Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

Yuan Jingchen froze on the spot. It was just a joke, but he had taken it seriously.

He had assumed that girls who spent most of their lives on the border would be straightforward and naive in matters of love, but he never expected them to be so playful.

She had completely manipulated all the men.

Yuan Jingchen's face turned ashen, and he turned and left the plum grove.

It seems I won't be able to please Shangguan Fei today.

Upon returning to the Yuan residence, Yuan Jingchen had barely entered when he saw a servant boy from Yuan Bujin's side pass by. The servant boy coldly said, "Young Master, Master has returned and summons you to the main hall for questioning."

Yuan Jingchen paused, then asked, "What business does Father have with me?"

The servant was impatient. "Why does Your Excellency ask so many questions? The master summoned you because he has something to discuss with you."

Even if nothing is wrong, shouldn't the eldest son, as a son, pay his respects to his master upon his return?

Yuan Jingchen walked towards the main hall with an indifferent expression and without saying a word.

The servant gave a light snort, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

Upon entering the main hall, he immediately saw Bai Mei standing in the center, her face deathly pale.

Upon seeing his arrival, Bai Mei looked at him as if he were her savior, "Cousin."

Yuan Jingchen gave her a reassuring look, then looked at the middle-aged man at the head of the table and asked, "Father, what mistake has Mei'er made? Why was she summoned here?"

Yuan Bujin, who was sitting at the head of the table, had initially maintained a stern expression, but suddenly his face darkened, and he slammed his hand heavily on the table, shouting, "You unfilial son! What are you saying? Kneel down!"

Yuan Jingchen's lips curled into a mocking smile. He lifted his robe and knelt down defiantly.

"Look at him, look at his attitude!" Yuan Bujin's fingers trembled with anger as he looked at his second wife, Zhou Shi, standing to the side.

Madam Zhou spoke gently, soothingly saying, "Master, please don't be angry. Jingchen is still young; please don't take it to heart."

Yuan Bujin's eyes widened. "Still young? He's still young? He's already twenty. Most young men in their twenties have already passed the imperial examinations, entered officialdom, and gotten married with children."

Madam Zhou said gently, "Jingchen lost his biological mother at a young age. Although I, his stepmother, treat him as my own son, I am ultimately not as close as a biological mother. It is understandable that Jingchen is growing up a little slower. Please do not be too harsh on him, sir."

Jingchen has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. I believe he will achieve the highest score in this year's imperial examinations, bringing glory to our family.

Yuan Bujin's expression finally softened considerably.

Yuan Jingchen was, after all, his eldest son, and having lost his mother at a young age, it was understandable that he might have a somewhat eccentric personality.

Moreover, as Zhou said, Jingchen was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, able to read at three and compose poems at five, a genius among geniuses.

He didn't have much to say.

Yuan Jingchen glanced at them with a mocking expression.

hypocritically!

Zhou ignored his mockery and instead glared at her own son standing to the side.

"My lord, it is Shuohai who is too impulsive and his talent is not as good as Jingchen's. I am really worried about him. You must keep him in check."

Standing to the side, Xiao Shuohai looked resentful. "Mother!"

Zhou glared at him.

Yuan Bujin said, "Alright, although Shuohai is lively, he is straightforward and open-minded, unlike Jingchen, who keeps everything bottled up inside."

Jingchen, you really need to learn from your younger brother. You're not a child anymore; stop being so willful.

Yuan Jing curled his lips in a mocking smile. "Whatever Father says goes. I just want to ask, what wrong has my cousin done? Why have you summoned her here to make things difficult for her?"

Yuan Bujin's temple throbbed a few times, and he angrily said, "You bastard, listen to what you're saying! Who told you we made things difficult for her?"

She's an orphan, why should we make things difficult for her?

Yuan Jingchen's expression was cold and stern; he didn't believe her at all. "Then why is my cousin here?"

"You..." Yuan Bujin's face turned ashen with anger, then he looked at Zhou Shi beside him, "Look at his attitude!"

Zhou patted Yuan Bujin's arm reassuringly, looked at Yuan Jingchen, and said, "Jingchen, you've misunderstood. We called Mei'er over because we have some good news to discuss with her."

After your father entered the palace to meet the Emperor, His Majesty intended to keep him in the capital.

Upon learning that the Third Prince had no wives or concubines, your father wanted to send Mei'er to the Third Prince's residence as a concubine.

Even if the Third Prince doesn't amount to much in the future, he will still be a prince. Once he enters the prince's mansion, with the Yuan family as his backing, Mei'er will finally have someone to rely on.