Chapter 310 "Security"
Zheng Bingjun was stunned by this sudden question and replied subconsciously:
"Duke Guan's grandson, Yang Hongnong, is currently serving as the Director of the Imperial College;
There is also Wei Zhaoming, the prince of Yunjun, who is the best chess player of the time.
Both of them are outstanding among the nobles and come from similar family backgrounds.
But now... I'm afraid there will be another wave of trouble."
His poor daughter's marriage had already been affected by the birthday party incident.
This time, all other families were on the list, except Huiyin's name. Anyone could see that this was His Majesty's attitude.
Zheng Mingyuan closed his eyes slightly and tapped his fingers twice on the smooth rosewood armrest.
There was a dull knocking sound, as if knocking on Zheng Bingjun's heart.
After a moment, he opened his eyes, his gaze filled with cold determination: "Pick one from today's test takers."
"What to choose?" Zheng Bingjun didn't react for a moment.
"Choose a scholar from a humble family with a clean background and decent talent to be Huiyin's husband."
Zheng Mingyuan's voice was calm, but every word was as sharp as an ice cone.
"Father! Absolutely not!"
Zheng Bingjun was like a cat whose tail was stepped on. He almost jumped up in shock, and the blood drained from his face.
"I am the eldest daughter of Duke Zheng's family, as precious as gold and jade!
How could...how could I marry a poor scholar?
This is a great shame and humiliation. Not only will Huiyin's life be ruined, but how will the Zheng family maintain its reputation?
Father, please think twice!"
Zheng Mingyuan ignored his fierce words and continued to talk.
"To be named on the imperial examination list is to pass the exam and become a successful candidate.
With the support of the Duke of Zheng's Mansion behind him, and with all our support, within three years, he will be admitted to the Hanlin Academy or one of the six ministries.
It is not difficult to be ranked among the nobles of the imperial court."
He paused, his tone revealing a strange calmness.
“If Huiyin marries a lower class woman, she can be the master of her own marriage.
By then, the palace will select a few experienced old maids and send a team of reliable guards to marry her off, so that no one in the inner house will be wronged.
No matter how successful her husband becomes in the future, he will never be able to escape the control of our Zheng family."
Zheng Mingyuan's gaze seemed to penetrate the present moment and see further away, with an almost cruel clarity:
"A rich girl and a poor scholar met when they were both in humble circumstances. Huiyin admired his talent and was willing to give up her studies to follow him.
Such a good story is enough to become a good talk among the people, to enhance the reputation of Huiyin and bring honor to the government of the whole country."
Zheng Bingjun was struck by lightning and stood there frozen.
His father's words were like a blunt knife, cutting into his heart again and again.
What is "Quan Huiyin Qingyu", I'm afraid it's all for the dignity of the Duke's Mansion!
Sacrificing a daughter for the family...what a heavy price to pay!
His lips moved, but no sound came out. The overwhelming sense of humiliation and powerlessness almost overwhelmed him.
The study fell into silence again, with only the occasional crackling sound from the wick.
However, Zheng Mingyuan had not finished speaking.
He slowly raised his eyelids, his icy gaze fixed firmly on his eldest son.
The voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling tone that made one's soul tremble:
"Also, your wife Cui..."
"Father!" Zheng Bingjun suddenly looked up, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot, and he screamed.
That was his first wife, the one who gave birth to his legitimate sons and daughters and who had been in charge of the household chores for many years!
"What are you yelling for!" Zheng Mingyuan slammed the armrest, his voice suddenly rising.
With the unquestionable power of thunder, the whole study was buzzing and the flame of the lamp was shaking violently.
"Either, make a decision early; or..." He stared at Zheng Bingjun, enunciating each word as if he were passing judgment.
"Give up the title of the Duke of Zheng and let your third brother Bingrui inherit it!"
He leaned forward slightly, a huge sense of oppression looming over Zheng Bingjun like a mountain, and his cold words were like an ultimatum:
"It's up to you to choose."
Zheng Bingjun felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave, and all the blood in his body seemed to have frozen at that moment.
He lowered his head so suddenly that he almost broke his neck.
In the low-hanging shadow, on the face that no one could see, the muscles were twisted and it looked as hideous as a demon crawling out of hell!
His clenched fists trembled violently due to extreme anger and humiliation, and his knuckles made a teeth-grinding crackling sound.
The nails had already pierced the palm, and blood oozed along the fingers.
It dripped silently onto the cold blue brick floor, spreading a small patch of dark red.
…
Zheng Bingjun walked into the main house in the backyard with heavy steps.
The room was filled with the finest goose pear fragrance, which used to be sweet and soothing, but now it only made him feel suffocated and bored.
His wife Cui Yunxiu was sitting on the rosewood chair by the window, feeling uneasy, her fingertips unconsciously twisting a white handkerchief.
As soon as she saw him enter the room, she immediately stood up and rushed forward, her voice filled with uncontrollable panic and anxiety:
"My dear, you are finally back!
The rumor is spreading like wildfire outside, everyone is saying... everyone is saying that Huiyin is not on the list?
What the hell is going on? Tell me, this isn't true!"
She grabbed Zheng Bingjun's sleeve tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, and her beautiful eyes were filled with unbelievable fear.
Zheng Bingjun raised his eyelids tiredly, and glanced at the several trusted maids and servants standing beside him, his voice hoarse and low:
"Everyone, go down and close the door. No one is allowed to approach without my order."
"yes."
The servants held their breath and quickly retreated.
The heavy carved wooden door creaked shut, isolating the inside from the outside.
There were only the couple left in the room, and the air seemed stagnant.
Zheng Bingjun finally met Cui Yunxiu's anxious gaze and nodded slowly, each word he spoke as if soaked in ice water:
"Yes, Huiyin is not on the list."
"But...how could this happen!"
Cui Yunxiu felt as if he had been struck hard, his body swaying, his face instantly drained of all color, and he muttered absentmindedly:
"How could this be... This is impossible...
The Third Princess had clearly praised Huiyin's talent.
Why is she not on the list? Is there a mistake?
Husband, have you made a mistake?!" A last glimmer of hope ignited in her eyes.
"It's a done deal, the die is cast."
Zheng Bingjun's voice was icy cold without a trace of warmth. He supported his wife who was almost unable to stand.
He forcefully pushed her back into the chair and looked down into her panicked eyes.
"There's no point in overthinking. You only need to know one thing: the root of this matter is that Huiyin offended the Sixth Princess at the birthday party.
The result of today is the cause of that time."
"How dare she!" Cui Yunxiu suddenly broke free from Zheng Bingjun's hand, his voice becoming sharp.
"A princess who acts absurdly and has no foundation, what right does she have?
How dare she humiliate the eldest daughter of Duke Zheng and the grandson of the Cui family?
Father...Yes! Father!"
She seemed to have found her backbone, and a fierce light flashed in her eyes.
"I will write a letter right away and send it back to Linhai Prefecture as fast as I can.
Tell my father and brother to think of a way and use all their connections to ensure Huiyin does not suffer this great humiliation!"
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