Chapter 10, The Young Man of Chang'an

Speaking to Yuan Xiu, Ping Jin smiled and said: "Let me supplement a few candidates for you—there is Wei Weiduan from the Wei family, and the Du family is not without its merits either. However, that one is rather indifferent in dealing with others. If I had not married Kuan Zhi, I might not have known that Du Qingtang's late elder brother left behind a nephew, who was personally raised by Du Qingtang and is named Du Furi. I have seen him once at the Wei family; in terms of demeanor and appearance, he is not inferior to Cui Fengwu. However, he seems to have a rather bland personality and does not have much reputation in Chang'an, so it is uncertain how his talents measure up. Also, do not only focus on Chang'an; as the saying goes, there are many enchanting women in the capital, and the youth of Jingluo are also remarkable. The Eastern Capital is a place where hidden talents abound, so you must choose wisely."

Zheng Man'er, having been spoiled by her mother, immediately replied: "This is only natural; I am not as kind-hearted as my mother. It is infuriating to keep useless things in the residence without any purpose!"

Your eighth and ninth aunts are your elders; when you marry in the future, you must invite them to oversee the matters. As for the marriage of elders, where is it your place to intervene?

Zheng Man'er sighed, "If we are to speak of preference, who in this Chang'an city can compare to Cui Fengwu?" Though she was still young, her sigh carried an indescribable sense of regret. Yuan Xiu laughed and scolded, "If your seventh aunt hears you say this, she will surely punish you!"

Yuan Xiu couldn't help but be amused by her child and the picture book: "The little one is only twelve, and already thinking about the county lord and the governor? Big sister will surely be heartbroken!"

Yuan Xiu has already caught it, and it is not appropriate to say much, so he can only casually praise, "Indeed, everyone here is truly skilled and resourceful."

Zheng Man'er was about to respond when Ping Jin at the head suddenly changed his expression slightly and coughed: "Man'er, you spend all your time mingling with the princesses and county lords from other estates, and you only know these few people? You truly disappoint your mother!"

Yuan Xiu opened her mouth, while Zheng Man'er seized the opportunity to continue speaking eloquently: "If Aunt Jiu does not favor breaking up marriages, among the recognized elegant young gentlemen in Chang'an who are unmarried and have no engagements, there is also the maternal family of Empress Zhaoxian, Prince Xia, the younger brother of the Empress, whom Aunt Jiu must have met. He is talented and charming, truly refined! Additionally, there is the young son of Minister Wei, Wei Weiduan, who possesses poetic talent and carries the demeanor reminiscent of Minister Wei in his prime; furthermore..." She elongated her tone, "Man'er's paternal family, the Zheng family of Xingyang, and Man'er's little uncle, Zheng Wei, is also broad-minded and has considerable martial prowess! I wonder which one Aunt Jiu prefers?"

Yuan Xiu had not yet replied, but she had already begun to count on her fingers the famous young men in Chang'an: "The most prominent in Chang'an is none other than Cui Fengwu from Qinghe. He is charming and handsome, skilled in poetry and literature, and it is said that his swordsmanship is quite impressive as well! However, although he is of an age suitable for my ninth aunt, he was snatched away by my seventh aunt who was quicker to act! Besides Cui Fengwu, there is also Cui Nanxun from Boling, who is said to be a fine young man of exceptional grace, a year older than Cui Fengwu, but I have heard that he is betrothed to my maternal grandmother's cousin... Mother, I still feel closer to my ninth aunt. If my ninth aunt truly has her eyes set on Cui Nanxun, could you go to my maternal grandfather's house and ask the Lu family to withdraw from the engagement? Just consider it an apology for the earlier matter with Feilang!"

Yuan Xiu chuckled softly and turned to Ping Jin, saying: "Sister, look at this. I merely asked her to pick a few branches of flowers, and she retaliated the moment she turned around! Aren't you going to help me?"

Zheng Man'er returned with a branch of the迎春花 (Yingchun flower). Yuan Xiu had just finished discussing matters with Pingjin. She excitedly presented a delicate flower basket to Yuan Xiu, saying: "Aunt Jiu, do you think this flower basket looks beautiful?"

Zheng Man'er made a funny face at her, and suddenly her eyes turned, landing on Yuan Xiu. She giggled and said, "When it comes to getting married, Ninth Aunt is older than I am! And the prince consort of Eighth Aunt hasn't been decided yet. Just now, Ninth Aunt wanted to talk to Mother and didn't let me listen. Wasn't it about this matter?"

What does this have to do with anything? Pingjin was unconvinced, saying, "Empress Dowager Zhao Xian was conferred this title because she cared for you greatly after the ascension of the Fifth Prince. She is merely our stepmother, and both you and the Fifth Prince are born of Empress Dowager Wenhua. As the legitimate son of the *Tu* *Shu* family, there is no need for you to observe mourning for a stepmother. The great achievements are nearly complete, and besides, you are still a daughter. Furthermore, your birthday is in July, and you will reach the age of coming-of-age this year. Even if you wish to wait two more years to complete the rites, you should now start considering a match for the prince consort. Look at Changyang; her marriage was arranged by the late emperor."

Ping Jin was amused to see his ninth sister shy. Not only did he not help her out, but he also encouraged his daughter, saying: "When Yi An got married, she was extremely shy and chose to watch from behind the curtain. In the end, she kept staring at her own skirt, and by the time she looked up, everyone had left. She didn't even know whether they were round or square. I had no choice but to explain each one to her personally, and only then did she choose a suitor from the Wei Chi family! Empress Dowager Zhao Xian used to keep you confined in the southern inner court, and even though I am so close, you have hardly visited. I fear your understanding of the young men of Chang'an is not as good as that of the barbarian girl! Today, hearing her speak, when Wu Lang asks about you in the future, you will at least have some background. You can't possibly have Wu Lang ask you about someone, and you don't even know which family he belongs to!"

Yuan Xiu was still pondering the words interrupted by Zheng Man'er, and thus pursued her with the question: "Man'er, why do you think I do not like Cui Fengwu? Is there perhaps such a rumor circulating in the streets?"

Aunt Seven regarded Cui Fengwu as a precious gem. Zheng Man'er scoffed, saying, "But Man'er knows that Aunt Nine definitely will not like Cui Fengwu!"

Yuan Xiu rolled up her sleeves to cover her face and said to Ping Jin, "Elder sister!"

I am not sad at all; she will always find ways to make things difficult for me in the residence. " Pingjin retorted, "It would be best if she got married off as soon as possible "

Yuan Xiu was half-convinced and secretly planned to have someone investigate upon returning to the palace whether there were any similar rumors. If there were, she would need to explain to Changyang in a timely manner. Although she was not afraid of Changyang harboring resentment, she did not want to damage their sisterly bond for no reason.

A flush suddenly appeared on Yuan Xiu's pale face as she retorted, "The decline in my fortune hasn't diminished; what are you talking about, elder sister!"

"Do not listen to her," Pingjin hurriedly said, "It is because she knows that Cui Fengwu has already been promised to Changyang by the late emperor. You will not compete with Changyang, which is why she said that."

Yuan Xiuqi asked: "Why?"

Zheng Man'er is clever. Just now, she was deliberately interrupted by Ping Jin. Although she has not yet figured out what is going on, at this moment, she is smiling and refusing to answer.

Zheng Man'er truly believed it to be true and exclaimed: "Is Aunt Jiu really getting married? Which young man has caught her eye? Is she too embarrassed to tell Uncle Wu and has come to seek my mother's help in bringing it up?"

Pingtian was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and with a serious expression said: "Rest assured, when the time comes, I will definitely not plead. Not to mention pleading, just see if I shed a single tear when you leave!"

In the open atmosphere of the Dream Tang era, noble young ladies have always been among the best. Zheng Man'er, having been playfully teased by her mother and aunt, was not shy at all. With great confidence, she said: "In a few years, when I truly reach the age of marriage, I fear it will be my mother who will be reluctant, crying and begging me not to get married."

Pingjin laughed and scolded, "Is the princess's residence still under my control? You are already starting to plan to drive people away! In a few years, when you marry and establish your own county princess's residence, won't that be even more formidable?"

She believed that her attitude towards Cui Fengwu was not bad, but she did not know where Zheng Man'er had heard such words. If Changyang were to hear this, given her defense of this prince consort, she would inevitably blame herself. At this moment, she naturally needed to clarify the matter.

The craftsmanship of Man'er is truly impressive! Yuan Xiu exclaimed as she took it, but Zheng Man'er raised her head and laughed, saying: I am not skilled at all. This was made by Xian Nu just now when she saw me picking flowers and helped me weave it.

Zheng Man'er curled her lips and said, "Aunt Jiu is mistaken. Among those around my mother, only Xian Nu can be considered worthy of those four words. The others are merely wastrels, who, aside from drinking and listening to songs, only gather to gamble on duck fights. In my opinion, they should all be driven out!"

Zheng Man'er is clever and responsive: "This is exactly what it means"

You are well-versed in this matter, and it seems you have already made your plans. Yuan Xiu remained calm and teasingly said to her, "Why don't you tell Aunt Jiu first, who you have your eye on among these? Don't let Aunt Jiu choose for you, or you might end up secretly crying to your elder sister!"