Seeing how the others behaved, Zhao Shuning didn't intend to interfere.
Luo Hao was a decent person, but his overbearing arrogance really needed to be curbed.
Ye Qingluan saw Luo Hao's uneasiness and wanted to step forward to help him out.
Zhao Shuning grabbed her and shook her head.
Ye Qingluan stopped in her tracks and didn't move forward.
She still remembered what had happened during the day.
"Sir Rong, you've gone a bit too far with your words. I, Luo Hao, am still in my prime. Can't I suppress these foreign troublemakers in Ruoqiang?"
The old master let out a few hearty laughs.
"Your Lordship, don't misunderstand me. I'm just thinking about the future of Ruoqiang. I have no intention of targeting you."
Luo Hao snorted coldly. He was extremely displeased.
At this time, the head of the Shen family spoke up.
"Your Lordship, I have something to say. I don't know if I should. Your daughter is extremely beautiful. If you could find a capable son - in - law for her, who could manage the Luo family and uphold the honor of the Marquis Mansion in the future, it might not be a bad idea."
"We think the young prince of the Hailing Kingdom is a good match. He has excellent qualifications. I wonder if the young prince would be willing to marry into your family?"
"I'm naturally willing," the prince said.
This statement caused an uproar.
Was the young prince of the Hailing Kingdom so infatuated with Luo Feiyan?
A prince was willing to marry into a marquis's mansion in another country, and he looked so calm. Didn't he feel humiliated?
"That's good, Your Highness—"
"Your Lordship, hold on. I'm willing, but Miss Luo doesn't seem to be."
"That's irrelevant. My daughter's marriage is naturally up to us to decide."
Xia Qingyan shook his head.
"Your Lordship, if Miss Luo is not willing, I will respect her decision."
Luo Hao turned to his daughter and asked,
"Yan'er, I'll set aside some time. You and the young prince can choose a date for the wedding."
"Father, I don't want to."
"What did you say? Say it again!"
"Father, I have someone I like. Even if I didn't, I wouldn't agree to such a hasty marriage."
Luo Hao clenched his fists tightly.
The head of the Shen family pretended to sigh.
"That's a pity, Your Lordship. You have great power, but unfortunately, you have no sons. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to go to such lengths."
If there weren't so many guests tonight, Luo Hao might have lost his temper with Luo Feiyan.
But Luo Hao gently stepped in front of Zhao Shuning. Maybe it was just Zhao Shuning's illusion.
Ye Xirou stepped forward at this moment.
"Uncle, although my cousin couldn't cultivate before, she was well - behaved, kind - hearted, and filial. She never contradicted you, let alone defied you in public. But after just three months at Changkong Academy, she has changed so much. I don't know if it's a good thing or not."
"Xirou, Feiyan is your cousin. Just because I don't say anything doesn't mean you can interfere in her affairs."
Zhao Shuning suddenly looked up. Ye Qingluan's expression also changed.
Luo Hao?
Was he actually defending Luo Feiyan in public?
It was natural for a father to defend his daughter, but in the past, Luo Hao always sided with the others and punished Luo Feiyan.
It was strange that he now knew how to protect his daughter.
"Uncle, you?"
"When adults are talking, it's inappropriate for you, a junior, to butt in and try to influence our decisions. Xirou, you should go home and let Brother Ye teach you how to respect others."
Ye Xirou looked shocked. She didn't know why her uncle, who used to side with her, had changed so much tonight.
Of course, Ye Xirou wasn't the only one who was surprised. Everyone present, including Ye Qingluan, was shocked.
Rong Qing stepped forward.
"Your Lordship, what do you mean?"
"Rong Qing, I know you and Xirou are close, but you can't bully Feiyan."
Zhao Shuning murmured to herself. In the past, wasn't it because of his permission that others dared to bully Luo Feiyan? Why had he suddenly changed his attitude?
"Your Lordship, I can't agree with your words. My son, Rong Qing, didn't say anything wrong. You're so quick to blame him. Do you really think there's no one in the Rong family?"
Zhao Shuning lowered her eyes and sensed a subtle atmosphere.
Luo Hao was straightforward. He only believed what he saw.
"In the past, I respected you and your family, and I valued the children of your families. Because my Yan'er couldn't cultivate, I was worried that she would be bullied by you after I passed away.
So I wanted her to be more submissive and accommodating. I thought that as long as she didn't offend you, you would give her a break in the future. But now, I'm still alive and capable. You're so eager to push me aside. Master Rong, are you bullying the Luo family because you think there's no one to stop you?"
Zhao Shuning gently clenched her right hand. She felt a bit uncomfortable.
She always felt awkward with Luo Hao suddenly protecting her like this. Had he suddenly had an epiphany tonight?
"Anyway, you can't touch the property of my Marquis Mansion."
Zhao Shuning whispered in Ye Qingluan's ear, "What's wrong with Father?"
Ye Qingluan shook her head.
"Actually, your father has always been like this. When you were a child, after he punished you for being bullied, he would go to the ancestral hall and stay there for two hours. He's clumsy and doesn't know how to express his feelings for you."
"Are you still defending him now?"
Ye Qingluan sighed.
"It's the truth. His temper is really bad. Many times, I've been so angry with his male chauvinism. But over the years, every time he was angry, as long as I got angry, he would surely put aside his pride and come to comfort me. Maybe this time, he anticipated the consequences of this grand welcoming banquet, so he didn't hold back his temper with me."
Zhao Shuning nodded slowly.
She didn't know Luo Hao well, but Ye Qingluan did.
They had known, loved, and been together for more than twenty years. Ye Qingluan knew Luo Hao's personality better than anyone else.
"Mother, will you forgive Father?"
Ye Qingluan glanced at Luo Hao. His back was no longer as straight as it was twenty years ago.
"No, I'm still angry."
Zhao Shuning asked, "Then what about this situation?"
"He deserves it. But with his hot temper, as long as others speak in a more sophisticated way, he won't be able to argue."
Sure enough, with Master Rong leading the way, more and more people started to voice their objections.