Chapter 114: Borrowing and Repaying, Do Come Again (Part Two)

Main Residence.

Wu Qingyu entered the warm pavilion without a word, flipped the hem of his robe, and knelt directly before the Old Madam.

The Old Madam kept her face grim, her expression clearly displeased. She shot him a sidelong glance and snapped, "Stop with all this kneeling! It only makes my heart ache more. If outsiders saw this, they might think you are humbling yourself to beg for mercy from your grandmother, but do I not know you? You children are all so headstrong. You are kneeling here to force my hand, aren't you? You won't leave until I nod in agreement, will you?"

The Old Madam was truly vexed. Of all the children in the family, only Wu Qingrui, who was still too young to understand worldly affairs, gave her any peace of mind. As for the rest—Wu Qingqiong was brainless and caused trouble at every turn; that mad girl Wu Tan did whatever popped into her head; Wu Qinglin appeared steady and proper, yet possessed a stubborn temper, especially regarding his marriage—no matter what she said, he dragged his feet, refusing to marry or have children. And now this Wu Qingyu, who was usually surly and found everyone in the household disagreeable, had become suspiciously eager about his own marriage... In a single day, he had found a candidate and delivered the betrothal gifts, leaving her without even the opportunity to voice an opinion!

She truly had raised a house full of little nemeses.

Wu Qingyu knew he had overstepped, so as he listened to the Old Madam’s scolding, he wore a cheeky grin. "Grandmother, don't say that. How would I dare to force you? I really am begging you. I know I acted improperly, but even if it was wrong, it is already done, isn't it? Why don't you look at it from another angle—if I get married early, you can hold a great-grandson sooner, can't you?"

An elderly person, at the end of the day, only hoped for peace and the blessing of more descendants. Wu Qingyu knew how to strike at the heart of the matter.

The Old Madam snorted, her expression visibly softening.

Wu Qingyu continued, "Grandmother, just this once! Please relent and grant my wish. I promise to be obedient and well-behaved from now on, and I won't cause any more trouble for you." As he spoke, he crawled forward on his knees to tug at the hem of her skirt.

Of all the Wu children, although Wu Tan feigned obedience, the second grandson before her was clearly the most unruly. It was rare for him to be so humble and pleading, and the Old Madam couldn't help but feel a touch of warmth. However, for the sake of her dignity, she kept her face set and remained silent.

Wu Qingyu tugged at her skirt again. "Grandmother! I’ve already sent the betrothal gifts, and there were so many people watching on the street today. If we ask for them back now, Uncle Lin might break my legs. You wouldn't have the heart for that, would you?"

Watching from the side, Mama Zhou couldn't help but sigh—when it came to coaxing the Old Madam, the Second Young Master’s silver tongue was no match for the Second Young Lady’s; they were truly a pair of little ancestors.

"I don't need the Lin family to take action; I want to break your legs myself!" The Old Madam glared at him, but she had resigned herself to her fate. She paused and added, "But you must write to your father yourself to tell him; don't count on me to plead your case."

"Thank you, Grandmother!" Wu Qingyu was overjoyed. He hopped up, patting his knees, and without a shred of shyness, he climbed onto the *kang* (heated brick bed) and grabbed two pieces of pastry from the table to shove into his mouth.

Seeing his pale face and bloodshot eyes, the Old Madam couldn't stay angry. She turned and instructed Mama Zhou, "Check if there is any food left in the small kitchen and bring it up."

"Yes!" Seeing the storm had passed, Mama Zhou let out a sigh of relief and went off with a smile to arrange dinner.

Though she was no longer angry with Wu Qingyu, the Old Madam still felt a lingering worry. She took this moment to say, "Yu’er, even though you chose this marriage yourself, I must say some ugly words first. I know something of Yan Yao’s temperament. Ordinarily, it would be nothing, but given the timing and the events that have occurred... marriage is not child's play..."

Wu Qingyu, still chewing his pastry, immediately replied, "Grandmother, don't worry. I am not that kind of man. I didn't hold it against her then, and I certainly won't use it to find fault with her in the future. Although I acted in haste, I have thought it through carefully..."

Halfway through his sentence, his chewing slowed.

The Old Madam was looking elsewhere, lost in thought, and didn't notice.

Once Wu Qingyu swallowed the crumbs, he seemed to have made a firm decision. He slowly looked up, meeting the Old Madam’s eyes, and said solemnly, "Grandmother, I know that because of what happened between my father and my mother, you have always felt a sense of guilt toward the late Madam Lin and the Lin family. Now—take it as me repaying their debt. I promise I will treat the Lin girl well, I truly will!"

The Old Madam was stunned. She stared at this grandson who had always been so carefree. She had never imagined he could have such thoughts. It was as if, in a single night, he had grown up, transforming from a cynical youth into a man with conviction and responsibility.

At first, the Old Madam had assumed his proposal to the Lin family was a whim born of playfulness. She never expected him to have considered the matter so deeply—or even to have brought up that past affair himself.

The Old Madam frowned, her expression becoming complex.

Wu Qingyu seemed to perceive a flicker of pity in her eyes and gave a self-deprecating laugh. "It’s not that I don't understand, it’s just that in some things, I have no choice. Just like you, Grandmother—no matter how much you feel my father was wrong, you are helpless to change it. He is still your son, and you must still protect him and stand by his side. But Grandmother, can you really never accept my mother? I know this is not for a junior like me to say, but there were two people involved in that mistake..."

Between Wu Xun and Madam Meng, the Old Madam admitted she favored her own son. What he had done back then—not to mention the Lin family’s fury, even she, to this day, felt his actions were utterly despicable! Madam Lin was not a shrew who would forbid him from taking a concubine; it was something that could have been handled openly. Why did he and Madam Meng have to act as if it were something they had to hide in the shadows? If the old Marquis hadn't already passed away, he would have broken ties with such a disgraceful son and refused to acknowledge Madam Meng and those children even if the Lin family hadn't come to cause a scene.

It wasn't just Wu Qinglin who had held a grudge all these years; the Old Madam herself felt a blockage in her heart whenever she thought of it. She couldn't comprehend their reasoning, which led her to dislike Madam Meng, and even with her son Wu Xun, a subtle estrangement had formed. She didn't know why, but she could no longer be as close to him as she once was.

That event, while perhaps not "great" in the grand scheme of things, had miraculously become a hurdle standing in the hearts of the whole family. No one mentioned it, yet it remained. The Old Madam, Wu Xun, Madam Meng, and Wu Qinglin all harbored their own grievances, and now, Wu Qingyu was added to the mix.

With Wu Qingyu putting it so bluntly on the table, the Old Madam was left feeling somewhat adrift. The two of them stared at each other. Wu Qingyu’s expression was conflicted, and the emotions in the Old Madam’s eyes shifted restlessly.

Finally, she climbed down from the *kang* and walked to the window. The sky outside was pitch black. Through the window paper, nothing could be seen. She stood there, brow furrowed, her gaze distant.

Wu Qingyu didn't press her, simply watching her back.

After a long while, the Old Madam slowly closed her eyes and sighed. "I was too disappointed in your father! And at my age, I no longer have the heart to pretend to like anyone. Let things be as they are now; as long as everyone minds their own business, that is enough."

The Old Madam couldn't explain why she was this way. Over the years, she had pushed Madam Meng away as if she couldn't help herself. Ultimately, it stemmed from those years—within a year or two, she had lost two sons, and the remaining one had then committed an act she could not condone. He had lied to her for over a decade, keeping a mistress and fathering several children... It felt as if, in that instant, her only remaining son had become a stranger. All her convictions had crumbled. She felt as though all three sons were gone, leaving her adrift.

She was pained, disappointed, and fearful. These feelings had persisted for so many years. Her mood was something no one could understand, and she had no one to tell. Those accumulated emotions had evolved into her coldness and disdain toward Madam Meng.

***

Wu Qingyu was inevitably disappointed, but after a moment, he took a deep breath and put on a smile again. "Grandmother, don't be upset. It’s all ancient history. If you don't like hearing it, just pretend I never said it."

He jumped down, helped the Old Madam back to her seat, and asked, "Grandmother, I have another favor to ask of you!"

The Old Madam, still in low spirits, looked at him suspiciously. "What else?"

"When you go to the Lin family tomorrow, could you discuss setting the date for my marriage to Cousin Yan Yao as well?"

The Old Madam’s brow furrowed deeper, waiting for him to continue.

"I want to get it done as soon as possible," Wu Qingyu said, adding, "The sooner, the better!"

The Old Madam was puzzled. "What is the rush? You had no intention of marrying before, and the Lin girl is only fourteen..."

Wu Qingyu shamelessly squeezed onto the seat beside her. "Grandmother, Father sent me back to help Big Brother with Qingqiong’s wedding. He expects me back by the end of June. Plus, the Lin family has just had an incident; no matter how we suppress the rumors, they won't go away completely. If we drag this marriage out, I fear it will lead to more trouble. It’s better to strike while the iron is hot. That way, we stop others from taking advantage of the situation, and I won't delay my return to the south. You know how angry Father will be that I took it upon myself to return and get married; if I miss my deadline, he will punish me even more severely."

The Jiang family’s character was truly concerning; one could not guarantee they would let Lin Yanyao off so easily. Furthermore, the rumors outside were far from settled by a report from the Capital Prefecture. Malicious people would continue to spread gossip, and giving them time would only let the negativity fester. It seemed only decisive action could shut their mouths.

The Old Madam, who still had reservations about this match, hesitated.

Wu Qingyu continued to pester her. "The Crown Prince’s wedding is on the twenty-fifth of June. From the end of next month, the house will be busy with Qingqiong’s affairs. Grandmother, please check the almanac and pick a good day at the end of this month or the beginning of next!"

"The end of this month?" The Old Madam felt restless. "It is already the middle of the month..."

"Grandmother..."

Wu Qingyu’s mind was made up. He wore her down for half a day. As the Old Madam had said, the Wu children all had their own ideas; when they decided on something, they didn't come to ask for permission, but to force the elders to nod.

Unable to resist him, the Old Madam checked the almanac after he finished his meal. "The twenty-eighth of this month and the second of next month! If you must be so hurried, choose one of these two."

"They're only a few days apart. Grandmother, why don't you ask the Lin family to choose when you go tomorrow?" Wu Qingyu said, satisfied.

Since she couldn't stop it, the Old Madam didn't bother to argue anymore. She handed the almanac to Mama Zhou. "It’s getting late. Go back and rest. Since your mother isn't going, you will accompany me to the Lin family tomorrow morning."

"Yes!" Wu Qingyu agreed immediately. As he was about to leave, the Old Madam added, "You should go coax your mother yourself. I saw that she was quite angry. Don't let it reach a point where, after you bring home a bride you like, the backyard becomes a mess."

"Yes!" Wu Qingyu responded dutifully.

He remembered the Old Madam’s words and headed toward the South Residence, but he was intercepted by Wu Tan as he turned into the garden.

"It’s late, why are you out scaring people?" Wu Qingyu said, annoyed.

"I’ve had people watching Grandmother’s courtyard all day. Did you get it done?" Wu Tan didn't mince words.

Wu Qingyu raised an eyebrow. "Am I that unreliable?"

Wu Tan, whose habit of arguing with him was a reflex, held out her hand. "What about my money? Did you get the money back for me?"

Wu Qingyu smacked her palm. "Stingy."

As Wu Tan jumped back, nursing her stinging hand, he walked past her. She chased after him, relentless. "Hey, seriously, you’re helping so much this time, I’m not used to it. Do you have ulterior motives? Are you cooking up something bad? Other things are fine, but a girl’s marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event!"

"You guessed right, I do have ulterior motives." Wu Qingyu didn't slow his pace, impatient with her chatter.

Wu Tan grabbed him, refusing to let him leave. "What? Explain yourself!"

She knew his character; aside from his sharp tongue, he wasn't capable of anything truly nefarious, but his mysterious behavior made her curious.

Wu Qingyu stared into her eyes, then curled his lips into a mischievous smile. He beckoned her closer.

Wu Tan leaned in, and he whispered triumphantly, "Don't you all think I’m inferior to Big Brother in everything? Getting married before him is my skill, isn't it?"

What kind of ridiculous reason was that?!

Wu Tan was stunned, while Wu Qingyu walked off with a light, jaunty step.

***

That night, in the Lin mansion, Madam Li, who had been exhausted for the past two days, finally managed to get a peaceful sleep.

Back in their room, the couple discussed the marriage with the Wu family. Madam Li was still worried. As she helped Lin Xiucheng undress, she hesitated. "My lord, although we have a clear conscience regarding Yao’er’s affair with the Jiang family, I still feel we owe that Wu boy..."

Lin Xiucheng looked down at her. "Are you worried his family’s elders won't agree?"

"That, too..." Madam Li admitted. "But thinking of the Marquis of Dingyuan and Madam Meng, and what happened in the past, I have my doubts. I don't know what their attitude will be. If we really become in-laws, how will we get along?"

"Enough, don't think about it. Wait until we hear the Wu family’s response tomorrow." Lin Xiucheng, being a man, was more broad-minded. He comforted her and went to bed.

Madam Li sat on the edge of the bed, still feeling uneasy. She tugged at his sleeve. "There are so many rumors outside. I was actually thinking that if there are no surprises, it would be best if they married within two or three months. That would put our minds at ease and shut the mouths of gossips. But I don't have the face to bring it up to the Wu family..."

"Are you bothering me again? Nothing is even settled yet, why are you worrying about this?" Lin Xiucheng, who hadn't slept well either, felt a headache coming on.

Madam Li, worn out by the fear and anger of the past two days, finally let the matter drop and went to sleep.

***

She had expected the Wu family to need a day or two to coordinate internally, but the next morning, the Old Madam of the Wu family arrived in person.

Although the Old Prime Minister did not oppose the marriage, he would certainly not deal with the Wu family face-to-face. However, since the old Marquis of the Wu family had already passed away, the Old Madam was a lady of the inner court; his absence wouldn't be seen as a slight.

Madam Li treated the Old Madam as an honored guest and welcomed the grandmother and grandson warmly. Since the Old Madam had accepted the match and felt guilty about the past, she didn't stand on ceremony. They settled the marriage and chose the twenty-eighth of the month as the date.

Madam Li had been struggling with how to ask for an earlier date, so she was pleasantly surprised that the Wu family had suggested it themselves. The timing was rushed, but given the circumstances, it was understandable.

With their thoughts aligned, the matter was decided. Madam Li invited them to stay for a meal and opened the gates to invite neighbors, hosting a proper betrothal banquet.

The Old Madam was old and couldn't handle much exertion, so after the meal, Wu Qingyu escorted her back home.

Returning to the Marquis’s residence, the Old Madam went to rest. Wu Qingyu was just having people unload gifts intended for Madam Meng when the doorman chased after him. "Second Young Master, Prince Sheng has arrived!"

"Who?" Wu Qingyu stopped in his tracks, momentarily bewildered.

The next moment, Xiao Yue entered, looking as if he belonged there. "I heard the Second Young Master is soon to be married. Am I arriving at an opportune time? Don't forget to send me an invitation to the wedding."

The Wu family had an instinctive guard against this prince who led armies. Wu Qingyu didn't dare to be negligent, but he instantly raised his guard. He cupped his hands in greeting. "Prince Sheng? My apologies, I was blind yesterday on the street and failed to recognize Your Highness. I beg your forgiveness!"

Xiao Yue smiled. "The Second Young Master is not like his younger sister!"

Wu Qingyu was confused. "What?"

Xiao Yue smiled with a carefree air. "When she meets me, she usually pretends not to see me. If she can't pretend, she pretends not to know me!"

Wu Qingyu: "..."

What kind of nonsense was this?

But Prince Sheng was a great Buddha who had to be treated with care. Wu Qingyu didn't know him well enough to joke, so he went straight to the point. "May I ask why Your Highness has honored us with your presence?"

"Oh!" Xiao Yue seemed to suddenly remember his purpose.

He waved a hand, and Leiming entered with four servants carrying gift boxes. They weren't opened, but Leiming took two books from his sleeve and presented them to Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue took the books and handed them to Wu Qingyu. "I borrowed these military manuals from the Heir of Wu last time. I benefited greatly from them. I have come specifically to return them and offer my thanks."

"My Big Brother is away on a journey and is not home. How inconvenient!" Wu Qingyu took the books suspiciously. Seeing they were rare editions from Wu Xun’s study, he tucked them into his own sleeve instead of handing them to Changtai. "For such a small matter as returning books, Your Highness could have just sent a servant. Why trouble yourself to come in person?"

Xiao Yue maintained a friendly, approachable attitude. "Since they are private collections, I thought it best to be cautious and return them personally—" He paused. "As the saying goes, 'Good to borrow, good to return, easy to borrow again.' Could the Second Young Master trouble himself to fetch me two more?"

Wu Qingyu: "..."

What kind of trouble had his Big Brother gotten himself into? Did this Prince intend to make a habit of coming and going under the guise of borrowing books? Was he not afraid of the Emperor?

For the first time, Wu Qingyu felt a huge sense of doubt and dissatisfaction regarding his Big Brother’s judgment. Before he could react, the Prince continued as if it were only natural. "Oh! The Old Madam should be home, right? I was in a rush last time and didn't prepare a gift. I have prepared one today. Could the Second Young Master lead the way? Or, if you are busy, I remember the path and can go myself?"

Wu Qingyu: "..."

This was a trap. Every word was a pit. He had no choice but to resign himself to the Prince’s arrangements. "I will lead you, Your Highness. But you are truly too kind!"

What kind of guest was this? He was visiting someone else’s mansion, yet he made all the decisions, and because of his status, one couldn't help but obey. It was a completely shameless usurping of the host’s role!

Meanwhile, the Old Madam, having worked all morning, was feeling quite weary. As soon as she sat down in her room, Wu Tan slipped in.

Yesterday, anticipating the Old Madam’s anger, Wu Tan had hidden away to avoid seeing Wu Qingyu scolded and to avoid being scolded herself for her own involvement. Now that the Old Madam had been to the Lin family and everything was settled, she had come to curry favor. She entered the room, smiling, and nudged up to the Old Madam. "Grandmother, you’re back? I wanted to come have a meal with you, but I waited and didn't see you..."

Before she could finish, the Old Madam’s face darkened, and she pushed her away. "Go, go! Stop with the smooth talk! You are also heartless. I raised you so big, and in the end, you turned your elbows outward. Don't come running to me with your fake smiles anymore. I’m annoyed. Pack your bags and get to the Lin family immediately. The Wu family’s rice won't feed a little white-eyed wolf like you."

Wu Tan knew she had already shed her anger and was just being stubborn. She didn't mind being pushed away and stuck to her again, grinning. "Grandmother, are you serious? As it happens, there’s a cousin in the Lin family who isn't married yet. If you really want to drive me away, I’ll go..."

Before she could finish, Wu Qingyu lifted the curtain and entered. "Grandmother..."

And behind him, following as if it were the most natural thing in the world, was someone else...