Chapter 239 I won’t leave, you can’t force me to leave!
In fact, Yang Wenyuan has been hesitant about Yang Rujin's marriage.

According to his previous experience, Changbai, a modest gentleman with a gentle and dignified manner, would definitely be the best choice.

But this is real life after all.

Who knows if there are no other young talents in the Great Zhou, or if Yang Ruijin has her own ideal man?

Moreover, as a junior, he could not interfere in Yang Rujin's marriage when Yang Yuqing and Madam Chen were both present. At most, he could carefully exclude the candidates that Yang Rujin might be interested in.

As for other marriages, political ties and the like, Yang Wenyuan did not consider them at all.

But things are different now.

Now that Madam Chen has spoken, all obstacles ahead must be cleared!
Sheng Changbai, you can't escape from being the son-in-law of the Yang family!
As for why Mrs. Chen suddenly changed from her original slow attitude to letting Yang Wenyuan act as a vanguard, a big reason was because she sensed a sense of crisis!
As the saying goes, there are too many wolves and too little meat, especially when the Jinshi and Shujishi of the same class have already been engaged. Changbai is now more like a wounded fish in the sea, surrounded by a circle of sharks that are eyeing him covetously.

Since the beginning of this spring, Madam Chen began to secretly look for candidates for Yang Rujin's husband. After searching among the sons of various noble families, she still couldn't find a few decent ones.

Just when they had figured out a few unsatisfactory guys, Changbai suddenly emerged as a dark horse. Not only did he pass the imperial examination, he was also selected as a scholar-official. This immediately caught the eye of Madam Chen.

In fact, in Mrs. Chen's eyes, knowledge and talent are just icing on the cake. She does not force it. What she values ​​most is that the future husband can treat her daughter well.

All the suffering was borne by herself and her husband Yang Yuqing, and her son also went to fight in the war, so the daughter could not bear the slightest bitterness.

When talking with Hualan, she often heard her niece-in-law mention this younger brother.

He has a calm personality, sophisticated behavior, and has loved reading, writing, and studying since childhood. He is a good man worthy of entrusting your life to.

Yang Wenyuan would also respond from time to time.

Mrs. Chen immediately had a template for Changbai in her mind - Old Master Yu.

Of course, since this concerns her daughter's lifelong happiness, Mrs. Chen is not in a hurry to make a decision and plans to slowly consider and explore.

However, things often do not develop as smoothly as expected.

Just yesterday, Mrs. Chen heard some news that the second daughter of the Hai family has reached the marriageable age and is looking for a good husband.

As for the Jiangning Hai family, Mrs. Chen also knows this reputation.

The Hai family in Jiangning was a family with a distinguished literary style and enjoyed a high reputation among scholars. There were many private schools in their hometown, and many scholars from Jiangning had close relations with them.

But this is not what the Hai family is most famous for.

The Hai family is actually most famous for their family motto, "A concubine may be taken only if the descendants in the family are childless after the age of 40."

This ancestral precept not only made the male members of the Hai family extremely precious, with marriages arranged long before they were even crowned, but it also caused their daughters to develop a character that could not tolerate concubines after being influenced by it from a young age, making it very difficult for the girls of the Hai family to get married.

Just like the elder sister of Hai family’s second daughter Hai Chaoyun, the eldest lady of the Hai family.

Although she got married successfully, she made a fool of herself in her husband's family not long ago. Not only did she frequently contradict her mother-in-law, but she also restricted her husband from taking concubines.

In fact, as to whether a husband should take a concubine, it can be said that everyone has their own opinion.

Just like Madam Chen and Yang Yuqing, Old Master Yu and Old Madam Yu, are all examples. They are nothing like the eldest daughter of the Hai family, who made such a big joke.

If it were someone else, Mrs. Chen might not be so anxious.

But if Sheng Changbai really doesn't care whether to take a concubine or not as Yang Wenyuan said, then this matter is really different!

This means that Changbai is an excellent son-in-law and the shortcomings of Hai’s daughter are no longer shortcomings!

This is equivalent to putting the two companies on the same starting line.

And Changbai was a civil servant.

If we really talk about future benefits, our family may not be able to compare with the Hai family...

That's why Mrs. Chen was in a hurry to ask Yang Wenyuan to come and question her, hoping to strike first!

As for the question of whether this is too closely tied to the Sheng family, Yang Wenyuan is not afraid at all.

Anyway, I have more rebellious ideas in my mind, so why bother about these things?

The time between the old and the new is the easiest time to accomplish things.

The food at noon today was particularly to Yang Wenyuan's liking.

As for Changbai on the opposite side, in Yang Wenyuan's opinion, he was obviously hit on the head by a huge "surprise" and was a little too happy.

Well, that should be it.

night.

Jiying Lane, Shengjia.

After being dismissed from office, Sheng Hong and Changbai and his son returned home together.

Ever since Changbai passed the imperial examination and Lin Qinshuang had swept away the family property, Sheng Hong has spent most of his time in Weiruixuan.

Most of the remaining time is spent in Mucangzhai.

Only when the night was quiet and the sage had time, and he thought of the "true love" of his youth, would he go to Linqi Pavilion the next day.

But you can't stay for more than a few days in a month.

This is the love of middle-aged people.

The clarity after blindness often leaves a lingering aftertaste.

Occasionally, I would pick up some remnants of the rhythm, and immerse myself in it for a moment before quickly waking up.

Wei Ruixuan.

A family of four is having dinner.

Wang Ruofu helped her children and husband to serve the food. She had a contented expression on her face and it was obvious that she was enjoying this warm scene of family being together.

Perhaps, if Sheng Hong had not been so partial to Lin Qinshuang, she would not have been making trouble at home all day long and could have become a good wife and mother.

"Bai Er, what's wrong? Is today's meal not to your liking?"

Wang Ruofu saw that Changbai looked absent-minded and was eating with chopsticks, so she couldn't help but ask with concern:
"How about I ask the kitchen to make you a new table?"

Changbai came back to his senses and immediately shook his head to refuse:
"No need, mother. I was just thinking about something."

"You kid, you can't even eat peacefully!"

Wang Ruofu gave Changbai a reproachful look, then turned around and helped him scoop a bowl of soup and passed it to him.

Sheng Hong beside him showed satisfaction, but also said:

"Although there are many training courses at Hongwenguan, it will take three years. Bai'er, you don't have to be too anxious, lest you tire yourself out."

Obviously, Sheng Hong thought that Changbai was too hardworking, so much so that he even studied while eating.

"Yes, father!"

Changbai couldn't express his thoughts out loud, so he could only agree.

After everyone finished their meal, the servants began to clear the tables and chairs.

Not long after, the housekeeper from Shou'an Hall came to the door of Weiruixuan.

Seeing this, Mother Liu hurried forward to greet them. After whispering a few words, Mother Liu stepped forward and reported:

"Master, Madam, the old lady wants you to come over and talk to her."

This was not a rare thing in the Sheng family. Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong looked calm and were about to get up and go to Shou'an Hall.

"I'm going too. I'm going too!" Rulan responded, waving her hands.

There is usually nothing fun in the evening.

At this time, Rulan liked to talk to Minglan in private in the corridor beside while the adults were talking in the hall. Wang Ruofu did not refuse, but turned to Changbai and asked:

"Bai Er, what about you?"

Changbai thought that the Yang family acted so quickly and informed his grandmother so quickly.

When he thought of this, he quickly shook his head and refused:
"I'm a little tired today, I want to take a bath and rest early."

"Then go and rest."

After saying that, Wang Ruofu said to Mother Liu behind her:

"You don't have to follow me. Go to the kitchen and take care of it. Let Bai'er go to bed early."

Shou'an Hall.

Old Madam Sheng was sitting in the house, while Minglan was sitting on the corridor under the eaves with a mattress under her, staring at the starry sky in a trance.

At this time, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu brought Rulan here.

After paying respects to their father and mother, when Rulan entered the room and bowed to the old lady, the two little sisters immediately gathered together.

But just as Rulan held Minglan's hand, she heard Sixth Sister say:
"Fifth sister, let's go to my little mother's place to play with Chang Rong!"

Wei Shuyi and Sheng Hong both have good looks. Minglan is beautiful, and although Changrong is still a child, he is also delicate and lovable.

Moreover, Changrong was just a babbler at that time and was not yet old enough to be disliked by dogs. He was just in his naive state, so Minglan and Rulan would tease this little brother of the family from time to time.

Rulan thought of the fun of teasing Changrong and nodded immediately. However, the smile on her face only appeared for a moment, and then it disappeared suddenly. She turned back to look into the house and said reluctantly:

"Their 'masters' want to discuss something again, and they asked you to order me away?"

Apparently, this hasn't happened once or twice.

Although Rulan didn't like listening to adults talking about things and thought it was boring, she was also somewhat unhappy about being deprived of the right to know every time.

I can choose not to listen, but you can't force me to do it!

Minglan didn't expect Rulan to react so quickly, and she laughed and said:

"Fifth sister, I don't know about this."

Although Rulan didn't get Minglan's confirmation, she was almost certain. She stretched her hands and pouted:

"You are not allowed to listen to this, and you are not allowed to listen to that. Tomorrow, when you talk to me in front of them, be sure to speak in a low voice, so that they can have a taste of what it's like!"

After venting her anger, Rulan left with Minglan.

inside the house.

Old Madam Sheng first asked Mama Fang to serve tea to Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong.

After they had a break, he told them the purpose of his visit.

"Didn't you ask me to find a good marriage for Bai'er a few days ago? I got some news today, so I asked you to come over and take a look."

At that time, marriage was extremely particular about social circles.

If you don't have any connections, even if other people have good daughters or good husbands, you won't even hear about them, let alone arrange a marriage.

It is obvious that Mrs. Sheng's original network of relationships was among the best in the Great Zhou Dynasty. This is why Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu entrusted Changbai's marriage to Mrs. Sheng.

"There's news so soon? Thank you for your help, mother!" Wang Ruofu said with surprise.

As the saying goes, one should start a family and a career, and then start a family and a career. Seeing that Bai'er's career was already on the right track, Wang Ruofu could not help much with his previous academic matters. Now, as for his marriage, Wang Ruofu thought that as a mother, she had to arrange it for her son!

A career needs the support of the family, and this is even more so in a political career!

"Yeah!" Old Mrs. Sheng nodded slightly.

It shouldn't be that fast, after all, it takes a lot of time to ask people for information.

But when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer.

She and the Sheng family shared glory and disgrace. Seeing the Sheng family prospering and their descendants striving to be famous, her status as the only daughter of the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion, which had been lost, was brought back by her descendants.

Others will naturally be enthusiastic and diligent when helping out.

Old Madam Sheng then told the news she had found out.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu also listened carefully.

Finally, after eliminating all the unsuitable families and girls, Mrs. Sheng concluded:
"If we only consider family background, then the girl from the Yang family is definitely better. However, if we consider family background and the help that it will provide to Bai'er in the officialdom in the future, then perhaps the second daughter of the Jiang Ninghai family is more suitable."

"That's all the information I've found out. The details are up to you and your wife to consider."

"This……"

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

Yang Ruijin and his wife were somewhat familiar with her, but they had never heard of the girl named Hai Chaoyun.

"Jiangninghai Family..."

Sheng Hong hesitated for a moment and said:
"I've heard of this family. They've been a family of nobles for generations, with students and former officials throughout the government and the country. They're even more powerful than the Wang family back then."

It can be said that the current situation of the Jiangning Hai family is the family prosperity that Sheng Hong himself hopes for.

Wang Ruofu, who was standing by, rolled her eyes at Sheng Hong upon hearing this.

What do you mean by “compared to the original Wang family”? What’s wrong with our Wang family?
My father deserves to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!
Besides, why don’t you compare yourself with your Sheng family?
Old Madam Sheng nodded slightly and replied:

"Yes, the current master of the Hai family is a third-rank governor and holds a high position."

Sheng Hong's eyes revealed an expression of envy.

According to the plan he had for himself, he could only reach this level at most when he retired in the future.

The master of the Hai family should not be much older than me...

Comparing people with others will lead to death, and comparing goods with goods will lead to throwing away!
But Sheng Hong immediately looked suspicious.

Since the Hai family is so prominent, why would they be interested in our family?

Sheng Hong doesn't believe in pie falling from the sky.

Even with Hualan's help in mediating reconciliation with Yang Rujin in the future, it might not be possible, let alone with the Hai family who is such a good match.

Sheng Hong immediately said:
"Mother, is there any other reason behind this?"

Old Madam Sheng at the head of the table nodded with satisfaction.

She then sighed and explained:

"Our family background is indeed a little weak. Logically speaking, given the status of the Hai family, they would not be interested in my family, but what can we do..."

As she spoke, Mrs. Sheng suddenly paused and asked Sheng Hong:

"Have you heard of the Hai family motto?"

Sheng Hong nodded slightly and replied with a smile:
"I have heard that it is said that if the descendants are still childless after the age of 40, they can take concubines. However, I personally think that this family motto does not make sense. After all, they are already over 40. No matter what, it is no different from not being able to take concubines. It is nothing more than a nice-sounding statement."

As he was talking, the smile on Sheng Hong's face froze and he looked at Old Lady Sheng in surprise.

Old Madam Sheng at the head of the table nodded helplessly.

"His daughter has an outstanding family background. After hearing and seeing this, she has also developed these rules imperceptibly."

(End of this chapter)