Chapter 543: High Ambition?

Sun Ya Ya asked this question, looking at Ji Yuan with eyes full of expectation.

Ji Yuan, being who he was, naturally understood the mischievous little schemes Sun Ya Ya was plotting when he heard her words. However, he didn't expose her. On this matter concerning Sun Ya Ya, he still preferred to let her make her own choice.

So Ji Yuan feigned a moment of thought, then nodded to Sun Ya Ya and said, "Alright, I've eaten the Sun family's braised noodles and offal for so many years, and Mrs. Sun has always reserved a portion just for me. It's about time I paid a visit."

Sun Ya Ya certainly hoped Ji Yuan would go to her house to help her out, even if just for today. However, she felt she understood Mr. Ji well enough to believe he would likely not move, so she was surprised when he readily agreed.

"Really!?" Sun Ya Ya sat up straight, looking at Ji Yuan with a surprised and joyful expression.

"Could it be false? Or were you just joking with me, Mr. Ji, and never actually intended to invite me?"

Sun Ya Ya immediately stood up. "How could that be! I'm so happy that you, Sir, can come to my house. My grandfather will definitely be happy too, no, our whole family will be overjoyed! Let's go quickly, Sir. If they knew you were coming, the family would surely make preparations, so we must hurry back!"

Ji Yuan sat at the table, drank the tea in his cup, and only then stood up after setting the cup down. "Alright, let's go this way."

With that, just as Ji Yuan was about to reach out to tidy the tea set on the table, Sun Ya Ya quickly began clearing it herself. "Please wait, Sir. Let Ya Ya do it!"

Sun Ya Ya deftly helped Ji Yuan put away the tea set, then carried the tray to the kitchen. After returning, she and Ji Yuan, who had been waiting, left Jū'ān Pavilion together.

Compared to her dispirited state upon arrival, Sun Ya Ya was much more energetic on the way home, even appearing exceptionally excited. She talked incessantly, telling Ji Yuan about everything that had happened over the years. From the changes at the academy to her studies in Chunhui Prefecture, there were trivial matters and some amusing incidents.

"Sir, you wouldn't believe it. When we were inscribing at the Chunmu River God Temple, two academies had a literary debate, and they couldn't beat me! They were all told they were inferior to a woman, and their faces turned terribly pale, hahahahahahaha..."

Sun Ya Ya recalled the incident at the River God Temple that year, and as she walked, she burst into unrestrained laughter in front of Ji Yuan, holding her stomach. Her laughter was heard by passersby in Tianniu Lane, and people nearby and far away frequently cast sidelong glances.

A father and son observed Sun Ya Ya in her red clothes and Ji Yuan in his gray clothes from afar, whispering to each other on the side.

"Who is that girl? She's so pretty..."

"You don't know her? She's the Sun family's girl, old Mr. Sun's granddaughter, who runs the noodle stall outside the lane. She's a famous talented woman. You little toad shouldn't dream of eating swan meat."

"What about the one behind her?" The older father squinted, looking closely. "The one behind, hmph, isn't that Mr. Ji?"

Muttering this, the father called out from a distance, "Is that Mr. Ji back?"

Ji Yuan looked towards the voice, seeing the two indistinct figures at the distant alley entrance. He cupped his hands from afar as a reply, then entered the narrow alley with Sun Ya Ya, heading towards the area outside the lane.

"Oh, it really is Mr. Ji!" The father's words carried a hint of excitement. In his memory, Tianniu Lane, with Mr. Ji in it, always felt a bit more mysterious than other parts of the county. His son, beside him, seemed surprised, clearly also having some impression of Ji Yuan.

Tianniu Lane was located south of Ning'an County, while Tung Tree Lane was in the west. They were like two distinct urban villages, separated by various streets despite being within the same city. Sun Ya Ya led Ji Yuan through the streets and alleys, also stopping to buy some prepared food and pastries along the way to entertain him at home.

After passing a small street full of vegetable vendors, Tung Tree Lane appeared before them. Behind the lane's gate stood an old Paulownia tree, which was the origin of the name "Tung Tree Lane."

"Mr. Ji, you've never been to Tung Tree Lane before, have you?" Ji Yuan glanced at the Paulownia tree from afar and nodded. "Indeed, I've never been inside. At most, I've just passed by."

The two continued walking without stopping, entering Tung Tree Lane directly. Once inside, Sun Ya Ya's acquaintances quickly multiplied. Many people greeted her, simultaneously looking at Ji Yuan with curiosity.

"Ya Ya, you're back? Who is this beside you? Is he a teacher from an academy?" A woman carrying a basket encountered Sun Ya Ya. At first, she thought Ji Yuan beside her might be a suitor, but on second glance, she felt he didn't quite fit the part.

"Oh, Auntie Li, this is Mr. Ji, Mr. Ji from Ning'an County!"

After saying this, Sun Ya Ya and Ji Yuan didn't stop but continued deeper into Tung Tree Lane. The woman surnamed Li frowned, thinking for a moment. The name Ji Yuan sounded familiar, but she just couldn't recall where she had heard it.

In Ji Yuan's perception, Tung Tree Lane was a bit livelier than Tianniu Lane. Of course, it could also be that Sun Ya Ya was simply too eye-catching and well-known; people kept greeting her, so there were always conversations happening nearby. The Sun family residence was located in the western part of Tung Tree Lane. The closer they got to her home, the more clearly Ji Yuan could hear Sun Ya Ya taking several deep breaths.

Sun Ya Ya's parents had only one daughter and no other children. Although Sun Fu had more than one son and other grandsons, Ya Ya was his only granddaughter. Everyone in the family doted on Sun Ya Ya, but matters of marriage still gave her a great headache.

"Mr. Ji, that's my house over there. Look, there are two horses tethered outside and a sedan chair – the matchmakers haven't left yet, how annoying! I'll go inform my family first."

With that, Sun Ya Ya hurried ahead, lightly jogging back to her home. "Grandpa, Grandpa, Mr. Ji is here! Grandpa, Father, Mother, Mr. Ji is here!"

Sun Ya Ya jogged all the way home. When she reached the courtyard, she saw four sedan chair bearers still there, drinking tea and cracking melon seeds. Entering the family's reception hall, she noticed the furnishings were quite respectable, as the Sun family was somewhat wealthier than others. The ruddy-faced matchmaker was still there, along with two other middle-aged men sitting at the tea table. Sun Ya Ya's parents were refilling their tea, while her grandfather, Sun Fu, sat at the head of the table.

"Ya Ya, you're finally back! You said you were just going for a walk, how could you be gone so long!" Upon seeing Sun Ya Ya enter the room, her mother immediately went to take her hand and lead her over. Sun Fu, sitting at the head, quickly defended his granddaughter. "Oh, Yulan, our Ya Ya is different from other girls. Perhaps she was out pondering an essay."

The matchmaker beside them also kept smiling, scrutinizing Sun Ya Ya from head to toe, just as she had upon arrival. "No problem, no problem. Miss Sun has always been brilliant, and learning feminine virtues outside is excellent. Oh, by the way, Miss Sun, we were just saying that Young Master Feng greatly admires your talents and learning. He says you are unparalleled in both talent and beauty and hopes to invite you to join him on a boat trip on Chunmu River to discuss calligraphy and painting, heh heh heh..."

Sun Ya Ya forced a smile, said "You flatter me," and then quickly turned to her grandfather at the head of the hall. "Grandpa, didn't you hear just now? Mr. Ji is here!"

"Huh?" Sun Fu was stunned for a moment. Sun Ya Ya, thinking he hadn't heard clearly, took a step closer and said loudly, "Mr. Ji is here! Mr. Ji, Mr. Ji from Jū'ān Pavilion, he's almost at our house!"

Sun Fu perked up and immediately stood from his seat. "What!? Mr. Ji is back?"

"Yes, Mr. Ji is back, and he's coming to our house! I told him to eat dinner here, Grandpa, Father, Mother, you won't object, will you?" Sun Ya Ya's parents' expressions also visibly brightened with excitement.

"How could we object! How could we object! Mr. Ji must be arriving soon, come on, let's go greet him!" Sun Fu took a few steps, slightly agitated, then went back to put down the teacup in his hand. Seeing the matchmaker and the two accompanying gentlemen looking puzzled, he offered an explanation. "Please be seated for now, gentlemen. An old friend of our Sun family has come to visit, and we must go welcome him."

Saying this, Sun Fu, supported by Sun Ya Ya, went out the door. Sun Ya Ya's parents also excused themselves to the matchmaker and the other two, following closely behind. The Sun family's reverence for Ji Yuan had never diminished over generations.

The matchmaker and the two gentlemen accompanying her exchanged glances. The latter two were the first to stand, intending to go out and see for themselves.

As the four members of the Sun family stepped out of their house, Ji Yuan, dressed in light gray, had already arrived outside the courtyard. Sun Fu quickly led the way in bowing to Ji Yuan. "Greetings, Mr. Ji!"

Ji Yuan returned the bow, walked into the courtyard, and reached out to help the even more aged Sun Fu straighten up. "No need for such formality."

"Oh, oh, Sir, your presence truly honors our humble home! Please come in, please come in!" Sun Fu extended his hand to invite him in. Ji Yuan nodded and didn't decline; being overly modest in the Sun household would be inappropriate. He quickly glanced at the four sedan chair bearers in the courtyard, then at the three people by the reception hall door, and then entered the reception hall with the Sun family.

"Mr. Ji, please take the main seat! Yulan, quickly bring tea!" Sun Fu offered his own seat. After seeing Ji Yuan sit down, he turned to Sun Ya Ya's father and said, "Quickly, go call your two younger brothers. Oh, and invite your second and third uncles and your aunt too. Just tell them Mr. Ji has arrived and to come quickly to pay their respects!"

Ji Yuan's eyebrow twitched upon hearing this. The entire Sun family seemed to be coming.

"Mr. Ji, please don't think I'm overdoing it. It's rare for you to visit, and I feel everyone should come to pay their respects!" Old Mr. Sun originally had four sons, and Sun Fu was the youngest. Now, all had grown old. His eldest brother had passed away a few years ago, making Sun Fu even more melancholic. With Ji Yuan's arrival today, he felt that all members of the Sun family should come to pay their respects.

"Uh, heh heh, it's no trouble!" Ji Yuan replied with a smile, already imagining the grand scene of several families arriving together shortly.

The matchmaker hadn't spoken yet. One of the men with a short beard, however, cupped his hands towards Ji Yuan, asking a question that seemed directed at both Ji Yuan and the Sun family. "May I ask who this gentleman is, and where he holds such a distinguished position?"

Ji Yuan stood up and returned the bow. "My humble name is Ji Yuan. I am merely an idler in the county, with no distinguished post."

Sun Ya Ya opened her mouth beside him, but didn't speak. Instead, she leaned closer to Sun Fu and whispered, "Grandpa, Mr. Ji is here. This isn't the right time for matchmaking, is it?"

"This..." Sun Fu hesitated, still unspoken, when the matchmaker at the side already spoke with a laugh. "That's perfect then! The Sun family is lively today, and relatives from several sides are back. It's an opportune time to announce Miss Sun's joyous news, which will surely be envied by others, and let everyone discuss it!"

Seeing Sun Ya Ya's pleading gaze, Ji Yuan feigned ignorance and asked the Sun family, "What joyous news does Ya Ya have?"

"Uh, to answer you, Sir, Ya Ya has reached the age for marriage. Someone has come to propose. The suitor's family is well-off, and their family reputation is also good; it's an excellent match." The matchmaker also chimed in with a chuckle, saying very naturally, "This is truly a blessing for the Sun family's ancestors! To have such a talented and beautiful young lady, if this marriage can be arranged, the Sun family will surely climb to a higher status, heh heh heh!"

"Climb to a higher status?" Ji Yuan's eyebrow raised. He didn't like these words. He glanced at the matchmaker, then swept his gaze over the Sun family members and the two men, and saw Sun Ya Ya's expression clearly showing disgust. He spoke calmly. "Whether it's gentry and nobility or earthly princes, if Ya Ya chooses to marry, no one has the right to say she is 'climbing'!"

Standing behind Sun Fu, Sun Ya Ya secretly clapped her hands to herself. Mr. Ji's words were still the best to hear!