Chapter 53 No one will fall in love with their boss...

The Imperial Scripture Bureau Proofreader, subordinate to the Crown Prince, was in charge of proofreading books.

Yu Mingshu didn't have time to think about whether the position was good or bad. He first took the relevant documents and politely thanked her.

The eunuch also bowed to her: "Congratulations, Proofreader Yu."

After Luo Yan saw the eunuch off, Yu Mingshu sat in the hall and repeatedly examined the pardon decree stamped with the red seal in his hand.

Well, it's a good match for my major, which is great.

If she hadn't known beforehand that Xie Huaijin, who came in second, was granted a seventh-rank official position, and He Zheng, who came in third, was granted a fourth-rank official position, she probably wouldn't have felt such a big sense of disappointment.

Sadly, she still doesn't understand, even now, whether the insurmountable barrier between her and her classmates is due to the difference between men and women, or the difference in social status.

The first person to come and congratulate him after receiving the decree granting him an official position was Yuan Yi.

Yu Mingshu invited him in and asked Luo Yan to make tea. "Sir, are you not going to the academy today?"

Yuan Yi said: "It's ten days off today."

Yu Mingshu was taken aback, then smiled sheepishly, "I forgot."

Yuan Yi chuckled: "I just saw the eunuch come to deliver the imperial decree, so you must have received your appointment from the court. I came early to congratulate you and wish you a smooth road ahead and continuous promotions."

Yu Mingshu nodded: "Without your teachings, I would not be where I am today. I should have visited you to express my gratitude long ago."

Such a polite yet distant attitude made Yuan Yi somewhat uncomfortable. He took a sip of tea, hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Where has the court arranged for you to take up your post?"

"The Eastern Palace Bureau of Classics," Yu Mingshu said with a self-deprecating smile. "A ninth-rank official, even lower than the rank you held when you first started teaching at Chang'an Academy."

As soon as the words were spoken, the other person's brows furrowed, and their movement to put down the teacup noticeably faltered. Their fingers hovered on the outside of the cup for a few seconds, then abruptly withdrew as if burned.

“At least your name is on the list of successful candidates in the imperial examination.” Yuan Yi recalled the past, looked up at the sky, and closed his eyes because the rising sun stung his eyes. “Years later, people will circle your name and ask who Yu Mingshu is. To be able to walk under the clear sky as a woman is better than many rats and ants in the gutter.”

Yu Mingshu smiled and said, "I was just saying, sir, you don't need to persuade me. I've never been one to get stuck on trivial matters."

After Yuan Yi left, many more people came to offer their congratulations, including some of Yu Zhui's former colleagues.

As evening approached, the knocking sounded again. A cheerful-looking woman peeked in and greeted the host with a smile and a squinty eye.

"Madam Wu, congratulations! Your daughter is very promising and will surely have a bright future!"

Wu Qiuniang hesitated when she saw who it was, as she did not recognize the woman.

Yu Mingshu stared at the guests in front of the door, vaguely feeling that they looked familiar. It wasn't until the guests sat down in the front hall that a flash of inspiration struck her, and she suddenly tugged at her mother's sleeve.

"Mother, this is the matchmaker who proposed marriage to the Xie family before!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the matchmaker noticed that Wu Qiuniang's expression had changed and hurriedly said, "Miss, you have misunderstood. I am not here today to ask for a marriage proposal from the Xie family."

Wu Qiuniang's expression softened slightly. "So, you've come here?"

The matchmaker snatched the teacup that Qingque was trying to take back, gulped it down, and then, with a forced smile, untied the cloth bag on her back and took out several scrolls.

"I have heard that your son is sixteen years old this year and has not yet been married. I have been asked to introduce you to a few suitable women of similar age and from similar social standing... Take a look at these ladies, they are all virtuous women from official families."

Wu Qiuniang was stunned. She lifted the scroll in disbelief and glanced at it. There were indeed some pretty girls. "You mean, all these girls have taken a fancy to my Sanlang?"

Have they gone mad?

The matchmaker waved her hand, her smile becoming even more affected. "Oh my, your family is such a scholarly and refined household, and you, Madam, are such a virtuous and loyal matriarch, raising the most talented woman in the Great Liang Dynasty all by yourself! Which of these unmarried girls in Chang'an doesn't yearn for your family?"

Yu Mingshu frowned as he listened.

This person keeps talking about virtue and loyalty, it doesn't sound like nice things.

She wanted to politely decline, but to her surprise, Wu Qiuniang accepted the paintings and told the matchmaker that she would consider it carefully.

After seeing the guests off, Yu Mingshu asked, puzzled, "Why did Mother agree to her request?"

"It's just a consideration, not an engagement tomorrow," Wu Qiuniang said helplessly. "Sanlang is indeed of marriageable age. If someone is willing to come to our door, it will save us the trouble of begging around."

Yu Mingshu still couldn't accept that a child who would be just starting high school in modern times was about to get married. Before he could say anything more, Yu Dan came home from school.

The family sat around the dining table, where instead of everyday dishes, a pile of exquisite scrolls were placed in the center.

Yu Dan threw down his schoolbag, his eyes glued to the table, and asked excitedly, "Mother, could these all be handsome young men vying for my elder sister's hand in marriage?"

Wu Qiuniang patted his head, "You'll know once you open it and see."

Yu Dan, puzzled, unrolled the scroll and saw a beautiful woman in the painting, her name and age written in the lower left corner.

He wasn't stupid; he immediately realized what was on the table, glanced at it, and then blushed as he closed the book.

"What...what does this mean?!"

Wu Qiuniang said seriously, "Sanlang, you're sixteen now."

Yu Dan was so shocked that he couldn't speak, his mouth was half open, and his mind was a complete mess.

Yu Mingshu frowned and said, "Sanlang hasn't finished his studies yet. Isn't it too early to talk about marriage now?"

Wu Qiuniang shook her head and said, "Settling down before building a career has always been the way it has been."

In fact, Yu Mingshu knew that it was common for people to marry young in ancient times, and she couldn't impose modern ideas on everyone. It was already quite difficult for Wu Qiuniang to agree to let her have freedom of choice in marriage.

She put the scroll away and placed it aside, gesturing to Luo Yan and the others to serve the dishes. Turning to Yu Dan, she asked, "San Lang, what do you think?"

Yu Dan lowered his head and fiddled with the lint on his sleeve. After stammering for a long time, he said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "I will listen to Mother."

Yu Mingshu couldn't help but raise his voice: "This is a matter of life and death for you. Don't you have any opinions of your own?"

“But sister, I really don’t have any ideas.” Yu Dan looked at her blankly, his hands hanging down. “From ancient times to the present, whose marriage is not decided by their parents? Whoever Mother chooses for me as my wife, I will be good to her. Isn’t that enough?”

"That's the girl you're going to spend your life with. Do you really think anyone will do?"

"To me, they are all women I don't know, and there is no difference between them."

That makes some sense, but not much.

Seeing that she still had a disapproving expression, Yu Dan pursed his lips and pondered for a moment, then spoke in a more serious tone than before.

"Just like before I was born, I didn't know my older sister, nor did I know what kind of people my parents were. Fate bound us together, and you are my family. So, older sister, I really don't care who she is."

Yu Mingshu looked away. "Let's eat first."

…

For several days in a row, Wu Qiuniang was looking for a daughter-in-law. She met with several matchmakers and also visited old friends in person.

Yu Mingshu stayed in her room, debating with herself all night, and finally decided to respect her mother's and brother's views on marriage. Everyone has their own destiny; mind your own business.

When Aunt Wang and Zhao Niangzi came to offer their congratulations, Wu Qiuniang happened to be visiting someone else. Yu Dan was studying at the academy, and only Yu Mingshu was at home.

Upon seeing his former neighbor, Yu Mingshu was stunned for a while before happily inviting him inside.

"Aunt Wang, Madam Zhao, what brings you here?"

Zhao Niangzi scolded, "Back then, you moved away without saying a word, and I knew you were afraid that Zhou Qi would pester you. Who would have thought that you would keep this new address a secret from us! If it weren't for the news of your passing the imperial examination spreading throughout Chang'an, we wouldn't have known that you came to Yongningfang!"

Yu Mingshu sincerely apologized: "It's my fault, it's my fault. I originally planned to find you guys to catch up after I settled down, but I got so busy with my studies that I forgot."

Zhao Niangzi waved her hand and said, "So be it, I'm magnanimous and won't hold it against you."

Aunt Wang looked around and exclaimed, "This new house is so elegant, it looks like a scholar's residence. How much did you pay for it?"

“It’s about twice the price of Yong’anfang,” Yu Mingshu said with a smile. “It was cheap to buy last year, but this year Yongningfang produced three Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), so the property prices in this area are going to skyrocket.”

Aunt Wang clicked her tongue in disapproval, picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and then asked, "Why isn't your mother out? Is her old illness still flaring up frequently?"

“I’ve rarely been sick in the past year, at most I cough a couple of times during the autumn and winter seasons,” Yu Mingshu said. “My mother went to Chongrenfang today, she might be back soon, or she might not be back until the evening.”

Aunt Wang feigned realization, but Yu Mingshu could tell she was clearly hesitant to speak.

"What do you want to say to my mother, ma'am? I'll pass it on to her."

"Oh, it's nothing..."

Aunt Wang swallowed another sip of tea, lowered her head and said, "It's my cousin's sister's husband. He's a principal officer in the Ministry of Justice. His daughter is of marriageable age this year, but they haven't gotten engaged yet. I've met the girl. She's extremely beautiful, speaks very sweetly, and always has a smile on her face. She's clearly someone who can manage a household well."

Well, here comes another matchmaker.

Yu Mingshu said with a wry smile, "Auntie, these past two days, my house has been flooded with matchmakers. My mother has a list of names that's almost as many as this year's successful candidates in the imperial examinations. Please spare me."

“Sanlang is in high demand now, how could I not know that?” Aunt Wang said. “But listen to my advice, those girls from wealthy families may be virtuous, but they may not be suitable for your Sanlang.”

"Think about it, Imperial Censor Yu died young, and you, a widow and her children, have no one to rely on. If you were to marry a noblewoman, wouldn't the whole family have to live at her beck and call? My cousin's niece is different. She is a filial girl, and all her uncles and aunts in the family praise her!"

"Don't read it to me anymore. When my mother comes back, you should talk to her yourself." Yu Mingshu suddenly regretted taking on the task of relaying messages.

“Okay, then we’ll wait for her to come back,” Aunt Wang replied with a smile.

The hall suddenly fell silent.

Thinking that sitting idly like this couldn't go on, Yu Mingshu asked, "I still don't understand. I only got a lowly ninth-rank position, far from bringing glory to my family. Why would so many girls with good character and family backgrounds take a fancy to Sanlang?"

Zhao Niangzi and Wang Da Niang exchanged a strange look. "You really don't understand?"

Yu Mingshu shook his head blankly.

Lady Zhao clicked her tongue and lowered her voice, saying, "It's being said that His Majesty has granted you, a woman, entry into officialdom and even bestowed upon you an official position in the Eastern Palace, intending to betroth you to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Yu Mingshu immediately denied it: "How could that be!"

Zhao Niangzi said, "How is it impossible? His Highness the Crown Prince is already of marriageable age but still unmarried, and you, the most talented woman in Daliang, are also unmarried. How could His Majesty the Emperor not consider this?"

Yu Mingshu frowned: "But I heard that the Crown Prince has a childhood sweetheart, a lady named Yang, who was His Majesty's chosen Crown Princess from the very beginning!"

Aunt Wang put down her teacup and said dismissively, "If it's really settled, why hasn't the wedding taken place yet?"

This question stumped her.

Yes, why is that?

Yu Mingshu's expression gradually became serious. If the rumors were true, she would be finished.

Could she refuse the Xie family's marriage proposal, or even the emperor's bestowal of a marriage?

…

That night, Yu Mingshu sat worriedly on the roof of his house. In the distance, He Zhengfang returned from his shift, tossed his sword to Jing Hong, and walked towards the inner courtyard.

He Zheng looked up as if sensing something and met Yu Mingshu's gaze.

"What are you doing on the roof so late at night?"

Yu Mingshu's gaze lingered on him for a long time. Realizing that her own thoughts were not suitable to be shouted out loud, she carefully climbed over the back wall and landed in his courtyard.

He Zheng subconsciously reached out his hand, but seeing that she landed steadily, he silently withdrew it.

"Master He, I have a question for you."

Upon hearing her address, He Zheng's gaze lingered for a few moments.

Perhaps because she had been entertaining guests these past few days, she was dressed in bright and colorful clothes, her hair styled in a lively bun, her thick black hair adorned with rare pearls and jade, giving her a touch of nobility.

"I feel like every time you ask a question, it's never anything good."

Yu Mingshu held up three fingers and said, "This time it's definitely not about asking you for help, I swear."

He Zheng raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

Do you know why His Highness the Crown Prince is over twenty and still unmarried?

"You should ask His Majesty about this."

"How am I supposed to ask? You ask for me!" Yu Mingshu couldn't help but punch him. "You're so close to His Highness the Crown Prince, haven't you heard a single word about it all these years?"

He Zheng clutched his chest, which was throbbing from the punch, and said, "I can analyze it for you, but it's all just my guess, so please don't tell anyone."

Yu Mingshu's eyes lit up. "Don't worry about that, I'm very tight-lipped."

He Zheng pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "When my cousin, the Crown Prince, was young, His Majesty had already chosen Lady Yang as the Crown Princess and had her enter the palace early to serve as a lady-in-waiting in the Eastern Palace, so that she and my cousin, the Crown Prince, could spend time together and develop feelings for each other."

"However, in recent years, the Xie, Zhang, and Yang families have become increasingly intertwined, relying on their kinship and mentorship to form a united force. His Majesty is increasingly wary of these powerful families, fearing that their maternal relatives will become too powerful and cause trouble for the court in the future. Therefore, he has come up with the idea of ​​replacing the Crown Princess."

As he spoke, He Zheng smiled helplessly.

"But as you know, Lord Yang was once the teacher of His Majesty and the Crown Prince, and Yang Leyi is Lord Yang's most beloved granddaughter. His Majesty's decision to establish a new Crown Princess without cause is undoubtedly a slap in the face to Lord Yang and Yang Leyi. Perhaps because there is no other choice, the Crown Prince has been delayed again and again, which is why my cousin the Crown Prince is still unmarried."

After hearing the whole story, Yu Mingshu felt a chill run down his spine.

According to He Zheng, he came from a poor family, his father was a renowned scholar-official who died young, he had no elder brothers, and his younger brothers were not capable of much. He seemed to fit the standard of a virtuous wife for the Crown Prince.

He Zheng asked, puzzled, "Why are you suddenly discussing the Crown Prince's marriage?"

"Some people speculate that His Majesty's granting me an official position in the Eastern Palace was an attempt to bring me and the Crown Prince together."

When this possibility was mentioned, Yu Mingshu closed her eyes briefly, then calmly met He Zheng's deep gaze.

The smile on He Zheng's lips vanished instantly, and his mind went blank as if a thread had snapped.

"How is that possible? Who made up such a ridiculous story!"

He spoke with such conviction, yet his heart was filled with unease. Why was that?

On the day the Xie family proposed marriage for Xie Huaijin, he, as an observer, was only angry and never felt fear or unease.

He dared not imagine it, yet he couldn't help but think about it: what if the emperor truly intended to make Yu Mingshu the crown princess, or even to take her as the crown prince's concubine...

Wouldn't he have to call her "cousin-in-law"?

He Zheng felt like he was about to explode.

Yu Mingshu remained silent for a long time. He refocused his gaze and saw the other person's calm and still eyes. He suppressed the unease surging in his chest.

"If it were true, would you be willing?"

This must be the longest wait He Zheng has ever experienced in his life.

After a long silence, Yu Mingshu chuckled helplessly, "Do I have the right to say I don't want to?"

Her tone was tinged with bitterness, and she looked somewhat dejected. He Zheng stared intently at her parting lips, but couldn't help feeling a secret joy in his heart.

"You...don't like His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"No one will fall in love with their boss."

He Zheng was completely relieved.

"Relax, perhaps they are overthinking it." He comforted them gently, though it was unclear whether he was comforting them or himself. "If His Majesty really wanted to choose you as his daughter-in-law, he would have simply issued an imperial decree to bestow the marriage upon you. Why did he have to appoint you as a proofreader?"

"I hope so," Yu Mingshu said.

"Did the eunuch inform you when he delivered the decree that you would be taking up your post?"

"The fifteenth, what happened?"

He Zheng looked up at the sky, as if he was making some plans in his mind.

"The sons of noble families in the Eastern Palace are not to be trifled with. Knowing that a beautiful young lady has arrived, they will definitely cause you trouble. I will accompany you there, and I doubt they will dare to cause any more trouble."

Is it appropriate for a fourth-rank guard to escort a ninth-rank scholar?

Seeing that she didn't respond, He Zheng added, "Since we're close, I can help protect you from unwanted suitors, right?"

Yu Mingshu suddenly stared into his eyes, making his chest pound.

"He Xingzhao, I don't want to get married," she suddenly said abruptly.

"Whether that person is Xie Huaijin or His Highness the Crown Prince, I do not wish to marry into the life of a dependent woman confined to the inner quarters. I want to walk openly and honestly in the court and among the people. I want to live on in the world forever by my own name. Do you understand?"

The person in front of him was clearly stunned.

Yu Mingshu stared intently into his eyes, but found not a trace of doubt.

He seemed to be processing her words.

A gentle night breeze blew, and He Zheng finally came to his senses. "I understand."

Yu Mingshu finally looked away, her beautiful eyes lowered with a smile, and bowed to him with her hands raised: "In the future, I hope Commander He will give me a lot of guidance in the Eastern Palace."