Her face turned pale with fright, and she was about to rush over in a panic: "Lin Lin, what are you doing? Please, don’t do anything stupid!"
However, Song Yalin pressed the golden hairpin further against her neck, decidedly saying: "I only have one question for you, mother. Do you still want to arrange my marriage? If you honestly still care about me a little, I will put down this hairpin. However, if you insist on forcing me into a marriage, then I consider that you don’t care about me at all. It won’t matter if I die here today."
Madam Song almost panicked upon hearing this, fearing that getting too close would incite Song Yalin to do something foolish. She hurriedly said: "How could I bear to see you die? If you really don’t want to get married, I won’t force you. How could I harm you?"
She was eager for her daughter to marry soon because she was getting older, and it was vital. Which family had a daughter who was still unmarried at the age of twenty? Ji Xinhe’s daughter was already five years old, and she was only twenty-two!
If things continued, Song Yalin might genuinely never have a chance to get married.
Madam Song initially thought her daughter was just being naive, but seeing her resolve now, she dared not force her. Above everything, her daughter’s life was the most critical thing!
With tears rolling down her cheeks, Song Yalin asked, "Really?"
"Of course, it’s true!" Madam Song said urgently, "Now, put that hairpin down!"
But Song Yalin didn’t lower the hairpin; instead, she looked at Ji Xinhe, obviously forcing her to make a promise.
What Song Yalin demanded throughout was a promise from Ji Xinhe. She wanted to ensure that this woman would have absolutely no chance to push her into an arranged marriage. She wanted her to wait helplessly for the Imperial Edict of the marriage grant!
Madam Song looked at Song Yalin’s gaze towards Ji Xinhe and understood what she meant, hastily saying to Ji Xinhe: "Princess, given how much Lin Lin resists, we should drop this marriage proposal."
Throughout this, Xin He had a calm expression that was so light it was hard to read her emotions or thoughts. Her eyes, deep like ancient wells, seemed like black holes that could easily perceive people’s hearts.
Xin He took a glance at Song Yalin and sneered inside. This Song Yalin indeed had good methods, threatening suicide. Still, bluntly put, she knew Madam Song would never let her die. Madam Song was always soft-hearted, and a mere scare could make her surrender.
Now Madam Song herself was not willing to let her daughter get married, but if she insisted, it would be unjustified. Even if she was Princess Pingyang, what right did she have to meddle in other’s affairs?
At this moment, Song Yalin wanted her to promise verbally, looking pitiful. But how could Xin He not see clearly the subtle challenge in her eyes?
Xin He puckered her lips, suddenly raising them up into a shallow smile: "It’s all about a simple marriage, if you don’t want it then forget it. Why make such a fuss? If you are really unwilling, how could I force you?"
With that, she sighed softly: "I too have a daughter, and she is my heart and soul. I couldn’t bear to force her into something she doesn’t want, and I believe Madam Song feels the same."
Upon hearing this, Madam Song nodded vigorously, her eyes turning red.
Song Yalin looked at Ji Xinhe with a somewhat suspicious gaze. To her surprise, how could Ji Xinhe be so agreeable?!
Didn’t Ji Xinhe come today to force her into accepting an arranged marriage? What did she mean by now so easily agreeing not to arrange her marriage? Let alone that, there was no anger or disappointment on her face, instead it was tinged with a faint...mockery.
When Song Yalin realized Ji Xinhe was likely mocking her, a chill ran through her body and a bad premonition crept into her heart.
Xin He stood up, walked over to Song Yalin, and crouched next to her. She used a handkerchief to wipe her face, and with her slender fingers like a budding onion, she took the hairpin from Song Yalin’s hand, laughed softly, and said: "This hairpin is very sharp, if you were to scratch your skin and leave a scar it would not look good. Don’t do such foolish things in the future. If you don’t like something, who can force you?"
The caution in Song Yalin’s eyes deepened.
However, Xin He got up and looked down at her: "However, this marriage is a lifetime matter. Are you really sure that you don’t want to get married?"
Song Yalin carefully considered her words but didn’t seem to find anything amiss. She somewhat believed and doubted Xin He, and nodded, thinking once the Imperial Edict came everyone had to obey it, so what was a verbal promise worth now?
But who knew, Xin He sighed at Madam Song: "Since her attitude is so resolute, it seems that she truly won’t marry in this lifetime."
Madam Song’s face fell, and she too sighed.
"But the unmarried girl, always staying at home, is likely to be subjected to endless gossip. Right now, everyone in Yu State is eyeing the third girl. Even if she wishes for peace, the wind may not stop. Since the third girl is so adamant, I thought we could simply..." Xin He paused, her eyes revealing a different kind of intention.
Alarm bells were going off in Song Yalin’s head, she stared intensely at Ji Xinhe.
Indeed, Ji Xinhe made sense. An unmarried girl, always staying at home, can be drowned by the loose talk. Especially given Song Yalin’s reputation had already been ruined, her name might get even worse now. That would cause the Song family to be talked about for a lifetime.
Madam Song immediately asked, "Simply what?"
Xin He smiled, looking at Song Yalin, and said: "Simply shave her hair and become a nun, to live in the temple, where it is peaceful, and she can maintain a good reputation. This would undoubtedly be the best solution for the third girl."
Madam Song was shocked at her words, "Shave her hair and become a nun?"
Song Yalin’s face turned white almost instantly, instinctively saying: "I don’t want to!"
Xin He looked surprised at her, "You don’t want to? You have already decided not to get married again, so becoming a nun shouldn’t be a problem. If you think life at the temple is too dull, you can take some servants with you. It will be even quieter there. Third girl, you should know that people’s words are to be feared. Your reputation is already very poor, and after refusing the marriage, not marrying again would make it worse. I fear the endless gossip in the future..."
Song Yalin quickly said, "I’m not afraid!"
Xin He ignored her, turned around, and spoke to Madam Song: "It’s only because of our friendship over the years that I reminded you. The situation for the third girl is very special. She is already on the brink, and there must be a solution. Now she doesn’t want to get married, nor does she want to leave home. She only wants to stay in the Song family. Those unbearable noises from outside will come out. For girls, more lethal gossips can be deadly. Madam Song, you should know this."
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