Chapter 139: Backing
Wang Xun smiled for a whole day, and his face was starting to feel sore.
Looking at his spirited nephew, Wang Xun couldn’t help but sigh: “You’re placing a heavy bet on Sixth Sister Pei, and as your uncle, I won’t fail to support you. But you shouldn’t have fallen out with your grandfather to the point of being driven out of the house. Now that Old Master Shi has taken Shi Li as his adopted son, the Shi Family’s family business will all fall to the branch family in the future.”
“If you’re regretting it, there’s still room to turn things around. As your uncle, I can step in and mediate, letting you return to the Shi Family…”
“Uncle,” Shi Yan interrupted Wang Xun: “Since I’ve left the Shi Family, I won’t go back.”
Wang Xun frowned: “Are you really so set on becoming Sixth Sister Pei’s son-in-law?”
Shi Yan’s expression was open and upright: “Yes. Grandfather insists I marry a wife and have children to carry on the Shi Family lineage. I admire Sixth Sister Pei and want to follow her. I can’t have both the fish and the bear paw. I’ve made my choice. No matter the outcome in the future, I will never regret it.”
Wang Xun was shocked again: “What do you mean by that? You’ve gone this far—does that mean Sixth Sister Pei still won’t marry you in as a son-in-law?”
Shi Yan patiently explained: “I came seeking refuge, and Sixth Sister let me manage the money and grain treasury, giving me trust and respect. As for affection, it can’t be judged by that. Sixth Sister has lofty ambitions and no interest in romantic love. Perhaps one day she will marry a man into the family, and then I’ll have my chance.”
“What if Sixth Sister never marries a man into the family?” Wang Xun pressed.
Shi Yan said: “Then I’ll always follow by her side.”
Just like a firefly chasing light.
Wang Xun’s expression was complicated, and after a long while, he sighed: “Your mother was a romantic, but you surpass her.”
After Shi Yan’s birth father passed away from illness, Shi Yan’s mother fell gravely ill and soon followed him. Wang Xun grieved deeply for his sister’s early death and had always taken special care of his nephew.
Shi Yan also greatly respected and felt close to Wang Xun, chuckling softly: “Uncle, no need to worry about me. I’m doing very well here and happy every day.”
What more could Wang Xun say? He could only let out a long sigh: “Fine! You’ve always been determined since you were young, and I can’t stop you from doing what you want. If in the future you need the Wang Family to step in and help, just speak up—no need to stand on ceremony.”
Shi Yan smiled: “Uncle coming personally to Pei Family Village has already helped me greatly.”
Wang Xun understood at once and laughed: “I’ll set an example for the Youzhou magnates first. And along the way, give you some backing.”
The joke carried a touch of bitterness.
Marriage between man and woman is the proper way. Yet the Pei Clan defies convention, with all women marrying men into the family. If Shi Yan fancied someone else, there might be a chance to marry her in, but the one he admires is Pei Qinghe.
Pei Qinghe wiped out mountain bandits, took in refugees, trained troops, and seized Changping County and Anle County. Quanzhou County and Yongnu County have also sent generous gifts seeking protection. With such ambition, how could she possibly marry into the Shi Family as a wife?
Even with Shi Yan delivering himself to her door, it still depends on Sixth Sister’s intention!
Old Master Shi’s anger hasn’t subsided, and as his uncle, he can’t stand idly by.
Warmth surged in Shi Yan’s heart: “Uncle treats me so well, yet as your nephew, I have nothing to repay you with—I’m truly ashamed.”
Wang Xun glanced at his nephew: “I wanted to make our families even closer by having you marry into the Wang Family, but you wouldn’t.”
Shi Yan replied solemnly: “My cousin and I are as close as brother and sister; marrying her would ruin her life. Cousin Brother Shi Li has always admired my cousin. If the Wang Family is willing to form a marriage alliance with the Shi Family, Uncle can agree to it. If my cousin is unwilling, Uncle shouldn’t force her. Marriage is for life—it can’t be settled casually.”
Wang Xun glanced again: “Your grandfather did come to propose marriage, and I’m still considering it. I’ll give a reply in a few days.”
So, Wang Xun had deliberately brought Wang Mengyi to Pei Family Village to give Shi Yan one last chance to turn back.
Shi Yan was deeply moved, grasping Wang Xun’s hand and saying earnestly: “In the future, I will certainly show you filial piety.”
Wang Xun sighed: “Don’t always use your uncle as an example—just get the Wang Family to bleed some money and grain.”
Shi Yan grinned: “As expected, Uncle understands me best.”
After a few jokes, Wang Xun said: “Mengyi wants to speak to you alone. Wait here.”
Shi Yan nodded.
After Wang Xun left, Cousin Wang Mengyi arrived.
The cousin brother and sister sat quietly facing each other, eyes meeting.
Wang Mengyi looked steadily at Shi Yan, and after a long while, she spoke: “Father originally wouldn’t let me come, but I insisted on making the trip to ask you one question myself.”
“Cousin Brother, if there were no Sixth Sister Pei, would you marry me?”
Shi Yan replied gently: “Cousin, there are no ‘ifs’ in this world.”
From the moment he met Pei Qinghe, no one else existed in his eyes.
Wang Mengyi’s nose stung, tears flashing in her eyes. She turned her head aside, and after a moment, turned back—her pretty face calm again: “Cousin Brother, when you rise high in the future, don’t forget to help the Wang Family.”
Shi Yan nodded without a word.
Wang Mengyi continued: “I won’t agree to this marriage with the Shi Family.”
“Cousin Brother doesn’t want to settle, and neither do I.”
Shi Yan felt some regret: “Shi Li is the one without the fortune.”
Wang Mengyi felt a bit better: “Why doesn’t Cousin Brother persuade me to marry Shi Li? Shi Li is handsome, healthy, of upright character, and now the young master of the Shi Family—more than worthy of me.”
“Marriage is for life—marry when you meet someone you like,” Shi Yan said softly. “Shi Li is good, but if you don’t like him, how can you marry?”
Tears welled up again in Wang Mengyi’s eyes: “If I marry Shi Li, the Wang Family and Shi Family will be closely tied, advancing and retreating together, and it’ll be your reliance in the future. You really won’t persuade me?”
Shi Yan looked at Wang Mengyi: “Cousin, I hope you walk hand in hand with the one you love until your hair turns white, living a life of happiness and peace.”
Wang Mengyi held back her tears and said softly: “I’ve said everything I wanted to. Cousin Brother, you go back first!”
Shi Yan had no choice but to rise and leave.
The tears Wang Mengyi had been holding back finally fell.
Wang Xun quietly entered, looking at his silently weeping daughter with some heartache: “Don’t cry. That fool Shi Yan is blind—you’re such a fine miss, and he doesn’t cherish you. He’ll regret it someday.”
Wang Mengyi cried: “For Sixth Sister, he gave up the family business and is willing to be a son-in-law. She’s all he sees—how could he regret it?”
Wang Xun sighed helplessly: “You know all this in your heart—why are you still so sad?”
Wang Mengyi covered her face with her sleeve and sobbed. Wang Xun could only stay by her side, endlessly passing her handkerchiefs to wipe her tears.
After crying through several silk handkerchiefs, Wang Mengyi finally calmed: “Father, after we go back, agree to the Shi Family’s marriage proposal!”
“I had already decided before coming. If Cousin Brother kept persuading me to marry Shi Li, I would refuse. But if Cousin Brother thinks of me, I’ll agree to it.”
“Though Cousin Brother doesn’t love me, he cherishes me like a sister. I have no regrets in my heart now.”
“Shi Li respects and loves me, and I’m willing to marry him.”
