Mr. and Mrs. Jing Xianzong thought they had heard wrong, disbelieving.
"Xianzong, younger brother and sister-in-law, indeed it’s not that we don’t want to. You know I’ve raised Xiaoqing as if she were my own child since she was little, with the hope that she would become my daughter-in-law when she grew up. But under the current circumstances, I really have no face to bring this up with Xiaoqing anymore."
Feng Fanghua had no choice but to lower her stance and explain calmly to them.
"Have you confirmed that the little girl is your child?"
"We went to the hospital for a DNA test a while ago, and it’s absolutely certain."
Mr. and Mrs. Jing Xianzong looked at each other, their teacups gently touching as if a string in their hearts had been forcibly snapped. They thought the marriage proposal to the Mu Family was almost certain, but now they had to reconsider everything in light of the current situation.
"Xianzong, I must apologize to you here, brother. Our families have treated each other as relatives over the years, but I really can’t handle that brat. The girl went abroad at the age of eight, and no sooner had she left than he begged me, under the guise of studying, to send him after her. Finally, when he reluctantly came back, I didn’t expect him to still not have cut ties with her, and... ah, I really feel guilty toward you."
By this point, Mu Zihao could only resign himself to the situation.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Jing Xianzong gradually came to understand that the Mu Family was planning to accept Qin Mu as their daughter-in-law.
Thinking about Qin Haiming introducing Qin Mu at the birthday banquet, and Mu Yichen declaring his intention to marry Qin Mu, up to the day Mu Yichen leveled the Jing Family’s new house to take Qin Mu’s side, they were reluctant to accept the situation, but today they had to let it go.
"We wanted to apologize to the elder the other day, but his health was not good, and we didn’t get to see him. Is he better today?"
Mu Zihao knew it was clear now, and it wasn’t appropriate to keep talking about it, so he changed the subject.
"He’s much better now. The elder has always treated Yichen as his own child, which is why he was so angry with him. It really has nothing to do with you; you shouldn’t worry about it."
"How can we not worry? Our elder is away taking care of his health in the countryside, and we’ve always respected your elder as one of our own. We really can’t let him continue to be upset. I’ll speak to Yichen again, and make sure he goes to apologize to the elder."
Mu Zihao had a lot to say to Jing Xianzong, but throughout the conversation, the two women remained silent, accompanying them. Jing Xianzong finished listening, nodded, and then looked at his wife, "Then we should go back. There’s something else we have to take care of later."
"Yes!" Mrs. Jing nodded and then turned back to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Mu.
It was only after leaving the house that Mrs. Jing spoke, "Mu Yichen, that boy, is so stubborn; I’m afraid not even eight oxen could pull him back."
"Yeah, let’s discuss it more when we get back."
Jing Xianzong sighed, got into the car with his wife, and they left.
Mu Zihao watched them go, then turned to Feng Fanghua, "Why were you so quiet today?"
"Well, our son is the one who is in the wrong to begin with. Besides, with you present, how could it be my place to speak on such matters?"
Mu Zihao chuckled without realizing it and turned to go inside with her.
Although the marriage proposal ended this way today, both the Jing Family and the Mu Family understood that their relationship could never be the same as before.
The Jing Family’s marriage proposal wasn’t really met with any joy by the Mu Family. They would have liked to agree, but when they thought of their son’s temperament, neither dared to consent. Yet, they had to give a reason for their refusal, so they had no choice but to bring their granddaughter into it.
But they never expected the Jing Family to think they would accept Qin Mu as their daughter-in-law.
Upon returning, Jing Xianzong reported the situation to the elder, who was also shocked: "They admitted it to you in person?"
"Yes, and they also said that Mu Yichen doesn’t know about it yet."
"What’s the meaning of this?"
The elder furrowed his brow and asked.
"This is something I’ll need to explain slowly to you, but the marriage between Xiaoqing and Mu Yichen is impossible now."
The elder angrily thumped his walking stick on the ground.
"How can I just let that wild girl snatch away my granddaughter’s destined husband?"
"So, what can we do now?" Jing Xianzong was troubled by his father’s determination.
"Yeah, Dad, what can we do? We know the Mu Family’s child all too well; he’s always been incredibly stubborn. Once he’s set his mind to something, it’s impossible for us to turn him from his course."
"Hmph, they aren’t married yet, let’s just wait and see."
But the Jing Family’s elder could not believe that Qin Mu was qualified to marry Mu Yichen.