CHAPTER 1766: CHAPTER 1766: AN SAN

The next day at the morning court session, the Emperor appointed officials to renovate examination halls in various provinces, assigning two officials, one main and one deputy. The eldest son of Mr. Li was appointed as the main, and surprisingly, the sixth son of the Wen family’s concubine was chosen as the deputy.

The sudden rise of Mr. Li caught people’s attention. Yesterday, after court, Mr. Li stopped Zhou Shuren, witnessed by many, leading to discreet glances being cast at Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren sensed it but didn’t even raise his eyelids.

The Emperor glanced at his second son, whose fleeting joy deepened the Emperor’s disappointment.

Yesterday, Mr. Li’s patience made the Emperor feel a bit guilty. He knew the Li family didn’t wish for a marriage alliance with the Royal family. Ms. Li received unfair treatment but didn’t complain; the Emperor was satisfied with his daughter-in-law, lamenting that such a fine woman hadn’t encountered an earnest young man.

Zhou Shuren didn’t miss the Emperor’s gaze and lowered his eyelids. This showed that the Emperor understood everything; it’s a pity the Second Prince didn’t realize it, or perhaps he understood but was unwilling to accept reality.

After court, Mr. Li hurriedly left, seemingly evading, without any communication with the Second Prince.

Mr. Li left, forcing the other ministers to congratulate the elderly Mr. Wen. Mr. Wen was also puzzled, as he hadn’t sought any position for this grandson of his concubine.

Zhou Shuren followed the crowd to offer congratulations, leaving together with Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei remarked unexpectedly, "It turned out to be the sixth son of the Wen family."

Zhou Shuren said, "Mr. Li’s eldest son alone couldn’t hold down the position. If a legitimate son from the Wen family were chosen, it would overshadow the Li family. Now, arranging for Wen family’s sixth concubine-born son is appropriate. The Wen family’s influence can suppress the demons, and Wen’s sixth son is also quite capable."

Mr. Wei realized, whispered, "The Emperor has been quite concerned about the Li family."

Zhou Shuren thought about the Emperor’s compensation for his son, "Indeed."

In the Marquis Zhou Residence, Zhulan looked at the dressed-up Yu Wen, "Are you going out?"

Yu Wen replied, "Granddaughter accepted Ms. Gong’s invitation; Ms. He will also be present today."

Zhulan understood, "Your mother wants you to assess the people."

"Yes, my mother trusts my judgment."

Zhulan laughed, "Then you better take a good look."

"Certainly."

This concerns her brother’s marriage; she will undoubtedly investigate carefully.

Zhulan glanced at the time, "Aren’t you leaving?"

"No rush; going early would only mean sitting and waiting."

Yu Wen sat for a while longer before heading out; when she arrived, she wasn’t the last group to arrive. Invitations to the Residence of the Ministry of War were hard to come by, and Ms. Gong hadn’t sent out many invitations, not a single one to fourth-rank official’s families.

Ms. Gong was very enthusiastic and personally seated Yu Wen.

Yu Wen had barely sat down when Lin Xi arrived; the invitations from the Residence of the Ministry of War were respected by Lin Xi as well.

Lin Xi entered and headed straight for Yu Wen, "Cousin."

Yu Wen made room, "Sit and speak."

Ms. Gong, seeing that she didn’t need to entertain, signaled to attend to others, leaving space for the cousins Yu Wen and Lin Xi.

Lin Xi lowered her voice, "Cousin, why are you here?"

Yu Wen said, "With the invitation in hand, it’s only polite to come."

Lin Xi’s eyes shifted slightly, she lamented, "Cousin doesn’t like me anymore, won’t even tell me the truth."

Yu Wen smiled mockingly, "Do you really not know?"

His aunt knew about Ms. He, and she didn’t believe the aunt hadn’t told Lin Xi.

Lin Xi stopped pretending, "I know, which one is Ms. He?"

Her voice was particularly low, and she was quite curious about Ms. He.

Ms. Gong, being the legitimate daughter, invited young ladies who were all of noble birth today; a glance revealed they were all precious ladies.

Yu Wen described, "The lady in a light blue dress."

Lin Xi looked over, raised her eyebrows, "Her smile is very warming."

Yu Wen agreed, some people naturally brought smiles; Ms. He’s smile was like a small sun, bright and warming.

In Chuanzhou Province, Chang Zhi sat in Qian Jiang’s carriage, his gaze fell on Qian Jiang’s very displeased face, "The An family won’t relent, it needs resolution."

Qian Jiang’s eyes were filled with disgust, "Why should we yield the road to the An family? Is such a wide road not sufficient for them?"

Chang Zhi had witnessed how overbearing the An family was; through the carriage window, he saw the common people fearing the An family, quickly making way for the An family’s carriage.

Qian Jiang took a deep breath, instructed the coachman, "Let’s also make way."

The coachman steered the carriage aside, but the An family carriage didn’t proceed, instead parallelled Qian family’s carriage, occupied by Mr. An San.

Mr. An San was very arrogant, "I wondered who it was, turns out to be Mr. Qian."

Qian Jiang clenched his palm, "Are you going to waste time with me?"

Mr. An San noticed someone else in the carriage, and sneered, "Mr. Qian has a guest, that’s why he’s being tough and not yielding."

Chang Zhi sat casually, his gaze indifferent; he found it amusing, even the unruly nobles in the capital weren’t this arrogant, while far from the capital, such individuals thrived.

Mr. An San indeed had other matters; seeing Qian Jiang’s silence, he chuckled and left.

Qian Jiang closed his eyes then opened them, "And yet you urge me to participate in the spring exams?"

Chang Zhi said, "You remain stagnant while the An family advances step by step; are you truly content?"

Qian Jiang signaled the carriage to move faster, avoiding further discussion.

Chang Zhi wasn’t disappointed; he understood it wasn’t something that could be persuaded quickly. He continued, "Did the eldest son from the An family’s second wife secure an official position after passing the provincial exam?"

Qian Jiang frowned, "Yes."

Chang Zhi detected the resistance in his tone, indicating reluctance to delve deeper, and said, "I’ve stayed a few days in the Prefecture City; tomorrow I plan to set out and explore."

Qian Jiang, rarely finding a good conversational partner, said, "Can’t Zhou brother stay a few more days?"

"No, I’ve been dwelling in the Prefecture City, contrary to my intentions of traveling and studying."

"Then I’ll send Zhou brother off tomorrow."

Chang Zhi smiled, "Once I’ve traveled across Chuanzhou Province, I’ll reconnect with Qian brother for talks."

"Excellent."

At the Residence of the Ministry of War, Yu Wen was already conversing with Ms. He; today’s young ladies were of good birth and self-assured, not engaging in manipulative schemes, at most avoiding those they disliked.

Ms. He, being intelligent, was naturally happy to converse more with the Magistrate; if further connections were to be made, they could still forge ties, and the conversation went quite well.

For families without grand ambitions, an offer from the Marquis Zhou Residence was a perfect match for their son.

Yu Wen didn’t extend an invitation to Ms. He to visit but instead arranged to select jewelry together, "I’ll dispatch a carriage to fetch you then."

Ms. He smiled brightly, "Sure, I’ll wait at the residence."

Time passed quickly, the young ladies gradually departed; Lin Xi didn’t hurry back to the Prince’s Mansion, squeezed into a carriage with her cousin, "Is cousin satisfied?"

"You know the answer."

If she weren’t satisfied, she wouldn’t have arranged to select jewelry with Ms. He.

Lin Xi toyed with her fan, "Ming Jia’s cousin is becoming more composed, Ms. He has quite a good temperament."

Yu Wen laughed softly, "Are you also satisfied?"

Lin Xi beamed, "Satisfied indeed."

A generous sister-in-law is appreciated by all; she isn’t masochistic to admire petty women.