Chapter 124: Refusing the Marriage Proposal with the Song Family

Ye Chutang instructed the coachman to turn around and head towards a restaurant near Huating Academy.

She threw the bundle containing her wet clothes to the bodyguard following the carriage.

“You go back to the mansion first, and tell my father that Jun’er and I are fine. We’ll be back before dinner.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Only two bodyguards followed the carriage back to the mansion.

The others, when the storm hadn’t stopped, had already hidden. They figured that if Ye Chutang and Ye Anjun were safe, they would just stay at the mansion and cry for help.

If the two siblings were in danger, they would flee and disappear.

Ye Chutang had no time to care about the bodyguards. Before the officials finished their inspection of Yunyin Lake, she had already left.

The carriage rocked slightly and stopped not long after.

“Miss Ye, we’ve arrived at the restaurant.”

Ye Chutang jumped down from the carriage, then carried Jun’er down and entered the restaurant.

It was just past midnight, after the dinner hour, so the restaurant wasn’t crowded.

From the customers to the manager and the servants, everyone had an air of scholarly refinement.

Though this would usually clash with the bustling nature of a restaurant, it somehow felt harmonious.

“Waiter, my younger brother is injured. Please bring two simple and light meat dishes.”

The waiter, a student from Huating Academy, immediately recognized Ye Chutang, who was famous throughout the capital.

He respectfully recommended several dishes suitable for someone who was unwell.

Ye Chutang selected two dishes. “Make sure the food is cooked softer, so it’s easier to eat.”

Jun’er had an injury on his neck, so chewing hard would hinder his recovery.

The waiter nodded. “Miss Ye, please wait a moment, the dishes will be ready shortly.”

After acknowledging him, Ye Chutang asked, “Is there a ready-made clothing shop nearby?”

“There is one. If you walk fifty steps east, you’ll find a shop. However, they mostly sell simple scholar’s robes.”

“Thank you.”

After finishing their lunch, Ye Chutang and Jun’er visited the ready-made clothing shop.

When visiting Huating Academy, they couldn’t wear anything too shabby.

Although the restaurant’s spare clothes weren’t bad, they weren’t formal enough.

After changing into more scholarly attire, the siblings headed for Huating Academy.

Huating Academy had strict management, and not just anyone could enter.

However, Ye Chutang was so famous that after explaining her purpose, the doorman didn’t dare to refuse.

“Miss Ye, please wait a moment, I’ll notify the headmaster.”

Soon after, Song Zhiyan personally came to greet them at the door.

Seeing the clothes Ye Chutang was wearing, he thought she had changed her mind and was willing to become a teacher at the girls’ school.

“Miss Ye, please come in.”

Ye Chutang, carrying Jun’er, entered the academy and followed Song Zhiyan to the front hall.

Song Zhiyan instructed a servant to make tea.

“Miss Ye, I’m curious about the sudden visit today. What brings you here?”

Ye Chutang glanced at Jun’er.

“My younger brother has a talent for studying. Once his health improves, I would like him to attend Huating Academy. I wonder if Headmaster Song would be willing to accept him?”

As for the admission process, Song Zhiyan was always fair and impartial, and would not make exceptions for anyone.

“Miss Ye, I’m truly sorry. I can’t make the decision on the admission of your younger brother. The academy must first assess his ability and character.”

“Then, what if I agree to teach a calligraphy class every half month?”

Upon hearing this, Song Zhiyan was caught off guard.

He chuckled bitterly. “Miss Ye, you really know how to put me in a difficult position.”

Jun’er stood up from his chair and performed a student’s bow to Song Zhiyan.

“Headmaster Song, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I’ll pass the assessment and join the academy based on my own abilities.”

After a moment of silence, Song Zhiyan looked at Ye Chutang and stepped back.

“Miss Ye, here’s the deal. Others only have one chance to pass the entrance exam, but I’ll offer your younger brother three chances. How does that sound?”

Ye Chutang thought this was a good deal and nodded.

“Alright, Headmaster Song, could you send someone to show Jun’er around the academy first?”

Song Zhiyan noticed that Ye Chutang wanted to speak to him privately.

“Of course.”

He had the servant, Zige, personally take Jun’er to tour the academy.

“Zige, Jun’er is young and injured, so take it slow and be more careful.”

“Rest assured, Miss Ye.”

After Zige took Jun’er away, Song Zhiyan dismissed the remaining servants.

When only he and Ye Chutang were in the hall, he couldn’t wait to ask, “Miss Ye, does this mean you’re willing to become a teacher at the girls’ branch?”

Ye Chutang tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and shook her head.

“No, I came to see Headmaster Song about something else, a private matter.”

Upon hearing the words “private matter,” Song Zhiyan immediately understood what Ye Chutang wanted to discuss.

He didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly, “Miss Ye, I believe you overheard that the Song family is interested in a marriage proposal with the Ye family, and you want to discuss arranging a match between you and my fifth younger brother, right?”

Ye Chutang, seeing that Song Zhiyan was straightforward, nodded.

“Headmaster Song, I have no intention of marrying into the Song family.”

“May I ask why?”

“The Song family is a scholarly family with centuries of tradition, full of rules and many people. I don’t like being restricted or involved in too much family drama.”

Hearing this, Song Zhiyan laughed.

“It seems Miss Ye has a misunderstanding about the Song family.”

Though the Song family was a scholarly family, they weren’t rigid, and they were understanding. Their rules were fewer than those of most families, and they respected women.

It was true that the Song family was large, but the direct and collateral lines rarely interacted, only meeting once a year during ancestral rites.

Most importantly, the men in the direct line of the Song family adhered to propriety, and aside from exceptional circumstances, they would only have one wife in their lifetime.

Ye Chutang was stunned after hearing Song Zhiyan’s explanation.

The Song family’s ancestors, like hers, must have come from a highly developed society, right?

She couldn’t believe that men and women were truly equal, and that there was a one-wife system!

Song Zhiyan continued, “Miss Ye, my fifth younger brother went abroad to study when he was very young. He has seen much of the world, is open-minded, and is not restricted by any rules. If you marry him, you will be free.”

Ye Chutang thought that marrying Song Jingning actually didn’t sound too bad.

This fifth Song son seemed to be an ideal partner.

But she knew very well that no matter how enlightened the Song family was or how broad-minded Song Jingning was, he would never accept a woman who already had a child with another man.

She wasn’t considering finding a stepfather for her child at the moment.

“Headmaster Song, the Song family is excellent, and your fifth younger brother is also very good, but we’re not a good match. I’m sorry.”

Song Zhiyan, seeing that he hadn’t been able to persuade Ye Chutang, was a bit regretful.

He continued to argue, “Miss Ye, I think you’re being hasty. You haven’t met my fifth younger brother or gotten to know him yet. You can’t judge whether you’re compatible so quickly. He’ll be in the capital tomorrow…”

Before he could finish, Song Jingning’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Big Brother, I’m here!”