Chapter 5: Snatching a Son-in-Law from the Posting of the Results

At this time, Sheng Hong had not yet been promoted to a capital official, and the Sheng residence in Yangzhou was merely a three-courtyard compound.

In the side chamber to the east of the main hall, Sheng Hong reclined on a daybed, a book in his hands. From time to time, he would lift the teacup beside him, looking entirely relaxed and content.

Wang Ruofu, attended by Mama Liu, removed her jewelry and wiped her face with a warm towel. She glanced sideways at Sheng Hong and asked, "Are you not planning to go to Lady Lin's quarters tonight, my lord?"

For the past half-year, Sheng Hong had spent nearly twenty days a month sleeping in Lin Qinshuang's room. Wang Ruofu was deeply dissatisfied, yet she refused to lower her dignity as the legal wife to fight for his favor against Lin Qinshuang. Besides, she could never master those delicate, fawning tricks that Lin Qinshuang employed.

Sheng Hong closed his book and narrowed his eyes. "I wish to discuss Hua'er's marriage with you. You met Zhao Han today; are you satisfied with him?"

Wang Ruofu gave a soft snort. "The Zhao boy is a man of talent and appearance, humble and well-mannered. Truly, one cannot find fault with him today. If Hua'er were to stand beside him, they would look like a perfect match."

Wang Ruofu was not known for her beauty, but Hualan’s looks were entirely inherited from Sheng Hong—bright, charming, and naturally graceful, with a hint of spirited heroism in her brow.

Sheng Hong nodded in agreement. "I tested Zhao Han slightly, and he mentioned he intends to discuss marriage only after the metropolitan examination."

Wang Ruofu furrowed her brows, letting Mama Liu remove her outer robe. After a moment of silence, she asked, "My lord, what are the odds that the Zhao boy will pass as a jinshi?"

"I asked Scholar Zhuang; he says at least ninety percent."

Last year, during a wrongful imprisonment case in Yangzhou, Sheng Hong had rescued an elderly lady. It turned out her son was the highly respected Scholar Zhuang, who was quite famous in Bianjing. Many noble households had offered vast sums of money to invite him to oversee their clan schools. To repay the debt of saving his mother, and moved by Sheng Hong’s sincerity in visiting him three times, Scholar Zhuang was currently teaching at the Sheng family school.

Wang Ruofu was surprised. She pushed Mama Liu aside and stepped to Sheng Hong's side. "My lord! If even Scholar Zhuang thinks so highly of the Zhao boy, we cannot wait until after the exam to discuss the marriage! In Bianjing, it is common practice to 'snatch a son-in-law' from the list of successful candidates. What if some high-ranking noble family snatches him away? Wouldn't all our efforts go to waste?"

The Great Zhou Dynasty valued civil service over military might. Officials from military backgrounds and wealthy families sought to quickly elevate their social status by aligning themselves with the scholarly, civil-official class. Whenever the results of the metropolitan examination were posted, they would rush to the gates of the examination hall to select husbands for their daughters from among the newly minted jinshi. These people cared nothing for the instructions of parents or the words of matchmakers; they ignored family backgrounds and birth dates. Once they set their sights on someone, they would drag the man home by force if necessary, compelling him to marry their daughter.

Sheng Hong slapped his forehead and looked at Wang Ruofu, secretly scolding himself for forgetting about this practice. "What you say makes sense. Since we both fancy Zhao Han, I will speak to him once this current busy spell is over."

"With the end of the year approaching, I wonder if I can achieve an 'excellent' rating in this year's performance review." Sheng Hong sighed toward the ceiling. This was his third year as the Vice Prefect of Yangzhou. In the Great Zhou, civil officials were reviewed every three years, and military officials every five. The criteria for local officials were the "Four Virtues and Three Priorities." Those with excellent reviews could see their term requirements reduced or be granted early promotion.

Sheng Hong had started as a ninth-rank probationary official, and nearly twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye. During his three years in Yangzhou, he had cultivated wide connections among officials and gentry, acting with caution. If the review went well, it was highly likely he would be transferred to a capital position next year.

"My lord is diligent and responsible; these years of hard work will not be in vain. Besides, we have already greased the wheels at the Ministry of Personnel," Wang Ruofu said, her eyes shimmering with anticipation. "If you can successfully enter the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel this time, I will finally be able to hold my head high in front of my sister."

When she had married Sheng Hong, her sister, Wang Ruoyu, had married into the prestigious Kang family. Every holiday, Wang Ruoyu would show off relentlessly. Wang Ruofu had been bottling up her frustration, waiting for the day Sheng Hong was promoted to a capital official.

Sheng Hong shook his head repeatedly upon hearing the mention of the Ministry of Revenue or Personnel. "What are you thinking? The Emperor is aged, and the struggle for the succession is fierce. It is better to aim for the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Rites to observe the situation and avoid getting involved in factional strife."

Wang Ruofu pouted. "You are too cautious, my lord. Among your colleagues, who isn't straining every nerve to climb higher?"

Sheng Hong glanced at the sky outside the window and headed toward the inner room. "The succession is volatile. The Emperor praises the Prince of Yan one day, and keeps the Prince of Yong for dinner the next; it is impossible to fathom his intent. The Ministry of Works has little power, but it is stable. The Ministry of Rites is prestigious yet free of trouble. It is not too late to plan for the future once the dust settles. I cannot risk the lives of my entire family for the sake of immediate glory."

Hearing this, Wang Ruofu lowered her head in embarrassment, realizing she had been too impatient.

***

Meanwhile, at the Zhao residence, after returning home, Zhao Han recounted the events at the Sheng residence under the urging of Mama Hu.

Mama Hu smiled broadly. "If Master Sheng took the initiative to ask about your marriage, it seems he truly has intentions of forming an alliance."

Zhao Han replied calmly, "Nothing is certain yet. Mama Hu, do not get excited too soon. The most important thing right now is the spring examination."

"Don't worry, young master; I understand what is truly important." Mama Hu said, intending to pick up her unfinished sewing, but a thought occurred to her. "I heard when I went out this afternoon that the old master of the Bai family is dying. Rumor has it that he intends to adopt his nephew, Bai Tingyu, to inherit the estate. I wonder if it's true."

The Bai family were among the top salt merchants in Yangzhou, influential throughout the entire Huai region. The old master had only one daughter, the mother of Gu Tingye, the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan in Bianjing.

Zhao Han’s gaze darkened. He remembered that the old master had left a will bequeathing the entire estate to his grandson, Gu Tingye. He said softly, "The Bai family is incredibly wealthy; it is hard to say if the clansmen are spreading rumors to confuse the public."

"You are right, young master. Come to think of it, our family and the Bai family have a bit of history. When our old master passed away, members of our own clan tried to seize our property. It was thanks to the help of the old master of the Bai family that the mistress was able to inherit the estate successfully."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Han's eyes. "Is that so?"

Mama Hu smiled. "You were still young then and don't remember."

Zhao Han pondered. In the original story, Gu Tingye knew his clansmen intended to seize his inheritance, so he took the will and, under the alias Bai Ye, secretly came to Yangzhou on the Yuan family's ship. Now, due to his own appearance, the marriage between the Sheng and Yuan families would likely not happen. Gu Tingye would surely find another way to come to Yangzhou.