Song Yao said, “As for why Elder Brother-in-law had such a fierce argument with his wife back then, I have no way of knowing.”
“However, the possibility you mentioned is quite plausible.”
“Han Qingfeng’s elder brother was always in poor health. Yet he still managed to have three healthy children with Chunlan Xiu—that is indeed rather suspicious.”
“Only now have I come to understand that ever since Elder Brother-in-law passed away, Han Qingfeng has been inheriting the rites for both branches of the family.”
“He concealed from me that he was inheriting the rites for the main branch. Unfortunately for him, fate did not comply with his wishes, and I discovered their secret.”
“When I came to the General’s Manor back then, hoping to arrange a marriage alliance, I didn’t know the whole family was treating me like a fool to deceive and humiliate me, nor did I know Han Qingfeng was inheriting rites for both branches.”
“I genuinely wanted to arrange a good marriage for Han Lingyue.”
“Today, when you went to propose marriage, I truly have to thank Han Lingyue, the Old Madam, and Chunlan Xiu for putting on that pretentious, falsely aloof act right in front of you.”
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known how to refuse the General’s Manor’s sincere marriage proposal.”
Dingyuan Jiangjun Su Chuang, who had been standing quietly listening by the door, stopped his vigil.
He stepped into view at the doorway, lifting his leg to cross the threshold of the reception hall.
Su Xueqing saw Su Chuang first.
She rose from her stool and went to meet her elder brother in his armor. “Big brother, you’re finished with your duties? It’s rare to see you back so early.”
Song Yao also stood up. Her gaze met that of the returned General Su.
Song Yao bowed to Su Chuang. “Greetings, General Su.”
Su Chuang said, “Junior Martial Sister, there’s no need for such formality between us.”
Su Xueqing looked at each of them in turn, nearly exclaiming aloud, “Jun… junior martial sister?”
“You two are martial siblings? How come I never knew about this?”
Su Chuang replied calmly, “There are many things about my junior martial sister and me that you don’t know.”
Su Xueqing’s expression immediately became exceedingly animated.
“Since you’ve known each other for so long, then why did you send me to the Marquis Manor to propose? Wouldn’t it have shown more sincerity if you went in person?”
General Su shot a look at his younger sister. “If I had the time, I naturally wouldn’t have troubled you.”
“I’ve been far too busy lately, so I could only send you in my stead to make a trip to the Marquis Manor.”
Song Yao said, “Senior Martial Brother, let’s consider the matter of marriage alliance between our two families settled. This junior martial sister has let you down.”
Song Yao bowed deeply to Su Chuang.
Su Chuang stopped her. “Junior Martial Sister, you are being too polite. Your excessive courtesy actually makes me somewhat uncomfortable.”
“I only caught bits and pieces of what you and Xueqing were discussing earlier.”
“What exactly happened? Could you explain it to me in detail once more?”
Song Yao did not refuse. The three of them sat down together.
She recounted everything that needed to be said to her senior martial brother once again.
Finally, she added, “It’s fortunate the marriage alliance didn’t come to pass. If Han Lingyue had really married into the General’s Manor, it would have brought suffering to you, and to Liancheng as well.”
Song Yao remembered that in her previous life, after Han Lingyue married into the General’s Manor,
in order to maintain her aloof, transcendent persona,
she would frequently run back to her maiden home.
She would return to her maiden home, waiting for her husband to come plead and coax her into returning.
Su Liancheng had his own affairs to attend to; how could he possibly indulge her willfulness day after day?
The transcendent Han Lingyue was always unwilling to live properly with Su Liancheng.
The young and hot-blooded Su Liancheng, in a fit of anger, uttered words like if she really didn’t want this marriage, then they should just divorce.
It was at this point that Han Lingyue suddenly became anxious instead.
Even when she was desperate, she refused to lower her head to her husband’s family.
In the end, it was Song Yao who stepped in, found her son-in-law, and spoke some kind words.
Only then did the son-in-law reluctantly take the “little fairy” back to his parents’ home once more.
The Su family’s tolerance toward Han Lingyue was entirely due to Song Yao’s face.
Having been reborn in this life, Song Yao was determined not to repeat the sins of her past life.
“Senior Brother, Liancheng is a good child. I cannot let my selfishness cause him to suffer.”
“Liancheng deserves a better girl. Han Lingyue is not worthy of becoming your daughter-in-law.”
Su Chuang pondered for a moment. “Earlier, you came to me saying you wanted to marry your daughter to my son, and now you are strongly opposing this marriage…”
Song Yao interrupted, “Senior Brother, say no more. In any case, this matter is my fault.”
“I do not ask for your forgiveness. I only ask that you do not insist on continuing the marital ties between our two families because of me.”
“I beg you to think this over carefully.”
Su Xueqing said, “Elder Brother, I had only heard before that the people of the Marquis Manor were extraordinary. Today, I confidently went to the Marquis Manor on your behalf.”
“You have no idea—when I met the Old Madam of the Marquis Manor and that marquis’s daughter today, their haughty expressions truly disgusted me.”
After speaking to her brother, Su Xueqing turned to Song Yao.
“Sister, now that you know you were schemed against by that old woman and cannot bear children, why don’t you simply divorce Han Qingfeng? After the divorce, you can remarry my brother. He has not taken a new wife since my sister-in-law passed away.”
“You and my brother were originally fellow disciples, so you know each other well.”
“If the two of you were to become a couple, your lives would surely grow more prosperous day by day.”
Su Xueqing’s words left Su Chuang and Song Yao extremely embarrassed.
Su Chuang stood up from his chair.
Angrily, he said, “Enough! Your nephew hasn’t even gotten married, and you’re already playing matchmaker for me!”
“If you love matchmaking so much, why not take off your fine clothes and become a professional matchmaker instead?”
Song Yao, her eyes red, felt utterly embarrassed by Su Xueqing’s outburst.
She quickly tugged at Su Xueqing’s sleeve. “Xueqing, don’t talk nonsense. Your brother and I are just fellow disciples—there’s nothing between us.”
Su Xueqing also stood up, a smile in the corners of her eyes. “I know there’s nothing between you.”
“Sister, if you go back now, divorce the Marquis of Yunzhou. After the divorce, won’t you be able to have something with my brother?”
“Then, you can bring your dowry and marry my brother in grand style.”
“Don’t worry—no matter how much you bring, my brother won’t covet your wealth.”
“If my brother were greedy and fond of luxury, his general’s residence wouldn’t be this shabby.”
“The court pays him a substantial salary every year, but all those things are left gathering dust in the storeroom. My brother never thinks to spend even a little money to enjoy life…”
Su Xueqing went on and on, and the more she spoke, the darker Su Chuang’s expression grew.
Song Yao’s heart raced from her words, and she could no longer sit still.
Su Chuang walked over and grabbed his sister’s ear. “I said, are you done yet?”
“You have no business here anymore. Get out of here right now!”
Su Chuang did grab his sister’s ear, but he didn’t use any force.
Su Xueqing let out a couple of symbolic cries.
Quickly begging for mercy, “Alright, alright, I’ll get out right away. Brother, let go first.”
Su Chuang released his grip.
Su Xueqing rubbed the ear that her brother had pinched.
She said, “Fine, I’ll leave immediately. I still have to go back and take care of Heng’er, so I won’t stay any longer.”
Before leaving, she added again, “But what I said is also true. You two should really consider it…”
Before Su Xueqing could finish her sentence, Su Chuang raised his hand, pretending to strike.
Su Xueqing quickly lifted her skirt and ran, fleeing the reception hall.
Finally having sent her away.
Su Chuang hurriedly apologized to Song Yao, “Don’t take it to heart. Xueqing was just talking; she didn’t mean to mock you. Please don’t blame her.”