Mr. Xu was somewhat troubled.
He had previously arranged a marriage for Xu Kun; the prospective in-law was a down-on-his-luck old scholar surnamed Xia.
I heard that he offended some big shot and is hiding here making a living by writing letters for others.
Master Xia has two daughters, the older one being about the same age as Xu Kun.
So, with a try-it-out mentality, Xu's father asked a matchmaker to propose marriage to Master Xia.
After talking for a while, both sides had no objections to the marriage. Even Xu Kun came back for a visit and said that he would follow his family's arrangements.
Just when everyone thought the marriage was a done deal, Master Xia suddenly transformed into the magistrate of Changle County.
This has led to the current situation where the two families are not well-matched.
"Brother Xu, I'm really sorry."
Master Xia looked at Xu's father with some difficulty on his face: "I offended Wang Jingwei, the prefect of Huzhou, before, and my academic qualifications were revoked, so I can only hide here."
"I thought I had no hope in this life, but I never expected that our prince would arrest that corrupt official Wang Jingwei and also eliminate all those corrupt officials who were entrenched in Fujian."
"With so many officials arrested, manpower is naturally needed. I was lucky to be recommended by a classmate and friend, and was given high hopes, so I became the magistrate of Changle County."
At this point, Master Xia looked a little embarrassed: "Originally, my exoneration had nothing to do with this marriage, and my Xia family is not one to forget our roots."
"But my eldest son absolutely refuses to agree to this marriage, no matter what I say."
“If pushed too far, she would even jump into the river.”
"As you know, this child has been without a mother since he was a child and has suffered a lot of grievances with me, so I can't force him too much."
"Brother Xu, how about this? I have twenty taels of silver here, you can take it first."
"Let's just leave this marriage as it is."
"If you ever need anything in the future, I will definitely help you."
Looking at Master Xia in his official robes, Xu's father sighed.
"No need for the money. It's just that my Xu Kun isn't fortunate enough to have it. This isn't the magistrate's fault."
"Let's call off this marriage. My Xu family won't make a fuss about it. Magistrate, you may go back now."
Seeing that Mr. Xu had not accepted the money, Master Xia felt a little guilty. Before he could speak, he heard his eldest daughter, Xia Shu, speak up.
"Father, if they don't want it, then forget it."
She looked at Xu's father with a hint of disdain: "Let's go home. It's filthy here, and I don't feel comfortable staying here."
After those words were spoken, the air fell silent.
Mr. and Mrs. Xu looked somewhat uneasy, but also somewhat relieved.
A good woman brings prosperity to three husbands, while a wicked woman brings regret to three generations.
If we let her into the house, who knows what this home will become.
The old scholar looked at his eldest daughter and his face turned ashen. He had neglected to discipline his two daughters in order to make a living.
The younger one is fine; she's quiet and gentle, intelligent, and never causes trouble.
The older one, however, followed a group of people and learned some nonsensical and twisted theories, claiming to be looking for a better happiness.
They even said that girls should be worthy of better people and that they don't want to marry someone of lower status than themselves.
Others only know that he has become the county magistrate, but who knows that his position as county magistrate may not be secure?
The imperial court has not yet appointed any officials to govern Changle County; I am merely temporarily in charge of the county.
Whether he can retain his position as county magistrate depends on his performance.
The marriage between my eldest daughter and the Xu family is neither a big deal nor a small one.
Before being weighed, it's less than two ounces; once it's on the scale, it's a thousand pounds.
If someone with ulterior motives finds out that he just became an official and his daughter broke off her engagement, they will definitely make a fuss about it.
Just as the old scholar was in a dilemma, his youngest daughter, Xia Hua, stepped forward: "Father, if my sister doesn't want to marry, I will."
Xia Hua understood her father's concerns. Her sister's unwillingness to marry was a stain on her father's reputation.
She had met Xu Kun before; he was indeed a good person. Although he was a soldier, she had heard that he was now working under Lord Yang Wenguang.
Compared to soldiers in other places, their treatment was much better.
To avoid putting her father in a difficult position, she gritted her teeth and stepped forward.
“Uncle Xu, you saw my sister too, she really doesn’t want to marry Brother Xu.”
"My Xia family was in the wrong first, so I apologize to Uncle Xu."
After saying that, Xia Hua knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Xu's father.
“My father doesn’t want to pressure my sister, nor does he want to break his promise. How about this?”
"I'll marry Brother Xu in place of my sister. Is that alright with you?"
Looking at the proud Xia Shu and then at the quiet Xia Hua, Xu's father made a comparison in his mind and then nodded.
The news of this marriage has spread, and the whole village knows about it.
If we break off the engagement now, it won't be good for anyone's reputation.
Xia Hua's willingness to marry in place of her sister can be considered a good outcome.
Seeing that the matter was resolved, smiles returned to everyone's faces.
Just as they were reconsidering their wedding arrangements, a procession entered the village, accompanied by gongs and drums.
The newly appointed prefect of Huzhou, holding an official document, led his entourage to Xu Kun's doorstep.
When Xu's father and Master Xia heard the commotion, they came out of their house. When they saw the prefect, Master Xia quickly went to greet him.
"This humble official, Xia Yan, the magistrate of Changle County, greets Your Excellency the Prefect."
Upon seeing Master Xia, the prefect was somewhat surprised: "Magistrate Xia is here too. Do you know the Xu family?"
"Replying to your question, sir, the Xu family is my in-laws, and their son-in-law, Xu Kun, is my son-in-law."
Upon hearing this, the prefect's eyes lit up: "With such a worthy son-in-law, it seems that the position of magistrate of Chang Le County can only be filled by Lord Xia."
Xia Yan asked, somewhat puzzled, "Sir, what do you mean?"
"Hahaha."
The prefect laughed heartily, took out the documents on his person, and said to Xu's father: "Xu Kun from Caijiazhuang, Changle County, Huzhou, Fujian Province, is brave and skilled in battle. He defends his country and always takes the lead when encountering the enemy. He fights bloody battles and has made countless merits."
"His Highness admires talent and has specially appointed Xu Kun of Changle County as a Qianzong (military officer). His parents are commended for their excellent education and are granted the title of Special Merit Family."
After the prefect finished speaking, the yamen runners behind him took out a plaque with five golden characters written on it: "Family of Special Merit".
Looking at the plaque on the door, Mr. Xu felt dizzy, and Mrs. Xu was even more dumbfounded, muttering to herself, "My God, my son has become an official! My son has become an official!"
Xu's father was stunned for a long time until the prefect placed the plaque in his hands. Only then did he come to his senses. He turned to Xia Yan and asked, "Father-in-law, what kind of official is my son, the Qianzong?"
Master Xia stroked his beard and replied, "Brother Xu, your son is now a sixth-rank military officer, and a sixth-rank military officer under the Prince, which is two ranks higher than me, a seventh-rank county magistrate."
Upon hearing this, the prefect smiled and pointed to the plaque in Xu's father's hand, saying, "Lord Xia, let alone being two ranks higher than you, this plaque of yours was written by the Prince himself. Even I would have to call you Brother Xu when I see it."
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