In a way, Ye Jun had no other choice than to accept the clan's arrangement, as they could use this to relinquish him from his position. After all, he wasn't thinking well of the clan and was being selfish.
He was in no position to reject their order unless he wanted to die.
'But who said I have to reject it?'
Ye Jun smiled widely and said, "First Elder, you overestimate me. I am but a weak and insignificant member of this clan. My words hold no value, just like I don't."
"Just do as the clan says," Ye Heng said, frowning. "We will decide if you have any worth or not."
"Indeed." Ye Jun nodded. "There's a problem with that, though. How can an insignificant person like me have an opinion in the grand arrangement of the honored Ancestors and the Song Clan? I can only do what they dictated."
"Stop playing with words," Ye Zhong's voice thundered in the hall. "Are you refusing to fulfill your duties as the Young Master of this clan?"
"I dare not, Father. I'm sorry, I mean Patriarch," Ye Jun smiled and continued. "I simply meant I am unworthy to meddle in what the Ancestors decided. In one year, I won't be the Young Master anymore, as you're saying, then we can honor the agreement."
"No, we've already talked with the Song Clan, and they also want the engagement to be brought forward," Ye Huang said, shaking his head.
'What a character! I really like this girl.'
Ye Jun finally understood why they were so pressed over this issue so suddenly. Previously, they could have waited for a year, but now things were different.
After their deal, Song Liangxue must have asked her clan to bring the engagement forward, so the Ye Clan had to accept it.
But they didn't want her to marry a cripple like him, who wouldn't be the Young Master any longer. It also meant that Ye Jun would gain power, something no one wanted here.
They only had a cordial relationship on the surface, but everyone knew they would kill the other if the opportunity arose. The previous Ye Jun had also made that clear with his actions.
And even if they somehow twisted the words of the agreement and had Song Liangxue marry Ye Chen later on, it wasn't an acceptable outcome.
All of this led to the current moment where they were forcing Ye Jun to humiliate himself for the sake of their desires.
"Then, this unworthy one has a suggestion," Ye Jun continued, still having a bright smile on his face. "While I am unworthy to have opinions on that agreement, it isn't the same for Song Liangxue."
"What are you suggesting?" Ye Zhong asked, his eyes narrowed.
"It's pretty simple," Ye Jun coughed when he sensed a glare on him and said. "Just tell all of this to Song Liangxue. I'm sure she would rather marry the future Young Master of the Ye Clan than someone like me, right?"
Everyone was surprised at his suggestion, but they also felt glad. They guessed that Ye Jun finally understood his position, so he was just trying to escape the humiliation in this way.
Ye Huang stroked his beard and said, "His suggestion isn't a bad one. Anyone with a sensible brain would marry a genius instead of a waste."
"That lass is a prodigy, so she will also want a suitable partner," Ye Heng nodded. "We can suggest this to her. I'm sure she'll agree."
"If the Song Clan proposes the change, it'll be for the best," Ye Zhong smiled. "Send a message to Song Liangxue and tell her of the whole situation. Tell her to act fast, otherwise she'll get engaged to a cripple."
'I am right here, you know. At least insult me behind my back,' Ye Jun sighed inwardly. 'They insult you to your face and still expect you to humiliate yourself for the clan. What a fraudulent family.'
He glanced at Ye Chen and found him grinning. That wide smile was one of victory, as if he had already won. It certainly amused Ye Jun, so he gave a wink to his little brother, which wiped his smile away for some reason.
Ye Jun almost rolled his eyes in exasperation upon seeing that.
'This dumbass... get a life outside of your brother's dick.'
"You can leave," Ye Heng said, waving his hand. "You did good this time, so we'll reward you for it."
Of course, Ye Jun knew he was getting nothing. Or rather, something would be given, but it would never reach him.
Shaking his head, he bowed toward the elders and then turned around, giving his little brother another wink in the process. Then, he left the hall still in a very good mood.
...
Song Liangxue's gaze remained locked on a small bird flying almost two hundred meters away from her. Her breathing was completely even as she waited without blinking.
Then, her brows quivered slightly as she released the arrow from her bow. It shot out with a silent boom and struck the bird's eye in the next moment.
The bird fell from its high position, motionless.
She nodded in satisfaction and jumped out of the tree she had been hiding in. As she gracefully landed on the ground, she spotted someone standing close to her.
"You're still training? It's night, Young Miss," Song Ying sighed. "Hunting in the Wildlands isn't safe at this time."
"It's never safe anywhere, Aunt," Song Liangxue said as she wiped her sweat. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, we got an interesting message," Song Ying smirked as she took out a scroll and showed it to Song Liangxue. "You'll like it."
Setting aside the bow and quiver, Song Liangxue took the scroll and opened it. As she read the content, her expression didn't change in the slightest.
After finishing it, she threw it into the fire and said, "What happened there?"
"Nothing much. Apparently, they wanted to replace your pearl with a roadside pebble, so they ordered him to request it himself," Song Ying chuckled in dark amusement. "They're really pathetic. To think they would ask someone to humiliate himself so much without batting an eye."
"I don't have any expectations from vermins," Song Liangxue said in an even tone. "If it wasn't for Grandpa, I would have long given up on them, but I need to maintain his face."
"Things have changed now, though. Now you're marrying him because of your own desires," Song Ying smiled.
"Certainly true!" Song Liangxue smiled faintly as well. "He's interesting, isn't he? Throwing the decision to me to escape his predicament. Using his options to their best capabilities."
"I'm confused about one thing," Song Ying asked. "His entire plan relies on your decision. If you agreed with the suggestion, then he's on the losing end."
"Not at all. You're seeing it differently, Aunt."
Song Liangxue sat down comfortably and said, licking her lips.
"If I accept it, then it would mean I was never a woman he would be interested in. So him not getting engaged to me is a win for him, and since I'm the one accepting it, he won't be that humiliated compared to the other option. It's basically a win-win for him in either situation."
Song Ying blinked, taken aback, as she asked, "Did he really think of all of that on the spot and even execute it so well?"
"Why do you think I began to like him?"
"For his looks."
Song Liangxue raised her head and asked, her voice tinged with curiosity, "Am I really that kind of person in everyone's eyes? I value appearance, but that much?"
Song Ying rolled her eyes and asked, "What was the first thing you thought after your deal with him?"
"I wanted to pin him on the bed and do unspeakable things all night long," Song Liangxue replied flatly. "In fact, the urge is still strong."
Song Ying's lips twitched at her reply, but she really should have expected such a response from her young miss. When was the last time her young miss actually hesitated before saying something?
Of course, she wouldn't know, since Song Liangxue never hesitated before speaking!
Song Ying sighed and asked, "What do I do with this message?"
"Tell them I'll honor the agreement that my Grandpa told me, that is marrying Ye Jun of the Ye Clan, not Ye Chen. And that's my wish as well, so nothing they say matters. Also, bring the date of the engagement forward."