Chapter 372 I am a newly promoted scholar from Huzhou
The announcement of the results of the provincial examination was the most exciting time.
A joyous procession stopped here, adding to the festive atmosphere.
"This is interesting." Shen Zhengyou shook his paper fan. "Who is this wealthy family that dares to be so bold? A scholar should at least have an official position. If he fails to catch his son-in-law, he might take it to the government. This is going to be a good show."
Qian Hui sighed: "The only ones who have the guts to come here to find a son-in-law must be wealthy and influential people in Huzhou. If only I had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, I wouldn't need them to come and find me; I would just go to them myself."
As the group was chatting and laughing, a matchmaker, dressed in her finest attire, stepped out of a sedan chair at the back of the procession.
"I am Matchmaker Liu. I've arranged half the marriages in Huzhou City," Matchmaker Liu said with a smile, waving her handkerchief. "All you newly appointed scholars, if you fancy any girl, just come and tell Matchmaker Liu, and I'll guarantee you'll win her heart..."
"Cough cough!"
A steward coughed twice, and then Matchmaker Liu got back to the point: "You've all probably heard about the time Miss Leng from the Leng family threw her embroidered ball in the embroidery tower a few days ago. In the past few days, many people in the city have been talking about how the Leng family broke off the engagement because a poor boy caught the ball. That's utter nonsense!"
“Master Leng and Madam Leng are very sincere. They have been preparing for the wedding these past few days. On this auspicious occasion of the announcement, they have specially invited me, Matchmaker Liu, to invite the Leng family’s son-in-law to the wedding. Someone, go and invite Young Master Cheng here.”
The person in charge clapped his hands lightly.
Eight servants walked over from behind, their target clear: Cheng Zhao.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"My God, it's the Leng family looking for a son-in-law."
"So it was Brother Cheng who caught the embroidered ball that day. Should I say that Brother Cheng was lucky, or that the Leng family was lucky?"
"Brother Cheng married a beautiful bride on his very first day as the top scorer in the provincial examination. He is truly the envy of everyone."
Everyone looked on with envy.
Qian Hui's eyes widened: "Damn it, there's actually a follow-up to this. Brother Cheng, you're very lucky."
Shen Zheng sneered: "The Leng family is really interesting. They looked down on Brother Cheng's family for generations of farming and canceled the marriage. Now that they see Brother Cheng has become the top scholar, tsk tsk, they can't wait to force the marriage. With me here, let's see who in the Leng family dares to act recklessly... Hey, why are you pushing me!"
Before he could speak, he was pushed aside by two strong servants.
Ah Fu quickly went over and helped him up: "Young Master, are you alright?"
In that instant, eight servants had already walked up to Cheng Zhao and surrounded him. Then, the matchmaker Liu and the steward stepped forward.
"Oh my, Young Master Cheng is truly handsome and elegant, a perfect match for Miss Leng." Matchmaker Liu tossed a handkerchief onto Cheng Zhao's shoulder. "The groom's wedding attire has already been sewn. Someone, help Young Master Cheng put it on."
The steward, holding a brand-new bright red wedding robe, immediately stepped forward and put it on Cheng Zhao.
Cheng Zhao quickly stepped back, cupped his hands, and said, "This is absolutely unacceptable. I have already explained what happened that day to Master Leng and Madam Leng, and the engagement has long been cancelled..."
"Young Master Cheng is shy!" Matchmaker Liu interrupted Cheng Zhao, laughing loudly, "Didn't we agree that day that regardless of whether you passed the provincial examination or not, this marriage had to be held? Everyone in Huzhou saw it; it was you, Young Master Cheng, who caught the embroidered ball that day. You are Miss Leng's destined husband! Come, come, quickly help the Leng family's son-in-law change his clothes!"
The servants surrounded him, one on each side holding Cheng Zhao's shoulders, while two others clamped his legs around him, preventing him from moving an inch. He was thus forcibly dressed in the wedding clothes.
Shen Zheng saw all of this. He rushed over and shouted, "Is there no law in broad daylight? Get out of the way! All of you, get out of the way!"
The steward gave the servant a look.
The two servants subtly swung their elbows, hitting Shen Zheng squarely in the stomach.
Shen Zheng doubled over in pain, and Qian Hui quickly went to help him up: "Brother Shen, what are you doing? This is a great thing! Brother Cheng's family is so poor. If he marries Miss Leng, won't he have money to study in the future..."
"You don't know anything!"
Ignoring the pain in his abdomen, Shen Zheng once again roared that he was going to pounce on him.
At the same time, Cheng Zhao was also struggling violently, but as a weak scholar, he had limited strength and could not make much noise.
He abandoned his reserve and gentleness, and said loudly, "I am the newly promoted scholar of Huzhou this year, and the prefect's favorite student. If you..."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck and instantly lost consciousness.
"Beat the drums! Sound the work songs!"
The matchmaker, Liu, cried out and pulled down the brim of the groom's hat.
Several people helped Cheng Zhao into the wedding procession and then helped him onto his horse.
Matchmaker Liu scolded, "Young master is a scholar, how could he ride a horse? Come, young master, riding in a sedan chair is the same. Get in the sedan chair and let's go!"
Cheng Zhao was stuffed directly into the sedan chair.
The procession arrived in a grand and imposing manner and departed in a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Shen Zheng struggled to catch up with the group, but he soon realized that even if he caught up, it would be pointless.
The Leng family is incredibly resourceful.
Meanwhile, the people around them continued to discuss it.
"Miss Leng, residing in a bamboo pavilion, with lofty aspirations and a fragrant robe. When the announcement is made, crowds gather, and in this prosperous age, joyous songs are sung as the embroidered ball falls."
"The hibiscus hanging on the curtains adds to the festive atmosphere, and the jade screen that opens to reveal the artistry of nature. Brother Cheng is truly blessed."
"Let's go to the Leng family's place and join in the fun."
First came the story of throwing an embroidered ball, then the story of catching a son-in-law after passing the imperial examinations; this incident has become a popular tale among scholars.
Shen Zheng gritted his teeth: "The Leng family, huh? Let's see how I deal with you bunch of bastards!"
Qian Hui grabbed him and said, "I'm telling you, it's a good thing that Brother Cheng and Miss Leng got married. The Leng family is very rich, even richer than our Qian family. When Brother Cheng goes into officialdom, he will need money to bribe officials. Isn't this like picking up a huge gold mine for free?"
"Ha!" Shen Zheng sneered, "The Leng family's methods are endless. Marrying a woman with unclear intentions and sleeping next to you, you wouldn't even know when you were murdered! Besides, Brother Cheng will definitely pass the provincial examination and become a Juren, and maybe even a Gongshi or Jinshi next year. The Leng family really knows how to get a bargain! No, I have to go back to my aunt. She must have a way!"
Qian Hui scratched his head, thinking that what Brother Shen said didn't seem to be wrong.
Brother Cheng is definitely destined to be a high-ranking official in the future. Marrying a merchant's daughter is really not a good idea; people will laugh at him.
“You go find Lady Sui, I’ll go back to find my father,” Qian Hui said immediately. “My father knows Master Leng, maybe he can mediate.”
The two of them acted separately.
Cheng Wanwan was packing her things at the inn. She hadn't been idle these past few days, wandering around and buying a bunch of random things.
They came in two carriages, but they'll definitely need to hire another one for the return trip, because they'll have more cargo and three more people.
Gou Dan… she wouldn’t call him by that name anymore, as it was easy to confuse him with the other children in the family. Instead, she would call him by his full name, Xiao Hai. From now on, Xiao Hai would serve as Si Dan’s page, while Hong Ying and Hong Yan would take care of some miscellaneous household chores. She needed to free her hands…
Just as she was tidying up, Shen Zheng and Afu rushed to her room door, both covered in sweat.
"Auntie, something terrible has happened! Brother Cheng has been kidnapped by the Leng family!"
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