Chapter Text
“What are we doing here, Old Man?” five-year-old Tao Ren looked at his father, both he and Tao Jun were standing in front of the Yang household.
“Finalizing a deal.” Tao En led his two children through the main gates. “Yang Huang.” he greeted the Yang patriarch. “Have you come to a decision?” he asked after the two men shut the door to the study room, leaving Tao Jun and Tao Ren in the waiting hall.
Tao Jun was admiring the handwritten scrolls on the walls when a faint fragrance of lotus seeds whiffed into her nose. The older girl turned to see a girl put a pair of porcelain cups of freshly brewed lotus tea on the guest table. “Thank you.” the elder girl returned to her seat.
The serving girl just smiled and hurried off.
“Betrothing my only daughter to your son?” behind closed doors, Yang Huang exclaimed in shock when Tao En laid down his final condition. “I refuse!”
“Are you really sure?” Tao En smirked and brought out a glided lotus. “I know your family's secret and I think it would be beneficial for both of our families to be related via marriage.”
“I...” Yang Huang gritted his teeth. “Understand; I will inform Hui Ling.”
“I'm glad you see it my way.” Tao En smiled maliciously. “Do not worry, young Hui Ling will be deftly welcome in the Tao household.”
Later that night in the Tao Household...
“Married?” Tao Jun echoed incredulously after Tao En informed the siblings of Tao Ren's new fiancée.
“It is for the best,” Tao En declared. “Her powers will prove beneficial to us in the future. You and Tao Ren have already seen her; the tea server girl.”
Meanwhile in the Yang Household...
“I'm so sorry, Hui Ling.” Yang Huang hugged his daughter after he told her of her betrothal.