Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The fallout from being labeled "unlucky" was way too severe.

Neither the Sun nor the Luo family wanted to take the blame, and so they went at it in front of everyone.

Luo Ying bitterly regretted ever hitching his wagon to the Suns.

He believed that the strange omen today must have been caused by the Suns—after all, who knows how many shady, crooked things they'd done behind closed doors? A little divine punishment was only to be expected.

On the other hand, his own Luo family, a small poor clan, aside from an occasional spat with someone, had always been law-abiding commoners.

So, it was definitely the Suns' fault!

The Suns, for their part, also felt that the Luos were to blame, thinking Luo Ying was a jinx.

If evil deeds were to be punished, the Suns had done plenty in the past; retribution should have come long ago. Why would it happen precisely on the day of the wedding with the Luos? How could it be such a coincidence?

In short, each side had their own version of the truth.

In the end, naturally, the wedding was called off. Both families parted on bad terms and returned home to figure out what to do next.

As for suppressing the news?

That was flat-out impossible. The Luos had planned a big, flashy wedding to show off, drawing crowds of villagers. With so many eyes and tongues wagging, even the emperor himself would find it difficult to silence everyone.

As expected, before evening arrived, the weird story about all the plants withering at the Sun-Luo wedding had spread all over the capital, becoming the talk of every street and alley.

"Hey, have you heard? There's a Master Sun in Shangpo Village on the outskirts of the capital. He married off his daughter today, and a strange omen appeared in his house—all the flowers and trees withered in an instant..."

"Really? White withering at a wedding, every plant dead… That's definitely not a good sign—it's a major bad omen!"

"You bet! The Luo family's wedding procession was grand, and many villagers saw it with their own eyes. It was creepy as hell! Who knows what sins the Suns committed, or what shady stuff they've done behind the scenes, to bring down such divine punishment..."

"Man, who knows? Those big rich families look all shiny on the outside, but who can tell what evil, crooked stuff they do behind their doors?"

Rumors were flying all over the capital, and public opinion heavily favored the idea that the Suns were to blame. Most people speculated that the Suns were at fault.

This wasn't just bad luck for the Suns, but the effect of people they'd offended and Master Sun's political enemies stirring the pot.

Not only that.

Before the Suns could even think of a plan, the very next day, Master Sun was impeached by censors when he went to court.

Officials who had long held grudges against him seized the chance, presenting evidence they'd made up overnight.

"Well, well, Master Sun, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy! I put you in charge of teaching scholars, yet you dared to commit all sorts of evil deeds in secret, and let your clan bully the villagers—you are completely unworthy of being a teacher!"

"No wonder the heavens sent a warning and punished your Sun family! Guards, drag him away! Strip him of his post immediately and send him to the Court of Judicial Review for trial. As for the rest of the Sun clan, confiscate their property and exile them three thousand li..."

The Old Emperor waved his hand, not allowing Master Sun a chance to defend himself, and ordered him dragged out of the court.

He was just a low-ranking official, easy to replace.

If the matter of the heavenly omen was not settled quickly, and if rumors continued to spread, what if some schemer exploited it and said it was the emperor's own fault?

In that case, even if it didn't shake the Throne, having to issue a self-critical imperial edict would make him sick to death.

"Your Majesty, I've been wronged! It's the Luo family—they're the ones who are unlucky!"

Master Sun was crying as he was taken to the Heavenly Prison for trial.

The entire Sun clan, including Master Sun's family, were also thrown into prison that very day.

The Sun family, which had once dominated the Shangpo Village area, collapsed overnight.

Man, you never know what's gonna happen.

As for the Luos, even though they weren't the main targets of the rumors, things weren't much better for them either.

The reputation of being "inauspicious" was extremely taboo in ancient times. Even though the Suns had taken the blame, the Luos were inevitably implicated—after all, the omen occurred on the day of the wedding between the two families.

So now, it was the Luo family's turn to be shunned by everyone in the surrounding villages.

Not only were the Luo daughters and sons who had already married out dragged into this, but Luo Ying was also expelled from the academy. With that "unlucky" label stuck on him, there was no way he would ever get to take the imperial exams.

Luo Ying vomited blood on the spot and had to be carried home.

"How did this happen… Such a good match… How could it come to this…"

Luo Ying's mother collapsed at the doorstep of their house, weeping bitterly.

The whole family had pinched and saved for over a decade to put one boy through school, and now all their hopes were dashed, all their efforts gone to waste.

The Luo clan elders and relatives also had long faces, sighing and groaning.

With such a reputation, the Luo family wouldn't have a chance to turn things around for at least the next twenty or thirty years.

...

At the Han family.

Upon hearing about the fates of the Luo and Sun families, the Hans were certainly happy.

After all, how the Luos had stirred up Master Sun to persecute them was still fresh in their minds. The clan's daughters and sons who had been divorced or separated and returned home still hadn't settled down properly. Seeing their enemies ruined naturally brought relief.

But besides being happy, Grandpa Han also felt a deep sense of life's ups and downs.

"Life really is unpredictable… I still remember how glorious our Han family used to be. And then, just like that, we collapsed overnight."

"At that time, the rebel army breached the city, our property was looted, and the clan scattered and dwindled… In the end, only the clan chief and I, a few half-grown lads, managed to escape our homeland in a pitiful state."

Grandpa Han recalled with melancholy.

Han's father and the others had never seen the family in its heyday, with its lavish feasts and grand lifestyle, so they couldn't really understand the old man's grief as he recalled the past and mourned the family's fall.

All they could do was comfort him gently.

"Dad, don't worry. We have Big Brother now. He studies hard and reads a lot. Once he passes the imperial exams and gets a top spot, he'll definitely restore our family's glory. Then we'll make sure you live in a big mansion again and have servants all around you."

Han Zhang also comforted the old man: "Grandfather, rest assured. I will study hard and bring glory to the family."

He had to, no choice—he couldn't stand being this poor anymore.

Although he had anticipated the Suns' downfall, seeing it actually happen, he couldn't help feeling a bit of sympathy—like a fox mourning a dead hare.

He had to pass the imperial exams. He absolutely had to.

In this world, to live a good life, you need not just money, but power too!

Grandfather Han smiled approvingly at his promising grandson, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

"Good, good! Grandfather believes in you. Our Dalang will surely pass the imperial examinations and restore our family's honor. Grandfather looks forward to the day when you, Dalang, ride through the streets in triumph."

After his smile faded, Grandfather Han's expression turned earnest as he advised earnestly:

"However, although the burden of the family is heavy, you, Dalang, must remember not to rush things, and when in a position of power, never become complacent. The Luo family ended up like this largely because they were ostentatious and didn't know when to hold back..."

"Earlier, Grandfather always hoped you would quickly marry a virtuous and capable husband from a powerful family to help you, but now that I think about it, I was too hasty."

"Matters of marriage cannot be taken lightly; better to be without than to settle for a bad match. You must not, because of our current poverty, cling to others as Luo Ying did and suffer the consequences. Grandfather only wishes for you to take steady and secure steps..."

The downfall of the Sun and Luo families was undoubtedly a wake-up call for the Han clan.

Grandfather Han also feared that his grandson, eager to change their current situation, might repeat the mistake of the Luo scholar and be burdened by in-laws.

Han Zhang: ...Could it be that the Sun family was set up by their "good son-in-law"?

"Grandfather, rest assured, I understand. You and Grandmother take care of yourselves. I will not let down your expectations."

Han Zhang nodded, only speaking solemnly without making many promises.

Because he didn't know how far he could go; rather than make empty promises and disappoint others, it was better to prove himself through action.

Then...

Han Zhang's actual action was to continue sponging off his wealthy future husband.

Because for a scholar from a humble background, this path was simply too tempting.

He was rather greedy; the temptation to save twenty years of hard work was irresistible.

So, after resolving the family crisis, Han Zhang returned to the academy and, racking his brains, wrote another "love letter" to Shen Qinglan, along with a pot of orchids.

[——I had heard earlier, Worthy Brother, that you were searching for rare flowers on your master's behalf. Your Humble Brother, though untalented, learned the art of gardening from a flower shop owner, and recently, by practicing a bit, happened to cultivate a 'Thousand-hand Guanyin' orchid (a rare orchid variety). I wonder if it could relieve Worthy Brother's worries?]

"I haven't written to you recently because I've been tangled up in family affairs. Please don't blame me, Worthy Brother."

"Don't laugh, Worthy Brother. Lately my family is in difficulty. I presume to ask if your master still needs flowers. If so, please, Worthy Brother, put in a good word for me."

"Last night, sitting alone by the window, gazing at the crescent moon like a hook, I suddenly remembered our last lively chat on the street... A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near. Having not corresponded for days, I miss you very much, Worthy Brother."

"When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest; don't let the golden cup face the moon in vain... Next time we meet, I will drink three hundred cups without fail with you, Worthy Brother, and not let life's joys be wasted!"

Between the lines, it expressed strong longing, subtly stirring the young gentleman's heart.

It also mentioned a request for help, using the plea to disguise his flirtatious intentions.

Han Zhang was quite satisfied with the love letter he had racked his brains to write. Finally, he lightly perfumed the paper with mint and cedar incense, letting the letter carry a familiar scent so the young gentleman would be reminded of his handsome image.

Only then did he send the letter and orchid to the study.

Step two of the fishing operation: cast a brick to attract jade (i.e., a modest gesture to elicit a response).

Exchanging letters is certainly wonderful, but to deepen the feelings, he needs to meet him and coax him in person.

His handsome husband must be missing him too, right?

Han Zhang recalled the shy and dazed expression of the young gentleman during their last meeting at the study, and couldn't help a smile spreading across his face.