Shang Mingjie's agricultural book has been revised once, and after Lin Qingwen finishes reviewing it, he will have to give it to Mr. Lu for another review before considering it finalized.

  So these two often ran to Lin's family villa.

  Zhao Sheng was very dissatisfied with this, but he also had to leave Suzhou for Jiangdu recently, so he just reminded Shang Ertao, "Second sister, Ming Jie is too close to the Lin family, even closer than I am as a paternal uncle."

  "Those are just the old lady's orders," said Second Mistress Shang with a forced smile. "You're his uncle, after all, and there's still a layer of separation between you and the Lin family. But the old lady is still around, and in her heart, I'm afraid no one can compare to her own granddaughter."

  Zhao Sheng's face slightly relaxed, and he nodded: "Let Erjie get closer to Ming Jie and the family members. Sister's husband and big brother have always been supporting each other in the imperial court. Don't let them develop discord because of the younger generation."

  Mrs. Shang agreed, but she couldn't control Shang Mingjie at all.

  One is that he is now different from before, his mind is very determined, no matter what she says, he will do what he wants to do, and it's unknown what he thinks in his heart.

  The second is that the old lady is on his side, she likes to see Shang Mingjie and Lin's family get close.

  Nowadays, the old lady is still in charge at home. She tends towards certain things and as a daughter-in-law, who dares to openly oppose her?

  If it weren't for Big Brother's help in paving the way for the Shang family, allowing them to get involved in the grain business, she might not have been able to leave the Buddhist temple yet.

  But she didn't dare say such things to her natal family, and could only gloss over them in a general way to reassure them.

  Zhao Sheng then returned to Jiangdu in the "peaceful" illusion she had created, while Shang Mingjie continued to run to Lin's family villa unaffected.

  But his mood has been bad lately anyway.

  Because Lin's sister didn't want to see him again, in the past, even if he pretended to be stupid and pitiful, he would still try to please her, but this time was different. Lin Yubin had made it clear to him that there was no way for him to gloss over the situation.

  Just as Yang Yan said, when the cut is not broken, it will be chaotic. Wasn't she already determined to give up hope for Shang Lin's marriage a year ago when Lin's house was besieged by refugees?

  Although it was difficult, Lin Yuhbin still decided to make things clear with Shang Mingjie.

  If it were in the past, she might have chosen to hint or even write a letter, but under her aunt's influence, Lin Yubin felt that such things are better said face-to-face.

  Shang Mingjie didn't like this approach at all, because it directly cut off his way of retreat.

  At that time, there were only two people in the study room, Yingyan and Bihong stood outside the door, putting their ears down, neither of them dared to listen to what was being said inside.

  Shang Mingjie was a bit dazed after Lin Yuhong expressed his intention to reduce their interactions, he only brought up the meaning of Lin's words, and the thing he had been worried about for a long time still happened.

  He pretended to be silly and smiled, "But where did I offend my sister again? Tell me, so I can change."

  Lin Yuhuan shook her head and only looked at him for a moment, knowing that he understood what she meant. She lowered her eyelids and said, "Second Brother should know what I mean."

  Shang Mingjie gritted his teeth, "I don't know."

  "Second Uncle, I know that the Shang and Lin families had discussed marriage before, but it wasn't settled at the time," Lin Yubin said with a low mood: "At that time, my father was still alive, neither family had made a decision, let alone afterwards?"

  "At that time I was still unable to take charge..."

  "Can you take charge now?" Lin Yubin asked him, looking up.

  Shang Mingjie trembled his lips and said, "I, I am working hard for this."

  "But Second Brother, I can't just think of myself," Lin Yubin's eyes were slightly red, she also saw Shang Mingjie's efforts, and that's why she felt that this matter couldn't be delayed any longer, otherwise, what would happen to Shang Mingjie who had been working hard for this?

  She said with tears: "The Zhao and Lin families have become like this, if I marry into the Shang family again, what will my aunt do?"

  Shang Mingjie snorted: "The Shang family is the Shang family, the Zhao family is the Zhao family, they were never the same to begin with."

  "It's different in your heart, but what about in Erniang's heart?" Lin Yubin said softly: "I am my aunt's weakness, I will not deliver myself into the hands of my opponent."

  Both of them were clear that Lin Yuhu was really going to marry into the Shang family, unless Shang Ping and Zhao Jie had a falling out, otherwise the Zhao family would indirectly grasp Lin Qingwan's lifeline.

  Shang Mingjie fell silent for a long time, he wanted to say the same thing he said to his grandmother a year ago to his cousin again. The Shangs are the Shangs, and the Zhaos are the Zhaos. Not only will the Shangs not be controlled by the Zhaos, but neither will he.

  He will grow up to be his own master.

  But he couldn't say it.

  Those words were a kind of hope and comfort when said to her grandmother, but a burden when said to her cousin.

  He can't be certain if he will really be able to control his own destiny and bring happiness to his cousin in the future.

  But saying this would again give the decision-making power to her cousin, if she doesn't wait for him, she will be uneasy in the future, and if she waits, he might ruin half of her life.

  So Shang Ming Jie even though it hurt so much his heart was racing, still gritted his teeth and didn't say a word.

  Lin Yuhong was also in a difficult situation. She wanted to take back what she had said earlier, but thinking of her aunt, she bit her lip and didn't speak up.

  Auntie is already tired enough, she can't let her get any more exhausted.

  The two people sat silently opposite each other, quietly looking at one another.

  Dai and Bi Rong, standing at the door, saw that there was no movement inside for a long time. They couldn't help but press their ears to listen, but they didn't hear any sound. The two looked at each other in dismay, and Bi Rong mouthed, "Nothing's happened, has it?"

  Yingyan's face was filled with worry, hesitating whether or not to knock on the door and rush in.

  In the room, Shang Mingjie slowly calmed down his emotions, stood up and bowed to Lin Yuhong, then turned around and left in big strides.

  Lin Yuhbin sat still in his chair and watched him leave.

  If Shang Mingjie were to give up like this, he would be unworthy of his reputation as "stubborn", so although he was in a bad mood, he didn't stop thinking about it.

  But he didn't go find Lin Yuhong again, instead he prepared for a few days and then went to find Lin Qingyuan, "Aunt Lin, I plan to take the Imperial Examination next year."

  Lin Qingwan nodded, "Good ambition, I wish you a high rank in the imperial examination."

  Shang Mingjie's face turned red as he said: "Lin Auntie, I have an unreasonable request..."

  "It's an unreasonable request, so let's just forget it." Lin Qingyan cut him off with a smile: "If I say it out loud and refuse you, won't you be heartbroken?"

  Shang Mingjie was stunned for a moment, then understood, Lin Auntie knew what he was talking about.

  He didn't expect Aunt Lin to refuse him without even listening, and for a moment his eyes were slightly red.

  His grandmother refused him, and he could still think of ways to fight for it, but Lin aunt also refused him, how could he persuade her?

  Lin Qingwan saw his reddened eyes and couldn't help but think that she was a cruel mother-in-law who had beaten the mandarin ducks apart.

  She touched her nose and coughed lightly, asking uncomfortably, "Are you going to take the exam? Have you told your family?"

  Shang Mingjie shook his head, "No, I just told Mr."

  "What did you say, sir?"

  Shang Mingjie's mood sank even lower, "The master said that I would be better off if I were to temper myself for another two years, but now I'm a bit anxious. However, with more than eight months left before the imperial examination, I've been working day and night, hoping that my chances will increase."