Chapter 16

The man's words stung like a disturbed wasp's nest, drawing a buzz of discussions.

"Did you clearly see how the marriage contract from the Zeng Family was written?"

"It's about the eldest daughter of the Second Old Master of the Song Family. I don't know if her name is Song Jiyun, but she is definitely their eldest daughter."

"Oh my! One woman marrying two husbands!"

However, the Song Family seemed frozen, taking a while to react.

Song Sanliang hurriedly took the marriage contract from the man's hands.

"The contract was established by Yuan Haoran and Song Youliang... eldest son Yuan Yunzhong, eldest daughter Song Jiyun... Constructed at the beginning of Yin day, in the Wuchen year during the Bingchen month according to the Qian system, and on Jiawu day at noon, in the Renshen year during the Yiwei month according to the Kun system... to be taken as the lawful wife. The terms were agreed upon in three meetings, Yuan Yunzhong to marry after the crown ceremony... a dowry of two hundred gold... the bridal gifts and dowry to be negotiated separately... fearing there would be no proof, the marriage contract was made."

The witness on the groom's side was Wang Chuangeng, whom he didn't recognize.

The witness on the bride's side was Huang Qi, whom he knew well.

A good friend of his older brother, with whom he was in business.

The witness was Li Jin, former Magistrate of Liang County, now serving as Magistrate in Suzhou.

Looking at the date the contract was signed, it was ten years ago, Bingxu day during the Gengwu month in the Jihai year.

That was when Li Jin was serving as Magistrate in Liang County.

His older brother's signature was pressed upon his name, his seal stamped on the date of the contract as well.

Looking at the paper, although well-preserved, the creases were deep, the ink old yet glossy with age, it was evidently years old.

Sweat beaded on Song Sanliang's forehead.

If it weren't for the too coincidental appearance, by the looks of it, this was an extremely authentic marriage contract.

He looked towards Madam Zeng with a terrified gaze.

Madam Zeng knew her son best, her heart immediately sank.

How could this happen?

How could Song Jiyun suddenly have another fiancé? When had her second son arranged this marriage for Song Jiyun?

Why was she completely unaware?

Madam Zeng's hand, supported by Madam Li, continually shook as she looked at Song Jiyun with a flash of ferocity in her eyes.

Does it matter if there was a betrothal? It doesn't.

What's false can be made true, and naturally, what's true can also be made false.

Madam Zeng straightened her back and looked at her son.

Song Sanliang shuddered and immediately understood.

He raised his hand to tear up the marriage contract, "Who is this rascal appearing out of nowhere, daring to run wild on the Song Family's territory, pretending to be a son-in-law of the Song Family..."

But before he could exert force, he was restrained by Zheng Quan's hand, large as palm-leaf fans, who had been watching him closely.

"Third Uncle, whether this marriage contract is real or fake is probably not for you to decide!" Song Jiyun said coldly, glaring quickly at the man.

The man subtly raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "You only asked me to show the marriage contract to them, not to whom."

Song Jiyun had no time to argue, swiftly stepped forward, snatched the marriage contract from Song Sanliang's hands, and handed it to Madam Qian, speaking gently, "Mother, please look, is this not the marriage arrangement Father often mentioned?"

Zheng Quan forcefully released Song Sanliang's hand.

Song Sanliang staggered several steps before he steadied himself.

Yet, the looks from the crowd began to shift subtly.

Madam Qian took the marriage contract passed by her daughter and glimpsed through it, saying excitedly, "Yes, yes, this is the arrangement."

She hurriedly instructed Nanny Zheng, "Quick, go to my storage room and bring over the red lacquered and gold-painted vine pattern small box from the Spring character grade A labeled box and cage. Another marriage contract is inside it."

Nanny Zheng was about to leave,

but was abruptly stopped by Madam Zeng's loud command, "Wait!"

She looked sternly at the man, and then at Madam Qian, and said harshly, "Show me that marriage certificate."

Madam Qian looked pleadingly at a few clan elders.

Those who had come were either there because it would have been awkward not to come due to social obligations, or they were prepared to preside over justice, with the latter being in the majority.

Immediately, Ninth Grand Master Song, an elder of the Song Family, stood up and said, "My niece-in-law, give me the marriage certificate."

Madam Qian instantly handed the marriage certificate to Ninth Grand Master Song.

No one paid any attention to Madam Zeng.

Madam Zeng's face turned from white to green to white again.

Ninth Grand Master Song looked over the marriage certificate again and again, and affirmed to everyone with certainty, "There is no mistake. This is Youliang's handwriting, and his seal as well. Moreover, with the County Magistrate endorsing it, this marriage certificate could not possibly be fake."

Nanny Zheng, who had unexpectedly brought over a red lacquered and gold-painted box, handed another marriage certificate from the box to Madam Qian.

Madam Qian took it, compared it with the one Ninth Grand Master Song had for a long while, and then confirmed to everyone again, "Yes, this is the marriage proposal. Our family's eldest daughter has not been married off yet; she is waiting for the Yuan Family to come and propose."

Seventh Grand Master Song heard this, and his expression towards the man became warm and gentle.

He asked the man affectionately, "Are you Yuan Yunzhong? How old are you this year? Where is your ancestral home? Why did you only come today?"

The man said, "I am Yuan Yunzhong. I came of age last year. My ancestral home is the Capital City. Our family fortune declined, and it was a long journey from the Capital City to here. I had to save silver for several years to accumulate enough travel expenses, and it took almost three months on the road."

Everyone looked surprised upon hearing this.

Yuan Yunzhong did not look like a man in destitution at all.

The discussion among the crowd began again.

However, Ninth Grand Master Song was wondering internally: This youngster looks so good; could there be some issues? Why does he respond only as much as he is asked? Seeing the Song Family in such a turmoil, with mourning banners everywhere, yet he does not ask any further questions. Is he indifferent or overly confident?

Unable to decide at the moment, he gestured to Yuan Yunzhong and said, "A guest from afar, let's talk inside the house."

Yuan Yunzhong nodded and began walking toward the main entrance.

Without giving Madam Zeng a second glance.

Anxious, Song Sanliang and his wife whispered "Mother" in Madam Zeng's ear.

Madam Zeng exchanged a glance with Old Master Zeng.

Old Master Zeng clenched his teeth and, just as Yuan Yunzhong was about to step through the main entry, called out loudly, "Wait a moment!"

All eyes turned toward him.

He respectfully said, "Ninth Grand Master, you have always been fair and impartial, favoring neither side. Not just our Zeng Family, but even I acknowledge your fairness. But you should not conclude that the marriage certificate in that young man's hand is genuine without even glancing at the Zeng Family's marriage certificate and assuming ours is fake!"

Ninth Grand Master Song was surprised.

Old Master Zeng thrust the marriage certificate from his own hand into Ninth Grand Master Song's hand, saying, "Take a look, is this marriage certificate authentic or not?"

Ninth Grand Master Song had never seen such thick-skinnedness before.

Yet the request was reasonable.

He carefully examined it.

This too was a formal marriage certificate.

The difference between the two marriage certificates, aside from the man involved, was that Zeng's certificate did not bear Youliang's seal on the date it was made.

However, the witnesses and scribes of the marriage certificate were all acquaintances.

Ninth Grand Master Song thought for a moment, then had no choice but to hold up both marriage certificates for everyone to see, "You all come and judge this as well!"

Old Master Zeng explained, "Our two families were close relatives already, and weren't worried about imposters, so we didn't think to add a seal."

His explanation made sense.

For a moment, Ninth Grand Master Song found himself in a dilemma.

Madam Zeng leaped forward and said, "Ninth Grand Master, if you do not believe it, you can summon the witnesses and married attestants; just ask them, and you'll know whether the Zeng Family's marriage certificate is a forgery or not?"