The Spring Examination was usually held in mid-February, but this year, due to the Emperor's poor health, it was delayed until early March. Changbai and Qiheng set out mid-February. Since his departure, Wang Shi had been burning incense and holding rituals at Taoist temples every day, filling the house with so much smoke that outsiders thought the Sheng Mansion was on fire, nearly attracting the watering party. Every time Minglan went to pay her respects to Wang Shi, her eyes would turn red from the smoke. Sheng Hong initially reprimanded her, saying, "A gentleman does not speak of strange things," but according to reliable information, he had actually secretly paid his respects twice.
This kind of exam lasted for three days, and each session was like torture. Even if you passed, you would still be exhausted. As soon as Qi Heng came out of the exam room, he was carried back horizontally by the servants of the Duke of Qi's Mansion. Changbai bravely walked onto the carriage on his own feet, and was then taken back to rest by Changwu, who was an instructor at the Beijing Guard Martial Arts School. Therefore, the good news arrived earlier than the other candidates. Changbai was ranked fifth in the second class of the Jinshi.
Wang was overjoyed and immediately wanted to set off firecrackers and give out money and rice, but Sheng Hong hurriedly stopped her - Qi Heng had failed the exam.
Lord Qi was fine, as he knew that it was rare for someone like Changbai to pass the exam on the first try. Most candidates passed on their second or third try, and some even took more than ten years to pass. However, Princess Pingning's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
The Qi family had ample connections, and even if they died, they wanted to die with an understanding. The old Duke of Qi consulted the chief examiner this time. The examiner stroked his beard and recited a few sentences, which roughly meant: other candidates kept everything simple in preparation for the spring examination, and shut themselves up to study after the autumn examination. The Qi family, on the other hand, were afraid that Dengzhou would not be lively enough, so they rushed back to the capital to celebrate the New Year, letting Qi Heng drink and attend banquets and see things in a hurry for the past one or two months, which was lively enough. He only had to cram in the last half month. How could he pass the exam?
Princess Pingning was filled with regret. Lord Qi clapped his hands in realization: No wonder the Sheng Mansion was so deserted during the New Year. So that's why! If he had known earlier, he would have let his son celebrate the New Year in Dengzhou. He couldn't help but look at Sheng Hong differently - after all, he was a professional, so he had experience.
A few days later, the Hanlin Academy held another examination, and Changbai was selected as a scholar-official. He remained in the academy and was appointed an editor. He would take up his post after the new year. Along with this news, Changbai's brother's marriage was confirmed. The woman he chose was the second daughter of the head of the Jiangning Hai family. She came from a family of scholars and nobles, with both her father and brother serving as officials in the imperial court. Sheng Hong and Wang Shi reacted to these two events with contrasting reactions.
"It's rare that Brother Bai did well in the exam, but why didn't he get a government post outside the capital instead of suffering in that lonely place called the Hanlin Academy?" Wang cried and complained to Sheng Hong, "Didn't the master say that Brother Bai was brought in by some uncles to pay respects and smooth over their connections, but he only got a low-ranking Shujishi!"
"Women's opinions! What do you know? The Hanlin Academy is so noble, and Brother Bo is still young. If he is sent out, it will be a disgrace!" Sheng Hong was furious when he saw that his hard work was belittled by Wang.
Wang didn't know what was so noble about the Hanlin Academy. She only knew that Hanlin scholars lived a simple and poor life. It was true that they were poor. However, she also knew that Sheng Hong was more knowledgeable than herself in this regard, so she stopped talking. But another thing was even more worrying.
"That's fine. We women don't understand either. But Brother Bo is my son after all. I should be the one to decide on the matter of finding a daughter-in-law. Now the master asked Uncle Geng to propose marriage without even telling me. As her mother, I only now know whose family the daughter-in-law is from! Where does the master put me?" Wang felt even more aggrieved and kept wiping her tears with her head down.
Sheng Hong sat beside the kang, picked up a pea-green painted enamel tea bowl, took a sip, and sneered, "Don't think I don't know, you've taken a fancy to your eldest sister's daughter. If I hadn't taken the initiative, I'm afraid you would have asked your niece to come and live with you this month!"
Wang's intentions were exposed. She simply threw her handkerchief on the kang and stared, "What's wrong with Yun'er? She's well-educated, beautiful, and intelligent. She's also a cousin of Bo'er, and they know each other very well. I think she couldn't be better!"
"Yes! I know him inside and out!" Sheng Hong slammed his tea bowl down on the kang table. "Let's not talk about anything else. My eldest brother-in-law has such a good family background, but his official position is not as high as mine. A few years ago, he was in mourning for his father, and he had several children. The Censorate reported him for taking a concubine during the mourning period, and he was dismissed from office and laid off. Instead of thinking about how to smooth over the relationship and return to the court to fill the vacancy, he spends his days chanting poems and discussing state affairs with ordinary court officials! You want such a relative?"
Wang was filled with shame and indignation, and retorted sarcastically, "Even if Master thinks the Kang family is now ruined, he shouldn't have gone after the Hai family. Their family rules clearly stipulate that descendants can only take concubines if they are forty and childless. Being their daughter-in-law would be perfect, but how can I accept a daughter like this? I heard that after the eldest daughter of the Hai family got married, she always disobeyed her mother-in-law and refused to allow her husband to take a concubine. The Hai family is of high status, and if such a living Buddha is invited into the family, how can Master let me be a mother-in-law!"
Sheng Hong cursed, "Nonsense! If not, how could our family marry into the Hai family? As long as you don't create trouble by inserting people into Brother Bo's room and act like a good mother-in-law, everything will be fine!"
The couple had a big fight and parted on bad terms.
Wang was very unwilling, so she went to Old Madam Sheng crying and asked her to make the decision for her.
Old Madam Sheng half-reclined on the couch, eyes slightly closed. After listening to Wang's sobbing, she gently patted her back and sighed, "Master, you're not one to believe in rumors. So, what's the current situation of the Kang family? Although the Kang family and my family are related by marriage, they are ultimately not as important as Brother Bo's future. Madam, please be cautious."
Wang knew that although Old Madam Sheng looked indifferent, she actually understood everything. Furthermore, she was dizzy from crying, so she just laid it all out: "...My eldest brother-in-law is so disappointing. Now, my sister has more than a dozen illegitimate sons and daughters. I don't know what kind of scumbag women are giving birth here and there, filling the whole house! Every one of them needs my sister's care. Those who marry need betrothal gifts, and those who marry need dowries. My brother-in-law is only good at being an official but not at making money. I don't know how much of my sister's dowry will be lost. If my sister refuses, those uncles in the family who only eat and do nothing will say that my sister is unvirtuous! I'm afraid the Kang family is now an empty shell. Fortunately, my sister's son is quite promising. A few years ago, he was appointed as the head of the Ministry of Rites. As a younger sister, I have to help out a little. Besides, the Kang family's status is not a disgrace to our family."
Old Madam Sheng watched the smoke from a floral-patterned gold incense burner wafting everywhere and sighed softly, "Madam, you're well-intentioned, but let me be frank: sisters, no matter how close they are, can never be closer than their sons! Sigh... I'm a mother-in-law too, and I understand Madam's feelings. You're just worried that the Hai family will become too powerful and won't be able to control your daughter-in-law in the future, hmm?"
When Old Lady Sheng's clear and sharp eyes swept over, Wang felt guilty. In fact, her relationship with her elder sister was not very good. They had quarreled in the boudoir in the past. But later, the Sheng family and the Kang family grew stronger and weaker, and the situation changed. Her elder sister often wrote to her to lament and complain. She had started to lobby for marriage a few years ago. She felt very comfortable with the flattery.
Old Madam Sheng saw Wang's uncertain expression and gently patted her shoulder. "Back then, relatives from the Xu family also came to propose marriage to the master, but I turned them down one by one. Your Wang family and my family have never had any contact, but I, an old woman, still asked you to be his daughter-in-law. The master's initial smooth career was also due to the master-in-law. You have given birth to children and taken care of the household. I dare to say today: I have never regretted inviting you! A mother's heart is pitiful. Which is more important, Brother Bo'er's future or Madam's happiness?"
Wang's face turned red after hearing what she said. Thinking that she was not a very competent daughter-in-law, she felt embarrassed, put away her handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her eyes.
Old Madam Sheng added, "You needn't worry. Madam Kong once told me that the Second Miss of the Hai family is of excellent character and conduct, and that you and your mother-in-law will surely get along well. The Miss of the Kang family is Madam's niece, so can Madam really act like a mother-in-law and discipline her harshly? If Changbai becomes successful, Madam will definitely be included in the imperial decrees and titles, wouldn't that be even better?"
Wang Shi was moved by what she heard. Thinking about it carefully, she realized that Sheng Hong's simple and rough communication methods made her feel wronged. "I'm not unreasonable. If the master had spoken to me in a nice way, how could I have embarrassed myself in front of the old lady? ...But what about Yun'er? She's seventeen years old, and my brother-in-law doesn't hold an official position now. She's neither high nor low. I don't want to delay the child."
Old Madam Sheng smiled slightly and lovingly took Wang's hand: "Madam, what do you think of Wu'er from the main room?"
Wang was stunned when she heard this: "What does the old lady mean...?"
Old Madam Sheng said coldly, "Although the Kang family is a noble family, the official currently serving is only your nephew. Madam, you know better than me when it comes to the wealth of the family. Your uncle Wei's family can't be said to be extremely wealthy, but they are certainly well-off. He only has two brothers, so even if Wu'er splits up and lives on his own in the future, he'll still be more than rich. As his aunt, you know Wu'er's character best. He's been single in the capital for many years, and he's honest and motivated, without a single ulterior motive. It's a good thing to say that they're related."
Wang hesitated and said, "But... after all, he is a merchant..."
Seeing Wang's expression, Old Lady Sheng raised the corner of her mouth slightly. She wanted to say something sarcastic, but she restrained herself and said bluntly, "Wu'er has been recommended for the post of Zhongweiwei Commandery Governor and will take up the position soon. He has both official status and good character, and his family is wealthy. If it weren't for his bad luck in marriage, I wouldn't have been chosen as your wife. If you really don't think it's a good match, forget it. I'll ask someone to find another girl."
Wang Shi was anxious when she heard this and said quickly, "Don't worry, old lady. I will write to my sister right away. This is indeed an excellent match. I think my sister will understand."
With that, she hurriedly said goodbye and left. Looking at Wang's hurried back, Old Madam Sheng sighed leisurely. Suddenly, she heard the curtain flutter in the wind behind her. Without turning her head, she said, "Little thing, have you heard enough? Why don't you come out?"
Minglan rubbed her eyes, her face a lovely rosy pink from sleep, with faint pillow marks still on her cheeks. She was wearing only a pink jacket embroidered with magnolia flowers. She came out of the inner room and threw herself into the old lady's arms, twisting and turning like a little chubby squirrel and burrowing onto the kang. Old Lady Sheng quickly reached out and took her little granddaughter in her arms, but said with a stern face, "I told you to go back for your nap, but you insisted on staying here with me. You must have woken me up."
Minglan hugged her grandmother's neck and said in a soft voice, "Grandma, am I going to have a new sister-in-law?"
"Why are you pretending, little girl? Didn't you hear everything?" The old lady patted Minglan on the back.
Minglan blinked cunningly: "Grandmother, it was you who actually brought the young lady from the Hai family here, wasn't it?"
Old Madam Sheng rolled her eyes at Minglan, glancing at the doors and windows. Cuiping, who was standing by, understood and turned to inspect the area. The old lady stroked Minglan's hair and said, "It's your father who's meddling. Finding a daughter-in-law is a mother's job, but you're bothering your grandmother. Well, Brother Bo is our eldest son and grandson after all, and he can't be neglected."
Minglan smiled, her face pure and innocent. "Father and Mother are so harmonious and respectful to each other. They must be very satisfied with Grandmother's matchmaking skills."
Old Madam Sheng's face was stern and she wanted to scold, but she couldn't help laughing first. She pinched her granddaughter twice and shook her head, saying, "Your eldest brother is much better off now than your father was back then. He has a father who just got promoted to the fifth rank, a brother-in-law who is a loyal and diligent marquis, and a respectable uncle. Even a scholarly and noble family like the Hai family should not be underestimated."
In fact, at the beginning, the Hai family was not optimistic about Changbai, thinking that the Sheng family's family background was a little weak, but Old Lady Sheng was very confident. The Wang family had also hesitated about Sheng Hong's marriage, but when Old Lady Sheng brought Sheng Hong to visit, the old lady of the Wang family immediately agreed when she saw the handsome and gentle Sheng Hong - as the saying goes, the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him.
Old Madam Sheng was very experienced in this operation. This time, she asked Aunt Geng to bring Changbai to pay the visit. When Mrs. Hai saw Changbai, who had a noble temperament and an upright figure, she agreed halfway in her heart. She didn't know whether the young lady of the Hai family had peeked at him through the curtain. If she had, she would probably be fascinated by him.
Of course, Minglan didn't know this. Old Lady Sheng continued, "That young lady from the Hai family was what Madam Kong told me about a few years ago. She's not bad in virtue, appearance, speech, or merit. Unfortunately, the men in the Hai family don't take concubines, and even their daughters can't tolerate concubines. That's why it's so hard for Haimen women to marry. But your eldest brother isn't afraid of this. He's had a concubine all these years. What's her name... um..."
"It's called Yanghao." Minglan continued.
Old Madam Sheng said lightly, "That's alright. Your eldest brother was lucky enough to come up with those other lame names. Why would a good girl be called Pig, Wolf, Chicken, or Rat? ... That Yang is just an average-looking kid, and a decent one. It's fine to keep him or send him away later."
Hearing the old lady decide a girl's life so casually, Minglan's eyes gradually dimmed. For a girl like Yang Hao who was taken in by the master's family but had no official status, the future was actually very worrying. The best outcome for them was to be promoted to concubine. After the main wife gave birth, if the master still favored her, she could have another child. If the master's couple lived in harmony, she would become a decoration from then on and slowly waste her youth. If the mistress could not tolerate her, she would be sent away, released, or married off.
But what kind of good man could she be matched with? He was just a servant in the mansion, a scoundrel in the market, a woodcutter in the mountains, a farmer in the fields. Any man with a family background who was capable of marrying a wife would not want a woman who had lost her virginity.
But she couldn't just tolerate and condone it. Minglan knew that the old lady's tragedy in the past was largely the result of the instigation of Old Master Sheng's concubine. This kind of maid who had served the young master since childhood was familiar with everything and had a deep friendship with the male owner. She often had a solid position before the mistress came in, and sometimes even set traps and tripped up the new mistress.
Minglan asked herself: When the time comes, will she be able to deal with her opponent without hesitation?
【Author has something to say】
There are a few lines in "Dream of the Red Chamber": The eldest master is too lustful. He will not let go of anyone in the house who has a neat face and hair... He has a good body but doesn't take care of it. Why does he have concubines left and right... When he can't find a mandarin duck, he buys a girl named Yanhong who is 17 or 18 years old...
——In ancient times, as a slave with a bond, you cannot resist when the male master wants to pull you to bed. I often wonder, Jia She is so old, how will these girls spend the rest of their lives.
…
By the way, let me talk about Brother Changwu's bad luck in marriage. In fact, in ancient times, information was not available and population inquiries were not possible, so blind marriages were difficult to avoid. In ancient times, marriage arrangements were often expanded from the circle of relatives and friends around the family, in order to know the family's background and to prevent their daughters from entrusting their daughters to the wrong person, or to find a fierce woman!
However, not all of your relatives and friends have children of marriageable age, so you need to expand your social circle and find someone.
Sheng Wei's family didn't have many connections in the capital, so since he didn't want to marry anyone randomly, he had no choice but to ask for help from people everywhere.
Aunt Xue is largely responsible for the decline of Baochai's family. She did not fulfill her duties as a widowed mother. Not only did she fail to take good care of her son, she also did not take charge of the family business (an old lady like Aunt Xue would not be criticized for being in charge, but Baochai, as an unmarried girl, should not be too prominent). What's worse, she failed to marry a good daughter-in-law to revive the family. Xia Jingui's entry made the Xue family's situation even worse.
All of this was the result of Aunt Xue's inaction. The Xue family wasn't as populous as the Jia family, with its accumulated problems. If she had been a little more resilient and responsible, the Xue family could at least leave some wealth for her daughter and avoid total ruin. Speaking of which, Aunt Xue was also the daughter of the Jinling Wang family, so how could she be so useless?
So, it is very important to marry a wife.
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