Chapter 402

Xiao Zong opened the silk document with a suspicious look; after just a glance, his eyes couldn't move, and then he completely ignored Chen Wuji and Xiao Yuji, these two living people.

He habitually tugged at the messy beard on his chin, and when excited he'd pull out a clump, muttering to himself things like "How could this be?" and "So that's how it is."

Basically, every time he muttered, a few strands of his beard would suffer.

Chen Wuji didn't grow a beard, but just watching it hurt.

It must be said, the bit of beard on Xiao Zong's chin is remarkably stubborn—despite being plucked so frequently, it's still not bald.

Chen Wuji saw Xiao Zong completely immersed in his own world, leaned close to Xiao Yuji's ear and whispered softly: "I see your father like this; he probably needs a while to figure things out. Why don't we go check out your boudoir? I've never seen what a noble lady's boudoir looks like—let me broaden my horizons."

Xiao Yuji instantly blushed red, lightly jabbed Chen Wuji with her elbow, and coyly whispered: "Don't mess around—I won't let you look."

"Does your boudoir hide anything shameful? Why won't you let me see?"

Xiao Yuji gave a soft hum, her lips slightly pouting: "Oh, you'd better stop talking—there are servants at home; otherwise I'd just take you there."

Chen Wuji laughed carefree: "If we're not going to the boudoir, let's go to the woodshed instead."

Xiao Yuji quietly reached out, pinched the soft flesh on Chen Wuji's waist, twisted it clockwise, and squeezed out through clenched teeth: "Don't say it."

At that moment, Xiao Zong suddenly stood up.

His sudden move startled both Chen Wuji and Xiao Yuji, who were up to no good.

"No way—I want to test it out!" Xiao Zong said, eyes shining with excitement.

He didn't even notice Chen Wuji and Xiao Yuji's little actions.

Chen Wuji quickly rose to block Xiao Zong: "Uncle, don't rush into testing yet—let me finish first."

"This method should work, but don't test it here—I've already had people prepare a place. Everything doesn't require you to do it yourself; you just need to order people to do it."

"Is there really such a good thing?" Xiao Zong exclaimed delightedly.

Chen Wuji nodded: "Exactly, uncle—you just need to bring your household servants and recruit some craftsmen."

"Just a test—do we really need to go through all this trouble?" Xiao Zong asked.

Chen Wuji had still wanted to bluff a bit, but it turned out this old man seemed a little lazy.

He had no choice but to lay out his and Qin Feng's plan: "Uncle, if this succeeds, you'll not only go down in history, but also be a benefactor to the people of Yunan."

"The idea is yours, it has nothing to do with me." Xiao Zong shook his head. "Using your thing to boost my name is plagiarism—not something a gentleman would do."

"I don't want fame—I'm giving it to you, uncle." Chen Wuji said magnanimously.

He cared about the silver the paper would bring, but truly didn't care about leaving a name.

This thing—it doesn't matter.

"That's also not allowed!" Xiao Zong firmly refused Chen Wuji: "In life, one must have things to do and things not to do..."

"I don't want fame—I want silver!" Chen Wuji cut off Xiao Zong's impending long-winded speech.

If nothing unexpected happens, he's about to start spouting classical phrases next.

Xiao Zong stared for a moment, then grabbed Chen Wuji's shoulder: "Worthy brother, let's sit down and talk properly about this. Someone, hurry and prepare food and drink—I want to host Deputy Commander Chen."

His gaze shifted, and he suddenly noticed Xiao Yuji sitting at the stone table: "Eh, daughter, when did you arrive? Quickly go greet your Uncle Chen."

Xiao Yuji silently covered her face: "Dad, I came with Deputy Commander Chen—you were just talking to me, how come you..."

Little Yuji was made autistic by her dad.

Chen Wuji almost couldn't hold back his laughter.

Calling him "uncle" doesn't sound as good as calling him "dad"...

"Uncle, actually, there's one more thing I haven't had a chance to say." Chen Wuji said seriously: "This silk document is also one of the betrothal gifts I'm giving to the Xiao family."

"Betrothal gift?" Xiao Zong stared for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Chen Wuji and Xiao Yuji, then suddenly understood.

Smack!

He slapped his forehead, waving his hand as he said: "Um, you guys just pretend I was spouting nonsense earlier—about the betrothal gift… this gift is very precious, extremely precious, also… um, this alone is enough, more than enough."

"When are you getting married? When the time comes, be sure to let me know—I'll go have a cup of wedding wine. No, this is my daughter… what on earth am I spouting?"

As Xiao Zong spoke, he ended up confusing himself.

Xiao Yuji had already buried her head completely in the ravine.

Her formidable dad made her wish she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

She also wanted to say, "Dad, what on earth are you spouting?"

"Your daughter is getting married—what wedding wine are you going to drink?"

After a while, Xiao Zong apologetically said: "Sorry for making Deputy Commander Chen laugh—I feel like I haven't slept in days, my head's full of those things, and when I get excited I'm more likely to misspeak."

"What wasn't nonsense just now is true; the nonsense, just pretend you didn't hear it. Let's get back to the betrothal gift—this child Xiao Yuji has had her own opinions since little; of course, with a father like me, she's bound to be opinionated, and when a person's ambition grows in one area over a lifetime, they inevitably lose something else."

"I'm sorry to my daughter; I've only raised one daughter poorly, but she's fine—her looks take after her mother, her temperament after her mother, and in the future, as a wife and mother she shouldn't disappoint Deputy Commander Chen."

Xiao Yuji said softly: "Dad, I'm a concubine."

"A concubine?" Xiao Zong blinked again.

"What's wrong with being a concubine? Can a concubine not be a wife and mother? Deputy Commander Chen's character as a father is clear—he could give such a generous betrothal gift, showing his affection for you."

"Let being a concubine be a concubine—you two have already discussed getting married; as her father, do I really need to stop you? I hope you marry into a family of equal standing and become a proper wife, but I hope even more that you marry the right person."

"But there's one thing I still need to remind Deputy Commander Chen: the parents' orders, the matchmaker's words, the three letters and six rites are indispensable—this is our tradition, the root of our culture."

Chen Wuji readily agreed.

"In present-day Da Yu, there are parental commands, and there's also free love based on mutual affection—but both follow the old rules of ages past; even if everything's settled, the three letters and six rites still must be observed."

"On the contrary, that edict the court issued last year has not a shred of martial virtue—it's worth nothing."

Xiao Zong carefully put away that silk document, and with a hint of apology said to Deputy Commander Chen: "Deputy Commander Chen, you shouldn't leave today—let me take a short nap, then bathe and change; this evening we'll have a few drinks, and talk about the silver you want, my name, and your two's marriage."

"All up to you, uncle!" Chen Wuji said, clasping his hands in salute.

"Never underestimate a researcher—they just don't want to waste brainpower on trivial matters, but that doesn't mean they lack brains; even without Xiao Yuji's influence, Chen Wuji still holds deep respect for Xiao Zong."