Chapter 102 Yuan Song makes you angry, you can still speak for him, but what about me?
After all, Su Ying was a cousin living in the Du Mansion, while Yuan Song was just an outsider. As the only male in the Du Mansion, Du Heng had long been the head of the family, so he could naturally order Yuan Song to leave.
But what kind of temper did Yuan Song have? If he had said something soft, he would have tolerated it, swallowed his anger, and said goodbye. But Du Heng's cold words and ruthless order to expel him actually brought out his unruly nature.
Yuan Song's smile was even colder than before, his phoenix eyes slanting into his temples, giving him a bit of the posture of a martial monk in an opera, ready to strike down an enemy. He said in a contemptuous tone, half-smiled, "Oh? So Brother Du also knows how to write the word 'clear reputation'?"
The subject suddenly changed, his tone suddenly sharp: "Brother Du, since you know what a clean reputation is, why don't you first take care of that cousin who took the blame for you, and then cover up for Minister Xu's daughter, so that others won't come to you based on the rumors."
After saying that, he turned his gaze to Du Heng, who was holding Su Ying's hand. He narrowed his eyes and sneered coldly, "What? Ehuang and Nvying aren't enough, and Brother Du wants to include Ying'er as well?"
"You!" Du Heng's face suddenly changed. Just as he was about to step forward to argue, he saw Su Ying fiercely shaking off their hands. Her voice suddenly rose: "Yuan Song!"
"Have you had enough of this?" Su Ying was extremely angry and looked at Yuan Song with her chest heaving.
She didn't know what they were arguing about. But since yesterday, Yuan Song had been teasing her repeatedly about the three letters and six ceremonies, and now he was even making pretentious proposals in front of Du Heng, even comparing her to Ehuang and Nvying!
She really couldn't stand his outspokenness, treating her as a joke in front of anyone.
"I think you're the one who doesn't know what a good reputation is! What you said is truly ruining my reputation, do you know that?!"
Su Ying's eyes were red with anger, and her body was shaking. Yuan Song knew that Ying'er would only shake so uncontrollably when she was really angry. Seeing her like this, his heart softened from the previous moment, and he said kindly, "Okay, okay, Ying'er, I was wrong. Don't be angry, I deserve a beating for my mouth."
Su Ying, however, didn't want to hear him say another word. She raised her hand, pointed outside the door, and ordered in a trembling voice, "Go!"
Yuan Song didn't dare to disobey her anymore, his expression became a little restrained, he bowed slightly, and when he retreated to the door, he pointed to the wooden box at his feet and said, "The paintings you want are all in the box. I'll leave now. Don't be angry, there's tea on the table, you can have a sip." Then he walked away worriedly, looking back every few steps.
As soon as Yuan Song left, Su Ying could no longer hold on. She was always like this, trembling with anger at first, and then she would go limp as if all her strength had been drained away.
Her feet gave way and she stumbled. Fortunately, Du Heng was quick to catch her and called out, "Ying'er!"
At this time, there were no other followers or maids in the side hall, which showed that Qingquan had already cleared everyone out with great tact.
Su Ying struggled to free her hand. Du Heng was afraid that something might happen to her, so he didn't dare to hold back. He just held Su Ying's side with his hands and said, "Ying'er, sit down and rest."
Seeing Su Ying's pale face and red eyes, Du Heng regretted his decision. He shouldn't have let Yuan Song's slight provocation cause him to lose his composure when he heard he was going to propose marriage. Parents' orders and the matchmaker's words—anything with some decorum wouldn't be what Yuan Song did, announcing everything before it was finalized.
He knew he was desperate.
He forced himself to calm down and give Ying'er some time to calm down. He didn't dare to say much or help her again, for fear of provoking her again.
But Ying'er calmed down for a moment and apologized to him, "Cousin, I don't know what Yuan Song said to you before I came in that made you grab his collar. He has always been outspoken. If he said something that annoyed you, I apologize to you on his behalf. Please don't take it to heart."
As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed to him hurriedly and prepared to leave.
Du Heng had never imagined that Su Ying's first words after she recovered would be to apologize for Yuan Song. He then recalled Yuan Song's self-introduction. It turned out that Yuan Song's words were not false at all. Ying'er and he really had known each other since childhood.
He just felt an unbearable bitterness in his heart. The depression of not seeing her for several days finally broke out at this moment. He stretched out his hand and blocked Su Ying's way.
His voice was so low and hoarse that he himself had not expected it. He said, "Ying'er, Yuan Song made you angry, and you can still speak up for him, but what about me?"
"That day you said what you wanted to say. Today, can you allow me to say what I want to say?"
Su Ying was stunned, staring at Du Heng, who stood before her, tall and erect, like a solid wall of steel. She had never seen him look so frustrated yet determined, and her heart tightened, a wave of pity building inside her.
Seeing Su Ying stop, his stern and furrowed brows finally relaxed. He sighed and said, "That day in the library, you told me why you came to the capital. Did you want me to give up? I never imagined that there would be such a person in this world who would listen to his step-wife's words and treat his precious daughter as a commodity to exchange for benefits, which is unethical!"
"But what you said won't make me reject you as you wish. Instead, it will only make me feel more distressed for you. I feel sorry for why I didn't get to know you earlier. I feel sorry for you fighting for yourself alone."
"Then you tried to put me off by saying that the gentry and commoners couldn't marry each other. But Ying'er, you yourself are the one who most despises the Three Obediences and Four Virtues and the idea of male superiority over female. How can anyone believe such words coming from you?"
"You've studied alongside men in the academy since childhood, and you're so well-versed in the contents of the library. I'm sure you've read this: 'Men and women should not be too concerned with a partner's social status.' Marriage is based on talent and conduct, not family background."
Du Heng couldn't help but take another step forward and said emotionally: "Ying'er, what you said that day has no power to convince me. In my eyes, you are more virtuous than Meng Guang and more talented than Ban Zhao. My feelings for you are not just a sudden impulse. I respect you, value you, and am pleased with you. I..."
"Cousin, be careful with your words!"
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