Chapter 12: Take Control of Your Own Destiny

Central Hall

After Old Madam Su and Xu Wan left, Su Nianwei and Su Wenqian also stepped back.

Qing Ning glanced at Ning Yu who was standing behind Su Shengsheng, but was ignored by the latter.

She had no choice but to stand aside.

Su Shengsheng glanced at the neatly arranged gift boxes in the hall and did not sit down. "Mr. Ji, can you come with me for a walk outside?"

All the men in the family went to the mine, and the women stayed in the west room and didn't come out. They must have been feeling very suffocated.

While grandma is away, it’s better to go outside and explain things clearly.

After Ji Yanli nodded in agreement, Su Shengsheng led him outside alone.

After finding a secluded corner, Su Shengsheng spoke, "I wonder the purpose of Mr. Ji's visit."

Ji Yanli had not expected her to be so direct. He paused for a moment and said, "Grandfather was worried about Old Su's safety and ordered me to come here to look after him on the way. I didn't expect that I would not meet him on the way."

Su Shengsheng believed this.

The Ji family's ancestral home was located between the imperial capital and the frontier. When the news of their exile reached them, Ji Yanli should have been taking the autumn examination.

This year is slightly different. In previous years, the examinations were held in August, but now the court is short of people, so the examinations have been moved forward.

Calculating the time, they wanted to meet up halfway.

Su Shengsheng's expression was indifferent, and Ji Yanli hesitated a little. "I didn't mean to offend you before, please don't misunderstand me."

Su Shengsheng raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, "What's the misunderstanding?"

Ji Yanli explained softly, "Young lady, you are a well-educated and well-mannered person. I asked for directions earlier, but you interrupted me."

Hearing this, Su Shengsheng withdrew her gaze from the ancient tree outside the courtyard and stared at his handsome face.

"At that time, I just didn't want to hear what you were going to say next."

Ji Yanli was stunned, somewhat confused as to what he meant. "What am I going to say?"

Su Shengsheng looked straight at him and said, "Master Ji has seen the situation at home. I want to do business and don't want to be controlled by others."

Ji Yanli's expression changed slightly, as if he had not expected that Su Shengsheng would have such a personality.

But he quickly came to his senses, "Miss, don't worry. Grandfather and Old Su are friends for life and death. This time, Grandfather specifically instructed me to make sure that Old Su's family is properly settled."

"Besides..." Lang Yu's face was calm. "After you and I get married, I will take care of your family. You don't need to worry about your livelihood."

Su Shengsheng listened to him quietly until the end before rejecting his kindness. "If Master Ji were in my shoes, how would I solve the problem right now?"

This question really made Ji Yanli fall into deep thought.

"Scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans. If you were a woman, you wouldn't be able to become an official. Now your family has no land to farm, and women are not accepted for manual labor. Your only way to make a living is to engage in business."

Su Shengsheng didn't press the issue further, but went straight to the point, "You and I have different aspirations, and we can no longer walk hand in hand. Let's call off this engagement."

Ji Yanli's face was shocked. "Miss, are you worried that my Ji family will treat you with contempt because of this? I have absolutely no intention of breaking off the engagement. Please don't misunderstand me."

Su Shengsheng exhaled lightly and said frankly, "You cannot give me what I ask for, because... I don't want to put my fate in the hands of others anymore."

When Ji Yanli heard this, a hint of shock flashed in his eyes and he was speechless for a long time.

Su Shengsheng bowed solemnly, her voice clear and firm: "I will report this matter to my grandfather and grandmother in person, so there is no need for you to say anything more."

After she finished speaking, she was about to turn around and leave, but Ji Yanli lightly blocked her way.

He bowed respectfully and returned the greeting, his tone gentle and sincere.

"I was rude. I should never have underestimated a woman's talent. The young lady is respectful and filial, and she wants to serve her family. She is also intelligent and brave, and is no less capable than a man. I should respect her wishes and not impose my personal wishes on her, let alone ask her to commit to me for life."

Su Shengsheng was slightly surprised, but Ji Yanli's words became more resolute and powerful. "When the young lady has no more worries in her heart, Yanli will marry her and will definitely not let her down."

She was about to say something else, but she caught sight of her grandmother and the housekeeper walking back, so she had to stop talking for the time being.

"Sheng girl, why don't you invite the guests inside to sit down? What are you doing standing outside?"

Su Shengsheng chuckled and explained, "Master Ji said that there are mostly women in his family, so it would be a little inconvenient, so he wants to come visit again in the evening."

When these words were spoken, both Madam Su and Ji Yanli were surprised.

However, since it was Su Shengsheng who said it, the two of them didn't know what to say.

Grandmother stopped and said, "Then I will see Master Ji off."

Su Shengsheng responded cheerfully, "Master Ji isn't very familiar with this place yet, so I'll just take him there."

A trace of relief flashed across Old Madam Su's brows. "Okay, okay, then you can help me see Master Ji off."

Su Shengsheng bowed and led Ji Yanli out.

Ji Yanli paused slightly, then respectfully said goodbye to the old lady, "Then I will come to visit you later."

Grandma nodded kindly and said repeatedly, "Okay, okay."

Su Shengsheng led Ji Yanli out of the courtyard and paused. "I am indeed not the right match for you, sir. I hope you can find another good match. I won't send you any more."

After saying this, she didn't give Ji Yanli a chance to respond and turned back.

Ji Yanli was left alone, standing there in a daze, his mind restless and unable to come back to his senses for a long time.

When Su Shengsheng returned to the house, the women were already sitting around the table, talking.

"Old Madam, this young master of the Ji family is truly a man of outstanding character, and the old master has good taste."

The eldest lady's face was full of envy and she was full of praise.

"The Su family has gone through so many twists and turns, but the Ji family has not been disrespectful at all. This marriage is indeed rare." The second wife sincerely praised.

Li was also quite satisfied and nodded in praise, "Although he is young, he has the virtue of a gentleman, which is rare."

After saying that, everyone looked at Su Shengsheng, wanting to hear her opinion.

Su Shengsheng knew that she couldn't bring up the matter of canceling the engagement at this moment, so she casually responded, "It's very good indeed."

Grandmother smiled happily, "As long as you like him, that's good. When you're at your lowest point, you can see through a lot. For us women, a good man is something you can only find by chance.

The eldest lady is now in charge of the family again. She has a new respect for Su Shengsheng and immediately agrees.

"Mr. Ji is as gentle as jade and kind-hearted. He is indeed a perfect match. Miss Sheng is so lucky."

Madam Su finally showed a cheerful smile that had not been seen for many days. "Okay, okay, let's eat first."

After lunch, the women returned to the house in a happy mood and excitedly tried on the jewelry that Su Shengsheng had chosen for them.

The new son-in-law is about to arrive, so they naturally have to dress decently to help Su Shengsheng save face.

After all, it was Su Shengsheng who helped them all along the way, and everyone was filled with gratitude.

What's more, in the days to come, I might really need to rely on the support of this new son-in-law.

"What, Miss, you want to cancel the engagement?"

When Su Shengsheng expressed her intention to cancel the engagement, Qing Ningningyu and Ningyu's faces were filled with disbelief.