Liao Lingxi didn't care whether his father took a concubine or not, after all, he was his father's only son, but he cared about Wade.
Previously, the old stubborn man in Yongding Marquis's Mansion forced his father to sever the teacher-student relationship with him.
Before today's appointment, his father told him that he had the opportunity to become Wade's protégé.
Seeing Wade stand up and leave, Liao Lingxi shouted anxiously: "Sir, didn't you say before that you would still test our policy proposals?"
However, Wade felt deceived by Hao Ren at this moment, and he also felt disgusted with Liao Lingxi. "Your study of the classics is nothing but rote memorization and nonsense. You have such limited talent, but you are not diligent and studious. You only know how to take shortcuts. If you become an official in the future, you will definitely become a sycophant!"
After saying that, he waved his sleeves and left.
Seeing that Hao Ren had angered Wade, the other officials and scholars also stood up and left.
Liao Lingxi was scolded so badly that he felt dizzy.
Not only did he fail to become the Minister of Personnel's disciple, but he was also branded as an unlearned and clinging person! His career path seemed bleak.
After everyone left, the servants tiptoed out of the banquet. The cups and plates on the table were scattered and in a mess. Only Hao Ren and Liao Lingxi, father and son, were left.
Liao Lingxi couldn't contain his rage and angrily demanded, "Father, what should I do? If Minister Wei's comments today get out, how can I prevent the students at Bailu Academy from pointing fingers at me? In the future, when others mention me in official circles, they will undoubtedly recall Minister Wei's comments."
Hao Ren had a splitting headache at this moment. Liao Lingxi was his only blood relative and had high hopes for him. Naturally, he didn't want to see his son's future ruined.
However, the news that Jiang Shu had taken a concubine had become a hot topic and was known to everyone, and Xia Zhiyu's identity was extremely sensitive and could not be handled easily. It seemed that Wade was powerless to reverse the situation.
Hao Ren had never been a standout in the officialdom, and at this moment, he could only think of the strategies he had used in the past. "Your father will find another way for you, to choose a marriage that will benefit your career, and find an in-law who can lend a hand to you."
"Father, I long for Jiang Songyi."
When Liao Lingxi thought of Jiang Songyi's stunning appearance, greed involuntarily flashed in his eyes.
He had long known that Jiang Songyi was not his biological sister. As she grew more and more beautiful and charming, his possessive desire for her became stronger and stronger. Unfortunately, Jiang Songyi cleverly escaped every time and now she was hiding in the iron wall of Yongding Marquis Mansion.
Liao Lingxi thought that in the capital, apart from the royal family, there was no family more prominent than the Yongding Marquisate. "If I could become Jiang Dinglian's son-in-law, he would definitely support me strongly, wouldn't he?"
However, Hao Ren's face darkened after hearing this, "Ling Xi, be careful with your words!"
"After all, you and Jiang Songyi were once siblings. If you marry her, it will surely attract widespread criticism and damage your reputation. Furthermore, although the Marquis of Yongding has made outstanding contributions, his excessive power will inevitably be feared. Sooner or later, the Marquisate will decline. Jiang Songyi, she is not worthy of you!"
After hearing this, Liao Lingxi smiled bitterly, "Father is absolutely right."
When the Yongding Marquisate fell from glory and into decline, Jiang Songyi lost her solid backing. At that time, he raised her as a concubine, just for his own amusement and entertainment, and no one could interfere.
Hao Ren said in a deep voice, "The one I've chosen for you is Sang Wenyin, the daughter of Hanlin scholar Sang Hao. Only Hanlin scholars can join the cabinet. If you can marry Sang Wenyin, your career will be smooth sailing."
Liao Lingxi felt a surge of passion in his heart when he heard this. "However, Father, I once heard Yuyao mention that the eldest daughter of the Sang family seems to be discussing a marriage with Jiang Jinzhao?"
Hao Ren said in a cold tone, "It's just a preliminary discussion, and no engagement has been made yet. Even if there is an engagement, it may not be impossible to change it. Since the Yongding Marquis's Mansion caused Yu Yao to lose her position as the Fourth Prince's principal wife, then let their eldest grandson's marriage be used as compensation!"
Liao Lingxi had already scoffed at Jiang Jinzhao's arrogant attitude back in the academy, and the thought of snatching his fiancée filled him with ecstasy. But his reason quickly took over. "But, Father, given my current status, will the Sang family be willing to marry their eldest daughter to me? Mother is still imprisoned, and I'm afraid the reputation of being the son of a prisoner will affect my chances of passing the imperial examination."
Hao Ren's eyes were penetrating. "Master Sang has only one daughter, and he dotes on her. As long as she's willing, any parental orders or matchmaker's words are no longer obstacles. Ling Xi, the key lies in how cleverly you use your mind. Your mother's affairs are under surveillance by the Marquis's Mansion, so I can't easily intervene. I can only rely on your sister to leverage the Fourth Prince's influence to resolve the matter."
…
The news that the Duke of Protectorate actually took a concubine spread throughout Kyoto like a spring breeze.
Hao Ren was worried that Minister Wei would impeach him for favoring his concubine over his wife, so he did not return to the Duke's Mansion that day, but went directly to the Yongding Marquis' Mansion.
However, the doorman of the Marquis's Mansion stopped him outside the door.
The doorman said loudly, "The Duke has taken in a new concubine today. Our aunt has instructed that you stay with your cousin and not disturb her pregnancy."
In the bustling city, upon seeing the crowds surging in front of the mansion, Hao Ren unhesitatingly lifted the corner of his robe, knelt on both knees, and pleaded earnestly, "I must see my wife today. If you refuse to see me, I will kneel forever."
Gradually, more and more people gathered on both sides of the street, watching the scene.
"What kind of drama is going on at the Duke of Huguo's Mansion? They just took in a concubine, and now they're kneeling and begging to see the original wife?"
"The Duke and Duchess of the Protectorate have always been deeply in love. I believe there must have been some misunderstanding. I am now seeking your forgiveness."
"The Duke has humbled himself and knelt down to ask for an audience, which shows that he regards his wife as a treasure."
After hearing this, Jiang Yuyao hurried to comfort Jiang Shu, but seeing that Hao Ren was determined not to get up, she picked up her skirt and hurried to the gate of the mansion.
Jiang Songyi couldn't help but be curious and went to watch this farce.
At this moment, Jiang Dinglian happened to return home. He had already heard about the scandal of Hao Ren taking a concubine. As soon as he got off his horse, he saw Hao Ren and kicked him in anger.
"father!"
Jiang Yuyao was extremely anxious and rushed over, almost tripping over the threshold.
Jiang Songyi stood at the side of the gate and watched coldly.
Jiang Yuyao's cry of "Dad" was so abrupt that it was hard to tell whether she was calling Jiang Dinglian or Hao Ren.
Although Jiang Dinglian had already learned Jiang Yuyao's true origins from Old Madam Jiang, he still felt a pang of pain when he heard her call. After all, among all the children of the Xu family, Jiang Yuyao was his favorite. From childhood to adulthood, he had beaten naughty boys with his stick, but Yuyao was the only one he could not bear to hit.
Hao Ren himself was stunned by Jiang Yuyao's call of "Dad", but then he thought that the people in Yongding Marquis' Mansion didn't know that he was Jiang Yuyao's biological father. Being called "Dad" by his daughter in front of Jiang Dinglian, he couldn't help but feel an indescribable pleasure in his heart.
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