Chapter 28: Each with His Own Thoughts
A burly young man leaped from the carriage, thrusting his shoulders left and right, twisting his hips. Each step he took kicked up dust, leaving crooked, shallow pits, each filled with the arrogance and arrogance that overflowed from his body. His figure and posture combined the swaggering arrogance of a crab, the vulgarity of a toad's leaping legs, and the greed of a locust's fangs and claws. It was hard to imagine a human form possessing the ugly features of insects, fish, birds, and beasts. He staggered into the house, and the servants busy in the yard quickly put aside their work and lined up, shouting, "Greetings, young master."
The rules were forced upon them by the young master, their sole purpose being to show his wealth and status, allowing him to dream of a life of royalty. The servants were extremely unhappy, and even after ten days and a half, they were still complaining sporadically. Xue Jia was in a good mood today, and disdained to argue with the servants. He skipped into the house and greeted his mother, "Mother, I met a very remarkable girl today."
Madam Xue was staring at the maid ironing clothes without even raising her eyelids as she said, "How impressive! Is she a princess or a county lady?"
Xue Jia was disgusted by his mother's disdain: "Tsk, no, she's even better than Miss Wang."
"Oh?" Mrs. Xue became interested. "Even more impressive than the Wang family's daughter? What does her father do?"
Xue Jia blinked dryly, "What does her father do... I never really asked, but her mother runs an embroidery workshop. And, she's also with that painter... some chicken... who's really famous. Even the emperor likes his paintings of that... what's that prawn and chicken thing?"
Her son's ignorance and stupidity gave Mrs. Xue a headache: "Ji Mingxiu."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Xue Jia slapped his thigh, "That's him, Ji Mingxiu! That girl has a close relationship with Ji Mingxiu. Ji Mingxiu has many paintings, all of which depict her. She said that a prince in Handan once made a painting called something like, "Bronze and Iron Little Sparrow"? Anyway, it was a painting, and the person painted on it was her. Bu Yibo saw the painting and personally sent an invitation to invite her to the banquet today. How awesome! I'll strike while the iron is hot and quickly ask her to go shopping tomorrow, so that's even better."
Mrs. Xue's mouth dropped open in shock. She'd painstakingly negotiated a letter from Bu Yibo, Xue Jia's adoptive father, to get her into this exclusive gathering. Xue Jia knew this girl, and even managed to get Bu Yibo and Ji Mingxiu personally invited by such influential figures. She could even spend the entire day chatting with Xue Jia. It was said that Ji Mingxiu's brushwork was priceless, and only a daughter of a wealthy family could afford his "one painting worth a thousand gold." For Miss You to have been painted so many times by him, her face painted over and over again, how much more valuable must the You family be?
Tsk tsk tsk, I never thought my son has such charm. The Yi family was really blind last time. Madam Xue looked at her eldest son with doting. Although he did not inherit her beautiful looks and was a little ugly, he looked more reliable and reliable than the greasy-haired and powdered servant! He was entangled with some beautiful girls outside, but not all men are like this! Which man under the sun is not like this! Compared to being poor and frivolous, it is not a fault for a man. The more Madam Xue looked at her son, the happier she was. She touched his back and said, "You are worthy of being my son. Even a girl with such a powerful family background is fascinated by you. Jia'er, our family's foundation in the capital is not stable now. Your father is useless. It is all because of your mother's hard work in front of your adoptive father that our family is in a good situation. You have to find a reliable wife quickly. It would be best if the family has money and power to open a new way for our family and let your adoptive father see your ability!"
Xue Jia scratched his head: "Mother, that girl is not from the capital, she is from Jinling."
Madam Xue didn't dwell on the details. "What's wrong with people from Jinling? Jinling was an ancient capital, and they're probably even wealthier than the people in the capital. The Yi girl mentioned earlier, only her grandfather was from Jinling; her father was from Minzhou. And this You girl is even more impressive than the Yi girl. Listen to mother, spend some money when necessary. You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your child. If we keep her in our hands, we'll also keep Bu Yibo and Ji Mingxiu in our hands."
"Son, listen to your mother." Xue Jia obeyed Madam Xue's words. Everyone in the world could harm him, except his mother. His mother had warned him since he was old enough to understand that marrying a virtuous woman is not as important as marrying for "money" or "power". A useful father-in-law is actually more important than a virtuous man from a mediocre family. His mother could not protect him all his life, so he had to listen to his mother's words and choose a capable and promising daughter-in-law, so that he could live a worry-free life without worries about food and clothing. Although this You Yanru was not his favorite voluptuous beauty - not even a beauty who could stand the test of time and was not considered to be of real quality, but his mother said it was okay, so he just pursued her, won her over, and brought her home to protect the family.
The moon had risen, carrying the dampness of nightfall, like a worn, scratched, sweat-stained gold ingot. "Hehehe," in a good mood, everything seemed good. Xue Jia raised his stubby, fleshy hand and, with a whoosh, grasped it in the air. In his reverie, he grasped Chanjuan in his palm. A pale, yellow light passed through his fingers, illuminating that hastily composed face. Who says moonlight is gentle? It's picky and harsh, illuminating the ugly with sallow fangs, their grease-stained complexion. Once it fell upon a beautiful woman, it was instantly tender and affectionate, gently caressing Liu Xiang's handsome features, his high nose, his rosy, full lips. His already fair complexion, under the silvery light, looked even more like a jade sculpture.
From yesterday till tonight, Liu Xiang didn't get to see Yanru. In just a dozen hours, he went to Guanyan Academy twice. The first time, the maid from the academy said that Yanru had gone to bed and would not see guests; the second time, the doorman of the academy said that Yanru had gone out and was picked up by a carriage wrapped in brocade, which was very eye-catching. Liu Xiang guessed that she might have gone to play with the noble relatives of her mother's ancestors, and his heart was half relieved. After having dinner at the Imperial College, he took some things to Guanyan Academy to wait for Yanru. Bored, he stared at the moon for who knows how long, when a carriage came galloping and stopped in front of the academy. The coachman set up the small wooden steps, and the girl in green took small steps with dignity and got off the carriage. Liu Xiang hurried to greet her: "Yanru, you are finally back."
Yanru pouted: "What can you do for me, Mr. Liu?"
Liu Xiang pulled her to a tree by the roadside, spread a handkerchief on a bench-like boulder, shielding her from the cold and moisture of the stone, and let Yanru sit down: "The doorman said there is a fine carriage to pick you up. I guess you are going to some elegant gathering or banquet. Thinking about those places, the etiquette is complicated and tiring, and the food is not full, I bought you steamed buns for your midnight snack. Oh, and -" He carefully took out something from his arms. The thing inside was very precious. When he opened it, there were dozens of plump mulberries. "A classmate's family brought it to him. It's delicious. He gave me a small part. I tasted it and thought it was the fresh sweet and sour taste that you like the most, so I hurried to bring it to you. There is a packet of salt in it. Go back and wash it, then dissolve the salt in warm water, soak it in water and eat it. In spring, you will get diarrhea if you are not careful. You are weak, so be careful about what you eat."
Liu Xiang went into great detail, preparing this and that, blabbering away. Yanru didn't respond, staring at his face. Xue Jia's ugliness had tormented her eyes all day, and she was wantonly absorbing Liu Xiang's handsomeness and gentleness, soothing herself. Seeing her lack of reaction, Liu Xiang gently pinched her cheek. "I'm talking to you, do you hear me?"
"I heard it, both ears heard it." Yanru made a face, not willing to be outdone, and reached out to rub Liu Xiang's face. He was so handsome that it made people jealous. No matter how hard he tried, he could still transform into a good-looking shape. He felt a little pain and surrendered: "Okay, okay, the steamed bun is still a little hot, wipe your hands and eat it."
Yanru enjoyed Liu Xiang's hospitality and supper, her mood reaching a new high. She briefly brushed aside Ji Mingxiu, concentrating Bu Yibo and Xue Jia into two symbols of power and wealth, recounting her experiences in Fan Garden with gusto. Liu Xiang listened quietly and gently. Seeing that he seemed very interested, Yanru changed the subject: "Liu Lang, when you become an official or a minister, we will also plant orchids in our mansion and invite that group to perform."
Liu Xiang frowned. "Growing orchids and hiring a troupe to perform are all fine, but becoming an official isn't necessary. Didn't I already say I've decided not to take the imperial examination next year?"
Yanru's face changed drastically: "What? I thought you came to me because you had figured it out. Are you sick?"
Liu Xiang said, "Yanru, do you really think it's a blessing to have lived through the turbulent and sinister officialdom? Si Rui was very glorious yesterday, but whether her future will be easy or not is another matter. Wouldn't it be very pleasant and happy for me to become a musician and travel the world with you?"
Her anger grew, but Yanru refused to give in. "I have an official position, a salary, and servants to serve me. Why do I have to wander around in some remote countryside instead of staying in the capital? Liu Xiang, can you please stop being so selfish? I was born into a powerful family and I'm a wealthy man. Do you understand what a wealthy man means? I won't live that kind of hardship."
Liu Xiang was also a little annoyed. "Why is it a hard life? Isn't it just not being an official? I just decide whether to be an official or not. Being a musician also brings in money, just not as glorious, without the official salary, and can't afford to live in a large mansion, but at least it won't be hard on you. Yanru, I think you misunderstood. Being a musician is not a despicable profession. The Zhou Li says that musicians are subordinate officials of the Spring Official, in charge of the national studies. Yu Boya of the Spring and Autumn Period, Gao Jianli of the Warring States Period, and Li Guinian of the Tang Dynasty were all respected by people."
"There are so many people in the world who play the zither, flute, and erhu, but how many Yu Boya, Gao Jianli, and Li Guinian are there?" Yanru roared, her words rude. "Being a musician's wife sounds inferior, lowly! Low down! I don't care, I'm going to be the wife of a wealthy family for the rest of my life! I want to be like Qi Fengning, a wealthy and powerful lady!" She was furious, but she still grabbed the remaining steamed buns and mulberries, abandoned the aggrieved and swollen-eyed Liu Xiang, and rushed into the academy and into the dormitory. She had been in a hurry to leave this morning, and hadn't had time to clear the dressing box on the table. The mirror and powder were carelessly placed on the desk. In her rage, Yanru's face puffed up, her eyes widened, and her mouth pouted high, like a steaming steamed bun, the remnants of makeup on her face like the red marks on the buns.
She was heartbroken, truly. She'd initially fallen in love with Liu Xiang because of his handsome appearance, a talent worthy of the title of Goddess of Painting. Later, his gentleness and delicacy captivated her, drawing her to a deep love. Meanwhile, there was another reason, known only to her: she was betting on him. She bet on his intelligence, his good relationships, and his academic performance, a carbon copy of Zheng Sirui—even more impressive. He attended the Imperial Academy, and winning the imperial examinations would be easy for him. One day, he'd be on the imperial examinations, a surefire way to become a powerful official. Then, with Liu Xiang's help, Yanru would restore her family's glory and live a life her grandmother and mother couldn't, making the foolish You Yanbao jealous, driven mad by envy. After all, You Yanbao was chubby and clueless. What man with talent and wealth could ever be interested in her?
But Liu Xiang actually didn't want to take the imperial examination? He, didn't want to take the imperial examination?! Wouldn't that mean her dreams of wealth and luxury would vanish into thin air?! Wouldn't her life be like her mother's? Her mother's husband was a gardener, and her lover wanted to be a musician. Playing with flowers and plants, like playing an instrument, was a pleasant way to pass the time, which was wonderful. But if he used it as a way to make a living and support his family, it would be shameful, unpresentable, and he would be destined for a lifetime of poverty.
With the money her mother had saved, she entered Qiu Shui Academy because Ji Mingxiu had suffered so much and had gone through so much hardship to get to the capital. She absolutely could not be like her mother - even though Liu Xiang and her father were not of the same kind, and their origins, family backgrounds, and personalities were vastly different, she was still afraid, afraid that this might happen, and her mother's tragedy would be repeated on her - as long as Liu Xiang did not fail the imperial examination, it would be possible.
Fear and anxiety took over her heart, making her breath stagnant, her mind at a loss, her thoughts muddled, and she shuddered, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly, she recalled how Xue Jia had invited her to go out with him the next day when they parted in the evening. Yanru looked at herself in the mirror, and a frivolous, audacious, and presumptuous thought occurred to her.
Suddenly, she was startled by herself and stared at her own eyes in disbelief. However, the shock and disappointment in herself only lasted for a moment. Yanru quickly held back her tears, fearing that if she cried too much, her eyes would become red and swollen, and how would she meet Xue Jia tomorrow?
[Random Thoughts]: It was difficult to come up with a title for today. If you have better ideas, please feel free to give me some feedback.
Alas, although I am also a vulgar, lazy, unlearned person, and I dream from time to time that a domineering president will fall in love with me and spend a lot of money to make my novels popular, but it is really tiring, painful and exhausting to put myself in Yanru's perspective every day and think about the thoughts of making money and flattering men.
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