Chapter 4: The Sale of Marital Rights

I understand, I understand. So, entering the palace has no future, wasting three years of youth for nothing. No wonder there are so many weddings today; it turns out they are rushing to marry off their daughters before the selection process. But why does the father-in-law want a fake marriage? The son-in-law is quite talented after all

"Wait a moment, what is a draft?" Zhou Xuan knew about the NBA draft, but did not expect that the Southern Tang also had a draft.

Zhou Xuan had a basic understanding of the value of silver in ancient times. Generally speaking, one tael of silver was equivalent to one thousand wen of copper coins, and one wen was roughly equal to five jiao in Renminbi. This means that one tael of silver was worth about five hundred yuan, and fifty taels of silver amounted to twenty-five thousand yuan. Having just crossed over, he was in need of money and found the sight of this shiny silver quite enticing.

Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. Who are we, father-in-law and son-in-law? What is said here will not be passed on to others. Please continue, esteemed father-in-law."

Old Man Qin said, "Of course."

"No, absolutely not!" Zhou Xuan said decisively, "How could I sell my right to my first marriage for a mere fifty taels of silver? You must understand that those who remarry face significant discrimination when seeking a partner. You are ruining my lifelong happiness."

Doctor Qin could not understand what Zhou Xuan was saying. From his tone, it seemed he disagreed, so he added, "What about that one hundred taels of silver? My annual official salary is not even one hundred taels."

Oh dear, how can this be considered ill-gotten gains? It is merely the accumulation of my long-standing official salary, completely above board. I wish to discuss a transaction with Young Master Zhou; as long as you agree, this silver will be yours.

Doctor Qin gratefully looked at this worthy son-in-law and said, "After all these years, His Majesty has not established a single consort, and moreover, His Majesty is already in his sixties. This, this, does the worthy son-in-law understand?"

Zhou Xuan smiled as he looked at his mother-in-law, fully aware that to truly marry Qin Que, he first had to pass the test of his mother-in-law. He had plenty of ways to deal with middle-aged women like her; two words—deceive.

Dr. Qin was so frightened that his face turned pale

Zhou Xuan raised her eyes and saw, under the illumination of the lanterns hanging from the eaves, a tall and stout woman with an elaborate high bun, dressed in a cross-collared persimmon-dyed silk long skirt. Surrounded by several maids and servants, she stood imposingly, blocking the entrance to the library.

Zhou Xuan, seeing his father-in-law at a disadvantage, boldly spoke up: "Esteemed mother-in-law, your words are misguided. The ancients said that a white-haired person is like a new acquaintance, and old friends are like old acquaintances. What matters between people is the bond of fate. The relationship between the son-in-law and the father-in-law is like old friends. The esteemed father-in-law appreciates the talents of the son-in-law, which is why he has betrothed Qin Que to me. When I ride through the streets, the neighbors all praise the esteemed father-in-law for his discernment in choosing a son-in-law."

Doctor Qin, feeling both amused and exasperated, said: "Young Master Zhou, you may not know this, but that little Zhou is quite jealous"

Old Qin sat on the embroidery stool in front of the bed and lowered his voice, saying: "To be honest with you, Young Master Zhou, my intention to recruit a son-in-law this time is indeed false. However, you will not suffer any loss. You only need to pretend to be a son-in-law for half a month. After that, you can take the money and leave. What do you think?"

"I am unworthy of such praise." The mother-in-law entered with an imposing demeanor, her bulging eyes looking down on Zhou Xuan, while she reproached Old Qin, saying: "I told you to find someone to cover up the situation, yet you brought in such a troublemaker who can't handle even the simplest task."

Ten thousand taels are not enough, wealth cannot lead to debauchery, do you understand? I just don't understand why you need a sham marriage for your daughter. Am I not worthy of your daughter? Oh, I see, is it that your daughter has secretly promised a lifetime commitment with some scholar in the back garden, and now she is with child, but the scholar has run away? So you are looking for me to cover up for you, am I right?

So it turns out to be the mother-in-law. I didn't notice her during the ceremony just now. Look at this situation; the father-in-law is afraid of his wife. Zhou Xuan also stood up and bowed, saying: "Son-in-law pays respects to the esteemed mother-in-law"

Zhou Xuan said: "This is a good thing. Once your daughter enters the palace, she might become a noble consort, and you will be the national father-in-law, haha"

Zhou Xuan shouted: "What are you looking at? Hurry and urge the bride to come back, just say that the new groom is getting impatient."

"This is fifty taels of silver, please accept it, Young Master Zhou," Old Man Qin said earnestly

The father-in-law and son-in-law were sitting quietly in the room, while outside the door, a young boy in blue occasionally peeked in.

Doctor Qin took a moment to calm his emotions and said: "I will speak frankly, this year marks the triannual selection of talents for the Tang Palace, and the selection will take place in Jiangzhou tomorrow"

This is the selection of palace maids in the Tang Dynasty, held once every three years, where the old palace maids are returned to the common folk, and the newly selected maids enter the palace to serve and manage the library

Then the child stuck out his tongue and disappeared without a trace

This statement makes Doctor Qin feel warm and fuzzy inside, as he truly feels a sense of familiarity with this talented son-in-law. He says: "My dear, this Young Master Zhou is indeed exceptionally gifted. The poem he just recited was spontaneous, fitting, and elegant. In my opinion, it is simply—"

Transaction, what transaction

"Well, you slander the queen," Zhou Xuan exclaimed

The stout and plump Lady Qin snorted in anger: "What? You old fool actually intend to betroth our daughter to this unknown person? When my nephew arrives, how will you explain this to him"

A stern female voice came from outside the door: "Let the old woman come and speak to him"

Turning her face towards Zhou Xuan, she said bluntly: "To speak frankly, my daughter has been childhood friends with her cousin, and they agreed to get married on the day of the End of Heat this year (which was yesterday). Unexpectedly, the court selection was moved up by a month to Jiangzhou, so I found you as a substitute. Once the court selection envoy leaves Jiangzhou, the marriage will be annulled, and the Qin family will have nothing to do with you."

"Esteemed father-in-law, I will not even touch this ill-gotten wealth of yours." Zhou Xuan had never held an official position, but he had seen a great deal of integrity in political parties on television, and he imitated it with a remarkable sense of righteousness

Doctor Qin stood up and walked to the door, murmuring a few words to no one in particular. After a while, a maid approached carrying a square wooden tray, on which gleamed ten small silver ingots.

Zhou Xuan asked: "Does this mean I cannot share a room with Miss Qin Que?"

Zhou Xuan thought: "So that's how it is. It seems that the atmosphere in the Southern Tang is quite open, not caring about second marriages. However, I must have Qin Que. We have already held the wedding ceremony, and she is already my wife, Zhou Xuan. How can she be taken away by that so-called cousin of hers? No way!"

Doctor Qin quickly got up and said with lowered brows and a gentle tone, "My lady, you have arrived"

Zhou Xuan, filled with righteous indignation, exclaimed, causing the old man Qin to tremble with rage, his voice quivering: "You, you are slandering us! My Qin family is a reputable and honorable family of officials; how could we possibly be involved in such disgraceful matters! You saw it during the wedding ceremony; my son Qin Que has a slender waist and is delicate and graceful; how could he be pregnant!"

Zhou Xuan also thought about it and asked: "Then why is that?"

Doctor Qin seems to have a good impression of Zhou Xuan, and sincerely said: "The worthy son-in-law may not know, but the little bird..."