Chapter 238: A Marriage Proposal, Warmth and Agreement
“…Mr. Lin wants to… propose?”
Aunt Cheng asked tentatively, “To… Yishi?”
Lin Tianlu nodded seriously. “Absolutely. It’s Yishi. I came here to clarify our relationship and formally propose to the Cheng family.”
“T-This is truly—”
Seeing that he wasn’t joking, Aunt Cheng’s expression became quite complex.
She had naturally heard a lot about this scholar.
Who in Changling didn’t know the name Mr. Lin? Although the rumors about him were exaggerated and fantastical, she hadn’t entirely believed them.
But seeing him in person, he did possess a unique charm. Even though she had come with a critical eye, she couldn’t help but admire his handsome appearance. Such a refined and elegant man was truly rare.
Moreover, if the rumors about his brilliant talent and supernatural abilities were true, how many young women in this world could resist him?
However…
His family background didn’t seem particularly impressive.
Although he owned a house, he didn’t have any businesses or properties, and he usually just worked as a humble private tutor.
A scholar like him, relying on his pen and paper, could perhaps support an ordinary family, but in terms of social status… they were hardly a match.
If this matter were to spread, it would surely cause a lot of gossip. And the inheritance of the Cheng family’s assets would become even more complicated.
“Yishi, what do you think?”
Lin Tianlu looked at the speechless young lady beside him. “Although this proposal might seem sudden, it’s the result of careful consideration. Given our relationship, it would only cause you more trouble if I continued to string you along. It’s better to be honest and formally establish our relationship as husband and wife.”
Cheng Yishi raised her trembling hands to cover her trembling lips.
A myriad of emotions flashed across her face, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
But these turbulent emotions eventually welled up as tears in her eyes, and she murmured hoarsely, “Tianlu, do you really want to… propose to me?”
“Heaven and earth can bear witness.” Lin Tianlu nodded seriously. “I have no regrets or hesitation about this proposal. It’s something I’ve longed for.”
Cheng Yishi’s shoulders shook as if she were choking back sobs, tears streaming down her face. “But Tianlu, you clearly said… that we should get to know each other again, fall in love again… and then…”
“Matters of the heart are mutual.”
Lin Tianlu took a deep breath and gently held her delicate right hand. “These past few months, I’ve understood the depth of your feelings. How could I remain indifferent? I won’t try to avoid it any longer.”
Cheng Yishi sobbed and threw herself into his arms.
There were no sweet nothings, no touching vows of eternal love.
At this moment, the knot that had been in the young lady’s heart for many years finally unraveled. An indescribable joy and relief surged through her, and she could no longer contain her emotions, clutching Lin Tianlu’s clothes and crying, “Mother, I finally…”
Her murmur was like a whisper to herself, only audible to the two of them.
Lin Tianlu didn’t offer any words of comfort, but silently held the trembling young lady, gently stroking her slender back.
He understood her deepest desires.
“…”
Aunt Cheng, seeing this scene, closed her mouth, sighing softly with a complex expression.
Only after the young lady’s cries gradually subsided did Lin Tianlu break the silence. “Aunt Cheng, what did you want to say just now?”
“Nothing much.”
She smiled wryly. “Since this girl has found a good husband, what else can I, her stepmother, say? If I were to mention any excessive conditions, she would resent me for life. As long as she doesn’t regret her decision today, we can only offer our sincere blessings and hope that Mr. Lin will treat Yishi well. As for other trivial matters, we can discuss them later when we have more time. There’s no rush.”
Lin Tianlu was quite surprised.
This concubine of the Cheng family seemed to be more reasonable than he had imagined. Her kind and gentle attitude was truly unexpected.
“Thank you… Stepmother…”
A hoarse voice came from his arms.
Aunt Cheng’s eyes widened slightly, and she saw that the young lady had lifted her head from Lin Tianlu’s chest, her tear-stained face filled with gratitude.
After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Your mother truly raised a sensible daughter. You’ve worked hard these past few days, Yishi.”
No longer speaking as an elder, Aunt Cheng looked up and smiled gently. “Mr. Lin, you’ve just returned from a long journey and have proposed marriage. Why don’t you stay the night at the Cheng residence and catch up with Yishi?”
“I…” Cheng Yishi whispered softly, “I want to go to the Lin residence.”
“Hmm?”
Aunt Cheng raised an eyebrow, but quickly smiled gently again. “As you wish.”
She then looked at Lin Tianlu, her tone serious. “You must cherish this girl. Don’t trifle with her feelings. If you betray her kindness, you will regret it for the rest of your life.”
“I will keep your words in mind.”
Lin Tianlu released the young lady from his embrace and bowed deeply.
He naturally had to show proper respect to the elders of the bride’s family.
…
After Lin Tianlu and Cheng Yishi left together, Aunt Cheng turned to look at the figure hiding in the corner of the corridor and scolded playfully, “Come out now. How long do you plan to hide?”
“M-Mother…”
Cheng Yuqing emerged with a sheepish smile. “How did you know I was here?”
“Do you think I can’t see through your little schemes?” Aunt Cheng rolled her eyes at her. “Now that Mr. Lin and Yishi are so close, and he’s even proposed, are you finally satisfied?”
“I’m naturally happy that they’ll be married.”
Cheng Yuqing smiled, her eyes downcast, as if her wish had been fulfilled.
Seeing her joyful expression, Aunt Cheng sighed inwardly.
Her innocent daughter had secretly admired Cheng Yishi ever since she was old enough to understand. Her admiration had only grown over time, and she empathized with her as if they were true sisters.
But she had always kept it hidden in her heart, not good with words.
Cheng Yuqing smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around her mother’s arm affectionately. “Besides, Mother seems to like Sister Yishi more and more now.”
“It’s just because of you. Seeing how close you are to her, I naturally have to treat her well, so you won’t suffer.”
Aunt Cheng’s expression softened, and she flicked her daughter’s forehead playfully.
“And—”
After a moment of thought, she couldn’t help but sigh. “Yishi has changed a lot these past few months. In the past, although she always had a polite smile when we interacted, as if she were my own daughter, I knew she never saw me as family. But now, she’s… completely different.”
Even though her tone had become somewhat cold and stiff, she didn’t feel any displeasure when interacting with her.
Having spent many years in this residence, engaging in power struggles with the other wives and concubines, she naturally had good judgment. She could see that Yishi was trying to let go of her prejudices and improve their relationship.
“Perhaps it’s Mr. Lin who has brought about this change in her.”
Aunt Cheng shook her head and chuckled. “Yishi is now more like a real, flesh-and-blood young woman.”
Cheng Yuqing blinked her bright eyes and murmured, “Is that why Mother agreed to the marriage so readily?”
“When a girl reaches a certain age, she will eventually marry.”
Aunt Cheng smiled and rubbed her head. “Although Yishi’s mother and I weren’t on good terms, she did help me a lot over the years. Now that her daughter has found true love, how could I interfere?”
“What about the others in the family…”
“There’s no need to mention them. Although they have difficult personalities, they at least won’t disrespect Yishi, the head of the family. But whether the Cheng family’s assets can be preserved depends on Yishi’s own choices, and whether Mr. Lin is truly as indifferent to wealth and status as the rumors say.”
Aunt Cheng frowned thoughtfully.
After a moment, a smile appeared on her lips, and she whispered something into her daughter’s ear.
Cheng Yuqing’s initially bewildered expression turned to shock as she listened, her cheeks flushing crimson like a ripe apple.
“M-Mother, how… how can you say such shameful things…!”
“Silly girl, you’re already at this age, yet your mind is still so innocent.”
Aunt Cheng smiled meaningfully and poked her forehead. “I don’t expect you to marry a wealthy merchant or a powerful official, just someone who can provide you with a stable life. And now, you have such a good opportunity. You must seize it. Once you’ve established a closer relationship—”
But before she could finish, Cheng Yuqing covered her ears, her face crimson, and hurriedly turned to run away. “I don’t want to hear it!”
“Hey, you!”
Watching her daughter run away without any regard for her demeanor, Aunt Cheng shook her head and sighed. “With such a timid personality, if she really gets married… I’m afraid she’ll be bullied every day.”
She turned to look outside the courtyard and sighed wistfully. “I wonder when Yuqing will find a good husband like Yishi.”
…
In a quiet alley, golden leaves swirled in the autumn breeze.
Two figures walked side by side on their way home.
“…”
Cheng Yishi hugged herself, her head down as she played with the braid in front of her chest, her eyes flickering as if she were thinking about something.
Seeing that she had been quiet since they left the Cheng residence, Lin Tianlu was about to ask if she was alright when she suddenly said, “Actually, Tianlu, did you suddenly propose because Madam Mao is about to marry you?”
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu was taken aback.
Seeing his expression, Cheng Yishi couldn’t help but chuckle. “Just as I suspected. You didn’t want me to overthink things and lose heart, so you decided to marry us both, treating us equally?”
“…Yishi, you’re truly perceptive. You guessed it right away.”
Lin Tianlu scratched his face awkwardly. “But my decision was indeed abrupt. If it upset you, I will…”
“When did I say I was upset?”
Cheng Yishi’s expression softened, and she said softly, “When you and Madam Mao went to visit her family, I already considered the possibility that you two might get married. I’m already content that you still considered my feelings. How could I be upset? At least, in my opinion, this proves that Madam Mao and I hold equal weight in your heart. That’s enough to make me happy.”
“Yishi, you…”
“Alright, no more sweet talk.”
Cheng Yishi blushed, raising her hand to cover his lips as if embarrassed. “I’ve finally calmed down and recovered from the surprise. If you say anything more touching, I don’t want to cry like a little girl again. It’s… a bit embarrassing. If Madam and the others see me like that, they’ll tease me relentlessly.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “I won’t say anything then.”
“T-Then let’s talk about the marriage later when we get home.”
Cheng Yishi regained her usual composure, quickening her pace, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders, and walking ahead.
But with just a glance, Lin Tianlu could see her reddened earlobes, clearly trying to suppress her emotions.
This girl was becoming even more adorable.
…
Creak
As the door to the Lin residence opened, Mao Ruoyu, who was cleaning the main hall, instinctively looked up and saw the two of them walking into the courtyard.
“Miss Cheng!”
Mao Ruoyu put down her broom and smiled happily. “You’re safe and sound! I’ve been waiting and worrying at home. I can finally relax.”
“Madam, you—”
Cheng Yishi said in astonishment, “Why has your hair turned silver?”
Not only that, but she could clearly see that the beautiful woman’s aura had become more ethereal and mysterious. Her figure and appearance had also changed quite a bit, shimmering with spiritual light, truly stunning.
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain it later.” Lin Tianlu smiled as they entered the courtyard together.
“It seems a lot has happened during your trip to Lunar Valley these past two weeks.” Cheng Yishi murmured.
Mao Ruoyu quietly stepped forward and took her hand, asking with concern, “I heard there was some trouble in Changling. Are you and your family alright, Miss Cheng?”
“With Tianlu’s help, the danger has been averted.”
Cheng Yishi’s eyes twinkled, and she suddenly chuckled softly, squeezing the beautiful woman’s soft hand. “But Madam and I have a lot to… discuss now.”
“Eh?”
Mao Ruoyu was taken aback.
But the next moment, she narrowed her eyes as if sensing something, and understanding dawned upon her.
