Chapter 74

Chapter 74

It was still early when they left the restaurant.

The couple didn't rush back to the village but headed to a real estate agency to rent a courtyard.

Since Han Zhang had promised Shen Qinglan after their marriage that he would move him close to the academy and let them live alone as a couple, he was not just making empty promises.

First, being separated as newlyweds—aside from how Shen Qinglan would feel—Han Zhang himself couldn't bear it.

For another, Shen Qinglan still had a shop to manage, and living in the village was inconvenient; moving to the city was necessary.

The Han family understood this and had no objections to the young couple living in the city.

After all, Shen Qinglan, as a son-in-law from an official family, couldn’t really be expected to follow the old saying “marry a rooster, follow the rooster; marry a dog, follow the dog,” and let such a pampered young lad stay in the village.

In fact, the Han family even worried that Han Zhang might have a hang-up about his male pride, so they took the initiative to console him.

Han’s mother earnestly said, “Qinglan is a child from an official family, with delicate skin and soft bones. How could he really stay in the village with us, getting his hands dirty in the soil and feeding the chickens and ducks?”

“Big Brother, our family still hopes his maternal family will help you in the future. You mustn’t have any discontent in your heart. Only sincerity can be repaid with sincerity. Since you married him, treat him well and treat this golden bodhisattva like a treasure.”

Han Zhang: “…”

Was he supposed to admit that this family really knew the world and had perspective?

Thus, the couple renting a courtyard faced no obstacles.

Han Zhang had already visited the brokerage several times and selected a few suitable courtyards. Today, he mainly let Shen Qinglan choose one to his liking.

To Han Zhang, who had traveled from the modern era, this was merely an instinctive respect for his partner.

But it moved Shen Qinglan deeply!

Because most men of the time, in managing household affairs, never considered their wife or lad’s opinions and feelings. Han Zhang’s genuine respect for young ladies and lads from the core of his being truly made Shen Qinglan happy and content.

After half a day of selection, the couple finally rented a single-courtyard house, costing five taels of silver per month.

Yes, rented, not bought.

It wasn’t that they lacked the silver to buy a house, but as the saying goes—in the capital, land was worth its weight in gold. Money alone couldn't buy property or shops.

The houses near the academy were prime real estate; unless absolutely necessary, no one would be foolish enough to sell them.

“Husband, leave the moving and packing to me. You return to the academy tomorrow to resume your studies. With the wedding, we’ve fallen behind on lessons, and the next imperial exam is only a few months off. We can’t let it delay the important matters.”

After renting the courtyard, Shen Qinglan began urging Han Zhang to return to the academy.

Though he hated to be apart just days after the wedding, the imperial exam was held only once every three years. Missing one chance meant waiting another three years, so they couldn’t afford any delay.

The wedding preparations had indeed taken up a lot of time, so it was time to go back to class.

But there was a big difference between returning on one’s own initiative and being sent back by one’s lad.

Han Zhang felt a bit like he was being used and discarded, so he couldn’t help pulling Shen Qinglan into his arms, his tone tinged with jealousy: “My lad, we’ve only been married three days, and you’re already urging me back to the academy. Don’t you care about me anymore?”

“How could that be! I care about you the most, husband!”

Shen Qinglan immediately countered, then wrapped his arms around Han Zhang’s neck, coaxing and acting spoiled: “Husband, I hate to see you go too, but your future is more important. How can a man’s great career be delayed by romantic attachments?”

“If two hearts are united for long, what need is there for day and night together? Once the house is arranged in a few days, we’ll see each other every day. Then, while you study, I'll keep you company and tend to your study—doesn’t that sound good?”

The young lad’s voice was soft and sweet, and he wriggled in Han Zhang’s arms. Who could resist that?

Han Zhang had no choice but to give in: “Fine, fine, you win. But… my lad, there’s something you said that needs fixing.”

“What?”

“That is—my love for you far outweighs any grand ambition. The whole point of bringing honor to the family and winning high office is to provide for you and our future children, isn’t it?”

Han Zhang pressed a kiss to Shen Qinglan’s forehead, his voice gentle yet earnest: “Don’t ever say such demeaning things again. You are my most precious treasure.”

“I understand, husband.”

Shen Qinglan’s eyes curved into crescent moons, his heart sweet and warm, grinning like a cat that got the cream.

Ah, he knew his husband was head over heels for him, with his heart and eyes full of him.

Even such a formidable husband was captivated by him—he must be amazing!

The night stretched long,

The couple enjoyed their wedded bliss.

But before heading back to the academy, Han Zhang planned to do one more thing.

That was… to teach those three glib-tongued brothers-in-law—Fan Zixu, Zhao Hongji, and Chai Wenxuan—a lesson!

Although Shen Qinglan had said that Shen’s father would deal with them, Han Zhang was no magnanimous man.

He could tolerate others mocking him, but insulting his lad—that was a line no man could cross.

Given his current status, open revenge wasn't an option, so he'd do it underhandedly.

Han Zhang didn't think of himself as a gentleman, so without any moral qualms, he once again played the cat burglar for a few more nights, sneaking into the residences of the Vice Minister of Personnel, the State-Assisting General, and the Earl of Jinyang to cause some mischief.

And so…

Fan Zixu, son of the Vice Minister of Personnel, while sleeping soundly at midnight, “accidentally” had a roof beam collapse on him, breaking his leg, leaving him with a limp.

Zhao Hongji, son of the State-Assisting General, while getting up at night to use the toilet, “accidentally” slipped and fell, biting off a piece of his tongue, leaving him with a lisp.

Chai Wenxuan, heir of the Earl of Jinyang, while strolling in the garden, was “accidentally” hit by a tree branch that suddenly broke off, injuring his arm and impairing its use.

When the news came out—

Shen Qinglan laughed so hard he doubled over, holding his stomach and gloating with glee: “Haha, husband, that fortune-teller who read my fortune when I was a kid was truly a sage!”

“He said back then that I had great fortune, and now it’s come true. Just after those three brothers-in-law badmouthed us, they got their comeuppance. Isn’t that karma!”

“I didn’t realize my fortune was that powerful! Next time someone provokes me, I won’t have to worry about getting back at them—I’ll just bathe, burn incense, and chant to curse them… Husband, you think that’ll work?”

The young lad, carried away by his own amusement, let his imagination run wild.

Han Zhang thought for a moment, then played along: “Worth a try. Even if you're not sure there's a date, take a swing first. After all, my lad has a broad, full forehead—clearly a face of great fortune.”

Anyway, since the Buddha and the Daoist Patriarch wouldn't grant any divine aid, he decided to personally step in and "work a miracle" on behalf of his husband.

With a flurry of sweet talk, he coaxed Shen Qinglan into such delight that the young man hugged his quilt and rolled around joyfully, his tail practically pointing straight up to the sky.

"That's right, I really am this blessed! Husband, you really have an eye for things!"

The two husbands were cracking up.

...

Han Zhang, for his part, acted quickly and decisively.

But Shen Qinglan's father over there was even more ruthless.

Upon hearing that his three esteemed sons-in-law had been injured, Old Master Shen's eyes darted slyly, and he immediately sensed his own opportunity to strike!

He promptly prepared some medicinal herbs and personally visited each household to "express concern about their injuries," acting all fawning and sycophantic.

He specifically brought up what had happened on the day of Shen Qinglan's third-day return to his natal home.

"Ah, my worthy sons-in-law, please don't take to heart what Lan Geer's husband said that day. He's nothing more than a poor scholar from a humble family with no land or possessions, owning only a few books and a belly full of learning. How could he possibly compare to you fine young masters of noble birth?"

"Even if you had no talent whatsoever, the family properties you'll inherit are far beyond his reach. Lan Geer's husband can't hold a candle to you—truly, he can't... I came from a humble background too, so I know the feeling."

"My dear sons-in-law, for my sake, as your father-in-law, let's just let this matter go..."

"Young people are inevitably hot-headed; it's nothing serious. In a few days, I'll host a feast, and our whole family can have a good drink together. What do you say, my worthy sons-in-law?"

Old Master Shen stroked his beard, playing the peacemaker.

But these words turned Fan Zixu and the other two green with anger.

What did their father-in-law mean by this?

What did he mean by "even if you had no talent," Lan Geer's husband still couldn't compare to them?

What did he mean by Lan Geer's husband "has nothing but learning"?

This wasn't praise at all—it was clearly a roundabout way of insulting them!

None of the three were about to sit there and take that. On the spot, their faces darkened, and they raised their teacups, signaling it was time for him to leave:

"Your son-in-law is injured and cannot entertain you further, Father-in-law. Please see yourself out."

But in the end, the three still wanted to save face. Since he was a guest in their homes, they only gave him cold faces and cold words to send him off, without resorting to outright expulsion.

However, they wanted to save face, but Old Master Shen did not.

Old Master Shen remembered well how these three wretched fellows had shown no respect to him, their elderly father-in-law, when they had come to the Shen residence earlier. Now they were putting on airs.

So—

The very next day after Old Master Shen's "sickbed visits," rumors subtly made their way to the ears of the political rivals of these three houses: the Vice Minister of Personnel's Mansion, the State-Assisting General's Mansion, and the Count of Jinyang's Mansion. The rumors suggested that these three arrogant families had looked down on their father-in-law, a fifth-rank official, and had even allegedly bullied him.

Naturally, the political rivals of these three families were delighted!

This was a golden opportunity to strike at their opponents.

The political rivals of all three families, almost in unison, shifted their focus to Old Master Shen and began investigating his background.

And what they found was a delightful—and useful—surprise.

This Lord Shen was quite a talent!

Looking at his entire rise to power, this old fellow was utterly driven by self-interest, caring nothing for personal connections. He handled matters without any regard for relationships, and the list of "classmates and colleagues" he personally sent off to pioneer wasteland and farm could fill an entire candied hawthorn skewer rack.

Such a "talent" wasn't someone to form deep friendships with, but he was definitely a perfect partner for shady dealings.

Predictably, after careful consideration, the political rivals of the three families each secretly approached Old Master Shen, using both threats and bribes to get him to act as their inside man, plotting against the Fan, Zhao, and Chai families.

What could Old Master Shen do when faced with pressure from three big shots?

As a petty, cowardly, and utterly unscrupulous man, he naturally had no choice but to "reluctantly" grit his teeth and go along with it, selling out his in-laws to save his own skin.

So...

One month later.

Han Zhang heard major news about the three families.

Vice Minister Fan of the Personnel Ministry was demoted three consecutive ranks, becoming a Fifth-Rank Vice Director.

The State-Assisting General's mansion had its title demoted three consecutive ranks, becoming an Assistant State-Assisting Lieutenant, just one rank away from being reduced to a commoner.

The Count of Jinyang's mansion was also demoted to a baron.

The three families suffered heavy losses, while Old Master Shen soared upward. In the power struggles among the political rivals of the three families, he was transferred laterally but secretly promoted, becoming the Left Participating Deliberator of the Office of Transmission.

Although the official rank was still Fifth-Rank, the Office of Transmission consisted of close ministers to the emperor—in plain terms, it was the central secretariat.

The difference in status and importance was immense!