Chapter 60. Chapter 60. "I'll wait for her to..." and divorce.
He Sheng stared at Yu He'an for a long time, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, until she tugged at his blue sleeve and brought him back to his senses.
She moved closer and whispered to He Sheng not to be impolite.
He Sheng regained his senses, smiled at her with his head down, and explained in a low voice, "It seems that I saw Brother He'an outside the courtyard on our wedding night."
Her heart skipped a beat. She had assumed that it was Aunt He who had knocked He Sheng unconscious that night, and that Yu He'an and He Sheng had never met. She hadn't expected Yu He'an to be so unreserved, barging directly into the courtyard.
She had no choice but to move closer and speak in a tone that the two of them could hear, "You must be mistaken. These days, my brother has been away from home and hasn't come back."
"Really? I did drink too much. My memories of that night are all jumbled up." He Sheng seemed to believe her.
The two heads almost touched, intimate and natural.
Granny Liu turned to look at Old Madam Song, her eyes mocking the newlyweds' sweet affection, a moment of deep love.
Yu He'an stood there, squinting as he sized up the newlyweds.
There was no sign of weariness on his face from rushing on his journey. When he entered the courtyard, there was still a hint of spring in his eyes, but now a chill had replaced it, suppressing that spring and making it hard to see clearly.
The atmosphere gradually became awkward; the scorching heat had completely dissipated the harmonious atmosphere that had just been present in the courtyard.
Liu Mama remained calm and led Yu He'an to Old Madam Song's side, separating him from Yu Tan. "You've returned just in time; dinner will be served soon."
Upon seeing Yu He'an return, Old Madam Song waved to him, "He'an's back, come and sit down. Serving the imperial family is not like being at home anymore; you look so tired and thin."
Yu He'an didn't move, seemingly too exhausted to take another step, and sat down next to Yu Tan. "Grandmother."
Yu He'an accompanied the Fifth Prince Chu Yunce on a mission to investigate officials' unauthorized iron ore mining.
Madam Song smiled and said, "I heard from your father that you handled this task very well, except that you were a bit hasty towards the end. Be careful with your words and actions, and avoid being impulsive in everything you do."
Granny Liu chimed in, "Young Master has always been calm and composed, so Madam need not worry."
With Madam Song and Yu He'an already seated, it would be strange to change seats now. So she had no choice but to bite the bullet and pull He Sheng to sit down, which put her in the middle between Yu He'an and He Sheng.
Yu He'an's gaze passed over her and landed on He Sheng.
Although He Sheng was a commoner, he was a man of integrity who could not be swayed by poverty, and he stood up straight when being scrutinized.
Scholars all know the name of Yu He'an. Before he even reached adulthood, he became the top scholar in the imperial examination. When they look at Yu He'an, half of their eyes are filled with admiration and the other half with confusion.
Was he mistaken the other day? He was too drunk at the wedding banquet and couldn't remember many details.
He Sheng smiled and bowed, saying, "Brother He'an."
Although Yu Tan did not look up, she could feel Yu He'an's gaze falling on her, like a red-hot coal falling on the back of her foot, burning her and leaving her at a loss.
She hadn't expected Yu He'an to come, and she was afraid that Yu He'an would really expose their relationship in front of Old Madam Song.
What will she do then?
As she was filled with thoughts and anxieties, a hand with distinct knuckles slipped into her sleeve, first squeezing her palm, then grasping her fingertips.
Yu Tan's back was slightly bent, and she looked extremely wary, much like a cat with its fur standing on end.
She looked up in a panic. At the dinner table, Madam Song and He Sheng were chatting and laughing as usual, as if they hadn't noticed anything unusual between them.
She was so nervous that her body stiffened, but luckily her stool was very close to Yu He'an's, and their wide sleeves overlapped.
Yu He'an turned to the side, getting even closer, making the clasped hands under her sleeves even more discreet.
Curious, he asked, "Who is this?"
Upon hearing the phrase "to personally inspect," Yu He'an's brow twitched violently, and the corners of his lips curled up, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
“I was away for only three months, and my sister got married. She was in such a hurry that she didn’t even wait for me to come back, and she didn’t even write a letter.”
Her fingers, hidden beneath her sleeves, tightened slightly. She pursed her lips, unable to utter a single word.
She knew that Yu He'an was complaining that she had acted on her own initiative and was upset that she hadn't replied to his letter.
She read those letters several times and then put them away at the very back of her vanity case.
Madam Song smiled and said, "When the time is right, things will happen soon. Good days don't wait for anyone. Even after you leave the manor, you should go back to the Marquis's manor more often and spend more time with your grandmother."
She nodded in agreement.
Madam Song's gaze passed over Yu Tan and occasionally glanced at Yu He'an.
From the moment he entered the room, Yu He'an's gaze never left Yu Tan.
Yu Tan carefully avoided him, seemingly not wanting to be associated with Yu He'an at all.
Madam Song said, "Yaoyao is already married, it's time for you to settle down too. You used to make excuses when you were being looked at before, saying you were focused on your career. Now that you've passed the imperial examination, what do you think of the noble ladies you were looking at before?"
At the spring banquet, I heard that Princess Chang Le and you were getting quite close.
"Grandmother, don't worry. I already have someone I like, someone I've liked for a long time." Her tone was gentle, with a hint of a smile.
This statement was undoubtedly a thunderbolt, ready to shatter the calm surface of the water.
Her eyes widened, she stood there stunned for a few moments, then quickly lowered her head.
Beneath the sleeve, he gently pinched her fingers, parting them, and his slender fingers slipped inside, their fingers intertwining.
Madam Song was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "You have someone you like? Why haven't I heard you mention it?"
"A daughter of a military general, with a gentle personality, excellent looks, and extremely kind to me." When mentioning the person he liked, Yu He'an smiled, his expression melting away like ice and snow, revealing the heart-fluttering look of a young man.
There were several generals in Bianjing, and indeed there were two young women of similar age to Yu He'an. I went through them in my mind one by one, and they were both quite good-looking and well-matched in terms of social standing.
Yu He'an is stubborn. If he admits to liking someone, it must be someone he's set his mind on, and he'll definitely get them. Old Madam Song's brows furrowed and relaxed, as if she breathed a sigh of relief, then furrowed again.
It wasn't Yu Tan. It wasn't Yu Tan at all. She must have been mistaken.
The strange thing about Yu He'an entering the courtyard was simply that this younger sister, whom he had protected since childhood, hadn't told him about such a big event as her marriage.
Everything was just her wild speculation. Because of this speculation, she half-forced Yu Tan to marry someone.
The regret that had been building up over the past few days had slowly reached its peak.
She's really getting senile.
"If you really like her, go and propose marriage as soon as possible. Don't be too proud. A young man should take the initiative."
Yu He'an smiled and said, "Grandson remembers. I will come to propose marriage when she is available."
Madam Song frowned: "Both are unmarried, so why is it inconvenient for them to meet? They should settle down as soon as possible."
“I’m waiting for her to… divorce.”
If Yu He'an continued, he would mention her name. She couldn't pretend to be deaf and dumb any longer, so she quickly grabbed his hand to interrupt him and said urgently, "Brother."
Yu He'an raised an eyebrow, his expression clearly showing that he had finally remembered that he was his older brother.
Old Madam Song turned her gaze over as well: "What's wrong?"
“It’s good that you have someone you like. Bring her back in the future, and we’ll have a chance to meet her eventually. Let’s eat first, I’m hungry.”
Yu Zheng was on duty and went to patrol the Thousand Bull Guard, taking Zhao Qiuci with him.
The household was now complete. Granny Liu instructed the maids to serve the dishes, and the maids filed in to serve them.
"Yaoyao, why aren't you eating?"
Her hand was still being held; she pulled hard and finally managed to free her right hand.
Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts during the meal, and the atmosphere was quite strange after the food was cleared away.
Changming rushed in, looking anxious.
"My lord, the Marquis has returned from his duty and is looking for you."
"I haven't congratulated you on your wedding yet, sister. Come to Fengxu Courtyard later; I have a gift for you." As Yu He'an stood up, his gaze remained fixed on her, as if he wouldn't leave unless she accepted.
She nodded in agreement, and Yu He'an finally left.
Old Madam Song glanced at He Sheng, then at her, as if she wanted to speak to her privately.
Granny Liu stepped forward and said, "Young Master He, please come with me to see the Marquis's library. The old lady has something she wants to say to you privately."
The prospect of viewing the Marquis's collection of books greatly excited He Sheng, so he looked at Yu Tan and asked her what she thought.
Yu Tan smiled and said, "The Marquis's mansion has a rich collection of books, which will be beneficial to your examination. If you want to go, go and have a look. I will come to find you in a little while."
Granny Liu led He Sheng to the library. Old Madam Song relaxed her tense shoulders, took her hand, and made her sit closer.
With no one else in the courtyard, Old Madam Song still lowered her voice.
"When He An went out to investigate a case, he discovered a case of illegal iron ore mining, in which Chu Minglang was implicated."
The Chu family stumbled in the previous generation because of their struggle for succession, and no one expected that Chu Minglang would also stumble in this matter.
They originally thought that settling down in Lingnan would be a wonderful place to enjoy wealth and luxury.
If Yu Tan's identity had not been exposed, and she had truly married Yu Tan off to Lingnan, she would not only be widowed on her wedding night, but would also be implicated by her husband's family, becoming the family of a disgraced official, and her life would be ruined.
Yu Tan comforted her, "Grandmother, we didn't go, did we?"
Madam Song said guiltily, "Yaoyao, it's a good thing you didn't listen to me and marry Chu Minglang. If you had married him, I would have been the one pushing you into a fire pit."
"Grandmother, don't think about it anymore." She squeezed Old Madam Song's hand back.
Madam Song's self-blame was excessive; this matter had been tormenting this nearly eighty-year-old woman, and it shouldn't have been like this.
"Yaoyao, am I really getting senile?"
The rain was so heavy on the day Yu Tan was driven out of the manor, and she made Yu Tan kneel in the rain. After suspecting that Yu Tan liked Yu He'an, she used the affection she had shown for raising her for many years to force her to marry.
Thinking they had found a way to save everyone, in reality only Yu Tan was sacrificed.
She harmed Yu Tan twice. Yu Tan was clearly her most beloved granddaughter, so how could she have thrown away years of affection the moment the blood ties were severed?
Tears welled up in Madam Song's cloudy eyes; she was truly old and her mind was no longer clear.
If she hadn't gotten involved with Yu He'an, she could have openly and honestly borne this guilt and then left with a clear conscience.
Not knowing how to answer, she simply sat with Old Madam Song in the courtyard for a while.
As the sun began to slant, the tree canopy could no longer block out the sun.
"Grandmother, let me help you inside for your afternoon nap." After taking care of Madam Song, she got up to say goodbye.
She walked slowly out of Hexiang Courtyard, her mind a jumble. As she passed the artificial hill, she walked several dozen meters in the direction of Fengxu Courtyard.
He hurriedly turned back to the artificial hill, then headed towards the library, intending to find He Sheng.
"Yu Tan, I knew it. You never took what I said to heart." A pale figure emerged from behind the artificial hill and grabbed her wrist.
Author's Note: Thank you MiMaoMaoMaoTouXiHaYeZeAPei for the nutrient solution [Lop-eared Rabbit Head]
Thank you so much! [kissing emojis]
I'll be updating every other day soon, I'm really sorry. [Crying emoji]
The lab is just too busy. Being a part-time worker is too passive. My job requires a high level of concentration, which means that when I leave the lab, my mind goes blank for a long time. I tried to force myself to write, but I had no emotion in it. My writing was emotionless, so I deleted it word by word.
I've been going to bed after 2 a.m. for two weeks now, but I still have to get up at 7 a.m.
I won't cheat you. I'm just really too busy. I'm so sorry.
If you abandon this story, please don't tell me, I beg you. [Hugs] Love you all! [Sprinkling flowers]
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