Chapter 44: Career or Beauty
These words came so suddenly that Xie Suzhou's body swayed and he almost knocked over the teacup in his hand. "Sir, I..."
"I know you're shy and don't feel like falling in love, but you're already twenty-two years old. If you stay single, you'll be wasting your whole life."
Wang Lin lowered his head to drink his tea, but his peripheral vision never left him, his eyes scrutinizing. "It just so happens that two months ago, I was arranging a marriage for my nephew and asked Old Chen to collect a number of portraits of noble ladies in the capital. Take a look at them, and when you pass the exam, I'll help you find a match."
"Old Chen, bring the album over here."
"Sir." Xie Suzhou stood up and saluted, his face somewhat grim. "I only want to enter the court as an official and make my own way. I really don't have the leisure to think about anything else."
"Marrying a wife and becoming an official do not interfere with each other. When it comes to building a family and a career, family comes first, career comes second. If you can't take care of your own family, how can you take care of the whole community?" Wang Lin waved to the side, "Old Chen——"
"Sir Wang!" Xie Suzhou pursed his lips tightly, met Wang Lin's inquiring gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "I already have someone in my heart."
Wang Lin's relaxed brows slowly furrowed, the corners of his mouth turned downward, and a hint of annoyance appeared on his face. "Are you thinking about your widowed sister-in-law?"
Xie Suzhou slowly raised his eyes, unable to hide the shock in his eyes, "I..."
"What? You still want to hide it from me?" Wang Lin snorted coldly and put down the teacup in his hand heavily. "I've eaten more salt than you've walked! Suzhou, you have a bright future. Xiao Su is just a country woman. How can you and her be a match?"
Xie Suzhou turned his face away, and his usually cold and handsome face showed a bit of stubbornness. "Ah Cheng is smart and clever, she is definitely not ordinary..."
"Ah Cheng, Ah Cheng, do you know that according to etiquette, you should call her 'eld sister-in-law'?" Wang Lin was furious and slammed the table. "You are really obsessed. How will the people in the village look at you if your uncle inherits your widowed sister-in-law?"
Xie Suzhou's brows were furrowed, and his voice was low and hoarse. "Wait until I pass the imperial examination and move my family to the capital. No one will recognize us, and then we can start over."
"You... you've planned your future so well, ready to keep a beautiful woman in your brothel?" Wang Lin was shocked, as if he had just seen the person in front of him clearly. "This is totally against common sense!"
"It's common for uncles to marry widowed sisters-in-law in the royal family. If they can do it, why can't I?" Xie Suzhou lowered his eyes, his face heavy. "Even if we can't be husband and wife, as long as I'm by her side, I'll be content."
"You!" Wang Lin pointed at him, speechless for a long moment. "Logically, this is your family affair, and I shouldn't interfere. But I really don't want to see the child I raised with my own hands tainted. A career in government or a beautiful woman? Choose one."
After saying that, Wang Lin turned around and stopped looking at him.
Xie Suzhou was stunned, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and his heart sank to the bottom.
The next moment, he knelt down and kowtowed three times to the man in front of him.
Wang Lin heard the noise and turned around to look at him, "You..."
"It is Suzhou's misfortune that I cannot be your right-hand man. As we say goodbye today, I only hope that your career will be prosperous and all your wishes will come true." Xie Suzhou took out the jade pendant of King Ruyang from his arms and presented it with both hands, "Master Wang, take care."
Wang Lin couldn't believe his eyes. His hand, pointing at him, trembled constantly. "You are so knowledgeable and talented, yet you are willing to be a secret lover. Have you been scared silly by the bandits?"
Xie Suzhou lowered his head and said nothing. He slowly stood up and made a gesture to leave.
"stop!"
Xie Suzhou stopped and looked back in surprise.
Wang Lin walked over to the table and gulped down a few mouthfuls of cold tea before he managed to suppress his anger. "Fool! If you like her, shouldn't you at least divorce your brother? You're not doing anything, and you're expecting this beauty to fall into your arms on her own?"
Xie Suzhou was stunned for a moment, frowning slightly, "Sir..."
Wang Lin glared at him and said, "Why don't you take this jade pendant back?"
Steward Chen walked up to him with the jade pendant and muttered softly, "Xie Xiucai, the master is too concerned about you. He speaks hard but is soft-hearted. You must not alienate him."
"Of course not. Your kindness is so great that I cannot repay you in this lifetime. How could I possibly be distracted from him?" Xie Suzhou carefully took the jade pendant, a glint in his eyes. "Sir, I..."
"Go, go, go home and review!" Wang Lin frowned and waved his hands, turning sideways and not looking at him. "If you can't get the third place, I'll show you how I'll deal with you!"
"Yes." Xie Suzhou pursed his lips and smiled faintly, then bowed and retreated obediently.
Only after his figure disappeared did Wang Lin walk to the mahogany chair and sit down, a sigh escaping from his throat.
Manager Chen stepped forward, handed over a cup of hot tea, and patiently advised, "Master, Mr. Xie has a unique vision, and what he said is not wrong. If the little Su you mentioned really has feelings for Mr. Xie, then there is nothing wrong with their marriage."
Wang Lin shook his head and sighed again, "One should marry a virtuous woman, not a pretty one. Haven't you seen Little Su? She's as beautiful as a fairy. How can she be worry-free in such a small village?"
Manager Chen smiled and whispered, "Xie Xiucai is under the care of the master, and he's also Mr. Yan's man. He'll eventually go to the capital. As long as Xie Xiucai works hard, who's to worry about not being able to protect a woman?"
"Whether it's a marriage of equals or a disaster, the outcome is still uncertain. Who can say for sure?" Wang Lin gently lifted the lid of the cup. The hot steam splashed on his face, causing him to squint slightly. "And I always feel that... Suzhou's third brother treats his widowed sister-in-law differently."
"Master! Master, there's a letter for you!"
The servant knocked on the study door and shouted. Wang Lin winked at the person beside him. Manager Chen understood and slowly walked over to open the door. "Give me the letter."
"Master, this is Mr. Yan's handwriting." When Manager Chen saw the words on it, he hurriedly handed the letter over.
Wang Lin tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter inside to take a look: Buy the yard west of the Xie family and keep a close eye on the Su family, this person is suspicious.
"Su...why is she everywhere?" Wang Lin frowned and muttered, "What's so suspicious about a woman?"
-
Xinghua Village
"Still refusing to tell?"
Xie Ming lowered his eyes, raised Cui Yong's chin with the tip of his gun, and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his lips, "It seems that the suffering you have endured is not enough."
Cui Yong spat on the ground, his face drooping and his whole body emitting a burnt smell. "Use whatever you can. But you think of using my life and the lives of my brothers to fight for fame and fortune? Stop dreaming!"
Xie Ming sneered, a cruel look flashing in his eyes, "In that case, go down and reunite with those brothers."
After saying that, he flipped his wrist, and the spear tip rolled out and stabbed Cui Yong in the face.
"etc."
Xie Ming paused, looking back towards the west room. Seeing Su Cheng staggering out, his brows furrowed. He immediately walked over and held her arm. "Sister-in-law twisted her ankle. Why are you still walking around?"
"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious. Go rest aside." Su Cheng handed him the teacup in his hand, a faint smile on his lips, "I'll interrogate him."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
