The emperor's punishment of Murong Xu and the Cen family had an absolute deterrent effect. Civil and military officials were in panic, and everyone was in danger for a while.
The emperor took the opportunity to vigorously promote the imperial examination system, which was unexpectedly successful.
Over a two-year period, various prefectures in Langya State opened schools and conducted imperial examinations.
And following the example of the preliminary examination in Zhaohua County, a group of qualified candidates were selected for a unified imperial examination.
After finishing her business, Su Tai came to the county town from Shenjiazhuang. When she passed Qingfengzhai, she saw Alan and others busy welcoming and seeing off guests. She subconsciously curled the corners of her mouth and quietly asked Yu Dong to take her back to the house.
When the doorman saw her come back, he hurriedly brought her a charcoal stove.
Su Tai asked casually, "Where's the eldest lady?"
The doorman replied respectfully, "The eldest lady went to the Lu residence. Miss Lu is currently looking for a boyfriend. The Lu family often holds tea parties. Madam Lu asked the eldest lady to go with her so that she can get to know more ladies and girls."
Su Tai smiled, "There are only a few prominent families in Zhaohua County. Hasn't the young lady met them all?"
The doorman shook his head repeatedly, "Madam, it was like this before, but now the imperial examination policy has been launched, and the unified examination will be held in April next year. Our Zhaohua County held one before, and the results were remarkable. Many people came here to take the exam.
I heard that some of them are wealthy gentry from other counties, it's quite lively! When they come to Zhaohua County, they must send visiting cards to the county magistrate's house, not only the county magistrate's house, but also our house.
But since you are not in the county, the master has rejected all of them."
"Oh? Go get it and let me see it."
Su Tai returned to the study and waited for the doorman to bring over the pile of visiting cards. The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and when she casually flipped through them, she unexpectedly found a special invitation.
It’s not that the content is unusual, but the style and material of the invitation. This is definitely not something that ordinary gentry and wealthy people can use.
"When was this visiting card delivered?"
The concierge took a closer look and said hesitantly, "It should be within the next two or three days. The small ones are placed in chronological order. This invitation is at the end, so it won't be more than three days."
Yu Mei leaned over and read out the words one by one: "Madam Xue, is there such a family in the county? Could they have come from other counties?"
Su Tai shook her head, "No! You forgot that the commander of the garrison is named Xue. With this invitation, it is most likely correct! I will write a reply later and you can send it to the other party's house."
The mistress of the Xue family only said in the visiting card that she would come to visit, but did not specify the time. She did not know the other party's background, so she gave the initiative to the other party for the time being.
After writing the reply, Su Tai breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that it was still early, she got up and went to Lu's house.
In the middle of winter, the Lu family couldn't hold a flower-viewing banquet, so they could only hold a tea party.
A group of people gathered in the attic, eating, drinking, chatting and laughing, it was very lively.
As soon as Su Tai entered the room, everyone stopped talking and came over to chat with her.
Su Tai took a quick glance and saw everyone there, both familiar and unfamiliar. She immediately greeted everyone politely with a smile, and very naturally took Tang's hand and went to the side to chat in private.
"Do you know the mistress of the Xue family?"
Su Tai's question confused Tang, "Who are you talking about? Xue? I don't think there's a family with the surname Xue here! What's going on? What happened?"
Su Tai said suspiciously, "I received a visiting card. The other party signed it as the mistress of the Xue family. I don't know who it is. It just so happens that your place is busy, so I came to ask."
Tang smiled, "Maybe some lady came to visit us because of your reputation. Let me tell you, today I took my two children to entertain guests, and in just half a day, seven or eight ladies came to ask me about your Yue Zhang."
Su Tai looked at Shen Yuezhang who was talking to a group of young ladies in the distance without leaving any trace, and asked, "What did you say?"
Tang covered her face and chuckled, "What else can I say? A daughter of one family is sought after by hundreds of families, not to mention that Yue Zhang is outstanding in every way. The reputation of Qingfengzhai alone can attract many families to seek her hand in marriage. To be honest, what kind of son-in-law are you planning to find? I can also give you some advice!"
Su Tai rolled her eyes helplessly, "Don't worry about me. My Yue Zhang is still young, there's no need to rush. Besides, she has her own ideas, and I don't want to make decisions on my own. She makes her own decisions about her life, and I just help and give her some advice."
Mrs. Lu shook her head in disapproval. "How can a young girl make decisions for herself? I think her parents need to make the decision. Besides, Yue Zhang is old enough. If she doesn't settle down now, she won't have many choices in two years."
Su Tai was still not in a hurry and changed the topic to Lu Xiang, "Has Xiangxiang's marriage been arranged?"
Tang looked around and pointed to a dignified woman in the corner and said, "That's the wife of the magistrate of Ping'an County. They have a son who is about the same age as Xiangxiang. To be honest, I quite like him, but Ping'an County is a bit far away, and I can't bear to marry Xiangxiang there.
If she doesn't have a good life in her husband's family, we won't be able to receive the news in time and help.
And that one, that's Ma's wife from our county's Ma family. The Ma family is one of the most powerful families in the county. They have been suppressed by the Zhu family before. In the past two years, the Zhu family has gradually declined, and the Ma family is gaining momentum. If Xiangxiang proposes marriage to the Ma family, her future will definitely be smooth. "
After all, her husband is the county magistrate. Who would dare to offend the businessmen in Zhaohua County?
Su Tai raised her eyebrows. "Just these two?"
It's impossible that the Lu family held so many tea parties and only liked two people!
Tang paused and said hesitantly, "In fact, there is another candidate, that is the young master that the Pu family in Dahe Town found. His name is Pu Tianyou. He is much older than Xiangxiang, and they were originally going to propose marriage.
When he took the imperial examination, he got a mediocre score, and he delayed it for several years in order to prepare for the next year's examination."
Su Tai was surprised when she heard this. "Are you saying that the Pu family has also sent someone to propose marriage?"
Tang shook her head, "They didn't say it explicitly, but last time when Master Pu and my husband were sitting together, they mentioned this. My master thought the Pu family was good, and he was quite fond of it. I'm a little hesitant. As for status, the best choice is the son of the magistrate of Ping'an County. If this is not the choice, other families are all the same to Xiangxiang. It's really difficult to choose the best one among them!"
Su Tai's eyes rolled and a plan came to her mind. "This is easy. After the imperial examination next year, Master Lu will hold a tea party and let Xiangxiang take a look secretly. She can choose whoever she likes. It's so simple!"
Tang was frightened by Su Tai's boldness, but she was actually a little moved.
Su Tai sat for a while, and when she thought it was almost time, she asked Yu Mei to notify Shen Yuezhang to go back.
After the tea party ended, Tang's eldest sister-in-law, Mrs. Peng, hurried over to inquire, "Sister-in-law, what did Mrs. Shen say? Is there hope for marriage?"
Tang couldn't bear to hit Peng, but when she thought of Su Tai's attitude, she could only shake her head cruelly and advised earnestly: "Sister-in-law, I think you should stop thinking about the marriage with the Shen family.
Not to mention that Madam Shen didn't have this idea, the Shen family has a background in the imperial capital, and the eldest son of Shen is now a seventh-rank clerk in the Bo Academy. Even if the eldest daughter of the Shen family wants to marry, she must marry a rich man, or find someone of equal status. "(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
