After Liu Ming'an called out "Father-in-law," he remained bowing without straightening up. Everyone present didn't know what to say, just waiting for Nangong Ya to speak.
Nangong Ya's expression changed several times, and he didn't respond for a long while. Finally, Jiang Ning couldn't bear it anymore and tugged at his sleeve, reminding him, "Dad, he's addressing you."
Nangong Ya looked back at his daughter before reaching out to help Liu Ming'an stand up.
"Hahaha..." Lou Yuhuan looked at Nangong Ya's displeased expression and said with a laugh, "My in-law, we didn't know that the person Ming'an was fond of was your daughter before we came. We only heard that you were investigating Ming'an, and we were worried, so we rushed here. Hahaha... It turns out it was all a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding!"
Lou Baili, thinking of the earlier confrontation between the two parties in the alley, cupped his hands towards Nangong Ya and bowed, "I apologize for any offense earlier. I hope the Prime Minister won't hold a grudge."
After all, they were the groom's family, and it was appropriate to show magnanimity and apologize first.
Nangong Ya wasn't a narrow-minded person, and besides, the actual situation was much better than he had anticipated. He had nothing to be dissatisfied about, so he returned the gesture, "I also apologize for any offense. Please forgive me!"
"My in-law, since we're both here today, and these two children truly like each other, why don't we take this opportunity to settle their marriage?" Lou Yuhuan suggested. He had already figured out that when Liu Ming'an told him about having a beloved girl, the two had probably been together for a long time. Now that they were in the same room, who knows if they had already consummated their relationship.
Nangong Ya nodded, forcing a smile on his face, "Very well, let's settle it today."
This Liu Ming'an seemed to be a fine young man, with the Lou Family behind him. It could be considered a match of equal status with his family. The key was that Ling liked him, so he had no objections.
But while he had no objections, Jiang Ning did.
Seeing that Nangong Ya had already started discussing auspicious dates with the three members of the Lou Family, Jiang Ning couldn't help but interrupt their conversation, "Don't bother. I won't return to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and I don't need you to arrange this wedding for me."
Liu Ming'an immediately followed up, "I won't return to the Lou Family either. Grandfather, you don't need to worry. I will bring Ah Ning home as my bride myself."
Everyone was stunned, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Who could have imagined that this young couple would both want to sever ties with their families?
The situation was unfavorable, and it was necessary to seize the initiative. Lou Yuhuan immediately questioned Nangong Ya, "What did your Prime Minister's Mansion do to my granddaughter-in-law?"
Nangong Ya wasn't to be outdone, "I'd like to ask, what did your Lou Family do to my son-in-law?"
Lou Yuhuan pressed on, "Don't think I don't know about those elopement rumors spread by your second daughter, and those few people who recently died in your mansion... It's you, as a father, who didn't do well, making my granddaughter-in-law lose heart."
Nangong Ya stood his ground, "Don't think I don't know why Lou Qingzhi left home years ago without a trace, and that Liu Ming'an isn't even from the capital... It's your Lou Family who wronged them, father and son, that's why my son-in-law wants to cut ties with you."
The two went back and forth, hitting each other's sore spots. The scene became tense, and the others dared not speak.
"Stop arguing," Jiang Ning said, her head aching from their verbal sparring. "Liu Ming'an and I are already husband and wife. I don't want to have another wedding ceremony. You can all go back to your homes."
Hearing this, Nangong Ya and Lou Yuhuan simultaneously ceased fire and turned to persuade her.
"Ling'er, you can't be so reckless. No matter how much you hate me, we must have a wedding ceremony! I must be involved in this!" Nangong Ya said firmly.
Lou Yuhuan agreed, "My granddaughter-in-law, your father is right. We must have a wedding ceremony! The three letters and six etiquettes, the three matchmakers and six gifts, none can be omitted. If you can't stand your father, let our Lou Family handle everything. We can provide both the dowry and the betrothal gifts, giving you a grand wedding!"
Hearing these words that seemed to be stealing his thunder, Nangong Ya became furious, "What are you saying? Are you implying that our Prime Minister's Mansion can't afford a dowry?"
"My granddaughter-in-law doesn't want anything to do with your Prime Minister's Mansion. Can't you see that? You're just embarrassing yourself!"
"Well, my son-in-law doesn't want anything to do with your Lou Family either. How come you didn't notice that? You're the one embarrassing yourself!"
How did they start arguing again? Jiang Ning rubbed her temples, her head about to explode. Liu Ming'an had somehow made his way to her side and softly asked, "Ah Ning, shall I make the decision?"
Jiang Ning quickly nodded.
Liu Ming'an walked between the two men and calmly said, "Grandfather, Father-in-law, please hear me out."
"Speak!" The two men, who had been glaring at each other, gave him face.
Liu Ming'an first addressed Nangong Ya, "I will, after the imperial examination, marry Nangong Ling according to the rituals of Great Liang, with a proper ceremony. I won't let her simply follow me without formalities."
Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow; she didn't know Liu Ming'an had such plans.
Nangong Ya nodded, increasingly satisfied with this son-in-law.
Liu Ming'an then turned to Lou Yuhuan, "Grandfather, there's no need to worry about me. Ah Ning is marrying into the Liu family, becoming Mrs. Liu."
The implication was that it had nothing to do with the Lou Family.
Lou Yuhuan's expression changed instantly, a hurt look in his eyes.
Lou Lianyu, unable to bear seeing his grandfather's hurt expression, turned to Liu Ming'an and asked, "Ming'an, you're marrying the Prime Minister's daughter. You're penniless now. Without relying on the Lou Family, how will you marry the Third Miss? With this tiny house? It can't even fit eight sedan chairs, let alone accommodate the ten-mile long dowry from the Prime Minister's Mansion."
Jiang Ning was about to say she didn't care, but Nangong Ya pulled her hand, "As a man, he should stand tall and proud, not have the woman accommodate him in everything."
Liu Ming'an seemed to have considered this issue long ago, so he just smiled slightly, without a moment's hesitation, "Cousin, doesn't the Top Scholar get a Top Scholar Mansion? I'll use that mansion to marry Ah Ning."
The three members of the Lou Family were shocked and didn't know what to say. Nangong Ya, however, let out a hearty laugh, his eyes clearly showing approval.
"Ming'an, Qingzhi was brilliant, and you, being his child, I know you're certainly not inferior..." Lou Baili looked at the young man, inevitably thinking of that spirited person from the past.
But Lou Baili changed his tone, saying, "However, you grew up in the countryside after all, and Qingzhi passed away early. Relying solely on self-study, you can't compare to those students from noble families who have been carefully educated since childhood."
Lou Lianyu followed his father's words, "Among those participating in the imperial examination this year, there's one who was called a prodigy at the age of six, with talent comparable to your second uncle's at that time. The title of Top Scholar is almost certainly his."
Liu Ming'an lowered his eyes, as if considering how to respond. Beside him, Lou Yuhuan sighed and made a decision, "Ming'an, your grandfather has a way to give you a chance to compete for the Top Scholar title."
Everyone's gaze fell on Lou Yuhuan as he slowly walked in front of Nangong Ya and bowed deeply to him.
Nangong Ya was greatly surprised and quickly stopped Lou Yuhuan's gesture, "Old Grand Tutor, you bowing to me is too much honor for me to bear."
Lou Yuhuan straightened up and looked at Nangong Ya, saying, "This old man would like to request the Prime Minister to arrange for Ming'an to attend classes at the Imperial Academy."
Everyone understood Lou Yuhuan's intention.
The Imperial Academy was where princes, imperial grandsons, and children of important court officials studied. The lecturers there were all highly knowledgeable talents. If Liu Ming'an could enter, as long as he had sufficient aptitude, he would surely make rapid progress, far better than studying at home with just a few books.
Moreover, Lou Yuhuan and Lou Baili would occasionally go there to give lectures.
Nangong Ya turned to look at Jiang Ning, then nodded in agreement, "I'll go and arrange it as soon as I return."
However, Liu Ming'an thought of his and Jiang Ning's plan to go to Quishui City and was about to say something when Jiang Ning secretly hooked her finger in his palm and whispered, "Liu Ming'an, this is very good."
Lou Yuhuan continued, "But this alone is not enough. You'll study for a few dozen days, while others have been learning for over a decade. Therefore, Ming'an, you need to come to the Lou Family after your classes. We have three Top Scholars in our Lou Family - myself, Baili, and Lianyu. We will teach you together."
Nangong Ya chimed in, "Coming to the Prime Minister's Mansion is fine too. I'm also a Top Scholar, I can teach you as well!"
Lou Baili glanced at him indifferently, saying with an ambiguous tone, "You'd better not."
"Don't look down on me!" Nangong Ya said angrily.
Lou Baili averted his gaze and said no more. After all, his father had just asked for a favor from someone else, so it was better not to offend them for now.
The matter was thus settled, and Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning saw their guests out of the courtyard.
When only the two of them remained in this small world, Liu Ming'an reached out and pulled Jiang Ning into his embrace.
"We've still ended up entangled with those two families after all. It seems we truly couldn't avoid it," Jiang Ning sighed with some emotion.
"It's alright. We're still us," Liu Ming'an said softly.
As he spoke, he placed a gentle kiss on Jiang Ning's forehead.
With their parting imminent, his heart was filled with reluctance to let go.
