Born into a wealthy and noble family, Chen Mu enjoys fine clothes and sumptuous als, served by countless servants.
The An Residence.
In the local area, it is a well-known family force, with ancestors who once held office in the Imperial Court, reaching the rank of Second Grade, which is a top-ranking official. Later generations produced several Fourth-rank Assistant Ministers, and by Chen Mu’s generation, although no one held office in the court, the highest official in the family was a Sixth-Rank Prefect, yet they remained a local powerhouse.
This branch of Chen Mu’s family is the main line of the An family, and as the eldest legitimate grandson, he is highly likely to inherit the family business, thus his noble status was determined at birth, far superior to any collateral branches.
The An family places great importance on this eldest legitimate grandson, naming him ’An Mu’, hoping that Chen Mu will revive the An family, govern and protect a territory, and beco a Feudal Governor.
There is a reason for this.
Chen Mu, since birth, was different from ordinary people, never crying. Though he was reticent, when he did speak, his words seed filled with wisdom beyond the understanding of adults.
A child of seven or eight can utter truths that even adults must ponder, akin to a naturally wise sage, who would undoubtedly be praised and celebrated in a regular family.
But the An family is not ordinary, with ancestors who were high-ranking officials having experienced rise and fall, they understood the dangers of standing out, so focused more on protecting Chen Mu, allowing very little contact with the outside world.
Even the Literary Masters teaching Chen Mu various classical texts were esteed elders from within the An family who personally instructed him. Once they discovered Chen Mu’s near-photographic mory, able to discern the essence of matters with a single remark by age ten, these elders ceased their teaching, as there was little left to impart, allowing Chen Mu free access to the library for self-study.
Thus.
More than a decade swiftly passed.
Chen Mu, now a young man, donned a splendid robe, seated elegantly in a refined study, holding a book in his hand. His gaze seed fixed on its pages, yet appeared to be looking at sothing else, with his brows slightly furrowed, as if pondering sothing that eluded him.
"Master Mu, it’s ti for tea."
A gentle knock on the door suddenly resounded.
Then a graceful and vibrant girl, dressed in silk, entered the room. She appeared about sixteen or seventeen years old, carrying a tea tray. She approached Chen Mu’s desk, with a pot of tea and so snacks on the tray.
"Hmm, leave it there."
Chen Mu did not look up, rely spoke offhandedly.
The girl gracefully poured a cup of tea for Chen Mu. Observing his slightly furrowed brows, she hesitated for a mont, but couldn’t resist quietly asking, "I notice you frown daily, Master Mu, is there sothing perplexing you? If it is not intrusive, perhaps telling , Shishu, could offer you so relief. Though foolish, I might provide a different perspective to ease your burden."
She was Chen Mu’s personal maid, Shishu, sent to serve him three years ago. Originally born into the An family’s servant lineage, she was ticulously raised and taught, arranged to serve Chen Mu, with the An family’s implicit wish that she would beco his concubine and bear his progeny. After all, Chen Mu’s ’lofty and proud’ deanor made it difficult for any girl to catch his eye, which understandably worried the older mbers of the An family.
Moreover, Chen Mu’s extraordinary ability—topping the county and prefectural exams, and not long ago, securing first place in the provincial exam—made him exceptional. For a commoner, the provincial exam was a transformative gateway, upon passing, one becos a Scholar of repute. Even though being a Scholar might not an much to the An family, and manipulation behind the scenes wasn’t out of question, Chen Mu achieving the top Scholar rank by his own skill was remarkable, rekindling hope among the An family elders.
After all, securing the top Scholar position in his early twenties ant that passing the Advanced Scholar exam was almost certain, practically assured. Once he crossed the hurdle of the Advanced Scholar exam, beginning his official career at the seventh rank was guaranteed, and with the An family’s foundation, coupled with so fortunate opportunities, he could potentially ascend to the Fourth rank and enter the Imperial Court!
With such ability and as the eldest legitimate heir, Chen Mu, despite his young age, already wielded significant influence in the An family, immune to coercion, hence marriage discussions were continually deferred.
Of course.
The specific delay also stemd from other considerations by the An family. Their greatest hope was for Chen Mu to achieve the highest honors consecutively, winning the Top Scorer title, which would qualify him to marry a prince’s daughter.
Inquiries for his betrothal had co from prominent families, including households of Fourth or Fifth-rank local officials, but the An family preferred to wait, considering Chen Mu’s remarkable talent and unforeseeable future, there was no need to rush into marriage.
However, continuity of the family line remained crucially important. Even if imdiate matrimony wasn’t necessary, having multiple concubines posed no issue. Yet, over the years, Chen Mu’s companions varied in appearance and stature, yet none won his favor.
Consequently,
the An family elders privately worried about this aspect.
They had even discreetly consulted renowned physicians, ensuring Chen Mu was perfectly normal, rely of a calm disposition; accepting this, they opted to follow nature’s course, arranging as many young and beautiful concubines as possible, hoping Chen Mu might take a liking to one.
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