Chapter 32 A beautiful woman who will not take a concubine in life, nor remarry after her death.
After the carriages of various families departed from the East Gate, Chen Luan bid farewell to his teacher and fellow students and waited outside early.
He stood alone beside the carriage, head slightly bowed, lost in thought, completely unaware that a carriage not far away, filled with fragrant women, had its curtain slightly lifted, revealing a pair of affectionate eyes observing him.
The owner of the eyes was reserved; he only glanced at them for a moment before lowering his gaze, separating the people inside the car from the young men outside.
Chen Liangyu and Yan Nian accompanied He Yunzhou to bid farewell to the old princess. Just as they stepped out of the East Mansion gate, Xun Shuheng's maid, Xianyu, came to invite them.
"General Chen, my young lady is asking if you will be traveling with her on the return journey?"
Chen Liangyu looked at the Xun family's carriage, and through the gap in the curtain, Xun Shuheng gave her a wink.
"I'll go."
After helping her mother and sister-in-law into the car, Chen Luan followed closely behind. She then went with Xianyu to Xun Shuheng's place.
The elephant-head incense burner with three tripods was still burning, never going out. Xianyu changed the incense burner, and as soon as someone entered, the incense covered their face.
Xun Shuheng seemed somewhat restless, her cheeks flushed as if they had been coated with rouge, unlike her clear complexion when she arrived.
"Are you sick?" Chen Liangyu asked.
Xun Shuheng blushed even more, covered her cheeks with her hands, and lowered her voice, "Liangyu, how come that young master was in your carriage? Do you know him?"
Chen Liangyu peeked out and saw his own carriage moving ahead, with a sign hanging on the roof that read "Xuanping Marquis's Residence".
She thought for a moment before realizing that the young master Xun Shuheng was referring to must be Chen Luan. "My second brother? Of course I know him. Where else could he be but in my carriage?"
"Second brother? The one who was lost and wandering?"
Chen Liangyu nodded.
Xun Shuheng hesitated for a long time, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and her voice lowered even further, "Then, is he married?"
"Not yet. My mother is looking for a young lady today, but I don't know if there's anyone she likes." Chen Liangyu said, "Whether you're married or not seems to have little to do with you. You want to marry into my family, how could Prime Minister Xun possibly agree?"
“Indeed, Father and the Marquis are at odds.” Xun Shuheng frowned, looking worried.
It wasn't just because Xun Xian and Chen Yuanqing had a bad relationship.
The higher the social standing of a family, the more they believe in bloodlines and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and they place great emphasis on matching social status when their children marry.
Although Chen Luan was registered under the name of the He family and recognized as the second legitimate son of the Marquis's family, there is always a difference between a legitimate son and a nominal legitimate son. Chen Luan, the second legitimate son, was not recognized by the high-ranking family. He was born to a concubine and came from a famine-stricken family. He was not properly raised by his mistress from a young age. In the eyes of outsiders, he was even worse than the illegitimate sons of other families.
Xun Xian was an extremely stubborn and corrupt old man who was obsessed with producing an empress to bring glory to his family. He only had eyes for imperial offspring. He was unwilling to marry Xun Shuheng to Chen Linjun, let alone Chen Luan, whose marriage was illegitimate.
Chen Liangyu said, "If you marry into this family, my mother will surely be satisfied."
Hearing her say that, Xun Shuheng blushed as if she were crying blood, and scolded her, "Don't tease me, what are you talking about marriage, aren't you ashamed?"
Seeing that she was blushing so much she wished she could disappear into the ground, Chen Liangyu changed the subject and started talking about other things.
Back at the mansion, He Yunzhou indeed brought up Chen Luan's marriage proposal. Several well-educated and sensible young ladies from respectable families, after much deliberation, still asked Chen Luan for his opinion.
Chen Luan simply said, "It is the will of my parents and the words of the matchmaker; I will listen to my mother."
For him, the most important thing right now is the imperial examination next year. He wants to pass the exam so that he can relieve his father and brothers' burdens as soon as possible. Getting married and starting a family is not something he is considering.
In marriages among the elite, marrying a girl from any particular family seems to be merely a way of forming an alliance of power; choosing a bride is simply a matter of selecting the family behind her.
Therefore, it seems that it doesn't matter who you marry.
He seemed to have no choice; when He Yunzhou discussed it with him, he was even surprised for a moment.
When He Yunzhou asked him if he had a girl he liked, he looked bewildered and said, "If Mother likes her, I will definitely like her too."
The Xuanping Marquis's residence has a set of family rules, which were set by He Niangong when Chen Yuanqing came to propose to He Yunzhou.
"Your father promised your maternal grandfather that you would never take a concubine while alive, nor would he remarry after death. This is a promise written into the family rules. Choosing a new wife cannot be done hastily. Once chosen, she will be your wife for life. How can we not ask for your opinion?"
When Chen Linjun proposed to Yan Baizhang for Yan Nian, he made the same promise as Chen Yuanqing had made years before, which became an ironclad rule in the family thereafter.
Chen Luan still said, "I will cherish the bride chosen by my mother for the rest of my life."
It wasn't that he was reserved or shy and unwilling to talk about it; it was that he really didn't know many girls. He had been confined to Hanhong Academy for several years, and his days were like a monk chanting sutras while striking a bell.
When He Yunzhou mentioned that he wanted to find him a new wife, he couldn't even find a template to follow.
He still believes that it doesn't matter who he marries, and it makes no difference who he spends his life with.
My idea changed unexpectedly.
A few days after the birthday banquet at the East Mansion, Sheng Yu'an held a tea party at Yueyang Tower. In addition to a few people from Hanhong Academy who came to Yongdu, the invitees included students from the Imperial Academy and some literati who loved poetry and literature.
Chen Luan arrived a little late, carrying a dark blue book in his arms. He was walking hurriedly when he bumped into the waiter who was serving food, and the book fell to the ground.
The waiter apologized repeatedly and bent down to pick it up.
Just then, a door to a private room next door opened, and a maid came out and asked the waiter to prepare a pot of plum wine.
Chen Luan glanced over unintentionally and saw a woman sitting quietly drinking wine in the private room, as serene as a landscape painting of a beautiful woman.
The bowl and chopsticks in front of her were still set out, untouched.
As if sensing a gaze upon her, Xun Shuheng looked over, her fingers gripping the wine glass suddenly recoiled, her tender red nails turning white in an instant.
When Xianyu saw Chen Luan looking at her young lady, she gave instructions to the waiter and hurriedly went into the room, slamming the door shut with a loud bang. The door closed rather abruptly, as if she were angrily slamming it shut.
Chen Luan realized his rudeness, bowed to the closed door of the private room to apologize, and then went to attend Sheng Yu'an's banquet.
The discussion was focused on whether Chen Liangyu or Xun Shuheng would become the Crown Princess. Most people bet on Xun Shuheng, and the reason was simple: Chen Liangyu was close to Prince Shen, Xie Yuan.
This is common knowledge in Yongdu. Moreover, Chen Liangyu herself requested a marriage decree, and her own wishes were clear. Could the Emperor force her to do something against her will?
Another group of people don't think so. Emperor Xuanyuan has always favored Chen Liangyu. The matter of asking the emperor to grant a marriage was a few years ago, and not many people remember it. Whose wishes can be greater than the imperial decree?
Chen Luan pushed the door open and came in, and the discussion immediately stopped.
It's never appropriate to discuss someone's sister in front of others. Since everyone present was sensible, they immediately steered the conversation toward the recently popular book, "On Women."
As a result, to everyone's surprise, they still couldn't get around Chen Liangyu.
She was the sole practitioner of this banned book, though she did not enter the imperial court through the imperial examinations.
The largest bookstore in Jinshu Lane was originally called Qinyeguan, but it was acquired by a business called Shengchanglong and renamed Fengzhizhai.
Later, scholars considered the name "Fengzhi" to be unlucky, so it was changed to Fengzhizhai. Although it was no longer considered unlucky, the name sounded more like a shop selling snacks and dried fruit than a bookstore.
Chen Liangyu entered Fengzhizhai, where the manager was at the counter overseeing the accounting.
Is your boss here today?
After asking for the surname, the shopkeeper sent someone to deliver a message.
Shengchanglong's business has only emerged in the last two years. When it first appeared, no one paid any attention to this small business. But in just over two years, it has become a force to be reckoned with.
Fengzhizhai and Fengyutang, these two large bookstores, were just insignificant assets among Shengchanglong's many businesses.
A sudden rise to prominence must be backed by powerful forces.
All signs indicate that Sheng Changlong is backed by people in the imperial court. Later, when Zhang Jialing, the son of the Zhang family, appeared in Sheng Changlong's various shops many times, some people speculated that Sheng Changlong's backer was the Right Chancellor Zhang Diancheng.
Zhang Diancheng despised merchants and would never touch money. His so-called backer was actually only Zhang Jialing, who used his influence to his advantage. Various government offices gave face to the Right Chancellor, so the issuance of business permits and travel permits for Shengchanglong was never delayed or used as an excuse for the government to extort money.
Shen Yan was not at Fengzhizhai, but at another bookstore, Fengyutang, which was separated from Jinshu Lane by a street.
The shopkeeper's messenger didn't summon Shen Yan, but instead brought Zhang Jialing. Before even entering the door, he started yelling, "What kind of airs are you putting on? You come to ask for money and then send someone to see you? Come on, get in the car."
"Why is it you?"
"Why can't it be me? Sister Chen isn't feeling well today, so I'm here in her place. Is that not allowed?"
With a lot of dragging and pulling, the carriage headed out of Shangyong City.
“Sister Chen talks about you all the time, even more than she talks about me, Chen Liangyu, I’m really annoyed with you.” Zhang Jialing said, “Because of your casual remarks, Sister Chen works day and night to make money.” He clutched his chest, looking pained, “Oh, it breaks my heart.”
"Is the Right Vice President still not agreeing to your marriage?"
Zhang Jialing was filled with melancholy, "The old man's prejudice against social class is too deep; it's not easy to talk about it!"
Helu Town was originally just an ordinary small town, neither prosperous nor as distinctive as other water towns.
Since Zhang Diancheng issued the relocation order, many wealthy merchants have settled here. Today, Helu Town is bustling with activity, with drums and music playing everywhere, a scene of unprecedented prosperity.
Zhang Jialing led her to a small, two-courtyard house in a rustic style. After the wealthy merchants were gathered in Helu Town, the imperial court tightened its control over them, prohibiting them not only from wearing silk and satin but also from living in luxurious residences.
When Shen Yan learned that Chen Liangyu and Zhang Jialing had returned together, she covered her lower abdomen and came out to greet them.
"I've been looking forward to your arrival, and you've finally come today."
Zhang Jialing stepped forward to help her and pushed Shen Yan into the room, saying, "Go back to the bed and rest. There are no outsiders here, so there's no need to pretend."
Chen Liangyu meant the same thing.
Shen Yan was helped back into the room by Zhang Jialing. She did not lie back on the couch, but sat on the edge of the couch with her elbows supporting her, and asked someone to bring two heavy boxes.
He then ordered Zhang Jialing, "Go and get it."
Zhang Jialing understood, rummaged around inside for a while, and brought out a wooden box. He reluctantly handed it to Chen Liangyu, not forgetting to retort, "You would accept ten thousand bushels of grain without considering propriety, but what good would ten thousand bushels of grain do you?"
"Ten thousand bushels of grain would be of great use to me." Chen Liangyu bowed to Shen Yan. "Thank you, Miss Shen."
Shen Yan's face was somewhat pale. She was dressed in coarse cloth clothes, her hair was neatly combed, and she was wearing only a handmade wooden hairpin. It was clear that the person who made the hairpin had very rough skills.
"If what General Chen said is true, there is a school in the world where women can study, I will definitely go and see it."
Zhang Jialing held her hand and said, "You're the big boss, you can look at me however you want."
Chen Liangyu replied, "It's best if the matter of the academy has nothing to do with Miss Shen."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jialing jumped up and said, "Chen Liangyu, you're already dismantling the bridge before we've even crossed it? Are you trying to kill the donkey after it has done its work? If it weren't for the fact that you helped Shengchanglong in the early stages, I wouldn't even welcome you here."
Shen Yan pulled him to sit down.
Chen Liangyu continued, "This matter will surely not escape the eyes of the censors, and many people will likely be implicated."
Setting up an academy is not a big deal; the crux of the matter lies in the last chapter of "On Women," which encourages women to study, acquire property, and obtain official titles. Studying and acquiring property are not worth mentioning; the main point is "obtaining official titles."
This statement undoubtedly undermines the very foundation of the imperial examination system, concerns the political situation, and is no small matter.
Shen Yan said, "Since you've already done it, why are you afraid of being implicated? If you were afraid, I wouldn't have agreed to it in the first place."
"Miss Shen is very righteous."
"I have something to say," Zhang Jialing interrupted, seizing the opportunity to pour cold water on their conversation. "The economic base determines the superstructure. The pillar industries of a small-scale peasant economy are farming and weaving. It's only in the industrial and information age that intellectual jobs are needed. You might not understand, but what I mean is that people in your society only need to know how to farm and weave; we don't need so many educated people. Perhaps—and I mean perhaps—your thinking is a bit too advanced?"
Chen Liangyu remained silent for a long time before saying, "I do not wish for everyone in the world to become a scholar. I only wish to find alternative ways of survival for those who do not wish to depend on others, and to speak out against injustice for women in the face of laws and regulations."
Author's note: Thank you for reading this far!
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