Chapter 773 Lady Luo Comes to the Door
"If Lady Sui's son can become the top scholar in the imperial examination, then Lady Sui's position in our court will be truly secure." The emperor's gaze fell on her. "Since ancient times, it has been difficult for children from poor families to become outstanding. I hope that Lady Sui's family can become prominent and become a new force in the capital."
Cheng Wanwan understood what he meant.
The Emperor hoped that her branch of the family could establish itself in the capital and break the existing situation where powerful clans and various forces were mutually vying for power.
Having been supported by the emperor to reach this point, she naturally serves him with all her heart and soul.
Most importantly, her family was born into humble circumstances and had no family to rely on, so they could only depend on the emperor, which was the greatest sign of loyalty.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace." Cheng Wanwan spoke with her eyes lowered. "If my son is destined to be a top scholar, then he should serve Your Majesty. But if he does not have the talent to be a top scholar, yet sits in the position of top scholar, then he is unworthy of the position, and sooner or later he will suffer calamity. Regardless of whether my family becomes prominent, my sons and I will be loyal to the court, loyal to the country, and loyal to Your Majesty, devoting ourselves to the cause until our dying breath!"
"Good, very good!" The Emperor was overjoyed. "Lady Sui's vision and decisiveness are truly admirable. Guards, reward her!"
When Cheng Wanwan left the palace, she had a pile of exquisite jade ornaments, all of which were fine items from the emperor's private treasury, which he generously bestowed upon her.
She marveled once again at how generous this emperor was.
After returning home, I asked Xiao Hai and learned that Si Dan was still studying hard in the study.
Ever since the results of the imperial examination came out, this kid has been so engrossed in his studies that he knows nothing about what's happening outside.
If the palace examination questions are indeed related to current affairs, then staying indoors like this is not an option.
Cheng Wanwan went to the backyard and called out Zhao Sidan and Yu Zhan: "I heard that the palace examination mainly tests current affairs policies. You two should know better than me what current affairs policies are. Go out and walk around more these two days. What you hear, see and hear may be of great benefit."
Zhao Sidan nodded: "I'll listen to Mother."
Yu Zhan also put down his book: "If you want to know what's been happening in the capital lately, just sit in a teahouse for an afternoon and you'll find out. Let's go."
Cheng Wanwan was relieved after arranging for Cheng Yi to go out with them.
Old Zhao, puffing on his pipe, asked, "Eldest daughter-in-law, do you think Sidan can pass the exam?"
“Having reached the level of a tribute student, becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is a foregone conclusion,” Zhao Ergou said. “The only question is what rank we can achieve.”
"No matter what rank he gets, it's a source of honor for our Zhao family." Old Mrs. Zhao beamed. "When Sidan passes the exam, we must throw a grand banquet. We'll have one in Beijing, and another when we return to Dahe Town. Everyone must know about this glorious achievement. If even one bird in Dahe Town doesn't know that Sidan passed the exam, it's my fault!"
Cheng Wanwan was both amused and exasperated: "Fine, I'll do whatever you two say."
As the family was chatting, Granny Qi suddenly rushed in and reported, "Madam, there is a Lady Luo outside requesting an audience."
Cheng Wanwan didn't immediately realize who Madam Luo was.
Granny Qi explained, "Madam Luo is the eldest daughter of the Luo family and the second wife of the eldest son of the He family. After the He family's misfortune, Master He wrote a letter of divorce on behalf of his brother, and Madam Luo took the eldest son's only son back to her parents' home."
Cheng Wanwan nodded: "Have her wait in the side hall."
This Lady Luo was originally He Xiao's fiancée, but for various reasons, she later married He Ling and became his second wife.
He Xiao was heartbroken by this Lady Luo and became indifferent to matters of the heart. Now in his early thirties, he is unwilling to marry and have children.
She didn't understand why Lady Luo had come to see her.
It wouldn't hurt to go and meet them.
Cheng Wanwan walked to the entrance of the side hall and saw Luo Niangzi pacing back and forth anxiously.
The last time I saw Lady Luo was at the New Year's Eve banquet. Three or four months had passed, and Lady Luo had become incredibly thin. When she turned her face, her cheekbones protruded high, and she had no vitality at all, looking like a walking corpse.
"Greetings, Madam Sui!"
Luo Qi walked down the steps and bowed respectfully.
"Madam Luo, there's no need for such formalities." Cheng Wanwan sat down in the chair. "May I ask what brings you here, Madam Luo?"
Luo Qi forced a smile, but she was so thin, practically skin and bones, that the smile looked worse than a grimace.
She took a box out of her sleeve and handed it over: "This is a keepsake that He Xiao gave me more than ten years ago. It belongs to him. Could you please help me return it to him, Madam Sui?"
Cheng Wanwan's lips curled into a slight smile: "More than two years ago, He Xiao returned to the He family. You've lived under the same roof for so long, and you had countless opportunities to return the things to him in person, but you waited until today. Why is that?"
Luo Qi's face suddenly turned pale.
She pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and said, "I was too abrupt. I'm sorry."
She put the items back into her sleeve, bowed, and turned to leave.
Cheng Wanwan heard some things about the Luo family.
The Luo family is considered a prominent and wealthy family, but the head of the household is not Luo Qi's parents, but her elder brother and sister-in-law. It's bad enough that she, a married woman, was divorced and sent home, but she also brought a stepson who has no blood relation to the Luo family with her. The Luo family will definitely not accept this. These past few months, Luo Qi's life at her parents' home must have been very difficult.
She suffered immense psychological torment, and her basic needs for food and clothing were undoubtedly met with mistreatment, which is probably why she has become so thin day by day.
"I heard that Madam Luo is secretly arranging a marriage for Madam Luo," Granny Qi whispered from the side. "Madam Luo is thirty years old this year. Even if she were to marry, she would probably only be able to marry an old man in his forties or fifties as a second wife. Men in their forties or fifties would certainly already have legitimate children, and they wouldn't be young either. If Madam Luo marries into such a family, she would truly have no hope for the rest of her life... She suddenly took out the keepsake that Master He gave her more than ten years ago. Could it be that she wants to rekindle her relationship with Master He?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Wanwan felt it was very likely.
For Luo Qi now, it would be better to go back to her ex and marry He Xiao, who had never been married before, than to marry an old man. If she could give He Xiao a son or daughter, her life would be complete.
But if she abandoned He Xiao back then and now turns back, will He Xiao definitely wait for her in the same place?
Regardless of what He Xiao was thinking, Cheng Wanwan felt that she still had to send someone to inform him, lest he be ambushed for no reason.
After all, women who come from grand mansions are often quite cunning and resourceful, and sometimes it's really hard for a martial artist like He Xiao to guard against them.
"Cheng Yi, go to the military camp," Cheng Wanwan said. "Just tell them that Lady Luo from the Luo family has come, and He Xiao will know."
“I’ll go with Cheng Yi.” Cheng Fang stood at the bottom of the steps, carrying a food box in his hand. “I’ve made some fresh food, all of which are things that Master He used to like to eat. I’ll take them to Master He.”
Cheng Wanwan nodded in agreement.
Cheng Fang had studied martial arts with He Xiao for over a year and had learned quite well. Although she wasn't He Xiao's disciple, it was clear that she respected him as her master and always thought of him when she had something to eat. This was probably why He Xiao always cared about Dahe Village.
Because the people of Dahe Village will not forget him, he will return there someday.
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