Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Duke Cheng'en, being a scholar by nature, found himself too overwhelmed by the events of the early morning to mount his horse. Instead, he had to resort to taking a carriage. Marquis Yongyi, on the other hand, merely brought along a few servants and rode alongside them.

Within the Diligent Governance Hall, the emperor's face was as dark as water, while the crown prince mirrored his somber expression. The officials in the room dared not even breathe loudly, except for those from the Censorate, who wore serious expressions and exuded an aura of righteousness.

Muffled sobs could be heard, indicating that the Empress had received news and was allowed to listen from a side chamber, as the emperor, moved by her distress, had opened the door between the main hall and the annex.

Flipping through the reports submitted by the Censorate, the emperor's mind buzzed with the overwhelming evidence – each case supported by both witnesses and tangible proof. It was evident that the Censorate was indeed filled with capable individuals. After all, he had personally promoted both the Left and Right Censors. The emperor found some solace in this thought amidst his suffering.

Duke Cheng'en and Marquis Yongyi arrived promptly. The Emperor was slightly taken aback. Why had Marquis Yongyi accompanied Duke Cheng'en?

"Your subjects pay our respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise."

Both Duke Cheng'en and Marquis Yongyi stood up. Marquis Yongyi stepped back, taking his place among the right-side military officials.

The Emperor inquired, "Prime Minister Gao, the Left Supreme Censorate, Minister Lin, accuses you of seizing fertile lands, abducting innocent maidens, allowing your servants to commit heinous acts, and disregarding human life. Do you plead guilty?"

"Your Majesty," Duke Cheng'en knelt once more, "Though I am an incompetent servant unable to alleviate Your Majesty's burdens, I still distinguish right from wrong. I would never dare to commit such an act that neglects the law; I am falsely accused!"

The emperor closed his eyes. He didn't wish to intimidate his father-in-law in front of the court officials. Handing the memorial to Lin Chu, he said, "Read it for yourself."

Lin Chu passed the document to Duke Cheng'en. As the duke unfolded it, spots of gold danced before his eyes.

The entire incident was rather cliché, lacking any bizarre twists and turns – something one might find in a low-quality novel. However, when such fictional events became reality, the impact was no less than a volcanic eruption or a towering tidal wave.

It all began with Liu Yubai, the nephew of Duke Cheng'en's most beloved concubine. While out shopping, he had encountered a flower vendor named Zhang Guanhua.

Zhang Guanhua possessed some charm, which prompted him to attempt to harass her. Her brother Zhang Guigang was present, and upon witnessing his sister being harassed, he could not stand idly by. He raised his hand to strike Liu Yubai.

Liu Yubai promptly instructed his attendant to severely beat Zhang Guigang. In the process, Zhang Guanhua was also seized and taken back to Duke Cheng'en's residence.

Zhang Guigang was a man of principle; despite the brutal beating, he did not yield. Once his family rescued him and he regained consciousness, he rushed to the local courthouse to file a complaint. The county magistrate dispatched officials to Duke Cheng'en's residence for inquiries. Liu Zhong, Liu Yubai's father and the grand steward, ordered his men to assault the officers. Subsequently, Liu Yubai himself boarded a sedan chair and headed to the county office.

The county magistrate, without due diligence, hastily convicted Zhang Guanhua of immoral conduct, punishable by drowning in a pig cage according to the law. However, as Liu Yubai was willing to take her as his concubine, she was spared from punishment. Zhang Guigang, on the other hand, was convicted of causing trouble and sentenced to twenty strokes of the cane.

The Zhang family was not native to the capital city; they resided in a neighboring county, three days' journey away, where they owned twenty acres of fertile land. Their lifestyle was modest but comfortable. Fueled by anger, every member of the family, including their clan leader who shared their indignant spirit, sought justice at the county office of the neighboring region.

The County Magistrate of Lin County proved to be an upright man. He clearly informed the Zhang family that the case had already been settled by the City Magistrate of the capital, and he neither had the ability nor the authority to overturn the verdict. The City Magistrate of the capital held a rank of Sixth Class, while he was only a Seventh Class official. Ultimately, he advised the Zhang family to lodge their complaint with the Prefect of the capital city.

The Zhang family sought help from the city governor, but to their surprise, they were apprehended by Duke Cheng'en's estate officials upon entering the capital. It turned out that Liu Zhong had long anticipated their attempt to file a complaint in the imperial city.

Liu Zhong coerced the family into a gambling den, forcing the Zhangs to sign a debt contract. When Zhang Guigan refused, he was brutally killed on the spot. Under duress, the Zhang couple reluctantly signed the document, allowing Liu Zhong to seize their estate and farmland in a seemingly justified manner.

The Zhang couple were left to work off their "debts" at the gambling den by Liu Zhong.

There was no cunning plot involved; Liu Zhong relied purely on the might of Duke Cheng'en to overpower his opponents, which made the situation all the more despairing.

The matter came to light solely due to Zhang Guigang and Zhang Huagui, along with their two younger twin brothers. The siblings were both bright and astute from a young age, excelling in their studies at the clan school. They were highly regarded by all in the clan. As they grew older, efforts were made to find them a renowned master to mentor them.

This master, though not a prominent scholar, was considered excellent in the eyes of rural folk. He was indeed a legitimate Juren, and one of his fellow townsfolk was an imperial scholar. This scholar had a close friend from the same academic cohort who happened to be the nephew of the Left Procurator-General of the Censorate.

The Censorate oversaw the conduct of all officials and was responsible for impeachments. Being on their bad side was akin to handing them an opportunity to boost their records.

Duke Cheng'en beat his head against the ground, "Your Majesty, I swear I never instructed Liu Zhong to bribe the Prefect of Zhen County. I knew nothing of this."

The emperor responded, "And what of Zhang Huagui? Is she still in your residence at this moment?"

Duke Cheng'en replied, "This is an internal household matter. I am completely unaware."

The crown prince's face darkened instantly, while the emperor's expression became obscure. A faint sobbing sound could be heard coming from the side palace.

Marquis Yongyi suddenly stepped forward from the ranks of the military officials, pointing at Duke Cheng'en. "You don't know? I think you know more than anyone else."

The emperor, crown prince, and the entire court were stunned. What was Marquis Yongyi up to? Weren't these two related by their children's marriage?

Marquis Yongyi bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I have a petition to present. I wish to impeach Duke Cheng'en for favoring his concubine over his wife and for allowing his son to commit violence."

A collective gasp echoed throughout the grand hall.

"Duke Cheng'en, you're spouting nonsense!" the Duke shot up, enraged. "It's your Li family's daughter who is barren and overly jealous, forbidding concubines to bear children. My son, at an advanced age, finally has an heir, yet she actually attempted to abort the child. How sinister her heart must be!"

Marquis Yongyi didn't even glance at Duke Cheng'en as he knelt before the emperor. "Your Majesty, Duke Cheng'en and I were once related by marriage through our children. My youngest daughter was wed to Duke Cheng'en's youngest son, Gaoling."

"Last night, someone suddenly pounded on our door in the middle of the night. I ordered an investigation, only to discover that it was Xiao Cui, my youngest daughter's personal maid who had accompanied her in marriage, along with her husband. Xiao Cui, covered in injuries, wept bitterly, begging me to save her mistress, my youngest daughter. She said that Lord Royal Uncle Gaoling had brutally beaten another maid, Chunni, to death and left my daughter unconscious. He also instructed the servants of Duke Cheng'en's residence to keep watch over all those who accompanied my daughter, preventing them from sending word to me. It was with great difficulty that she and her husband managed to return to the marquis residence to convey this message."

Not just the officials, even the emperor and crown prince were momentarily stunned. Was this... really happening? Duke Cheng'en felt as if struck by lightning. "You're slandering me with baseless accusations!"

Marquis Yongyi continued, "As a father myself, upon hearing this news, my heart was set ablaze with anxiety. My lady advised me not to panic, for how could Duke Cheng'en's residence possibly commit such an outrageous act? Perhaps it was just a lovers' quarrel, with the servants exaggerating the situation. I found her reasoning sound, but ultimately, a father's concern overpowered all else. Early this morning, I disregarded protocol, sending a visitation card to Duke Cheng'en's residence and arriving at their doorstep within two hours."

Marquis Yongyi's heartfelt appeal resonated with the entire court, including the emperor. Though his actions were impolite, they stemmed from genuine emotion, revealing Marquis Yongyi's true character.

Marquis Yongyi said, "Upon reaching Duke Cheng'en's residence, Gaoling immediately admitted fault. When I asked for details, he claimed that my daughter, fueled by jealousy, had acted violently towards his pregnant concubine. Upon hearing this, I was enraged. Such jealousy is a disgrace to womanhood and tarnishes our family name, the Lius. I promptly instructed Gaoling to summon that wayward child so I could teach her a lesson."

"Yet, Gaoling hesitated and Duke Cheng'en persistently interfered. Suspecting foul play, my resolve to see my daughter only grew stronger. Eventually, Gaoling went to call her, but instead, he presented a servant concubine pretending to be ill on the bed, deceiving me with claims that my daughter has been suffering from headaches and is too weak to meet anyone."

Kneeling before the emperor, Marquis Yongyi pleaded, "I beseech Your Majesty to intervene on behalf of both myself and my daughter."

In the Qingen Hall, silence reigned as all eyes turned to Duke Cheng'en with disbelief. This was the daughter of Marquis Yongyi they were talking about, not some servant or courtesan. How dare he?

The piercing gazes felt like needles piercing his skin, causing Duke Cheng'en to feel a chill run down his spine. Emotionally, he believed this was Marquis Yongyi's attempt to defend his jealous daughter, but a voice in his heart told him that it was the truth. The explanation was too plausible and left no room for suspicion.

Duke Cheng'en instinctively tried to deflect, "T-this is a domestic matter. At the time, I trusted my son's account and assumed it was just a lovers' spat."

"Your Majesty," interjected the Lady of the Marquis, who had been waiting in the side hall for a while, "Just now, Eunuch Lin sent two junior eunuchs to accompany this minister's wife to Duke Cheng'en's residence, where we found our young miss. They are aware of the entire incident."

The emperor responded, "Lin Chu."

"Yes," Lin Chu promptly instructed her attendants to summon two junior eunuchs.

These are all Lin Chu's favored apprentices, who even in the Qin Zheng Hall are not intimidated, and can still respond clearly: "Your Majesty, we followed the Countess to the courtyard where the Imperial Uncle and Miss Li reside and found Miss Li. Miss Li is indeed unconscious, with new injuries overlapping old ones, and is extremely emaciated, which is clearly a sign of long-term abuse."

"Lord Marquis, Lord Marquis."

The emperor said urgently, "Come, quickly offer a seat to Marquis Yongyi and summon the imperial physicians."

Amidst a flurry of activity, Marquis Yongyi sat on his chair, catching his breath.

The two young eunuchs continued their report: "The other personal maid of Miss Li, Xiao Lan, was found bound in the side room. When Lady Hou inquired about the situation, Xiao Lan explained that five months ago, there was a personnel reshuffle in the imperial guard team where the imperial relative served. The commander was the third son of Lord Hou, Li Zhen. The imperial relative had assumed that he would naturally be promoted to the position of squad leader, but Li Zhen stated that he had been intoxicated and thus could not be considered for an outstanding evaluation, and as a result, another person was promoted to the position of squad leader."

After returning home, the imperial uncle began to curse at Miss Li. Xiao Lan was attending outside and was not quite clear about what exactly happened. All she could hear was the imperial uncle cursing about the uselessness of marrying her. Xiao Lan mentioned that afterwards, Miss Li bore injuries on her body, and many unfamiliar servants appeared outside the courtyard, not allowing them to leave the premises easily.

Later on, whenever the Imperial Uncle was in a bad mood, he would take it out on Miss Li, even going so far as to defile Little Lan. Until three days ago, after having drunk too much, he outrageously had Miss Li and his concubine attend to him in bed. Unable to bear the humiliation, Miss Li fiercely resisted, causing the Imperial Uncle to accidentally kill Chunni, who was trying to protect her mistress, and then he beat Miss Li into a state of unconsciousness.

Duke Cheng'en rolled his eyes, regretting deeply now that he had taken such good care of himself all these years, for it prevented him from fainting at this very moment.

The Emperor's face darkened. "Fetch Gaoling."

Marquis Yongyi rose to his feet. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor replied, "Minister Li, you may answer while seated."

Instead of sitting down, Marquis Yongyi bowed once more. "Your Majesty, this subject is here to accuse Duke Cheng'en of allowing his son to commit violence, and also of favoring his concubine over his wife."

The emperor inquired, "What exactly happened?"

Marquis Yongyi continued, "Your Majesty, I arrived at Duke Cheng'en's residence today with my wife. Duke Cheng'en and his son did everything in their power to prevent me from seeing our daughter. My wife entered the inner quarters, and he, he, he actually had a servant girl attend to her. That servant girl even addressed my wife as a relative-in-law."

The entire court was dumbfounded, wondering if they were not in the Diligent Governance Hall but instead seated in an opera house, watching an absurd performance, one that would invite rotten vegetables and eggs being thrown at the performers.

Duke Cheng'en weakly defended himself, "I-I didn't give her permission. I absolutely did not tell her to receive guests."

"Are you saying you had no knowledge of this?" Marquis Yongyi snorted coldly. "Your Majesty, my wife was so outraged that she had that concubine beaten. A servant from Duke Cheng'en's residence came to inform him, and he referred to my wife as if she were about to be killed. Can the title of 'lady' be used so casually? How could the servants dare address a mere maid as 'lady' if you, Duke Cheng'en, do not favor your wife and suppress her?"

"Your Majesty," the Lady Marquis, who was in a side chamber, could no longer hold her tongue. "That concubine wore a seven-pronged golden phoenix hairpin, a type of hair accessory only worn by ladies of second rank or above. How could a mere slave wear it so proudly on her head? Could it be that she crafted it herself?"

"It's no wonder why Duke Cheng'en's wife has yet to return from her visit to the Three Pure Ones Temple last year. With a husband who favors his concubines like that, how could there be a place for her in their household? The heir's wife returned to her natal family last year, I assume, due to the unbearable humiliation."

The emperor's brows relaxed as he pronounced, "Duke Cheng'en has favored his concubine over his wife, allowed his son to commit atrocities, seized fertile lands, abducted innocent maidens, and ignored the value of human life by letting his servants run amok. All these cases will be jointly examined by the Three Agencies. No one from Duke Cheng'en's residence is to enter or leave. Those from Marquis Yongyi's household may visit Miss Li after obtaining permission. Furthermore, send Imperial physicians and female doctors to attend to Miss Li's health."

"I, your servant, shall comply with your orders," the Chief Justice, Minister of Justice, and Left censor-in-chief said in unison, stepping forward.

After giving these instructions, the emperor was utterly exhausted and adjourned the court session. Marquis Yongyi clasped his fists towards the Three Agencies and said, "I trouble you all."

"Your Highness is too courteous. It is our duty, and we will handle the matter with fairness and justice," they replied.

Lady Marquis also emerged from a side chamber to join her husband. The other officials immediately distanced themselves from Marquis Yongyi to avoid any appearance of favoritism. The couple supported each other as they walked out, presenting an image of desolation to outsiders. In reality, both Marquis Yongyi and Lady Marquis sighed in relief. Their favor had been properly extended.

With such an extensive list of accusations, it was impossible for Duke Cheng'en to entirely clear his name, nor could his wife be absolved, even if they were truly innocent, as they would still bear the guilt of negligence, openly revealing to the world that the entire Duke Cheng'en's residence was corrupt to its core.

The Empress hailed from Duke Cheng'en's household; how could this scandal not taint her reputation? Even the Crown Prince might suffer collateral damage. No wonder the Emperor was so enraged.

Marquis Yongyi insisted that Duke Cheng'en's favorite concubine was behind the wrongdoing, and that all these incidents had nothing to do with the inner household but were solely his doing. In short, he shifted all blame onto Duke Cheng'en, seeking to save his wife from punishment.

Conveniently, Duke Cheng'en's wife was "retiring" in a Taoist temple, making it easy to rescue her.

Lady Marquis deliberately mentioned in a side palace that Duke Cheng'en's wife had no place in her own home, firmly establishing her as the victim. The couple from Marquis Yongyi's household executed a flawless long-distance collaboration.

The fact that the Duchess of Duke Cheng'en did not reside in Duke Cheng'en's residence further implied her disdain for being associated with him, indicating her wisdom and understanding.

Thus, Duke Cheng'en was completely severed from his duchess in the eyes of the public. People would criticize Duke Cheng'en for his wayward behavior, while the Duchess would still be seen as reasonable. With a wise mother, how could the Empress's reputation suffer? The charge of favoring a concubine over his wife would clear the Empress of any blame entirely.

The emperor ordered the three offices to jointly investigate the case, placing this charge at the forefront, making it clear in an upright manner.

The joint investigation proceeded swiftly, with both witnesses and evidence in abundance. The Liu family, accustomed to Aunt Liu's arrogance, had never considered concealing their wrongdoings.

The trial, which the emperor ordered in the morning, was concluded by the afternoon. However, there was an astonishing incident during the process: when the Liu family's property was seized, vast riches and numerous valuable items were discovered, some even belonging to the palace – clearly gifts bestowed upon Duke Cheng'en's residence.

Upon comparison, it was discovered that the Duke Cheng'en's residence had been emptied by the Liu family. Apart from the three sons born to Lady Liu who possessed some personal wealth, the heir had nothing but decorative items in his quarters. Not only were the storerooms barren, but he didn't even have one hundred taels of silver on him – a prince living in such poverty was unprecedented in the capital.

Nonetheless, nobody ridiculed him. This incident solidified Duke Cheng'en's reputation as an unreliable and irresponsible individual.

All the evidence was presented before the emperor's desk. As he unfolded the report and read through it, his initial concerns dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief. Duke Cheng'en truly had no knowledge of the abduction, disregard for human life, or bribery involving officials. That was for the best.

With a bold stroke of his pen, the emperor pronounced a death sentence for all those connected to the Liu family, regardless of their crimes. Gaoling was sentenced to a hundred strokes of the cane and forbidden from ever holding office again. The Second and Fourth Imperial Uncles, both sons of Lady Liu, were also guilty of bribing officials and breaking the law; they were dismissed from their positions, investigated, and banned from future appointments. The Duke Cheng'en's heir immediately took over the household, while Duke Cheng'en himself was ordered to live out his days in retirement within his estate.

After settling the case, the emperor issued two imperial decrees. The first was addressed to Duke Cheng'en. The edict was concise, reprimanding him for neglecting familial duties, favoring his concubine over his wife, and imposing a three-year reduction in his salary.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Duke Cheng'en was so overwhelmed that he fainted. He didn't mind the three-year salary reduction, but the accusation of neglecting his wife and favoring his concubine was a matter of great concern. This was a clear decree from the emperor, one that would be enshrined in their family temple for all ancestors to witness.

In the future, when his epitaph was carved and recorded in the family genealogy, these eight words—neglecting conjugal duties, favoring a concubine over his wife—would forever be associated with his life. The thought of his descendants reading this for generations to come was too much for Duke Cheng'en to bear, causing him to lose consciousness altogether.

Gaoling also fainted, as the prospect of one hundred strokes of the cane was terrifying. Each blow could rip flesh from bone, and surviving such a punishment would likely result in permanent disability.

While Duke Cheng'en was in distress, Marquis Yongyi was overjoyed. By presenting a favor to the royal family, they had received generous reciprocity.

The second imperial edict was in praise of Marquis Yongyi, commending him for his effective parenting and lauding Li Zhen's impartiality and distinction between public and private affairs. As a direct reward, Li Zhen was promoted two ranks, from a sixth-class official to a fifth-class one.

Li Zhen found the situation hard to believe. How could he have been promoted twice without doing anything remarkable? Unable to figure it out, he approached Marquis Yongyi with unease in his heart. "Father, is my promotion too swift? Did I do something to deserve this?"

"Nothing to worry about, the Emperor himself issued the order. Just fulfill your duties diligently," Marquis Yongyi replied, then changed the subject. "Have there been any developments regarding Yan'er's marriage?"

Li Zhen wore a worried expression. "We've met with several families of suitable status, but their sons don't seem ambitious enough for my liking. I truly am not satisfied. As for the potential brides we've seen, there's always something amiss. Thus, no decision has been made yet."

Marquis Yongyi let out a long sigh. "Yan'er is a fine young lady. I had also considered several matches, but... let's not dwell on that." Li Hui's marriage issue had dealt a significant blow to Marquis Yongyi.

Feeling empathetic, Li Zhen recalled how his own wife was deeply affected as well. They were now even more cautious when considering marriage proposals, fearing they might make a wrong choice and inadvertently jeopardize their daughter's future.

Marquis Yongyi: "Miss Butterfly has always been resourceful. As Yuanyan's sister-in-law, you might as well ask your wife to consult her and see if she knows of any suitable matches."

"Yes."

Back in his courtyard, Li Zhen was greeted by Zhou Shi, who hurriedly asked, "Well? What did Father say?"

Li Zhen: "Father didn't come straight to the point. Instead, he mentioned Yuanyan's marriage, suggesting that you inquire with Miss Butterfly about any potential matches."

Zhou Shi blinked her eyes. "Father suddenly brought this up. Does that mean your recent promotion was somehow influenced by what Miss Butterfly did?"

Li Zhen: "I share the same thought."

Lady Zhou: "But lately, Butterfly has been in the estate with her maid. I haven't heard of any trouble. What could she possibly do?"

Li Zhen looked at Lady Zhou, and she returned his gaze. The couple broke into laughter simultaneously.

Li Zhen: "We're like a broken pot paired with a damaged lid, a pair of fools."

Lady Zhou glanced at Li Zhen in mock anger and playfully slapped his hand. "How can you speak of yourself that way?" She said, but couldn't help laughing herself first.

Li Zhen embraced Lady Zhou's shoulder as they entered their private chamber. "This is what I'm thinking. Although Father wants us to understand that my recent promotion was due to Dai-er's efforts, I also believe she has a keen mind. Perhaps we should consult her regarding Yan'er's marriage matter."

Lady Zhou asked, "Are you truly certain about this?"

Li Zhen: "It's worth a shot, even if there's no certainty. We won't lose anything either way."

"Very well."

The following day, during the morning greetings, the main residence of the Marquis's estate bustled with unusual excitement. Early that morning, the Empress Dowager had issued an edict praising the Marquise for her wise upbringing of her daughter and bestowed numerous rewards upon her, an act to soothe the insult she endured the previous day. Naturally, this also tacitly acknowledged her role in securing the release of Duchess Cheng'en, though such assistance could not be openly acknowledged.

Bestowing a grand funeral upon Chunni and granting her family five hundred taels for her burial, in an era where life and death were equally revered, Chunni, being an unmarried maiden who died young, was originally not entitled to enter her ancestral graveyard, let alone have a tombstone erected in her honor. Now, with the Empress Dowager's recognition of her loyalty, Chunni could be buried with dignity in her family's cemetery, bearing a monument, and her nephew would continue to pay respects to her memory, ensuring she would not be forgotten as if she had never existed.

Rewarding Nurse Zhang and her husband with five hundred taels for their fidelity to their former master, Li Hui also bestowed gifts upon Xiao Lan and Xiao Cui's couple.

As Li Hui regained consciousness, Marquis Yongyi personally went to fetch her and brought her back to rest in her former residence, the Delicate Pavilion, where no one was allowed to disturb her.

"Mother, I heard from the servants that Duke Cheng'en's household has sent a visitation scroll to us?" Madam Ning's remark silenced the laughter, drawing everyone's attention.

Lady Hou replied, "Yes, it's from the Duke Cheng'en's heir's wife. She says she will call on us in three days."

Meng Die: "I suspect that she's mostly here to express gratitude to Grandmother, but on the surface, it will be an apology."

Madame Hou: "My dear Butterfly, you're so certain?"

Meng Die smiles. "Not a hundred percent sure, but I'd say there's an eight or nine out of ten chance."

Madame Hou laughs heartily. "You have a quick wit. Indeed, the tone of the letter of visitation hints at gratitude."

Lady Wu: "Why isn't it the Duchess of Duke Cheng'en?"

Lady Hou: "It's even better that the Princess Consort is coming." Back then, Duke Cheng'en's wife had intended to use her as a tool.

Li Yu held her small face in her hands and sighed deeply. "Sigh."

Li Yan gave her a look. "What's wrong with you now?"

Li Yu: "I always feel like Second Sister-in-law has eight hundred minds working at once. If only she could share a few with me, so Master wouldn't always say I'm slow-witted."

Everyone burst into laughter, agreeing that Li Yu had a point.

Meng Die teased her, "Once a fish gains wisdom, it starts to leak water!" Li Yu pretended to be furious and playfully attacked Meng Die's armpit. Meng Die darted away, and Li Yu chased after her. In no time, the other maidens joined in the fray, and even Wen couldn't avoid getting involved.

Madam Hou laughed so hard that she could barely catch her breath, "These rowdy girls, thank goodness we're at home. Elsewhere, people would call us a bunch of wild maids!"

Madam Ning also laughed heartily, "It's good to be lively."

After a good while of merriment in the main chamber, everyone eventually dispersed. Madam Hou promptly met with Nurse Zhang, who had been waiting in the side hall. The mistress and servant reunited, but for a moment, they were both speechless.

Madam Hou spoke, "Empress Dowager has granted you five hundred taels of silver."

Nanny Zhang: "This humble servant thanks Her Majesty Empress Dowager for her generous gift."

Qianceng handed Nanny Zhang a banknote worth a thousand taels of silver. Lady Hou sighed, "Take this money without hesitation; I know everything. That ungrateful one actually asked you for a ransom to buy your freedom."

Nanny Zhang: "It is rightful for my family to receive payment for our release from servitude."

Lady Hou: "There's no need to use those words to deceive outsiders. I am well aware of the truth." Changing the subject, she asked, "How is your son's studies coming along?"

Nanny Zhang: "Recently, he has found a good teacher and has passed the examination to become a scholar. However, his master says that his writings still lack depth, so he won't be ready to attempt the examination for the rank of Juren for a few more years."

Lady Hou: "One cannot rush the imperial examinations. How old is your boy? Think back to how many years it took Second Master to succeed?"

Nanny Zhang: "I know it can't be rushed. For Second Master to pass the civil service exams at his age was a sign of exceptional talent. If my boy were to become a jinshi one day, that would be divine intervention. I dare not even dream of it."

Lady Hou: "Don't think of yourself as an outsider. Feel free to visit whenever you have time. If there are any difficulties at home, don't hesitate to speak up. Our estate has also had wet nurses who have moved on, and you are no different from them."

Nanny Zhang acknowledged with a respectful bow before leaving.

Madam Zhou, still preoccupied with her conversation with Li Zhen the previous night, said as she left the main chamber, "Butterfly girl, I have something I'd like to ask you. I'll come over to your quarters."

"Very well."

Ordinarily, an aunt would not casually visit her nephew's courtyard, especially for a spontaneous visit. But since Li Ai was not at home, the female relatives felt free to drop by.

Upon entering the yard, Lady Zhou was immediately drawn to the ground covered with green-skinned watermelons. "Your watermelons have already started bearing fruit. How swift! I suppose we'll be able to enjoy them soon, won't we?"

Meng Die replied, "They should be ready to eat within a month at most. By then, I will send two to Uncle and Aunt."

Lady Zhou responded, "Alright, I've noted that. If I don't get to taste your watermelons when the time comes, I won't be pleased."

Entering the room, Madam Zhou took the tea that Meng Die offered and drank deeply, "I've been truly worried lately."

Meng Die struck the core of the matter, "Is it about Younger Sister Yan?"

"Indeed, she's already sixteen, and soon to be seventeen. Yet, there's still no suitable match for her. How could I not be anxious? It's like my tongue is constantly burning with new blisters."

Meng Die asked, "Has there been no suitable candidate from Uncle Three's side?"

Madam Zhou waved her handkerchief, "Let's not talk about it. Your Uncle Three has shown interest in a few young men, but their families are simply not up to standard. I can't bear the thought of Yan'er suffering if she were to marry into such a situation. On my side, I've also found a few suitable families, but unfortunately, those young men aren't ambitious enough. Your Uncle Three doesn't approve of any of them, and that's how we've reached this deadlock."

Meng Die understood Zhou's intentions: she wanted both wealth and status for her daughter. Born in an earl's residence and married into a marquis's family, Zhou had spent her entire life in luxury. She wished for Yan Girl to marry into an equally high-ranking family, with a husband who was ambitious and capable.

Zhou said, "You know our Yan Girl well. Her beauty, temperament, and management skills are all outstanding. Yet, she can't seem to find the right match."

Meng Die couldn't refute this. No matter how excellent Yan Girl was, her social standing was a fact. In this era, a woman's marriage depended on her father's status. Third Uncle had just been promoted to a fifth-rank official position; how could Yan Girl marry into a high-ranking family? If such a family were truly interested, they would have to carefully consider if there might be some major issue with the young man.

Zhou continued, "Dear Butterfly, what do you think about selecting a scholar from the Literary Examination for Yan Girl?"

Meng Die was startled. "A scholar from the Literary Examination? Learning literature is not as straightforward as learning martial arts. Years of diligent study are required, and those who pass the examination are usually around the same age as my cousin's uncle, already with wives and children."

"Even if there are one or two young prodigies, they have been nurtured from childhood due to their family's profound scholarly background," Meng Die's tone shifted slightly. "Moreover, I doubt Sister Yan would be accustomed to it."

Madam Zhou felt somewhat displeased. The reference to family heritage was a subtle jab at her daughter's inadequate status. "Why wouldn't she adapt? Doesn't every bride learn from her mother-in-law after marriage?"

Meng Die didn't take offense. "Auntie Three, this is different. Just now, Auntie praised Sister Yan's exceptional talent in managing household affairs, and I do agree. But in scholarly families, such skills aren't highly valued."

"Aah?" Madam Zhou pushed aside her subtle discontent. "D-Don't scholars' wives usually manage the household?

Meng Die replied, "Of course, the main wife manages the household. But have you ever considered, Auntie Three, that the scope of managing varies greatly. Scholarly families often don't possess extensive estates. No matter how extraordinary your abilities are, they might not be relevant to them."

"This is one aspect. The second is socializing. In a noble house like ours, people entertain themselves by appreciating flowers, playing pitch-pot, or even riding horses and playing cuju. But it's different for scholarly families. Even someone like me, who lacks scholarly pursuits, must be familiar with poetry and literature. Otherwise, I wouldn't understand the conversations when they occur."

Lady Zhou was dumbfounded. Li Zhen seemed to be taking a shot in the dark, but after thinking about it carefully last night, Lady Zhou had indeed entertained this idea. Now, hearing Meng Die's words, she was completely stunned.

Meng Die continued, "Moreover, even if they are officials in the capital, they often need to have experience serving outside. During these times, men might be away for ten days or half a month, inspecting various regions. During such absences, their wives often write official documents on their behalf."

Lady Zhou stared at Meng Die, speechless for a long moment.

Meng Die felt somewhat helpless. For noble and military families, a suitable wife was akin to a financial manager or accountant. But for scholarly families, a suitable wife was more like a secretary.

Since ancient times, there has been a rare union between scholars and warriors, not merely due to concerns about accusations of collusion, but also because their family backgrounds and upbringing are vastly different, leading to a high likelihood of unhappy marriages if forced together.

After a long while, Madam Zhou sighed deeply. "I was indeed panicked and lost my wits. This is indeed not appropriate." She then tried to gather herself. "Dear Butterfly, you're usually a thoughtful one. What kind of family do you think would be suitable for Sister Yan?"

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Aunt Three, there's no outsider here, only our mother and daughter. Since you've asked, I'll speak from the bottom of my heart."

"Go on."

Meng Die spoke frankly. "In my opinion, it might be better to find a match in a salt merchant's family."

If these words had come from anyone but Meng Die, Madam Zhou would have surely turned on them. Even if the salt merchant had royal patronage, he was still a merchant at heart. No matter how noble Lady Yan might be, she couldn't possibly marry down to such a degree.

Meng Die said, "Aunt, please let me explain this to you step by step."

Madam Zhou took a deep breath and said, "Go on."

Meng Die continued, "We didn't choose a salt merchant randomly. We must find a young man with a martial background and ambition. He has to be someone of quality, or else why would our Lady Yan consider marrying down?"

Madam Zhou nodded in agreement.

Meng Die meticulously analyzed, "A descent in status must come with its benefits. It's well-known that salt merchants have always been immensely wealthy in any dynasty. Sister Yan won't suffer by marrying into such a family. The young man, being trained in martial arts, would aspire to become a military scholar, and with the influence of our Marquis household, we could certainly aid him. Thus, regardless of their future relationship, he will at least show respect to Sister Yan and not dare to act recklessly."

These words struck a chord with Madam Zhou. After the incident with Li Hui, she was also afraid, fearing another Gaoling scenario. If that happened, even if divorce were an option, it would still be physically and emotionally draining, leaving her half-dead or deeply scarred.

Meng Die continued, "Another advantage is that Sister Yan is the daughter of a marquis. By marrying into a salt merchant's family, it's clearly a descent in status. Who among her mother-in-law or sisters-in-law would have a higher status than her? Who would dare to compete fiercely or show off in front of her? Sister Yan is capable enough to hold her own, making her life smooth and satisfactory."

Madam Zhou resonated with these words. Her harmonious life was undoubtedly due to Lady Marquis, the finest mother-in-law in the capital. Comparing her situation to her siblings, even her legitimate sisters didn't enjoy as comfortable a life as she did.

Madam Zhou replied, "Your words have truly given me a fresh perspective. Tonight, I'll discuss this with your Uncle Three. If he agrees, I'll consult Yun girl tomorrow to see if she knows of any suitable candidates."

Lady Zhou returned to her courtyard with joy and satisfaction. Third Master Li Zhen also gave his consent.