"Yes, the beaded flower on Cousin’s head was given by ." Zhou Ziang said, although he didn’t directly admit it, he implicitly acknowledged it.
"Then what is your purpose for disrupting our family’s marriage proposal today?" Ye Qiu continued asking.
"It was Mudan who said she was jealous of Yang Yuzhen being prettier and more favored by her family, so she couldn’t stand it and asked to teach her a lesson." Zhou Ziang, in desperation, placed all the bla on Yang Mudan.
"Clan Leader, now that the truth has co to light, please grant us justice." Yang Yuxin didn’t imdiately have Zhou Ziang taken to the governnt; he was giving the clan leader face because speaking out wouldn’t sound good, affecting the reputation of the girls from Yang Village.
The Clan Leader gave him an approving look: "Since Zhou Ziang has confessed and there’s evidence, Yang Yuchang, compensate Yu Zhen with two taels of silver for the dowry, and let this matter be settled. Otherwise, if it escalates, it will be bad for everyone."
Hearing the threat in the Clan Leader’s words, Yang Yuchang reluctantly agreed, glaring resentfully at his daughter.
"No, it’s not like that, Cousin, you lied! Father, Mother, please believe , how could I like soone like Cousin?" Yang Mudan cried, trying to defend herself. However, who would believe her explanation now?
"And as for this man, he is no longer allowed to appear in Yang Village from today onward." The Clan Leader pointed at Zhou Ziang and added, "Zhou Zhenzhu, whether you marry your daughter to him or send him back to his hotown, I don’t want to hear any more trouble from your family."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ziang’s eyes brightened. Without Yang Yuzhen, there was still Cousin. After all, his reputation was already ruined; marrying anyone would be the sa, as long as he had a wife.
So, he imdiately knelt down: "Uncle, Aunt, I truly love Cousin, please marry her to ."
Upon hearing this, those who previously misunderstood Yang Yuzhen suddenly understood. As they said, Yang Yuzhen was rarely seen going out, so how could she have any relations with an outsider? How could she even be engaged to Scholar Zhou?
"Everyone disperse, Yang Yuchang, resolve your family’s matters at ho and don’t interfere with others here." The Clan Leader waved them away.
The onlookers left in groups, leaving only the Yang Family and Zhou Qi along with the matchmaker he brought.
Zhou Qi was about to speak but was stopped by Ye Qiu: "We’ll discuss the proposal later, co in first, Yu Zhen and I have sothing to tell you."
At her words, Yang Yuzhen’s face turned pale, yet she stood up bravely, realizing it was her previous foolish mistake and that she shouldn’t hide it from Zhou Qi.
"Aunt, whatever it is, can’t it wait until after the proposal? It’s not yet the auspicious ti." Zhou Qi said, pressing his lips together.
"No, there’s sothing I want you to know first before you make a decision. Yuhui, Yuxin, you two wait in the courtyard and entertain your Sixth Aunt for ."
Ye Qiu and Zhou Qi, along with Yang Yuzhen, entered the room. She looked at her daughter and asked, "Are you going to say it, or should I?"
"I’ll say it myself." Yang Yuzhen glanced sadly at Zhou Qi. Her mother was right, matters of marriage should not be kept in the dark. She had thought wrong before; regardless of fate, Zhou Qi was innocent.
"Yu Zhen." Zhou Qi, noticing Yang Yuzhen’s sadness, felt uneasy.
"Actually, I know Zhou Ziang." She began slowly, recounting everything truthfully, "I was friends with Mudan before. She said her cousin was graceful and a true gentleman; after hearing about him often, I slowly developed feelings for him."
She clenched her fists: "Later, under Mudan’s arrangent, I t Zhou Ziang. Maybe due to my prior feelings, I was moved. Afterward, Mudan told her cousin also had feelings for and hoped to marry . Persuaded by Mudan, I handed over a handkerchief."
Speaking of this point, it seed difficult for her to continue, and her voice weakened significantly: "But later I discovered by chance that Zhou Ziang only pretended in front of . He wasn’t at all like what was said in the letters with Mudan; rather, he was like a scoundrel."
Yang Yuzhen said bitterly, "After knowing his true colors, I realized it was a deliberate sche by them. I ended all ties with Yang Mudan and naturally had nothing more to do with her cousin. I thought that would be the end of it; I never expected them to cause trouble today."
After finishing her story, thinking she and Zhou Qi were no longer fated, her face turned pale: "I’m sorry I deceived you before. Although my exchanges with Zhou Ziang at most involved only that handkerchief, it was my own lack of discretion. I am not worthy of you; please leave, and let this marriage proposal be canceled!"
After saying this, tears finally fell from her eyes. Not daring to look at Zhou Qi, she got up and tried to run to her room.
However, a silhouette quickly blocked the door, and it was Zhou Qi.
"I don’t mind. I know you are a good girl." He said.
Yang Yuzhen looked up in disbelief, teary-eyed at him.
"I’m glad you told everything. Since it was a plot against you, how is it related to you?" He wanted to wipe away her tears but felt it was inappropriate, raising his hand then putting it down.
"You are the lady I have chosen. You didn’t mind , so how could I mind you?" After saying this to Yang Yuzhen, he bowed deeply to Ye Qiu, "Aunt, Wenqing respectfully asks for Yu Zhen’s hand in marriage, please consent."
Zhou Qi, with the courtesy na Wenqing, ntioned it specifically to show his sincerity.
"Are you sure about this?" Ye Qiu asked.
"Yes."
"Even if you have disputes in the future, you won’t hold a grudge against Yu Zhen over this matter?"
"No."
"A gentleman’s word, I trust what you say today. In the future, you must treat Yu Zhen well, do you understand? Otherwise, even if you rise to an official position, as long as Yu Zhen is not happy, I will make sure she leaves you, and even if I’m not around, she still has several brothers."
"As the Saint’s text says, a gentleman does not speak lightly, once a promise is made, it is never regretted." Zhou Qi said firmly.
Ye Qiu finally smiled: "I knew I didn’t misjudge you; rest assured, as long as you don’t betray Yu Zhen, she will surely be devoted to you."
"Thank you, Aunt, for granting this." He bowed deeply once again.
Ye Qiu got up and left, giving the two younger ones so space.
Yang Yuzhen said foolishly: "You really don’t mind ?"
"You didn’t mind that I’m all alone; you weren’t afraid to marry and be unlucky, so how could I mind you?" Zhou Qi smiled.
"But I just wronged Yang Mudan; don’t you think I’m cruel?"
"Not at all; she deserved it." Zhou Qi would rather his wife be a bit ruthless; after all, he was going to take the imperial exams and enter officialdom. His wife could not be just an ordinary housewife.
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