Letting Go is Not Optional

Madam Xi said with a solemn expression, "Father is trying to break up Junle and Qingqing!"

Xibozhong hesitated and asked, "Could it be that Father feels Xianyu Qing's background isn't good enough for our Xi family's young mistress position?"

Madam Xi raised a delicate eyebrow, "Are you also one of those who judge a daughter-in-law by her family background?"

Xibozhong hurriedly denied, "Of course not. As for Father..."

Actually, Elder Xi probably didn't care entirely about such things. Otherwise, how could Madam Xi, with her ordinary family background, have ever married into the Xi family?

Madam Xi also found it strange.

Even if Elder Xi looked down upon Xianyu Qing's background, he had always doted on his grandson too much to stubbornly and forcibly oppose the match.

"If Junle truly has feelings for Xianyu Qing, we can discuss it with Father again," Xibozhong said.

Madam Xi shot him a sidelong glance, "Your son has practically worked himself to the bone recently over this matter. Do you still think he has no feelings for that girl?"

Calling it "profound and devoted affection" would not be an exaggeration at all!

This was a genetic trait of the Xi family. They either did not love at all, or they loved with overwhelming intensity!

After learning about Xi Junle's recent condition from Madam Xi, the couple discussed testing the waters by asking Elder Xi about the situation first.

They both knew their son had a very proud and stubborn personality; even if he were suffering inside, he would never speak of it.

That evening during dinner, seeing Xibozhong and his wife constantly exchanging glances, Elder Xi spoke up, "If you have something to say, wait until dinner is over and come to my study. Focus on your meal."

The couple immediately fell silent.

After dinner, Xibozhong followed Elder Xi into the study, while Madam Xi waited outside for news.

"What on earth is the matter?" Elder Xi asked with his usual straightforward manner.

Xibozhong was equally direct, "Father, are you opposed to Junle associating with that young lady from the Nangong family?"

"Indeed, I am," Elder Xi admitted bluntly.

"Why?"

"That girl is not worthy of being the young mistress of the Xi family."

This response matched Xibozhong's guess word for word, but sensing there must be a hidden story, he asked further, "What kind of person does Father think is worthy of the position of the Xi family's young mistress?"

Elder Xi replied, "At the very least, a young lady from a prestigious family."

"Although Xianyu Qing is only a distant relative of the Nangong family, her standing within the household must be quite significant; otherwise, Madam Nangong would not have gone to such great lengths to bring her back and adopt her."

Xibozhong was quite familiar with Madam Nangong's character and knew she would never casually welcome just anyone into the Nangong family gates.

Elder Xi, however, scoffed dismissively, "Hmph! Relatives by marriage remain outsiders. How could they ever compare in importance to one's own flesh and blood granddaughter?"

"Has Father set his sights on Xinxin instead? But Junle doesn't seem to have any romantic interest in her." Xibozhong still respected his son's wishes to a large extent.

"If he has no affection for Xinxin, he can choose someone else. As long as it's not that girl!"

Hearing this, Xibozhong gathered that Elder Xi's dissatisfaction was directed solely at Xianyu Qing. Perplexed, he asked, "Father, do you doubt that girl's character?"

Elder Xi offered a noncommittal response.

Xibozhong continued, "Although that girl grew up in the countryside, her character is fine. She is well-read, courteous, and naturally intelligent. If she had been raised in the Nangong family from an early age, her future prospects would have been boundless..."

Elder Xi impatiently interrupted him, "Praising that girl to the heavens is useless; she will never step foot into the Xi family!"

"Yet Junle seems utterly devoted to her. I heard he's been trying to drown his sorrows in work over this, completely neglecting his health."

"A man dedicating himself to his career is a good thing. What is there for you to worry about?"

Xibozhong found this incomprehensible. "Father, you have always doted on Junle and given him your utmost support in everything he does. Why can't you accept the person he loves?"

In the past, Xi Junle showed no interest in anyone, pouring his heart entirely into music, which had secretly worried the entire family.

Now that he had finally found someone he cherished, and someone genuinely likable at that, why was Elder Xi raising every possible objection?

Elder Xi refused to drag out the conversation any longer. "In short, that girl is simply out of the question!"

"..." Xibozhong was left speechless.

After pondering for a moment, Xibozhong asked cautiously, "Did that girl do something to offend you?"

"Precisely!" Elder Xi no longer wished to beat around the bush. "Her family and ours are mortal enemies. You might as well persuade Junle to give up this hopeless dream!"

"Mortal enemies?" Xibozhong was stunned.

Their Xi family had always maintained good relations with everyone; he had never heard of any ancestral feud!

"Father, could there be some misunderstanding?"

Xibozhong's tone sounded almost as if he suspected Elder Xi was growing senile.

Elder Xi flew into a rage, "What misunderstanding could there possibly be? Three generations of women in their family have been femme fatales. Every single time the Xi family crosses paths with them, nothing good ever comes of it!"

Xibozhong was utterly bewildered by these words. How did the matter get dragged back to their ancestors?

Before he could ask, Elder Xi bellowed angrily, "Get out! Get out of here! Never mention that girl again, or I will have people deal with her permanently to prevent her from plaguing the Xi family ever again!"

Seeing his father erupt in anger, Xibozhong dared not say another word and wisely retreated.

The moment the door opened, Xi Junle was standing right outside, looking grave.

Madam Xi, standing behind him, stammered with hesitation, "Well... Junle just got back..."

Originally, after his performance was canceled, Sun Ge had spent a long time trying to comfort him.

After much deliberation, Xi Junle realized that indulging in such despondency was not only taking a toll on his health but also worrying his family. Deciding he would no longer torment himself, he headed home early.

Seeing him return, Madam Xi had tried to comfort him by mentioning that Xibozhong was currently discussing his situation regarding Xianyu Qing with Elder Xi.

Fearing that his father was unaware of the truth and might be scolded on his behalf, Xi Junle had hurried over to intervene. He never expected to arrive just in time to hear Elder Xi's final warning.

Seeing the expression on his son's face, Xibozhong sensed something ominous and stepped forward to dissuade him.

However, Xi Junle strode right past him into the study, walked up to Elder Xi, and spoke every word with deliberate clarity: "Grandfather, you have always taught me to distinguish right from wrong, to govern by reason, and to have a clear conscience.

The grievances of the older generation should have ended with your generation. You may demand that I cut ties with Qingqing, and I will raise no objection; but you must not harm Qingqing because of me.

This entire ordeal is entirely my own wishful thinking and has nothing to do with her. Please spare her!"

This declaration left Elder Xi's face flushing alternately red and white. "You... are you accusing me of lacking the ability to tell right from wrong?"

"Junle wouldn't dare."

"You wouldn't dare? Is there anything you wouldn't dare do for that girl!" Elder Xi shook with rage, his hand trembling on his cane. "To think of all the years you've spent studying, only to cast it all aside for the sake of petty romance and drag yourself down into depravity!"

Hearing Elder Xi severely reprimand her son, Madam Xi could not help stepping in to defend him. "Father, Junle is not that kind of person. He is simply having a hard time letting go for the moment."

"He must let go, whether he likes it or not!" Elder Xi roared, completely losing his reason. "Otherwise, he can follow the path of that rebellious wretch and be driven out of the Xi family just like him!"