Chapter 2720

Mrs. Xing’s words left Hong Hai speechless. After a long silence, he finally said, "Madam, this is our private matter. Can we discuss it at home?"

Hong Xiao and Hong Lei were at a loss for words. What had started as a simple wedding had spiraled into such a mess.

At that moment, someone entered from outside. "The auspicious time has passed. Are you still getting married today?"

With the auspicious time gone, what was the point of marrying? Hong Xiao smiled bitterly. "Qingxia, let’s choose another time to marry."

A wedding without the auspicious time would not receive blessings.

Qingxia’s face turned pale. She looked at Hong Xiao for a moment before asking, "Will you still marry me?"

"Yes." Given the current situation, Hong Xiao knew he and Qingxia were now entangled. They would eventually marry.

Mrs. Xing glanced at Qingxia. "Qingxia, if you want to marry Xiao-er, you must wait a few days. Once I leave the Hong family, Xiao-er will no longer bear the surname Hong, and then you can marry."

Mrs. Xing might not have been satisfied with Qingxia, but since it was her son’s choice, she would not obstruct her despite her reservations.

Hong Hai took a deep breath and looked at Mrs. Xing. "Madam, let’s go home."

Mrs. Xing smiled faintly. "Very well. It is better to discuss some matters at home. However, since the heads of various families are gathered today, why not go to the Hong family together? We should clarify things properly."

Hong Hai looked at Mrs. Xing. She was determined to remove her name from the family records. Although she had indeed made a mistake, as long as A-Xing’s identity remained hidden, she still held great respect for Mrs. Xing.

"Of course." People loved to watch the drama, so there would naturally be an audience.

Qingshan said, "Since the wedding is off, Qingyun, Qinghe, let’s leave and go back."

"Wait," Mrs. Xing said. "Senior Qingshan, Spirit Venerable Qingyun, Spirit Venerable Qinghe, please join us. As Spirit Venerables, you are needed to uphold justice in this matter."

Qingshan raised an eyebrow and looked at Qingyun and Qinghe. "Shall we go?"

Qingyun smiled faintly. "It is good to go. A perfect resolution is best."

Hearing Qingyun’s words, Qingshan nodded and said to Mrs. Xing, "Since my Qingyun says we should look, then let’s go. Let’s leave."

Now, the Qing family was truly empty. Qingxia watched everyone leave. Looking at the untouched banquet tables, she smashed her teacup onto the ground. "What is going on?"

"Qingxia, why don’t you go see for yourself?" Liu Shi thought for a moment and asked Qingxia cautiously.

Qingxia pondered for a moment, then said, "Mother, you are right. I must go see for myself."

Qingxia was not afraid of anything else, but she feared that after Hong Xiao left with Mrs. Xing, she would simply abandon her. That would leave her with no face.

Even if she wanted to separate from Hong Xiao, she had to be the one to propose it. Hong Xiao could not be the one to bring it up. Therefore, Qingxia insisted on going personally to see what was happening.

Qingxia hurried out to the Hong family residence.

Meanwhile, the Hong family was in chaos. The elders had all been summoned, and the previous head of the Hong family had also appeared.

What had started as a simple wedding had not only failed to take place but had also revealed the head of the family’s infidelity. This was terrible news for the Hong family.

The Hong family valued their reputation, but this incident was clearly embarrassing.

Hong Xiong, the previous head of the Hong family, looked at Hong Hai and said, "Hong Hai, did you really cheat?"

Hong Hai looked at her father and said, "Father, you know A-Xing. She is truly pitiful."

"There are many women in this world more pitiful than her. Do you intend to support them all?" Hong Xiong looked at his son with dissatisfaction.

Hong Xiong was aware of Hong Hai’s abilities and appreciated them. It was precisely because of this appreciation that he had passed the leadership of the Hong family to Hong Hai. However, this did not mean he would allow anyone to tarnish the Hong family’s reputation.

Hong Xiong looked at A-Xing. "A-Xing, when you married, I remember telling you that once you left, you should not return. Do you remember?"

"I remember." A-Xing lowered her head timidly.

"Since you remember, why did you come back?" Hong Xiong’s expression was stern. "Even if you returned, it would be fine. But why did you get involved with Hong Hai? How does this show gratitude to the Hong family that raised you?"

A-Xing hurriedly said, "Uncle Hong, after I married, I never thought of returning. Later, my husband was killed by his enemies, and my clan members seized our property. I had no children and was driven out. They did not return my dowry either. I had nowhere to go, so I came seeking help. I originally had no other intentions; I only wanted to retrieve my dowry."

"Hmm. Retrieving your dowry is fine. But why did you end up with Hong Hai?" Hong Xiong asked coldly.

A-Xing bit her lip. "I did not expect that Brother Hong Hai had been looking for me all along."

"Heh." Hong Xiong had nothing more to say. He knew his son’s character well. Hong Hai was usually shrewd, but his only weakness was his soft heart regarding A-Xing.

Hong Xiong sighed. "Everyone says family shame should not be exposed, but I must explain some things. A-Xing is the orphan of an old friend of mine. She grew up with Hong Hai. We originally treated her as a daughter. Hong Hai was engaged to the daughter of the Xing family, who is now my daughter-in-law, since childhood. However, as they grew up, youthful infatuation occurred. But our Hong family knows right from wrong. If it were another girl, Hong Hai could have taken her as a concubine. But A-Xing is different. She was entrusted to me by my friend on her deathbed. I could not let her become my son’s concubine; that would be too disrespectful to my friend. So, I arranged a marriage for her, and she married as soon as she reached the appropriate age. I will not say more about what happened afterward."

Having said this, Hong Xiong looked at Hong Hai. "Hong Hai, what do you plan to do?"

"Father, A-Xing is carrying your grandson," Hong Hai said. "I cannot abandon A-Xing, and A-Xing cannot be without me."

"Then you must step down as head of the family and give the position to Hong Lei," Hong Xiong decided directly.

Hong Hai paused, his face filled with disbelief. "Father, what did you say? You want me to give up the position of head of the family to Hong Lei?"

"The men of the Hong family can have multiple wives and concubines, but they must have responsibility. Although A-Xing is not your biological sister, she was raised by the Hong family and can be considered an adopted daughter. Since you are already involved, I cannot separate you. Therefore, A-Xing can enter the family as a concubine."