Chapter 1453: 1453 Pressure

“The Xiao Family conducts its affairs with great efficiency,” Shen Yun said with a face full of composed confidence. “Besides, who dares to defy the wishes of I, Lady Xiao? I wager Tao Wangde wouldn’t dare say a word against it even if he had a hundred times the courage.”

Outside the Tao Mansion, Xiao Yishan had often kept a sorrowful vigil, but for more than a month, there had been no effect.

Unexpectedly, Lady Xiao became involved, and the marriage proposal was suddenly successful, which couldn’t help but instill awe at the magnitude of power.

Shuang’er reminded him, “Xiao Yishan, our Lady has helped you with the marriage proposal, and you owe her a great debt of gratitude. Later, if our Lady has need of you…”

Xiao Yishan quickly replied, “If there is anything Xiao Yi can do to serve the Lady, he will certainly do his utmost.” However, he felt that, with the power of the Xiao Clan, he, an unsophisticated mountain man, could hardly be of any help.

“It’s not yet evening; why don’t you make a trip to the Tao Mansion?” Shen Yun said.

“I’ll go immediately.”

Shuang’er stopped him, “Wait, are you going empty-handed?”

Before Xiao Yishan could speak, another maid, Minxiang, came forward with a neatly tied box wrapped in silk cloth and handed it to him. “This is a gift prepared by our Lady for you to take to the Tao Mansion.”

Xiao Yishan’s face was filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Lady Xiao.”

…

Finally entering the Tao Mansion, Xiao Yishan walked through the yard to the living room. He hadn’t seen the long-yearned-for Tao Meijiao but instead found Master Tao seated in the place of honor.

“Greetings, Master Tao.” Xiao Yishan had always felt guilty towards Meijiao, and so he kneeled down immediately.

Tao Wangde looked Xiao Yishan up and down–broad shoulders and thickset build, although his left face was marred, his features were nonetheless rugged and full of masculine vigor–“You are Xiao Yishan?”

“Indeed,” Yishan replied, his heart pounding with trepidation, fearing that Master Tao would voice opposition to the marriage.

Tao Wangde pondered for a moment, “Do you truly wish to marry into the Tao Mansion?”

“I harbor no second intentions towards Meijiao!” His declaration was resolute. His fondness for Yue’er had to be deeply buried in his heart; the person he must cherish was Meijiao, who was before him.

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Master Tao.” Xiao Yishan quickly passed the gift to a Tao Mansion servant standing by.

Tao Wangde, seeing that he had the sense to bring a gift, commanded the servant to accept it.

After a simple inquiry, he felt that Xiao Yishan was a straightforward man from the mountains. Even if he might not be capable of enhancing the Tao Family business, his marriage to Meijiao could at least ensure its maintenance.

Thus, it was agreed to find an auspicious day the next day.

The following noon, as Xiao Yishan left the Tao Mansion, he still found it a bit unbelievable–he and Meijiao were really about to get married, and the date was set in just eight days!

Originally, there were two other auspicious days this month, twelve days later and half a month later, yet unexpectedly, the Tao Mansion was even more anxious than him, choosing the earliest auspicious day.

Xiao Yishan felt the good news came too abruptly. Tao Meijiao, such a beautiful young Miss, was truly going to become his wife!

He slapped his own face.

Xiao Yuchuan, at the Mansion gate, saw his second brother’s foolish action and asked in confusion, “Second Brother, what’s wrong with you?”

Xiao Yishan came back to his senses and realized he had reached the gate of the Xiao Mansion. With a face full of joy, he said, “Third Brother, I am about to marry Meijiao, in just eight days!”

“So soon?” Xiao Yuchuan was surprised. “Didn’t Miss Tao dislike you? How…”

“…” Xiao Yishan hesitated, unsure whether to tell his third brother that Lady Xiao had helped.

Xiao Yuchuan, being an extremely clever man, immediately guessed it. “Second Brother, did the Xiao couple pressure the Tao Mansion, forcing Tao Meijiao to marry you?”