Chapter 135

Chapter 135

After wrapping up the lively goings-on at the Han family's place in the village, now it was the Shen family's turn.

Father Shen was a very clever man, well-suited to a career in officialdom, but he had a major flaw—he wasn't much good at raising children.

Moreover, Mother Shen was also led by her emotions. Due to her grudge over her husband going back on his promises of love and taking concubines, she outright refused to help raise his concubine-born children.

As a result, these children grew up by their concubine mothers' sides, raised to be highly self-serving, with little sense of family solidarity, and strained, conflicted sibling relationships.

Therefore, when the whole family gathered around the table for New Year's, arguments were unavoidable.

Especially the three—Shen Qingshuang, Shen Qingbai, and Shen Qingquan—who had stolen Shen Qinglan's marriage match. Their married lives weren't as happy as they'd imagined they'd be, and now that Shen Qinglan was doing well, they burned with resentment.

However, they still had one thing on Shen Qinglan: even though they'd all married around the same time, they were all expecting, while Shen Qinglan still showed no signs.

After a few rounds of drinks, Shen Qingshuang wringing her handkerchief, launched into her usual sarcastic digs:

"Second brother, you and your husband have been married for over half a year now—how is it we haven't heard any good news from your household? I know men of your kind conceive more slowly, but fourth and fifth brothers are the same kind too, and they've all had good news. Why haven't you?"

"Could it be you ruined your health back when you were still at home, indulging in iced desserts in the summer? Should I find you a trustworthy doctor to come have a look?"

Shen Qingbai, never one to pass up stirring up trouble, piped up: "Second brother, heirs are a big deal—don't be shy about seeing a doctor..."

Shen Qingquan, though a bit jealous of his elder brother's happy life, didn't join in the mockery.

After all, he and Shen Qinglan shared the same mother; he wouldn't stoop to joining his two half-siblings in making trouble at New Year's.

The two of them turned the table atmosphere icy.

And this was a point Shen Qinglan truly couldn't argue with. He was anxious about having kids himself, and being hit right on that sore spot left him speechless, his eyes reddening in frustration.

Mother Shen nearly slammed her chopsticks down to scold these two insolent concubine-born brats.

Father Shen's face also darkened, deeply regretting having favored these two in the past!

They'd seemed obedient before, but it turned out they were short-sighted—once they married above themselves, they dropped all pretense, causing trouble every time they came home to visit, showing no respect for him as their father.

But Han Zhang, calm and smiling, smoothly took over the conversation and shot back cheerfully:

"What goes on in my household between me and my husband is none of third sister's or fourth brother's concern. After all, I only have Lan Geer in my home—he has no need to rush into bearing children to secure his position."

"As for physicians, there's no need for that either. I have some knowledge of medicine, and I personally look after Lan Geer's health. He's in perfect condition—we can have children whenever we wish."

"Lan Geer and I are still young. I'd like to enjoy a few more years of blissful time with my husband. Children are noisy and troublesome—better they come a little later."

With that, Han Zhang respectfully clasped his hands to Father and Mother Shen, and said sincerely: "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, Lan Geer hasn't conceived yet—that's entirely my fault. Please don't blame him. Marrying Lan Geer is the greatest fortune of my life."

These words were both considerate and gave the elders plenty of face.

Father and Mother Shen immediately beamed with joy, saying in unison: "Our worthy son-in-law speaks well! Newlyweds should enjoy a few years of peace together. There's no rush for children, no rush at all."

No wonder they favored Han Zhang as their son-in-law—just look at how sweetly he spoke.

Pah—sycophant! Spineless fool!

Shen Qingshuang and Shen Qingbai gritted their teeth in silent curses, thinking of the jealous concubines in their own households, and felt a stifling ache in their chests.

Fan Zixu and Zhao Hongji's lips twitched, but in the end they said nothing, only tilting their heads back to down a cup of bitter wine and snorting in resignation.

Over the past half year, their families had been in steady decline, while the Shen family and Han Zhang kept rising. They no longer had the arrogance they once had.

As for Chai Wenxuan, he had genuinely loved Shen Qinglan in the past. Though he was fickle and had caused trouble for Han Zhang before, he wasn't so classless as to openly mock someone he'd once loved. Like Shen Qingquan, he sat silently to the side.

The New Year's Eve dinner was fraught with tension.

After the meal, Father Shen led the sons-in-law and husbands to the front hall for conversation.

Mother Shen, meanwhile, called Shen Qinglan to the back courtyard to ask about the matter of children—after all, continuing the family line was a grave concern in the eyes of the ancients.

"Lan Geer, your husband protects you, but heirs are still a major matter. The health matron I gave you—have you been using her properly? You weren't in poor health before you married. Why is there still no news?"

"Mother also heard you've been spending quite a bit of time with Chang Gongjun lately? That's not someone to be trifled with. Why are you so careless, child..."

Mother Shen fretted over the rumors she'd heard.

Shen Qingyue also expressed concern: "Yes, second brother, Chang Gongjun's temperament is known throughout the city. With a husband as fine as yours, you need to be more vigilant."

"Mother, eldest sister... Do you think I haven't heard of Chang Gongjun's temperament? But he's of noble status—when he invites me to accompany him, I have no way to refuse."

"But don't worry, Mother. I know what I'm doing. My husband is now one of the Crown Prince's men. No matter what, Chang Gongjun won't do anything to me openly. Privately, my husband and I are both on guard."

Shen Qinglan reassured them, then sighed: "As for children... I have no control over that either. My husband and I are both healthy—the child just won't come. My husband says it's a matter of fate, so we can only wait."

"Then after the New Year, come with me to the temples and Taoist shrines to pay your respects."

Mother Shen was truly worried sick.

Shen Qingyue added: "I have a blessed Guanyin statue of fertility at my place. I'll send it over to you—try worshipping it. Sincerity works wonders."

"Alright, I'll listen to Mother and eldest sister."

Knowing they meant well, Shen Qinglan obediently agreed without saying anything to dampen their spirits.

But once he got home with Han Zhang, he started giving his husband a hard time.

"Husband, are you even capable? Look—fourth and fifth brothers both have good news, and we're the only ones without! I can't hold my head up anymore! No... you have to work harder. If I'm still not pregnant by the start of the new year, watch out—I'll personally brew you donkey penis tonic soup every day!"

The young lad threatened fiercely, his expression so lively and radiant.

Han Zhang scooped him up, rolled over, and kissed him with a laugh: "Alright, alright—let's start right now."

...

Since Han Zhang was to take the special imperial examination at the start of the new year, to give him a good environment for studying, the Han family kept things very quiet this New Year—aside from the reunion dinner, they barely entertained any guests.

Relatives who came to pay New Year's visits were also extremely careful, afraid of disturbing Han Zhang's studies.

Big Brother was the family's golden child—the Han clan's rise in status depended entirely on him. They couldn't be a hindrance at such a critical time.

Kang Zhanxun even used his connections to find out the chief examiner's preferred writing style for the upcoming special imperial examination, and during his New Year's visit, he passed the information along to Han Zhang.

And the Han family wasn't the only one doing this.

In every household with a scholar, the New Year celebrations were kept quiet this year.

Amid this tense atmosphere, the holiday came and went, and the day of the imperial examination finally arrived.

Han Zhang was up and dressed before the sky even lightened.

Shen Qinglan, who rarely ever slept in, got up with him today, having the maids and servants double-check the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone in the examination basket.

"Husband, though spring has begun, the chill still lingers, especially since the exam stalls don't block the wind. Put on this inner garment—it's made from fine lambskin my mother specially sourced. It looks thin, but once you put it on, it's plenty warm..."

"And for this basket of writing tools, I had the seamstress sew a cloth cover, so when they inspect at the entrance, nobody with bad intentions can sneak notes into your basket. I've heard this happens every single year—you can't be too careful..."

"Oh, husband, change into this hairpin carved with the lucky character. The exam hall doesn't allow you to bring just anything, and I was worried the inspectors would be extra strict this year, so I didn't get you a peace amulet. This hairpin was blessed by the monks at the temple—it's just as good as any amulet..."

"Husband, don't be nervous during the exam. The tutors at the Imperial Academy all say you can do it, so you must believe in yourself..."

Shen Qinglan kept chattering reminders while helping Han Zhang get dressed.

He told Han Zhang not to be nervous, yet he was already the nervous one.

Han Zhang reached out, took his face in his hands, and kissed him deeply, silencing that chattering mouth, before letting go and speaking gently:

"I've got every word you said memorized, my love. It's going to be a madhouse outside the exam hall today, so stay home and rest, so you don't get shoved. I'll go on my own."

"Husband..."

Shen Qinglan was reluctant—he had risen so early precisely to see his husband off to the examination grounds.

Han Zhang smiled and adjusted his cloak, murmuring softly: "The street in front of the exam hall will be packed with carriages and servants dropping off candidates. After you see me off, who knows how long you'd be stuck in traffic before you even make it home."

"You said yourself, though spring has come, the cold lingers—what if you catch a chill? Is accompanying me to the examination grounds today more important, or is it more important to keep yourself healthy and hasten the arrival of our child?"

Seeing peers around him married and expecting one after another, Shen Qinglan was now desperate for a child.

Hearing this, he nodded obediently at once: "Then, fine, I'll wait for you at home."

"Mm, it's still early—go back and sleep a bit more... Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, take good care of the Lord."

Han Zhang gave his husband's hand another squeeze, instructed Qiao Dong and the others, then turned, picked up the cloth-covered examination basket, and headed out to the examination hall.

Fortunately, he was a local of the capital, and his husband was a golden treasure—they owned a residence near the examination grounds, with servants to prepare his gear and supplies, allowing him to leave with such ease.

Otherwise, candidates from afar staying in inns would have to travel far and manage everything themselves, making for a frantic morning.