Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Madam, Scholar Song is here.” Madam Hu quickly turned around and whispered to Ye Muyu, who was still struggling to eat the last piece of pork rib at the table.
Ye Muyu paused for a moment and understood. She quickly finished the ribs and handed the plate of bones to Madam Hu.
Madam Hu also quickly cleaned up the table and put away the dishes.
Song Lu was led by Zhang Shu into the central room.
Seeing Ye Muyu sitting at the head of the table, Song Lu felt guilty. He went forward and bowed. “Mrs. Chu, I’m here to apologize. If it weren’t for me, I wouldn’t have caused you so much trouble.”
Ever since he got home last night and heard about what had happened in the village, anger had risen in his heart. He was angry, angry at his own incompetence. That was why he had been restrained by a woman and had no freedom of choice. He was angry that he was not capable. That was why his family had been tempted by the Wang family’s seemingly reward, but in reality, they had used the most ordinary items to attract them.
He was even more angry that he had implicated others even though he studied to become more capable.
Now, he had finally managed to become a scholar, but he had ruined his peaceful life and trapped himself in a difficult situation. All of this was caused by his incompetence!
“This is the Buddhist scripture that I requested from the abbot of Deming Temple. I copied it myself. Please don’t mind it, Madam.”
Ye Muyu looked at the humble, guilty, and conflicted Song Lu. She was still observing him. She did not know if he was putting on an act or if he was sincere.
“The Buddhist scriptures that you personally copied are naturally extremely rare. I’ll accept them. Thank you for your kindness.” Ye Muyu agreed.
Song Lu heaved a sigh of relief and respectfully placed the Buddhist scripture in front of her.
Since Ye Muyu accepted the scriptures, it meant that she was not that angry, and he felt better.
“As for the matter of the Wang family…”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Chu,” Song Lu quickly said. “I’ll take care of this.”
“Oh? How are you going to solve it?” Ye Muyu was surprised and asked directly.
She really did not know that Song Lu had the intention to solve this problem. After all, this matter had dragged on for so long.
Song Lu felt a little ashamed. “I’ve already written a poem sayimg that I’m not good enough for the Song family’s third daughter. With her talent, she can find a better husband. Besides, I’ve also met with Landlord Wang and promised him that I won’t participate in the provincial examination this time.”
“Aren’t you destroying your reputation?” Ye Muyu looked at him in shock. One should know that scholars value reputation very much. If one’s reputation were too badly blemished, one would be disqualified from the examination. Or, even if one passed the examination, they would be manipulated by the officialdom and would not be able to get an official position.
Song Lu nodded firmly. “That’s right. I was the one who started this, but so many people have been implicated. It’s just a little reputation. How can it be more important than everyone’s safety?”
“In the past, I didn’t think it through and kept hesitating, which led to the current outcome.”
“Have you thought about the consequences?” Ye Muyu asked.
“It’s just that my future might be ruined, but it’s only a possibility. If I can resolve this matter, everything will be worth it,” Song Lu said firmly.
Ye Muyu thought highly of Song Lu’s decisiveness. However, it was obvious that if Song Lu dealt with the Wang family from the beginning and rejected them decisively, the Wang family would give up on him. Perhaps he could have pretended to be ugly or deliberately revealed his bad habits.
After all, there were so many Elementary Scholars, and the Wang family did not have to choose Song Lu.
As long as there was something on his mind that did not go along with the Wang family’s thoughts and made them hate him, he could indirectly resolve this matter..