On the tenth day of the lunar new year, the sky was overcast.
Since being rejected by Song Yu, Xu Yayu had fallen into a deep depression and no longer allowed her maids to sneak out on her behalf.
"Miss, you can't go on like this, refusing to eat or drink. Should I make another trip to the Guo residence?" her maid asked anxiously.
"No need. If he wishes to sever ties with me, then I shall not disturb him further."
Xu Yayu's eyes were swollen from crying. The first flutterings of a young girl's heart had come to nothing.
Seeing this, the maid stamped her foot and hurried over to a servant boy, whispering something into his ear. The boy quickly dashed off.
Within an hour, the servant returned to the courtyard, his arms laden with items.
"What is this?" Xu Yayu lifted her head in confusion.
"Before, you only read Young Master Guo's examination papers and became devoted to him. I had the servant fetch the papers of the other candidates. Perhaps, Miss, you might find someone even better among them?"
Among them were Zheng Fang's, Ling Ming's, Feng Kuizhi's, and others...
Xu Yayu hesitated. Could any of them match Young Master Guo's talent?
"Miss, different strokes for different folks. Some may not be the most outstanding, but they might suit you best."
Encouraged by her maid, Xu Yayu finally opened the papers from the various candidates.
The first one...
Xu Yayu's eyes widened. "This is quite well-written."
The second one...
She found herself unable to put it down. "This one is excellent too—bold and strategic."
The third one...
She read until the sun began to set, reluctantly closing the last paper.
"Miss, do you still like Young Master Guo?"
Without hesitation, Xu Yayu nodded.
Before the maid could sigh in disappointment, Xu Yayu continued, "Besides Young Master Guo, I now also like Young Master Zheng, Young Master Ling, Young Master Feng, and..."
The string of names left the maid's mouth hanging open like an egg.
How had she never noticed before that her mistress fell for every new face she saw?
Only her dislike for Prince Qin remained eternal and unchanging.
......
"Miss! Something terrible has happened—Elder Lady Xu is unwell!"
A frantic voice rang out, and Xu Yayu immediately sprang to her feet, rushing toward her grandmother's courtyard.
"Grandmother!"
Xu Yayu threw herself at Elder Lady Xu's bedside. Seeing her grandmother's complexion, which seemed far more vibrant than it had been days before, she froze. Her grandmother looked better—why had they said she was unwell?
She turned to Xu Jinruo, who was silently shedding tears without a sound.
"Yayu, you've come. I thought you were angry with me and didn’t want to see me anymore."
Elder Lady Xu lovingly stroked Xu Yayu's face. Among the Xu family's current generation, all the children were boys—Yayu was the only girl.
Thus, she had been spoiled beyond measure, given stars if she asked for them, the moon if she desired it, raised with no understanding of the world’s harshness.
Even when the deposed empress had hinted more than once at betrothing Yayu to the eldest imperial grandson, the Xu family had pretended not to understand.
"How could I... how could I ever be angry with you, Grandmother?" Xu Yayu wiped her tears, but they fell like unstrung pearls, impossible to stop.
"Arranging your marriage to Prince Qin isn’t just for the Xu family—it’s for you too," Elder Lady Xu sighed. "Prince Qin is a good man. If he were to marry you, he would never betray you."
As long as he treated the princess well, there would be no mishaps.
Otherwise, she couldn’t rest easy entrusting such an innocent noble girl to anyone else.
"Grandmother, I don’t like Prince Qin, and he has never liked me either," Xu Yayu sniffled. "A forced match brings no sweetness. If the Xu family earns Prince Qin’s disdain because of this, I cannot bear the responsibility."
"Yayu, just agree to your grandmother’s wish," Xu Jinruo pleaded tearfully, but Xu Yayu lowered her head.
She couldn’t lie to her grandmother...
After a long silence, Elder Lady Xu smiled. "Very well. Since parents arrange marriages and matchmakers speak for them, your marriage shall be left to your father’s decision."
At this moment, Elder Lady Xu realized she couldn’t bring herself to force the matter.
If the Xu family truly fell, she alone would bear the ancestors’ reproach.
"Yayu, do you know... what love is?" Through Xu Yayu, Elder Lady Xu seemed to see her younger self.
"Love is wanting to witness him write even greater essays and poems."
"Silly child, that’s admiration, not love."
Tears welled in Elder Lady Xu’s eyes. "Love is favoritism."
"To me, all others are but grass and trees—only you are the mountain."
Elder Lady Xu patted Xu Yayu’s hand. "Nanny, bring me my jewelry box."
An aged box was opened, revealing treasures of immense value.
"This pair of jade bracelets was given to me by my mother-in-law. One is for you, the other for the princess—a keepsake."
"Grandmother..."
After meticulously arranging her final affairs, Elder Lady Xu’s spirit began to fade.
In her daze, she seemed to see Empress Yuan.
"Your Majesty, the Xu family failed to protect the prince. Lady Xuchen comes to beg your forgiveness."
With that, Elder Lady Xu breathed her last.
......
White funeral banners hung throughout the Xu residence.
Song Yu arrived with Song Shihuan to pay their respects. After the condolences, Xu Jinruo took out the jade bracelet from his sleeve.
"Princess, my mother instructed before her passing that this be given to you. It was left behind by Empress Yuan’s mother. The other bracelet is in Yayu’s possession."
At this, Song Yu’s expression shifted abruptly.
Never before had Xu Jinruo reacted so swiftly. He offered Song Yu a smile more sorrowful than tears.
"With my mother’s passing, Yayu must observe mourning for at least a year before marriage discussions can resume. When the time comes, we humbly ask Your Highness to help select a man of upright character to be her match."
Song Yu nodded. "Yayu is like a daughter to me. I will see to it personally."
Then, turning to Song Shihuan, he said, "Ah Huan, accept the bracelet."
Though he didn’t understand why the Xu family had suddenly changed their stance, the fact that they no longer insisted on Xu Yayu marrying him was a relief.
Otherwise, he’d have no idea how to handle someone as simple-minded as her.
Song Yu truly felt a weight lift from his shoulders, his entire body light with relief.
Song Shihuan took the bracelet and pressed it to her chest solemnly. "Thank you."
After Song Yu and Song Shihuan departed, Xu Jinruo returned to the mourning hall.
"Father, what did His Highness say?"
"He said he would help evaluate potential matches for you when the time comes."
Xu Yayu exhaled in relief, but then overwhelming grief struck again—she no longer had a grandmother.
Xu Jinruo knelt once more, his swollen eyes fixed on the coffin. If the prince had any affection for Yayu, he wouldn’t have agreed so readily. But he had, which meant he felt nothing for her.
The flower falls without intent, the stream flows without feeling.
Mother, let us not force them any longer.
