This is the kind of reincarnation a time-traveling woman should have!
Wang was completely ignorant of matters in the court and asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with the marriage of the eldest girl? Lord Qiu Jing is an official from outside the court, after all"
Sheng Hong sighed softly and explained helplessly, "That means if the Third Prince ascends to the throne but has no sons, he can adopt a son from his brothers. The Emperor has more than just these two princes; the younger princes below all have sons, after all, they are all the Emperor's grandsons."
Typically, it is the legitimate sons and daughters who hold precedence, while the illegitimate sons are somewhat acceptable; however, the illegitimate daughters have no share at all
As summer gradually approaches, the sun becomes scorching, and the heat burns against the skin. On this day, Minglan is taking a nap in the inner room, while two young maids on duty in the outer hall are idly chatting with one another.
"Who bullied her? I merely asked her to peel an orange!" The young girl, Ru Lan, stood with her little belly protruding and her hands on her hips.
At such times, Miss Hualan would descend from the heavens like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to uphold justice. She may not particularly like Minglan, but she cannot tolerate the arrogant demeanor of Ruan. As the favored eldest daughter, her authority in the Sheng residence is second only to that of the three elders. She reprimands her younger sister and punishes the servants with ease, articulating her points with clarity and confidence.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, the Wang family immediately devoted themselves with boundless enthusiasm to the search for a suitable son-in-law. From time to time, they would exchange opinions with Sheng Hong and Old Madam Sheng. During these moments, Hua Lan would shyly cover her face and retreat to her room. Ming Lan couldn't help but sigh, noting that society had indeed progressed. In the past, when Yao Ma held up a photo to Yao Yi Yi as a potential match, Yao Yi Yi was fully involved in the process and had the final say and decision-making power. Yet here, even someone as favored as Sheng Hua Lan had no say in her own marriage. This was Ming Lan's first encounter with the concept of parental arrangements and matchmaking.
"That is not the case." Sheng Hong finally became interested and said eagerly, "I specifically visited the residence of Duke Zhongqin this time and met several of the old duke's sons. The eldest son is already engaged to the daughter of Master Zhang, the Grand Scholar of the National Academy. The second son, in my opinion, is quite good; he is composed and courteous, exuding an impressive presence. At a young age, he has secured a position in the Five Cities Military Command. I even went out of my way to inquire about his character and abilities from Commander Dou. You know Dou, he is usually quite arrogant, yet he praised Yuan Wenshao wholeheartedly and sighed, saying that the young man, due to his family's circumstances, is generally avoided by other official families for marriage, while he looks down on families of lesser status. A fine young man has reached nearly twenty without marrying. Perhaps I made my intentions clear in front of Dou, as the next day, the Yuan family sent someone to express their interest."
"Madam specially ordered a set of head and facial jewelry from Cui Bao Zhai. Mother said it is the finest pearl and jade shop in the capital, and I wonder how much silver was spent. And the skirt worn by the young lady, Mother said the embroidery on it is called Liu Shang embroidery, which seems to move with every step. It was sent by the elderly matriarch from Madam's family. The young lady is truly fortunate. Sister Xiao Mei, what do you think our girls will be like in the future..." said a round-faced girl of seven or eight years.
Minglan felt deeply grateful to this beautiful and imposing older sister. She was truly a proud daughter of heaven, possessing beauty, a noble family background, and charisma. Minglan sincerely hoped that this older sister would always remain as happy and proud in the future
"All the servants are dead, and you expect the master to peel an orange?! Or is it that the maid beside you is especially precious, and cannot be ordered around?!" Hua Lan's beautiful big eyes glared over, and the three or four maids who had been standing by watching the joke all lowered their heads, shrinking back in fear. "Seeing the Sixth Young Lady about to peel an orange, and none of you stopped her, are you all dead?! Such capable maids, and now you are just watching the master's joke, when I return to the master and mistress tomorrow, I will have you all sent home to spend your days watching jokes!" Miss Hua Lan scolded sharply.
Sheng Hong sneered, saying: "If it were merely a shortage of silver, I would not be so concerned. It is just that the descendants of that family are truly unworthy. In such a large family, there is not a single person capable of reading, martial arts, or strategizing. The old duke and his wife are fine themselves, but their several sons... hum! The eldest branch is proud and extravagant, and the father and son have long been the subject of ridicule for their indulgence. As for the second branch, oh, the one who came to propose is the second son of that branch. At his age, he still cannot stop seeking young concubines, and he has been promiscuous with the maids and wives in the household. I heard in the capital that he even took the personal maid of his daughter-in-law to bed, truly a disgrace to culture, a complete scoundrel!"
Minglan's mother is a lazy and careless woman, often giving directions in the wrong way. With just a few more commands, she pouts and shows her displeasure. The young girls, following her example, are also lazy and ineffective, often whispering within earshot of Minglan, saying things like, "Going left once and right once, it never ends, it's really exhausting," and "What kind of mistress is she pretending to be? She really thinks she’s some wealthy young lady, but she’s just a concubine’s daughter," and "She should settle down soon; who has the patience to serve her?"
Ru Lan immediately became defiant, stepping forward to tug at her sister's sleeve, and shouted, "Elder sister, you must not bully my people. I will tell mother! You are making things difficult for your own sister for the sake of a foolish child born to a concubine!"
"But what is it? Please, my lord, do tell me quickly." Wang urged anxiously
Wang's expression was somewhat awkward as he chuckled and said, "My lord need not worry; there are other families available. I find the Duke Ling's residence quite suitable. Although they have been granted a lower rank, it has only been three generations since they were conferred by the founding emperor. The House of Zhongqin, on the other hand, has maintained its original rank, but their current situation is not favorable; they have long been disdained by His Majesty, so it is better to avoid them. The Duke Ling's residence is excellent, renowned and prosperous, with a distinguished lineage and thriving fortune."
Wang smiled and clapped his hands, saying, "This is indeed a good idea. Those few young princes come from humble maternal families, and the Emperor does not pay much attention to them; they are unlikely to inherit the throne. Adopting their sons would be the most appropriate solution. However... can this work? Will the Fourth Prince agree?"
"Nonsense! If it weren't for their current difficulties, it wouldn't be our turn to intervene," Sheng Hong retorted with Wang's words, "Their family has also faced misfortune. During the reign of the late emperor, they inadvertently got involved in the conspiracy against King Yi, and along with several other noble families, they lost their titles and fell into disgrace for several years. Later, when the current emperor ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty and upon reviewing old cases, it was discovered that several noble families, including the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence, were indeed wronged and had been unjustly implicated. Consequently, four or five families were reinstated, and theirs was among them. However, they were still criticized for their improper conduct and lack of caution, resulting in a full ten years of deprivation of their silver and rice allowances, leading to their neglect."
Wang hesitated and said, "But that is ultimately the Duke's residence. A family of such grandeur and prestige, if they were not currently in difficulty, it would not be our Hua'er's turn."
"...this is not necessarily the case." Sheng Hong leisurely opened his folding fan and began to wave it slowly, saying, "In my youth, I lived in the capital with my grandfather and grandmother, and studied at the family school of the Ling Guogong with Brother Wei. I held that family in great disdain; outwardly they appeared splendid, but internally they were filthy and corrupt. The family school was also quite unsavory, and Brother Wei and I only studied there for half a year before leaving. This time, when I came to the capital on business, I heard that the Ling Guogong's household has become even more deplorable. With a large number of people in the household, both masters and servants, living in luxury and honor, several young masters, merely of the age of Zhangbai, have over twenty wives and maidservants attending to them in the house. Such extravagant indulgence, both large and small, is wasteful beyond measure, lavish and extravagant, with more going out than coming in, and their coffers have long been emptied. I merely hinted to Uncle Geng that Hua is about to come of age, and they came to speak with me, revealing their intention of a marriage alliance in their conversation."
In order to reorganize the inner residence of the Sheng family, Sheng Hong was eager to replace all the servants. Except for a few trusted confidants of the madams and Concubine Lin, almost all the second and third-tier cleaning maids were replaced. New ones were then selected from the family nursery to supplement the staff. Those with pleasing appearances were first assigned to the first few young masters and young ladies. By the time it was Minglan's turn, only this silly little Tao was left.
"Since the master speaks so convincingly, why should we still seek to form a marriage alliance with his family?" Wang said, pouting.
Originally, Hua had just reached the age of marriage and was not in a hurry to choose a suitor. However, with Lord Qiu's proposal, we had no choice but to expedite the matter. We must either agree to this marriage with the Qiu family or provide a reasonable explanation for our refusal. Madam Wang sat beside a bat-shaped, flowing cloud blackwood table, with several large red invitation cards piled in front of her, and the tassels of the dragon and phoenix gold hairpin on her head swayed incessantly.
In contrast, Xiao Minglan, merely five or six years old, lacks the favor of a doting mother. Being so young and somewhat dull-witted, there is no need for the Wang family to bully her, nor would they go out of their way to care for her. After all, she shares meals and sleeps alongside Rulan. However, those with a keen eye can still discern the differences.
Wang had long been persuaded, wiping her tears with a handkerchief while scolding, "Pah, a down-and-out fellow is being praised as if he were a flower. The master understands things better than I do. Let me inquire further about Yuan Wenshao's character. He is already twenty years old, and I do not know how many people are in his household. If there are any unruly and overbearing ones, I will not agree. My Hua'er is not going to marry just to suffer."
Minglan gazed silently at the sky, slowly walking to the side table. Just as she was about to peel an orange she picked up, a hand reached out from the side to block her. The hand was delicate and beautiful, with ten pointed nails stained with a light red juice from the balsam flower.
"Brother Qiu and I are of the same age, and our families are well acquainted. Originally, there was no reason not to arrange this marriage, but..." Sheng Hong walked back and forth in the room, holding a folding fan made of yellow wood.
"Go and tell! I have long wanted to tell, what nonsense about being born of a concubine, Sixth Sister is our sister. Moreover, Father brought her to Mother, which makes her our biological sister! If you keep talking such nonsense about being born of a concubine, be careful that Father will hit you!" Hualan forcefully poked Rulan's forehead with her index finger.
Minglan has set a career plan for herself: to feign ignorance when necessary, and to report grievances when required. The experience of Miss Yingchun teaches us that merely enduring hardships does not guarantee peace. A concubine without any support, if she does not stand up for herself and strive for her own interests, who else will pay her any attention? As the saying goes, heaven helps those who help themselves
Wang was utterly astonished: "I wonder why a dignified Duke's residence would come to propose marriage at the home of a mere sixth-rank prefect. Surely, respectable families in the capital would not be willing to marry off their daughters to us?"
Wang pondered for a moment, and could not help but be greatly alarmed: "My lord, this is indeed inappropriate. Regardless of whether His Majesty appoints the Third Prince, if the Third Prince is unable to produce a son, the throne will eventually be given to someone else! I have heard that the Fourth Prince is not someone to be underestimated."
Wang was taken aback: "Are you saying that they have set their sights on the dowry of the eldest daughter?"
Minglan lay in the inner room, listening to the conversation of the maids. These two young maids assigned to her by Wang were named Qiu Yu, the older one, and Xiao Tao, the younger one. The former was originally a third-rank maid in Wang's household, while the latter had just been promoted from the family nursery, said to be of a similar age to the sixth young lady, making her easy to get along with—upon thinking of this, Minglan could only puff up her cheeks in helplessness.
"But he has no son!" Wang promptly added to Sheng Hong, "Without a son, no matter how virtuous the Third Prince is, it is of no use. Lord Qiu is being too foolish; the struggle for the heir's position is not a game. I believe the Fourth Prince will definitely ascend to the throne"
Wang recalled those difficult days, and her eyes turned red. Sheng Hong's voice also trembled slightly: "At that time, I thought, no matter how much I had to endure, I could not let Hua'er suffer. I do not wish to use Hua'er to climb the social ladder; I only hope she can marry a responsible man, live harmoniously as a couple, and in the future, bear children and lead a smooth life."
Wang still maintained a stern expression: "As you mentioned, ordinary official families do not dare to form alliances with them. They currently have neither power nor wealth, so why should we rush to them?"
"However, Qiu Jing's elder brother is actually the preaching master of the Third Prince!" Sheng Hong was taken aback; he truly wished to be open-hearted with his wife, yet her thoughts were always out of sync with his. Aunt Lin, on the other hand, was very in tune with him, but she happened to be a concubine.
"Who says otherwise? Those who are currently advocating for adoption have long become thorns in the side of the Fourth Prince. It is better to be cautious than to take risks; if the Fourth Prince ascends to the throne in the future, then the Qiu family..." Sheng Hong did not continue, but the Wang family understood completely.
Every meal is served with dishes that Ru Lan likes, and Ming Lan has no choice but to eat what is provided; Ru Lan's clothes are all new, while Ming Lan wears the leftovers, which are still about ninety percent new; any fresh fruits or pastries are naturally given to Ru Lan first, with the remainder left for Ming Lan; as for jewelry such as gold and silver locks or chains, Ming Lan has never seen any, yet every time she goes out, Wang Shi still adorns her neck and head with some items to maintain appearances.
In fact, complaining is a skillful endeavor. The modern workplace is no different from the ancient Sheng family; a well-placed complaint can improve one's life, while a poorly executed one can have the opposite effect. There are certain techniques involved. First, the target of the complaint must be precise. Minglan initially understood that the Wang family did not take her seriously; they only needed to keep her alive. Sheng Hong, on the other hand, remembered the benefits of Concubine Wei and felt guilty for her untimely death, which is why Minglan chose to complain to Sheng Hong. Second, the objective of the complaint must be clear. Minglan only complained about the maids and servants, never mentioning the Wang family, instead often stating how the Wang family provided this and that, blaming the servants for being lazy and cunning. As Wang listened, she found it acceptable. Lastly, and most importantly, one must play the fool. From the moment Minglan regained consciousness, she acted dazed and foolish, speaking haltingly and reacting slowly, presenting a completely uncalculating demeanor, which ultimately ensured her safety
"Madam is correct this time," Sheng Hong said, putting away his fan and shaking his head.
What do you understand? Generally, the offspring of nobles with titles tend to be dull and incompetent, as they rely on their ancestors' favor and do not think of studying, practicing martial arts, or striving for progress. After two or three generations, they become unremarkable. However, the Yuan family, having experienced hardships, has descendants who are more capable and sensible than the average. Those who have endured difficulties understand the challenges of establishing a career. I find Yuan Wenshao to be quite admirable
Ah, how can our girl compare? The young lady is of legitimate birth...
Seeing that his wife finally understood, Sheng Hong nodded slightly and sighed, saying, "I often advise Brother Qiu to be cautious. While it is acceptable for us, as external officials, to secretly cultivate relationships with some officials and inner ministers, we must absolutely avoid getting entangled in the significant matter of establishing an heir. There are so many noble houses in the capital, and among them, how many have successfully involved themselves in such affairs? When the late emperor ascended the throne, it was relatively smooth, yet he still stripped several oblivious nobles of their titles and dismissed countless first and second rank officials, not to mention us. I have advised Brother Qiu several times, but he has not heeded my words; instead, he has grown even closer to his elder brother and the Third Prince. I know the Third Prince is a person of benevolence and virtue, but..."
The author has something to say
"Rulan, you have bullied the sixth sister again! Come down here!" Miss Hualan stormed over and yanked Rulan down from the swing. "What did Father say the other day? Among the sisters, the sixth sister is the youngest, and we, as older sisters, should be more considerate and take care of her. Yet you, on the contrary, bully her all day long! Be careful, or I will tell Father!"
After a period of discussion, the Sheng family was left with two final candidates: the fifth grandson of the Duke's residence and the second son of the Zhongqin Bo family. Before the couple could reach a decision, Lord Qiu Jing, the then Prefect of Kaifeng, came to propose marriage for his son
"Alright, alright, I will comply with my wife." Sheng Hong affectionately wrapped his arms around her, "If that young man is a womanizer, I will be the first to disagree. We must carefully consider and find the best son-in-law for Hua'er."
Sheng Hong lowered his voice even further, saying, "This is not really a secret; they have incited several ministers to promote outside, wanting to emulate the story of Emperor Yingzong of Song."
"Minglan, little girl, bring me an orange from hetushu.com.com, and make sure it is peeled properly." The young girl, Rulan, was sitting on the swing
In ancient official families, marriage alliances were taken very seriously, often requiring a thorough investigation of three generations of the prospective family. Official families could be categorized into those with substantial family assets and those without, as well as those of a single generation and those with a long lineage. Good parents would often be very meticulous in selecting suitable partners for their daughters and sons.
It is hard to say, especially since their family has greedily taken the bride's dowry, and this is not the first or second time.
Wang said, "What idea?"
"This is a gamble; if won, the Qiu family will rise to great heights, but if lost, they will face utter ruin. So why take the risk? The Qiu family is already prosperous and esteemed." Sheng Hong sighed.
Sheng Hong sat opposite the Wang family, picked up the white porcelain tea cup on the table, took a shallow sip, and said: "I have met Young Master Qiu, and his appearance and character are indeed worthy of Hua'er. I have never liked the idea of Hua'er marrying into the Wang family; although they are wealthy, their doors are ultimately tightly shut. Hua'er is proud and ambitious, and if she were to marry into that place, it might not be to her liking. Our family is well-matched with the Qiu family, and we need not worry about Hua'er being wronged. However, this time when I went to the capital, it did not seem appropriate."
The young lady's coming-of-age ceremony was truly grand. It is said that the madam invited some prominent ladies from Dengzhou, and there were two rows of sedan chairs lined up at the entrance. To prevent the guests from overheating, the madam even bought dozens of carts of ice to keep things cool, sending in ice bowls at a flowing price. The master also specially returned to the residence to witness the ceremony.
"That cannot be the residence of the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence, for the Yuan family is currently in a state of great decline." Wang said angrily
Like a proud orchid, she was unable to refute; Minglan lowered her head, feigning ignorance, and remained silent
Wang was twisting her handkerchief and indignantly retorted, "Sir, please do not speak to me in such a literary manner. I cannot even recognize a single character, how would I know the story of Emperor Yingzong of Song?"
"How did you say you would choose a son-in-law that day?" Sheng Hong glanced at her and, imitating Wang's tone, replied leisurely: "He must come from a good family background, have substantial wealth, and a simple household. It is essential that the in-laws and sisters-in-law are easy to manage. Most importantly, the young man must possess abilities; he should either be well-educated with a degree or be capable in business with assets, or have military prowess and titles. Most of my friends are scholars, and among those who are of the same age and examination as I, few hold high positions. Those with good reputations and high ranks often come from families with limited means, while those with substantial wealth have usually been predetermined by their elders. Brother Liu from the Dali Temple would be suitable, but his legitimate son is still young. In the future, I could discuss this with Rulan. Alas—"
Minglan sat quietly on the stone stool, gazing at the sky without moving. Rulan called out to her a few more times, and seeing that Minglan still did not respond, she casually picked up a small stone and threw it over. Minglan felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and turned her head in discomfort, only to see Rulan grinning widely: "You little fool, why aren't you quickly peeling an orange for this young lady!"
With heartfelt words, filled with a father's compassion, Wang could no longer hold back her tears and hurriedly lowered her head to wipe them away. Sheng Hong continued, "No matter how poor the Yuan family may be, they still have a title to protect them. If the official career does not go smoothly, at least there is a marquisate to rely on. If Yuan Wenshao proves himself, there will still be glory and wealth awaiting Hua in the future"
Sheng Hong's expression immediately softened, and Wang was also extremely embarrassed. She had been busy preparing for Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony recently and had no time to attend to Minglan. In her anger, she punished all the maids and servants who had embarrassed her. At first, the maids and servants were defiant and continued to make things difficult for Minglan, but she did not take it to heart and continued to report their misdeeds. However, after two instances, the servants became more compliant, and Minglan's life improved.
"Sir, we cannot agree to the marriage proposal from the Qiu family. They are willing to gamble, but we cannot stake Hua'er on such a bet. If things go awry, our entire family could be implicated as well." Mrs. Wang's thoughts suddenly became clear. She took out a crimson handkerchief embroidered with sunflowers from her waist and pressed it against her forehead. Then she raised her head and asked, "Sir, you have always been known for your integrity in the officialdom and have maintained good relations with others. Is there truly no one suitable for a marriage alliance?"
Sheng Hongdao said, "It is not that there are none. While I was still in Quanzhou, I carefully considered my peers from the same year and my friends in the library, but none of them were suitable."
In fact, making a living beside the Wang family is not that difficult. Sister Hualan and Brother Zhangbo already have their own courtyard, while little Brother Zhangdong is still in the drooling stage. The only person Minglan needs to deal with is the young girl Rulan. Rulan is not a bad person; she simply enjoys throwing tantrums and wants to be pampered every day. However, she cannot provoke her elder sister and brother, and she cannot reach the elder sister and brother from Aunt Lin's side either. Even the little Brother Zhangdong, who can barely stand, is too dull for her to bother with. Thus, the only unfortunate person left for her to command is Minglan.
"That may not necessarily be the case." Sheng Hong suddenly made a counterattack, "Brother Qiu and the various officials around the Third Prince are not entirely foolish; they understand that if it were not for the issue of heirs, the Third Prince would have established a successor long ago. Thus, they came up with an idea."
"Are none of them suitable?" Wang inquired doubtfully
Every morning, Minglan is held by her mother and goes with Wang to pay respects to Old Lady Sheng. Prior to this, the concubines from each household have already paid their respects to Wang. Aunt Lin's visits are quite regular, approximately every three days she pays her respects and takes two days off, citing various health issues. If Sheng Hong spent the night in her room the previous evening, she would complain of fatigue in her waist; if he did not, she would place a hand on her chest and say she felt emotionally drained. Each time Aunt Lin comes to pay her respects, Wang has to mentally prepare herself for a long time to avoid losing her temper and impulsively attacking Aunt Lin, thereby challenging Wang's composure.
Minglan did not witness Sheng Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony, but she could imagine the scene. She did not feel particularly envious or jealous; rather, in her drowsy state, she would think that a background like Sheng Hualan's is precisely what a time-traveling woman should aspire to.
Wang was still unwell, turning her head away in silence. Sheng Hong walked over and gently placed his hand on Wang's shoulder, speaking softly: "Hua'er is our firstborn daughter; how could I possibly mistreat her? I remember back then when I was just a minor substitute official, assigned to that desolate place. When Hua'er was born, we couldn't even find a decent wet nurse. I was studying for exams while working, and you had to manage the household and take care of me and the old lady. Hua'er was so well-behaved at that time that it broke my heart; she never cried or caused trouble. As she grew a little older, she could even help you manage affairs. To speak frankly, among all our children, the one I cherish the most is Hua'er."
Hualan and Rulan, though they are biological sisters, differ greatly in appearance. Hualan resembles Sheng Hong, radiant and beautiful, with a spirited demeanor reflected in her brows. In contrast, Rulan resembles the Wang family, with a round face and well-defined features, her beauty somewhat ordinary. However, as she matures, she may develop a more dignified presence. It is evident that the Creator has not treated this pair of sisters born of the same parents fairly; in terms of looks, talent, and parental affection, the younger sister falls short of the elder. Minglan only hopes that Rulan's feelings of imbalance do not worsen.
However... it is fine, Minglan turned her small body over on Rongtan.
Upon hearing the difficulties faced by Hualan in marrying into a noble family, Wang nodded repeatedly. In the end, she even picked up the round fan in her hand and gently fanned Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong paused for a moment, leaned closer, and whispered, "The current Empress has no sons, so in terms of legitimacy, it is not feasible. The next most prominent and valuable candidates are the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince, born of Concubine De and Concubine Shu respectively. The Emperor has yet to establish an heir, primarily because the Third Prince is frail and has not fathered any children despite being over forty, while the Fourth Prince, who does have offspring, was born a bit late. As long as the Emperor remains in good health, it is manageable, but should anything happen in the future, those close ministers around the princes may find themselves in a precarious situation."
Minglan remained silent, pretending not to have heard, and continued to be demanding. Since Sheng Hong was not yet completely at ease with Wang Shi, he would occasionally check on Minglan. At these times, Minglan would straightforwardly say: "I was thirsty at night, but Mother didn't give me any water to drink;... Did you give me the begonia syrup last time? I haven't seen it at all... The snacks given by the lady? Mother said her little grandson likes to eat them, so she took them away... Mother said she would mend this tear in my clothes when she has time."