Chapter 447: Forced Marriage (2/2)
Song Jie interjected, ”Mom, you should retire then. Let me shoulder the burden!”
”You wish!” chuckled Song Heting. “You should marry into a good family and stay away from these muddy waters.”
”I don’t want to get married!” pouted Song Jie.
”You’re already a grown woman, you’ll get married sooner or later. What do you think of Song Yang?” asked Song Heting.
Bewildered, Song Jie shifted her gaze from me to Song Xingchen. ”Which Song Yang do you mean?”
However, Song Heting ignored the question and threw her head back in laughter. I couldn’t help thinking to myself, Could Song Xingchen marry Song Jie with their familial relationship? Upon further contemplation, it seemed possible.
Right then, a young man suddenly ran towards us and reported, ”Madam, Cui Huan hung herself in her home.”
”Alright,” acknowledged Song Heting.
It turned out she deliberately showed leniency so that Cui Huan could choose a dignified way to die since the martial Song’s family laws were cruel. Song Heting’s wisdom was something I admired.
When we got home, I was about to head to my room when Song Heting stopped me. ”Song Yang, I need to speak to you!” she said, taking a seat in the living room.
”Mom, I’m going back to my room first,” said Song Jie.
”Song Jie, you stay as well!” ordered Song Heting.
Song Heting poured herself a cup of jasmine tea and slowly sipped, ”Song Yang, that’s the end of your test. You’re capable enough to accept responsibility. You are worthy of being Song Zhaolin's grandson!”
”Don’t I have to see the elders?”
She shook her head, ”In fact, the elders are just a smokescreen. They have long stopped asking questions about the family. I’m the one who sent Song Xingchen to protect you and also the person who set the test.”
”So, can I join the special team?”
”Yes, but...” She raised three fingers, ”I have three conditions!”
”Go on,” I beamed.
”First of all, you’re not allowed to leave for the time being. You must marry Song Jie as soon as possible. Secondly, you must have a child within a year. When the child grows up, you will pass on your Traditional Coroner skills. And lastly, the martial and civil Songs will no longer remain separate from each other. Meet these three conditions and I will allow you to take the risk.”
My eyes widened in disbelief. Her words came as a bombshell.
Song Jie colored with embarrassment, ”Mom, what are you talking about? H-how can I marry Song Yang-gege?”
”Why not? You’re distant relatives at best and you seem very suitable for each other,” answered Song Heting.
”We’re in the 21st century. Arranged marriages are a thing of the past!” cried Song Jie.
Song Heting slammed the cup of tea on the table and shouted, ”This matter is of great importance so I can’t be bothered with what you think!”
Song Jie's eyes widened with fear. Although Song Heting was usually a loving mother before her, she was now the cold, imposing head of the martial Song clan.
”Aunt Song, I can only agree to your last condition,” I admitted.