Anyone aware of the Song Family’s situation would think the same, let alone Yuan Yunzhong, who had personally witnessed how Song Jiyun had preserved the family fortune, managed the Kiln Factory, and protected her relatives.
Song Jiyun nodded, "Yes!"
As if her response was expected, Yuan Yunzhong’s expression slightly cleared, and he said, "Jixue is smart and clever, showing considerable determination at such a young age; she’s someone with potential. If you are worried about who will continue the family business in the future, you can keep Jixue by your side for close guidance. Whether it’s overseeing the Kiln Factory or seeking a son-in-law, it should not bring dishonor to the Song Family’s name."
Was this a suggestion to keep Jixue at home?
Song Jiyun was somewhat surprised.
She hadn’t expected such high praise for Song Jixue from Yuan Yunzhong.
However, among her sisters, Song Jixue indeed had the strongest character; with proper guidance, she really could turn out to be her right-hand woman, or even take over the family business.
But between her and Yuan Yunzhong, there wasn’t just a matter of shared property.
Her gaze fell on a tree branch that had just sprouted new buds, "Struggling for the family’s wealth is merely for the sake of having our family live comfortably and not be bullied by others. I do not wish to leave Jingde Town, nor do I want to leave my home, my mother with no one to rely on, and my still young sisters."
Turning her head, she looked quietly at Yuan Yunzhong, "Young Master Yuan, you are the kindest person I have met. I fear that for the rest of my life, I will not encounter anyone better than you. It’s just that, we met at the wrong time. I cannot simply walk away like this."
She gave him a slight bow, and softly said, "I’m sorry!"
Yuan Yunzhong, however, dismissively uttered an "Oh" and walked over to the tree Song Jiyun had been gazing at, breaking off a branch, "I was forced into the spring boudoir when I was fourteen. My maternal grandfather, my grandfather, my father, my uncle, they all strongly opposed it. They felt that if I could earnestly study for a few years, even if I couldn’t become a top scorer in the imperial examinations, at least I could make a decent showing."
He caressed the tender yellow buds on the branch, his eyes seemed to hold a flowing milky way, "But I still joined the imperial examinations without any regrets and ended up placing fourteenth on the second rank list."
He looked up earnestly at Song Jiyun, "Everyone felt sorry for me, but I thought it was quite good. Although I didn’t make a name for myself in the examinations, I obtained official status and a stipend, and could do whatever I wished. My parents also had no say over my future or my marriage."
His gaze burning into Song Jiyun, he said, "I can take care of your family."
Song Jiyun’s heart trembled slightly.
Having lived two lives, she had never been promised such a thing.
But she quickly regained her composure.
"Thank you!" She spoke sincerely to Yuan Yunzhong, "However, while you are willing to look after my family, I am not able to look after yours."
Yuan Yunzhong showed a rare expression of astonishment.
Song Jiyun spoke candidly, "Shao Qing entered officialdom through the military examinations despite his status as a Family Retainer in your household. I’d vaguely sensed that your origins were extraordinary. After the journey to Nanjing, the unimpeded Inspection Division, the estate next to Confucius Temple, the preferential treatment from Yingtian Prefecture... All of these have allowed me to truly feel the unparalleled prominence of the Yuan Family, as vivid and intense as fireworks."
"The Song Family is far from the Yuan Family’s reach!" Having misunderstood before, she realized she needed to speak very clearly and thoroughly with Yuan Yunzhong, "If our families were to be joined in marriage, could your relatives sincerely and wholeheartedly, without any reservations, joyfully accept this union?"
Of course not!
This thought flashed through Yuan Yunzhong’s mind.
He looked at Song Jiyun, lips quivering, unable to utter a word.
A faint sense of melancholy crossed Song Jiyun’s heart, but she said indifferently, "No one is born out of a rock crevice. I have been graced by my parents and can’t forget how my father held my hand teaching me to write, how my mother made me winter clothes under the lamp, or how my sisters cuddled in my embrace. Empathy dictates that despite any rifts with your parents, you must also have such warm and unforgettable moments.
"I can’t bear to leave my family, so how can I let you forget your parents’ kindness? How can I allow you to quarrel with them because of me?
"You and they are kin, flesh of the same flesh, where the bond is thicker than water. I am merely a daughter-in-law entering that family because of you. They may forgive and tolerate you, but may not necessarily accept me. I don’t want, nor do I wish for such a life."
Song Jiyun was all too aware of the importance of a woman’s independence.
If Yuan Yunzhong had been from an ordinary official’s family, she might still have tried her utmost. But with the Yuan Family’s towering presence, it was clear she and Yuan Yunzhong were not a good match.
Everything that happened in the Temple of the Wind God was proof.
No matter how smart, how capable, how strategic she was, without Yuan Yunzhong’s timely intervention, Lord Wang’s overwhelming power would have left her with no chance for redemption.
After all the back and forth, without the possibility of maintaining an independent marriage, she would not accept it.
"I’m sorry!" Song Jiyun bowed to Yuan Yunzhong, "We are not a good match, I have no intention of marrying above my station!"
Yuan Yunzhong stood there motionless, his straight lashes casting faint shadows on his snow-white face.
"I’m sorry!" Song Jiyun, unable to bear the sight, apologized to Yuan Yunzhong again. She bowed her head and turned to leave Yinyu Hall.
Yuan Yunzhong looked up.
Watching her figure disappear through the Moon Cave Gate.
And she did not look back!
In the early spring season, the wind on the face was no longer cold, yet Yuan Yunzhong felt a chill as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Slim bamboo leaves fell at his feet, twirling in the spring breeze.
Shao Qing’s voice then came from the courtyard, "Eh! Where’s Boss Song?"
He walked in holding a red lacquer tray with gilded begonia flowers, looking around as he said, "She was just here! I even went to the tea room to get her favorite sweet osmanthus sugar for the tea snacks..."
But when he saw Yuan Yunzhong standing alone in the middle of the courtyard, his voice involuntarily softened.
Yuan Yunzhong stood erect, his complexion as pale as plain silk, his dark eyes like stars fallen into an abyss, dim and lightless.
He had grown up with Yuan Yunzhong since they were little, and knew that Yuan Yunzhong had learned from a young age not to let his emotions show. He had never seen Yuan Yunzhong look like this before.
"What’s, what’s the matter?" he asked quietly.
"It’s nothing!" Yuan Yunzhong murmured, his voice as light as the night breeze. Shao Qing, with his keen hearing, barely caught it, "I’m fine!"
His voice grew gradually firmer, as if he was answering Shao Qing, but it seemed more like he was convincing himself.
Shao Qing was utterly baffled.
This didn’t look like nothing was wrong.
Could it be that he had argued with Boss Song?
That shouldn’t be the case!
Even when the young master and the Second Old Master had a fierce argument, it had not been like this... a look of utter desolation.
What on earth had Boss Song said to leave their young master looking so devastated?
Scratching his head, Shao Qing was still pondering how to ask this when Yuan Yunzhong suddenly started moving, "I’ll go to Brother Jiang’s place. To see if the dispatch from the Capital has arrived."
The case involving Prince Ning had already concluded, and they were only waiting for the secret edict from the Capital to return for their report.
They had been away from home long enough.
Shao Qing quickly offered, "Then I’ll prepare the carriage for you."
Looking up, he realized it had started to rain at some point.
The rain streaked down slantwise like cow hair.
"No need!" Yuan Yunzhong walked into the night, "I’ll ride a horse there."
He also instructed, "You don’t need to follow me, I’ll be back soon."
How could Shao Qing dare to let him out alone? But by the time he grabbed an umbrella and chased after him, Yuan Yunzhong was already out of sight.
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