Intend
"Catching a son-in-law from the list?"
Song Mingyue stood there in a daze, casting a surprised look at Cui Jianchun. "But this is a good place. There's no place like home in the capital where we can't find one. Why did Second Aunt make such a big fuss and go to the Ministry of Rites to get married?"
"Because Mother said..."
Cui Jianchun looked at the puzzled looks of her three sisters-in-law, then lowered her head again and replied in a low voice, "The emperor's new policy this year aims to break the impasse of poor and isolated people who have been unable to get an official position for ten years. He will promote those from humble backgrounds who are within the top three, demonstrating the emperor's appreciation of talent. So, upon hearing the news, all the prominent families in Bianjing have gone to the Ministry of Rites. I'm also of marriageable age, so naturally, my mother wants to make a move for me."
But, is what Cui Jianchun said really true?
Zheng was secretly puzzled.
Strange, truly bizarre. What's going on this year? Is it all the rage to rob a son-in-law from the list? The Yi family wants one, the Cui family wants one too. But there are only three people in the first division. If everyone goes after it, all wanting the top spot, then the top scholar won't be able to split himself up. Wouldn't that just make him lose his head...
I have never heard of such a thing before.
Zheng always felt that there were complicated issues going on, and that it was more complicated than it seemed on the surface.
But Song Mingyue believed Cui Jianchun's words. "So that's how it is. If you're so highly valued by the government, then Second Aunt should go. I thought it was something else."
"Just... these things..." Cui Jianchun smiled awkwardly. Seeing that Song Mingyue hadn't said anything further, she clutched her palm and stood up, about to leave Cangyun Pavilion. "Sister-in-law Zhichou, are you done with your questions? If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
Hearing this, Song Mingyue refused to let him go. She stood up and said, "Wait a minute."
"Sister-in-law Zhi Chou, what are you doing? I have already told you everything I need to say." Cui Jianchun stood under the pavilion embarrassedly. She didn't want to stay with them any longer, as if if she stayed for another second, Cui Jianchun's soul would be shattered.
"Chun'er, didn't you say you wanted to go and take a look? We just happen to have nothing to do--" Song Mingyue said as she looked up at Cang Yi.
Cang Yi said, "Don't look at me. I'm going to Fushou Pavilion to serve the old lady later."
"Second sister-in-law, what about you?" Song Mingyue turned her gaze to the thoughtful Taishi Zheng. Zheng looked up expressionlessly. Why wouldn't she join in the fun? If she didn't join in the fun, why would she still call her Taishi Zheng? Seeing her nod, she immediately agreed: "I'll ask someone to harness the carriage right away."
But seeing these words, Cui Jianchun was so frightened that he responded dumbly: "Ah? No, that's not necessary..."
-
Meanwhile, on the other side of the carriage heading to the Ministry of Rites, Cui Bin looked at Chu Fanghua, who was sitting in the middle with a calm expression, and couldn't help but ask, "Is this matter of recruiting a son-in-law from the list really instructed by the Queen Mother? But why did the Queen Mother let us go for no reason..."
Cui Bin wanted to say something, but he didn't dare to say it out loud.
He himself has no ability, and the second house has been supported by Chu Fanghua for so many years, so he usually keeps his distance from her.
If Chu Fanghua hadn't dragged him along today, Cui Bin would never have gotten involved in these matters. He was the kind of person who wouldn't care even if the sky fell.
Chu Fanghua stood up straight, glanced at her disappointing husband, and cursed: "Think about it with your stupid brain. How dare I falsely convey the Queen Mother's intention? Do you want to die? Or do I want to die?"
When Cui Bin heard this, his face tightened. "Hey, can you please speak properly?"
Chu Fanghua was used to calling the shots, so she didn't care about Cui Bin's feelings. She turned her head and spoke again. "The empress will be appointed soon. Look at those noble ladies on the list. It's really just a game between the Chu and Sikou families. The others are just there for show. But if a fight really came to a head, our Chu family's foundation is weak. Even if we have relatives serving in the court, they're only honorary positions. Plus, Concubine Xian is close to Jia Shuyi, so the Sikou family has the support of the Yi family."
"Second Brother Cui, do you know that the Yi family is also looking for a husband for his daughter today?"
Our Chu family...bah.
Cui Yu curled his lips. It was really thanks to Chu Fanghua that he had this relative and had been so arrogant in front of him for all these years.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Chu Fanghua spoke to himself, "Do you also think that the Yi family's attempt to find a son-in-law this time is really that simple? Actually, it's not like that. They appear to be trying to find a son-in-law for their daughter, but in reality, they are secretly accumulating power for their own family and lending strength to the Sikou family. In this way, they can use the power of the two families to push Jia Shuyi to the throne. If they are allowed to hold too much power in the future, the Queen Mother's position in the palace will be in jeopardy! So what the Queen Mother wants us to do now is to give the Chu family more power and more opportunities to compete with them. To reverse our passive situation."
Chu Fanghua's explanation was coherent, but Cui Bin was puzzled. "What do these things you said have to do with us? Could it be that the Queen Mother wants us to compete with the Yi family for a son-in-law? I can't afford to offend that old man in the Yi family. If you want me to compete with him - stop the car, I'll get out now."
Cui Bin is just like this.
All he wants in this life is to eat, drink, have fun, and waste his time. If he is asked to participate in such things, he will not agree at all.
But Chu Fanghua has plenty of ways to deal with him.
The coachman stopped the horses. Chu Fanghua stared at Cui Bin's fleeing figure and said slowly, "If you dare to get off the carriage today, I will sell all the concubines in the room, including Wu, tomorrow."
Wu, Cui Zhisong's biological mother.
Cui Bin narrowed his eyes. When Chu Fanghua mentioned Wu Meizi, he still had to think about it before deciding whether to go or stay.
Cui Bin sat down again, but he was farther away from Chu Fanghua.
Chu Fanghua looked at Cui Bin and put his hand on him. Suddenly, he asked in a deep voice, "Fool, are you still stubborn and unwilling to change your ways? Are you still unaware of your situation?"
Cui Bin rolled his eyes at the people behind him and immediately retorted, "Situation? What situation am I in? I'm fine! Chu Fanghua, I think you're the one who's stubborn and reckless. All day long, you're wasting your time, always trying to stir up trouble and fight with the eldest wife. The Bo Mansion is ruled by my eldest brother and his wife, can't we just take care of our own lives? Why do you have to get involved in those power struggles? Go ahead, do it, I bet you, sooner or later, you'll regret it."
Although Cui Bin is idle, he is self-aware.
But Chu Fanghua was completely different. She had always been proud and arrogant, never wanting to be left behind in everything she did, but fate had always kept her from falling behind. So Chu Fanghua had been holding back on her anger, and today she had to let it out.
"Regret? Cui Bin, you are so heartless."
"Who do you think I'm doing all this for? Isn't it all for you, for this family? If the men in the family weren't weak, what woman would be willing to be as strong as me? I'm telling you today, the old lady is ill, and this house will be divided sooner or later. The eldest son has the title, fame, wealth, everything, and even the children are striving for success."
"But what about us? We thought that marrying into the Prince's Mansion would make our lives better."
"What's the result? Your wife is amazing, but Cui Zhilin is just as unimpressive as you. So, have you ever thought about how we'll survive after the family splits up? Will we rely on you, a lowly official in the Ministry of Examination, or on your sons who are even worse than you?"
"You said, if we don't rely on the Queen Mother and the Chu family in the future, who else can we rely on? Today, all the families close to the Queen Mother have sent people out to find a son-in-law, just to gain face in front of the Queen Mother and to fight for a worry-free future. So, Cui Laoer, I don't care what kind of son you catch today, even if you catch second or third place, you have to bring one back to me. If not for yourself, you have to think about our family."
Chu Fanghua criticized Cui Bin in a crying voice, saying that he was worthless, and Cui Bin felt ashamed.
But the two of them talked about it all for face, fame, and wealth, these intangible things. No one ever said that it was for Cui Jianchun's happiness. Cui Bin turned his head, glanced at Chu Fanghua, frowned and said in a loud voice: "Go, go, I'll go! Let's go, let's go——"
-
The elder's carriage went farther and farther away towards the Ministry of Rites, while the younger generation's carriage also slowly started from the gate of the Earl's Mansion.
Inside the carriage, Song Mingyue and Taishi Zheng supported Cui Jianchun, one on each side, until they sat upright. Cui Jianchun sat stiffly in the middle, seeming to want to speak but stopping herself several times. At that moment, every part of her body was stiff. She felt that even the stone lions at the gate of the Bo Mansion wouldn't be as stiff as she was.
But since he couldn't open his mouth, Cui Jianchun just let himself go.
She wants the Ministry of Rites...
It should be here soon.
-
When the three of them arrived, there was a lot of noise outside the car window.
Outside the Ministry of Rites, the golden list was jammed with people who had come to see the list, to find a son-in-law, or to join in the fun. Chu Fanghua and the others were nowhere to be found. When Cui Jianchun saw the carriage stop, he quickly broke free from his two sisters-in-law and slipped out of the carriage alone.
However, once I got off the carriage, I was met with a sea of people. Everywhere I looked, I saw countless heads.
But even so, there are still people riding horses here.
The crowd moved quickly, and before Cui Jianchun could even breathe a sigh of relief in front of the carriage, he was thrown over by the moving crowd, losing his balance and falling forward. Then the sound of horse hooves approached, and Song Mingyue happened to be leaning out, and she couldn't help but exclaimed, "Oh my God. Chun'er, be careful—"
At that time, the young man in brocade clothes who was riding a horse on the street suddenly reined in his horse, leaned over slightly and grabbed Cui Jianchun's arm.
Cui Jianchun was suspended in an instant, the horse's panting could not cover the sound of her frantic heartbeat.
Cui Jianchun looked up in panic. Under the sunlight, a face shone brighter than the sun. His eyes and brows were as clear and pure as a mountain stream. Cui Jianchun heard the young man say, "Young lady, I scared you. I'm sorry."
Cui Jianchun was still in shock, staring at the boy's face, completely unable to answer.
At this time, Zheng got out of the car upon hearing the news. When she saw the scene outside, she called out in surprise, "Old Five?"
Didn’t this guy even fail the provincial exam?
What is he doing here...
He was dressed in a red brocade dress, looking like a top scholar! What was he trying to do—oh, something was not right, why was Chun'er's face so red!
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