Chapter 69: The Two Consummate Their Marriage
Chen Yu has finally met some good people.
When all else failed, he came to the capital to try his luck, and happened to meet Tang Xinuan seeking talent.
When they returned to the manor, Tang Xinuan let him get into the carriage.
He inquired about many matters related to the imperial examinations along the way.
Chen Yuzheng had no one to confide in, so when someone asked, he would naturally tell them everything he knew.
"Are there many students like you who didn't get a recommendation?"
Chen Yu nodded: "There are more than ten people from the same inn as me. There is still more than a month before the imperial examination, and there will definitely be more after that."
Tang Xinu painstakingly searched for talented people for Erlang, and of course, the more the better.
If they are all turned away from the examination hall, wouldn't that mean we're missing out on a lot of talented people who could help Erlang?
“I’ll take you to see someone. Tell him all this again in a little while.”
Tang Xin felt sorry for Erlang for not having time to rest, and reminded him, "He's not as free as me, so you should focus on the important things."
The carriage went straight to the Prince's Mansion. Tang Xinuan jumped off the carriage and asked Zhou Chuanxing where he was in the Xiaoqinzheng Hall. She then took him there directly.
Zhou Chuanxing had anticipated that there would be many problems with this imperial examination, but he did not expect it to be this serious.
It's one thing for lower-level officials to accept bribes, but they should also accept bribes from those with genuine talent and ability, making them pay according to their means.
Even if you go bankrupt, you still can't get a recommendation letter. These parasites who only know how to line their own pockets, on the other hand, know how to use the court to make money.
Chen Yu did not recognize the Regent, but he appeared dignified and imposing, even more so than the governors he had ever met.
Every official is greedy for money, and this person is probably no exception.
He took out a silver note and several dozen taels of loose silver from his bundle and poured them all onto Zhou Chuanxing's desk.
"This is all I have. I beg you, sir, to be lenient and give me a chance to participate in the imperial examination."
This was the first time someone had given Zhou Chuanxing silver.
Zhou Chuanxing rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Give me this money. The exam isn't until a month and a half away. What are we going to eat and drink?"
Chen Yu sighed, his heart filled with bitterness, "Let's think of another way. After ten years of hard study, I should at least take the exam once. After all, we don't know when the next imperial examination will be."
Tang Xinuan was able to stand up for Erlang. She gave the silver back to Chen Yu, saying, "We don't want your silver, as for the recommendation letter..."
She looked at Zhou Chuanxing.
Zhou Chuanxing had already made a decision: "I won't take your money. Here's what you'll do: go to the inn now and compile a list of all the people in your situation, and give me a list, not just the one inn you're staying at."
Chen Yu had a vague idea of what the official in front of him was going to do.
After a moment's hesitation, he knelt down respectfully to express his gratitude, saying, "If you can allow us to enter the examination hall, it would be a great favor, and all students will repay you with their lives."
Zhou Chuanxing waved his hand, signaling him to stand up. "No need to thank me, just thank your Mr. Han."
Chen Yu thanked Han Xi again.
Tang Xinuan also learned to be humble, saying, "I didn't do anything, it was just a small favor."
Chen Yu had another important request: "The inn where we students are staying is really inconvenient for studying. We beg Mr. Han to grant us permission to stay at the academy to continue our studies after the class."
Without hesitation, Tang Xinuan said, "It's not a big deal, you can stay."
She made an agreement with the students that she would answer their questions in the afternoon, as it would be inconvenient for her to return to the Prince's Mansion at noon.
"Erlang, could you send a cook to prepare lunch for the students? I'd like to stay at the academy for lunch too."
Zhou Chuanxing was always accommodating, saying, "Let Eunuch Wei make the arrangements."
"Thank you, Erlang. I'm going to the inner quarters now."
Tang Xinuan and Chen Yu went out together. Chen Yu was really curious about Zhou Chuanxing's identity. "May I ask Mr. Han, who is that gentleman just now? He helped me so much. I will definitely pay my respects to him morning and evening and offer incense three times a day to bless him with good health and a peaceful life."
Tang Xinuan didn't intend to hide it from him, but she forgot to introduce herself.
"He is none other than the famous Regent, who serves the country and its people!"
Her usual playful and adorable nature returned, and she suddenly realized that she was now a gentleman.
Then she put her little hands behind her back and pretended to clear her throat.
Zhou Chuanxing received a small gift this morning. As soon as he chased after her, he heard the little girl praising him as the regent who served the country and its people. The pent-up feelings he had been holding in for the past two days suddenly lifted and disappeared.
He noticed that the little girl was walking seriously towards the back of the house. As soon as Chen Yu's figure disappeared, she reverted to her usual bouncy and playful self.
A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
His little girl is increasingly showing the demeanor of a great scholar.
Chen Yu acted quickly, and two hours later he arrived at the Prince's Mansion with the compiled list.
So far, hundreds of students have traveled to the capital but failed to secure a recommendation.
They traveled thousands of miles from their hometowns to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations. Anyone who lacked confidence in their abilities would not have gone to such great lengths.
Zhou Chuanxing ordered special personnel to prepare recommendation letters for these people and dispatched urgent messengers to various places to spread the word. Students who could not obtain recommendation letters from their hometowns were urged to come to the capital as soon as possible. After passing the examination, they could participate in this provincial examination.
That evening, Chen Yu led a hundred students to the Regent's Palace to express their gratitude to the Emperor.
The imperial court was eager to recruit talented individuals, and Zhou Chuanxing, unconcerned with trivial matters, only wanted to recruit more talents to serve the court as soon as possible.
He did not meet with the students, but ordered someone to tell them to go back and study hard, and to produce a satisfactory result in two months.
"I didn't expect the Regent to be such a good person."
"Yes, he is a decisive and ruthless general. I thought he would look down on scholars, but he is so considerate and respectful to the virtuous."
"I thought I wouldn't be able to get into the exam hall this year. My family spent all their savings just to raise money for my travel expenses. I originally just wanted to try my luck in Beijing, but I didn't expect to actually succeed."
"The Regent is truly a good man who is wholeheartedly devoted to the people. We are fortunate to be able to serve such a person."
All the students who received this favor were deeply grateful to the Regent.
They are like a sharp sword that has just parted a crack in the dark clouds; sooner or later, they will use their abilities to tear through the dark clouds and let endless light shine on the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.
It benefits every citizen.
"By the way, Mr. Han lives in the Prince's mansion, so it seems he is also one of the Prince's men."
"At first, we suspected that the academy had ulterior motives, but that was just our petty thinking."
"I truly admire the Regent's character, and I also admire Mr. Han's righteousness."
"The academy is open to us free of charge. We can stay at the academy to study in the future, so that we can concentrate on our studies, since the inn is too poor."
"Mr. Han is such a kind person. After the imperial examination is over, I will definitely go to the temple to erect a longevity tablet for him and bless him with peace and health."
"I'll go too."
"I'll go too."
"Take me with you, I want to go too."
...
Chen Yu suddenly remembered something. "I need to write a letter to my friend. He and I have both studied hard for ten years but haven't received a recommendation letter. He didn't dare come to the capital because he was worried that he wouldn't be able to get into the examination hall and would waste his travel expenses. I'll have someone deliver it to him so that he can come as soon as possible and still participate in the imperial examination."
“I also have a brother in this situation, so I will go back and write a letter to him, asking him to come to the capital as soon as possible.”
“I’m going too, I’m going too. My relatives are also scholars.”
...
In the afternoon, Tang Xinuan went to the academy to answer questions for many students.
When they returned to the Prince's Mansion, they were stopped on the road.
She is Chu Yannuo's newlywed wife, Wei Minxian.
Tang Xinuan sat in the carriage and frowned when she saw her. The two had never met before, so why was she looking for her?
Xiaoqian immediately thought of the young master's serious injury, and lowered the sedan curtain, saying, "Miss, you must be tired after a long day, hurry back to the manor. The young master's wife must have stopped the wrong person."
Tang Xinuan also suspected that Wei Minxian had contacted the wrong person. She instructed Lian Qiao to drive the carriage, but then she heard Wei Minxian call out to her from across the carriage: "Miss Tang, I need your help."
Tang Xinuan then instructed Lianqiao to stop the car.
"Never mind, I'll just listen to what she has to say."
Tang Xinuan jumped off the carriage with the help of Lian Qiao.
Wei Minxian's face was tense. She walked up to Tang Xinuan with some hesitation, her expression full of struggle and uncertainty. Before she could speak, tears fell first: "Your cousin... he's dying."
Is my cousin going to die?
He was full of energy just a while ago!
Tang Xinuan was stunned and didn't know what she was thinking. After a while, she said "oh" and helped Lianqiao climb into the carriage.
The carriage started moving, and Wei Minxian hurried a few steps to catch up. "He kept calling for you while he was unconscious. The imperial physician said he only has a couple of days left. No matter what, you grew up in the Marquis's mansion. Can you really bear to see him leave with regret?"
Tang Xinuan has been in a bad state ever since she met Wei Minxian.
After returning to the Prince's Mansion, he didn't go to the Xiaoqin Hall, but went straight back to the inner quarters.
After entering the room, he found the painting he had only half-finished, and held the brush for a long time without putting pen to paper.
Xiaoqian couldn't help but worry, "Miss, the young master's injury has nothing to do with you. There are imperial physicians here, he will definitely be alright, don't be sad."
Tang Xinuan couldn't quite put her finger on whether she was sad or what.
She grew up in the Marquis's mansion and had the most contact with her cousin.
Aside from the matter of marriage, the two had no conflicts, and her cousin never even said a harsh word to her.
Whenever I was sick, my cousin would stay by my side day and night, never taking off his clothes.
Whatever she wanted to eat, her cousin would do everything he could to get it to her.
Aside from forbidding her from leaving the manor and having contact with outsiders, it's fair to say he had no other flaws.
This is why she gave herself to her cousin.
But my cousin married someone else.
She was poorly educated, and no one had taught her propriety, morality, and a sense of shame. She was also certain that she would not become a concubine or mistress without a title or status.
During this period, she found her busy and fulfilling life experiences and gradually discovered her own value in life.
I've almost forgotten the days I spent with my cousin.
According to her ideal plan, it would be best if they never met again.
But her cousin is seriously ill and, like her parents, is about to leave this world.
She was uncertain again.
She was a simple-minded girl who didn't know how to hold grudges.
I never intended to seek revenge; faced with the pain of separation and death, those unpleasant memories grew fainter.
Upon hearing that Wei Minxian had found a young girl, Zhou Chuanxing rushed to the inner quarters.
It was only a matter of time before the siblings met, but he didn't expect it to happen before Chu Yannuo was seriously injured.
What if someone you've spent over a decade with might stir up other feelings in a young girl...?
Zhou Chuanxing didn't even dare to think about it.
"What are you drawing?" Zhou Chuanxing squatted down next to the little girl and found her staring blankly with no light in her eyes. His heart tightened for no reason.
Tang Xinuan snapped out of her daze and tried to force a smile.
Because every time she saw Erlang smile, she felt especially at ease.
She didn't want Erlang to worry at that moment.
But the smile seemed stuck, and it just wouldn't come out no matter what.
"Erlang, have you heard about my cousin's injury?"
Zhou Chuanxing couldn't hide it from her, "I've already sent the best imperial physician over there."
Tang Xinuan: "Is he badly injured? Why did he get injured?"
Zhou Chuanxing: "When he went to Jiangnan on official business, someone attempted to assassinate the Left Prime Minister. He was stabbed while saving the person, and the wound was located slightly off-center from his heart."
Tang Xinuan gripped Zhou Chuanxing's large hand tightly, "Will I die?"
Zhou Chuanxing, suppressing his heartache, comforted her: "The imperial physicians will do their best, and we will pull through."
Tang Xin's heart ached. "He's dead. My aunt will be sad, and my cousins will be sad too. Wei Minxian wants me to go see him, Erlang, but I don't want to go, but..."
Zhou Chuanxing couldn't bear to see his young girl in such a difficult situation.
He pulled the person into his arms and gently coaxed them, "Go if you want to, don't go if you don't want to, don't worry about it."
Tang Xinuan frowned: "Then will you let me go?"
Zhou Chuanxing nodded with a heavy heart, "I'll go with you."
With Erlang by her side, Tang Xinu felt much more relaxed. "Let's go now."
Chu Yannuo was seriously injured, mainly because he had been poisoned on the sword blade and hadn't received timely medical treatment. He had traveled hundreds of kilometers back to the capital, narrowly escaping death countless times. Lady Hou and Chu Yanqing were already in tears.
Tang Xinuan's two older cousins also came back.
The second cousin didn't say anything, but the eldest cousin kept complaining about Madam Hou and Chu Yanqing.
She blamed the two for spoiling her too much, to the point that her younger brother was seriously injured and refused to come back.
"Which man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? My cousin is different, but she is the descendant of a disgraced official and is unreasonable. It would be an injustice for her to be a concubine for my brother."
Over the years, our Marquis's mansion has raised her and pampered her. Have we ever mistreated her in the slightest?
If my maternal grandfather and uncle knew this in the afterlife, they should be grateful that you still let him go.
Those who don't know the details might think our Marquis's mansion has mistreated her.
Chu Yanqing was worried about her older brother and didn't want to argue with her older sister.
However, Second Sister Chu couldn't help but retort on behalf of her cousin.
"Elder sister, how can my cousin become Arno's concubine? You shouldn't spoil Arno too much."
Sister Chu said angrily, "How can you say that Arno is a prince? If he doesn't make Arno a concubine, does he expect her to marry a prince as his principal wife? Don't forget, she's no different from a fool."
Even Chu Yanqing couldn't stand it anymore. "Eldest sister..." Before she could finish her explanation, the steward came to report that the young lady and the regent had arrived.
They rushed out to greet him.
Sister Chu was startled, "The Regent?"
He quickly realized that the Chu family had saved the lives of several princes, and it was normal for the regent to visit the prince when he was seriously ill.
"Now that Nuannuan is back, don't let her leave. Let her stay and take care of Arno."
Once Aruo was feeling better, they consummated their marriage.
"I'm not young anymore; it's time to learn how to take care of others."
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