Chapter 12 is settled

In the main hall, Zhang Boyuan and Ye Licai knelt unsteadily.

Ye Hewen was afraid of being too harsh, but he couldn't bring himself to ask them to get up, as it would seem like losing face in front of the Zhang family. So, he chatted with Zhang Hong without much enthusiasm.

Sun Shi and Ru Xue walked in but didn't dare to enter the main hall. They stood in a side room, anxiously watching the situation in the main hall, unsure of how to inform Zhang Boyuan.

At that moment, Meng Shi walked into the main hall with a smile. Zhang Hong set down his teacup and asked her, "Is it settled?"

"It's settled," Meng Shi nodded with a smile.

Ye Hewen knew that Meng Shi had gone to visit the Wen family, but he didn't know what they had discussed.

Zhang Hong cleared his throat and glanced at the kneeling pair before saying, "Just now, the son and Miss Ye said... it was Miss Ye who was injured and sent to the hospital. Ahem... It was all a misunderstanding. Rest assured, Lord Hou, as per my father's instructions, our Zhang and Ye families have agreed to the marriage. It's a done deal. When the time comes, our Zhang family will come to welcome the bride."

Knowing that the marriage was still on, Ye Hewen felt pleased, but he maintained a reluctant expression and said, "Since the Zhang family is so sincere, I will let bygones be bygones."

Meng Shi said with a smile, "Lord Hou, the details of the marriage between our Zhang and Ye families have been discussed with the son's wife. I wonder if Lord Hou..."

Ye Hewen waved his hand, "These trivial matters can be decided by the women in the family." His gaze fell on the kneeling pair, "Since these two children have admitted their mistake and been punished, let them go back."

"Boyuan was just momentarily confused. We will take him back and educate him well. When the time comes, we will give Lord Hou a good son-in-law!" Meng Shi smiled.

Zhang Boyuan and Ye Licai thought their marriage was settled and breathed a sigh of relief, not even feeling the pain in their knees from kneeling.

Ye Hewen felt pleased in his heart, but his face didn't show it. "Untie them."

A maid walked over and untied the pair. Sun Shi was delighted to see this and immediately nudged Ru Xue.

Ru Xue's eyes lit up, and she pretended to help untie them. She hurriedly walked out from the side room, secretly slipping a piece of paper to Zhang Boyuan as she untied him.

Zhang Boyuan was stunned for a moment, then he opened the paper and his face changed drastically. He shook off half of the ropes and stood up unsteadily, "Wait, mother, let's make the marriage clear before we leave!"

Meng Shi's beautiful face stiffened, and she forced a smile, "Hasn't the marriage been settled? We will choose an auspicious day to welcome the bride. You can rest assured that the marriage between our two families is a done deal."

"Don't try to deceive me again!" Zhang Boyuan exclaimed, "Let's make things clear here. Next time, I will marry Licai."

"Zhang Boyuan!" Meng Shi scolded, "The marriage has been settled. We won't go back on our word."

"What's there to discuss?" Zhang Boyuan shouted, his face turning red with anger, "Discussing how to deceive me into marrying Licai next time?"

"What?" Ye Licai's delicate body swayed and collapsed to the ground. She didn't even care about her reputation anymore. After all the turmoil, in the end, the one marrying into the Zhang family was her elder sister?

Ye Hewen was shocked. He also thought it was going to be Ye Licai, but if the Zhang family insisted on marrying Ye Tangcai, he didn't mind. After all, they were both his granddaughters! As for the Chu family, a little compensation would settle the matter. They wouldn't dare to object.

"You can't!" Zhang Boyuan roared.

"You unfilial son!" Zhang Hong shouted, "You were originally betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Ye family. You have caused great harm to Miss Ye! You were at fault first, and no matter what, you cannot let her down again! You must marry her!"

"Father, have you ever seen a father deceive his son like this? You want me to marry a woman who is already ruined!"

"Shut your mouth!" Meng Shi felt dizzy, "Tangjie is still a pure maiden."

"She has already entered the Chu family and mingled with some wild man. How can she still be considered a pure maiden? She's just a ruined woman," Zhang Boyuan sneered.

Zhang Hong and Meng Shi were shocked and almost vomited blood.

"Oh, so I've been to the Chu family, and now I'm considered a ruined woman. Then what about you, a man and a woman alone outside for a day and night, without even a maid by your side? What kind of situation have you gotten into?" A mocking voice rang out.

A young woman walked slowly, wearing a gorgeous red dress and a bold smile.

Zhang Boyuan's gaze fell on Ye Tangcai. He knew she was beautiful, but in his eyes, her beauty was domineering and aggressive, far from the delicate and pitiful appearance of Ye Licai, whom he wanted to protect.

Now, hearing her mocking words, Zhang Boyuan couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment towards Ye Tangcai. A shrew!

"Why are you here again? Your mother is ill. Why aren't you by her side?" Ye Hewen's face alternated between pale and red, especially after hearing her words, he was almost doubled over in anger.

Her reputation was already ruined, and now she was arguing here, which would also tarnish her cousin's reputation.

"My mother just came here and was so angry that she couldn't even stand steadily. She was helped back home. Before leaving, she asked her granddaughter to come in and take a look," Ye Tangcai said.

"Tangjie..." Meng Shi was about to speak.

"Madam Zhang," Ye Tangcai made a polite smile and bowed to her, "Thank you for your kindness. But a forced marriage is not sweet. Since Young Master Zhang has no intention of marrying me, I cannot force myself on him."

Facing her graceful smile and open attitude, in contrast to Zhang Boyuan's rude insults just now, Mrs. Meng and Mr. Zhang's faces turned red with embarrassment. They opened their mouths but didn't know what to say.

"Well, since the marriage between our two families is still on, and the eldest daughter won't marry... we can only marry off the second daughter," Mrs. Sun hurriedly interjected.

Mrs. Meng felt like she was going to spit blood and gave Mrs. Sun a fierce glare. Who did this woman think she was? Just a concubine's daughter-in-law, yet she dared to barge in and make a fuss!

Since Yetao has voluntarily withdrawn, what's the point of this marriage alliance? Her son has no engagement with Yelicao!

Mrs. Meng was about to refuse when Yehewen cleared his throat and spoke, "The situation was chaotic just now, and there were things I didn't have a chance to say. Zhang, originally both of our families had their own issues, but if you had come as promised to receive the bride yesterday, things wouldn't have turned out like this! Our Yeh family had already made it public that the eldest granddaughter was originally promised to the Chu family, and the second granddaughter was promised to the Zhang family."

Mr. Zhang forced a smile and said, "Then let's settle the marriage like this!"

Yehewen's public statement was indeed the best way to save face for both families.

"Sir!" Mrs. Meng's face changed. She was not willing to accept such a daughter-in-law. A mere daughter of a concubine, shameless enough to seduce men and elope! She was supposed to be her daughter-in-law?

"Shut your mouth! Don't forget that our family can't afford any mistakes!" Mr. Zhang coldly scanned her.

Mrs. Meng was startled, thinking about her daughter's future, and immediately fell silent, not daring to speak again.

Mr. Zhang turned to Yehewen and said, "Mr. Yeh, I'll take this scoundrel back first. Tomorrow, my father will personally come to discuss the marriage with you."

"Okay."

Mrs. Meng gritted her teeth. The old master was actually going to personally handle the marriage, bypassing her. He must be afraid of making another mistake. Her proud son, who she was so proud of, was really going to marry this shameless person.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Boyuan was overjoyed. His grandfather had always been a man of his word, and now that he was going to personally handle the marriage, as long as the Yeh family didn't cause any trouble, it would be a done deal.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhang bid farewell and left with Zhang Boyuan.

Seeing the guests leave, Mrs. Sun hurried over and touched Yelicao's hand, "Oh, your hand is all red. Who tied it so tightly? Sir, let the daughter-in-law take the second daughter back to bathe."

Yehewen waved his hand and let them go.