Chapter 44: My Husband Is Impotent

Why did Granny Huo change her story as soon as the First Madam coughed? How did the First Madam become certain that she was the Celestial Master?

Aren't they worried that they might report them? Or is it that even if they did report them, it would be of no use?

When Granny Huo returned, she helped Su Zhenzhen up and half-pulled, half-dragged her to the door.

"Madam, is this the female Taoist priest you mentioned?"

Cui Niang nodded. "That's right."

With the pressure on her body released, Su Zhenzhen walked to Cui Niang's side.

Granny Huo curtsied and said, "My master's wife is a vegetarian all year round and doesn't have anything good to offer. Please forgive me if there is anything I haven't done well in terms of hospitality."

He looked completely different from how he did just now.

Su Zhenzhen smiled and said, "You're too kind, Granny."

Cui Niang chatted with Granny Huo for a few more minutes before respectfully inviting Su Zhenzhen to leave together.

Only after returning to the main road did Su Zhenzhen realize that she had gone to the wrong place in her haste. Cui Niang's courtyard and the First Madam's courtyard were indistinguishable, except that they were on opposite sides of each other.

It's strange, logically speaking, a concubine's courtyard shouldn't be on equal footing with the mistress's. And according to Granny Cui, this first wife probably doesn't like her concubines.

How much is your wife's monthly allowance?

Cui Niang was taken aback. "Why are you asking this, Immortal? My mistress's courtyard is not under my jurisdiction."

"So, it's like your wife is living alone?"

Cui Niang hesitated for a moment, "When I entered the manor, the master told the steward to give me the key to the storeroom. At that time, I cautiously asked how the First Madam's courtyard should be arranged. The master said not to worry about it, and to keep it the same as before. I guess that the First Madam and the master have been living separately for many years since they got married."

A marriage in name only? Su Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes slightly, "Has your husband asked you to have a son for him?"

Cui Niang blushed and said softly, "My lord, if I may say something I shouldn't, it's only because you are a deity that I would take this matter to my grave if it were anyone else. My husband... he can't do it!"

Su Zhenzhen's eyes widened. She hadn't expected that it was actually Master Zhu's own problem. Then why did he need to take an extra concubine?

Thinking this through, Su Zhenzhen voiced her doubts.

Cui Niang looked around to make sure no one was around before whispering in Su Zhenzhen's ear, "That day, the master hosted a banquet, and after the banquet, he invited me to sing another song in the warm pavilion. Besides the master, there was also a wealthy merchant. At first, the two of them were fine, but I don't know why they had a falling out. The merchant cursed the master, and the master got so angry that he immediately said he would marry me into the manor."

Su Zhenzhen looked into Cui Niang's eyes, "Why are you only saying this now? Do you remember what that wealthy merchant said?"

Cui Niang was also extremely annoyed. "I promised my master that I would forget about what happened that day, and it wasn't a big deal, so I just didn't remember it for a moment. That rich merchant said something like, 'He who marries into the family is a thief, and deserves to be childless.' Anyway, his words were so vague that I didn't understand what he meant. All I know is that a son-in-law who marries into the family is a live-in son-in-law, but my master is called Master Zhu outside. The First Madam's maiden name is Huo."

Su Zhenzhen's heart skipped a beat. "How do you know that the First Madam's maiden name is Huo? Is it because of Granny Huo?"

"When burning paper money for the Ghost Festival, the old steward prepared two sets of incense and candles, saying that one set was from the First Madam's family. I saw it clearly; there was a 'Huo' on it. Although I am illiterate, I still know about General Huo, the God of War from the North. General Huo's heroic deeds have even been made into a song, and almost every apprentice in the opera house has sung it. However, the troupe leader later said that if they continued to sing it, they would lose their heads."

General Huo, there is only one General Huo in the entire Central Plains.

Su Zhenzhen sensed something was surfacing. "I'm going to the mourning hall now. Have someone guard outside the courtyard. No one is allowed to approach without my permission."

Seeing Su Zhenzhen's serious expression, Cui Niang immediately nodded in agreement and began to make arrangements.

Upon returning to the mourning hall, Hensheng immediately greeted him, "What matter took so long to resolve? Was it very difficult?"

Su Zhenzhen coughed strategically, "I have made a major discovery."

After saying that, he released General Huo from the storage compartment.

General Huo was at a loss when he saw the scene before him. "But which of my old friends have passed away?"

"It's still early. Let me ask you something. How many people are in your Huo family? Do you have any siblings?" Su Zhenzhen looked at General Huo seriously. "Think about it carefully. This is a very important question."

General Huo began to search his memory, recalling past battles and the clash of swords, having lived in the military camp almost since childhood.

“My grandfather entered officialdom through the military examination. Three generations of our family were constantly exposed to the dangers of swords and bloodshed. My grandmother had only one son, and my mother only gave birth to me. However, after my father retired from the battlefield, he returned to the capital to live a life of leisure. By then, my mother had already passed away many years ago. I heard that she had remarried.”

"What do you mean by 'seems like'? Did your stepmother give birth to any sisters for you? Have you and your siblings ever met? What family is your sister betrothed to?"

The reason Su Zhenzhen asked this question was because Cui Niang might not understand the phrase "stealing from one's own post," but it was a term used to curse corrupt officials.

Master Zhu fled from the south, and isn't the capital city in the south? Also, when the capital fell, if the military officers could run away, couldn't the officials of the Six Ministries also run away?

“Now that you mention it, I do remember. Back then, I rendered meritorious service in resisting the barbarians, and Emperor Chang bestowed a marriage upon the Huo family, a marriage between them and the promising Minister of Revenue.” General Huo continued to ponder. “However, the barbarians invaded again at that time, so I didn’t get involved in the matter. I heard that the Minister of Revenue was the second son of the old minister, and he was allowed to succeed his father after the death of his eldest son.”

"Wait a minute." Su Zhenzhen realized she seemed to have overlooked an important point all along, "What kind of official selection system do you have?"

"Some inherit their fathers' businesses, while others are selected from among the common people."

Good heavens, the hereditary system and the imperial examination system still coexist.

As a seasoned bookworm, Su Zhenzhen understood very well that under such a political system, if the ruler did not have absolute power, social chaos was inevitable sooner or later.

Because the imperial examination system and the hereditary system were two extremes, representing the interests of two classes, which were essentially completely opposed to each other.

"Is that old minister surnamed Zhu?" Su Zhenzhen asked almost certainly.

General Huo looked surprised. "How did you know? The Zhu family has served as Minister of Revenue for several generations in the Jiang family's dynasty."

"Alright, alright." Su Zhenzhen almost laughed. "So that means they've controlled the economic lifeline for generations. Then let me ask you, when the capital fell, if this Zhu guy had run away with his whole family, what would that mean? What was he planning to do?"