Chapter 109 The Agreement
Offending the Meng family on the surface did come at a price for Meng Yingming. Third Master Meng had intended to help him include the hair ornaments from Biyang County on the list of tribute items for selection, but because he was so ungrateful, Third Master Meng was furious and removed them from the list. He had also originally planned to help promote them among the noble ladies in the capital, but that was also canceled.
The Crown Prince had also been keeping an eye on this matter, and had specifically instructed the Empress to pay attention to whether any hair ornaments from Biyang County had been sent over. If so, she could offer some assistance to Biyang County.
After all, this county is truly poor. Under heaven, all land belongs to the king. Although Biyang County is far away, it is still part of the Great Wu territory. Tribute must be selected every year. If the hair ornaments of Biyang County are truly outstanding, it is not unreasonable to include them in the tribute.
The Empress gave the order twice, and the chief eunuch, Cui Ruhai, had thoroughly searched the selection register but still couldn't find Biyang County's name. He reported back to the Empress with a distressed expression. The Empress summoned the Crown Prince: "Biyang County hasn't registered!"
The crown prince was taken aback: "Didn't register? How is that possible?"
The Empress said irritably, "Cui Ruhai has practically worn out the booklet but still can't find it. This magistrate is far too careless!"
The Crown Prince's face also turned ugly upon hearing this. This Magistrate Meng was utterly incompetent. How could he not even handle such a small matter? When asking for help, you should at least establish a connection first. You didn't even give your name. Did you expect him to skip the list of tribute items and directly designate the item for you?
Thinking of Meng Guanqi's clever and quick-witted appearance, and comparing it with Magistrate Meng's lukewarm demeanor, the Crown Prince was also very frustrated. How could such an unreliable father give birth to a son like Bi Gan?
Moreover, Meng Guanqi had mentioned that Third Aunt and Zhang Li had discussed how the person behind the scenes intended to help Magistrate Meng include the hair ornaments in the tribute items in order to get closer to the Crown Prince and the Meng family. The Crown Prince originally wanted to use this matter to secretly investigate who was speaking up for him behind the scenes, but Magistrate Meng made a big blunder and didn't even give his name, which ruined his plan. How could he be in a good mood?
Seeing that his face had darkened and he looked very unhappy, the Empress remembered that he had recently lost his favorite youngest son. She turned to the head palace maid beside her and asked, "How are the hair ornaments from Biyang County? Can someone bring me a few to take a look?"
The head palace maid hurriedly said, "I do have a few in my dressing case. They were a gift from the Crown Princess. Please wait a moment, Your Highness, and I will bring them over for you to see."
When the head palace maid delivered the hair ornament, the Empress carefully examined its color and style, and nodded in approval: "The color and craftsmanship are both excellent." After saying this, she put the hair ornament on her head.
Seeing his mother defend him like this, the crown prince was deeply moved: "Mother!"
The Empress waved her hand: "Alright, the Emperor's birthday is in a few days. I will wear this hair ornament when I receive the ladies of the outer court. Even though Magistrate Meng forgot to register, I wore it, and this hair ornament will soon become famous in the capital. Even if it cannot become a tribute, it can still give them more business."
As the mother and son were chatting, the sixth prince came out of school and skipped in to pay his respects to the Empress. After paying his respects, he clung to the Crown Prince, saying, "Brother, what brings you to the palace today? Could you play football with me? I haven't played with you in so long..."
The Empress quickly stopped him: "Chengyao, don't be naughty. Your brother is the Crown Prince. How can he play football with you? If you want to play, go find the eunuchs who accompany you and have them pick out some good players for you to play with. Your brother has important business to discuss with the Empress today. Go out and play."
The sixth prince objected, and his eyes lit up when he noticed the hair ornament in the Empress's hair: "Hey, this flower is beautiful. Is it a new tribute from the Imperial Household Department? I've never seen Mother wear it before."
The Crown Prince looked at his younger brother, who was playfully clinging to his mother, and a hint of doting appeared in his eyes. Both of them were the Empress's biological sons, and he was more than ten years older than his sixth brother, so their relationship was naturally deeper than with the other princes.
Seeing his younger brother mischievously trying to pluck the hair ornament from the Empress's hair, the Crown Prince quickly said, "Sixth Brother, don't snatch it. If you like it, your sister-in-law has a few boxes of them. I'll have her send them over later so you can give them to others."
The sixth prince's eyes darted around: "It's not a tribute item, is it only available to my sister-in-law? Can I wear it to school?"
He and the Fifth Prince were the only two princes in the palace who needed to go to school. There were many teachers, and the emperor, fearing that the two would be under pressure, selected twelve companions from the sons of noble families in the capital, so the school was very lively.
Moreover, the Sixth Prince had a natural fondness for bright and colorful flowers, jade, and gemstones. Whenever he saw them, he would try to get his hands on them, play with them for a while, and then generously give them away to those around him. He even dressed more flamboyantly than others.
The emperor once joked that he was born into the wrong family as a boy, saying that since he liked such colorful things, he should have been a princess.
Now, the moment he sees such a brightly colored hairpin, his eyes are immediately glued to it, and he wants to take it right away.
In the Great Wu Dynasty, men considered it beautiful to wear flowers in their hair. Since children are young, they naturally wanted to compete to see whose flowers were rarer and more unique. If the hair ornaments were not tribute items and had not become popular in the capital, the Sixth Prince would be able to come out on top.
Thinking that he could defeat the Fifth Prince in the hairpin competition, the Sixth Prince could no longer sit still. He insisted on going back to the East Palace with the Crown Prince to get hairpins, like a tug-of-war. The Crown Prince had no choice but to take him back. The Crown Princess quickly took out the hairpins she had received for him to choose from. In the end, he chose the five most beautiful ones and left satisfied.
In the following days, she wore a different hair ornament to school every day, making the Fifth Prince and more than a dozen companions drool with envy. They all went back and begged their parents for hair ornaments from Biyang County. Even the usually composed Fifth Prince sidled up to the East Palace and asked the Crown Princess for a few.
Furthermore, the Empress wore the hair ornaments when receiving noblewomen during her birthday celebrations, which quickly sparked a new fashion trend. Within two days, women and girls throughout the capital were searching for hair ornaments from Biyang County. The hair ornaments from Biyang County became incredibly popular in the capital, and the fashion trend quickly spread to other prefectures and counties. The owner of Liao Ji Cloth Shop in Luzhou learned about the trend even earlier than Magistrate Meng, and immediately sent someone to place an additional order for 20,000 ornaments with Jinxiu Pavilion. The price per ornament was increased by five wen, and a delivery time was agreed upon. The shopkeeper sent his nephew to rent a room in Biyang County to wait for the goods, which would be delivered every three days, as much as was available.
When merchants who had traveled from the capital and its suburbs came to purchase hair ornaments, Manager Guo of Jinxiuge was busy fulfilling Liao Ji's orders. Faced with wave after wave of merchants from the capital, he was so anxious that bubbles appeared on his lips, and he couldn't sleep for days and nights.
Liao Ji waved his hand and said, "Manager Guo can't deliver the goods, but he has stock. He ordered 20,000 flowers. Merchants who can't wait can order from him."
He immediately resold it to merchants from the capital for fifty coins a piece. Not only was it not enough to meet demand, but the merchants almost came to blows over it.
It wasn't until the matter reached the yamen (government office) that Magistrate Meng learned that the hair ornaments had caught fire, and that the Empress and the Sixth Prince had worn them.
The Empress was afraid that the Crown Prince would be in a bad mood, so she might accidentally overdo it and cause the most popular tribute item to go unnoticed. Instead, everyone's attention was drawn to the hair ornaments from Biyang County.
In the days that followed, the entire Biyang County was plunged into an unprecedented flurry of activity and chaos.
With orders piling up, Jinxiu Pavilion lacked hairpin makers, dyes, and space; Biyang County also lacked inns and restaurants. Even the normally stable supply of vegetables and meat became scarce. Magistrate Meng encouraged the people to go up the mountain to collect dyes, sent eligible daughters or daughters-in-law to Jinxiu Pavilion to learn how to make hairpins, and allocated a large plot of land to Jinxiu Workshop to build a new workshop. After receiving the land transaction fees and commercial taxes, he immediately began selecting a site not far from the city gate to build a post station...
It's too inconvenient for a county town to not have a post station. Once the post station is built, it can not only be used to receive officials and envoys, but also be used as an inn in its spare time. With a post station, we can also hire postmasters and waiters, and provide jobs for the residents of Biyang County. These are formal jobs with government positions, and many people are trying to get them through connections...
Magistrate Meng was extremely busy, while on the other side, Meng Guanqi had already packed his bags and was about to head to Wanshan Academy. This time, he would not be returning for two years.
After passing the imperial examination, Master Gu sent him a letter, first congratulating him on his success, and then outlining a five-page study plan for the future. Master Gu pointed out sharply that very few people pass both the provincial and metropolitan examinations in the same round; aside from a little luck, 99% of success depends on ability. Although Meng Guanqi was intelligent, he was too young, and his accumulated knowledge was significantly less than that of his contemporaries. To close this gap, he must immerse himself in his studies for the next two years and, ideally, not return home.
Luzhou is more than 500 li away from Biyang County. A round trip would waste ten days. Adding the time spent at home, nearly two months would be wasted in two years. Three years would pass in the blink of an eye. Since Meng Guanqi had already decided to travel for his studies in the third year, it would be the same to go home at that time.
He used his spot in the Imperial Academy to make a deal with Minister Meng, thus gaining the upper hand in his marriage. Liu no longer had to worry about her son being pushed out for a marriage alliance. She wondered if she should strike while the iron was hot and arrange a marriage for him, but before she could even mention it to Meng Guanqi, she was rejected by Magistrate Meng.
He is already a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and he can even outmaneuver Minister Meng. His mind is very clear. He has made it clear that he will not be engaged for another three years. If his parents force him to marry, how will he be any different from the clansmen in the capital?
After considering it for a whole night, Liu gave up. Well, she had been staying in Biyang County anyway and hadn't found a suitable girl. She decided to wait until after the provincial examination in three years. By then, her son would be eighteen, and if he passed the imperial examination, there would be plenty of families to choose from.
When Meng Guanqi left this time, he didn't even take Asheng with him. Magistrate Meng has been too busy lately and is severely short-handed. Anyway, he will be staying on the mountain to study for the next two years, so it would be perfect for Asheng to stay by Magistrate Meng's side and help him.
Two months ago, he returned from Luzhou as a mere Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination). Now, he has returned as a Juren (a scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination). He is full of vigor and pride, and is full of expectations and confidence for the next two years of study.
The only thing he couldn't let go of was Li Xiaoxiao.
She's sixteen this year, and will be eighteen in two years. Even if she keeps saying she's still young and will wait until she's twenty to get married, eighteen is really not young anymore.
If he doesn't take this opportunity to make things clear, she might foolishly be deceived by someone else.
Meng Guanqi felt that his parents knew about his feelings for Li Xiaoxiao, but because he was focused on his studies, they hadn't made it public. However, in their hearts, they probably already knew that he would take Li Xiaoxiao as his wife.
What they didn't know was that he wanted to marry her.
With Li Xiaoxiao's personality, she would never be a concubine. What she loves most in her life is freedom. She can stay at home for three to five days without going out and then she'll start clamoring to go out. How could she be a concubine who can only be locked in the inner courtyard for the rest of her life? I'm afraid that if he even showed the slightest thought of that, she would immediately turn around and leave, far away from his house.
She is now a law-abiding citizen, not a servant. She has a household registration, an identity, and a travel permit, so she can go wherever she wants.
Furthermore, Pang Shi had mentioned more than once that he wanted her to go to the capital to serve in the Eastern Palace, and she could find a better place to go at any time.
Meng Guanqi was glad that she was not interested in a career in government or power struggles; all she wanted was a free and peaceful life. Otherwise, the Meng family would never have been able to keep her.
After realizing her own feelings, Meng Guanqi began to calculate step by step how to shorten the gap between the two of them, so that the marriage would be a natural progression and no one would object.
Because of the vast difference in their social status, achieving this goal would be extremely difficult.
Li Xiaoxiao was originally a slave, but now he is a free citizen. Although he has taken a big step forward, he is still a long way from becoming a "scholar".
Especially considering her rural background, even without being sold into slavery, the difference in their social status was vast. If she were merely a concubine, her social standing wouldn't be a concern; as long as he was happy, no one would object. However, if he wanted her to rightfully become his wife, they would face many hurdles.
Regardless of the reaction of his clansmen, he couldn't even get past Magistrate Meng and the Liu family.
As a man, if he wants to marry her, he should plan ahead and clear all obstacles in the way.
Therefore, he must become stronger, stand higher, and have enough influence in order to have a chance to marry the girl he loves.
Li Xiaoxiao is wonderful. Although Meng Guanqi has never met any other girls, in his eyes, Li Xiaoxiao is the best woman in the world. No one else can live as freely and confidently as she does, never losing faith in life because of difficulties, and always treating everyone she meets who needs help with a compassionate heart.
But she not only possessed the heart of a Bodhisattva, she also had the methods of a Vajra. Her unrestrained and carefree manner, wielding a sword in one hand and picking flowers in the other, made the young master fall unconsciously in love with her, captivating him so much that he couldn't take his eyes off her, and his heart and mind were filled with nothing but her.
This is a gem, so beautiful that he secretly wanted to keep it hidden from others.
The young man, with skin as white as snow, had his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed, his face full of melancholy. It was so heart-melting that one wished they could pluck the moon from the sky and give it to him to smooth the furrows on his brow.
He dismissed Ah Sheng, leaving Li Xiaoxiao alone in the study. Before he could even speak, the tips of her ears turned red.
Li Xiaoxiao understood his melancholy. After all, he was only fifteen years old, and he was going to be away from home for two years without being able to come back. It was understandable that he was reluctant to leave.
She thought for a moment and comforted him, "How about I write to you like before? That way you won't be too lonely, and you'll know what's happening at home..."
Meng Guanqi shook his head: "For the next two years, my letters to let you know I'm safe will be written by Headmaster Gu and given to my father. Unless something really serious happens, I won't write back or receive any more letters. These two years are crucial. I need to focus on my studies and don't want to be distracted by anything else."
Especially since the two of them haven't seen each other for so long, if he were to receive a letter from her, he would probably miss her, miss home, and want to come back, which wouldn't be a good thing for him.
Huh? Is it that strict? Li Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded. Two years without communication, and even reporting that they were safe only once every three months, so they probably couldn't find out anything about Meng Guanqi except that he was still alive.
A feeling of reluctance welled up in her heart. They hadn't been able to communicate or meet for two years. She wondered what he would be like when they met again.
He's already half a head taller than her while she's still growing. Will he be a head taller than her in two years?
But she was reluctant to part with him. Magistrate Meng and Madam Liu were certainly a hundred times more reluctant than she was. They had already accepted the fact, so she had no reason to object. After all, she could at least see Meng Guanqi off and spend five more days with him than they did.
As a result, Meng Guanqi even denied the matter: "This time you don't need to take me. My father will have Asheng and Zhao Jian take me. It just so happens that a caravan from Liao's Cloth Shop is going back to Luzhou. The three of us will travel with them. There will be no danger."
He won't even let her go on escort duty? Li Xiaoxiao was shocked. Considering that he hadn't been around for the past two years and she hadn't had any other jobs, could he be planning to fire her?
But Meng Guanqi looked at her with a gaze that was very unfamiliar to her, and said softly, "Xiaoxiao, that day in front of the examination hall, I asked you to promise me something, and you said you would promise me anything, do you remember?"
Li Xiaoxiao was taken aback, recalling the extremely urgent situation that day, and said blankly, "I remember, but I forgot to ask later, what did you want me to promise you?"
Are you suggesting they pack their bags and leave the Meng family to eat their own ass?
Meng Guanqi finally couldn't hold back any longer. He reached out and took her hand, his ears turning red. His voice was barely audible as he said, "I... I want you to wait for me. Wait for me for three years. After I pass the imperial examination, I will marry you in a grand and glorious ceremony."
The words "marry her into the family" nearly made Li Xiaoxiao lose her mind. She stared blankly at Meng Guanqi's hand, which was tightly holding hers, her heart pounding wildly. Had she heard correctly?! Meng Guanqi wanted her to wait for him, and even wanted to marry her after passing the imperial examination?
Looking at this handsome fifteen-year-old boy gazing at her with such deep and unwavering affection, Li Xiaoxiao's mouth opened and closed. Even she, who considered herself as thick-skinned as a city wall, felt her cheeks burning. Good heavens, this little cabbage was confessing his love to her! This was the first time in her life a boy had confessed to her, and not just to establish a relationship, but to propose marriage right off the bat!
At that moment, an inopportune thought popped into her head: "Child, you're not an adult yet, don't fall in love so early!"
But she felt so dizzy. The sweet, soft-spoken young master was gazing at her with such affection, as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. Li Xiaoxiao felt a little lightheaded.
Meng Guanqi asked shyly, but her tone was firm: "You said you would agree to anything I asked, right?"
Li Xiaoxiao barely managed to stay rational. That being said, under those circumstances, she would definitely have agreed to anything he asked, but she never imagined that he would propose to her. She didn't even know when Meng Guanqi had started to like her...
Seeing that she didn't agree immediately, Meng Guanqi became a little anxious. A barely concealed panic flickered in his gentle eyes. He tightened his grip on her hand: "Xiaoxiao?"
Li Xiaoxiao regained her senses, her eyes filled with confusion: "But our social statuses are so different, would the master and madam agree to us being together?"
Meng Guanqi said firmly, "You just need to agree to that, and I'll take care of the rest."
Seeing that she didn't quite believe him, he said even more firmly, "Trust me, I'll handle it."
Li Xiaoxiao sighed. To be honest, it would be a lie to say that she wasn't moved when Meng Guanqi confessed his feelings to her. But even if she weren't from this world, she knew how much resistance there would be between them. He was a prodigy with an incredibly handsome appearance. If he passed the imperial examination in three years, how many high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital would want to marry him? How many aristocratic families would want to form a marriage alliance with him? Li Xiaoxiao didn't even dare to think about it.
If she impulsively agrees to be with him, her future will be a thorny path, one that will be difficult for both him and her.
Is she really going to take this arduous path just because of a fleeting infatuation today? Isn't that being too love-struck? Isn't this far removed from her ideal of living a carefree life?
She's so conflicted!
She wanted to experience a sweet romance, but she also longed for a life of leisure and idleness. Unfortunately, these two options couldn't coexist.
If she had chosen the life that satisfied her so much, she could have married someone she liked. With her skills, she wouldn't have to worry about anyone bullying her. She could have bought a house, acquired some land, farmed when she wanted, hunted when she wanted, and had two children if she wanted to raise them. She would never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of her life, and she could see the end of her life at a glance...
But the price is that she may never be able to stay with Meng Guanqi again. He will pass the imperial examination and stay in the capital to work, or be transferred to other prefectures and counties. He will never be able to return to Biyang County.
Magistrate Meng will be promoted for his effective governance of Biyang County, and will no longer be here in a few years. When he leaves, the entire Meng family will leave with him, and her settling here also means that in a few years she will completely part ways with everyone in the Meng family. With the communication methods of this era, their parting may be forever.
Li Xiaoxiao was torn between two conflicting emotions. She was reluctant to leave the Meng family mansion, but she had not yet made up her mind to embark on that thorny path.
She lowered her eyes and considered it carefully for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Meng Guanqi knew she was thinking, so he didn't urge her, but simply waited quietly for her answer.
Li Xiaoxiao finally raised her head and looked at Meng Guanqi seriously, saying, "I can't give you a definite answer right now, but I once said that I would not get married until I was twenty. Three years later, you will take the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, and I will be nineteen. If you can really overcome all obstacles to be with me, then even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I will accept it."
Fireworks seemed to bloom in Meng Guanqi's eyes as he gazed at her intently: "Don't worry, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, my heart will not waver."
Li smiled and took the initiative to extend her hand to shake his hand tightly.
The two young people, just beginning to experience love, confirmed their feelings for each other, and their hearts were filled with sweetness, as if they were overflowing with honey.
Seeing the blush on his fair face, and how he would look at her affectionately and then shyly look away, Li Xiaoxiao silently apologized, then tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek.
Meng Guanqi's face instantly turned bright red, and his heart was pounding so hard he almost fainted.
How could she be so bold as to kiss him in broad daylight! What if someone saw them?
But they couldn't suppress the upturned corners of their mouths, and in the end, they both burst out laughing, looking at each other with silly grins.
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