Chapter 7: 7. Chapter 7: Qin Mingsong Refuses the Marriage Proposal

Chapter 7: Qin Mingsong Refuses the Marriage

Qin Mingsong received a letter from Old Man Qin. It wasn't very detailed, but it did mention the engagement.

Having long held a sweetheart in his heart, Qin Mingsong had wanted to rush home overnight to stop it, but the current situation exceeded his expectations.

She had already moved into the Qin household?

Song Xiu lowered her head slightly and curtsied, "Greetings, Fourth Brother Qin. My name is Song Xiu."

Qin Mingsong returned the greeting.

Surrounded by Old Madam Liu and the others, Qin Mingsong sat down beside Old Man Qin.

Old Man Qin wore the stern expression of a patriarch, "You must be tired from traveling through the night. Eat something first before going to your room to rest. We can discuss the wedding later; we’ll need to decide how many tables to set."

As a child in whom the Qin family placed high hopes, his wedding would naturally be treated differently. Regardless, they would have to set a few tables to host the elders of the clan.

Qin Mingsong looked at Song Xiu.

Song Xiu lowered her head shyly, appearing quite reserved.

Qin Mingsong said sternly, "Father, please forgive your son, but I cannot agree to this marriage. I intend to take the autumn imperial examinations next year, and I do not wish for people to mock me for being an old ox grazing on tender grass."

Song Xiu’s face turned pale.

Song Jin was also surprised.

In her previous life, Qin Mingsong had not refused the marriage. What had changed?

Before Old Man Qin could say anything, Song Xiu spoke up first.

"I... I am fourteen."

Song Xiu’s large eyes seemed to shimmer with tears. When she looked at Qin Mingsong, it was with a heartbreaking sense of grievance, and she stammered, "Fourth Brother Qin, I... am I not good enough?"

The beauty was in tears, like pear blossoms drenched in rain.

Song Xiu looked at Old Man Qin with teary eyes, aggrieved, "Uncle Qin, if Fourth Brother is unwilling, you don't have to force him. It is I... who am not worthy of him."

With that, she ran off crying.

Everyone present was startled.

Little Madam Liu made a fuss, then complained, "Brother-in-law, really, what’s wrong with a four-year age gap? It’s not forty years. If you want to find an excuse to refuse, at least put some effort into it. You’ve made the girl cry. What if she can’t get over it and jumps into the river like Dahu from the neighboring village?"

Song Jin glanced at Little Madam Liu quickly.

She truly lived up to being the Second Aunt!

She knew exactly how to twist the knife in someone’s heart.

The tense atmosphere at the scene was pushed to a high point by Little Madam Liu’s efforts alone.

The adults then looked at Song Jin.

Song Jin was unexpectedly calm.

It wasn't that Song Jin didn't see through Song Xiu’s little tactic of retreating to advance.

But as her older sister, Song Jin could not appear too cold.

No matter how much sisters fought, it was ultimately a family matter; in the eyes of outsiders, they were always one.

Song Jin had to maintain the appearance of protecting Song Xiu.

Otherwise, outsiders would think she, as the older sister, lacked familial affection.

That she wasn't easy to get along with!

She might even be looked down upon.

Even if it was just for show, Song Jin had to defend Song Xiu at this moment.

It was like the principle of: if you are heartless, I cannot be unrighteous.

Thus, Song Jin deliberated, "Second Aunt, there is no need to worry. It is inevitable for a young girl to feel embarrassed when rejected to her face. At this time, it is best if everyone leaves Xiu’er alone and lets her calm down by herself..."

Song Xiu: I really thank you!

With Song Jin saying that, who would still have the nerve to go and comfort her?

Song Xiu’s original intention was to make the Qin family feel guilty, while showing her own magnanimity and understanding, and also seizing the moral high ground.

Of course, didn't Qin Mingsong pride himself on being a gentleman?

Hurting an innocent young girl—he would have to go and apologize to Song Xiu.

Once they met in private, Song Xiu would reveal her delicate and soft side, taking the opportunity to stir up Qin Mingsong’s pity.

In her past life, Song Xiu had learned many such tricks in the brothel.

She was confident she could win over Qin Mingsong.

However, Song Xiu had calculated well, only for Song Jin to pull this stunt at the start...

"Uncle Qin..."

Song Jin began.

Qin Chi reminded her at the right moment, "My lady, you should change how you address him to Grandfather."

Song Jin nodded and then said solemnly, "Grandfather, although my father set this marriage with you, he is a reasonable man and would never force anyone. Since the younger uncle is not willing, let this marriage be called off. I will find her another match."

"No!"

Old Madam Liu suddenly jumped up, "I do not agree to calling off the marriage!"

This surprised Song Jin and the others.

Even Qin Mingsong’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Old Madam Liu.

As the saying goes, the eldest grandson and the youngest son are the lifeblood of the elderly.

The eldest grandson had been a sickly child since he was small; Old Madam Liu wasn't exactly harsh, but she hadn't been particularly good to Qin Chi either.

Therefore, Old Madam Liu had always favored Qin Mingsong, giving him the best of everything in the house. If Qin Mingsong wanted to refuse the marriage, logically, Old Madam Liu should have been his ally.

No one expected Old Madam Liu to be the first to jump out and oppose it!

For Qin Mingsong, this was undoubtedly a huge blow!

"Mother, how could you..."

Qin Mingsong’s face turned pale, and the veins in his clenched fists stood out.

Old Madam Liu’s gaze darted away, not daring to meet Qin Mingsong’s disappointed eyes.

Just then, Third Brother Qin snuck out and returned, peeking in at the door, "I checked, the young aunt ran back to the younger uncle’s room; she didn't try to kill herself."

Qin Mingsong shouted, "Third Brother! Who taught you to call her 'young aunt'?"

This gave Third Brother a fright.

Qin Chi’s eyes flickered as he returned to sit beside Song Jin, "Don't be afraid, Third Brother. The younger uncle is an adult; he won't hold it against a child."

"Exactly! What is there to hold a grudge about?"

Seeing her son frightened, Little Madam Liu was immediately displeased, "I say, younger brother-in-law, you don't want such a good marriage—could it be that you have a sweetheart outside? That won't do. Who will pay for the bride price? Eldest Brother’s wedding didn't cost the family a single penny..."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Qin Chi suddenly coughed violently.

Song Jin’s attention was pulled back to him, and without thinking, she raised her hand to rub his back, "Are you alright, Husband? Why don't you drink some rice soup to soothe your throat?"

Qin Chi actually picked up the bowl and took a sip.

"Second Sister-in-law, if you want to say the younger uncle has someone outside, just say it. Don't drag my Eldest Brother into it; look at how you’ve startled him," Madam Li said unhurriedly.

Once these words were spoken, the scene fell silent again.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Qin Mingsong.

Qin Mingsong frowned, "I do not have a sweetheart. Second Sister-in-law, please watch your words."

Song Jin knew it.

Qin Mingsong would not admit to having a sweetheart.

Illicit affairs damaged one's reputation, especially when the man was already engaged. It would not only ruin the woman’s purity but also the man’s honorable reputation.

If he weren't engaged, Qin Mingsong could have asked his elders to propose on his behalf.

At this moment, Qin Mingsong, relying on his status as a scholar, did not want to argue with the women.

He simply waited for Old Man Qin to speak.

"This marriage will not change. Eldest Brother’s wife, do not overthink it." Old Man Qin said this to Song Jin.

Song Jin’s phoenix eyes flickered.

Mentioning calling off the marriage was just a test; Old Man Qin indeed did not agree.

Qin Mingsong looked at Old Madam Liu again.

Old Madam Liu whispered, "Fourth son, this marriage cannot be called off. If anyone dares to spread rumors in the future, Mother will definitely seek justice for you."

Song Xiu had said that the dowry included one thousand taels of silver.

This was a thousand taels of silver!

The old man had a craft for making Hui ink, but even after decades, he had only saved up about a hundred taels. As long as Qin Mingsong married Song Xiu, the family would immediately have a large sum of money coming in.

As for Qin Mingsong’s thoughts, Old Madam Liu might have cared before, but now she was blinded by greed.

Losing a thousand taels of silver would be more painful to her than digging out her own heart.