Chapter 13
“Mother, what was up with Elder Uncle today? Didn’t we agree that Elder Uncle, as the eldest son of the You family, would announce the marriage at the banquet in front of everyone today?”
“How did it turn into an excuse about being unprepared to host, which would offend the Ji family? Why didn’t you, as an elder, mention the marriage at all? Father Ji’s face looked awful when he left.”
After the You family banquet dispersed, You Lingxiao, upon returning home, could no longer hold back his urgent questions.
You Mother Sun Yuanniang looked at her son, who was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and calmly said, “Look at how agitated you are. You’re already a scholar, yet you have no composure.”
You Lingxiao suppressed his impatience and softened his tone, “It’s just you here, Mother. There’s no one else.”
Sun Yuanniang smiled upon hearing this and beckoned, “Second son, come here.”
Sun Yuanniang pushed a box on the table forward, “Look at what this is?”
You Lingxiao opened the box with confusion and took out a transparent jade pendant.
“Such quality! Who sent this?”
Sun Yuanniang’s joy increased, “It’s from the prefectural governor Xue’s estate, sent as a congratulatory gift for you.”
“Since you’re so anxious and asking why I didn’t mention your marriage at the banquet, I’ll explain it to you properly.”
“What the eldest son said today was not wrong. My son is young and has already passed the imperial examination. His career is just beginning. Not to mention his handsome appearance, how many such talents are there in the examination halls?”
You Lingxiao immediately understood his mother’s intention but still said, “I don’t understand what these things Mother is saying have to do with the marriage with the Ji family.”
“My son, your career is just beginning. How can you be carelessly buried in such an ordinary family as your in-laws!”
Sun Yuanniang said, “The Ji family is considered respectable in our village, but what are they outside of this village? In the future, can your Ji family pave the way for you?”
“Mother, do you mean you want to break off the engagement?”
As soon as You Lingxiao spoke, he immediately added, “No, this is absolutely not possible! Not to mention that Tao Yu and I grew up together and love each other. The village head has been good to our family all these years. Everyone in the village knows about this engagement. If we break it off rashly, it will cause much gossip. If I become an official later, it will also affect my character and reputation.”
“Mother, we cannot do that, neither emotionally nor logically.”
“Look how anxious you are. When did I say we should break off the engagement? Listen to me explain the pros and cons.”
Sun Yuanniang chuckled, “The prefectural governor appreciates you greatly. He even sent someone with gifts today. And his daughter is unmarried. Isn’t this a clear hint?”
“Although the position of prefectural governor isn’t a high one, I’ve heard that the Xue family has been officials for generations and has extensive connections, which is even better than some higher-ranking officials. If my son can have a capable father-in-law, his future career will surely be smoother. This is a rare opportunity!”
She looked at You Lingxiao and cautioned, “Although passing the imperial examination is already remarkable, there are not one or two scholars in Jiangnan City. Many who don’t plan wisely end up in destitution. Second son, if you don’t seize the opportunities that come your way, you’ll regret it later.”
“The Xue family hasn’t spoken explicitly because they want to see how you do in the Spring Imperial Examination. They are weighing the pros and cons. How about this: you focus all your efforts on preparing for the Spring Examination. If the matter with the Xue family doesn’t work out after the Spring Examination, we will still marry the Ji family’s son. If it works out, it’s fine if you still want Tao Yu. Men can have multiple wives and concubines. At that time, you’ll be a Jinshi, and it won’t be an injustice to him.”
You Lingxiao hesitated for a moment, “The village head only has Tao Yu as his child. How could he be willing to let Tao Yu be a secondary wife?”
Sun Yuanniang saw that although You Lingxiao hadn’t agreed, his reaction wasn’t that strong, so she took it as him accepting the idea of keeping another option open.
She was pleased and comforted him, “Silly child, although the Ji family only has one son in this branch, and they dote on him, who would be unwilling to profit from their child? The Ji family is probably desperately waiting to rely on your patronage for tax relief. Didn’t they seek this from the beginning?”
“Being a secondary wife to you is not like being a secondary wife to those old men twice your age. It’s not demeaning. However, you still have to show some displeasure. You have to put on a show, otherwise, people outside will talk. You know his intentions, that’s enough.”
You Lingxiao remained silent.
Seeing this, Sun Yuanniang turned to him with a heartfelt plea, “Lingxiao, do you know how difficult it was for me, a widow, to raise you and have your sister married and support your studies to reach this point?”
“You’ve only focused on your studies all these years. Do you know the hardships I’ve endured? My uncles looked down on our family. After your father passed away, they not only showed no pity for us, a widow and orphans, but they also often mocked us. Life was hard, so I had to reluctantly betroth you to that sickly young man from the Ji family to get their help.”
“If your talent were mediocre, becoming a Xiucai would have been fine. Considering the Ji family’s care over the years, I wouldn’t have thought otherwise. But heaven has taken pity on my son, giving you such talent. We cannot let such a great opportunity pass us by. If one doesn’t look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. We are simply planning another path for ourselves.”
You Lingxiao looked at the shrewd expression on his mother’s face, “So, Elder Uncle’s words today were to stall the Ji family?”
“First, we stabilize the Ji family, and we’ll have more time, right?” Sun Yuanniang looked distressed, “Lingxiao, you wouldn’t want to disappoint Mother, would you?”
“It’s not that we’re not marrying Tao Yu, just a bit later. There’s no difference. It will be better for both you and him then.”
You Lingxiao looked conflicted. He was at the age of youthful ambition, naturally yearning for a grand future. But he was also at the age of first love, afraid of missing his beloved because of his future.
Sun Yuanniang saw this and knew her son had listened. She held You Lingxiao’s hand and said, “Lingxiao, don’t blame me for being calculating and unfeeling. It hasn’t been easy for the three of us to get to where we are today.”
“Do you know how much money it costs to buy books, paper by paper? The expenses of studying are like flowing water. If I didn’t calculate, how could I have supported you through your studies to become a scholar? Life has just started to get better, we cannot be complacent.”
You Lingxiao’s eyes reddened. For his tuition fees back then, his sister was forced into a distant marriage. He knew all this.
Because of this, he struggled and felt heartbroken even more, “I know, Mother.”
Sun Yuanniang wiped her eyes, “Now, only you and I are truly on the same page. Your uncles, they just want to benefit from you. We must step on those who only see profit to go further.”
“Tomorrow, you will go early to thank Governor Xue. You know what to say. When you return, go to the Ji family’s house. We need to keep them stable to avoid any trouble.”
You Lingxiao immediately said, “I’ll go and apologize to Father Ji now.”
Sun Yuanniang called out to him, “You’re tired today. Rest well and go tomorrow. There’s no rush. Besides, your Father Ji is certainly angry right now. Why would you provoke him again? For the sake of the clan, he will understand and dare not offend you.”
You Lingxiao paused, “Alright then.”
…
The Ji household was deathly quiet. Ji Yangzong drank three cups of cold tea in the room facing the courtyard. The autumn wind and rain on his face did not dispel his anger.
“The You family is truly something. Using the imperial examination as a priority, as if their future is more important, they’ve shut everyone up completely, forgetting their fawning faces from before.”
“Scholars are the most heartless! That saying is indeed true. The You family wants to string along our little Tao, but that’s not possible!”
“As long as I’m alive, the You family won’t have an easy time in the village!”
“If our family hadn’t supported them all these years, could You Lingxiao have achieved what he has today?”
Ji Yangzong, furious, kicked the leg of a stool, “I was truly mistaken! I’ve put little Tao in such a predicament today!”
Huang Manjing looked at the man who had been cursing for a while and couldn’t help but persuade, “Alright, alright! You’ve been yelling at the courtyard for so long. Aren’t you afraid of upsetting yourself, let alone letting little Tao hear you?”
Although Ji Yangzong’s anger did not subside, he still looked up at the direction of Tao Yu’s bedroom. Then, he slapped the edge of the table, “I must go to the You family to get a clear explanation!”
“You’re really going to their house to demand an explanation?”
“With what the You family’s eldest son said today, and You Lingxiao and his mother pretending to be deaf and mute, aren’t they deliberately trying to cross the bridge and tear it down? Can’t I demand an explanation?”
“If they dare to deny it now, I have the betrothal gifts. I can even sue him in the yamen.”
Huang Manjing grabbed Ji Yangzong and said coldly, “Given the You family’s attitude today, this is no longer a good marriage.”
“If you force the You family, they will be unwilling. Even if Xiao Tao marries them now, can he have a good life?”
A single sentence awakened the dreamer. Ji Yangzong looked at his wife and suddenly quieted down.
“Did you arrange this marriage for the You family’s influence, or for Xiao Tao? I think you’ve completely forgotten.”
Ji Yangzong paused, suppressed his anger, and admitted with self-reproach, “I’ve truly lost my mind. To fight for pride for a moment, I’m rushing to force the marriage. Father-in-law had just instructed me not to act like this.”
He realized, “After all, Father-in-law sees things more clearly.”
Huang Manjing held Ji Yangzong’s hand, “Yangzong, I’m ashamed that I only gave birth to one child, and Xiao Tao is also sickly. It’s all my fault. But he was born this fragile. If his husband’s family is not kind, how can he survive?”
Ji Yangzong quickly said, “Even if we only have one child, I’ve never regretted it. It’s not your fault that Xiao Tao is unwell. He’s naturally like this.”
“I know your concerns. Don’t worry, I’ve never forgotten the original intention of arranging the marriage for Xiao Tao. I will absolutely not let Xiao Tao suffer for fleeting power and profit.”
Huang Manjing’s eyes were slightly moist.
Ji Yangzong said, “The You family shouldn’t think they can play dumb and stall the marriage. If they don’t give a clear answer within these two days, we’ll go to the You family together. Whether we unite or separate, there will be a clear outcome.”
Although Ji Tao Yu, in the room, couldn’t hear the argument outside, his mood wasn’t very good at the moment.
He stayed in his room, leaning against a chair, gazing thoughtfully at the poetry and jottings on his dressing table, and some letters pressed at the bottom, his heart filled with emotion.
After returning from the You family banquet, although his parents didn’t say anything to him, he knew they were unhappy.
His father valued face the most. He had initially thought today would be a grand occasion, but instead, he was subtly tricked. How could he not be angry?
You Erlang not announcing the marriage at the grand banquet, and the eldest son’s excuse, was already a slap in the face to his father. Others would probably think that the two families had agreed to prioritize the imperial examination and discuss the marriage after the Spring Examination, unaware that the You family had previously agreed to marry after passing the autumn examination. They were now suffering in silence.
Given the You family’s attitude, You Lingxiao said nothing. The fact that he hadn’t come to explain anything at this point showed that he had approved of this.
Although Tao Yu didn’t feel heartbroken, he felt stifled and uncomfortable.
Could fame and fortune truly make people break their promises and change so drastically?
He clearly remembered that when he had visited their home the other day, You Lingxiao had told him to go to the banquet early, as there would be an important announcement.
Not only his parents but he himself had believed that the You family would announce their marriage today.
The situation had turned out like this, and it was hard not to be disappointed.
He wondered if You Lingxiao was facing difficulties, or if he had truly changed his mind.
Just as he was lost in thought, there were two knocks on the window.
Tao Yu snapped back to attention and looked at the window vigilantly. He realized it wasn’t his imagination and the window was indeed moving. He got up and slowly moved towards the window.
“Any news.”
As soon as the window was opened, a voice fell, startling Ji Tao Yu. He instinctively closed the window, and something got stuck between the window frame, pushing back with resistance.
He looked down and saw four fingers caught in the frame. He quickly let go, “Are you alright!”
Huo Shu withdrew his hand and flexed his fingers, “Fortunately, they’re not broken.”
Tao Yu’s face, slightly apologetic, flushed red. But then he thought that this person had broken into private property and got his hand caught, so it wasn’t entirely his fault.
So he furrowed his brow and questioned, “Why are you here?”
He also nervously looked around.
Outside his window was a corridor with a few peach and plum trees. The trees took up space, making the corridor narrow.
Normally, no one would pass by, but this person had managed to enter so quietly through such a high courtyard wall, which was quite startling.
Huo Shu crossed his arms, “I was afraid you were too caught up in your sadness to remember my request.”
Upon hearing this, Tao Yu turned and glared at Huo Shu, lowering his gaze slightly.
Why didn’t the window clamp this person’s mouth too?
“Since Sir Huo knows I’m sad, how can you bear to let me busy myself with other things?”
Huo Shu heard the sulky words and his eyes sharpened, “In that case, I’ll go teach the person who made you sad a lesson. Once you’re happy, you can do my tasks for me.”
Seeing Huo Shu clench his fist, his knuckles cracking, Tao Yu quickly said, “Hitting a scholar means going to prison!”
Huo Shu lowered his gaze and swept over the young man’s anxious face, “Are you worried about me going to prison, or are you worried about You Lingxiao getting beaten?”
Ji Tao Yu opened his mouth but found himself unable to answer. The question was so unreasonable.
This person looked stern, but he could also tease people.
Tao Yu pouted unhappily and remained silent. Men are truly useless.
