It's true that her eldest son likes Xu Hui, but she can't let him be manipulated like this.
"Could it be that Hui Niang didn't mention me to you?" Chen Qian seemed completely oblivious, as if he was not aware of his unpopularity or the tense atmosphere in the room. "If that's the case, then I was being presumptuous."
Chen Qian's apology, though seemingly sincere, was actually adding fuel to the fire.
A strange man, someone even Xu Hui's mother, Liang, didn't know, intimately called Xu Hui "Hui Niang," making their relationship quite intriguing.
Xu Hui, standing outside the curtain, panicked and didn't know how to handle the situation. She took a step back, but accidentally stepped on a shard of porcelain she had just broken. The room was deathly silent, and this originally small sound was amplified infinitely.
Chen Qian hurried over, reaching out to lift the curtain as he called out, "Hui Niang, is that you?"
Xu Hui had nowhere to hide, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and come out.
Suddenly, everyone's attention was focused on Xu Hui.
Madam Liang stared intently at Xu Hui, her lips trembling uncontrollably. She asked in a trembling voice, "Hui Niang, who is he? Tell your mother, you don't know him, you have nothing to do with him!"
Xu Hui's pretty face flushed red, and she opened her mouth but couldn't say a word.
She knew, of course, that the best course of action at this moment was to deny her relationship with Chen Qian; otherwise, all her efforts in front of Zheng Xing would be in vain. Moreover, Zheng Xing and Madam Wan were already looking at her with strange eyes, and if she couldn't distance herself from Chen Qian, she probably wouldn't be able to get away with it.
Xu Hui was secretly annoyed. In their past life, they were mortal enemies, and now seeing An Ran in this life would only bring trouble.
If Chen Qian came at any other time on a normal day, it might be possible to get away with it. But with Wan Shi and Zheng Xing both here today, it's unlikely to end well.
Xu Hui didn't dare to deny her relationship with Chen Qian in front of him.
After all, in her eyes, marrying Chen Qian and becoming the young mistress of the Chen family was much better than marrying Zheng Xing. Now, faced with the dilemma of choosing between the two, it was obvious who she would choose if she couldn't have both.
"Mother, I know him." Under Chen Qian's confident gaze, Xu Hui forced herself to speak. Although she felt ashamed, she had no other choice. "He saved my life and helped me before."
Liang was so angry that she was furious and her vision blurred.
Xu Hui had never mentioned such a big matter to her! And she hadn't even denied it in front of Zheng Xing and Madam Wan!
It seems she's known this Chen Qian for quite some time, yet she's been completely unaware of it. No wonder she's been going out more and more frequently these days, and staying out for longer and longer periods!
Chen Qian's next move left almost everyone speechless.
He stepped forward, took Xu Hui's hand, and walked to Madam Liang. He said with deep affection, "Auntie, I have long admired Hui Niang. I have come today to propose marriage—" Seeing that Madam Liang was about to faint from anger, he still insisted on finishing his sentence. "Hui Niang is a good girl. If you don't agree, she certainly won't marry me. Hui Niang and I are in love with each other, and I hope you can grant our request."
"You, you—" Liang was so angry that she was dizzy and couldn't even speak properly.
Xu Hui quickly seized the opportunity to break free from Chen Qian's hand without making a sound, ran to Liang's side, and helped her up.
Meanwhile, Madam Wan stood to the side, sneered, and then grabbed Zheng Xing, intending to say goodbye to Madam Liang.
"Since your new son-in-law has come to visit, we shouldn't disturb you." Madam Wan's gaze swept over Madam Liang and her daughter, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "On the wedding day, we'll definitely come to ask for a cup of celebratory wine! Farewell!"
With that, Madam Wan turned around and left without looking back.
Madam Liang wanted to stop her and explain, but her family was clearly in the wrong. Xu Hui had been in constant contact with Zheng Xing these past few days, and had even given him personal items like purses. Although the two families hadn't finalized their agreement, in their hearts, the matter was practically settled.
Chen Qian's arrival today made Wan realize that her son had been completely deceived.
Although Zheng Xing wanted to say something more, seeing his mother in a fit of rage and the intimate relationship between Xu Hui and Chen Qian truly chilled him to the bone. Even if he liked Xu Hui, he still had his own dignity and bottom line.
After bidding farewell to Madam Liang in a low voice, he caught up with Madam Wan.
The marriage between the Zheng and Xu families has fallen through.
Liang felt a sense of despair.
"Auntie, those two are—" Chen Qian pretended not to know and asked, "Are those two relatives?"
Madam Liang glared at Chen Qian and said, "Get out of here! I don't know you! And don't even think about having anything to do with my Hui Niang anymore! Get out now!"
Compared to Liang's exasperation, Chen Qian was remarkably calm and composed. He looked at Liang, his tone becoming increasingly gentle, "Auntie, it's not up to you to say. My relationship with Hui Niang—" He deliberately paused, leaving Liang with much to ponder, "is far closer than you imagine."
Liang was already too weak to stand, and Xu Hui tried to help her to sit down on a chair, but Liang shook off her arm.
Xu Hui gave Chen Qian a reproachful look, but didn't say anything more.
She knew Chen Qian very well and knew that although he seemed to be in a good mood today, he was probably very angry inside. She wasn't worried that Chen Qian would find out about her relationship with Zheng Xing, since with Madam Wan around, she could explain that they were old neighbors visiting.
What Xu Hui feared even more was that Chen Qian would find out she had never mentioned him to her mother. After all, ever since her affair with Chen Qian, the servants in the mansion treated her differently, as if she were their mistress. Moreover, Chen Qian had mentioned welcoming her into the household, and Xu Hui had agreed, already slowly discussing it with her mother.
"I don't care what your relationship with Hui Niang is! From now on, you are not allowed to come to my house again!" Madam Liang was filled with anger, waiting to question Xu Hui. At this moment, she had no other thoughts but to get rid of the eyesore Chen Qian as soon as possible and never appear in front of her again.
Liang never imagined that Chen Qian had already taken Xu Hui's body.
"Since Auntie is so unwelcoming, I'll visit again another day." Having achieved his goal, Chen Qian bowed and took his leave. He then whispered to Xu Hui, "Hui Niang, I brought some gifts; I'll have Changqing bring them in later—"
Before he could finish speaking, Madam Liang struggled to her feet and said, "Get out of here! We don't want your things!"
Chen Qian glanced at Madam Liang indifferently, too lazy to say anything more to her, and walked out with a flick of his sleeve.
Seeing this, Xu Hui hesitated for a moment, but still followed Chen Qian to see him out. Liang was so angry that she trembled and almost fell off her armchair.
"Young Master, please don't be angry." Xu Hui spoke cautiously to Chen Qian, her voice weak and soft, "My mother has always been unwell, and I haven't dared to tell her yet. Originally, I was thinking of slowly telling her about our relationship."
Chen Qian's gaze seemed to hold a hint of anger, but after a moment, he restrained himself. He sighed and softened his voice, "Hui Niang, it seems you still don't understand my feelings for you."
"Young Master, I understand!" Xu Hui felt a surge of joy seeing that Chen Qian was willing to endure for her sake. "Don't worry, I will definitely persuade my mother."
She said many more conciliatory words, which finally made Chen Qian's expression soften.
The two lingered tenderly at the door for a while, and then Xu Hui took the initiative to give Chen Qian a kiss, which finally brought a smile to his face. Xu Hui escorted him all the way to the alley entrance, where Chang Qing, carrying gifts, was waiting for her at the gate. Xu Hui accepted the four gift boxes and then told Chang Qing to go back.