Chapter 13

“Daughter, what’s going on with Uncle today? Wasn’t it agreed beforehand that Uncle, as the eldest of the Yu family, would announce the marriage in front of everyone at today’s banquet?”

“How come it’s turned into allegations of inadequate hospitality? Isn’t this putting the Ji family in a difficult position? As an elder, why didn’t you even mention the marriage issue? Uncle Ji didn’t look happy when he left.”

After the dispersal of the Yu family banquet, Yu Lingxiao couldn’t resist asking urgently upon returning home.

Seeing her son’s agitation resembling ants on a hot pot, Yu’s mother, Sun Yuanniang, calmly said, “Look at how anxious you are. You’re already a scholar, yet you lack composure.”

Yu Lingxiao suppressed his impatience and softened his tone, “It’s just you here, no one else.”

Sun Yuanniang smiled at her son’s urgency and gestured for him to come closer. “Erlang, come here.”

She pushed a box on the table towards him. “Take a look at what this is.”

Yu Lingxiao opened the box, puzzled, and took out a translucent jade pendant.

“The quality of this jade, who sent it?”

Sun Yuanniang’s joy on her face increased. “It was sent by Magistrate Xue, as a congratulatory gift for you.”

“Since you were anxious about why I didn’t mention your marriage at the banquet, I’ll explain it to you nicely.”

“Today, what the eldest said wasn’t wrong. My son, at such a young age, has already passed the imperial examination. His career prospects are promising, not to mention his handsome appearance. Such talent is rare in the examination halls.”

Yu Lingxiao immediately understood his mother’s implication but still said, “I don’t understand how this relates to the Ji family’s marriage.”

“My son, now that your career is promising, how can you settle for an ordinary family like the Yu family? The Ji family may be respectable in our village, but what about outside? Can they pave the way for your future?”

“You want to cancel the marriage?”

Yu Lingxiao blurted out, then quickly added, “No, this can’t be done! Apart from Taoyu and me being childhood sweethearts, the Ji family has been good to us over the years. Everyone in the village knows about this marriage. If we cancel it abruptly, it will cause much gossip. Besides, if I become an official in the future, it will tarnish my reputation.”

“Mother, both emotionally and logically, we can’t do that.”

“Look at how anxious you are. When did I say we should cancel the marriage? Listen to me explain the pros and cons.”

Sun Yuanniang smiled and said, “Magistrate Xue appreciates you. He even sent gifts today. Moreover, their daughter Yunying is still unmarried. Isn’t this a clear hint?”

“Although the magistrate’s position is not high, I’ve heard that his family has been officials for generations, with a wide network. If my son can have a powerful in-law family, his future career path will undoubtedly be smoother. This is a rare opportunity!”

She looked at Yu Lingxiao, warning, “Although becoming a scholar is impressive, there are many scholars in Jiangnan who end up poor due to lack of planning. Erlang, if you don’t seize the opportunity that comes knocking, you’ll regret it later.”

“The Xue family probably just wants to see how you perform in the imperial examination, weighing the pros and cons. How about this? My son will fully prepare for the imperial examination. If things don’t work out with the Xue family after the examination, we can still marry into the Ji family as planned. If you still have feelings for Taoyu, that’s fine. Men often have multiple wives and concubines. By then, you’ll be an accomplished scholar, and it won’t be unfair to him.”

Yu Lingxiao hesitated for a moment. “Taoyu is the only child in the Lirong family. How could they agree to let her become a concubine?”

Although Yu Lingxiao didn’t agree outright, his reaction wasn’t strong, indicating his tacit approval of keeping another option open.

Sun Yuanniang felt relieved and consoled him, “Silly child, although the Ji family cherishes their only son, who would refuse to gain some benefits through their child? The Ji family probably can’t wait to rely on your influence and taxation. Wasn’t that their intention from the beginning?”

“Giving yourself to someone young is not the same as giving yourself to those old fogies with big bellies. It’s not flattering. But anger still needs to be expressed. You have to put on a show, otherwise, people outside will talk. You understand his intentions.”

Yu Lingxiao remained silent without responding.

Seeing this, Sun Yuanniang turned to earnestly say, “Lingxiao, raising your sister to marry and supporting your education alone as a widow, do you think it’s easy?”

“For these years, you’ve only focused on studying, but do you know the hardships I’ve endured? Your uncles look down on our family. After your father passed away, not only did they not pity us as orphans and widows, but they also ridiculed us. When times were tough, I had to endure the pain and arrange for you to marry into the Ji family, just to get their support.”

“If your academic achievements were weaker, even if you became just a scholar, I wouldn’t have thought about it. But considering the care the Ji family has shown us over the years, I couldn’t ignore it. But since fate has blessed you with such talent, with such a great opportunity in front of us, we can’t afford to let it slip away. If one doesn’t look out for oneself, heaven and earth will not spare them. We’re just planning another path for ourselves.”

Seeing the cunning look on his mother’s face, Yu Lingxiao asked, “So, was Uncle’s speech today intended to keep the Ji family in check?”

“To stabilize the Ji family first, don’t we need more time?” Sun Yuanniang looked pained. “Lingxiao, you wouldn’t want to make your mother sad, would you?”

“We’re not giving up on Taoyu, just delaying it a bit, that’s all. There’s no difference. By then, we’ll treat you and her even better.”

Yu Lingxiao struggled inwardly, at an age full of aspirations for a grand future, but also at the age of budding love, fearing to lose his beloved because of his prospects.

Seeing this, Sun Yuanniang knew her son had taken it in. She held Yu Lingxiao’s hand and said, “Lingxiao, don’t blame your mother for being calculating and lacking in sentimentality. The three of us have come this far, not easily.”

“Do you know how much money it takes for each pen and paper, or for buying books? The expenses for education are like flowing water. If I didn’t plan ahead, how could I afford to support you until you pass the imperial examination? Our lives have just started to improve. We can’t slack off.”

Yu Lingxiao’s eyes turned red. He knew about the sacrifices his sister had made for his education.

Because of this, he struggled and felt heartache more than ever. “I know, Mother.”

“The son couldn’t help but advise, ‘Alright, alright! How long have you been cursing at the courtyard? Aren’t you afraid of getting yourself worked up, or worse, letting little Taoyu hear?’

Although Ji Yangzong’s demeanor remained unchanged upon hearing this, he still glanced in the direction of Taoyu’s bedroom, then slammed his hand on the table edge. ‘I must go to the Yu family and get some clarity!’

‘Are you really going to interrogate them?’

‘The eldest of the Yu family spoke today, and Yu Lingxiao and his mother pretended not to hear anything. Isn’t it obvious they intend to destroy the bridge after crossing the river? Don’t I have the token of love to prove it? Even if I report them to the authorities, it’s valid.’

Huang Manjing grabbed Ji Yangzong, speaking coldly, ‘Considering the attitude of the Yu family today, this is no longer a good marriage.’

‘Even if we force the Yu family, they will still be unwilling. Even if Taoyu marries into their family now, will she have a good life?’

These words woke him up from his reverie, and Ji Yangzong quieted down at his wife’s words.

‘Are you doing this for the Yu family’s power or for Taoyu? I think you’ve forgotten.’

After a moment of silence, Ji Yangzong restrained his anger and said remorsefully, ‘I was really foolish. To fight for a moment of pride, I almost rushed to force the marriage. My father-in-law warned me not to do this.’

He realized, ‘In the end, my father-in-law sees things more clearly.’

Huang Manjing held Ji Yangzong’s hand. ‘Yangzong, I am ashamed that I only gave birth to one child for you, and Taoyu’s health is not good. It’s all my fault. But he was born fragile. If his in-laws are not kind, how can he live?’

Ji Yangzong hurriedly said, ‘Even though we have only one child, I have never felt regretful. Taoyu’s poor health is not your fault; he was born this way.’

‘I know your concerns. Rest assured, I have never forgotten the original intention of arranging Taoyu’s marriage. I will never let Taoyu suffer for the sake of temporary power and benefits.’

Huang Manjing’s eyes teared up slightly.

Ji Yangzong said, ‘The Yu family can’t pretend not to understand. If they keep dragging their feet on the marriage, if they don’t give a definite answer in the next few days, we will go to the Yu family together. Whether it’s to proceed or to break off the engagement, there will be a clear result.’

Inside the house, although Ji Taoyu didn’t hear the argument outside, she wasn’t feeling particularly happy at the moment.

She stayed in her room, leaning against the chair, staring absentmindedly at the poems and notes on the dressing table, as well as some envelopes piled underneath, feeling a myriad of emotions.

Coming back from the Yu family’s banquet, although her parents didn’t say anything in front of her, she knew they were not happy.

Her father cared a lot about his reputation. He had originally thought today would be a grand occasion, but unexpectedly, it was secretly sabotaged. How could he not be angry?

Yu Erlang didn’t announce the marriage at the banquet, and the eldest still used the same excuses. It was a slap in her father’s face. Others might think the two families had agreed to prioritize the imperial examination, postponing the marriage until after the exams. Little did they know that the Yu family had previously promised to marry her off as soon as Yu Lingxiao passed the imperial examination. They were now at a loss.”

Yuju’s attitude was clear, but You Lingxiao didn’t say anything. The fact that he hadn’t come to explain anything at this point indicated his approval.

Although Taoyu didn’t feel any heart-wrenching pain, she felt uncomfortable.

Can fame and fortune really make people betray their principles and change so drastically?

Clearly, when he visited the house the other day, he had told her they would have a big feast and announce something important.

Not only his parents but even he himself had assumed that today the Yu family would announce their engagement.

But things had turned out differently today, and pretending not to be disappointed would be fake.

Taoyu wondered whether he was really in a difficult situation or if he had truly changed his mind.

As he was lost in thought, there were two knocks on the window.

Taoyu snapped back to attention and looked over cautiously, realizing it wasn’t just his imagination—the window was actually moving. He slowly moved towards the window.

“Any news?”

The window opened, and a voice came down. It startled Ji Taoyu, making his hand tremble as he instinctively closed the window. Something got caught under the window sill, pushing back against him.

He looked down and saw four fingers caught. He quickly let go: “Are you okay?”

Huo Shu pulled back his hand, flexing his fingers: “Luckily, they’re not broken.”

Taoyu blushed slightly with guilt, but then he thought about it—this person had intruded into his home and got his hand caught. It wasn’t entirely his fault.

So he furrowed his brow and questioned, “What are you doing here?”

He nervously looked around.

Outside his window was a narrow pathway with a few peach and plum trees. Since there was usually no one passing by, it was quite secluded. However, with the high courtyard walls at home, it was surprising that this person had managed to enter so quietly, enough to startle anyone.

Huo Shu crossed his arms. “I was afraid you’d be too caught up in your own troubles to remember my request.”

Taoyu turned back at his words and couldn’t help but glare at Huo Shu, his gaze narrowing slightly.

Why didn’t the window also catch this person’s mouth?

“Huo Yishi, since you know I’m troubled, yet you’re heartless enough to let me busy myself with other matters.”

Huo Shu’s expression hardened at the sarcastic remark. “In that case, I’ll go teach the person who’s causing you sorrow a lesson, and once you’re relieved, you can help me out.”

Seeing Huo Shu clench his fist, Taoyu heard the creaking of his fingers and quickly added, “Assaulting someone will land you in big trouble!”

Huo Shu glanced at Taoyu with a hint of urgency in his eyes. “Are you worried about me getting into trouble, or are you concerned about You Lingxiao getting hurt?”

Taoyu hesitated for a moment, realizing he didn’t know how to respond. This question seemed illogical.

This man seemed cold and serious, yet he could also joke around.

Taoyu pursed his lips unhappily, not saying anything. Men really aren’t trustworthy.