"Father, are you really not going to pursue this matter?" In the study, Song Jinyu looked at Magistrate Song with full disappointment in her eyes.
"I'm not only your father, but also the magistrate of Liuzhou City. If this gets out, what will happen to the face of the Song family?"
"Really? Your daughter's safety is less important than your official reputation."
"Sister - in - law was mistreated by her at home, and I've been repeatedly harmed by her secretly since I got home." Tears welled up in Jinyu's eyes.
At this moment, she suddenly understood why the second lady was so bold.
"Yuer, I just think you're all good. The second branch has already been driven out!" Song Qinzhou rubbed his forehead with a headache.
"Alright! All those bandits will be thrown into jail."
"Are you satisfied now?"
Jinyu was no longer just disappointed, but also extremely sad.
All the way back from the study to her courtyard, she went straight into her room without even wanting to eat.
Niaoniao wanted to comfort her, but was locked out of the room.
Jinyu told her to pack up quickly and go back to Tianmen Mountain earlier.
She didn't want to care about family matters anymore. She wanted to be a chivalrous woman on Tianmen Mountain, not some official's daughter.
As she thought about it, tears streamed down her face.
The scenes after her mother's death when she was six years old flashed before her eyes one by one:
Her father got drunk every day. The second aunt took charge of the family affairs. Her elder brother was sent to the military camp early. She was bullied by Song Wangqiu at home to the point that she didn't even have a decent piece of clothing. It wasn't until the master of Tianmen Mountain took her away that her father sobered up!
During those days, Jinyu saw through so - called family. When she first arrived at Tianmen Mountain, she didn't even want to say a word.
Now that she had grown up and returned home. Although things were much better than before and she was stronger,
she still couldn't get her father's protection. She was even worse off than her master on Tianmen Mountain.
Tears fell one by one, soaking the brocade quilt.
Suddenly, a pair of hands rested on her shoulders and a handkerchief was handed to her.
"Didn't I tell you not to come in?" Jinyu's eyes were red and she spoke with a sob.
"Are you bullying me too!"
"Who dares to bully you?" A pleasant male voice interrupted Jinyu.
Looking closely, it was actually the silver - masked young master.
"Do you think you can just barge into a young lady's boudoir at will?"
"I was on the roof and heard you crying so sadly. I came down to check on you." The man's voice was gentle, and his eyes landed softly on Jinyu's swollen red eyes.
One of his hands involuntarily reached out to caress them.
"Is the signal smoke I gave you just for show? You've never used it once!"
Jinyu brushed his hand away and turned to leave.
"I've long forgotten about it!"
"Forgotten!" The man suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Jinyu's hand and pulled her into his arms. The movement was smooth yet gentle.
"You!"
The cold touch of the silver mask on Jinyu's head made her flustered. A reassuring voice sounded in her ear, "I promise you, I'll never let you down in this lifetime."
"Such petty villains aren't worth your tears."
"How about I get justice for you when the sun rises tomorrow!"
The man's overbearing tone was beyond doubt, making Jinyu forget her shyness.
Only a little mark was left in her heart.
"This is my family matter. I won't trouble you."
"I'm not crying because of them." Jinyu calmed down and pushed the silver - masked young master away.
"I just miss my deceased mother." Song Jinyu walked to the outer room and opened the door.
"Also, please use the main entrance from now on." Feeling a bit embarrassed, Jinyu usually hated Song Wangqiu's crying, but now she had shed tears herself.
This girl is really fickle!
The masked man just smiled but didn't move.
"I thought you were sad for some man." Was she sad for that bastard from the He family?
"Ridiculous! Do you think I'd shed tears for a man? I'm not that useless." This man is really something, but his words made her forget her sadness.
The silver - masked young master's eyes were filled with more and more smiles. He grabbed Jinyu's hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Is this a hidden arrow in the sleeve?"
"I'm giving it to you for self - defense. It will save your life when you're in danger." The man's tone was serious and non - negotiable.
His eyes were full of doting, making Jinyu even more embarrassed. She knew that this hidden arrow was extremely valuable.
"Click!"
Afraid that she would refuse, the silver - masked young master forcibly put it on her hand.
"You're so overbearing!" The silver - masked young master ignored Jinyu's resistance and reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes.
"From now on, don't cry."
After seeing off the silver - masked young master, Jinyu felt much better. Niaoniao had packed up their things and was just waiting to go to the market to buy some dry rations and local specialties the next day before leaving home.
Early the next morning, Mrs. He from the He family came to the Song Mansion. Lady Xiang sent someone to invite Jinyu, but after much thought, Jinyu declined.
Lady Xiang looked embarrassed but didn't dare to stop Jinyu. She had to think of a way to discuss the marriage with Mrs. He.
Mrs. He thought there was still room for negotiation regarding the marriage with the Song Magistrate's Mansion, but Lady Xiang's words interrupted her.
"Mrs. He, it wasn't just my father - in - law in the Taoist temple that day."
"Jinyu was also in the Taoist temple to pray for her mother that day. When she got home, she naturally told me that Young Master He and Sister Wangqiu are in love with each other."
"Sigh!" Mrs. He sighed. Having no other choice, she left dejectedly.