Using power to force marriage

The two entered the main hall together, looking every bit like a loving couple.

The hall was filled with the chill of a mahogany tower. Hanging high in the hall was an ancient painting of Guanyin, her compassionate brows lowered, looking down upon the world.

The first person to greet them was Liu Jingyan, Zhao Jingnian's aunt.

She smiled and took Ruan Fu's hand, her tone a little too intimate, "Look how beautiful my niece-in-law is."

Ruan Fu was startled by her inexplicable enthusiasm and subconsciously withdrew her hand, avoiding her touch.

Before her marriage, Ruan Fu had done background research on the elders of the Zhao family and had at least a basic understanding of them.

She remained calm and quickly searched her memory for this person.

Remembering that the old man had an illegitimate son outside the marriage, who, according to blood relations, was Zhao Jingnian's second uncle, and the woman in front of him was his wife.

She returned a perfectly timed smile, "Hello, Second Aunt."

"Jingnian really married a good wife. She is not only beautiful, but also very well-behaved and sensible."

Liu Jingyan spoke with a smile, but that smile made Ruan Fu feel a little uncomfortable. "The old man has been waiting for you for a long time, and he has already finished two pots of tea. You two young people are not in a hurry at all."

She spoke in a lighthearted, teasing tone, which made Ruan Fu laugh.

This second aunt is no pushover. They had barely entered the house when they were accused of disrespecting their elders.

It's just 12:15 right now, neither early nor late.

Ruan Fu silently rolled her eyes in her heart. Her head was too small; she probably couldn't handle the big hat that Liu Jingyan had given her.

"Thank you for telling me about Grandpa's preferences, Auntie. Since Grandpa likes to drink tea, I'll brew him a pot myself later."

Liu Jingyan feigned surprise, "You little girl can even brew tea?"

She lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, her tone gentle yet sharp, "I only know a little bit. I think Second Aunt is quite proficient in tea ceremony. You must teach me in your spare time so that I can win Grandpa's favor."

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Jingyan's smile froze on her face.

Clearly, she underestimated Ruan Fu's abilities.

I initially thought she was a heartless, good-for-nothing heiress who only knew how to eat, drink, and enjoy life, but it turns out she's just like Zhao Jingnian—no one is easy to deal with.

Liu Jingyan responded somewhat awkwardly, "What's this about teaching? We're all family."

Ruan Fu smiled and said, "Then thank you in advance, Second Aunt."

Zhao Jingnian seemed to have long been accustomed to Liu Jingyan's actions.

He ignored her, reached out and took Ruan Fu's hand, leading her towards the hall and helping her escape Liu Jingyan's feigned affection.

"No need to waste words with her." Zhao Jingnian had never taken this two-faced uncle and aunt seriously.

Ruan Fu had the upper hand and was in a good mood. She lowered her voice and boasted to Zhao Jingnian, "I'm so amazing. I made her face turn green with anger."

He nodded. "Yes, impressive."

A gilded plaque hangs in the hall, inscribed with the words: "Virtue Passed Down Through Generations."

The plaque's calligraphy is vigorous and profound, while the couplets on both sides are elegant and classical, creating a solemn atmosphere throughout the room.

In the main seat of the grand master's chair, the old man with graying temples sat upright, his face dignified, his sharp eyes revealing obvious domineering arrogance, and his whole body exuding an aura of imposing authority.

Ruan Fu had heard stories about Old Master Zhao and had a general understanding of his temperament. He was selfish, cold-hearted, and a typical feudal patriarch.

Seeing them approach, the old man forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his gaze lingering on the two of them.

Zhao Jingnian said in a calm tone, "Grandpa, I've brought Xiao Fu to pay her respects."

The Ruan family is a prestigious family with deep roots in Beicheng. The daughter of a noble family, raised in a century-old family, is immersed in the rules and etiquette of a wealthy family from an early age. No matter how spoiled and willful she may be in private, her innate manners and demeanor will be revealed when she is in a serious situation.

The old man was quite friendly towards Ruan Fu. "I never imagined that you, little girl, would become my granddaughter-in-law. I even held you on your first birthday."

Ruan Fu smiled gently, her bright and clear almond-shaped eyes curving into crescent shapes. "So you held me in your arms, Grandpa! No wonder I felt so close to you when I saw you."

Being charming and ingratiating in front of elders was her forte, so Ruan Fu just needed to use the same approach she used to use with her own grandfather.

Grandpa Zhao's expression softened, "You're still as clever and mischievous as you were when you were little."

The Zhao and Ruan families were originally very close, but unfortunately, Mr. Ruan passed away from illness fifteen years ago, and the two families' interactions have become much less frequent.

Fortunately, a marriage certificate brought them together, and now that they are in-laws, their relationship has become closer.

"Your grandfather and I are old acquaintances; we signed your marriage certificate with Jingnian together."

Ruan Fu spoke slowly and gently, like a spring breeze, "So Grandpa, you are the matchmaker between me and Jingnian."

These words made the old man beam with joy, his face full of kindness.

Zhao Jingnian had initially worried that his wife was too young to handle these old monsters, but now it seems he had worried unnecessarily.

The old man turned to Zhao Jingnian's parents and praised Ruan Fu, "Look how lovable your daughter-in-law is."

Upon seeing this, Ruan Fu immediately greeted her parents-in-law politely and sweetly, calling them "Mom and Dad" in a soft voice.

The man in the wheelchair is Zhao Jingnian's father, Zhao Yuzhou. The father and son share the same robust bone structure.

Even though he was disabled in both legs, his noble and dignified demeanor remained undiminished.

Ruan Fu had heard a little about Zhao Yuzhou's deeds. It was said that he had an accident when he was young and accidentally fell off a cliff, which caused him to lose both legs.

The woman beside Zhao Yuzhou is Ruan Fu's mother-in-law, Su Yao.

Su Yao comes from a high-ranking official's family. She has a gentle temperament, an air of refinement, and an elegant and dignified demeanor. She is highly educated and currently serves as the curator of the Beicheng Museum.

Ruan Fu's parents-in-law merely nodded slightly at her, their expressions aloof and polite, unlike the warm and friendly demeanor of the old man and Liu Jingyan.

Su Yao, in particular, had eyes filled with indifference and coldness, and her face was etched with unyielding sorrow. She showed no affection whatsoever for her son and daughter-in-law.

Ruan Fu was puzzled. Zhao Yuzhou and Su Yao were Zhao Jingnian's biological parents, so why did the three of them seem to be quite unfamiliar with each other?

"Jingnian is so lucky to have married such a eloquent and persuasive wife." The man who spoke was Zhao Qi, Zhao Jingnian's second uncle.

His mother was the old man's secretary. Zhao Qi was born out of wedlock, which was not a glorious background, and he was originally not qualified to be recognized as a member of the family.

Because Zhao Yuzhou suffered an accident and lost his ability to stand forever, he was disqualified from inheriting the family business by the old man. This gave Zhao Qi the opportunity to be legitimately included in the family genealogy and was once groomed by the old man as the next successor.

At first, everyone in the northern city thought that the Zhao family's vast fortune would fall into the hands of Zhao Qi, this illegitimate son, until Zhao Jingnian came of age...

He swiftly quelled the internal strife within the family's collateral branches, cleansed the family's traditions, and devised a plan to undermine Zhao Qi's power.

He then successfully entered the European market, expanding the Zhao Group's business empire to all parts of the world, and ultimately won the old man's favor and trust, reclaiming the position of family head that rightfully belonged to him.

Zhao Qi harbored deep hatred for him. Everything he had painstakingly built up had been taken away by Zhao Jingnian, and he was naturally unwilling to accept that his power had fallen into other hands.

"Yes, Jingnian married a good wife," Zhao Qi and his wife echoed each other.

"Huh? I remember Jingnian was originally going to marry the eldest daughter of the Ruan family, so how come it suddenly changed to...?"

Zhao Qi's words were full of hidden meanings, constantly probing and challenging.

A shadow fell over Zhao Jingnian's eyes, and his expression turned unfriendly.

His good second uncle had ulterior motives and began causing trouble the day after his wedding.

"Xiao Fu and I are in love, and this marriage was personally arranged by Grandpa. Is Second Uncle trying to sow discord between us? Or is he questioning Grandpa's decision?"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Fu frowned and immediately joined the group buy.

"Second Uncle, is there something you dislike about me? Although I may not be as good as my sister, every daughter in the Ruan family is exceptional. Do you look down on me, your niece-in-law?"

The two men, with remarkable tacit understanding, turned their criticism towards Zhao Qi. After being relentlessly questioned, he was momentarily at a loss for how to defend himself.

Ruan Fu's words drew the attention of Zhao Yuzhou and Su Yao, and a hint of admiration flashed in their eyes as they looked at her.

"Of course that's not what I meant. Don't misunderstand. I just wanted to show more concern for you younger generation."

"Aqi, you've talked too much." The old man coughed sternly and reprimanded him coldly.

Seeing that the old man was displeased, Liu Jingyan immediately spoke up to smooth things over.

Her laughter echoed in the large hall, sounding particularly jarring. "Old Master, let's take our seats first, eat and chat, otherwise the food will get cold."

The family dinner had been prepared long ago, and everyone sat around the long dining table, the atmosphere terribly somber.

Ruan Fu felt that everyone in the Zhao family wore a mask of hypocrisy, harbored their own ulterior motives, and was full of scheming.

This atmosphere made her feel extremely depressed and unable to breathe.

After taking their seats, she deliberately leaned closer and reached out to straighten Zhao Jingnian's tie. The intimate gesture not only showed the couple's affection but also allowed her to whisper to him.

She whispered in the man's ear, in a voice only they could hear, "Eating a family dinner at your house is more painful than eating my last meal before I die."