"No...it's not very convenient." Ji Yunze's eyes only saw that person alone, and he responded absentmindedly.
The morning light rubbed the rouge into the bluestone slabs of Changle Street. Ye Wanshu's skirt was faintly visible in the gaps between the crowd. Ji Yunze looked at the jade-colored shawl three steps away, and was so anxious that even the top scholar's brocade robe was wrinkled.
Fearing that she would disappear from his sight again, Ji Yunze desperately squeezed out of the crowd, his almond-shaped eyes fixed on the place where Ye Wanshu was standing.
But once the Minister of Revenue spoke, the others also rushed to talk to him and refused to let him go out.
Ye Wanshu stood there and listened for a while. They were all here to propose marriage, from officials in the court to merchants and gentry, all vying for the top scholar.
It was not advisable to stay in such an occasion for long, so she quickly turned around, pulling Qin Chulin.
"girl."
Ji Yunze was so anxious that he didn't know what to do. He was so crowded that he had no patience left. He could only bow and say, "Thank you all for your kindness. I already have someone I like. Bye, please make way."
After he finished speaking, he quickly squeezed out of the crowd with the officials clearing the way, and ran straight towards Ye Wanshu.
"Miss, I wanted to go to the Duke's Mansion to return the money to you, but I was afraid of bothering you, so I..."
A clear voice pierced through the noise. Ji Yunze had just opened his mouth incoherently, but half of his handsome face had already turned red, which made Ye Wanshu feel a little amused.
"It's just a trivial matter, sir, don't worry about it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Yunze hurriedly shook his head: "For the young lady and the Duke's Mansion, this matter may not be worth mentioning, but for me, it is like a rebirth. If it weren't for the young lady's generous help that day, I wouldn't be where I am today."
He immediately took out a silver note and asked the officer to bring a box. Ji Yunze introduced them one by one in a very serious manner.
"This thousand taels of silver is to repay you, young lady. You have given me all your jewelry. The box contains the thank-you gift I have chosen for you. Do you like it?"
As soon as he opened the box, a dazzling multicolored light came out. Ye Wanshu took a closer look and saw that it was a complete set of gold-wire head ornaments inlaid with many pearls and agates. The workmanship was extremely exquisite and it was obvious that it was worth a lot of money.
“This me…”
Ye Wanshu was about to refuse when Ji Yunze suddenly looked embarrassed. "I know you've lived in the Rongguo Mansion since you were a child, and you've seen everything, no matter how precious. It's just that we met by chance, and you're so kind to help me. I have to thank you no matter what."
"You have misunderstood, sir. I am not from the Duke of Rong's Mansion."
When they heard that it was not someone from the Duke of Rong's Mansion, those who had just tried to kidnap the bride came over again.
"Hey girl, you're not from the Duke of Rong's Mansion, what are you doing here? Aren't you ruining everyone's fun?"
The Minister of Revenue immediately gained confidence and hurried over to pull Ji Yunze: "Master Ji, as long as you are willing to marry my daughter, I will guarantee you a bright future."
Another bloated man was not to be outdone: "Master Ji, I am the richest man in Lin'an. Even the needs of the Duke of Rong's Mansion and the Queen Mother are all provided by my family. If Master Ji marries my daughter, I am willing to give you a million in private property as a dowry. I will also introduce you to the young master of the Duke of Rong's Mansion and help you rise to a high position in the world."
Everyone started to chatter and fight for the number one scholar. Ji Yunze's eyes remained fixed on Ye Wanshu, and he was indifferent to the enthusiasm of others.
"Mr. Ji, the person you just mentioned as your crush is not this girl, right?"
Glancing at Qin Chulin who was being protected by Ye Wanshu, the middle-aged man who claimed to be the richest man immediately showed disdain on his face.
"This girl isn't from the Duke of Rong's mansion, and she has a child. I'm afraid she's having a very hard time. What future can you have if you marry her? You've just started your official career, so you can't be short-sighted. You must think more about your future."
"Very good," the Minister of Revenue took over, "Master Ji, if you are willing to marry my daughter, I can introduce you to the Prime Minister as soon as possible. It will be of great benefit to your career."
Listening to the noise around her, Ye Wanshu couldn't help but take a closer look at the richest man in Lin'an and the Minister of Revenue. They were both unfamiliar faces. She was afraid that they were not well-known figures in the Ji family and the Duke of Rong's Mansion. She had never seen them before.
She had also heard about the matter of catching a son-in-law from under the list, and she didn't want to ruin the number one scholar's fortune, so she didn't say a word from beginning to end.
This made Ji Yunze very anxious. He looked at Ye Wanshu with sincere eyes. Since he had been asked, he simply admitted it and spoke out what was in his heart.
"I don't care whether she is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Rong's mansion or a girl from an ordinary family, I just want her."
Halfway through his words, sweat had already appeared on his nervous forehead.
But ever since they last parted, the shadow of this girl has been lingering in his mind every day, so today he must say everything he wants to say without any regrets.
"My life was saved by you, young lady. Ever since I met you, I have made two wishes in my heart: one is to pass the imperial examination in my youth, and the other is to spend the rest of my life with you. If you don't abandon me, I will come to your house and ask for your hand in marriage immediately."
Glancing at Qin Chulin, he hurriedly added, "I will treat this child as my own. Today, I swear in front of all the people of Lin'an City that I will never break my promise."
Ye Wanshu saw that the top scholar was starting to get confused because of these people, and he probably said this just to help himself out of the predicament.
Although she wanted to marry an ordinary man, it was not easy for her to agree to the number one scholar so hastily.
To avoid embarrassing him in public, Ye Wanshu simply said, "My home is quite far from here. Young Master, please focus on your official duties first and don't delay important matters."
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