Chapter 10: Marriage

Shangguan Tiexin felt a sudden joy in his heart, as it seemed that this old fellow truly did not know who the father of that illegitimate child was, which was quite good! Thinking this, he shook his head: "Hongyuan, we have known each other since childhood, and we studied and practiced together in the same academy; by now, we have known each other for nearly eighty years! How could I possibly make fun of you? Alas, you are not unaware of my family matters; you are troubled, but do you think I am not troubled?"

It is said that at the moment of her birth, Shangguan Shiyu was a perfectly normal baby, chubby and very cute. However, the instant she was picked up by the midwife, a deep blue light rapidly spread across her body, frightening the midwife so much that she immediately dropped Shangguan Shiyu onto the bed and collapsed to the ground, dead.

A blue-skinned little girl, surrounded by countless rumors, grew up slowly in the Shangguan family. From childhood to adulthood, she never stepped outside the gates of the mansion. As a young lady of a prominent family, Shangguan Shiyu's knowledge is beyond doubt. In any area of study she wished to pursue, Shangguan Tie would always fulfill his granddaughter's desires.

Shangguan Shiyu, the little princess of the Shangguan family, holds a significant reputation throughout Huangsha City, albeit one that is not particularly flattering. The people of Huangsha City privately refer to this girl as a prodigy. Moreover, within the Shangguan family, matters concerning Shangguan Shiyu are considered a taboo topic

This is truly a tremendous piece of good fortune. Years of cultivation have allowed Qin Hongyuan to barely control his emotions, yet he could not help but reveal a hint of pride in his eyes.

This also adds a degree of credibility to the rumor that Shangguan Shiyu is the reincarnation of a demon. If it were not for the strong protection of the family head, Shangguan Tieji, over this girl, she would likely have been secretly dealt with by those fearful clan members long ago. Even Shangguan Shiyu's parents would be unable to withstand the pressure from the entire family.

Qin Hongyuan is also a cunning and shrewd individual. Although he felt quite embarrassed, he noticed that Shangguan Tie did not directly refuse him. To be honest, Qin Hongyuan had little confidence in the two business ventures he was trying to intrude upon. His visit this time was merely an attempt to leverage their long-standing friendship and test his luck.

Thus, Shangguan Shiyu grew up in such an environment. Although her skin was different from others, even she did not perceive herself as a monster or a freak.

However, those individuals either have a status and position far inferior to that of Shangguan Shiyu, or they are solely focused on the dowry provided by Shangguan Tie. It is well known that the dowry of the little princess of the Shangguan family upon her marriage is comparable to the entire wealth of a small family! How could one not be tempted by this?

Shangguan Tie observed with concern, for according to the laws of the Qinglong Kingdom, a girl may marry at the age of 14 and a boy at 16. Shangguan Shiyu is already 13 this year, and it is evident that she is approaching the age for finding a suitor. Yet, which prominent family would be willing to take her as a bride?

Qin Hongyuan nodded upon hearing this, smiled wryly, and then said: "This matter has caused quite a stir in the city! Alas, what a disgrace! Brother Tie, I feel ashamed to say that it is all due to my poor upbringing of my daughter that you have been made a laughingstock!"

Until a year ago, Shangguan Shiyu's direct sixth uncle took a concubine, a woman from another city who had never heard of Shangguan Shiyu. Upon seeing her, she was taken aback, exclaiming, "A ghost!"

In the end, Shangguan Tie, in a state of helplessness, had no choice but to issue a strict order within the family: if anyone dared to mock Shangguan Shiyu, regardless of who it was, they would face severe punishment! Even the slightest grievance against Shangguan Shiyu was unacceptable!

In the Shangguan family, discussing the domineering head of the family, Shangguan Tie, in private may result in a reprimand at most, but daring to speak about Shangguan Shiyu could lead to being expelled from the family at best, or worse... one might inexplicably disappear

At the very moment the words of refusal were about to leave his lips, a fleeting thought suddenly flashed through Shangguan Tie's mind, causing him to swallow back the words he had almost spoken. Glancing at the awkwardly expressioned Qin Hongyuan, Shangguan Tie suddenly said: "Does your youngest daughter, Hanyue, happen to have an illegitimate child?"

Watching Qin Hongyuan's departing figure, Shangguan Tie couldn't help but take a deep breath, a cold smile forming in his heart. He was well aware of the life that Qin Hanyue and her son had endured in the Qin family over the years, thinking to himself: Old Qin, there will come a day when you will regret this!

What a joke, Shangguan Tie instinctively wanted to refuse Qin Hongyuan. He was not afraid of the Qin family at all. In terms of financial power, although the Shangguan family and the Fang family are collectively referred to as the three major families of Huangsha City along with the Qin family, many people are well aware that, in fact, the combined wealth of the Fang and Qin families may not even match that of the Shangguan family

"Good, good, excellent!" Qin Hongyuan eagerly agreed.

Therefore, Shangguan Shiyu has a good grandfather

Shangguan Tie's thoughts could not help but drift back to that sunny afternoon fourteen years ago

As Shangguan Shiyu grows older day by day, she becomes increasingly enchanting. Shangguan Tie grows more anxious and thus devises a public selection for suitors. Are there any who wish to marry Shangguan Shiyu? Not only are there, but there are many!

Due to this matter, Shangguan Tie displayed his assertive side, immediately expelling the woman and warning her not to spread rumors, as the consequences would be beyond her capacity to bear

Just by hearing the name, one would certainly think that this is a delicate beauty. In fact, the thirteen-year-old Shangguan Shiyu is indeed a beauty in the making. Of course, all of this is predicated on not considering the color of Shangguan Shiyu's skin

It was precisely because of this incident that the twelve-year-old Shangguan Shiyu finally understood her situation; she realized that she was unpopular, and some even referred to her as a monster. Having been well-versed in various texts since childhood, Shangguan Shiyu certainly understood the implications of the term "monster." After that incident, the originally lively and cheerful little princess of the Shangguan family disappeared, replaced by a girl who had almost completely shut herself off, speaking to no one except her grandfather.

However, due to Shangguan Shiyu's blue skin, many teachers who came to teach her were frightened away. Although Shangguan Tie issued a gag order, the saying goes that good news does not leave the house, while bad news travels a thousand miles. The news of a prodigious girl in the Shangguan family still spread like wildfire throughout the city

Shangguan Tie slightly nodded and sighed: "Two unfortunate children, if they can truly be together, it would not be a bad thing! At that time, let them live in the imperial capital, away from the troubles here, what do you think?"

On that day, the entrance of the Shangguan residence was awash with blood

As soon as Shangguan Tie posed the question, it instantly made Qin Hongyuan's face flush with embarrassment and anger. This matter, much like Shangguan Shiyu, could not be concealed from others. However, as the head of the Qin family, who held a prominent position in Huangsha City, who else would dare to ask such a question to his face besides this individual? Qin Hongyuan would have no choice but to confront him fiercely.

Regarding power, without even mentioning how many strong individuals exist within the Shangguan family, which has a history of over 500 years, it is sufficient to note that Shangguan Tie's second daughter was the most favored consort of the former emperor, a fact that the Qin family cannot possibly contend with

At the same time, the monster girl from the Shangguan family has once again become the most enduring topic of conversation in the entire Huangsha City

This woman was sent back on her very first day after entering the door at https://www.hetushu.com. Naturally, her family was not pleased and brought a large group of people to demand an explanation. This incident inevitably spread, and in a fit of rage, Shangguan Tie directly mobilized the elite forces of the Shangguan family, eliminating those who came to demand an explanation without leaving a trace

What the esteemed Shangguan Tie desires is for his precious granddaughter to be happy! Can the highly talented Shangguan Shiyu find happiness by marrying an ordinary person who cannot even read? Not to mention those who are only after her wealth. To think of taking my precious granddaughter as a trophy while using her dowry to support other women elsewhere? Not a chance!

What left Qin Hongyuan somewhat puzzled was that when the two parted ways, he clearly saw a hint of triumph in Shangguan Tie's eyes, which greatly confused him. He was too lazy to think about it, because regardless of the circumstances, the business concerning the Qin family's involvement in transportation and the restaurant industry, which was related to the future fortunes of the Qin family, had been established

Just the day before yesterday, Qin Hongyuan, the head of the Qin family, unexpectedly paid a visit, expressing his desire to intervene in the most profitable transportation and restaurant business of the Shangguan family

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongyuan felt a stir in his heart; first, he found it somewhat unbelievable, and then he was filled with ecstatic joy. Looking at Shangguan Tie, he asked with a trembling voice: "Could it be... could it be that you intend to...?"

Throughout the entire Qinglong Kingdom, in its several hundred years of history, such an event has never occurred. Almost everyone, including the vast majority of the Shangguan family itself, believes that Shangguan Shiyu is an ominous girl