harleyscars Chapter 171 Classical Chinese Respect
Chapter 171 Classical Chinese Respect
Chapter 171 Classical Chinese Respect
"You want to marry my fourth sister?"
Sheng Changbai was stunned upon hearing this, and it took him a while to come to his senses. He looked at Gu Tingye in disbelief and said, "Zhonghuai, you're not joking, are you?"
He remembered that when Gu Tingye was studying at the Sheng family's school, he didn't have a good impression of Mo Lan.
Although it wasn't said outright, Sheng Changbai could sense it.
Gu Tingye said he was having difficulty finding a wife now, but that was only under the condition of marrying someone of equal social standing.
There are plenty of people from families of lower social standing than the Gu family who would be willing to marry into them.
Mo Lan was just a concubine's daughter, and even though Gu Tingye had a bad reputation, she was not good enough for him.
"How could I joke about something like this?"
Gu Tingye said seriously, "You sincerely want to marry your fourth sister."
"But don't you hate her?" Sheng Changbai frowned.
"Times have changed. If I weren't afraid your father wouldn't approve of me, I would have already asked a matchmaker to come and propose marriage," Gu Tingye said.
Sheng Changbai remained silent for a while before saying, "It's too late. Although my father hasn't arranged a marriage for my fourth sister yet, things are already looking forward to it."
My heart thought, "No way?"
Gu Tingye feigned surprise and said, "I went to the Taoist temple today to offer incense to my mother and happened to run into Fourth Miss. I even saw her enjoying the scenery with Liang Liulang. If the marriage was already going well, how could this be?"
"Is everything you said true?" Sheng Changbai asked with a serious expression.
"I would never make up such a thing."
Gu Tingye said, "Although it's been a while since we last met, we studied together for so long, how could I possibly mistake you for someone else?"
Sheng Changbai's face turned ugly.
In the Song Dynasty at that time, Neo-Confucianism was still in its infancy, and the separation of men and women was not so serious.
Otherwise, Sheng Hong wouldn't have allowed his daughter to study with men from other families.
If Neo-Confucianism were to truly flourish, women would not only be unable to study together with men from other regions, but they would also be forbidden from speaking to men from other regions at other times, unless they were visiting relatives and friends with their elders.
Normally, if Mo Lan and Liang Liulang unexpectedly meet and chat together in public, there's really nothing wrong with it.
But right now, the family is arranging a marriage for Mo Lan, so people are generally not allowed to go out at this time.
Although he hadn't paid attention to these things and didn't know why Mo Lan went to the Taoist temple, the matter was indeed somewhat suspicious.
"Zhonghuai, I have something urgent to attend to and need to go home."
Sheng Changbai said, "Let's make it another day when we're free!"
"Ask your father's opinion on what I'm telling you. I sincerely want to marry you, and there won't be any obstacles from your family," Gu Tingye said.
"good!"
Sheng Changbai nodded, bowed respectfully, and hurriedly left.
"I'm sorry, Zecheng."
Gu Tingye picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and murmured to himself.
He did take advantage of Sheng Changbai this time, but to be fair, he also helped the Sheng family.
Mo Lan's encounter with Liang Liulang seemed like a chance meeting, but when he saw Mo Lan, she went straight to the garden of the dojo.
Although that place was originally intended for pilgrims to stroll and enjoy themselves, Mo Lan left in a hurry after Liang Han left and took a car back to the city, which seemed a bit off.
Given their identities, many things are actually quite easy to guess.
Back when he was in the Sheng family, he discovered that Mo Lan had quite a bit of ambition.
It's not surprising that Mo Lan has this idea now.
If he hadn't brought this up, it would have been hard to say what Mo Lan might have done next.
When Sheng Changbai returned home, he learned from the gatekeeper that Sheng Hong had brought a young man back and they were talking in the main hall, so he went directly to the main hall.
Upon entering the main hall, one sees Sheng sitting at the head of the table, with a mature-looking young man sitting to his left.
Although Sheng Changbai was said to be mature beyond his years since childhood, it was not because he looked mature.
Rather, it was his actions and speech that made him seem like a little adult, and his face also looked quite serious.
But this young man looks much older than his age.
Sitting together, He Sheng and Sheng looked to be about the same age at first glance.
However, upon closer inspection, one can see some wrinkles between Sheng Hong's eyebrows.
"Father!" Sheng Changbai bowed deeply.
-
"Bai'er is back."
Sheng Hong smiled slightly and introduced, "This is Wen Yanjing, courtesy name Boyuan. Speaking of which, he also participated in the last imperial examination."
"My name is Sheng Changbai, courtesy name Zecheng. I greet Brother Boyuan!" Sheng Changbai bowed respectfully.
Wen Yanjing quickly stood up to return the greeting, saying, "Zecheng, greetings!"
"There were so many people taking the imperial examination that I have absolutely no recollection of you, Brother Boyuan. I wonder where you are holding office now?"
Sheng Changbai asked.
"I am not very talented and have failed the exam. I am currently studying at the Imperial Academy," Wen Yanjing said with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
Scholars who fail the imperial examinations but are under thirty years old are eligible to study at the Imperial Academy for three years.
During this period, food and lodging were provided by the Imperial College, so there was no need to spend any money.
Doing this is actually giving ordinary people a chance.
After all, the educational resources available to children from ordinary families are certainly incomparable to those of children from official families or those from wealthy backgrounds.
Passing the county and township examinations was already a very difficult achievement.
After failing the imperial examination, he studied at the Imperial Academy for three years, which gave him the opportunity to participate in the next metropolitan examination.
If I fail the exam again, I can only blame myself for not being capable enough and for bad luck.
Wen Yanjing naturally wouldn't let such an opportunity pass, so he stayed in Bianjing to continue his studies.
"It is already quite remarkable that you, of humble origin, were able to pass the county and provincial examinations."
With an approving look, Sheng Hong encouraged him, "The Emperor has already decreed that a special imperial examination will be held next year. This is a great opportunity for you!"
After a new emperor ascends the throne, granting a general amnesty and holding a special imperial examination are considered standard practice.
The Emperor recently issued a formal order to the Ministry of Rites to be in charge of holding the special imperial examination next year.
Sheng Zai Molan's marriage has not yet been decided, and Sheng Changfeng is hopeless in the imperial examinations.
If the Sheng family wants to develop, the only way is through marriage alliances or by taking on apprentices.
Upon learning that an additional special examination would be held, he inquired about his ranking in the previous imperial examination.
Because there was less than a year between this imperial examination and the last one, the local provincial examinations had not yet been held.
Only students who failed the previous imperial examination were eligible to participate.
Wen Yanjing would probably rank in the top one hundred among the students who failed the exam.
Sheng Hong pulled up his answer sheet and read it. His basic knowledge was very solid, but due to his background, his perspective was somewhat limited.
Therefore, Sheng Hong had the idea of taking Wen Yanjing as his student.
Although there were many scholars who failed the exam who were more outstanding than Wen Yanjing, they were either not from Bianjing or came from good families.
Wen Yanjing came from an ordinary background, and after being taken in as a student, he would have to rely on the Sheng family for the future.
Sheng Hong also intended to betroth Mo Lan to him, thus creating a double bond.
"I don't know that—" Sheng Changbai said somewhat awkwardly.
"It's alright."
Wen Yanjing's expression was very calm.
During his time studying at the Imperial College, he was often ridiculed.
I've long been used to it, so why would I care about Sheng Changbai's unintentional words?
"Bai'er, you're back just in time. Take Boyuan to my study and pick out some books."
Sheng Hong smiled and said, "With the imperial examination approaching, although the Sheng family's collection of books cannot compare to that of the Imperial Academy, all the books have annotations, which is something the Imperial Academy cannot match."
"Thank you very much, Lord Sheng!" Wen Yanjing said gratefully.
"Still calling me 'sir'?" Sheng Hong said, feigning displeasure.
"Student greets teacher!" Wen Yan bowed respectfully.
"good!"
Sheng Hong said happily, "In a few days, I will invite some friends to witness the ceremony and formally accept you as my student!"
"Yes, sir!" Wen Yanjing replied.
"Go ahead and go with Bai'er to pick out books. Stay for lunch!" Sheng Hong said.
"Brother Boyuan, please!"
Although Sheng Changbai had something on his mind, he couldn't speak at the moment and could only follow Wen Yanjing to the study.
On the way, Sheng Changbai chatted with Wen Yanjing and discovered that Wen Yanjing was indeed quite talented.
Perhaps due to his background, his views on some things are somewhat naive.
This is something that cannot be made up for at all. Take Sheng Changbai for example, he was able to read the official gazette from the time he learned to read.
Sheng would also explain to him the purpose of some of the court's decrees.
He was even able to see the official documents that Sheng handled.
Apart from Sheng Hong himself, only Sheng Changbai in the entire Sheng family can freely enter and leave Sheng Hong's study.
These things may seem to have no practical use, but they are of great benefit in broadening one's horizons and understanding politics, which cannot be compensated for by talent alone.
Wen Yanjing came from a humble background and had been studying at the county school.
The ordinary teachers at the county school were not officials, and although the instructor was an official, he wouldn't teach these things.
This resulted in Wen Yanjing having a less broad perspective than those scholars with connections.
Upon entering the study, Sheng Changbai allowed Wen Yanjing to choose any books he wished to read.
After expressing his gratitude, Wen Yan casually picked up a book and opened it. When he saw that the annotations were even more detailed than those taught by his teacher before, he was extremely excited.
Seeing that he was watching intently, Sheng Changbai greeted him, left the servants to attend to him, and returned to the main hall.
"Why are you back? Where's Boyuan?" Sheng Hong asked.
"Father, I have something important to tell you," Sheng Changbai said with a solemn expression.
"What is it?"
Seeing his serious expression, Sheng felt a chill run down his spine.
Sheng Changbai recounted in detail the news he had heard from Gu Tingye.
"Are you sure he didn't see wrong?" Sheng Hong asked, his face grim.
"When I came back, I asked the gatekeeper, and my fourth sister did indeed go out this morning. She left early and didn't return until almost noon!"
Sheng Hong said.
"Dongrong, go ask the driver where this rebellious daughter went this morning!" Sheng Hong said with a gloomy face.
"Yes!" Dong Rong bowed and left in a hurry.
"Are you saying that Gu Tingye is threatening the Sheng family by telling you this?" Sheng Hong asked.
"this--"
Sheng Changbai didn't know how to answer for a moment.
If Gu Tingye didn't mean it that way, he should have said so from the beginning. Why did he wait until he had already said he wanted to marry Mo Lan, and that Mo Lan's marriage was almost settled, before bringing it up again?
"Father, I believe Zhonghuai is not that kind of person!" Sheng Changbai said.
He believed that even if Gu Tingye was threatening, he wouldn't tell anyone as long as the Sheng family didn't agree.
"Bai'er, now that you hold an official position, I will teach you the first lesson of survival in officialdom: never trust anyone."
Sheng Hong said with a serious expression, "As the saying goes, you can know a person's face but not their heart. That second son of the Gu family already had a reputation for being a playboy. After studying at Bailudong for a few years, I thought he had changed."
But what actually happened? During his time studying at Bailudong Academy, he not only kept a mistress but also had two children with her. His failure to pass the exam was entirely within my expectations.
Our Sheng family wouldn't dare gamble that he won't talk nonsense, do you understand?
"Yes, I understand."
Sheng Changbai said he knew all this, but it wasn't something to be proud of.
"Hmm." Sheng Hong nodded slightly.
"If this is true, how does Father intend to handle it?" Sheng Changbai asked.
Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong fell silent, unsure of what to do.
Should I agree to Gu Tingye's request?
Leaving aside Gu Tingye's bad reputation, what exactly is his scheming in marrying Mo Lan?
But if we don't agree, what will happen to the Sheng family's reputation once word gets out?
Sheng Hong said somewhat irritably, "Let's see what Dong Rong found out first!"
Then the father and son fell silent. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Dongrong returned.
"My lord, the coachman initially only said that the Fourth Miss had strolled around the city. I scared him into revealing the truth, saying that the Fourth Miss had gone to the Taoist temple in the south of the city. He was guarding the carriage and didn't know anything else," Dong Rong said.
"I see!"
Sheng Hong waved his hand, dismissing Dong Rong, and said to Sheng Changbai, "Go to the study and attend to Boyuan."
"Yes!" Sheng Changbai bowed and left.
Sheng Hong arrived at Linxi Pavilion with a gloomy expression.
"Why did you come at this time, sir?"
Lin Xiaoniang greeted him with a smile, and seeing that Sheng Hong looked unwell, she asked with concern, "Master, is something troubling you?"
Sheng walked into the hall without saying a word.
Lin Xiaoniang's expression changed slightly, and she quickly followed.
"How about I cook a few dishes for you, sir, and warm a pot of wine so we can have a few drinks together?" Lin Xiaoniang said with a smile.
Sheng Hong didn't look at Lin Xiaoniang, but instead turned to the maids inside the room and said coldly, "Get out! Anyone who dares to approach the hall without my order will be beaten to death!"
"yes!"
The maids turned pale with fright and quickly bowed and withdrew.
"Master, what's wrong?" Lin Xiaoniang asked stiffly.
"I'll only ask you once, do you know where Mo Lan went when she left this morning?" Sheng Hong asked, staring into Lin Xiao Niang's eyes.
Lin Xiaoniang felt a pang of panic, but feigned surprise and asked, "She just went out to buy some rouge and face powder, didn't she?"
"Did you go all the way to the Taoist temple in the south of the city to buy rouge and face powder?"
Sheng Hong sneered, "Even at a time like this, you still won't tell the truth?"
"I don't understand what you're saying, sir."
Lin Xiaoniang said aggrievedly, "Perhaps Mo'er is bored staying at home these days and wants to go out for a walk? I'll call her over now and ask her in front of the master."
"No!"
Sheng Hong said, "You might be right. I've already arranged her marriage."
The Emperor has decreed that a special imperial examination will be held next year, and there is a scholar who failed the exam before, whom I have high hopes for.
Although he comes from an ordinary family, he is well-educated and has a good chance of passing the imperial examination with flying colors this time.
I have already taken him as my student and am preparing to give him Mo Lan in marriage.
"master!"
Lin Xiaoniang said incredulously, "Molan is your daughter! You've doted on her since she was little. Even if I did something wrong before, you shouldn't hold it against her!"
"When did I ever take my anger out on her?"
Sheng Hong said coldly, "If I were angry with her, why would I be so concerned about her marriage?"
"Pay attention?"
Lin Xiaoniang sneered, "Master choosing a poor scholar for her, is that considered showing concern?"