Chapter 54

"Throughout the entire Wu'an County, how many He Bancheng’s can there be?" The matchmaker rolled her eyes at Lady Yu and then smiled at Mi Jiangxue.

"Madam Ye, you don’t know. Miss He is not only a beauty but also skilled and talented, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and well-versed in etiquette. The entire Wu'an County is filled with people lining up for three miles to propose marriage."

At this point, the matchmaker stepped forward mysteriously and said to Mi Jiangxue, "Madam Ye, Lord He said that if this marriage is agreed upon, half of his fortune will be given as a dowry."

Mi Jiangxue was already stunned, and even her father, Ye Tiancheng, who had just stepped out, was greatly surprised. He Bancheng of Wu'an County was no exaggeration; his business spanned the entire county, and it was said that his wealth could buy half of Wu'an County.

How much would half of He Bancheng’s fortune be?

Ye Zhen, standing nearby, had a bitter smile on his lips. He had already figured out the situation.

The matchmaker’s words were also quite harsh. After praising Miss He, she immediately drove Lady Yu away, "Hurry up, hurry up. How can a family like the Ye’s be within your reach? Go, go."

Lady Yu, who was already embarrassed, could no longer maintain her composure, "Do you think just because a sharp-tongued matchmaker says He Bancheng is proposing, it’s true? Who knows if you’re not just faking it. Why would He Bancheng look at him?"

Mother Mi Jiangxue was so angry at this that her face turned red. She took out a marriage contract from her bosom and was about to tear it into pieces when a deep voice came from outside the door.

"Who said I don’t look at Ye Zhen? Such a virtuous son-in-law, I, He Changhong, can only dream of."

A deep male voice spoke, and He Bancheng, dressed in brocade and silk, slowly entered the Ye family’s residence, his hands behind his back.

As he entered, both Ye Tiancheng and his wife, as well as Lady Yu, were stunned by He Bancheng’s presence. Everyone knew that this person was a significant figure.

However, what the significant figure did next made their eyes almost fall out.

He Bancheng, who had walked into the Ye family’s courtyard, suddenly quickened his pace when he saw Ye Zhen, swiftly appearing in front of him and bowing, "This old man greets Master Ye!"

What kind of behavior is this from a future father-in-law?

Ye Zhen casually glanced at him. Indeed, He Bancheng, who was in a sorry state on Green Ox Mountain, now dressed in brocade and silk, had the air of a great tycoon.

Then, He Bancheng humbly greeted Ye Zhen’s parents and got straight to the point, "Mr. Ye, Madam Ye, I have come today specifically to propose marriage for my daughter. I hope you will not blame me for my boldness."

As he spoke, He Bancheng waved his hand, and the bearers brought in one gift after another, quickly filling the entire courtyard.

"Outside, there are ninety-nine carts of gifts. Please accept them, Madam and Sir."

Lady Yu, who was already stunned, heard this and almost bit her tongue when she looked outside. The gift procession stretched from the door to the alley, with no end in sight. The tracks on the ground showed that the gifts were not light.

With Ye Zhen present, He Bancheng did not dare to put on any airs. He displayed his sincerity and said to Ye Tiancheng and his wife, "Of course, marriage is a serious matter. May I come in to discuss it further?"

As Mother Mi Jiangxue was about to nod, Ye Tiancheng nudged her with his elbow and gestured to Ye Zhen, making her realize.

Who was He Bancheng? If he went out formally, even the county magistrate of Jincheng would accompany him.

Now, not only did he treat the Ye family with great respect, but he was also humble. Why?

Ye Tiancheng and his wife were not foolish; they had long seen through it. It was all because of their son, Ye Zhen. They naturally needed to consult his opinion.

"Zhen, what’s going on?"

"Mother, let me handle this." Ye Zhen stepped forward.

"But this is a marriage..."

As Mother Mi Jiangxue was about to say more, she was nudged by Ye Tiancheng again. Ye Tiancheng, with his broader experience, understood the situation better.

"Alright..."

As Mother Mi Jiangxue nodded, Ye Zhen took the marriage contract from her and tore it to pieces in front of Lady Yu.

Even though this was Lady Yu’s original intention, seeing the contract torn, and knowing that Ye Zhen was now a hot commodity, her face turned pale with reluctance.

"Lady Yu, I apologize. I didn’t mention it to Mother beforehand, causing you to worry. The contract is destroyed, and this matter is over. Please leave." Ye Zhen made a gesture to show her out.

Lady Yu’s expression became awkward. She couldn’t leave, but staying was also embarrassing. She felt that the rumors might not be reliable.

But Ye Zhen maintained his gesture, and Lady Yu, with a heavy heart, stomped her foot and stepped out of the Ye family’s door. As she stepped out, she saw the person in the first carriage and was shocked again. Regret flooded her heart like a tidal wave.

After seeing Lady Yu off, Ye Zhen’s gaze turned to He Bancheng, who quickly smiled, "Master Ye."

"Lord He, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept it." Ye Zhen said.

Upon hearing this, both He Bancheng and Ye Tiancheng and his wife’s expressions changed. The figure in the carriage trembled.

"Why? Master Ye, why? My daughter is a beauty and well-versed in etiquette, skilled in embroidery. Is it because of the incident at the bandit camp?" He Bancheng was anxious.

"No!" Ye Zhen shook his head.

"Then why?"

Ye Zhen smiled bitterly. He had seen the He family’s young lady, who was indeed a beauty, but why?

Because he knew that his future path would be one of constant growth and challenges. His companion on this path would not be Lady Yu’s daughter or the beautiful He family’s young lady.

Even if he reluctantly agreed, it would harm them.

The matchmaker whispered a few words to Mother Mi Jiangxue, who then asked Ye Zhen, "Zhen, this is a lifetime decision. Have you considered it?"

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope appeared in He Bancheng’s eyes.

"Mother, I have already considered it. I can only disappoint Lord He’s kindness." Ye Zhen firmly shook his head.

"Why, why? If so, why did you save me that day?" At the moment Ye Zhen refused, the He family’s young lady rushed out of the carriage, tears streaming down her face.

"That day, when I was in despair, you descended like a war god, killed Overmountain Wind, and saved me. If I had known this would happen, why did you save me that day?"

It turned out that since being saved by Ye Zhen, his image had been etched in the He family’s young lady’s heart. She had lost her appetite, and He Bancheng, after much inquiry, understood his daughter’s feelings and came to propose, only to be refused by Ye Zhen.

Listening to the He family’s young lady’s sobs, her pitiful appearance, Ye Tiancheng and his wife felt great pain. The matchmaker and others looked at Ye Zhen hopefully, hoping his heart would change.

"Sorry, that day I only thought of saving someone, not of such matters..."

These words shattered everyone’s last hope. The He family’s young lady cried even harder and ran back to the carriage.

"Alas, it was my mistake." He Bancheng sighed deeply. "I knew long ago that Ye Xiaoye is not an ordinary person. How could he be confined here? Yet, I still harbored greed."

"Alas, I will take my leave! By the way, these gifts, please accept them as a token of my gratitude for saving my life. That day, you left too quickly, and I didn’t have the chance to give them to you." With that, He Bancheng waved his sleeve and walked out the door.

"Lord He, please take these gifts back." Ye Zhen said hurriedly.

He Bancheng was taken aback, "Why, do you think they are too light? These hundred carts of gifts, though not half of my fortune, are still substantial."

"Lord, when I saved someone, it was not for wealth." Ye Zhen firmly refused He Bancheng’s offer. It wasn’t that Ye Zhen was foolish; he could have taken the wealth with a clear conscience.

But wealth brings trouble, and this was too much. If Ye Zhen left, it would bring trouble to his parents. Therefore, he firmly refused.

Thus, He Bancheng left with his heartbroken daughter.

Later, the He family’s young lady never married, spending her life in longing for the young man who had saved her from the bandits like a god...

After He Bancheng left, Mother Mi Jiangxue was anxious, "Zhen, you don’t want this, you don’t like that, even the