Every detail and every consequence had to be carefully weighed.
Old Madame Wang, who had originally been leaning toward the marriage with the Pei family, found herself pulled back into a state of hesitation. Looking at Jiang Shiyuan with a worried expression, she asked:
“Shiyuan, what is your view on this? Do you wish to enter this marriage with the Hanzhou Pei family?”
Jiang Shiyuan had never imagined the situation would escalate to this point. When she first learned that the Ningxiang Pills had been sent by Cousin Pei, she was truly moved.
However, being moved did not mean she had to give herself in marriage.
Having lived two lives, she harbored no grand expectations for marriage. Her illness was a constant reality; whether she could even outlive her previous lifespan was still a question. Furthermore, Cousin Pei’s life as a soldier was one of constant peril.
Jiang Shiyuan feared that even if she accepted the proposal, she might not be able to spend a long life with him. She shook her head, her gaze firm as she replied:
“Granddaughter does not wish to marry. The distance is one thing, but my illness is an unavoidable topic. I do not know how many days I have left to live. If I truly marry into that family, would I not be taking the position of the eldest legitimate daughter-in-law only to contribute nothing? The Pei family would not allow it, and it would eventually lead to many troubles. Cousin Pei may feel some affection for me now, but once family interests are involved, he too will be swept up in them.”
Upon hearing this, Aunt Pei could only let out a long sigh.
“Shiyuan is right. Even if my brother and sister-in-law don’t care, and Zisu doesn’t care, there are still the clan elders to contend with. Although the primary branch holds significant power, they are not an absolute autocracy. They cannot completely disregard the opinions of the clansmen.”
“Aunt is right,” Shiyuan added. “If that is the case, marrying into the family would only lead to grievance. Let us forget it; Aunt should look into other families. This match with Cousin Pei is good, but I am not in a position to ‘climb so high.'”
Jiang Shiyuan spoke without a trace of resentment or self-pity, simply laying out the facts. Everyone understood her intent and ceased to push the matter.
Among them, Second Cousin Wang Kuan and Third Cousin Wang Hong were on Pei Zisu’s side and had hoped the match would succeed. However, the problems presented were beyond their power to solve. They could only suppress their thoughts and remain silent.
Sigh.
The two of them were nursing massive headaches; they were the closest to Pei Zisu. They knew his temperament well. It was rare for him to care so much for someone, only to be rejected. They knew this wouldn’t end well. They exchanged a look, silently deciding to prepare some good wine and fast horses—lest he turn the Western Capital upside down in his frustration.
“Since Shiyuan’s mind is made up, I shall be the one to tell him,” the eldest brother Wang Su stated plainly. No one objected.
“I will go with my husband,” Madame Xiang added. “In some matters, it may be more appropriate for a woman to speak.”
As the couple who would eventually lead the Marquis of Wenyuan’s manor, it was only right that they handled such affairs. Old Madame Wang looked at them with approval.
“Very well. You two go and speak with him. Do not damage our relations, do you understand?”
“Grandmother, rest assured. I understand,” Madame Xiang replied.
After the others had dispersed from Yuhua Courtyard, Jiang Shiyuan remained by Old Madame Wang’s side. She leaned silently against the old lady’s knees, just as she used to as a child. The Old Madame patted her back rhythmically, her voice softer than usual.
“Sigh. I used to hope you would grow up quickly, but now that you have, I find it brings its own worries. You must face these things eventually. No matter how much I dote on you, I cannot live your life for you. You did well today—breaking the matter down, being sincere without dragging things out, and striking at the heart of the issue. Seeing you so clear-headed, I can rest easy. My little Shiyuan has finally grown into an adult.”
Old Madame Wang’s voice was thick with emotion, a mix of heartache and admiration.
Jiang Shiyuan understood. Because of her frailty since birth, everyone in the Marquis’s manor had spent years worrying over her. They had always been more attentive to her than to her cousins.
In her past life, she had grown up under their protection, but she had never lived “clearly.” She had died in despondency. In this life, she only wanted to live freely.
As the old saying goes: When life is good, one must enjoy it to the fullest.
She wanted nothing more than to stay by her grandmother’s side and fulfill her filial duties for as long as she could.
“I only hope Grandmother lives a long, long life. When my health improves a bit more, we shall travel together. You have stayed in the Western Capital long enough; our Great Sui has many wonderful places, hasn’t it?”
“You little girl, thinking so far ahead! Fine, when you’re better, we’ll go out. How about we accompany you back to Xuzhou first? We haven’t visited your mother’s grave to pay our respects in many years.”
“That would be wonderful. Mother would be happy to know.”
The two smiled at each other, finding peace in their new plans. But while the atmosphere there was warm, Wang Su and Madame Xiang were experiencing a heavy pressure from Pei Zisu in the western wing.
“Did she say she won’t marry?”
“Yes.”
Pei Zisu’s face was grim, and Wang Su’s answer was blunt.
Madame Xiang watched from the side with a racing heart. For some reason, she felt this cousin from the Pei family was unfathomable. But since she was there, she had to speak. She raised her voice slightly and tried to persuade him gently.
“Shiyuan may be young, but she is thoughtful. Her concerns are not without reason. When we originally set the engagement with the Prince of Chun’s heir, it was because the Princess of Chun had only managed to bear a son after ten years of marriage. We thought she would be more tolerant of Shiyuan’s difficulties with heirs. We never expected things to turn out as they did.”
“Discussing Shiyuan’s marriage again is complicated. For one, everyone knows she has been ill for years. For another, the reputation of her second sister ‘replacing’ her in the marriage is not good. Therefore, Cousin, this marriage is truly not something that can be settled just by your request. If you truly wish to protect her, let this matter go.”
Her tone was much more conciliatory. The Marquis’s manor and the Hanzhou Pei family had been on good terms for years; there was no need to ruin that over a “joke” proposal at a dinner table. She hoped Pei Zisu had sobered up and would consider the consequences.
Madame Xiang’s eyes were full of sincerity. Pei Zisu glanced at her, his expression remaining unchanged. After a moment, he spoke, his voice carrying an unyielding strength.
“I understand Sister-in-law’s words. Only one thing: since I dared to ask for Shiyuan’s hand, those matters will not become stumbling blocks. Unless she has someone else in her heart or truly loathes me, I will make you see my sincerity.”
“Zisu, a ‘strong-twisted melon’ isn’t sweet. Why push it?”
“Eldest Cousin, you are wrong. I have been in the army for many years, and I have only ever understood one truth: things are achieved through human effort. Man can still triumph over heaven, can he not?”