0p0 Chapter 432 Past Events
Chapter 432 Past Events
Song Jiashu stood up and took two steps forward. With a sincere look on his face and his eyes fixed on Caiyue, he said seriously, "I am a scholar. Since I was young, I have known the truth that 'knowledge gained from books is shallow; true understanding comes from personal experience'.
I've always thought I wouldn't be able to treat someone wholeheartedly, but that's just my subjective opinion. How can I make any judgments about love without first experiencing it? If I do meet the right person, why not open my heart and experience it for myself?
Caiyue frowned slightly after hearing this, shook her head, and said firmly, "I don't want to gamble my life on an unknown future. Although my life now is ordinary, I like it very much and am very satisfied. I don't want to toss and turn or take risks anymore."
Song Jiashu's eyes were filled with disappointment, but he still didn't give up. He took another step forward and said earnestly, "Miss, I understand your concerns. Past injuries have made you worried about the future, but I also implore you to give me a chance. Perhaps you will have an unexpected ending."
Caiyue's eyes flickered with emotion, but were quickly masked by reason. She turned her head away, her voice soft but undeniable: "Mr. Song, affection is not pity. I don't want you to fall into this unrequited relationship out of sympathy. It's unfair to you."
"It's not sympathy!" Song Jiashu interrupted abruptly, his voice rising a few notches with emotion. "Girl, do you really not remember me at all?"
Caiyue frowned slightly, her eyes full of confusion: "You mean, we have met before?"
Song Jiashu nodded vigorously, his eyes full of expectation, as if hoping that Caiyue would remember something immediately.
Caiyue unconsciously took a half step closer, scrutinizing his face, trying to find a clue to her memory in this strange yet familiar face. After a moment, she slowly shook her head and said softly, "Please forgive me, Master Song, I truly don't remember where I've seen you before. Please be frank."
Song Jiashu had originally blushed and felt a little embarrassed when she looked at him so closely. But when he heard her words, the blush instantly faded, and he felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head, and he was filled with loss.
He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Ten years ago, my father repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and was destitute. With no other options, he took me to the Shen Mansion. He was talking to Lord Shen in the front hall, and I was waiting for him in the courtyard. It was the dead of winter, and I was shivering in my thin clothes. It was you who saw my plight, gave me a thick cotton coat, and took me out for a hot meal. I've never forgotten that meal over the years."
Caixing frowned and thought for a long time, but still had no impression.
Looking at the person in front of her, she said: "When you come to the Shen Mansion, you are a guest of the Shen Mansion, and I am a maid of the Shen Mansion. Taking care of you is also my job. If you want to remember a favor, remember it to the Shen Mansion, it has nothing to do with me."
Song Jiashu was a little anxious: "I can remember the kindness of the Shen family, but what about the words you said to me?"
Caiyue was speechless. Why was she so talkative? She didn’t remember anything she said to him that day!
Song Jiashu looked at her embarrassed look and felt a pang of sadness in his heart, knowing that she had really forgotten everything.
Helpless, he could only speak for himself: "You told me that day that the current hardship is only temporary. Life is always full of ups and downs. As long as you hold on to hope, no matter how strong the storm, the clouds will eventually clear and the moon will shine. Since then, every time I encounter difficulties and want to give up, I will think of your words. It is you who gave me the courage to persevere."
Caiyue stood quietly by the side, her eyes falling on Song Jiashu's face. She saw that his face was full of memories, and the deep affection hidden in that expression made her heart move slightly.
"You have achieved such brilliant results today because of your own efforts, and it has nothing to do with others."
Upon hearing this, Song Jiashu hurriedly stepped forward and said, "No, Miss Caiyue, you don't know. I lost my mother when I was young, and no one has ever said such warm words to me. And you are the first and only person who has brought me such comfort."
Cai Yue lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding his burning gaze, and said softly, "Mr. Song, the past is like a passing cloud, blown away by the wind. If you feel that those words have helped you, then remember them in your heart. However, for you and me, perhaps being close friends is enough."
After hearing this, Song Jiashu shook his head, his face full of persistence: "Miss, I know that what I said today was a bit abrupt and it is difficult for you to accept it for a while. I completely understand.
Besides, I'm only a Juren now, so I really can't make you any serious promises. But the year after next is the year of the imperial examination, and I will definitely pass it in one fell swoop. When that time comes, I will personally go to the palace to express my feelings to the Imperial Concubine and ask for your hand in marriage. So, I hope you can give me this opportunity and think it over carefully during this period."
Without hesitation, he untied a warm jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Caiyue with both hands: "This is a relic left to me by my late mother. To me, it is the most precious thing."
Song Jiashu's voice trembled, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Please accept this, young lady. I will use this jade pendant as proof that everything I said today came from my heart, without a single falsehood."
Caiyue looked at the jade pendant, a trace of panic flashed in her eyes, and she quickly waved her hand to refuse: "No, no, how can you give me such an important thing so easily? I can't accept it, I really can't accept it."
"Miss, just accept it." Song Jiashu said anxiously, "If you still don't want to marry me next year, you can hand it to me in person, okay? Just think of it as me asking you to keep it for a while, as a reminder for me."
Caiyue raised her eyes, meeting his, filled with expectation and earnestness. His gaze was too intense for her to refuse. After a moment's hesitation, she sighed softly, then slowly reached out, took the jade pendant, and said, "Very well, I'll keep it for you for a year. After that, you must come and take it back."
"Okay!" After hearing this, Song Jiashu breathed a sigh of relief and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
The matter was settled. Caiyue bowed slightly, then walked away with light lotus steps. Her figure gradually disappeared around the corner of the corridor, leaving behind a faint shadow that lingered in the air.
Song Jiashu stood quietly in place, his eyes like silk threads, closely following Caiyue's back, never moving away for a moment, and the tenderness in his eyes became more and more intense.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Jin tiptoed over to him, patted his shoulder, and said half-jokingly, "Don't look anymore. They've gone far away. You can't see them anymore!"
Song Jiashu suddenly came back to his senses: "Thank you very much today. When you get married in the future, I will definitely give you a generous gift."
After hearing his words, Zhang Jin's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a satisfied smile, and he muttered softly: "That sounds like human language."
Seeing that he was still standing there, Zhang Jin pulled his arm and said, "Okay, let's go to the wedding banquet. The groom has already started toasting!"
Song Jiashu straightened his clothes and said, "Let's go. I can get to know the groom today."