Chapter 13: Marriage

Chapter 13: Marriage

Yu Shiyan knew that Ye Yunchu had feelings for him, but their statuses were too different. Being together would be opposed by the Prince of Zhennan and his consort. He had no desire to climb the social ladder for a life of wealth. He only wished to marry a gentle and refined man when the time came, manage the household, have a child, and live a peaceful life.

His encounter with Ye Yunchu was purely accidental. Yu Shiyan warned himself not to deviate from the life he had envisioned and not to let anyone block his path.

Ye Yunchu had thought that Yu Shiyan called him out to accept his proposal, but instead, he was rejected. He wasn’t blind; he knew Yu Shiyan also had feelings for him.

He didn’t act impulsively or make any rash moves. Instead, he looked at Yu Shiyan with a deep gaze and said, "I like you, and it has nothing to do with status."

Yu Shiyan felt that Ye Yunchu was still somewhat naive at heart and chose not to respond. He averted his gaze and murmured, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

When Yu Shiyan showed such resistance, Ye Yunchu’s frustration boiled over. He had known about the status gap when he fell for Yu Shiyan, but now that he was expressing his feelings and determination, Yu Shiyan didn’t even listen and just wanted to escape.

Ye Yunchu grabbed Yu Shiyan’s wrist, "What do you mean? We can still talk this through. If you’re worried about my father and mother, I can talk to them. Don’t always flee when challenges arise. Escaping won’t solve anything." Ye Yunchu’s frustration caused him to grip too tightly.

Yu Shiyan flinched but kept his composure.

Noticing Yu Shiyan’s discomfort, Ye Yunchu quickly released his grip, looking panicked, "I’m sorry, Shiyan, I didn’t mean to hurt you. Are you okay?"

"May I leave now, Heir Ye Yunchu?"

Ye Yunchu hesitated, but Yu Shiyan walked away without waiting for a response.

Yu Shiyan was also frustrated. Ye Yunchu didn’t understand anything, only accusing him of being timid and avoiding problems. He wasn’t running away; he simply lacked the confidence to face the situation.

As a lesser son of the Marquis of Changyang’s household, he was already looked down upon. His father was a concubine’s son, and everyone in the capital knew his background. Ye Yunchu, on the other hand, was a nobleman, the dream lover of many in the capital.

Yu Shiyan buried his face in the blanket, overwhelmed by emotion.

...

"Young Master, you asked me to watch for the third young master’s return at the back gate. I saw him leave and return after about half an hour. When he came back, his wrist was red, and his eyes were teary," Jin Yun reported to Yu Lanyi after running back to the courtyard.

Had Yu Shiyan and Ye Yunchu quarreled? Yu Lanyi’s mood lifted unexpectedly. All that talk of love, and they ended up fighting, making someone cry.

Yu Lanyi pursed his lips. Did Ye Yunchu actually lay hands on him? Otherwise, why would Yu Shiyan’s wrist be red? How disgraceful. Zheng Shanci didn’t seem like someone who would resort to violence.

Just in case, Yu Lanyi decided to carry a knife with him at all times. If Zheng Shanci dared to lay a hand on him, he would have to draw the knife.

"Young Master, your wedding dress..." Jin Yun hesitated. Yu Lanyi had been procrastinating, and the wedding dress was far from finished—not even a sleeve was done. Father Yu had already prepared a wedding dress embroidered by a professional seamstress.

"That’s a minor issue. By the way, what’s Xinfeng County like? I’ve never left the capital in my life," Yu Lanyi asked eagerly, his eyes shining.

Jin Yun replied, "You could ask the eldest young master. He’s the most knowledgeable."

Yu Lanyi was still curious. He was naturally lively, and since things were settled, he might as well make the best of it.

First, he needed money—the more, the better. He was particular about sleeping in his own bed, so he’d take his own bed, his favorite bed curtains, his favorite table... He wanted to take his entire household with him.

The thought of leaving his eldest brother, the Marquis of Changyang, and his father filled Yu Lanyi with sudden sorrow. He hadn’t realized how much he valued his home until he was about to leave.

It was all Zheng Shanci’s fault. Why couldn’t he stay in the capital? He was just a low-ranking county magistrate.

Yu Lanyi’s anger flared up again.

...

Zheng Shanci hadn’t been idle these past few days. His fishing prowess had grown considerably, and the fish he caught were always in high demand. Word had it that a renowned scholar would lecture at the National Academy that day, and they were allowed to attend.

"Lord Yue rose through the ranks from local governance and has now retired, but wherever he governed, the people cherished him. He taught many scholars, and his students are scattered across the land. In reality, he only had a few disciples, but many scholars who attended his lectures proudly claimed to have received a lesson from Lord Yue and regarded him as their teacher."

"Quick, quick! If you're late, you'll miss seeing Lord Yue altogether."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shanci's heart stirred. He was about to go to the grassroots level and could go listen. Thinking this, he followed the people ahead. When he entered the Imperial Academy, it was packed with people.

It felt like being in a crowded lecture hall. Zheng Shanci could only see many heads, standing on the periphery, barely able to make out the speaker's words.

Zheng Shanci: "..."

Zheng Shanci steadied his mind and took a deep breath. Lord Yue's voice grew louder.

"Governing a locality lies in agriculture and education... When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they have enough food and clothing, they understand honor and shame. As a local official, you must first establish authority with a thunderous presence to gain the right to speak... What local officials find most troublesome are the gentry and local strongmen. I suggest divide and rule, co-opting one while suppressing the other, but you must also maintain a balance between them, making them vie for your support..."

Zheng Shanci mentally cataloged the useful insights. After the lecture, he felt quite enlightened.

As Lord Yue left, Zheng Shanci bowed in the direction of his departure.

The other scholars crowded forward, but Zheng Shanci had already left the Imperial Academy. When he left, his heart was clear and untroubled. Since he had become the magistrate of Xinfeng County, he naturally had to take responsibility for the people of Xinfeng.

He went back to recall the plot of the original tale, noting down several key points. In the original tale, Ye Yunchu was a hero of the Great Yan Dynasty. He and Yu Shiyan prevented the spread of a plague and were entrusted with important tasks by Emperor Wuming. Ye Yunchu also went on a diplomatic mission to the barbarians, enhancing the prestige of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Zheng Shanci noted down several key time points. He had been reading for so long that his memory grew hazy, so he regretfully put down his pen.

The wedding day came upon him in a blink. Zheng Shanci put on his wedding robes, and Yu Zhangxing procured a tall white horse to enhance his stature. At the academy, they studied not only the Four Books and Five Classics but also mastered rituals, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.

In the days leading up to the wedding, the two could not see each other. On the eve of the wedding, Zheng Shanci felt a bit nervous. He had never married anyone before, and this person was a man. Sleep eluded him. It wasn't anxiety or excitement; those feelings were absent.

He just couldn't sleep.

Sometimes he would recall Yu Lanyi throwing silver shards at his head and the fiery look in Yu Lanyi's eyes when he returned the silver shards. Yu Lanyi's face was beautiful and bright, full of vivid colors.

The next day, Zheng Shanci stepped out the door, and many people had gathered around the place. The sight of so many people made Zheng Shanci feel slightly dizzy. Such a lively scene in a small alley—the Marquis of Changyang's household was marrying off their son, and these people were here to watch the spectacle.

"The groom is out, the groom is so handsome!"

"That's Zheng Shanci, I almost didn't recognize him."

Seeing the white horse adorned with red flowers, Zheng Shanci stepped onto the saddle and mounted the horse.

His movements were agile and well-practiced.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Well done!"

Zheng Shanci held the reins, exhaled a breath, and rode towards the Marquis of Changyang's residence.