For a descendant to marry into the magistrate of a state is like soaring to the sky. In the past, Yu Ruhai would not even dare to dream of it. It is a great fortune that the Yang family is attracted to the fifth brother. How could they not respond?
"You don't need to say more. I, an old man, understand everything." Yu Ruhai said, "Thanks to the favor of Governor Yang, my Yu family will prepare the betrothal gifts and find a matchmaker. We will go to Qingzhou to propose marriage in person soon."
Manager Yang was relieved and happy. Fortunately, he had fulfilled his master's order. He had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Yu Wulang say, "Grandfather, are you going to disregard the law? The laws of every dynasty strictly forbid a man who already has a wife to remarry. Anyone who has a wife to remarry will be sentenced to one year in prison and 60 strokes of the cane. The woman's family will be punished one level less. If a man marries someone by deceiving them, he will be sentenced to three years in prison and 100 strokes of the cane. The woman's family will not be punished and they will be separated."
Yu Qizhe stood in the hall, ignoring Yu Ruhai's increasingly ugly expression, and spoke clearly, "I already have a wife. Grandfather deceived the Yang family and asked me to remarry. This is a contempt for the law and disregard for the reputation of my Yu family. I'm sorry that I can't obey."
His thin figure stood against the light from the hall, his back straight as a bamboo, making him look even taller and more upright. His handsome face was hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to see his expression, but the aura around him was faintly compelling.
"How can you call it remarrying? You are confused! The wife you are talking about is not Yu Jiao?" Yu Ruhai was shaking with anger. He pointed at Yu Qizhe angrily and looked at him, annoyed that he was not living up to his expectations.
How could this disobedient and unfilial thing mess up such a good marriage?
Yu Zhou hurried forward to calm him down. Yu Jinshu and Yu Jinyan in the corner had complicated expressions. At first, they were jealous that Yu Qizhe was favored by Prefect Yang, but now they had mixed feelings, jealous and angry that Yu Qizhe was so ignorant of the hunger that he wanted to give up such a good marriage.
Yu Ruhai recovered his breath and was concerned about Manager Yang standing beside him, fearing that the marriage would fail, so he hurriedly explained, "Manager Yang, listen to me in detail. My fifth grandson was weak and sickly before, and a Taoist priest said that he needed a wedding to ward off disasters and solve problems. So I bought a maid, who was the Jiao girl from the second house that I mentioned before. They have never had a marriage, nor have they ever been husband and wife. The girl Yu Jiao has been recognized as the daughter of the second house, and is also listed in my family's household deeds. She and my fifth grandson are just siblings, nothing else..."
"Grandfather!" Yu Qizhe interrupted him in a deep voice, "I have asked someone to change the deed. Yu Jiao is my wife. Whether you admit it or not, she is my wife. I will never marry anyone else!"
Outside the main hall, Yu Jiao paused for a moment, looking at the figure in the hall with a back as straight as a bamboo and a graceful figure. Her heart trembled slightly like a bamboo leaf blown by the wind, and her thoughts were in turmoil.
Yu Mengshan and his wife had already entered the hall. Seeing them coming, Yu Ruhai calmed down a lot, as if he had found a support and ally. With a gloomy face, he said, "Listen to what nonsense your son said. Why don't you try to persuade him?"
Just now, Zhang, the eldest wife, had gone to deliver the message. Although Yu Hanshan and Song were surprised that their son was favored by the daughter of the prefect's family, they were not the kind of people who would cling to power.
Besides, Yu Fuling had already told them about her fifth brother's rejection of the marriage proposal from Governor Yang in Qingzhou, and she also knew her son's feelings for Yu Jiao, so there was no way she would do such a thing as breaking up a couple.
"Yu Jiao saved Zhe'er's life. They are in love with each other and are a perfect match. Why should Dad make things difficult for Zhe'er? Since Zhe'er is willing to recognize Yu Jiao as his wife, we will naturally recognize Yu Jiao as our daughter-in-law." Yu Mengshan, who usually doesn't talk much, spoke before Song could open her mouth.
Yu Ruhai didn't expect Yu Mengshan to be so confused. He was so angry that he wanted to slam the table. He held back and said, "My parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, this marriage doesn't count if it doesn't count in my eyes. I'm the head of the family, and only I can decide on my fifth brother's marriage."
He turned to Manager Yang and said, "I'm sorry to make you laugh. My grandson is confused for the time being. Let me persuade him for two more days. When he thinks it through, I will take him to the Yang Mansion to propose marriage."
Manager Yang looked embarrassed. In front of him, the Yu family started making a fuss. And with the attitude of the second branch of the Yu family, how could the young lady's marriage be successful?
Looking at Master Yu Wu, it is clear that he is deeply in love with his bride who was brought here for good fortune. Even if he goes against his will and really marries his young lady, I am afraid it will not be a happy marriage.
A forced melon is not sweet. I don’t know why the master is so determined to have the fifth son of the Yu family as his son-in-law.
He sighed inwardly and said, "If Master Yu Wu changes his mind tomorrow, that would be great. Before I came here, my master said that he didn't care whether Master Yu Wu had been engaged before. As long as everything is settled, he can come to propose marriage. I have conveyed the message. It is inconvenient to stay any longer, so I will take my leave first."
Yu Ruhai felt much more at ease after hearing this. He didn't expect that Prefect Yang could be so tolerant.
He stood up to see Manager Yang off, but Yu Qizhe had already gone ahead and sent Manager Yang out.
Seeing Yu Jiao standing outside the door, the corners of his tightly-stretched lips relaxed slightly, and his dark and deep eyes met hers, filled with endless affection, like the warm sunshine shining in front of the window after the snow falls in winter.
Yu Jiao's breathing stagnated and her heartbeat became irregular. She lowered her eyes to avoid Yu Qizhe's gaze. Perhaps because of the sunlight, her cheeks felt slightly hot.
After seeing Manager Yang out of the courtyard, there were still many villagers standing outside the gate watching the fun.
"Please help me convey a message to Magistrate Yang. Qizhe already has a wife, and my feelings will never change. No matter how difficult it is, I will remain true to my heart." Yu Qizhe's every word was sonorous and resounding, without any reservations.
Manager Yang couldn't help but admire the young champion. If it were anyone else, with such a background, it would be impossible for him to be as uninterested in the marriage proposal from the Yang family as he was.
It is not impossible for a person of low character to divorce his wife and remarry.
He nodded, and although he was worried that he had not been able to complete the task assigned by the master, he still said, "I will definitely convey Master Yu Wu's words."
After Manager Yang left, the villagers gathered around and congratulated Yu Qizhe on his success in passing the imperial examination.
After dealing with the villagers, Yu Qizhe returned to the yard. Seeing Yu Jiao still standing in the yard, he slowly walked towards her.
Yu Jiao felt a little panicked and didn't dare to look at Yu Qizhe's narrow and seductive peach blossom eyes. As he approached, the air seemed to become scorching hot, causing her cheeks to heat up.
"Congratulations... Congratulations on passing the Liyuan exam and getting what you wished for." Yu Jiao said in a panic.
Seeing that she was like a frightened cat, with her fair cheeks flushed with shame, Yu Qizhe smiled warmly, with the corners of his eyes curved downward. His peach blossom eyes were shining brightly with a smile, and that smile seemed to hook onto people's hearts.
He hummed softly, leaned closer and held Yu Jiao's wrist.
Yu Jiao shivered, feeling that the heat from his palms could burn her. Although the sunlight was completely blocked by his tall figure, the dryness only increased.
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