Chapter 433 Don't let her suffer any injustice
In the spacious hall, pear wood tables and chairs gleamed with a bright luster, and a light-colored landscape painting hung on the wall. Without excessive or elaborate decorations, the wood grain and ink tones exuded the unique nobility of a distinguished family residence.
Chang Linzhi, his heart pounding, slowly sipped his tea, trying to appear calm to hide his nervousness. About fifteen minutes later, Xia He entered, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency has some free time. Young Master Chang, please come with me."
Chang Linzhi immediately put down his teacup and followed Xia He out of the hall. As soon as they stepped outside, they saw a young man in brocade robes walking towards them. Xia He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master."
The Chang family and the Marquis of Anyuan's residence were distant relatives, so Chang Linzhi naturally recognized Lu Shaocheng and hurriedly followed suit with a bow. Lu Shaocheng's gaze merely swept over him casually, and he nodded slightly before walking straight past. Chang Linzhi did not feel slighted. Although the two families were related, they were distant relatives separated by several generations. Given the disparity in their status, Lu Shaocheng's attitude was not considered impolite.
What truly surprised him was that Lu Shaocheng, as the future heir of the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion, was personally visiting the Duke of Chu's study to discuss matters with him, rather than the Duke of Chu visiting the Marquis's mansion. Even if Lu Shaocheng had already inherited the title, if the Duke of Chu needed to rely on the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion, he would still have to lower his stance before them. But judging from the current situation, the Duke of Chu was clearly not in a subservient position in the interactions between the two mansions. Thinking this, Chang Linzhi's heart tightened even more.
At this moment, Xia He walked towards the study, and Chang Linzhi hurriedly followed. When they reached the door, Xia He announced, "Lord Duke, Young Master Chang has arrived."
A deep female voice immediately came from inside the room: "Please come in."
Xia He gestured for him to enter, and Chang Linzhi wanted to straighten his robes, but ultimately held back. He took a breath and stepped inside. A faint scent of sandalwood wafted into his nostrils. Before bowing, he quickly glanced around the spacious and bright study: dark brown sandalwood bookshelves stood against the wall, filled with books as numerous as stars in the sky, giving the room a sense of both weight and elegance.
His gaze fell upon the large desk, where he saw a woman dressed in a dark blue robe, her head bowed as she diligently wrote. He dared not look any longer and quickly stepped forward to bow: "Chang Jialin greets the Duke of Chu."
Hearing the voice, Jiang Yu stopped writing after finishing a paragraph, then looked up at Chang Linzhi, who was bowing. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before she said calmly, "No need for formalities."
Chang Linzhi straightened up, but still dared not look up at Jiang Yu's face. Jiang Yu got up and walked to the tea table by the window and sat down, saying, "Young Master Chang, please sit down as well."
Chang Linzhi carefully took his seat opposite him. After Xia He had brewed tea for the two of them, Jiang Yu waved for her to leave, raised his hand to indicate "please have some tea," and then picked up his teacup and took a small sip, asking in a calm tone, "Does Young Master Chang have any official rank?"
Chang Linzhi quickly put down his teacup and sat up straight: "I passed the preliminary examination, but I failed the county-level examination twice."
As a businessman, he had always thought that passing the preliminary imperial examination was a sign of some learning, but now, saying it aloud, he felt only shame. However, Jiang Yu showed no change in expression and asked, "What does Young Master Chang usually do?"
...
The two engaged in a question-and-answer session, with Jiang Yu maintaining a friendly demeanor while Chang Linzhi remained respectful throughout. After more than a dozen rounds of questions and answers, Jiang Yu slowly said, "Although my younger sister is born out of wedlock, she was still pampered and spoiled in the household, so she inevitably has a somewhat delicate temperament. She has never lacked for anything in terms of food, clothing, or daily necessities, and the elders have always indulged her wishes. After you two get married, I hope you will be more tolerant and not let her suffer any grievances."
Chang Lin was taken aback. When ordinary people talked about their daughters who were about to be married, they would praise them for being virtuous, kind, and good at managing a household. Why did the Duke of Chu say that Jiang Shan was "spoiled" and "carefree"?
But he was quick-witted and understood after a moment's thought: the Duke of Chu was telling him directly, "My sister has flaws, but that's how she's grown up, and it won't change just because she marries into your family. If you agree to this marriage, she must continue living in the Chang family as if she were still at her parents' home."
He naturally agreed. His mother had already inquired about Jiang Shan's situation; although she wasn't exceptionally outstanding, her character and appearance were quite good. The Duke of Chu's words were simply to ensure Jiang Shan's future comfort.
Whether the Duke of Chu truly values Jiang Shan or is simply protecting all the young ladies in his household in this way, it at least shows that the Duke of Chu's mansion won't abandon Jiang Shan after marrying her off. What the Chang family wants is a marriage alliance with the Duke of Chu's mansion. As long as Jiang Shan isn't overly domineering or ruthless, he will definitely cherish her.
Chang Linzhi quickly bowed and said in an even more sincere tone, "Duke Chu is too kind. Although the Chang family is not as prestigious as the Duke's mansion, we are still quite well-off and would never let the Second Miss suffer any hardship in terms of food, clothing, or daily necessities. Although I am not as learned as a scholar, I understand the principle that husband and wife should cherish each other. After we are married, I will take good care of the Second Miss, be more considerate of her in everything, discuss things with her, and never let her suffer any grievances in the Chang family."
Seeing that he was perceptive and understanding, Jiang Yu smiled faintly and said, "Then I won't keep Young Master Chang any longer."
Chang Linzhi quickly rose, cupped his hands in farewell, and only after Jiang Yu nodded slightly did he cautiously retreat. He only breathed a sigh of relief after stepping out of the courtyard. He hadn't realized it before, but now, reflecting on it, he realized that the questions the Duke of Chu had asked, seemingly ordinary, were actually loaded with hidden meaning. Analyzing those questions together, it turned out they were testing his character, ambition, and the Chang family's traditions.
He broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he had always been upright and honest, and had never done anything like womanizing or harming others. Otherwise, he would have been exposed by those seemingly ordinary questions.
He couldn't help but turn back to look at the courtyard: sandalwood pillars stood in the courtyard, lush bamboo groves, and sunlight streamed down, creating a bright and elegant scene, yet it added a touch of awe to his heart, which had just relaxed.
...
The Chang family mother and son left after a short while. Jiang Shan held her embroidery hoop in her hand, listening to the maid's report: "...Young Master Chang stayed in the Duke's study for more than a quarter of an hour. Although I didn't find out exactly what the Duke and he talked about, judging from Young Master Chang's expression when he left, he seemed to cherish it very much. When Madam Chang came out of the Madam's courtyard, she had a smile on her face, so she must have had a very pleasant conversation with the Madam."
Jiang Shan put down her embroidery hoop, paused for a moment, and then said softly, "I will remember the kindness of the Duke and my mother. I will never cause any trouble for the Duke's mansion again."
This is all she can do now.
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