Chapter 393: Chapter 250: A Prestigious Family Built on a Pile of Bones
“Why would the Cui Family consider proposing marriage?” Ran Yan rembered she had made it crystal clear to Sang Chen. Even if he always seed to live in his own world, he wasn’t foolish; how could he misunderstand such straightforward words? Moreover, a prominent clan like the Cui Family might not readily accept her since Sang Chen was nothing like Xiao Song, who had a reputation for causing his wife’s death.
Ran Pingyu sighed, “It is for Mr. Sang too! Originally, when Sang Suiyuan resigned from his position, the Emperor consented, and given that he had vanished from the public eye in recent years, the Cui Family’s urgency for him to acknowledge and return to his clan had diminished a lot. Recently, the Emperor summoned him again and even granted him the position of Doctor at the Imperial Academy. Although it’s a minor official position, it signifies the Emperor’s approval. Therefore…”
Therefore, to bring Sang Chen back, they orchestrated a grand gesture to save face for the Ran family, leaving Sang Chen with no choice but to accept and letting everyone know that Sang Chen was their descendant.
“The Cui Family, aside from the Imperial Family and their descendants, is the most illustrious family listed in the ‘Clan Chronicles’; how could they do such a thing?” Ran Yan wondered aloud. In fact, the Cui Family was the foremost clan, but since the imperial authority was supre, Sang Chen’s talents alone would not draw such efforts from them, right?
Seeing her confusion, Ran Pingyu enlightened her, “Where do you think such glory cos from? During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Cui Family had ten ministers and twenty-six nobles, with over one hundred officials of the fifth rank and above throughout the court and governnt. Even now, they are bursting with talent. It is said, ‘one general’s success is built on the bones of thousands,’ and the lasting glory of a noble scholar family is forged by such sacrifices.”
When the Wang family of Langya produced Wang Xizhi, it significantly enhanced their reputation, enduring and prestigious, so these great families never miss out on a promising talent. Moreover, Sang Chen indeed has the potential of a “sage.”
Ran Pingyu sighed, “You probably know about Assistant Minister Xiao’s past conduct; how co a reckless young man has beco so composed and now holds a high position?”
Unaware of the reasons, Ran Yan casually asked, “Why?”
Ran Pingyu intended only to illustrate the ruthless severity of large families and didn’t plan to elaborate; thus, he rely said, “He got into so trouble, was taken back to his clan ho by the Duke of Song, and was almost beaten to death in front of the ancestral temple. After recovering, he was sent to the battlefield as a re soldier.”
They say the rich and powerful often raise problem children, yet, indeed, the real noble scholar families impose extrely stern demands on their direct descendants, rarely producing ill-educated fools.
He paused, then said, “Now, we can only wait for the decision from our main family. If they decide to marry you into the Cui Family, you should prepare yourself ntally.”
Before Ran Yan could think further, Ran Pingyu continued, “It seems the Cui Family thought this matter was almost certain, given that our Ran family could not compare to theirs. They didn’t bother to conceal this proposal; I wonder how many people know. If it gets too much attention, even to save face, they would have to fight for it.”
Another troubling matter! Unlike the previous verbal disagreents between Xiao Song and Sang Chen, this situation could not be resolved alone; what’s more troubling, both families going to Suzhou to offer betrothal, an unusual occurrence in the Great Tang. Additionally, her work as a forensic doctor might beco public knowledge…
Even helping prostitutes treat syphilis in a brothel could certainly be uncovered. Back then, she concealed her whereabouts but didn’t do a thorough job. For these powerful large families, finding information about her would be too easy.
Perhaps, in the end, neither family would want her, potentially ruining her. Ran Yan dared not be too optimistic. If that indeed was the outco, her being unwanted was one thing, but the key issue was that her marriage was in the hands of the Ran family…
This matter was far from dignified.
After contemplating for a mont, Ran Yan asked, “Uncle, I once helped the Governnt Office in Suzhou with autopsies, performing the duties of a Forensic Doctor. How would it be perceived if this becos known?”
Ran Pingyu was sowhat aware of this issue; previously, he had been too worried about both the Cui and Xiao families to consider it. After pondering awhile, he replied, “It won’t really matter, but the attitude of the Cui and Xiao families…”
Not just the view of the Cui and Xiao families, but if the information spread, Ran Yan feared no man would want her.
Performing autopsies is not honorable, yet it is not a cri. Only Liu Pinrang and his close associates knew about her dissections. Most people roughly knew that she handled corpses.
Consider, how many n in the world could accept a woman who has touched corpses then touches them? Besides, although Ran Yan was quite attractive, she wasn’t beautiful enough to make soone disregard everything else.
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