Chapter 18

Tao Yu sat on the bed wrapped in a blanket, rolling his eyes gently in front of the copper flower mirror while peeling a boiled egg.

His heart was beating fast, his emotions were somewhat stable, but occasionally he would tremble.

Huang Manjing sat at one end, peeling eggs, while Ji Yangzong paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, furrowing his brow. The room was quiet, yet the silence spoke volumes.

Ji Yangzong was filled with anger, itching to curse the ancestors of the Yu family, but seeing his son in such a state made him hesitate to speak for fear of further upsetting him.

He frowned at the black long silk cloth hanging on the clothes rack, looking at it strangely, as if it didn’t belong to his son.

Just as he was about to ask if Tao Yu had gone to his grandfather’s place, before he could speak, he was reprimanded by his own wife.

“Don’t keep pacing around like that, your eyes will get tired.”

Huang Manjing blew gently on the peeled egg, then approached Tao Yu, gently rolling his eyes that were as red as blood, feeling heartbroken, and began to blame Ji Yangzong even more.

At this moment, it was not appropriate to say anything about this family matter, so he could only criticize Ji Yangzong indirectly.

Ji Yangzong knew his wife was upset, so he remained silent.

Approaching, he looked at Tao Yu’s face, cold and with red eyes, and said softly, “Dad will definitely go and seek justice for you. This Yu Erlang is despicable.”

“I’m not sad anymore.”

Tao Yu sniffed, intending to sound more determined, but unfortunately his voice still sounded weak.

Ji Yangzong said nothing, just sighed softly. Tao Yu’s appearance of pretending not to be sad was not convincing at all.

Tao Yu knew his father didn’t believe him, so he put down the egg in his hand and grabbed Ji Yangzong’s hand, “Dad, don’t go to the Yu family to cause trouble.”

“You still think for their family. They are ungrateful and have completely forgotten our family.”

“I’m not defending them.”

Tao Yu said, “The Ji family and the Yu family have been rooted in the village for so many years. If Dad causes trouble, it will be a joke to everyone, and in the future, both families will still have to live in the village.”

“He… he has gained favor with the magistrate.”

Ji Yangzong’s hand paused, feeling a chill all over his body.

Instantly understanding Tao Yu’s meaning.

He felt depressed, no wonder things had been going wrong these days, it turned out there was a big event happening.

“In the past, Sun Yuan Niang came to our house looking pitiful, saying that Wang’s wife in the village was spreading rumors about her, ruining her reputation. I thought she would serve her husband wholeheartedly after marrying into the Yu family, and would teach her children well, but Wang Juyan exaggerated her faults and caused trouble for Sun Yuan Niang. Unexpectedly, she was not innocent. Now Yu Lingxiao has learned to curry favor and manipulate situations.”

Ji Yangzong regretted deeply, almost making a mistake that would have affected his son’s entire life.

“These years, this mother and son duo have been humble in front of the Ji family, pretending to be pitiful, but now they have risen to prominence, revealing their true nature in an instant.”

Even though Ji Yangzong was of this age, he couldn’t help but sigh about human nature again.

Now the situation was tricky. Even though he had evidence against the Yu family, tearing his face apart might not bring much benefit. It’s just that the Yu family was cunning, and they had gained favor with the magistrate.

When Yu Lingxiao was a scholar, he had mentioned him to the magistrate, but because Yu Lingxiao was his prospective son-in-law, he didn’t want to recommend him to avoid suspicion.

He didn’t put much effort into it, but he didn’t expect Yu Lingxiao to have secretly been in contact with the Xue family long ago, and even hid it from him. If it weren’t for Tao Yu seeing it in the city today, he wouldn’t have known how capable Yu Lingxiao had become.

This Xue magistrate was not a good person. If he really had intentions for his daughter and Yu Lingxiao, he wouldn’t have been oblivious to whether Yu Lingxiao was engaged.

Thinking about this, his back couldn’t help but feel cold.

How could the people contend against the officials?

If he causes a scene, he’ll offend the magistrate, and in the future, he might be subject to hidden troubles and unknown retaliation.

If the Ji family only had him, they could afford to quarrel with the Yu family for the sake of pride. However, the Ji family had several other branches. It was not solely his achievement to move up in the ranks, but also the effort of the entire Ji clan.

He couldn’t just think about his own family and ignore the entire Ji clan.

Ji Yangzong didn’t expect things to develop like this. He felt bitter in his heart. “Little Peach, it’s your father’s incompetence that has wronged you like this.”

“Dad, what are you saying? I don’t feel particularly wronged. Knowing his true nature earlier is better than regretting it after stepping into that family’s door.”

Ji Yangzong’s gaze turned cold as he looked at his son’s flushed eyes. Although he felt countless grievances in his heart and wanted to cause trouble for the Yu family, he was unwilling to sacrifice his only child for the sake of the clan’s interests, nor could he ruin the clan for his own pride.

“Now that things have come to this, we can only go along with the Yu family’s wishes… We… will annul the engagement!”

Upon hearing this, Ji Taoyu and Huang Manjing both looked up at Ji Yangzong.

Huang Manjing hesitated, “If it’s really like this, I’m afraid there will be discussions outside. People will inevitably speculate about the reasons for breaking off the engagement between the two families, and then Taoyu’s reputation…”

“If we don’t take this step, the Yu family will continue to delay, and it will be Taoyu who suffers. Now that they have climbed up to the Xue household, even if we don’t annul the engagement now, we will have to do so eventually.”

Huang Manjing’s heart turned cold.

“Right now, by annulling the engagement, we still have some initiative. If we drag it on, when the Xue household intervenes, how will our Ji family handle it?”

Seeing this, Ji Taoyu said firmly, “The Yu family is able to manipulate the situation like this because they know we dare not risk damaging our reputation by breaking the engagement. And now they’ve also gained the support of the Xue family. Even if they know that Yu Lingxiao is already engaged, they are still sticking together. I voluntarily annul the engagement to accommodate them.”

“If other families refuse to marry into ours because of my broken engagement, I accept it.

Huang Manjing heard Tao Yu’s words and also made up her mind: “Since you don’t feel reluctant, then your parents won’t let you continue to be trapped in the Yu family and endure their mistreatment.”

…

“Why did I get pricked by a needle so badly? It’s just a small cloth shop, how come the assistant’s cleaning is so sloppy.”

In the afternoon, Yu Lingxiao limped back from the city, looking at the large bruise on his son’s leg, she hurriedly went to get medicinal wine to apply on it.

“I have to go to the ten-mile cloth shop to find them.”

“Why bother going? Isn’t it embarrassing enough to stay there? Miss Xue went back and hid in the house. Her temper is too arrogant. Fortunately, the magistrate didn’t blame her.”

Yu Lingxiao grunted and frowned at Sun Yuanniang, “This medicinal wine is not effective, mother, bring the small porcelain bottle from my room.”

Sun Yuanniang brought the bottle as instructed and reapplied it to the bruise on Yu Lingxiao’s leg.

Yu Lingxiao sighed, “Tao Yu’s medicine has always been effective. It should be better in a day or two.”

“He’s only good at playing with his medicine pot.”

Yu Lingxiao said, “I’ll still go to the Ji family later.”

Sun Yuanniang said unhappily, “Your leg is injured like this, and you still want to go out. Stay at home this afternoon, read some books, don’t delay your studies. Wait until your leg is better before going out, it’s not too late, and you’re all within the village.”

Today, Yu Lingxiao had a contact with Xue Hanxue. Although the magistrate was kind, unfortunately, the temperament of that young lady was not favorable towards him.

Comparing this, he increasingly felt that Tao Yu was better.

“Before, when I passed the provincial exam, mother didn’t let me go to the Ji family immediately. Uncle Ji already had some opinions about me. If I don’t apologize to him in the village, it might cause trouble.”

“What trouble? The Yu and Ji families have been evenly matched for years. You are now a juren, and the Ji family, even with the title of li zheng, cannot surpass us. If you marry into the Xue family in the future, the title of li zheng will still be up to you to decide.”

“Now the Yu family is probably anxious that you won’t want their daughter. Being a little cold will let them know who is in charge. If you’re too eager, it will only make them feel smug.”

Yu Lingxiao sighed lightly. Upon careful consideration, this was also good. He would wait until his leg was better in a few days before seeing Tao Yu, so as not to let him see his current embarrassed state.

As the two finished speaking, there was a knocking at the door in the courtyard.

“Who is it?”

Sun Yuanniang put down the porcelain bottle and said, “It’s probably that Xia Ge from your aunt’s family again. He always likes to stick around, don’t you know.”

“He still expects to marry you, but he can’t even recognize two big characters, and he’s vulgar and lacks manners, not like the one from the Ji family.”

Yu Lingxiao said, “My cousin didn’t seem to come when the family held a banquet.”

“Your aunt said he caught a cold.”

Sun Yuanniang grumbled in the room, hesitated for a while before going to open the door. “Come in.”

Yu Lingxiao sighed, tidied up the bottles and jars on the table, pulled down his pants, and straightened his clothes.

He heard his mother say outside, “How come Li Zheng Huang is here? Is it about this year’s taxes?”

Yu Lingxiao’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t expected anyone from the Ji family to come over, especially since their family shouldn’t have to pay taxes this year.

In a moment, Sun Yuanniang led Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing into the room.

Yu Lingxiao quickly greeted them with a smile and invited them to sit down.

Ji Yangzong saw Yu Lingxiao in the room and said, “Lingxiao is here too, perfect.”

After everyone was seated, Ji Yangzong didn’t speak immediately but pushed a box over to Yu Lingxiao.

Yu Lingxiao didn’t understand, but he took the box and opened it, finding a red heart-shaped knot inside.

He immediately recognized what it was. When the two families were engaged, they didn’t have much money for proper gifts, so he handmade this heart-shaped knot as a token of their engagement, to express his sincerity.

Sun Yuanniang saw the heart-shaped knot at a glance, and her face darkened slightly.

Originally, when the Ji family was in power and the Yu family was indifferent, this was the only assurance they could grasp onto as orphans and a widow. Letting Lingxiao give an engagement token was just to provide themselves with a bit more security.

But unexpectedly, it also planted the seeds of the most unfavorable disaster. She knew the Ji family would use this engagement token to pressure them. With this thing, if the two families couldn’t resolve it and went to the authorities, the magistrate would have to take it seriously.

Despite the Ji family’s usual air of aloofness, when it came to their interests, they were still shameless enough to bring things over to force a marriage.

Sun Yuanniang couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

Yu Lingxiao glanced at his mother, then gently closed the box. He was also displeased with the Ji family’s hasty behavior, but he didn’t explode. Instead, he showed respect:

“Uncle Ji, I’ve never forgotten about the marriage with Taoyu. Originally, I was going to announce the marriage at a grand feast, but with the county exam imminent, I had to leave early in the year to rush to the exam and prepare for it. If we were to hold the wedding, the timing would be very tight.”

“Uncle’s family has treated me with great kindness, and I want to give Taoyu the best wedding. That’s why I didn’t want to rush into it hastily. Originally, I should have discussed it with Uncle and Aunt earlier, but unfortunately, I injured my leg a bit and didn’t have the chance…”

Ji Yangzong didn’t bother listening to the excuse riddled with holes and went straight to the point: “Lingxiao has now passed the county exam, but he’s still young and has a bright future ahead. Our Ji family is just a rural household, with some meager assets, but we also know that a small temple cannot accommodate a great Buddha.”

“We came today to discuss with the Yu family. Considering the lack of consideration in this marriage from years ago, it’s now very inappropriate. In order not to delay both sides any further, please take back this heart-shaped knot.”

Yu Lingxiao and Sun Yuanniang were both stunned to hear that the Ji family was actually here to annul the engagement.

Feeling anxious, Yu Lingxiao hadn’t considered severing the marital relationship with the Ji family. After all, he had grown up with Taoyu and genuinely liked her.

Just as he was about to speak to persuade her, Sun Yuanni firmly held his hand, forbidding him to speak, and took the box back. “What Li said is that marriage is a matter of mutual consent. If one party refuses and the other insists, the two children may not get along well.”

“These years, thanks to Li’s care, the marriage is according to Li’s wishes. Yu Lingxiao has a good appearance and medical skills, so he should be matched with a good family. Since Li has this intention, we shouldn’t delay Yu Lingxiao.”

After speaking, Sun Yuanni took out a sizable purse and pushed it over. “In the past, our family was tight on money, and it was thanks to Li’s help that Lingxiao has what he has today. This is just a small token of appreciation. I hope Li and Mrs. Huang won’t look down on it.”

Huang Manjing looked at the fifty taels of silver in the purse and sneered, “Madam Sun is quite generous. However, as Li is a member of the Ji family, there are young people in the village who are literate and knowledgeable. It is only right to help and support them. Madam Sun doesn’t need to be so polite.”

Seeing how straightforward Sun Yuanni’s response was, Ji Yangzong suspected that they had long hoped for their family to come and cancel the engagement.

There was no longer the politeness and respect as before when he hadn’t succeeded in the imperial examination, just a sense of the coldness of the world.

Since he understood the nature of the Yu family, he didn’t want to say much. He said, “Now that everything has been clarified, we won’t disturb Yu Lingxiao’s studies. We only hope that he will succeed in the imperial examination, so that Mingxun Village can hold its head high.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Li.”

Sun Yuanni said, “By the way, to prevent gossip about Yu Lingxiao, we need to clarify this matter publicly. We can’t let others think the engagement is still on, delaying Yu Lingxiao’s search for another family.”

“Madam Sun’s consideration is thoughtful. I will mention it at the next meeting, where all important matters will be announced.”

“That’s even better.”

Seeing Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing about to leave after they finished speaking, Yu Lingxiao became anxious and chased after them. “Uncle Ji, Auntie!”

Sun Yuanni, seeing this, firmly grasped Yu Lingxiao’s arm and signaled him not to create unnecessary trouble.

Just as Yu Lingxiao hesitated, Ji Yangzong, with his back turned, said, “Lingxiao, your mother has raised you to this day, which hasn’t been easy. Filial piety comes first. Listen to her words well, and you’ll have a bright future. From now on, focus on your studies wholeheartedly. You don’t need to come to our house again and waste your time, worrying your mother.”

After speaking, the couple walked away.

“Uncle Ji, Uncle Ji!”

Sun Yuanni said, “They’re far gone, why are you still calling?”

“Mom! Why did you really let Uncle Ji cancel the engagement?”

Yu Lingxiao complained as he saw he couldn’t catch up with them.

Sun Yuanni chuckled, “Do you really think the Ji family genuinely wanted to cancel the engagement? They just noticed you liked their family member, so they thought of using withdrawal as a means to push you further.”

“If you show that you can’t live without them now, wouldn’t that be exactly what they want? They’ll be sure to have you tightly under their control in the future.”

Yu Lingxiao furrowed his brow, “But they returned the token of our engagement, why would they do this?”

“Ji Yangzong has been the steward in the village for so many years, he’s quite cunning. Initially, he valued your talent, so he arranged the engagement. Now that it’s time to reap the benefits, would he really cancel the engagement just like that? Their family’s fields still rely on your protection from taxes. It’s almost October, can he afford not to be anxious? This is just a move.”

“Don’t act impulsively for a moment. Let’s wait and see. They’ll be sure to drag on the cancellation of both engagements and wait for our family to change our minds.”

Yu Lingxiao relaxed upon hearing Sun Yuanni’s analysis.

“I must succeed in the imperial examination!”

Seeing the Yu couple entering the Yu family with items in their hands, and Ji family leaving with grim faces and empty hands, someone hiding in the shadows guessed that the situation had been settled, so they came out.

Huo Shu, watching the departing couple, admired the Ji family’s willingness to give up benefits for the sake of their child and voluntarily cancel the engagement with the Yu family. This made him look at them differently.

However, whether he admired them or not was irrelevant. What mattered was that the little troublemaker had finally been kicked out of the Yu family by the surname Yu.