Chapter 185: Marry Me

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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Liu Lin was frozen on the spot, watching the empty doorway. The sounds of a quarrel were ringing out, crystal clear, as if they were just standing in front of him. 

“You don’t need to say anymore!” Song Yao was interrupted harshly by her sister-in-law. Her voice getting shriller and sharper by the minute, she said, “Don’t you know?! Whenever I go out nowadays, everyone asks me about you! There are even those who’ve praised you for becoming a merchant and becoming the pillar of our family! Even if you’ve the face to stay here, I am too embarrassed to stay in the same residence as you! Scram, you! Get out!”

“Dasao….” 

“First Young Madam…. You really can’t do this, First Young Madam….”

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“Ykpp Fsdt!”

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Liu Lin didn’t know what to do. He wanted to support her up, but didn’t dare to reach out to her. And yet it wasn’t good for her to continue sitting on the floor. Hearing her heartbroken sobs, his heart was churning. There was a bitter taste in his mouth. His only thought was – he would be willing to do anything to dry her tears! The wet nurse had finally heard the commotion behind and turned to look. Her face too was filled with tears. When she saw Liu Lin, it was as if she was seeing their saviour. She quickly went over to cry and say, “Young Master, our Young Miss has been wronged. Our First Young Madam chased her out… She’s too much…”

Liu Lin looked around. Seeing the sky start to darken, he knew something needed to be done. If anyone were to happen across this scene, it would be very bad for Miss Song’s reputation. Furthermore, it wasn’t just the Song family staying on this street. He softly said, “Quickly support the Young Miss into the carriage…. Don’t let anyone see this.”

It was only then that the wet nurse realised the severity. She quickly stretched her hand out to support Miss Song. Through her tears, she gently persuaded Miss Song, “Don’t cry anymore Young Miss. Let’s head up the carriage to have a seat first…. The Young Master from the Liu family is here. He will definitely help you!”

Song Yao’s heart was completely broken by events, but even still, she knew that it wasn’t good for her to continue crying like this in front of her gates. The etiquette that had been bred into her bones propelled her forward, and with the wet nurse’s support, she picked herself up with difficulty and went to the carriage to continue to cry.

The wet nurse followed her in and cried with her. 

Liu Lin could only sit outside the carriage, helping to guard them. When Miss Song had finally stopped crying, he would ask what had happened, and think of a plan to help them. 

After the wet nurse had cried for a while, she started to comfort Miss Song. As she was comforting, she would occasionally turn to Liu Lin to explain what had happened today. It was only then that Liu Lin understood the situation. 

The First Young Madam – Miss Song’s dasao – suspected Miss Song of keeping some of the rental money from the store. According to the First Young Madam, she thought that she had done so to leave a way out for herself!

The reason that the First Young Madam had exploded today, was because she had earlier gone out  to visit the womenfolk of other prestigious households. But when she got there, she had to suffer through cold remarks from them. It was uncertain if the other families had mentioned matters pertaining to Miss Song specifically, but when the First Young Madam came back, she took her anger out on Miss Song. She insisted on chasing her away no matter what!

When Liu Lin heard, rage shot through him! He was now clear about the situation – it was obvious that this First Young Madam still wanted more money and valued her face highly, which was why she had such a quarrel with Miss Song! Because she had suffered outside, she had blamed Miss Song!

But there was still something that didn’t really add up. He asked, “What do the elders in the family think? Would the Young Miss’ parents…. Not care? No matter what, the Young Miss is still their daughter. How can they allow such behaviour from the First Young Madam?”

The wet nurse hesitated. She gave Liu Lin a meaningful look, but Liu Lin still didn’t understand. 

In the carriage, Miss Song was still crying her heart out. Liu Lin could hear her getting hoarse from the force of her tears. He anxiously asked, “Why don’t you go and look for your family’s Madam? Even if the Master doesn’t care, surely the Madam wouldn’t ignore the situation here.”

The way he saw it, a mother would definitely fight for her child. She would definitely do everything to protect her child. 

The wet nurse stammered for a while before finally saying in a whisper, “The Master is very ill right now… My Young Miss was born of a concubine…. Her birth mother passed away a long time ago….”

Now Liu Lin understood. The thought had never even occurred to him! But yes, all prestigious families…. Did have circumstances like this! So, did that mean that they couldn’t depend on Madam’s help? She might even be secretly hoping to chase her away… Now what?

Liu Lin thought for a long while, but still couldn’t come up with a plan. Hearing Miss Song’s pitiful sobs, he could only murmur some comforting words, “Stop crying… Miss Song… What can I help you with? If there’s anything I can do, just ask.” He really didn’t know what to say – he could only think of this sentence. 

Miss Song was still sobbing, but she was slowly quietening. After a while, she lifted her teary face to look at him. Liu Lin started to feel a bit hopeful. He quickly assured her, “So long as it’s within my power, I will definitely help Miss Song.”

Miss Song had been crying too hard. She couldn’t quite control the sobs coming from her. She looked at him and said, “Liu Lin…. Please marry me. I really cannot continue to stay in this residence….”

Liu Lin was stunned!

The wet nurse was also stunned!

Liu Lin couldn’t trust what he heard. Eyes wide, he looked at her. Involuntarily, his brows wrinkled. He was just too shocked!

When Miss Song finished, she felt embarrassed. She continued to cover her face and cry. 

The wet nurse started to move her lips soundlessly. She looked at her Young Miss, then turned to look at Liu Lin. 

Liu Lin’s head was filled with a buzzing sound. Her words kept repeating in his ears —— Liu Lin… Please marry me. I really cannot continue to stay in this residence…..

She sounded so mournful and her entire person looked pitiful. Liu Lin felt his heart being painfully gripped! His heart ached, and suddenly, he understood. It was only after meeting Song Yao that he would feel such heartache. It had never happened before…. The instant anyone mentioned marriage, he would see the hazy image of a person…. But… at the same time, he would feel such sorrow at the thought. The sorrow he felt was impossible to ignore, it almost felt as though his heart would explode!

But he was still able to resist that sorrow. He looked at Song Yao and slowly nodded his head, “Alright, I will marry you, and take you away from this residence.”

Song Yao’s sobs immediately stopped. She lifted her head and stared at him. She probably hadn’t thought that he would agree. She continued to stare at him in shock, sobs occasionally wracking her body. She looked tiny and pitiful. 

Liu Lin nodded his head and said it again, “I meant what I said. I am willing… to marry you.”

Song Yao bit down on her lip. She lowered her head and suddenly tears sprang to her eyes. The tears fell drop by drop on her hand. 

The sorrow Liu Lin felt in his heart suddenly increased. He turned his head, took a few deep breaths and struggled to get a grip on his emotions. After some time, he turned back to look at her. 

As if their minds were linked, Song Yao also lifted her head at that moment. Biting her lip, she asked, “Are… you really willing?”

Liu Lin nodded, “Yes.”

The wet nurse stood at the centre of the two of them. She kept looking at each of them in turn, but didn’t know what to do or say. Liu Lin finally turned to tell her, “Wet nurse, why don’t you… try and knock the door again. No matter what, knock till someone opens…. The people here cannot chase the Young Miss out this way.”

The wet nurse immediately looked at Miss Song. Song Yao nodded her head. With her agreement, the wet nurse hurried off the carriage to continue to knock on the door. 

There were just the two of them left in the carriage. Liu Lin paused for a moment before asking, “Miss Song…. Will you regret this?”

Song Yao shook her head, “I will not regret this. Did I… Did I cause you trouble?”

Liu Lin also shook his head. “It’s no trouble. It’s enough if you don’t regret this. You should head back first. I…. will look for a matchmaker to propose marriage.” When he finished, he thought for a moment before asking a practical question, “Will your family agree?”

Song Yao coldly smiled, but her tone was desolate. “They will agree… It’s just that they might ask for a lot…”

Liu Lin nodded his head, “I understand.”

Song Yao hesitated a moment before looking up at him, “Will your family agree? I… don’t for me… I just.. I must have been crazy…”

Liu Lin didn’t wait for her to finish when he shook his head, “It’s alright. So long as I tell them that I want to marry you, my family will agree.”

Song Yao lowered her head. This time, red started to creep up her face. The two of them didn’t say anything further. This sudden marriage request – although unorthodox, and somewhat surreal – did indeed happen. The two of them however, were still able to calmly discuss the terms.

The wet nurse was giving her all, knocking and calling at the door. Probably because the people in the residence were embarrassed by this scene, after a while, someone came by to open the door. A young woman’s voice called out, “What are you shouting about! Will it never end? How thick skinned!” It wasn’t the sound of the First Young Madam’s voice, but this person was just as shrill and sharp. 

When the wet nurse saw that the door was finally opened, she stood in the gap, terrified that they would suddenly shut it on them again. Turning, she called out, “Young Miss, Young Miss, quickly come down. The door is open!”

Liu Lin jumped off the carriage and very naturally offered his arm to help Song Yao down. Then he suddenly realised what he was doing and started to retract his hand, but Song Yao had already put her hand on his and borrowed his help to come down. She quickly let go, then raised her head to look at him. Without saying a word, she stepped into the residence. 

Liu Lin watched as they entered. It was only when the wet nurse shut the door that he finally relaxed. Then he slowly emerged from the street and headed home.