The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 747 - 709: If You Won’t Marry Me, I’ll Kidnap You

Chapter 747: Chapter 709: If You Won’t Marry Me, I’ll Kidnap You

In just two days, the news of Qi Xuan being granted marriage to the eldest son of the Yang Family spread like wildfire.

Rumors, once passed from one person to another, change their flavor in everyone’s mouth.

Thus, outsiders speculated whether Yang Huan and Qi Xuan had a romance long before, and they were reluctant to defy the marriage granted by the Empress, so they staged this at Yang Xueru’s birthday banquet just to be together rightfully.

Once such speculations emerged, the reputation of the Yang Family was indeed questioned.

Qi Xuan locked herself in the room crying all day, not because of the rumors, but because she could never be the Crown Prince’s woman anymore.

Yang Xueru, driven by the rumors, could only hide in the mansion and dared not go anywhere.

Previously, as the prospective Crown Princess Consort, she received invitations to banquets daily. Now the Yang Family is at the center of controversy, and anyone who knows some secrets avoids them as far as possible, so there are no invitations coming.

Yang Xueru was anxious, visiting her grandfather, the Chief Minister Yang, every day, asking whether the Crown Prince had expressed any attitude.

The Chief Minister Yang could only comfort her not to overthink.

Upon hearing such ambiguous words, Yang Xueru’s hope faltered, further shifting the blame onto Yang Huan.

Yang Huan didn’t explain anything to his sister’s cold face, nor did he care about outside opinions, simply preparing for the ceremony at the Qi Family as scheduled.

Some of those street rumors reached Zhao Xi through Eunuch Sanbao; he intentionally withheld any statement, keeping the Yang Family in suspense.

The Yang Family was initially at fault in this matter; without his stance, they would become anxious and uneasy.

Their anxiety and unease showed they were afraid.

Zhao Xi aimed to make them afraid.

Hence, when Eunuch Sanbao asked whether to consider changing the Crown Princess Consort, Zhao Xi refused, saying, "The Yang Family’s third girl was chosen by Gu himself, no need for changes."

Regardless of Yang Xueru’s character, his only intention was to control the Yang Family through this woman.

——

Since learning that Xu Dengke would also attend the examination, Song Yuanbao had been studying diligently, exerting more effort than ever.

Though not driven by competitiveness, he felt if he couldn’t fulfill what he often talked about, it would be a face-slapping moment.

Therefore, he was so busy that he forgot about the crane he promised to give Zhao Xi, and felt too embarrassed to find Ye Ling on the Qixi Festival, shutting himself in the study for an entire day.

Wen Wan also stayed home, arranging some fruits in the garden, spending the evening stargazing with Song Wei.

The bright moon shone with a glow whiter than water, dappling the ground through the floral branches.

Wen Wan leaned on Song Wei’s shoulder, reminiscing about the first time they spent Qixi together.

Back then, they were in Ningzhou; her father-in-law had gone out to work on furniture, while her mother-in-law and sister-in-law visited neighbors, leaving just the couple at home.

There was a grape arbor in the yard, and Wen Wan leaned against his shoulder just like this, gazing at the moon and longing for the future.

Recalling the past, Wen Wan turned to look at him, "Husband, have you ever thought about what you want to be in the future?"

Song Wei nodded, stating frankly, "I thought of passing the exams and becoming County Magistrate, punishing evil and promoting good, eradicating local bullies."

"Really?" Wen Wan was surprised, never expecting he had such aspirations, "Now that you can’t go back or become County Magistrate, is there anything else you wish to do?"

Song Wei wrapped her slender shoulders, whispering, "Wait for you."

Wen Wan blinked, raised her head slightly, meeting his tender and deep gaze. Her eyes sparkled as she shifted her gaze to his protruding Adam’s apple, breathing slightly uneven, "Wait, wait for what?"

Upon hearing this, Song Wei’s handsome features relaxed, "Wait for you to be thirty, forty, fifty... wait for you to catch up to my age."

His ordinary tone made Wen Wan uncomfortable.

He was twelve years older than her, waiting for her to catch up to his age... then what? Would he still be there?

Wen Wan dared not think further, her eyes already moist.

Fearing she might dampen his mood, she sniffed and turned away to wipe her tears, then turned back with a forced smile, "I’m not crying; a bug flew into my eye, it hurts."

Song Wei’s warm fingertip glided over her corner, pretending not to know she was lying, asked earnestly, "Does it still hurt?"

Wen Wan hadn’t a chance to speak before he added, "Let me blow on it."

With that, he placed his hand on her brow, gently raising her upper eyelid with his middle finger, then leaned closer, blowing softly.

Seizing the chance, Wen Wan opened her arms, tightly hugging his waist.

Song Wei chuckled, "What are you doing?"

Wen Wan said willfully, "On Niu Lang and Weaver’s day, I want to hug you."

Song Wei didn’t move, allowing her to hug him, and after a while remarked, "Once Yuanbao finishes his exams next year, we’ll take your parents and return home to rebuild the ancestral shrine and pay respects."

Wen Wan had no objections, nodding, "Alright."

——

On the fifteenth of August, Mid-Autumn Festival, Song Yuanbao visited the Ye Family. Besides bringing several servants to carry festive gifts, he also brought a pair of geese to make up for the engagement gift he missed when he went south to Jiangnan.

The geese were received by Mrs. Yu, while the young lady hid behind the curtain too shy to meet her fiancé.

Yet Song Yuanbao was bold, directly asking for a token.

Ye Ling blushed, took the tassel jade pendant from her waist, and handed it to him.

Song Yuanbao smirked, looking at the bashful girl on the couch, asked, "Afraid of me?"

The girl dodged his gaze, unable to speak, making him laugh, "Is that painting finished?"

Ye Ling reflexively responded, "Didn’t you say you’d come to fetch it in three years? It’s only been a year."

Song Yuanbao lifted an eyebrow, "Next April, after the wedding, who would I fetch in two years?"

Ye Ling finally realized he initially said "come to marry in three years" instead of "come to fetch in three years," and promptly glared at him, "You’re awful!"

Song Yuanbao sat down, pulling her hand into his palm and gently rubbing it, "Saying I’m awful after falling for it seems a bit late?"

Ye Ling withdrew her hand, scooting aside, "My brother was right, from the start you had ulterior motives with me."

Song Yuanbao laughed, "When did I ever say I didn’t have ulterior motives with you? Yet your acceptance of the rabbit and Hai Dongqing shows you tacitly agreed to let me have ulterior motives."

For the first time, Ye Ling realized how thick-faced he was, and what nonsense he spouted, her face went crimson, denying, "I did not!"

"Take a look at this," Song Yuanbao urged.

Ye Ling turned her head.

Song Yuanbao took advantage of her distraction and kissed her forehead.

Ye Ling froze.

Before she could react, he already sat back, smiling again, "Wait for me, after the exam next April, I’ll come to marry you immediately."

Ye Ling asked softly, "What if you don’t pass the exam?"

Song Yuanbao’s gaze shifted, "If I don’t pass, will you still marry me?"

"I won’t! I’m not marrying a rogue like you!" Ye Ling felt her forehead burn.

Her anxious hands not knowing where to place successfully amused Song Yuanbao, "If you don’t marry, I’ll have to abduct the bride."