“Mother, you’ve finally come home. These past few days, your daughter-in-law has been so worried that I could hardly sleep day or night.”
Wu Xiu reached Madam Chen before Zhao Ni and took hold of her arm, her voice full of concern and guilt.
“If I hadn’t heard that you’d been admitted to Renxin Hall and that Yu’er was there to take care of you, I would have rushed to the county to find you long ago.”
“It was only because Yansong and Yanbo both needed looking after at home that I couldn’t get away to visit you.”
After so many years as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Madam Chen understood Wu Xiu’s character all too well. She always said the right things, but her heart held something else entirely.
Although Madam Chen had lost consciousness after collapsing that day, seeing that Su Yu now refused even to address Wu Xiu as “Aunt” and merely stood there silently supporting her arm was enough for her to know that something must have happened while she was gone.
However, Ji Xuanyue was still standing nearby. Family scandals were not meant to be aired in public.
“It’s only thanks to Young Master Ji that this old woman managed to survive,” Madam Chen said. “Had it not been for him, I fear I would never have made it back.” With that, she turned to Ji Xuanyue and bowed deeply.
Madam Chen actually had another purpose in mind.
Based on Young Master Ji’s conduct, if she thanked him so solemnly, he would certainly bring up that Su Yu had saved his life in the mountains and insist on proper courtesy in return. She could then take the opportunity to mention, in front of all the villagers, that he had already rescued Su Yu once from Young Master Zhao. In this way, Su Yu’s reputation and good name would naturally be protected.
Sure enough, Ji Xuanyue responded exactly as she had hoped. “My life was saved by Miss Su Yu in the mountains to begin with. Doing this small favor for Old Madam is merely a tiny repayment for Miss Su Yu’s kindness. How could I possibly deserve such a great gesture of gratitude from you?”
Madam Chen replied, “Even so, when Young Master Zhao accosted Yu’er in the street the other day, it was you who stepped in and rescued her, preserving her reputation. In that respect, this is already the second time you’ve come to our aid.”
“It was only a small effort,” Ji Xuanyue said. “Fortunately, Miss Su Yu was not harmed.”
His gaze swept over Madam Chen and the gathered villagers. Naturally, he understood exactly what she was trying to accomplish. “This matter is settled now. The Zhao family will not trouble Miss Su Yu again in the future.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the heavy burden that had weighed on Madam Chen’s heart for days finally lifted.
From now on, anyone who dared to gossip about the Zhao family incident would effectively make an enemy of the Ji family.
Nodding, she said kindly, “Young Master Ji, if you don’t mind our humble home, please come inside and have a cup of tea.”
Ji Xuanyue cupped his hands in salute. “Then I shall impose upon your hospitality.”
Su Yu had not expected Ji Xuanyue to actually stay for tea.
Their family had no fine tea to offer. On ordinary days, they drank nothing more than dried leaves steeped in hot water. But since everyone had already taken their seats in the main room, she could only steel herself and head to the kitchen to boil water. As the firewood crackled in the stove, she kept her ears trained on the conversation outside. Most of the talking came from her grandmother and Wu Xiu. Ji Xuanyue, on the other hand, spoke very little.
Could Ji Xuanyue have stayed specifically to bring up the marriage proposal today? The thought left her uneasy.
By the time she carried out the steaming tea, she hardly dared raise her eyes.
Madam Chen said, “Young Master Ji, please don’t mind it. The tea is crude, but at least it’s somewhat refreshing. Have a cup to moisten your throat.”
A single leaf floated in the yellowish tea.
Without the slightest change in expression, Ji Xuanyue picked up the bowl. The way he held it somehow made even the cheap porcelain bowl look elegant and expensive. He took a small sip before offering his assessment.
“Though it is merely brewed from leaves, its taste is fresh and clean, possessing a charm of its own.”
Sitting nearby, Wu Xiu’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. That wretched girl had truly stumbled into incredible luck. She had actually saved a wealthy, powerful, and surprisingly down-to-earth benefactor like this.
While Wu Xiu was busy making calculations in her head, a commotion came from the doorway.
Su Erlang and his two sons had entered the room.
Delighted, Wu Xiu quickly stood up. “Come, come, come! This is Young Master Ji. Erlang, Yansong, Yanbo, hurry and thank Young Master Ji for saving your grandmother!”
Su Erlang had naturally heard all the rumors circulating around the village over the past few days. He hadn’t gone to the county to visit Madam Chen for two reasons. First, he was afraid the medical hall might ask him to pay the medical expenses. Second, since the dispute over selling the ancestral home, a rift had grown between him and his mother. For many years, their relationship had been lukewarm at best.
More importantly, on the day Madam Chen collapsed, he had openly expressed that he did not wish to spend money treating her. Now that she had returned home safe and sound, he felt somewhat guilty and had arrived only belatedly. He had heard the commotion outside long ago and had not wanted to come. But with such an important county figure present, he had no choice but to show up for his two sons’ futures.
“Grandmother, I hope you are well.” As a student who attended the county school, Su Yansong was more polished than most villagers.
Upon entering, he bowed respectfully to Madam Chen first. When facing Ji Xuanyue, he showed no timidity. “Young Master Ji.”
As for the eleven- or twelve-year-old Su Yanbo, he was still just a child. He hid behind his older brother and refused to greet anyone.
“Yanbo, hurry and say hello. This is Young Master Ji from the county.” Wu Xiu grew anxious and lightly smacked the boy on the forehead.
The child immediately shrank back, trembling with fear.
“Sorry, sorry,” Wu Xiu hurriedly said with a smile. “Village children haven’t seen much of the world. I hope Young Master won’t laugh at him.”
“It’s no matter. I wasn’t fond of greeting people when I was young, either.” Ji Xuanyue smiled faintly, his gaze settling on Su Yansong. “I have long heard that Young Master Yansong is not only exceptionally learned, but also talented and handsome. Now that I have met you in person, it seems the rumors are true.”
Hearing the praise, Su Yansong froze slightly before cupping his hands in salute. “Young Master Ji flatters me.”
Outwardly, he appeared respectful, but the faint hostility emanating from him remained impossible to miss.
Naturally, Ji Xuanyue knew why. The day he had handed over the jade token from his carriage, he had already noticed this man standing behind his future wife, his eyes full of admiration and unwillingness.
A cold laugh sounded in Ji Xuanyue’s heart. Mortals were always so greedy. They sought fame and success, yet couldn’t let go of a childhood sweetheart’s affection.
They dreamed of becoming the county magistrate’s favored son-in-law, yet when they saw another man protecting her, resentment and unwillingness stirred within them.
But what if he was unwilling? Not to mention that she was not yet married. Even if she were already another man’s wife…
He withdrew his gaze, his expression remaining as impeccably gentle and composed as ever.
Seeing her son receive praise, Wu Xiu immediately perked up, eager to list every virtue her son had possessed since childhood. How he had always been sensible, obedient, filial, and honest. How he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the classics. How his teacher believed he had an excellent chance of passing the upcoming provincial examination.
“Yu’er is a child I’ve watched grow up. She’s no different from a daughter to me. And Yu’er has always regarded Yansong as her own brother.”
“Since Yu’er and Young Master Ji are destined to meet, then Yansong and Young Master Ji must be destined as well. If there’s ever anything Young Master Ji needs from my Yansong in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
After finishing with a smile, Wu Xiu looked toward Su Yansong, only to find that her son showed no interest in stepping forward to further cultivate the relationship.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Just as she was trying to think of a way to smooth things over, Su Yanbo, who had been hiding behind his brother the whole time, suddenly spoke up.
“Mother, didn’t you say yesterday that once Big Brother passes the provincial examination, he’ll marry the county magistrate’s daughter? If Big Brother becomes related to the county magistrate, he’ll be a very important person too. Why would he need to be ordered around by someone else?”
A child’s innocent words rang out clearly for everyone present to hear.
Wu Xiu’s face instantly turned pale. Her first reaction was to look toward her mother-in-law. After all, when she visited a few days earlier, she had told Madam Chen she came to discuss a marriage match between Yansong and Su Yu.
Sure enough, Madam Chen’s brows drew together as she fixed Wu Xiu with a stern look. “Second Daughter-in-Law, a few days ago you came to my bedside and said you wished to propose a marriage between Yansong and Yu’er.”
“Yet today, your younger son says that Yansong is going to become the county magistrate’s son-in-law.”
“Of those two things, one must be false. Were you amusing yourself at this old woman’s expense, or did you think that because Yu’er’s parents are gone, you could mold and manipulate her however you pleased?”
That said, the old lady seemed genuinely angered. Clutching her chest, she broke into a violent coughing fit.
Su Yu’s face immediately turned pale. Panicking, she pulled a slice of ginseng from the pouch at her waist and pressed it under her grandmother’s tongue, her voice trembling with fear. “Grandmother! Grandmother, don’t get upset. Please don’t get upset…”
Wu Xiu was already speechless at the accusation, her face ashen as her mind raced for a way out. But out of the corner of her eye, she saw her son step forward and stand directly before Madam Chen.
“Grandmother, please don’t be angry. Yanbo is young and must have misunderstood what he heard. This grandson has absolutely no improper thoughts toward the county magistrate’s daughter. The only person I wish to marry is Sister Yu.”
“With Young Master Ji present today, I ask him to bear witness. I, Su Yansong, formally seek Su Yu’s hand in marriage.”
Even Su Yansong did not understand what had come over him. Perhaps it was the way Ji Xuanyue had looked at Su Yu just moments ago. Or perhaps it was because Su Yu hadn’t looked at him once from beginning to end. He only knew that if he did not speak now, he would lose the woman he loved.
Wu Xiu’s eyes widened. Seeing the determination on her son’s face, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. How long could that connection last, even if Su Yu was now associated with the Ji family?
What kind of family was the Ji family, and what was Su Yu’s background? A noble person might remember a favor for a while, but could they really remember it for a lifetime?
A marriage alliance with the county magistrate’s family, on the other hand, was a genuine family connection. It was the sort of thing that would be recorded in the clan genealogy and bring honor to future generations.
“No!” Wu Xiu sharply interrupted. In her agitation, she forgot that her mother-in-law was still coughing and that Ji Xuanyue was still seated in the main hall. She grabbed her son’s arm and yanked him half a step backward.
“Have you lost your mind? How can marriage be treated so lightly? Yu’er’s marriage is for your grandmother to decide. You’re a scholar. How can you say such things in front of an honored guest? Have you no sense of propriety?”
Afterward, she turned to Ji Xuanyue and forced a smile. “Young Master Ji, please don’t take him seriously. The child has buried himself in books for too long and become a little muddle-headed…” Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly met Ji Xuanyue’s eyes.
He looked at her calmly, neither warm nor cold. The matter seemed unrelated to him, yet under his gaze, Wu Xiu felt a chill run down her spine.
“Madam Wu!” Madam Chen finally managed to suppress her coughing. “Making such a scene in front of an honored guest- what kind of behavior is that?”
Wu Xiu finally jolted out of the chill Ji Xuanyue’s cold, unreadable gaze had induced.
Madam Chen said, “Young Master Ji, you’ve been made to witness a family embarrassment. These household troubles have disturbed your peace. That was truly improper of us.”
“You give me too much credit, Old Madam.” Ji Xuanyue rose to his feet with perfect tact. “I have already imposed upon your hospitality for quite some time today. You have only recently recovered from a serious illness and should rest more. I shall come to visit again another day.”
As he spoke, his gaze passed over the old woman and settled on Su Yu, who had remained silent behind her grandmother the entire time. “Miss Su Yu, until we meet again.”