Chapter 417: Selling His Granddaughter for Glory, Old Scoundrel Hong
The death of their daughter, Hong Yuying, deeply troubled Zhuge Rou. In the past, whenever there was an important discussion at the Hong Residence, Zhuge Rou would be present. However, she was not called for tonight's discussion, and she had already figured out most of it in her heart.
"Initially, how much you relied on my father and me. Now that my father is temporarily in distress, you start kicking us when we're down. Hong Fang, tell me, how can you justify your actions!" Zhuge Rou was relentless.
Hong Fang, feeling troubled, looked up at Zhuge Rou.
Zhuge Rou looked haggard, her eyes swollen from crying during the day's funeral, and she no longer wore her usually exquisite makeup. At this moment, Zhuge Rou looked no different from a shrew cursing in the streets.
Hong Fang couldn't help but think of Ye Huangyu, whom he had encountered at court earlier today.
Although Ye Ling Yue had died, she had accomplished great deeds.
After killing the Sky Demon Bei, the black fog over the Xixia Plain had also dispersed, and she had previously made significant contributions in controlling the epidemic on the plain.
As soon as Xiahou Qi returned to the Xia Capital, he reported to the Emperor, requesting rewards for Ye Ling Yue. Grateful for Ye Ling Yue's contributions, the Emperor personally attended her funeral and even specially conferred upon Ye Huangyu the title of First-grade Lady, also promising personally to oversee her marriage to Nie Feng once the mourning period was over.
In the court, Ye Huangyu's demeanor was serene and cold, not showing much joy.
After receiving the conferment, she stood beside Nie Fengxing, the couple looking exceptionally well-matched, a sight unprecedented.
Even the ministers in the court, who had previously scorned them, changed their tune during this period, proclaiming the pair as a match made in heaven.
Thinking of such a Ye Huangyu and then looking at the crazed Zhuge Rou in front of him, Hong Fang's eyes filled with wistfulness.
For many years, his heart, as rigid as stone, felt a twinge of pain for the first time.
What exactly had he lost, and what had he gained?
"Hong Fang, why don't you speak?" Seeing Hong Fang indifferent, Zhuge Rou became even more infuriated.
"Mother, don't make it difficult for father. We were just discussing grandfather's matter, neither father nor I will abandon grandfather. The Hong Residence is not ungrateful. Don't forget, grandfather is an Eight Rank Alchemist," Hong Mingyue grabbed her mother, trying to calm her.
Hong Ming Yue's words caught the attention of both Hong Fang and Hong Qingyun, and the father and son understood.
Indeed, even though Zhuge Yi had lost his position as an Outer Sect Elder of the Heavenly Armor Sect, he remained an Eight Rank Alchemist, an alchemist skilled in Artifact Refining.
He still held utilitarian value for Hong Residence.
"Rou'er, I know you are greatly distressed by Yuying's death, which has upset you. How could I abandon my father-in-law? He is your family and mine as well. But lately, the atmosphere in the Xia Capital has been tense, especially since the Sixth Prince has been declared Crown Prince and has been suppressing Hong Residence. If we provoke the Heavenly Armor Sect at this moment, we will face attacks from both fronts. Father and I have discussed and decided to first send father-in-law to Hong Residence's manor in the southwest. Once he recovers from his injuries and after the situation with the Heavenly Armor Sect cools down, we will bring him back and have him join the Hong Residence as a Guest Elder."
Having been married to Zhuge Rou for so many years, even though he had grown tired of her, Hong Fang's demeanor remained tender on the surface.
After hearing this, Zhuge Rou felt reassured.
With her father having severed ties with the Heavenly Armor Sect, she had lost her support.
Moreover, with Ye Huangyu, that contemptible woman, often encountering Hong Fang in the court, Zhuge Rou worried that Hong Fang's feelings might change.
Seeing his current tone, Zhuge Rou felt slightly relieved again.
"Husband, I knew you wouldn't be so heartlessly disloyal," Zhuge Rou returned to her usual state, allowing Hong Fang to lead her to sit down.
Hong Qingyun noticed everything, and his liking for this daughter-in-law decreased even further. However, his expression softened slightly when he glanced at his granddaughter, Hong Ming Yue.
Hong Qingyun cleared his throat and asked everyone else to leave, leaving only Hong Ming Yue behind.
He also noticed that ever since Hong Ming Yue returned from Beiqing, she had been listless.
His granddaughter had always been well-behaved and the most talented. Hong Qingyun had never seen her behave like this before.
"Ming Yue, yesterday, Young Master Luo came to see me. He wants to propose marriage to the Hong Residence."
Just as Hong Fang had thought, the current Hong Residence appeared as glorious as before but in reality, it was in decline.
Especially now that Xiahou Qi has become the Crown Prince and the health of Emperor Xia is deteriorating, no one knows when Xiahou Qi will ascend the throne.
Xiahou Qi, who is deeply in love with Ye Ling Yue, harbors a deep hatred for the Hong Residence. His first action upon ascending the throne would likely be to target the Hong Residence.
Thus, before Xiahou Qi gains significant power, the Hong Residence must make preparations quickly.
A hint of haze flashed through Hong Qingyun's eyes.
"Grandfather, Ming Yue is still young and does not wish to discuss marriage so early," Hong Ming Yue felt a chill in her heart. Despite being mentally prepared, she did not expect that Luo Song would act so swiftly and directly propose through her grandfather.
After the incident at Xingxiu Cave, Hong Ming Yue grew even more disgusted with Luo Song. She couldn't stand even facing him, let alone marrying him.
"Ming Yue, you've always been a clever child. Grandfather is asking you, and please tell me honestly, do you have someone you like?" sighed Hong Qingyun.
He could see that Hong Ming Yue did not like Luo Song.
Other than his distinguished status, Luo Song has no other merits.
His granddaughter was the best among her peers and deserved a better man, but unfortunately... Hong Qingyun thought of the elixir Luo Song had offered.
The Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixir. Luo Song said that if Hong Qingyun agrees to give Hong Ming Yue's hand in marriage to him, he would offer the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixir as a betrothal gift.
Hong Qingyun had been stuck at the Fifth Level of Reincarnation for over a decade and had dreamt of breaking through to the Divine Power Realm.
Once he stepped into the Divine Power Realm, the current awkward situation of the Hong Residence would be completely overthrown.
What would the mere imperial power matter then? He could even directly kill Emperor Xia and Xiahou Qi and declare himself Emperor.
"Grandfather, I…," Hong Ming Yue clenched her teeth, unsure of how to respond.
Her heart, unknowingly, had drifted far away.
How could she tell her grandfather that the man she admired was thousands of times better than Luo Song?
That man, as beautiful as cascading light and as cold as the snow peaks, who never looked at anyone, was so unreachable.
Her so-called admiration, was destined to be an unrequited love without any outcome.
Hong Ming Yue ultimately remained silent.
"Grandfather, Ming Yue doesn't like anyone. I know the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixir that Luo Song holds will greatly benefit grandfather's cultivation. For the sake of the Hong Residence, for grandfather, Ming Yue is willing to marry Luo Song," Hong Ming Yue said indifferently, as if discussing someone else's marriage.