Chapter 111
An originally normal action unexpectedly became ambiguous due to the actions of Shang Lu and the system.
The more awkward the atmosphere is, the less serious the parties involved should be.
Chu Huan stood up and took the thermometer from Shang Lu's hand, being very careful not to touch his hand and avoiding physical contact.
Shang Lu turned his head instantly and stared at the front end of the thermometer - he had held it in his mouth for five minutes and had not wiped it after taking it out!
Chu Hua acted as if she hadn't noticed Shang Lu's abnormality. She wiped it with an alcohol cotton pad, turned the thermometer over to check, and returned it after checking: "Fine, no fever."
Shang Lu put it directly into the small wooden box without even looking at it, closed it with a click, and put it aside. He did it in one go, and there was a sense of anger and shame in his panic.
The system quietly switched to a private chat channel, and whispered stealthily, "Why do I feel like Lady Shanglu is shy?"
Chu Huan was so angry!
[You know that too! Then stop talking nonsense!]
The system instantly became righteous: [Beauty Shanglu just took out the thermometer and didn't even wipe her saliva off, and you're taking it. This isn't modern times, this is ancient times! Aren't you teasing her?]
It made perfect sense. Chu Huan was speechless and weakly explained, "I, my friend did the same thing when he was sick. I just didn't react."
The main reason was that she really regarded Shang Lu as a friend, and subconsciously wanted to take better care of him, otherwise she really would not lend a hand.
If it were someone else, she might not even help with checking the temperature, let alone giving you a thermometer.
The system took advantage of the victory and continued to persuade him: [Now that you have teased this beautiful woman, don’t you have to take responsibility?]
Chu Hua: [...Shut up!]
She just asked for a thermometer, but it sounded like she had really done something bad to Shanglu.
The two of them were whispering to each other. Shang Lu put the thermometer somewhere out of sight and quickly sorted out his thoughts.
Judging from Chu Huan's reaction, she probably didn't mean it. He couldn't show it too much, otherwise it would make both of them embarrassed.
"Let's go to class."
"good."
The two of them had a somewhat silent astronomy class.
Chu Huan said goodbye and left. Shang Lu sat alone in the study for a long time. He opened the small wooden box, took out the thermometer, wiped it carefully, and put it back.
This gift is more personal than the jade pendant and sachet that I wear daily. It would seem too intimate if I put it in the bedroom, but I would feel uneasy if I put it somewhere else because the thermometer is fragile.
Shang Lu walked around the study but couldn't find a more suitable place, so he finally placed the small wooden box next to the alcohol.
Putting it in this position means you can see it often, and it is also convenient to wipe and disinfect it with alcohol when using it, which is perfect!
He took one last look, closed the study door, and hurried back to his room.
On the other side, the system reported everything Shang Lu had done to Chu Huan.
[It's just a thermometer, but Lady Shanglu attaches so much importance to it. It's obvious that it's because the person who gave it is different.]
[Sister Huan, does the beautiful Shanglu like you?] Even though she asked, the system had already given her a positive answer in her mind.
To be honest, Chu Huan didn't know either.
A mercury thermometer only costs a few dollars in modern times, and giving ten of them wouldn't be considered a decent gift, but in Dasheng... this thing can only measure body temperature!
Shang Lu's unusual reaction made her reflect: [Is giving a thermometer as a gift really that ambiguous?]
The system didn't understand either: [From my perspective, this incident itself shouldn't be a big deal. Maybe it's because the thermometer wasn't wiped clean, so you reached out and took it?]
Chu Hua: [Just pinch the end of the thermometer and avoid touching the front, right?]
Modern doctors use the same tool when measuring people's temperature. They wipe the front end with alcohol to disinfect it before passing it on to the next person.
The system tried to guess from Dasheng's perspective: [Perhaps it's because he already had feelings for you, or perhaps it's because he's never been this close to anyone of the opposite sex in the past decade or so.]
No matter what the reason is, it has happened, Taiping has covered it up, and we should just let things take their course in the future.
Chu Huan returned to the Chu family and was walking towards Qianhuaju when she met Wen who had hurried over from the main courtyard.
"Huan'er, mother has something to tell you."
The mother and daughter entered the room. Mrs. Wen didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "Girls can get married when they turn sixteen, and you are already fifteen."
Upon hearing this familiar beginning, Chu Huan secretly cried out in disbelief.
In her previous life, she had been prompted by similar beginnings countless times, which left her with a huge psychological trauma and she was really scared.
If it were another time, the system would definitely give Wen the title of God of Assist, but a slightly ambiguous accident just happened tonight, and the host hasn't sorted out his feelings yet, so it's really not a good time!
Wen: "Huan'er, what do you think?"
The beginning sounded like a call to get married, with no other foreshadowing in the middle and it jumped straight to the end. This trend left Chu Huan confused.
She didn't want to bother with her family with roundabout ways, so she simply asked directly, "Mom, do you want me to get married next year?"
How is that possible? Wen shook her head: "I just want to ask what you mean. You have always been opinionated. If you don't want to get married in the next two years, I will help you get back the matchmaker and the clan members."
Parents all hope that their daughters will marry a good husband, so they all start early. There are very few girls like Chu Huan who are fifteen years old and have never been in love.
Of course, part of the reason was that she did not get along well with Aunt Liu and the illegitimate sons and daughters in the harem, which made many mistresses feel that marrying her would cause unrest in the rear courtyard. Another reason was that she did not want to marry Wen too early and took her time to find a partner.
"Before, there were no matchmakers. Now you have several teachers, connections with the royal family, and with the officials..." Thinking of the Minister of Personnel who was almost forced to retire, Wen paused for a moment, "The relationship is pretty good. A matchmaker came to your house before the New Year, wanting to be your matchmaker."
Because of the thermometer incident, Chu Huan has not had a good life for years. She is either in the laboratory or in the glass factory. Others will not be so ignorant as to disturb her because of the Jinyiwei who follow her openly or secretly.
As for whether Chu Huan was too lazy to flatter Old Madam Chu, Chu Shu, Chu Qi, and the Chu family members, everyone saw through it but did not say anything.
The Chu family also hopes that Chu Huan can help Chu Qin, so that both brother and sister can hold high positions and bring honor to the Chu family.
Rather than worrying about how to spend the New Year, they hoped that Chu Huan would research something new and accumulate some achievements so that they could get a share of the profits.
Now that the New Year was almost over and both mother and daughter were free, Wen quickly found an opportunity to tell them.
Chu Hua: "No rush, let's talk about it in two years."
Wen: "As long as you understand the situation, then mother will send those matchmakers back. Your father and I are here with the clan."
Chu Huan smiled and took Wen's hand, acting like a spoiled child for a while: "Thank you, mother. You love me the most~"
Although I refused to meet her at the time, there was still some trace of emotion in my heart.
This matter depends on fate. If there is no one she likes, it would be fine. However, Shang Lu himself is very much to her liking in terms of appearance, temperament and ability. Moreover, he has no official position and is not involved with other forces. This is what touches Chu Huan's heart the most.
It doesn't mean that if you marry the son or grandson of a minister, you will be controlled by others or forced to follow your husband's side, but it would be best if you can stay away from those forces and maintain your neutrality.
This will also prevent your husband from having any mental problems one day, or being plotted against by others, and bringing trouble to the family and clan.
Thinking about it this way, Shanglu, who has no one behind him, is even more suitable.
Since Chu Huan was busy with her studies and Wen was busy managing the business and the Chu family, the mother and daughter did not see each other every day even though they lived under the same roof.
Now that they were together, Chu Huan chatted with Wen for a while, and during the conversation, she asked Wen about her opinion on a son-in-law, including what kind of son-in-law she wanted and whether she had any candidates in mind.
Wen said bluntly, "It's not important what mother thinks, but what you think. You're going to be an official in the future, and you'll likely be forced to do things against your will. It's more important to marry the right man than the one you like."
The above are the heartfelt words of a woman who has been married for many years and whose edges have been smoothed out by life.
When people are teenagers, they may throw themselves into the fire of love without hesitation, but when they are in their thirties or forties, they feel that a stable life is more important than a love that can easily deteriorate.
Wen had already given the most sincere advice, but then she thought that her daughter was at the age when she was most looking forward to love, and might not listen to her advice. If she said too much, it might even arouse her daughter's rebellious heart.
"If you can meet a man you like and is suitable for you, your mother will be happy for you from the bottom of her heart!"
It would be best to be able to have the best of both worlds, but Wen knew that life is more disappointing than satisfying, so he did not dare to have overly greedy ambitions.
"Don't worry, mother. I know my situation well and won't make any irrational choices."
Chu Huan felt that Wen Shi might not be reassured just by saying this, so she added, "If I meet that man, I will definitely ask you to help me decide. If you say he's not good, I will definitely not want him."
That’s good!
Wen nodded, then sighed as she thought of something: "Let mother help you judge. Your father is really unreliable."
Chu Huan: "What's wrong, Dad?"
Wen: "For reasons you know, I didn't interfere with Chu Shu's marriage. I let your father and the clan take care of it. Her status as a concubine is there, and her mother's reputation has been damaged. She can't marry well. Your father found a good scholar in every way."
"Chu Shu was not happy to marry down. A few days ago, she started a scene in front of many of her clansmen, saying that the scholar had an engaged childhood sweetheart in the countryside, and she didn't want to share a husband with someone else."
Chu Huan and the system had a free melon and were about to continue eating it when Wen Shi stopped talking.
Chu Huan was still unsatisfied, so she quickly paid for the subscription and came back excitedly: "Sister Huan, let me tell you the rest of the story."
Your mother's words were euphemistic. When Chu Shu found out she was going to marry a mediocre scholar, her face changed. She immediately said, "Dad, if I marry such a poor man, how can I possibly marry well?"
Wen's expression also changed.
Chu Ping didn't tell her about this, and she didn't even know that Chu Shu had told Chu Ping this.
The system continued: [Your father hesitated for a moment, and Chu Shu thought he had been persuaded. But he replied, "Don't worry about Huan'er's marriage. The Emperor is here to take care of it."]
You don't know, Chu Shu's face immediately turned green, and she was nearly crying. Your father then said, "Even if the Emperor doesn't care, there are still the Grand Tutor and the Imperial Preceptor." She actually burst into tears.
Chu Huan: “…”
Wen: “…”
This is compared with Chu Huan.
Since she was a child, Chu Shu loved to compare herself with Chu Huan, comparing jewelry, clothes, and friends. Such a good girl had to stare at others and make herself look like a white lotus.
When you reach the age of getting married, you will compete to see who can marry better.
Chu Huan doesn’t even have enough time to improve herself, and she can’t imagine how tiring Chu Shu’s life would be if she had to stare at others and compare herself with them all day long.
"She doesn't want the one chosen by Dad, so is she going to choose it herself? Forget that..."
She threw away some of the melons after eating them, and even forgot the name of that scumbag.
The system quickly reminded: [It's Jing Shuai.]
If your father had chosen a few sons of high-ranking officials and nobles with good conditions, she would definitely not refuse. In other words, she thinks the ones your father has chosen have no official positions, no power, and no money, and she doesn't want them to live a hard life.
[In fact, that scholar, riding the wave of fertilizer boom, has already become a minor official. Although he comes from a humble background, he's honest, down-to-earth, and diligent. If he performs well, he'll be promoted quickly. Your father made the decision after a long investigation.]
Some powerful people in the family looked down on Chu Shu, a concubine's daughter with a bad reputation. Those who wanted to have a relationship with Chu Huan and the Chu family gave up the idea after learning that Chu Huan and Chu Shu had a bad relationship. They either married to a place farther away or married into a poor family.
It is not easy for a child from a poor family to gain a foothold in the court. It would be better if he had a father-in-law who was a doctor in the Ministry of Justice to help him.
In the future, for the sake of Chu Huan and Chu Qin, she would not dare to treat Chu Shu badly - no matter how bad their relationship was, they were still blood relatives, so how could she watch others bully her own sisters?
Both Chu Ping and the system certified that the candidate was good, so Chu Huan naturally believed it.
"What about the childhood sweetheart that Chu Shu mentioned as being engaged?"
System: [These days, anyone who grew up in the same village can be called childhood sweethearts. That's a very broad concept. The so-called engagement is actually just the childhood sweetheart's mother wanting to marry her daughter to a scholar. They're playing on public opinion and deliberately spreading rumors. There's no such thing.]
Chu Shu sent someone to the scholar's hometown to inquire about the matter. Upon learning about it, she hurriedly went to find your father. Your father disagreed, so she started a scene in front of the family, saying things like, "Dad, you only care about your sister," and "Dad, don't you care about my life or death?" This made your father feel very embarrassed.
Wen knew about this part, and Chu Ping was very angry. He even complained to her when he came back.
"We're both daughters, how could your father not care about her? If she keeps making such a fuss, I'm afraid your father will have to give up on her."
Chu Shu was prejudiced against their family. No matter how much they said, they all had ulterior motives. Chu Ping was also influenced by Wen's pillow talk and couldn't bear to see Chu Shu marry well.
Chu Huan didn't know what to do. She was far inferior to Wen Shi in terms of social skills.
"If she doesn't want to, forget it. Otherwise, if she really marries him, they'll become a couple with resentment, and their marriage will turn into an enmity."
System: [Sister Huan is right! If Chu Shu doesn't agree, her life with that scholar will be a mess.]
Wen also had the same idea, but from her perspective, many things were difficult to say, otherwise, no matter how reasonable her words were, Old Lady Chu and Chu Shu would not listen.
"Let them."
If I say I don't care, I really don't care. This is to avoid giving advice out of pity and causing trouble for myself and my two children in the future.
After chatting for a while, Wen returned to the yard as it was getting late. When she came out, she unexpectedly saw someone standing outside Qianhuaju. It was Chu Shu wearing a thick cloak.
Chu Shu stood here for a while. A lot of snow fell on her shoulders and cloak, and her little face turned white from the cold.
Seeing Wen, she bowed and said, "Mother."
Wen Shi didn't know why Chu Shu came here given Chu Huan's dislike for Chu Shu. Was she going to be turned away?
"Come to see your sister?"
Chu Shu hesitated: "Yes."
This is really rare.
Mrs. Wen didn't ask any more questions, but simply said, "It's too late, Huan'er is asleep. If there's nothing urgent, come back another day."
Chu Shu lowered her head and said, "I didn't choose the right time. I always listened to my mother."
Wen was suddenly shocked. How could he change his personality?
No! He might be using a docile appearance to deceive and numb her, and then find an opportunity to bite her hard.
Wen Shi didn't dare to let down her guard: "It's late, let's go back."
"Yes." Chu Shu lowered her head and left obediently.
Wen returned to the main courtyard with an incredible expression on her face and told Chu Ping about the matter. Chu Ping also couldn't believe it.
Don't you mean to do something bad?
The couple was worried and tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Soon they heard the system's voice: "Sister Huan, Chu Shu just came to your courtyard door. Do you know why she came?"
Chu Huan's voice was filled with sleepiness: [What are you doing?]
System: [After she caused trouble and saw your father's reaction, she went back and was very nervous for a long time, and had people watching her the whole time. Today, when she saw your mother coming to see you, she quickly followed her. She came here specifically to eat my melon.]
[She knows that the candidate is a genuinely good person with good prospects for promotion. Your father carefully selected him for her, and your mother and you didn't interfere. After hearing your opinions, she is now willing to marry him and plans to apologize to your father tomorrow.]
Everyone: “…”
Chu Huan was speechless: [So in her heart, her biological father is not as trustworthy as you?]
System: [Your father may have been deceived. After all, she and her mother have been deceiving your father for years, but I wouldn't do that.]
Chu Shu, who also heard the voice, nodded vigorously: That’s right!
The system simultaneously broadcast: [I took a special look, and Chu Shu expressed strong agreement after hearing it.]
Chu Ping: "..."
Everyone: “…”
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