Chapter 539 Shen Zheng's Choice
Shen Zheng asked Afu to take Granny Qi out to buy groceries. When they returned, Sister-in-law Cheng cooked, and Ninglan helped.
The two elders of the Cheng family rested in Cheng Zhao's bedroom. They had been traveling for more than twenty days and were both exhausted.
Cheng Wanwan and Shen Zheng were sitting in the courtyard talking.
Shen Zheng kept talking about his experiences in the capital, his mouth never stopping, and he was in a state of excitement, as if he didn't care at all about failing the exam.
“Brother Cheng is too amazing. He was just a little bit away from becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination. What a pity…” He shook his head. “But I’m satisfied with the third place now. After all, the first place is Young Master Fu from the family of the Minister of Rites. He’s been in the palace since he was a child to accompany the prince in his studies. If he can’t even become the top scholar, it would be a waste of his place as a companion…”
Cheng Wanwan took a sip of tea and said, "Alright, stop talking about Zhao'er and tell me about yourself."
"Me? What do I have to say?" Shen Zheng said nonchalantly. "I know what my godmother wants to say, but I've already made up my mind. I'll find a job in the capital, do my work and study at the same time, and try again in three years. If I still can't pass the imperial examination, then I really don't have the talent, and I'll give up on that idea."
Cheng Wanwan disagreed: "Since you want to try again, then you should calm down and study hard. If you study with Master Yu for three years, you will still have a great chance."
Shen Zheng lowered his eyes: "Wherever the job I've secured is, that's where I'll study. Godmother, there's no need to persuade me any further."
Cheng Wanwan really couldn't understand him. A juren who failed in the initial examination could only seek a position as a minor official. Although serving in a local position could hone his skills, it would not be easy to get promoted, and his future career would be limited. Of course, there were people who took this path, but they were very few... Juren could also become a county magistrate, but the rules of this dynasty required that one must fail the examination three times before being registered and assigned by the court to be a county magistrate. Shen Zheng did not meet the requirements.
"I'm making two preparations," Shen Zheng said. "Everyone looks down on minor local officials, but I do. As long as I fulfill my duties in this position, I'm sure I'll get promoted one day. But the chances of promotion are too low, so I have to continue my studies. If I'm lucky enough to pass the imperial examination, I can get an official position in the capital."
“There are only a few vacancies in the capital, and they're all reserved for the sons of prominent families there. You don't have much of a chance…” Cheng Wanwan still disagreed. “It’s fine to have a backup plan, but staying in the capital isn’t the best option. You could go back to Yuncheng. Many candidates from Yuncheng have committed offenses this year, and their qualifications have been revoked in various aspects. You might be able to find a lucrative position if you go back…”
"Godmother, I just want to stay in the capital." Shen Zheng said firmly. Meeting Cheng Wanwan's gaze, he told the truth directly, "I have someone I love. She is the legitimate daughter of Lord Lin, the Censor of Huzhou. Lord Lin will return to the capital with his family when his term of office expires in two years. I asked Lin Yan, and Lord and Mrs. Lin only have this one daughter. She won't marry her off far away. I must gain a firm foothold in the capital to have even a slight chance."
Cheng Wanwan was astonished.
She said that it seemed like Xiaozheng had grown up all of a sudden, and it turned out that he had gained motivation.
Although Lord Lin is only a seventh-rank official, his family is not simple. The current first-rank Grand Tutor Lin is Lord Lin's uncle. Lord Lin's parents died early, and he was raised by Grand Tutor Lin like a son. So Grand Tutor Lin is equivalent to Miss Lin's grandfather... It may be a bit difficult to marry the granddaughter of the current Grand Tutor.
However, Xiao Zheng also has an advantage: she can sense that Miss Lin also cares about her, so it's not a one-sided crush.
"After Brother Cheng's wedding, I will go home. First, to visit my father and grandmother; second, to thank Master Yu for his teachings; and third, to visit Madam Lin. I would like to ask Madam Lin to wait for me for three years," Shen Zheng said somewhat uncertainly. "Does Godmother think Madam Lin will agree?"
Cheng Wanwan is bald. She can offer advice on other things, but she really can't say anything about relationships between men and women; she has absolutely no experience with them.
She paused and said, "Ms. Lin is sixteen this year. She will be almost twenty in three years. You have to show enough sincerity before Mrs. Lin will relent."
Shen Zheng nodded: "I know."
Regardless, he will try his best. If neither Mrs. Lin nor Miss Lin is willing to wait, then he will consider it as a case of fate not being meant to be with Miss Lin.
Sister-in-law Cheng quickly prepared the meal. Because it was a good day, Granny Qi bought a lot of fish and meat, which was a delicacy for the Cheng family who had been eating vegetarian food for more than twenty days. To celebrate, she also bought Zhuangyuanhong wine and poured a cup for each person.
In the past, the Cheng family treated Shen Zheng with utmost respect. Now that their son has become successful, they consider themselves equals to Shen Zheng and have become more presumptuous in their speech. However, Shen Zheng is a carefree person and naturally doesn't care about such things. He raised his wine glass and drank with Old Man Cheng and Brother Cheng, one cup after another.
The meal lasted until nightfall, when Cheng Zhao finally returned.
There was supposed to be a poetry gathering arranged by the imperial court that night, but Cheng Ding came over and told him that the Cheng family had arrived, so he made an excuse that he was drunk and returned home early.
"Oh my, it's Zhao'er back! My son is so handsome!" Sister-in-law Cheng greeted him with a beaming smile. "These clothes feel so comfortable. My son was born to wear silk and satin. He's so handsome..."
Brother Cheng, slightly tipsy, leaned over and said, "I've never worn such fine clothes in my life. Take them off and let your old man show off a bit."
"You've only had a few sips of cat pee and you're already causing trouble." Old Mrs. Cheng kicked him. "If you're drunk, go back to bed and stop embarrassing yourself."
Afu quickly helped Old Man Cheng and Brother Cheng back to their room to rest. Shen Zheng had already drunk himself into a stupor and fallen asleep.
Grandma Cheng and Sister-in-law Cheng kept touching Cheng Zhao, as if they couldn't get enough of him, and kept asking him all sorts of questions. The two young men from the second and third branches of the Cheng family kept calling him "Big Brother," and they were very excited.
“Zhao’er must be tired today, get some rest.” Cheng Wanwan stood up. “Cheng Jia has already booked an inn nearby. I’ll come over tomorrow morning to talk to you again.”
Cheng Zhao hurried over and said, "After Second Aunt wrote the letter, I rented the small courtyard next door. I've already had it cleaned and furnished with everything you need. Second Aunt can just move in. After a few days, you can move directly to the new house..."
Sister-in-law Cheng was initially feeling a bit sour about how good her son was to her second aunt, having even rented a courtyard for her... but upon hearing the following words, she immediately burst into tears: "Zhao'er, did the Emperor bestow a new residence upon you...?"
“No,” Cheng Zhao said. “Today, the Emperor bestowed five thousand taels of silver upon me, and I told my colleagues about my idea of buying a courtyard house. During the evening boat trip on the lake, someone introduced me to a house. Although it is located in the suburbs of the capital, it is a two-courtyard house. I will go and finalize the purchase of the house tomorrow, and I will be able to move into the new house in a few days.”
Cheng Wanwan asked, "How much does a two-courtyard house in the suburbs of Beijing cost?"
"Because it's an old courtyard, the price isn't too high, four thousand five hundred taels of silver. However, since someone in the family is also studying and wants to share in my good fortune as a third-place scholar, they automatically lowered the price to three thousand taels." Cheng Zhao smiled. "I still have two thousand taels of silver left, which I plan to use to invest in a business."
Cheng Wanwan asked in surprise, "You can do business too?"
"It's just an investment, and we can start receiving profits in two months. Second Aunt, you don't need to worry that Zhao'er will be cheated. I've done a thorough investigation and everything is fine before I dared to invest. It's not convenient for me to invest because of my official position, so I'm investing in the name of Cheng Ding." Cheng Zhao said somewhat embarrassedly, "Now that I've settled down in the capital and my wedding is imminent, I need money everywhere, so I can only try to earn some money first."
Grandma Cheng was filled with relief: "Zhao'er has really grown up and become sensible. Grandma still has more than a thousand taels of silver here. You can use it to start a business..."
Cheng Zhao couldn't refuse at all. For some reason, he accepted the money anyway.
Cheng Wanwan wasn't worried that Cheng Zhao would be deceived. This child was always very steady. No matter what he did, he wouldn't act rashly until he was 90% sure... He was indeed short of money at the moment, and his pride wouldn't allow him to ask his clansmen and second aunt for money again, so he could only invest in the business himself.
Xiao Zheng has grown up, and Zhao'er... has also grown up.
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