Chapter 87 You are so smart, how could you not know that my heart has long been tied to you
Du Heng was suddenly stunned. How could his mother confuse Jinniang's injury with whether he would marry her or not?
He was about to tell his mother she was worrying too much, but then his mind suddenly flashed back to Ying'er's resolute words in the library. He suddenly realized, could it be that Ying'er also thought he would marry Jinniang just because she took the blame for him?
Was she afraid that he would have to accept her feelings, so she had to break off the budding feelings in advance?
Ying'er, oh Ying'er, you are so smart, how could you not know that my heart has long been attached to you?
If I really wanted to marry someone, would I agree just because someone said "I appreciate your kindness"?
Cheng poured out all her worries, and after she finished, she checked her son's expression. He first relaxed as if suddenly enlightened, then frowned again, a wry smile on his face. She thought her son finally understood his mother-in-law's intentions, but then he frowned again at her words, "Your career is going to be difficult."
She felt relieved that she had finally awakened her son, and her tone softened as she said kindly, "Now that you understand your grandmother's intentions, you should go to the main courtyard less often in the future."
She pondered for a moment, then added, "You don't have to worry about Jinniang. I brought her here, and I can send her back."
Du Heng remained silent, pondering how to address Su Ying. However, Cheng, observing his actions, assumed he had finally been persuaded. Satisfied, Cheng picked up her chopsticks.
Her brother Heng was always polite and sensible. If she didn't pick up the food with her chopsticks, he would never pick up the bowl and chopsticks placed in front of him. After a busy day, she couldn't let her son go hungry.
They ate without talking and slept without speaking. The mother and son each had their own thoughts and finally finished their lunch.
On the other side, Su Ying hurried back to the side courtyard. The sadness on her face had not yet dissipated, but she saw her aunt was already in the house, seemingly waiting for her to have dinner.
Because she didn't want her aunt to notice anything, Su Ying calmed down and said politely, "Aunt, why are you back?"
Rong smiled and beckoned her to sit down. "Jinniang just moved into the main courtyard. Your grandmother will definitely want to dine with her. If I were here too, I'm afraid she wouldn't feel comfortable. How about I come back and join you? Counting the time, it's been over a month since I last dined with you."
Rong looked at Su Ying's face and saw that she was pale, without a trace of blood. She couldn't help but blame herself and said, "When you came, Auntie said she would raise you to be as plump as you were when you were little. But these days, Auntie has been too busy to take good care of you. Auntie has broken her promise."
As she spoke, she pulled her to the dining table and said hurriedly, "Hurry and sit down. Auntie will be watching you closely today. If you don't finish two bowls today, I won't let you go to the library."
Speaking of the library, Su Ying's heart sank a little. When she saw Du Heng looking at her in surprise, she knew that he would come looking for her again.
She didn't know how much he had listened to her, nor did she know if he understood the old lady's intentions. Now that things had come to this, there could be no further connection.
Taoxi belongs to him, and she must never go to this library again, at least before he and Jinniang have made their relationship clear.
Since her aunt mentioned the library, she took the opportunity to continue: "Aunt, Ying'er has an unwelcome request."
Rong said lovingly, "Whatever unreasonable request you may have, as long as it's not like plucking the moon from the sky, your aunt will agree to it."
"That's not necessary. I just want to rest for a few days. Now that the catalog has been checked, all we have to do is reclassify and arrange the books. All the arrangements are written in the new catalog. Taoxi is literate, so she can arrange the books according to the catalog while I rest. I won't delay it if I don't go."
Originally, the purpose of organizing the library was to help Su Ying pass the time while she was trapped in the side courtyard. Now that Jinniang's matter had been resolved, Heng'er's future was secure. With that being the case, there was nothing to worry about. She agreed, "You've done so much, and now you deserve a break. You've done so much for your aunt, so I'll give you a reward."
"You've been in the capital for a long time, but apart from the Lantern Festival, you've never seen the capital's bustling scene. If you're willing, why not go out for a walk?"
Su Ying was overjoyed, but she was a little hesitant: "Sister Jinniang is injured now. If I go out like this, will my aunt cause criticism from my eldest aunt again?"
Rong comforted her, "Your aunt's heart has always been with your cousin. I'm afraid she's worried about your cousin's marriage because of Jinniang's situation. She wouldn't worry about me."
However, Su Ying was taken aback by her aunt's words. It turned out that not only she, but even Cheng had seen through her grandmother's intentions. It seemed that her thoughts were correct; her words today were perfectly timed.
Rong Shi regretted her hasty words. Seeing Su Ying's stunned expression, she thought she was surprised, so she explained, "This matter has not been finalized yet. Auntie just spoke too hastily. Don't take it seriously."
Su Ying understood her aunt's intention and tried to persuade Rong, "Aunt, I've noticed something. Yesterday, when you said Sister Jinniang had moved to the main courtyard, I started to have some doubts. But this morning, when I heard she was hurt because of her cousin, I knew for sure."
"It's right to repay kindness and value friendship!"
In one sentence, it seemed like comforting my aunt, but more like comforting myself.
Rong naturally had no idea what Su Ying meant. She just thought that her niece was very smart and could see through the old lady's intention.
She patted Su Ying's hand and said, "Actually, this is a good idea. After Jinniang recovers from her injuries and she and Heng'er are settled, your aunt won't have to worry so much. The mansion will be peaceful and quiet, and everyone will live in peace. Then I will hand over the housekeeping power to her, and I will have more time to help you find someone else."
Speaking of seeing each other, Su Ying's heart sank even more. She said sadly, "Aunt, thank you for your concern. Actually, it doesn't really matter whether he is a scholar or not."
Rong's heart tightened. Her niece was so insightful that it made her feel distressed.
She had always said she wanted to find Ying'er a family of scholars with a clean background, but the world had long been steeped in Confucianism, and which scholarly family would be willing to lower their head and marry the daughter of a merchant? Only those from very poor families would put aside their scholarly pride and ask for marriage against their will just to make ends meet.
But she had never mentioned these concerns to Ying'er. Unexpectedly, Ying'er knew everything but had never spoken out. Rong felt bitter, unwilling to see her niece give in so much on her marriage.
She called out to Su Ying, "Silly child!"
"Is this something you have to worry about? As an unmarried girl, how can you have the nerve to tell your aunt what kind of family you are looking for?"
She reached out and scratched Su Ying's nose, pretending to scold her, and said, "You have no shame!"
Rong looked angry, but in reality, she was showing pity. "Your maternal grandfather was Mr. Rong, respected by all the scholars in Jiangnan. Although your surname is Su, you also have the blood of our Rong family flowing through your veins. You are a child of the Rong family, and no one will look down on you. Think about it, who has only been in the capital for a month and has been selected to offer scriptures at the Bodhi Temple based on his Wei stele calligraphy?"
"Ying'er, don't underestimate yourself. Listen to your aunt. Choose a sunny day and go out for a walk. You don't have to bring Wanyi with you, and you don't have to think about Jinniang. Just like when we were little in Yandang Mountain, you can go wherever you want!"
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