Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 215

“I’ve been sitting for quite a while, it’s time I take my leave,” Shen Guan said as she rose to her feet.

Yang Jiyan stood up to see her off, gently linking arms with her and smiling. “Then another day, I’ll send a formal invitation to the Sun household to invite you for a lake outing. If Cousin Xueyan is feeling well, she can join us too, it might lift her spirits.”

Shen Guan smiled lightly, giving her hand a squeeze. “Alright.”

Yang Jiyan instructed the maid to carry the box of persimmons and personally escorted Shen Guan to the gates of the estate.

Only when Shen Guan’s carriage had rolled out of sight did Yang Jiyan lower her gaze. In her previous life, after the Sun family was imprisoned, Shen Guan was the only one who still remembered her. Even after marrying in, she frequently wrote letters to check in.

The early autumn sunlight filtered through the tree branches, casting warm golden patterns onto the stone path. Yang Jiyan held up her fingers, tinted with henna, and gently reached into the warm glow. A soft smile appeared on her lips. To live again, with knowledge of what the future held, how fortunate that was.

“Take the gifts brought by Sister Shen to Mother’s courtyard,” she instructed a maid.

The maid acknowledged and quickly returned inside to retrieve the items before following Yang Jiyan to Lady Yang’s quarters.

Lady Yang was working on a pair of knee warmers. When she saw her daughter arrive, she set down her needle and thread. “Has Guan Guan left?”

Yang Jiyan nestled up beside her and said, “I just walked her to the gates. She said Aunt Baojun still worries about your health, so she packed many medicinal supplements for you before they left.”

Lady Yang glanced over at the pile of gifts and smiled. “It’s been so long since I last saw your Aunt Baojun. She still bothers to keep me in mind, how thoughtful.”

“Sister Shen mentioned that when Father goes to the capital for his official post later this year, it’s highly likely we’ll be staying in the capital as well. Once we’re there, you can see Aunt Baojun again,” Yang Jiyan said. “She really liked the Nanshi oxheart persimmons, so I sent her off with a whole crate.”

Lady Yang gently patted her daughter’s head, affection glowing in her eyes. “My little Yan’er is becoming more thoughtful by the day. Once we’re settled in the capital and your father receives his official appointment, it’s about time we ask Aunt Baojun to help arrange a suitable marriage for you.”

A flush of girlish shyness colored Yang Jiyan’s face. “Xu-di is still young. I’d like to stay home for a few more years and keep you and Father company.”

Lady Yang stroked her long hair and chuckled softly. “A young woman’s best years are few and fleeting. I know you’re a good daughter, but you mustn’t delay such an important matter as marriage.”

“In her letter, Guan Guan said that Aunt Baojun has already begun selecting potential matches for you in the capital, each of them promising and talented young men. They all seem quite suitable. When we arrive in the capital, I’ll help you pick the best one.”

In her past life, it was Aunt Baojun who arranged her match with the Zhou family. Zhou Yun had the looks of a refined gentleman, and her mother had been very pleased upon meeting him. That’s how the engagement was settled.

But in this life, no matter what, she would not walk that same path again.

“Mother,” Yang Jiyan said softly, her face blushing with embarrassment, “your daughter already has someone in her heart.”

Lady Yang was taken aback. She studied her daughter’s expression for a moment, then spoke sternly, “Yan’er, don’t scare me like that. If your father finds out you’ve exchanged promises with someone in private, he’ll beat you within an inch of your life.”

Yang Jiyan rushed to explain, “Mother, what are you thinking? How could I do something so improper? I would never behave so shamelessly.”

Lady Yang let out a breath of relief, her expression easing. She took her daughter’s hand. “That’s good. Your father values reputation above all else. He wouldn’t tolerate the slightest stain on this household.”

Yang Jiyan knew her father’s temperament all too well. In her past life, when she suffered in the Zhou household, did her family truly not know? Of course they did. But her father believed a woman leaving her marriage brought shame. If the Zhou family hadn’t eventually been investigated and destroyed, he never would’ve taken her back.

A trace of resentment lingered in her heart because of that.

“So what do you mean by having someone in your heart?” Lady Yang asked again.

Yang Jiyan quickly collected her thoughts and shyly replied, “A few days ago, I accompanied Father to the examination hall and met the sisters from the Yu family.”

Lady Yang wasn’t sure why she brought them up. “Madam Mu mentioned that Miss Yu has several older brothers sitting for the provincial exam this year. They must’ve gone to the hall to send their brothers off…”

At this point, Lady Yang paused, narrowing her eyes as if a realization dawned on her. “Yan’er, don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to one of Miss Yu’s brothers?”

A bashful smile tugged at Yang Jiyan’s lips. She lowered her lashes and nodded.

Lady Yang didn’t know what to say. She picked up her teacup and took several deep sips, trying to steady herself.

Seeing her mother’s reaction, Yang Jiyan gently coaxed, “Mother, Miss Yu’s brother is refined and handsome. If you saw him, I know you’d approve too.”

Lady Yang set her cup down with a sigh, trying to persuade her. “Yan’er, marriage isn’t a game. You can’t be so hasty. You’ve rarely interacted with men outside our family, don’t let yourself be swayed by appearances alone. What kind of background does the Yu family have? You’ve never endured hardship. Even if I agreed, your father surely wouldn’t. Once we’re in the capital, there will be many fine families for you to choose from. Let’s not speak of this again.”

But Yang Jiyan couldn’t wait until they reached the capital. Once the exam results came out, Yu Qizhe was certain to be ranked Jieyuan (the top scorer of the provincial exam). His reputation would spread like wildfire through Qingzhou. When that happened, families would be lining up to marry into the Yu household. If she waited, it might be too late.

She had to act now. No matter what, she had to convince her mother to set this marriage in motion.

“Mother, I don’t care about social status. I don’t mind if life is a little harder. Miss Yu’s brother is incredibly talented. Even Father has spoken highly of him. I’m certain he’ll pass this exam, and if he later becomes a Jinshi, he’ll be able to serve in court.”

She added earnestly, “Father has always been good to you. He’s never taken a concubine, but not every man is like him. Those so-called noble families in the capital, sure, their status is higher, but their inner courtyards are filled with drama. Marrying into one of those households might bring me even more suffering. The Yu family may not be as powerful as ours, but if I marry into their home, I’ll be treated with respect.”

Lady Yang couldn’t help but feel touched. Her gaze softened, and her eyes shimmered faintly with unshed tears. Pulling Yang Jiyan into a hug, she smiled and said, “I always thought you were still a child, innocent and naive. But I see now my Yan’er has truly grown up, you’ve thought everything through so well.”

Resting her head on her mother’s shoulder, Yang Jiyan playfully coaxed, “Mother, please let me have my wish. Help me secure this engagement.”

But Lady Yang still didn’t fully relent. “There are many fine families here in Qingzhou. You never cared for any of them. Why now? Why him?”

“I trust my own judgment,” Yang Jiyan said with a teasing smile. “One day, you’ll understand. Tell me this, if Miss Yu’s brother really does come out as Jieyuan, would you agree to the match then?”

Lady Yang snorted. “You make it sound so easy. Do you know how hard it is to be named Jieyuan? Even sons of high officials, tutored from childhood by learned scholars, fail to make the cut. Let alone ranking first. What kind of tutors do you think a family like the Yu’s could afford? If he passes as a juren (a provincial graduate), that alone would be quite the achievement.”