Chapter 16

The scholar Su said solemnly, "Fang Yun, you must not act on impulse. You are still young, and the road ahead is long, and you will need support. Although my family may not be as prestigious as the noble families, we are a respected clan for three generations and can support you to become a third-rank official! If Yu Huan truly understands, she will forgive you for thinking about your future."

"Yu Huan is kind-hearted; she will certainly forgive me," Fang Yun said.

Scholar Su smiled, "So you agree?"

"But I will not forgive myself! I, Fang Yun, can let down the whole world, but I cannot let down Yu Huan!"

"How can you be so naive? You are driving me to despair!" Scholar Su looked at him with a disappointed expression.

Fang Yun said slowly, "If I had allied with your family for my future before, it might have been practical. Now, with the guidance of a great teacher, if I still need your family's support to advance in my literary career, wouldn't that be too incompetent?"

Scholar Su carefully examined Fang Yun, and finally, he was so angry that he laughed. With a regretful tone, he praised, "Well done, Fang Shuangjia. I did not misjudge you. Your integrity and spirit are truly admirable. I have a beautiful daughter who is over twelve years old, and a granddaughter who is eleven. I will wait for you for three years! Within three years, you can choose either one!"

"Your daughter is twelve years old? Mr. Su, you are indeed vigorous in your old age," Fang Yun said.

Scholar Su blushed and said, "My eldest son is already over thirty."

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Su, but I have made up my mind. I hope you will understand," Fang Yun said.

Scholar Su lowered his head and sulked, ignoring Fang Yun.

After all, the Su family was a respected clan, and Scholar Su loved his daughter very much. He did not want her to be a concubine, as the status of a concubine was too low. Once out of favor, she would be no better than a high-ranking maid.

Therefore, Fang Yun could not let Yang Yuhuan be a concubine.

As they approached Fang Yun's home, Scholar Su took out five silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Fang Yun, saying, "You have broken the deadlock for Jing State, which is a great achievement. Here is one hundred taels of silver as one of my gifts."

"This... too much," Fang Yun was surprised. He quickly calculated that it was equivalent to giving tens of thousands of yuan as a gift for a child entering high school, which was extremely generous.

But Scholar Su patted another pocket and said, "This one contains a thousand taels of silver, not included in the dowry. Will you reconsider?"

"Thank you, Mr. Su," Fang Yun took the one hundred taels of silver.

"Ah," Scholar Su sighed softly.

In the county, wealthy families were willing to support outstanding students, but no one had ever given a hundred taels of silver as a gift on the first meeting, let alone a thousand taels of silver that they couldn't even give away.

The carriage gradually slowed down, and the driver said from outside, "Master, we are at Fang Yun's home. It's very lively, with tables set up along half the street."

Fang Yun was about to get off the carriage when Scholar Su said, "I heard you took a cart to the exam?"

"Yes."

"Then I will give you this carriage and three horses," Scholar Su said casually.

"Ah? I can't accept that. You are too kind, I can't take the carriage," Fang Yun knew that Scholar Su's carriage and three horses were not ordinary and were worth at least one hundred and fifty taels of silver. In the entire Ji County, fewer than twenty people could afford such a luxurious carriage.

But Scholar Su said, "I am giving you the carriage because I value your talent and integrity. It would be a disgrace to our Ji County and Jing State if a talent like you didn't even have a carriage! With a carriage, it will be more convenient for you to study in Dayuan Prefecture or travel elsewhere. You should think about your future, your foster wife, and your status."

"But..."

"You were so decisive just now, why are you being so indecisive now! I'm leaving, my young wife is waiting for you. If you hit a wall, remember to turn back!" Scholar Su got off the carriage and left gracefully.

The driver handed the whip to Fang Yun and followed Scholar Su.

Fang Yun muttered to himself, "But I was thinking that keeping three horses is too expensive."

Scholar Su's figure trembled ahead, and he quickened his steps.

Fang Yun bowed to Scholar Su from a distance, expressing his gratitude. He knew that Scholar Su was not entirely selfless and was investing in him, but regardless, it was a great help to him, as he would need money in the future.

Fang Yun turned to look at his home, where lanterns were hung and tables were set up, with cups and plates scattered about. Lanterns and oil lamps illuminated the joyful faces of the people.

The banquet had already ended, but many people had not left. Many men were drinking and playing games, while the women and old ladies were chatting about daily life.

"Brother Yun is here!" someone shouted, and everyone turned to look at Fang Yun.

Then, Fang Yun's home became lively from inside to outside. Relatives, neighbors, classmates, familiar and unfamiliar people, all came out to welcome him.

Many people bowed slightly, showing a respectful smile.

Everyone's eyes were filled with deep envy.

A few people secretly regretted not treating Fang Yun better when they knew he would be successful.

The first to approach were not relatives, friends, or classmates, but seven or eight heavily made-up matchmakers. They suddenly became incredibly strong, pushing through the crowd and rushing over.

"Oh, Master Fang, you're back!"

"Congratulations, Master Fang, for ranking first in the exam. I wish you well."

"Congratulations, Master Fang. Tsk tsk, I held you when you were a baby, and you even peed on me. The force was so strong that it almost knocked me over. You were clearly destined to be a top scholar!"

Fang Yun was at a loss, finding the matchmakers' words exaggerated.

The matchmakers then surrounded Fang Yun, asking if he had any girls in mind, what his conditions were, and introducing various girls to him.

In their view, Fang Yun would become a scholar, and it was impossible for him to make a foster wife his main wife, even if Yang Yuhuan was beautiful.

At that time, marriage was about matching social status.

Fang Yun was about to politely decline when he saw Yang Yuhuan standing at the door, looking at him and the matchmakers.

Yang Yuhuan was always like a sister and a mother to Fang Yun, never complaining or getting angry.

At that moment, Fang Yun saw deep worry in her eyes, like a kitten watching its favorite toy being taken away, unable to do anything but watch from a distance.

Yang Yuhuan just stood there, not fighting or competing, silently waiting as she always did.

Jiangzhou's beauty had never abandoned the poor Fang Yun, so how could Scholar Fang abandon his foster wife!

Fang Yun suddenly felt very sad and blurted out, "Sister Yuhuan, pick a good day, and I will formally marry you and make you my wife. I have been waiting for over ten years!"

Their eyes met.

The entire scene fell silent.

Yang Yuhuan's pale face instantly turned red, and her previously dim eyes shone brighter than the stars, illuminating the entire county in that moment.

All the men present were captivated by Yang Yuhuan.

"Nonsense!" Yang Yuhuan said coyly, lifting her skirt slightly and running into the house.

Her steps were light and quick.

Many people cheered loudly.

The matchmakers, however, were taken aback. What was going on?

Fang Yun said, "Thank you, sisters and aunts. I will marry Sister Yuhuan and never change my mind! You should look for someone else."

The matchmakers looked at each other, but one of them smiled and said, "People used to say that Yuhuan was a flower in the wrong place... cough, that she was unlucky, but I always said you two were a good match. Now, who in the county would dare say you don't match Yuhuan? However, you will be a scholar, and even if Yuhuan is your main wife, you will need concubines to complement her, or everyone will call her a jealous woman. I know several good girls from respectable families who would be willing to be your concubines."

"Yes, Grandfather Fang, you will need concubines and maids. I know two nice girls who are smart and beautiful. I can bring them to you another day."

Fang Yun felt overwhelmed. He realized that the biggest issue in ancient times was something he found incomprehensible, but it was normal for the people here, and they considered passing on the family line the most important thing.

Since Fang Yun had seen the power of Liu Zicheng's theoretical knowledge, he felt a stronger sense of crisis. He was not even in good health yet and had no intention of thinking about wives and concubines.

"Xiaomao, help me look after this carriage. It's a gift from Scholar Su. Thank you all for coming and celebrating. Enjoy the food and drinks, but I have something to do, so I'll go inside first."

Fang Yun avoided the matchmakers and walked towards his home, with people greeting him along the way.

His cousins and uncles, who usually looked down on him or coveted Yang Yuhuan, now smiled and tried to please him, fearing that he might take revenge once he became successful. They brought a lot of silver as gifts.

The title of "Shuangjia" was so prestigious that almost everyone with a connection to Fang Yun came.

Fang Yun's home had nothing, so the guests organized a banquet themselves.

In the courtyard, Fang Yun wanted to talk to Yang Yuhuan, but the place was full of drunk relatives and friends who came to toast him. He had to drink with them.

While drinking, Fang Yun looked for Yang Yuhuan, but she deliberately avoided him.

After a few drinks, Fang Yun felt unwell and pretended to be drunk, lying on the table.

Yang Yuhuan, who had been avoiding him, became worried and quickly came over, finding a few relatives to help her carry Fang Yun back to the room and put him to bed.

Yang Yuhuan asked everyone to leave, then took off Fang Yun's outer clothes and gently wiped his face with a wet towel.

Finally, she covered Fang Yun with a blanket, sat by the bed, and looked at him in the dim moonlight. For the first time, she felt a sweet sensation in her heart.

In the past, Yang Yuhuan had no time to think about feelings. Her only belief was to take good care of Fang Yun, help him study and succeed, and then, after her death, she could face his parents. This responsibility had always driven her.

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Special update for a book friend who had a baby. Congratulations, may the baby's cries bring joy and the family's virtue shine brightly.

A single man passing by...