Chapter 587: Proposing a marriage is like asking for a soul, why are you in such a hurry?!
At the Cao family's side, Cao Dejiang was leading a few younger generations to have dinner.
Because of the changes in the palace, Cao Dejiang called several children in the mansion over, including Fu Laiqing. They talked about court affairs at the table, and the female members of the Cao family went elsewhere.
Just as they were finishing their meal, a servant came in and said that Xiao Yan had arrived.
Fu Laiqing: "Uncle, what is Xiao Yan doing here?"
What else can I do?
Cao Dejiang couldn't help but roll his eyelids. He asked this kid to come over in the afternoon in the morning, and he really came to see him at noon on time, not wanting to delay for a moment.
Proposing a marriage is like asking for a soul to marry. Why are you in such a hurry?!
Cao Dejiang seemed to be complaining, but he actually said, "Go and ask him to come in."
As the servant went out to fetch the others, Cao Dejiang looked at Fu Laiqing and scolded him, "Xiao Yan has been conferred the title of Duke. His rank is much higher than both this old man and your grandfather. From now on, stop addressing him by his first name."
"knew."
Fu Laiqing agreed and just as he was about to reach out to pick up the meat, he was suddenly hit by a chopstick.
Cao Dejiang scolded him lightly: "What are you still eating? Didn't you hear that the guests were coming? Why didn't you go and greet them?"
Fu Laiqing: "...It's not his first time here..."
Cao Dejiang stared.
Fu Laiqing put down his chopsticks in frustration and stood up to go out to greet someone. Seeing this, the eldest son of the Cao family couldn't help but say, "Father, although Xiao Yan has been granted the title of Duke Dingguo and holds a high position, he has no connection to our Cao family. Why should Aqing please him?"
"Yes, grandfather, we don't need anything from him, so why should you be so attentive? After all, you have helped Xiao Yan before, so why does he need our cousin to pick him up when he comes to visit?" The second grandson of the second house also spoke.
Although Fu Laiqing is a descendant of the Fu family, he grew up in the Cao family because of the relationship with Old Madam Fu and his parents' unreliable nature. He is very close to several of his uncles and brothers in the Cao family. When they saw that Cao Dejiang actually asked Fu Laiqing to pick up Xiao Yan in person, they were a little puzzled.
Cao Dejiang glanced at them and said, "Who told you that the Cao family has nothing to do with him?"
The Cao family members were all stunned.
Cao Dejiang said, "You should have heard about the imperial court's plan to hold a special imperial examination. You should know how much Xiao Yan contributed to this. If the aristocratic families had not been suppressed by him, those scholars from humble backgrounds and those of you who came from noble families would have found it difficult to gain prominence in the court."
"Besides, Xiao Yan is inherently upright, able to distinguish between good and evil. His vision and heart are superior to yours in every way. Even if he isn't Duke Dingguo, you should still respect him for what he has done for the people of the South."
After saying this, Cao Dejiang looked at Cao Jia Silang who had just spoken:
"Also, I did stand up for Xiao Yan that night at the palace banquet, but it was for the future of our Cao family and those court officials from humble backgrounds. Who told you that Xiao Yan owed me?"
"Even if I truly did help him, that's no reason for you to treat him with disrespect. He's older than you, more prestigious, and a powerful official at court. How capable are you of competing with him? Furthermore, using favors to gain power over others is ungentlemanly. Where's your upbringing?"
Cao Jia Silang: "Grandfather..."
He met Cao Dejiang's stern gaze and lowered his head: "I was wrong."
Cao Dejiang said calmly, "Go copy the gentleman's advice five times and give it to your father tomorrow."
Cao Jia Silang: "Yes, grandfather."
When Fu Laiqing led Xiao Yan in from the outside, he noticed that the atmosphere in the dining room was a little off. A puzzled look appeared on his face: "Uncle, what's wrong with you guys?"
"nothing."
Cao Dejiang replied.
Several younger generations of the Cao family nearby turned respectfully towards Xiao Yan and said, "Greetings, Duke Dingguo."
Xiao Yan laughed, "I came to see Lord Cao about something, and didn't mean to disturb your meal. Lord Cao and the other gentlemen, there's no need to be so polite."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Cao Dejiang and said, "Lord Cao, why don't I go wait for you outside?"
"Waiting for what?"
Cao Dejiang said, "You haven't eaten yet since you came here at this hour. Let's stay and eat together. After we finish eating, take Aqing to the Fu family." Without waiting for Xiao Yan's reply, he said, "Go get some more bowls and chopsticks for Duke Dingguo."
Someone nearby immediately moved, and Cao Dejiang waved towards Xiao Yan, "Come and sit down."
Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh when he saw how familiar he was with him. But after seeing that the Cao family members had already made way, he walked over and said, "Forgive me for bothering you."
Cao Dejiang glanced at him and said, "Don't be so pretentious. When have you ever been polite?"
Xiao Yan laughed out loud.
Cao Dejiang then said to the others, "Please sit down."
The maid from the outer room brought in more bowls and chopsticks, and the eldest son of the Cao family ordered people to add a few more new dishes. When the table started to eat again, the Cao family members looked at Xiao Yan with some restraint, which made Fu Laiqing, who didn't think much of it at first, eat less happily.
Xiao Yan seemed to notice the tension at the table, so he took the initiative to speak and ease the atmosphere: "I saw the Ministry of Revenue's transfer order earlier. Mr. Cao wants to leave the capital?"
Cao Wenyun, the eldest son of the first wife, whispered back, "The capital is too comfortable, and I'm still young. It would be hard to get a transfer if I stayed there. I heard from my grandfather that serving in the provinces is more challenging, so I thought I'd give it a try. It would both give me some experience and broaden my horizons."
Xiao Yan said, "It's a good idea. The capital has been a bit unstable these past two years. It would be better to go to the countryside. Have you chosen a place?"
Cao Wenyun said: "It has been chosen, go to Shezhou."
Xiao Yan looked surprised and turned to look at Cao Dejiang.
Cao Dejiang said, "Since he's going there to gain experience, other places are ultimately too comfortable. He's a descendant of the Cao family, and after leaving the capital, he already has more confidence than others. Ordinary places simply won't allow him to experience the things that go on in the officialdom."
"Shezhou has been in chaos for a long time. After this purge, there will be a lot of vacancies. Many wealthy people there are coveting power. Sending him there will be a good opportunity for him to witness the tricks of the officialdom."
Xiao Yan understood what Cao Dejiang meant when he heard this.
With a grandfather who was in charge of the Censorate and a father who held considerable power, even if the descendants of the Cao family went out of the capital to gain experience, ordinary local officials would not dare to make things difficult for them easily. Even if something really happened, they would probably just brush it off to avoid offending the Cao family in the capital.
If you just want to go out and "gild your resume", there's nothing wrong with that. Staying anywhere for two years and then returning to the capital can be considered as experience.
However, Cao Dejiang wanted to train his descendants, let them experience the cruelty of officialdom, temper their character and learn some methods of being an official. No other place was as suitable as Shezhou.
Shezhou is located in the Jiangnan area. Even though it suffered terrible floods back then, it has long since returned to its former prosperity after so many years of recuperation.
The official positions there have always been lucrative ones, and those in office can make a fortune just by stretching their hands a little, so people in the court or the local areas will not watch such benefits being given to others.
Even if Dalang from the Cao family went there, no one would give in to him because of the Cao family.
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