone will be his, molded and flattened, all within a single thought of his.