As soon as Zhao Qingyi finished speaking, her aunt slapped her on the head in anger.
"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Who's discriminating against scholars?"
Is that how it works? It means, what if you're unhappy after marriage?
Zhao Qingyi felt wronged after being beaten by her own mother.
He shifted his body and sidled up to Zhao Qingyan.
"What's there to be afraid of? It's just him and his father in his family. Unless his father remarries, I'll be the one in charge."
We will sign an agreement before we get married. If she dares to take a concubine or if we don't get along, we will divorce. If we have children, the children will stay with me.
This agreement was kept at home when I got married.
No matter what position he holds, with an agreement, I can walk away unscathed.
I'll practice martial arts diligently, hoping to take him down with a single punch. Dare to mess with me? Hmph!
The women of the Zhao family were utterly speechless. They silently mourned for Wang Huaijing; what kind of little devil had he chosen?
"Zhao Qingyan, you are never allowed to let your sister read those messy books again, understand?" Huang said angrily.
Zhao Qingyan nodded like a little quail.
Seeing the two little quails bumping heads together after being yelled at was particularly comical, and Huang was the first to burst into laughter.
Soon on the day of the Wang family's banquet, Zhao Qianci led all the male members of the Zhao family to present gifts.
Three whole sheep, 50 catties of beef, 10 catties of seedless dried chili peppers, and a variety of vegetables. Two sets of fine writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and six bolts of silk.
They also brought along four cooks to help.
Scholar Wang had been waiting for the Zhao family to arrive early in the morning, not for their gifts, but for their cook.
Although they had hired a chef, the Zhao family's chef was truly skilled, especially in making spicy dishes, the taste of which was absolutely unforgettable.
Upon seeing the Zhao family, Scholar Wang felt relieved.
They warmly invited the Zhao family to come inside for tea and a rest.
Ever since his private conversation with Zhao Qingyi, Wang Huaijing has automatically assumed the role of Zhao's son-in-law, treating the Zhao family members with exceptional hospitality.
Many guests came to the Wang family's house, including many of the uncle and nephew's classmates, as well as local gentry.
Scholars who have passed the imperial examinations are a rare sight, so we must curry favor with them.
Now, making friends with them can also create a lasting bond. Gifts exchanged are mostly gold and silver items.
Some people with ulterior motives brought their daughters along. If they couldn't marry Wang Huaijing as his principal wife, then marrying Wang Juren as a concubine was also an option.
Naturally, Wang Huaijing was the primary target, and several of his classmates brought their younger sisters with them.
"Brother Huaijing, congratulations!"
I had heard long ago that you, Huaijing, had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. I went to your house a few days ago to congratulate you, and your uncle said that you had gone out with your uncle.
My uncle told me it was a wedding banquet today, so I came uninvited.
Brother Huaijing, please don't take it to heart.
Come, Xianghe, this is Huaijing, whom I often mention to you.
He's certainly worthy of being described as dashing and debonair. Haha, you didn't believe me when I told you before.
"Xianghe greets Brother Huaijing," Pang Qingwen said.
Pang Xianghe greeted him in a sweet and gentle voice, striking what she considered her most charming pose and revealing her swan-like neck.
Seeing this, Qiao Chuxi, who had also brought her younger sister, became anxious.
"Chuyun, come here and greet Brother Huaijing." Qiao Chuxi said, calling over her younger sister.
"My younger sister is 15 years old this year. She is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy and painting. My father regrets that Chuyun was not born a boy, otherwise she would have already become a scholar."
When Wang Huaijing saw that his classmates had all brought their younger sisters, he quickly greeted them politely but distantly.
Then, consciously stepping back to avoid running into the girls,
In order to emphasize his closeness with Wang Huaijing, Pang Qingwen said,
"Brother Huaijing, where did you go the past few days? Did you go to thank your teacher?"
Wang Huaijing pondered the specific time for a moment, then smiled and said...
“The day after my uncle and I returned, we went to our mentor’s place. The day you went to my house, I went to my fiancée’s house.”
"What?" came the voices in unison, and quite abruptly.
"Brother Huaijing, when did you get engaged? How come I didn't know?"
Pang Qingwen felt as if this was a dull thud, smashing his head and his heart.
I didn't see Xianghe, the girl, was on the verge of tears.
Qiao Chuxi over there also looked very eager to know the details.
Everyone else pricked up their ears, waiting to hear the gossip.
"Hehe, yes, that day was when I went to my fiancée's house."
We've known each other for a long time, but due to some things, things haven't been settled yet.
I also happened to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, so while sharing the good news, I also arranged my marriage.
Pang Qingwen was very unwilling. If you had someone you liked, why didn't you say so earlier?
Wang Huajing: You didn't ask either.
"The girl that Brother Huaijing has taken a liking to must be extraordinary. I wonder what her family does for a living?"
Pang Qingwen asked.
Wang Huaijing smiled.
"She is naturally extraordinary. She can write poetry and is well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics. She can also wield a knife and take down several strong men without any problem."
They were skilled in needlework and cooking; they came from a family of scholars and farmers, and someone in their family had already achieved the rank of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations).
"Everyone, come and sit over here, don't just stand."
Wang Huaijing's words really piqued the interest of his classmates.
Everyone thought to themselves,
"A woman who can wield a knife can also be proficient in the Four Books and Five Classics? Who are you kidding? Where can you find such a perfect girl?"
Wang Huaijing: My Qingyi is both scholarly and martial.
Of course, Zhao Qingyi didn't tell him directly that she practiced martial arts, but Zhao Qingyi was dressed in full martial arts attire, with wrist guards on her wrists, clearly indicating that she was a martial arts practitioner.
Wang Huaijing automatically disassembled it into Zhao Qingyi knowing martial arts.
And just like that, by sheer luck, he got it right and then showed it off.
Because of his boasting today, Wang Huaijing's fiancée's reputation as a shrew has spread.
Finally, it evolved into the story of Wang Huaijing, a newly appointed scholar who passed the imperial examinations, whose fiancée was seven feet tall, broad-shouldered, and strong, and who could lift a 200-pound wild boar with one hand.
He once killed a large tiger with his bare hands, making him a true Mighty Warrior.
Wang Huaijing's classmate brought his younger sister to meet him, which was still done discreetly. When he heard that the man already had a fiancée, he stopped arguing and tried to save face.
But Wang, the scholar, was different; he was very direct.
"Sir Wang, this is my daughter, sixteen years old. She is skilled in needlework, and her soup-making is exceptional. She also has a great love for literature."
"Wouldn't it be better if the scholar stayed, and she became his concubine, keeping him company and adding fragrance to his life?"
Wang, the scholar, was stunned. He looked at the fat, greasy old man in front of him, and then at the thin, frail little girl who looked like a chick. To be a concubine?
He felt as if thunder had struck him.
He quickly declined, saying, "Master Zhang, I can't bear to part with this."
Your daughter is of noble birth and has a bright future; she will surely marry a wonderful husband.
I am already a married man, and I once made a vow before Buddha that I would only have one wife in this life, or else I would be struck by lightning.
I made a solemn vow and dare not break it. I urge Master Zhang to choose another suitable son-in-law.
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