At the Marquis Yongding’s Household, Guan Jingshuo was kneeling in front of Marquis Yongding.
Marquis Yongding scolded sharply, "Do you know what the consequences of refusing this marriage proposal are?" Once Guan Jingshuo had beco a Palace Graduate, the Royal Mansion of Prince Duan revealed that they wanted to betroth Commandery Princess Wanhe to Guan Jingshuo. Naturally, this pleased Marquis Yongding, but unexpectedly, his son was unwilling. Refusing this marriage could offend Prince Duan.
Guan Jingshuo looked up and said, "Father, for over seven years, I have diligently studied and rigorously practiced martial arts to revitalize the Marquis’ household, not to marry the Commandery Princess."
Marquis Yongding’s eyes reddened with anger, "You rebellious son, what are you saying?"
Guan Jingshuo, unafraid of Marquis Yongding, continued, "Father, among the two dukes and four marquises of the Capital City, apart from Duke Ning’s Mansion, our Marquis’ household has the least influence. If I do not strive harder, I fear that our household will decline." Marquis Yongding encouraged his family to enter civil service through examination, but progressing in this path was not easy. Entering civil service through sponsorship did not lead to high positions, and now the Marquis’ household was gradually declining.
Marquis Yongding was so angry he wished he could strangle Guan Jingshuo, but because Guan Jingshuo was his most beloved and proudest son, he could not bear to do so, "What do you know? Even though Emperor Yingzong separated the civil and military affairs and established the Military Departnt, it has been peaceful for over sixty years, and the future will still be dominated by civil officials."
Guan Jingshuo knew that reasoning with his father was futile; it was just like when he wanted to enter the military examination, he had to promise his father to pass the civil examination first, "Father, I will not marry Commandery Princess Wanhe." Though marrying the princess was indeed better than marrying soone of higher status, he certainly did not want to stay away from the core of power.
Marquis Yongding was so furious he nearly vomited blood. After talking for quite a while, he still could not persuade his son. Facing such a stubborn son, Marquis Yongding had no choice. Just as he was about to dismiss Guan Jingshuo, a sudden idea struck him, "Do you have soone else in mind?" Marquis Yongding thought this because of Niu Yanghui’s impressive feat, which led him to question directly. Commandery Princess Wanhe was top-notch in both appearance and talent; her son’s disinterest ant the only explanation was that he had soone else in mind.
Guan Jingshuo bowed his head and remained silent.
In such a situation, silence was tantamount to agreent. Marquis Yongding stared at Guan Jingshuo and demanded, "Whose daughter is she?"
Guan Jingshuo kept his head down and replied, "I admire her, but she does not know."
Marquis Yongding tried to remain calm, "If the match is suitable, I will imdiately have your mother visit her family to propose the marriage."
Guan Jingshuo remained silent.
Marquis Yongding was so angry he almost jumped, his son’s reaction clearly indicating that the girl was not a suitable match for their household. Niu Yanghui was universally praised because he and Mingzhu matched well in both family background and appearance.
Guan Jingshuo, unfazed by Marquis Yongding getting so angry his beard trembled, stated, "Father, rest assured. In matters of marriage, the say of parents and the matchmaker’s words, I will not act beyond what is proper." Guan Jingshuo ant that if Marquis Yongding did not agree to the marriage, he would not act first and report later.
Marquis Yongding sent Guan Jingshuo out, then stayed in the room, gasping for breath. His son was too capable, making him proud yet helpless. Proud because his son had brought him honor, helpless because he could no longer control him.
Attendant Heping, anxiously following Guan Jingshuo back to the courtyard, cautiously asked, "Heir Apparent, after you finish your examination next month, where will you find soone to fall in love with?" Heping, who had been outside earlier, heard the conversation between the father and son. Heping naturally assud that what Guan Jingshuo ant was an excuse to refuse the marriage.
Guan Jingshuo glanced at Heping and smiled faintly, "How do you know I do not already have soone in mind?" After saying that, he left the stunned Heping and went to the back courtyard to practice martial arts.
Upon learning that her cousin Zhu Hang had passed the third rank in the examination, Madam Tang imdiately went to seek Zhuang Ruolan.
Zhuang Ruolan listened to Madam Tang’s words with so difficulty. Although passing was good, the third rank was hardly comndable; the second rank would have been preferable.
From the side, Madam Tang said, "Sister-in-law, my cousin looks handso and has a good temperant, his family is wealthy, and my aunt is also very kind-hearted. If this marriage happens, Yueyao will be the lady of the household." Madam Tang nearly said that Yueyao would be set for a life of fortune.
After so thought, Zhuang Ruolan responded, "Sister-in-law, the marriage of Yueyao is still up to father-in-law to decide." Without knowing the exact details about Zhu Hang, she would not ntion this to Yueyao.
That evening, Zhuang Ruolan spoke to Ma Peng about this matter, "Husband, sister-in-law ntioned this Zhu Hang, and his conditions are not bad; do you think we should et him?"
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