Chapter 63 Cousin Yan Yunzhang
The group returned to Song Lane before sunset. The luggage that Huiyin had brought had already been taken away by Song Xiuwu's family, and they hadn't seen a trace of it.
Song Xiuwu and Song Qiao arranged for her to live in a two-courtyard house, then sent over an elderly maid and disappeared.
Under the eaves of the courtyard, Yan Niang lit three lamps one after another. The orange light illuminated the dimness and warmed people's hearts.
Huiyin sat in the courtyard drinking tea, while Yanniang paced back and forth in front of her, her face anxious. "This Song family is a den of dragons and tigers; they've really gone too far!"
“Mother Fu, you overestimate them. They’re not exactly a den of dragons and tigers.” Huiyin poured a cup of tea and handed it to Yan Niang, comforting her as she sat down.
Yan Niang downed her drink in one gulp, gripping the cup angrily, and said, "You've only just returned, and they've already taken all our valuables! This is outrageous!"
"Don't worry, Madam Fu." Huiyin waved her hand. "I reckon tonight won't be peaceful either; a grand opera is about to begin."
Yan Niang's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Huiyin didn't keep anyone in suspense and explained, "My return today and the confrontation with Song Xiuwu at the entrance of Song Lane have already caused quite a stir. Everyone in Wan County must know about it. I'm waiting for my uncle's house."
"uncle?"
"The Yan family is also a prominent clan in Wan County, though not as numerous as the Song family. But they are not to be trifled with. The current head of the Yan family is my mother's elder brother. When my father was in trouble, this uncle helped me out, and I expect he will come knocking on my door today to stand up for me."
Yan Niang pressed, "What do you intend to do?"
Huiyin raised her eyes and stared at the door. "Naturally, I'm taking back what's mine. I won't give Song Xiuwu a single penny, and I'll use this opportunity to resolve any future problems with the title."
"Knock knock knock—"
Yan Niang stepped forward and opened the door. The person outside spoke very quickly, "Miss Song, come quickly to the front yard. People from the Yan family have arrived."
After finishing the last sip of tea, Huiyin got up, tied her cloak, and walked outside. The autumn night was still a bit chilly.
The front yard was brightly lit. In addition to Song Xiuwu and a dozen or so Song family uncles whom I had seen during the day, there were seven other people standing in the center of the yard. The leader had a long beard, a square face and thick lips. He was about seven feet tall and his body was as thick as a wall.
The person standing next to him was handsome with delicate features and a slender figure; his face looked very familiar.
Huiyin stepped forward, first paying her respects to her uncles, and then discreetly stepped aside to look at the three people in the middle.
Song Xiuwu cleared his throat and pointed to the square-faced man, saying, "This is your uncle, Yan Xiao."
Huiyin's eyes flashed, and she hesitated before stepping forward and whispering, "Uncle."
She looked up and saw tears welling up in Yan Xiao's eyes, his outstretched hands trembling. "Oh, my good child, you've suffered so much."
Huiyin felt a lump in her throat and quickly lowered her head, remaining silent. She had speculated about her uncle many times before returning, guessing both the good and the bad, and hadn't held out much hope.
But seeing the few remaining relatives in the world, I couldn't help but tear up.
Looking at the beautiful young woman in front of him, Yan Xiao felt as if he were seeing Yan Zhuo in her youth, and he choked up, unable to speak.
The young man beside him couldn't stand it any longer and took Yan Xiao's arm, saying, "Father, we're still at the Song family's house."
Yan Xiao snapped out of her daze and forced a smile, saying, "I was just blinded by the wind, please don't take it to heart."
He pulled the young man aside and introduced him to Huiyin, "This is your cousin, Yan Yunzhang."
Huiyin looked up and saw that Yan Yunzhang and Yan Xiao looked completely different, not at all like father and son. Yan Xiao also did not resemble her mother at all, but her cousin Yan Yunzhang's eyebrows and eyes were very much like her mother's, and also very much like her, making him feel kind of familiar.
Huiyin nodded to Yan Yunzhang, curtsied, and softly called out, "Cousin."
Song Xiuwu, who was waiting, interrupted impatiently, "Alright, Yan Xiao, you've seen him. He's a very nice person. You can leave now."
Yan Xiao ignored him and asked Huiyin gently, "How has the Song family treated you? Have they bullied you?"
Song Qiao couldn't help but speak up: "Yan Xiao, what are you saying!"
Huiyin blinked, then immediately complained, looking down and saying aggrievedly, "The courtyard they put me in was dilapidated, and they even took all my luggage."
"What!" Yan Xiao was furious. He pulled Huiyin behind him and yelled at the Song family, "Song Xiuwu, you old bastard, do you really think the Yan family has no one to rely on? How dare you bully my niece like this? She just came back and you've already seized the family fortune!"
"Outrageous!" Song Xiuwu's face turned ashen with anger, and he slammed his cane on the ground with a loud thud. "How could a woman like her manage affairs? I was just keeping them safe for her."
"Pah! You're shameless as you get older, aren't you? If you don't spit out what you've got today, I'll let the whole city know what kind of person you are. Someone like you, with no manners or morals whatsoever, does he even deserve to continue being the clan leader?"
Huiyin looked at Yan Xiao's back and felt a warmth in her heart. It had been a long time since someone had protected her like this.
Yan Yunzhang turned to look at her and saw a glint in her eyes. He thought she was scared and quickly comforted her, "Don't be afraid, cousin. We will definitely protect you."
Huiyin smiled and nodded, saying happily, "Thank you, cousin, and thank you, uncle."
Song Xiuwu was furious and immediately retorted, "Song Xiao, don't go too far. She is a member of the Song family, and it's none of your business to meddle."
Yan Xiao didn't budge an inch. "Hmph, she's my niece, my sister's daughter. How can I not care! I'm too lazy to talk to you anymore. Hurry up and return the things. I'm taking Huiyin away tonight."
Song Xiuwu's face turned ashen with rage, and he looked like he was only able to gasp for breath. Seeing this, Song Qiao, who was standing beside him, quickly stepped forward to support him and help him catch his breath. At the same time, Song Qiao glared fiercely at the Yan family and others, and ordered the Song clan members behind him, "What are you all standing there for? Get these people out of here!"
"Let's see who dares!" Yan Xiao drew his sword from his waist with a whoosh. The gleaming blade was exceptionally sharp in the firelight. He took two steps forward, sword in hand. His imposing figure alone intimidated the Song clan members who surrounded him, displaying an aura of one man holding off ten thousand.
Worried that things would get too tense, Yan Yunzhang stepped forward respectfully with his hands clasped and said, "Please forgive me, Elder Song. My father misses Huiyin, but he just wants to bring her back to the Yan family to stay for a few days. It's only natural."
"That sounds nice," Song Qiao sneered, her gaze repulsive. "Do you think I don't know what you're up to? Once this stuff enters your Yan family's door, will it ever come out? Let me tell you, treasures and titles belong to the Song family. If you want to steal them, you'd better see if you have the ability!"
"You!" Yan Xiao was furious. He raised his hand and slammed out a ceramic lamp, spilling oil all over the ground with a splattering sound. "You are petty people! I never thought of that!"
"Hmph." Song Qiao sneered, looking at Huiyin with a smug expression, her words carrying a hidden threat. "Song Huiyin, you are a smart woman. As an orphan, you can't possibly keep your title no matter what. You can't be two Songs. As long as you agree to let my grandson be adopted by your father, our family will definitely treat you well in the future and find you a good marriage."
"Shut up! How dare you say such things to my face! I will never let you have your way!" Yan Xiao shouted angrily, pointing his knife at Song Qiao.
Song Qiao snorted coldly, "You're quite the actor. You rushed here so urgently just to take her back so your son can marry Song Huiyin and rightfully seize the title, right?"
Huiyin raised her eyes, completely surprised that Song Qiao could be so shameless as to say such a thing.
She sneered, "Why should I agree to your request? The title was His Majesty's compensation to my family. Even if there is no successor, I will not let you have it."
Song Qiao's expression gradually turned ugly. In her eyes, Song Huiyin was just a little girl who was inexperienced in the ways of the world. She could be coaxed into obedience with a few words, or even scared with a few words if necessary. After all, what trouble could an orphan like her cause?
However, it seems he underestimated her. Well, he should have known about Song Wei's burial today; this child is not one to be easily subdued.
However, it doesn't matter. Once she returns to Wan County, no matter how capable she is, she can't cause any trouble. Clan is paramount, and filial piety is the ultimate constraint.
Song Qiao first ordered someone to help the unconscious Song Xiuwu down the stairs, then walked slowly down the steps with his hands behind his back, and sighed earnestly, "Huiyin, you can't just stand by and watch your father's lineage die out, can you? If you adopt a son to carry on the family line, your parents will have someone to offer incense during festivals, right?"
Huiyin calmly watched the farce unfold and said indifferently, "My parents have a son, and I have a younger brother. There is no need for me to adopt a son."
Song Qiao stood with his hands behind his back, stroking his beard and sighing softly, "Whether Jingchuan can be found is another matter. What if he never finds him in his lifetime?"
Yan Yunzhang continued, "Even if Jingchuan cannot be found, Huiyin is still alive, and this title will naturally be inherited by her offspring."
"Nonsense! Women are all destined to marry out! She will belong to another family after that, and her son will be of outsider blood. How can he inherit the Song family's title?"
Huiyin had been waiting for these words. She coldly replied, "Who said I was going to get married?"
Song Qiao squinted at her, and Yan Xiao and Yan Yunzhang also turned to look at Huiyin.
“I’m the only one left in the Song family now. Can’t I take in a son-in-law?” Huiyin said slowly.
Song Qiao was the first to object, "How can this be allowed!"
Yan Xiao immediately chimed in, “Why not? I think taking in a son-in-law is a great idea. In the future, Huiyin’s offspring will also bear the surname Song, which is perfectly legitimate.”
Song Qiao was momentarily speechless, but someone behind him stepped forward to offer advice. He calmed himself down and said, "How many men who are willing to become sons-in-law are actually good? Throughout history, there have been countless cases of sons-in-law colluding with outsiders to seize their family's property."
Huiyin smiled and said, "It is not uncommon for adopted children to value their biological parents more."
Song Qiao was speechless, "You..."
After a long silence, Song Yunzhang suddenly walked up to Huiyin, bowed, and said, "Cousin, if you don't mind, I... am willing to become your son-in-law and join the Song family."
Huiyin frowned, never expecting Song Yunzhang to say such a thing. She said she wanted to find a son-in-law to live with her parents, but that was just a way to postpone today's events and dissuade Song Qiao from adopting a son for her parents.
"Cousin...you..."
Could it be true, as Song Qiao said, that his uncle's family also coveted the title?
Yan Xiao also realized what was happening and quickly explained, "Huiyin, I have four sons. Your cousin Yunzhang is the youngest and also the most promising. If you are willing, neither his mother nor I have any objection to him marrying into the family."
Song Qiao: "Hmph! You say you don't care? Yan Xiao, your behavior is far too shameless."
Yan Yunzhang smiled slightly, his eyes as clear as a gentle breeze and a bright moon. He said loudly, "I am willing to go to the county magistrate to file a report. I will not take a single penny of the Song family's wealth or title. If I break my oath, I am willing to go to jail and be punished. If my cousin finds someone else she loves in the future, just leave me behind."
"Furthermore, if Jingchuan is found in the future, the title will naturally be inherited by Jingchuan."
Yan Xiao nodded in agreement, gazing at Huiyin with a glimmer of hope.
Huiyin lowered her eyes. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way, but Yan Yunzhang's suggestion really appealed to her.
With Yan Yunzhang as her shield and the Yan family as her backing, Song Xiuwu and Song Qiao couldn't do anything to her, let alone seize the title.
Besides, if she uses the matter of finding a husband to gloss over it today, the Song family will definitely not let it go. They will definitely make a big deal out of her finding a husband and might even force her to marry someone else.
Yan Yunzhang was her cousin, and her uncle's kindness towards her was genuine.
She smiled and nodded slightly, "Okay."
To avoid any unforeseen complications, Huiyin moved out of the Song residence that very night with the help of the Yan family father and son. Yan Xiao and his son then led her to the Yan residence.
Madam Yan had received the news early in the morning and was waiting at the door. She was a very kind person, with a plump figure and a small red mole under her right eye. She was warm to Huiyin but not annoying, and even showed no dissatisfaction with Yan Yunzhang becoming a live-in son-in-law.
It was already late when Madam Yan left after arranging for her to stay. They had originally intended to arrange for Huiyin to stay in the inner courtyard, but Huiyin politely declined. She only planned to stay at the Yan family's house for one night and then have someone go out to find a suitable courtyard to rent the next day.
Huiyin didn't mean anything by it; she had just agreed to marry Yan Yunzhang, and since it was a marriage proposal, she couldn't stay at the Yan family's house forever.
After a long day, Huiyin was quite tired. She took a relaxing bath and lay on the bed, lost in thought.
Her parents had been buried in the ancestral graves, and one major matter on her mind was resolved. The remaining matter was Jingchuan's whereabouts. When she was in Chang'an, Feng Cheng, Wang Huan, and that other person had all helped her search for him, but no news had come back.
Jingchuan, where is he?
She rubbed her face, rolled over, and lay face down on the soft pillow. She didn't take the marriage with Yan Yunzhang seriously. Tomorrow, she would go to Yan Yunzhang and explain that this marriage was just a shield. If Yan Yunzhang minded, she would find another way.
After pouring the water, Yan Niang tiptoed in and knelt on the footstool to make the bed. Hearing the noise, Huiyin rolled to the inside of the bed and patted her side, saying, "Mother Fu, come and sleep here."
Yan Niang happily exclaimed "Ah!", took off her outer robe, and lay down on the bed. Hui Yin leaned over, hugged her waist, rubbed her face against hers, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes to sleep.
Yan Niang gently patted Huiyin's shoulder.
Huiyin asked softly, "Mother Fu, what do you think of the Yan family?"
Yan Niang paused, then hesitated and said, "The Yan father and son seem genuinely sincere, but something about Madam Yan is a bit off."
Huiyin shared the same view. Of the four sons in the Yan family, only the fourth son, Yan Yunzhang, was born to her; the other three were born to her concubines.
In other words, she only has one biological son. Under such circumstances, she didn't mind at all that her only son was going to marry into her family, even though it was her husband's sister's daughter. That was too generous of her.
Huiyin opened her eyes and asked, "What about Yan Yunzhang?"
Yan Niang: "Does the young lady think there's something wrong with him?"
Huiyin nodded. It was the same logic. Yan Yunzhang was the only legitimate son of the Yan family, a wealthy man with a handsome appearance. Why would he be willing to marry into the family?
It should be noted that nowadays men who marry into their wives' families are looked down upon, and unless they are extremely poor, they would not be willing to do so.
The Yan family has no worries about food and clothing, and Yan Yunzhang is a handsome and talented man, so why is he so depressed?
Huiyin's analysis was very logical. Yanniang's eyes were a little strange. She said with a smile, "What you said makes a lot of sense, but you overlooked something very important."
Huiyin sat up, looking puzzled. "What did I overlook?"
Yan Niang looked at Huiyin with amazement in her eyes. She had grown up with Huiyin since she was a child, but she was still captivated by her beauty from time to time.
Huiyin wore a plain white inner garment, revealing skin as smooth as jade. Her hair was soft and flowing down her back, and her gentle eyes shone brightly under the lamplight, making it difficult for people to look directly at her.
Yan Niang could see it clearly. Yan Yunzhang hadn't looked away from Huiyin since he first saw her. She was all too familiar with that restrained yet uncontrollable gaze. She had seen someone look at Huiyin with the same eyes before.
She smiled and said, "You are the best treasure, and it is Yan Yunzhang's great fortune to become your son-in-law."
Huiyin sighed softly, tilted her head back on the bed, and idly braided her hair. She had thought Yanniang would say something, but it turned out to be just self-praise.
She waved her hand, covered her mouth and yawned, saying, "Mother Fu, I'm going to sleep."
Yan Niang turned off the lamp and lay down, using the moonlight to examine Huiyin's features. She still remembered the look of utter despair on Huiyin's face after she returned from the Pei residence.
She didn't dare ask Huiyin what she and Pei Yu had talked about that night at the Pei residence, and she didn't dare mention the name Pei the entire way. Fortunately, after leaving Chang'an, Huiyin's emotions visibly stabilized, and after entering Jingzhou, she returned to her former self.
She never mentioned Pei Yu, and her face remained smiling. Yan Niang, however, was filled with unease, worried that one day her suppressed emotions would erupt.
She tucked the blanket around Huiyin; it was late autumn, and the weather was getting colder. Yan Yunzhang seemed good in every way; it would be good if Huiyin could settle down with him.
——
The next morning, Huiyin planned to talk to Yan Yunzhang after breakfast, but before she finished eating, Yan Yunzhang appeared at the door.
He wore a blue straight-hemmed robe with clearly visible bamboo stalks on the cuffs, and held a bunch of fresh hibiscus flowers in his arms. The dew on the flowers was vibrant and fresh, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees in the early morning.
Huiyin stared at him blankly, not understanding what was going on.
Yan Yunzhang stood at the door without coming in. He handed the bouquet to Yan Niang and smiled, "I saw that these flowers were blooming so beautifully when I passed by the flower bed, so I thought I'd bring them to you."
The petals, pure white with a hint of pink, swayed gently as Yan Niang moved, as if waving hello.
Huiyin stepped forward, took the flowers, and placed them in the vase. Turning back to Yan Yunzhang, she smiled and said, "I like them very much. Thank you, cousin."
Yan Yunzhang was dazzled by the smile. He deliberately looked away and stared at the wooden plank under his feet. "I'm glad you like it."
"By the way, cousin, I have something to tell you." Huiyin arranged the hibiscus in the window, the pink and white hibiscus petals complementing the lush green leaves of the trees outside.
Yan Yunzhang's eyes were gentle. "Go on," he said.
Yan Niang tidied up the dishes on the table, then discreetly left the room, leaving the two of them alone. She didn't go far, standing guard on the path leading into the room. Although they had agreed to the marriage, they weren't officially married yet, and it wouldn't be good for people to see a lone man and woman together.
Huiyin walked to the door, stood in front of Yan Yunzhang, and said softly to him, "It's about our marriage, cousin. We can't be an ordinary couple. I won't take up too much of your time. At most, it will be a year before I can completely resolve the hidden dangers of the title, and then our marriage can be null and void."
Yan Yunzhang shook his head. "Do you know that the news of our engagement has spread throughout Wan County today? The Song family is watching us closely, and I'm afraid that not only will the engagement not be dissolved, but we will have to get married as soon as possible."
Huiyin frowned and remained silent; Song Qiao's actions were truly swift.
Yan Yunzhang: "Huiyin, you must have suffered a lot in Chang'an while trying to overturn your father's case all by yourself. I want to help you. Don't worry. If you don't want to, we can pretend to be husband and wife after we get married. I will support whatever you want to do."
Huiyin disagreed, saying, "But that's too unfair to you."
“I did it voluntarily,” Yan Yunzhang said with a smile.
Huiyin looked up, suppressing the question "Why?" that might have escaped her lips. She already understood somewhat. After all that had happened, she was no longer the woman who was indifferent to love. She could see that Yan Yunzhang liked her.
His gaze towards her was completely undisguised.
The biggest taboo in a fake marriage is getting emotionally involved. She was a little worried about Yan Yunzhang's current state, wondering what might happen in the future…
Yan Yunzhang seemed to understand what she was worried about, and he laid out Huiyin's concerns openly, "I know what you're worried about. You're worried that I like you and will pester you."
Huiyin lowered her head in embarrassment after her thoughts were exposed.
Yan Yunzhang: "You're right to worry, I really don't want to let go."
Huiyin lowered her eyes, waiting for him to continue.
"Have you thought about what you would do if Jingchuan didn't come back?"
Huiyin pursed her lips; she didn't like this assumption.
Yan Yunzhang noticed her unhappiness and softened his tone: "You are the only one left to carry on your father's lineage. Don't you want to continue it?"
"I am willing to marry into the family. If you can accept me and become my husband, then any children we have will be of the Song family bloodline, and no one can question that."
Huiyin looked up, her voice sharp, "The child's surname is Song, you won't mind?"
Yan Yunzhang laughed, "I married into the family, so why would I mind? I'm happy to have the surname Song."
Huiyin was speechless for a moment, then asked, "You are your mother's only son, doesn't she mind?"
"My mother has her own little schemes, which are harmless and can even be used to her advantage. But don't worry, I have no interest in titles."
Huiyin knew perfectly well that the little scheme he was referring to was the matter of the title.
She asked, "So what are you interested in?"
Yan Yunzhang didn't speak. He smiled and gazed at Huiyin, his lips slightly parted as he mouthed, "You."
He didn't lie. He had only heard of his cousin, who lived far away in Chang'an, before. She was the daughter of the Imperial Censor and a noblewoman in Chang'an, a woman of vastly different status from him.
Later, when Song Wei got into trouble, Yan Yunzhang thought she would return to her hometown soon and was looking forward to seeing her. However, he didn't expect her to stay in Chang'an alone. At that time, everyone thought she was coveting the wealth and glory of Chang'an and didn't want to return, and Yan Yunzhang thought so too.
When news of Song Wei's exoneration reached the capital some time ago, Yan Yunzhang learned that she had stayed in Chang'an to overturn her father's case. At that time, he became interested in this cousin he had never met and longed to meet her.
So he sent men to guard the ferry day and night, learning of her return even before his father, and witnessing firsthand how she cleverly orchestrated the burial of her parents by the entire Song clan. Watching that scene, something seemed to take root and sprout in his heart.
Song Yunzhang knew perfectly well what Huiyin wanted most right now. He admitted his despicable act of taking advantage of her vulnerability, but so what? He wanted to embrace Mingyue, so what did it matter if he used some means?
A moment later, he heard a smile that brought a smile to his face.
Huiyin accepted his marriage proposal, saying, "You can set the wedding date; I have no objection."
After Yan Yunzhang left, Huiyin sat by the desk in deep thought. She hadn't acted on impulse; Yan Yunzhang's words had left her unable to refuse.
She should be touched and happy, but for some reason, she just couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
Her gaze unconsciously fell on the clouds on the horizon. At this moment, Pei Yu should be busy preparing for his wedding with Liu Tan. She would also be getting married soon. Let all the past fade away with the wind.
Huiyin took out the wolf fang pendant from her sleeve, held it in her palm and looked at it for a long time. Things that don't belong to you can't be obtained no matter how hard you try.
She found a pear wood box, carefully placed the wolf tooth pendant inside, slowly closed the lid, and tucked it into the bottom of the cupboard. To this day, she couldn't say for sure who was right and who was wrong between her and Pei Yu, or whether they were truly even.
Huiyin thought that this was the best ending. He had married the woman he loved, and she had found her place. If they were to meet again many years later, she wondered if she could calmly say, "How have you been?"
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