Upon hearing this, Yan Tongshu immediately dropped the leaf in her hand and straightened up to look at Yan Liangrong with a serious expression.
Yan Liangrong’s crimson lips parted as she spoke: “Tongshu, when Father was alive, our Yan family was once unrivaled here in the capital. Later, Father offended Prince Ming, and the Yan family began its decline. After that, you entered the Xianlin Institute, and the Yan family lost any place left in the capital. We can’t go on like this forever, can we?”
Yan Tongshu lowered her head.
Not to mention that she had no desire to leave the Xianlin Institute—even if she did, she bore the crime of deceiving the emperor upon her shoulders. If she left the institute to seek glory, drawing attention would inevitably bring death.
Yan Liangrong let out a sigh: “Tongshu, I know it’s not easy to leave the Xianlin Institute.”
Yan Tongshu lifted her gaze to meet her sister’s eyes: “So, what are you thinking, Sister?”
Yan Liangrong’s eyes sharpened, and her voice dropped low but each word rang clear: “Rather than being trapped and dying in the Xianlin Institute, it’s better to stake everything on your brother-in-law. The position of Court Gentlemen is vacant now. Why not send some money to your brother-in-law and do everything you can to help him rise? In the future, as he climbs higher step by step, he can also pull you out of the Xianlin Institute and restore the Yan family’s honor.”
Yan Tongshu understood Yan Liangrong’s anxiety.
Yan Liangrong had always been a competitive woman who refused to accept fate. Zheng Chun had missed several chances for promotion due to various reasons, and now, with him nearly thirty and in his middle years, how could she not be anxious?
But… this wasn’t the first time Yan Liangrong had asked the Yan family to support Zheng Chun.
Yan Tongshu lowered her eyes and tactfully declined: “But… Sister, all the money is in Mother’s hands. I hand over my entire monthly salary to her for distribution. The allocation of the family funds is entirely up to Mother.”
A sharp glint flickered in Yan Liangrong’s phoenix-like eyes: “I know. But you are the son—everything of the Yan family will one day be yours. I need to make things clear with you first, and then discuss it with Mother, so we don’t damage our bond as siblings. Don’t you agree?”
Yan Tongshu changed the subject again: “Mother must be getting anxious waiting. Let’s head over first.”
She turned to leave, but Yan Liangrong smiled and tugged at her sleeve: “Let’s walk slowly—there’s no rush. Later, when I talk with Mother, you should put in a good word for your brother-in-law too.”
The conversation had been spelled out too clearly; there was no way to evade it any longer.
Yan Tongshu stopped in her tracks, her expression turning serious: “Sister, though it may hurt our bond as siblings, I can only say that I can’t help you.”
Yan Liangrong’s smile froze on her face.
Yan Tongshu continued: “Sister, I am nominally the Yan family’s only son, representing the family to the outside world. But you and I both know that Mother is the real decision-maker at home. Last time you came asking for money, Mother already refused.”
And that had been the fourth time Yan Liangrong had come asking for help.
Mother had said: three strikes, and no more.
Yan Tongshu’s tone was calm but firm: “Sister, if Mother agrees to help Brother-in-law advance, I have absolutely no objection. But if I speak up for you, it will put Mother in a difficult position. I don’t want to hurt our bond as siblings, nor do I want to hurt Mother.”
Yan Liangrong pressed her lips together, her eyes flashing with stubborn determination: “I’ve been urging your brother-in-law to build his connections in the official world. He’s really trying hard. You can’t dismiss him just because his luck hasn’t turned yet.”
She lifted her chin to meet Yan Tongshu’s gaze, her eyes blazing: “I believe in your brother-in-law. As long as he works hard, he can rise as high as Father did.”
Yan Tongshu carefully weighed her words, probing gently: “Actually, I think life is pretty good as it is.”
No work, easy to slack off, no hardship, money coming in, and no worry about the crime of deceiving the emperor being exposed one day, leading to the entire family being executed.
Yan Tongshu added: “Besides, I think Brother-in-law has a gentle and content personality; he seems quite satisfied and happy with his current life…”
Yan Liangrong shot her a sharp, decisive look: “Tongshu, your brother-in-law will definitely succeed. I believe in him.”
Yan Tongshu: “…”
That was just how Yan Liangrong was—forceful and stubborn, just like when Lady Yan forbade her from marrying Zheng Chun, she insisted on doing it anyway. Whatever she wanted, she had to have.
Seeing that continuing the conversation would strain their sibling bond further, Yan Tongshu quickly changed the subject: “It’s getting late. Let’s go pay our respects to Mother first. We can talk about everything later.”
Yan Liangrong nodded: “Mm.”
Soon, the two arrived at Lady Yan’s residence. After they had spoken for a while, Yan Liangyu also arrived.
Yan Liangrong resembled Lady Yan more—vibrant and striking—while Yan Liangyu took more after her biological mother, Chen Meirong, who was gentle and elegant, like a quiet orchid.
Yan Liangyu bowed: “Mother, your daughter greets you.”
Lady Yan gestured: “Rise.”
Yan Liangyu sat down beside Yan Tongshu: “Brother, I’ll sit next to you.”
Yan Tongshu handed her a piece of pastry: “White jade cake—your favorite.”
Yan Liangyu smiled sweetly: “Thank you, Brother.”
Taking the cake in her hand, Yan Liangyu took a delicate bite.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Lady Yan’s expression turned serious: “The Zhou family will arrive soon. We all need to be composed and not lose our decorum.”
Everyone answered in unison: “Yes.”
Lady Yan turned to Yan Liangyu, her bearing dignified: “Liangyu, especially you.”
Yan Liangyu set down the cake and straightened her back.
Lady Yan leaned slightly toward Yan Liangyu: “Before your mother gets here, I need to speak with you carefully.”
Yan Liangyu’s expression was gentle and obedient: “Yes, Mother.”
Lady Yan continued: “I never approved of your match with Zhou Zhengxun.”
Yan Liangyu’s fingertips trembled, and she twisted her embroidered handkerchief in her hands.
Lady Yan looked at her, her gaze soft as water, gentle yet full of strength: “Back then, you were young. On a whim, you did some rash things with Zhou Zhengxun, forcing both families to acknowledge the engagement. I know you truly loved him, and he truly loved you at the time.
But now, the Zhou family has risen in the world, and they are no longer what they once were. Over the years, I’ve swallowed my pride, and your mother has too, repeatedly approaching the Zhou family to set a wedding date. But they’ve made excuses and delayed things until today.”
Yan Liangyu’s long lashes trembled violently, her face turning deathly pale: “It was I who brought shame upon Mother and my own mother.”
Seeing her distress pained Lady Yan as well, and she comforted her: “Actually, this isn’t your fault. You were only thirteen back then, too young to understand how the world works. If anyone is to blame, it’s the Zhou family.
They betrothed you to Zhou Zhengxun, but they kept putting off the marriage while refusing to break the engagement. That’s how things have dragged on to this awkward point—and they’ve also let your age slip by.”
As Lady Yan spoke, the ache in her heart grew unbearable. She pressed her hand to her chest, steadying herself, before continuing: “I must be clear with you today. You’re already sixteen, and after the New Year, you’ll be seventeen. Courtships, negotiations, betrothals, discussions over dates, and then the wedding itself—all of that takes at least half a year. If we delay any longer, there won’t be any suitable families of equal standing left for you to be matched with.”
So, this marriage negotiation today is your mother's final effort for you. When the Zhou family arrives, you are not to speak—let me handle everything. If the wedding date cannot be set today, then this marriage is off. Luckily, we only exchanged birth certificates so far, without proceeding to the betrothal gifts. When the time comes, I'll go cancel the engagement and retrieve your birth certificate. Then I'll arrange a good match for you."
"Yes." Yan Liangyu lowered her head and answered without objection.
From the sensational elopement at thirteen to now, nearly seventeen, the days had worn on one by one.
At first, she had been naive, not understanding the Zhou family's intentions.
Now, nearly four years later, even in her foolishness, she understood.
It simply came down to the Zhou family weighing the pros and cons, constantly measuring her worth, deciding whether she was worth marrying into their household.
Yan Liangyu suddenly felt a warmth on the back of her hand. She looked up to see Yan Tongshu holding her hand, comforting her: "Don't be sad. Everything will work out in the end."
Yan Liangyu nodded.
In truth, at this moment, she could no longer distinguish her own feelings.
After dragging on for so long, marrying Zhou Zhengxun had become an obsession. Not marrying him would leave her unsatisfied, yet marrying him seemed equally unsatisfying.
Stuck in the middle, unable to move forward or backward.
If she was supposed to be sad, was she?
It seemed she no longer knew whether she was sad or not.
