Chapter 82

Chapter 82

In the end, Yun Changxie did not go to propose formally, as children’s words cannot be taken too seriously.

Perhaps at this moment, they seemed to genuinely like each other.

But they do not understand what true liking is; their current fondness is often for the sake of play.

If Yun Changxie were to arrange a betrothal because of their current good relationship,

it might lead to regret when they grow up, which would not be beneficial for their future.

However, to prevent Lou'er from feeling sad, Yun Changxie still visited the boy's family and talked with his parents about the matter.

The boy's father was a military general who would soon be taking his entire family to the border.

When Yun Changxie mentioned the two children, they also felt it inappropriate to bind them in marriage based on the whims of childhood.

If they were unwilling later, breaking the engagement could damage their reputations.

Moreover, they believed that children are young and may not truly understand what liking someone means.

Now that Yun Changxie had come in person, the boy's father, who intended to foster a good relationship with him, smiled and said, "If your son comes of age in the future, you can consider my son first. After all, they have grown up together like childhood sweethearts. If they do not object at that time, it would indeed be a beautiful match."

"To be able to form an alliance with the Han family is a great honor for me."

The boy's father was a military general, one rank higher than Yun Changxie.

By principle, a higher rank can overwhelm a lower one.

However, with the world at peace in recent years, military officers in Great Zhou have less promising prospects compared to civil officials, so it’s hard to say who’s really better off.

If peace continues in the future, civil officials like Yun Zhangxie in the Ministry of Works will definitely outshine military officers.

Of course, who knows what the future holds.

In the novel, Great Zhou stayed peaceful later on.

But the current situation is different—Great Zhou now has Yun Zhangxie, a transmigrator.

Yun Zhangxie invented cement, paving the way for cement roads nationwide.

As Great Zhou develops further, it might even go to war with other nations to expand its territory.

Once war breaks out, military officers will become way more important than civil officials.

...

After Lou’er’s friend left, Yun Zhangxie was promoted to a fourth-grade official, rising from a Director in the Ministry of Works to a Vice Minister.

Over these years, apart from Yun Zhangxie’s promotion, two others in the Yun family also advanced in rank.

Yun’s uncle was promoted from Vice Minister of Revenue to Minister of Revenue.

Yun Zhangyu rose from Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to Chief Minister.

Along with Yun Zhangxie, now Vice Minister of Works, these three are the Yun family’s top-ranking officials.

Especially Yun Zhangxie—he’s got real skills, and let’s not forget—he’s a transmigrator.

His career soared like a rocket, achieving the position of Assistant Minister of Works at such a young age, with a future that could be described as bright and promising.

Recently, aside from Yun Zhangxie's promotion, another joyous event occurred in the third branch of the family—Su Qingruo gave birth to a son.

Su Qingruo had always wanted a son, and now that he finally had one, the pressure in his heart eased.

Su Qingruo was a *ge* (a male gender role in ancient times), and in truth, he didn’t want to prioritize sons over *ge*.

But the environment was different. Even though the rest of the Yun family assured him that Lou’er would be well taken care of, he still worried that when he and Yun Zhangxie grew old, Lou’er would be left alone to face bullying.

Yun Zhangxie didn’t fault him for this.

Because in this matter, Su Qingruo wasn’t wrong.

The fault lay with this world that exploited women and *ge*.

Even in Yun Zhangxie’s modern society, instances of women facing abuse still occurred, let alone in such an ancient era.

Su Qingruo was merely an average *ge* who’d endured hardship due to his status. He wanted a son not to raise someone like his younger brother, who would bully Lou’er, but hoping his son, benefiting from the privileges of being male, could shield his older brother.

On the surface, this appeared unfair to the second child.

But this world was inherently unfair.

Just like the distinctions between men, women, and *ge*.

The world itself was unjust, and fairness wasn’t something a low-status *ge* like Su Qingruo could dictate.

After the second child’s birth, Su Qingruo no longer wished to bear more children.

He and Liu Shi took care of the two children together, spending his free time maintaining his health.

The summer after the second child’s birth, the Yun family’s elderly matriarch died peacefully on a rainy night.

The matriarch, Yun Zhangxie’s grandmother, had lived a long life.

Since the old lady passed peacefully, it was considered a "blessed passing," and the Yun family didn’t mourn excessively.

Only in the first couple of days did they find it hard to process.

But later, they reflected that given her advanced age, a gentle death was far better than a prolonged, agonizing illness.

Once they came to terms with it, they held the funeral together, and their routine resumed.

With Yun Zhangxie’s high salary and Su Qingruo’s shop turning profits, they bought a new house that autumn and moved in as a family.

The new home, not far from the main branch of the Yun family, was a four-courtyard compound.

With a larger residence came the need for more servants.

One day, Su Qingruo summoned a labor broker to hire additional staff for the household.

Then, unexpectedly, Hunter Chen hurried over, asking for his help in arranging a marriage.

Su Qingruo was utterly surprised, puzzled about Hunter Chen’s crush that required him—no silver-tongued mediator—to act as a matchmaker.

Hunter Chen: "I want to marry Qing Shan. After much deliberation, I still feel only you, Head of Household, can help me."

Qing Shan is very close to Liu Shi and once said she’d never marry because of Liu Shi.

Many people marry just to have companionship and have children for support in old age.

But she, living with Liu Shi, has no shortage of food or clothes, so she has no need to find someone to share her life with.

As for support in old age?

That’s even less of a concern.

As Liu Shi’s personal maid, the Yun family has plenty of servants, and the masters will surely ensure her care in old age, never letting her go without.

With that in mind, whether she marries or has children truly doesn’t matter.

Previously, Hunter Chen had already asked Liu Shi, who said it was Qing Shan’s decision.

Whatever choice Qing Shan makes, Liu Shi will support her unconditionally.

As for Qing Shan, she doesn’t wish to marry.

She’s no longer young, and childbirth at her age would be risky.

She also has no interest in raising kids.

The third branch already has two kids.

Both the eldest and second young masters are very sweet.

If she ever feels like caring for children, the two young masters will keep her busy enough.

So Qing Shan’s stance is clear: she doesn’t want to marry and has no interest in it.

Hunter Chen, out of options, came to Su Qingruo.

He believes Su Qingruo is close to Qing Shan and that Qing Shan would take her advice.

Su Qingruo said, "Actually... if Qing Shan truly doesn’t want to marry, even I wouldn’t push her either. If you want a wife, ask your master instead—he’ll surely find you a good match."

Not wanting to marry is unusual.

Most men, women, and others in this world still desire marriage.

Hunter Chen’s prospects aren’t great, but as Yun Zhangxie’s attendant, he could still find a wife easily.

Those from poor families barely getting by would likely be happy to marry him.

But clearly, Hunter Chen only wants Qing Shan—otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited so many years.

Su Qingruo: "Qing Shan is older now. If she marries you, she likely won’t be able to bear children. Your master once told me that whether it’s a man or a woman, the older they are, the riskier childbirth becomes. When I had our second child, I was already older, and my husband worried over it. If you insist on her, you’ll have to accept not having children."

Hunter Chen: "Then so be it. I want nothing else—just her."

Seeing how stubborn he was, Su Qingruo sighed.

"Fine. I’ll talk to her tonight. If she truly refuses, you’ll have to drop it."

"I understand. If she gives a firm no and says she doesn’t like me, I’ll leave her alone."