Chapter 58: Disregarding Human Relations At the end of June, the heat of summer has already arrived.
At the end of June, the heat of summer was already in full swing.
Xue's mansion was filled with luxuriant trees and flowers, and hundreds of them were in heaps. In the Green Lake, branches of flowers hung down over the water, and fish swam through the leaves, their tails and fins shattering the pool of silver silk.
The Zhang family came suddenly, and Yun Yang was making ice drinks with her maids in her room.
The newly replaced soft curtains were made of gauze, with plump and lustrous pearls hanging on the edges. Figures of people were vague behind the gauze curtains. On the round table lay several silver cups filled with glutinous rice and bayberry juice. Several young women were laughing and talking around the table.
The warm wind was blowing, and the sweet fragrance of fruit filled the air. Yun Yang gently waved a round fan, yawned a little sleepily, and opened his eyes again. The swaying round fan drew a touch of golden light.
When I was dozing off, I heard the servant come to report that Master Zhang had come to propose marriage.
Yun Yang suddenly became alert.
The Zhang family was a very particular family and had brought a very generous betrothal gift, but Old Lady Xue felt resentful of their delay and did not look pleased.
It was only because the Zhang and Xue families were old friends that they set up a banquet to welcome the guests.
Old Madam Zhang raised her head and looked at the young girl walking towards her. She was wearing a tea-white shirt and a goose-yellow skirt. The soft jade hairpin made her look bright-eyed and white-toothed, gentle and lively. She was not the kind of stunningly charming girl. Old Madam Zhang nodded with satisfaction. After she admitted her mistake sincerely, a smile finally appeared on Old Man Xue's face.
Zhang Qian was still like a Buddha, his gaze sweeping through everyone like a cold wind, without causing any ripples, and he did not linger on Yun Yang.
He simply bowed his head and said, "June is the Bodhisattva's Enlightenment Day, so it's not appropriate to ask for marriage. That's why I've delayed until now. I hope Miss Yun will forgive me."
Old Madam Xue glanced at Yun Yang and frowned barely perceptibly. Perhaps it was because she was young before that she could not see anything, but now that she has grown up, the more she looks at her, the more she sees a kind of charm that is difficult to conceal. Then she thought of what Xue Jin said a few days ago about Xue Yu chatting with her every night, and that the several marriages arranged by the fourth brother's family had not come to fruition. She felt more and more that it was impossible to keep a girl when she was old.
"Yangyang has a miserable life. She doesn't ask for a wealthy and prosperous husband, but only for a true husband and a stable life." Old Madam Xue said.
"Qian'er has been an honest child since he was young. Even now that he has grown up, he never indulges in debauchery with those playboys. He stays at home all day long. He is gentle and polite, and he is a caring person." Old Lady Zhang pulled Zhang Qian.
Zhang Qian bowed and said, "I just hope that the days will pass quickly so that I can marry Sister Yangyang as soon as possible."
Yun Yang lowered her eyebrows and looked submissive, as if she was too embarrassed to raise her head.
"Lingjun is not here? Madam, should we go and ask him to come back?" asked Madam Zhang.
"No need." Madam Xue smiled gently, "He knows about Yunyang's marriage. The Ministry of Justice has been busy these days, so don't bother him."
After exchanging engagement letters and writing marriage certificates for their children, the marriage was settled. As for the date of the wedding, someone had to be asked to choose an auspicious day.
After dinner, Madam Xue and Yun Yang escorted the Zhang family outside the mansion. It was hot and they were sleepy, so without exchanging a few words, the Zhang family got on the carriage.
The Zhang family's carriage was luxurious and moved slowly, bringing with it a scent of sandalwood.
Passing by it was a blue-gray SUV.
Xue Yu got out of the sedan chair and walked quickly towards the mansion, just in time to see Yun Yang's back as he walked towards Jinxiang Pavilion.
Yun Yang was uneasy and dazed. The marriage was actually settled like this. He couldn't describe the feeling. He just felt a sense of loss, but it was as it should be.
Zhang Qian and she each get what they need, isn't that great?
"Yangyang." Xue Yu called her.
Yun Yang hesitated for a moment and stopped. He turned around in a daze and saw his brother-in-law whom he hadn't seen for several days. He was still as handsome and elegant as before, but there was a hint of blue stubble on his chin.
"Brother-in-law? You're back in such hot weather?" Yun Yang smiled. "Are you going back home to get some clothes? Why didn't you ask Si Qing to send them?"
Xue Yu stepped forward and looked at her with his eyes lowered. "There are important things, I need to come and get them myself."
"Then brother-in-law, please go quickly." Yun Yang said, and just as he turned around, he stopped in his tracks. "By the way, brother-in-law, the Zhang family came to propose marriage. The old lady accepted, and I accepted too, and they also received quite a bit of betrothal gifts."
"Is Yangyang happy and satisfied with Zhang Qian?" Xue Yu asked.
"I'm a little confused and haven't reacted yet. The Zhang family is naturally a very good family." Yun Yang turned around and walked forward, looking up at him, "Brother-in-law, why are you so unkempt? You're busy with official duties, but don't neglect yourself. Remember to eat three meals a day on time. Also, I heard that there are rumors in the capital, so you should be more careful in your actions."
After saying that, she helped him straighten out the wrinkled sleeves of his robe.
"Thank you Yangyang for your concern. I'll take note of it." Xue Yu said.
A dazzling gold bracelet, inlaid with cloisonné enamel, was worn on the slender white wrist through the water-red sleeves. It was obviously a valuable item.
Yun Yang noticed Xue Yu's gaze, raised her hand and shook her wrist, and smiled sweetly, "Old Madam Zhang put it on me personally, saying it was an heirloom of the Zhang family."
"Are you not going to wear the jade bracelet anymore?" Xue Yu asked.
"No," she said, "I have to wear this from now on, so as not to let down Madam Zhang's kindness."
Xue Yu raised his eyebrows, a deep smile in his eyes, "Yangyang has really grown up. She is going to be a wife now. She is really different."
"Brother-in-law, I made some ice drinks in the yard. Would you like to try some?" Yun Yang glanced at the scorching sun.
"No need. I still have official business to attend to. Yangyang, eat less cold food, or you'll get a stomachache." Xue Yu said.
After saying that, he took Su Qing to the other side.
The summer rain came suddenly and heavily, and the flowers blooming under the corridor were about to be damaged by water.
In the shelter from the rain, Xue Yu asked Si Qing coldly, "If something happened at home, why didn't you come to the Ministry of Justice to call me back?"
"Sir, the old lady won't allow it. She said that you are busy with official duties, and the marriage between Second Miss Yun and the Zhang family has been finalized, so there is no need to trouble you to make a trip back and forth." Si Qing said.
Xue Yu's narrow eyes were tightly closed, and his brows were furrowed. After a while, he exhaled, "What did the Zhang family say today? What did Zhang Qian say? What did Yun Yang say in response?"
Si Qing collected her thoughts and carefully recounted to the young master what had happened during the day.
After staying up all night for several days, he had a severe headache. He leaned against the corridor pillar and listened to Si Qing's report.
After a while, he opened his eyes again and said, "Go to the old lady."
The maidservant in the old lady's yard was hurriedly taking back a few pots of delicate flowers that had just been planted in the yard, when she saw two figures in the heavy rain. When she saw one of them clearly, she was stunned. She put down the pot and went into the inner room to report.
Old Madam Xue was also very surprised and urged her maid to go out to greet them with a raincoat and an umbrella.
Xue Yu's clothes were completely soaked, but he was completely unaware of it. He even restrained himself and saluted Old Madam Xue, "Grandma."
Madam Xue had been feeling uneasy just now, and now her heart was pounding as if it was about to burst out of her chest. She managed to calm herself down and said, "Why are you so scared? Why did you come here despite the heavy rain?"
"I originally came back to the mansion to get the official documents, and I happened to learn that the Zhang family had come to propose marriage." Xue Yu said coldly, without any trace of his usual gentleness and decorum. "Grandmother, what are your intentions? You want to arrange Yunyang's marriage without telling your grandson?"
Madam Xue frowned. "You know about Yunyang's marriage to the Zhang family. I figured you'd be incredibly busy these past few days, so why would you rush back just for this? And now, not only did you come back, but you even braved the rain to confront your grandmother? Xue Lingjun, what exactly are you thinking?"
Old Madam Xue was trying to trick him, but Xue Yu frankly admitted, "From the tone of your words, I know you already know what your grandson is thinking."
Madam Xue's heart sank, her face turning increasingly grim. She asked in a trembling voice, "Yun and I are not related in any way. You know how much I've worked on her marriage. I've never treated her unfairly, and I certainly didn't marry her off hastily. Besides, Yun Yang and Zhang Qian's marriage was a matter of mutual consent. I never forced her in the slightest. I asked for her opinion in front of everyone, and she agreed of her own accord. What else do you have to say?"
Xue Yu brushed off the water on his robe, sat down leisurely, and looked at Madam Xue calmly. "Grandma, you really don't know what your grandson is thinking? If you don't know your grandson's thoughts, why are you so eager to marry Yunyang off? Why did you rush to exchange the marriage certificate with the Zhang family while I was away? Grandma clearly wants to send Yunyang away as soon as possible to stop your grandson from thinking about her!"
Old Madam Xue clutched her chest. She hadn't expected him to so directly reveal his true feelings. Her face immediately turned livid with anger. After taking a breath, she quickly stepped forward and slapped the crazed young man in the face. "Xue Lingjun! You... you're confused! Where do you think the Xue family's reputation stands? You actually have such a disregard for your own sister-in-law? You think my Xue family is some lowly family in a poor alley, where sisters share the same husband. You have no shame, but your grandmother still has some!"
"Grandma, you're wrong. I don't want the sisters to share a husband. I only want Yunyang," Xue Yu said calmly. "Yunyang is not my sister-in-law. Back then, Yunjia's bridal sedan didn't even enter the Xue Mansion. Don't you know that, Grandma?"
"The bridal sedan won't enter the house. Isn't it because the high monk from Huguo Temple said that your fate is incompatible with hers and the two of you need to stay away from each other for three years to resolve it?" Old Lady Xue pressed on.
"It was my grandson and Yunjia who deceived Grandmother," Xue Yu said. "Yunjia didn't want to marry me."
"Why, why?" Old Madam Xue was stunned. "Your father had an agreement with the Yun family. To repay the favor of saving his life, he must marry into the Yun family."
"Grandma, you're right. The reason I agreed to Yunjia's request not to marry is because I know there are more ways to repay a favor. Since Yunjia is determined not to marry, I have no reason to force her. To repay a favor, the benefactor must be willing to do so," Xue Yu said. "Grandma, now that you know everything, please grant my wish."
"You..." Madam Xue was stunned for a long moment, her rapid breathing slowing slightly as she spoke in a mournful voice, "Lingjun, you're foolish! You and Yun Jia lied to each other like this, but have you ever thought about how this will end? Now everyone in Shangjing knows that Yun Yang is your sister-in-law, and that your brother-in-law and sister-in-law are having an affair. If this gets out, I wonder how you'll be criticized... Even if you tell the truth, how many people will believe it?!"
"Grandmother, don't worry about this. Leave this matter to me. I will definitely not tarnish the reputation of the Xue family." Xue Yu said lightly.
Old Madam Xue sighed deeply, "How can you handle this? Rumors can melt gold. How can you let your selfish desires destroy the Xue family's centuries-old reputation?"
"At worst, I'll resign from my post and take Yun Yang back to Wuzhou, the home of the Xue family for centuries." Xue Yu said calmly, "She and I are far away from the capital. Who would know if my wife is Yun Jia or Yun Yang?"
Old Madam Xue stared at him blankly, tears streaming down her face. She beat her chest and stamped her feet, heartbroken. "You're such a jerk! Xue Lingjun! Thousands of people in the Xue family can't hold a single cent in your heart. All you can think about is that girl, and you've long since forgotten Grandmother and the rest of the clan! You and your father are cut from the same cloth. The top beam is crooked, and you've both abandoned me!"
"Grandmother, the Xue family is large, and I'm not the only talented young man in the family." Xue Yu scowled coldly, "Grandmother, you say I disregard human ethics, but I've already pleaded with you that Yunyang is not my wife's sister, yet you still won't grant your wish. Do you really despise Yunyang? That's why you're so eager to marry her off, completely ignoring the fact that Zhang Qian is a fool seeking immortality and is about to push Yunyang into the fire! Grandmother, you worship Buddha every day, but what are you worshipping for? How can you be so cruel!"
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