Elder Lady Xu resiliently held on until the third day of the Lunar New Year.
Xu Jinruo wept tears of joy once more and busied himself arranging donations of silver and grain to accumulate blessings for Elder Lady Xu. The entire Xu household was spinning like tops with activity, so no one noticed Xu Yayu’s little schemes.
For four consecutive days, Xu Yayu sent people to knock on the Guo Family’s gate, infuriating Song Yu to the point of trembling in his study.
“Utterly shameless!”
“Is this Xu Family’s young lady out of her mind, determined to tarnish this prince’s reputation?”
If word of this spread, others would surely assume that Guo Feng was trying to climb the social ladder, his ambitions laid bare.
At this point, the chief examiner for the imperial examinations hadn’t even been decided yet—what if this affected his image in the examiner’s eyes?
If he couldn’t even pass the examinations, how could he secure the title of top scholar?
The more Song Yu stewed, the angrier he became. He promptly moved to the Guo Family overnight and, before dawn, planted himself on a stool just inside the gate, glaring resentfully at the entrance.
“Princess, His Highness’s expression is rather terrifying.”
Not far away, Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping stood with identical dark circles under their eyes.
“Father has truly been pushed to his limits this time.”
Song Shihuan cast a sympathetic glance at Song Yu. To be pursued so relentlessly simply for being outstanding—what kind of absurdity was this?
Half an hour later, rhythmic knocking sounded at the gate.
Song Yu exhaled sharply. You little brat, I’ve finally caught you.
Creak—
The gate swung open.
Song Yu found himself face-to-face with a woman wearing a veil. Judging by her figure, it was none other than Xu Yayu herself.
This is bad.
Instantly, Song Yu tried to slam the gate shut.
...
“Young Master Guo.”
Xu Yayu hastily blocked the door with her hand. A vein throbbed on Song Yu’s forehead.
If he shut the door without mercy, Xu Yayu’s fingers would be crushed.
“I am Xu Yayu, the eldest daughter of the Xu Family,” she announced hurriedly.
“What do you want?”
Song Yu stared at her impassively—this woman who was, in name, his junior.
“Young Master Guo, I’ve read your examination papers and the poems you composed at the literary gathering.” Xu Yayu’s cheeks flushed. “I admire you deeply and wish to marry you, to grow old together by your side for the rest of my life.”
A look of sheer disbelief flashed across Song Yu’s face.
Is the Xu Family’s upbringing this bold?
“Miss Xu, I already have a wife.”
“I know. I’m willing to be your second wife.”
Seeing Xu Yayu’s desperate demeanor inexplicably angered Song Yu. Would my Ah Huan end up like this one day?
The mere thought made him want to kill someone.
“I have no intention of remarrying. In this lifetime, my wife is the only one for me.”
Unbeknownst to Song Yu, these words only strengthened Xu Yayu’s resolve to marry him and no one else.
She took a step forward into the gate. “Young Master, I will marry you. If you refuse, I’ll simply move in here. Once rumors spread, you’ll have no choice but to take me as your wife.”
She was certain that Guo Feng would emerge victorious in this year’s imperial examinations.
This is coercion!
Song Yu’s finger trembled as he pointed at her. “Shameless. Absolutely shameless.”
Being called shameless by the man she adored, Xu Yayu burst into tears.
“If you won’t marry me, I’ll have to wed that Prince Qin instead.” Her sobs were so pitiful that Song Yu felt they rivaled Xu Jinruo’s—truly, like father, like daughter.
“Why don’t you want to marry Prince Qin?”
“That Prince Qin set off firecrackers to scare me when I was little,” Xu Yayu wailed. “He mocked me for being short and shook tree branches to drench me in water. I refuse to marry such a petty, ill-mannered, vindictive, uncultured scoundrel!”
Song Yu was stunned.
Did I really do those things?
From the shadows, Song Shihuan’s pupils dilated in shock. “Teacher, did Father really… do such things?”
“Ahem. Back then, the Xu Family and the Ping Prince’s Mansion were thick as thieves. Naturally, His Highness disliked the Xu clan.” Shen Qingping clamped his mouth shut afterward—some things were better left unsaid.
“Then why… why do you want to marry me?” Song Yu’s voice faltered slightly.
“Because a prodigal who returns is more precious than gold. You’re a brilliant scholar, ambitious and destined for greatness.” Xu Yayu answered without hesitation.
Besides, was it wrong to chase after her own happiness?
Song Yu dredged through his memories, confirming that he had indeed pulled those pranks. His resolve wavered. “I’m much older than you, Miss Xu. You have every right to pursue happiness, but I also have the right to remain faithful to my late wife. I’m sorry.”
At the end of the day, she was just a child—one who should be calling him uncle.
“You really won’t marry me?” Her voice quivered.
“No.”
Song Yu stood firm.
“Of course, if you admire learned men, I could recommend a few of my… classmates.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Xu Yayu stomped hard on his right foot.
Song Yu: “...”
What kind of daughter has Xu Jinruo raised?
...
“Your Highness, Miss Xu has returned to the Xu Mansion.”
Only after hearing the guard’s report did Song Yu finally exhale in relief.
“Father, based on Miss Xu’s account, her refusal to marry you is perfectly understandable.” Song Shihuan spoke earnestly. After all, who’d want to wed a petty, ill-mannered, vindictive, uncultured scoundrel?
“Back then, I assumed the Xu Family intended to betroth Xu Yayu to Song Yanzheng. I’ve always despised that faction, so of course I treated Xu Yayu poorly.” Song Yu defended himself. “Besides, that girl just tried to force me into a scandal. She’s no saint either.”
“What do we do now?” Shen Qingping interjected at the right moment.
“Have guards disguised as commoners shout about spotting Miss Xu the moment she leaves the Xu Mansion.” Song Yu scoffed. Xu Jinruo is an utter fool if he can’t even keep track of his own daughter.
“Then wait for the Xu Family to pressure her into marrying you?”
“Don’t be absurd. If I refuse, would the Xu Family dare force it?”
Song Yu’s voice rose sharply before he suddenly remembered something far more pressing. Ignoring Xu Yayu entirely, he crouched to eye level with Song Shihuan.
“Ah Huan, you must never imitate Xu Yayu’s behavior.”
“Marriage has nothing to do with you.”
With utmost solemnity, he began brainwashing his daughter. “If a worthy man appears in the future, Father will drag him to our mansion to be your live-in husband. Understood?”
If my daughter elopes, who will I cry to?
Beside them, Shen Qingping caught on and nodded vigorously in agreement.
Song Shihuan glanced between them and finally nodded. “Father, Ah Huan understands.”
So… she wasn’t allowed to marry out?
Only a husband who moved in?
