Chapter 656: Chapter 656: Fury
Old Master Zhan San was shocked and laughed, "So it’s this girl, truly a match bestowed by heaven."
However...
"Brother Changyuan, at this point, you should reveal all your secrets."
Although Xia Gu had previously spoken to him about it, he had only mentioned that the girl was a rare noble lady, and if the Zhan family were to marry her, they would surely return to being a first-class noble family.
Old Master Zhan San had been friends with Xia Gu for over thirty years and trusted what Xia Gu said completely. However, he couldn’t understand how a farmer girl living in the village could be a noble lady?
Master Xia knew that to make Old Master Zhan San agree to have the legitimate heir of the Zhan family marry Gu Jinxiu, he had to tell him the truth, and he said to Old Master Zhan San, "Follow me."
Old Master Zhan San stood up at once, intending to follow Master Xia, but Zhan Er grabbed his arm and didn’t let go: "Uncle, where are you going? Please help me, I truly admire her and don’t mind that she’s a village girl."
"Ha-ha, Xiao’er, you’re really infatuated to the point of confusion. It’s not that Uncle won’t help you, but I am going to the study to discuss your marriage with Eldest Miss Gu with your Uncle Xia," Old Master Zhan San shook his head; his nephew was indeed innocent, his mind fixed on one person, and he hadn’t even heard what he had discussed with Xia Gu.
Zhan Er, overjoyed beyond measure, asked: "Really? Uncle, are you not deceiving me?"
Old Master Zhan San laughed, "It’s indeed true."
If Gu Jinxiu indeed turned out to be a noble lady who could help the Zhan family return to a top-tier noble status, Xiao’er would have no choice but to bow down and marry Gu Jinxiu regardless of his reluctant heart.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Er knelt down to Old Master Zhan San without caring for the injuries on his body: "Nephew thanks Uncle for this great kindness. On the day of the grand wedding, I will definitely invite Uncle to sit at the high table and receive the bows from me and my wife."
Old Master Zhan San laughed heartily, "In the past years your grandmother pushed you to marry, but you were always reluctant, talking about the unrestricted life of a Madman, how could you subject to familial ties. Now, however, you are imploring your uncle to arrange the marriage, it seems Eldest Miss Gu has truly captured your heart."
Zhan Er, teased, showed no embarrassment: "She indeed has captured my heart, and if I could have her, I wouldn’t mind giving up my life."
And getting married wasn’t a big deal; after getting married, he could still continue to travel and enjoy the landscapes. It was only a matter of having the fairy at home to take care of the children, but all wives in Great Chu lived this life, so Zhan Er felt it was no issue to leave his wife at home while he played outside.
Master Xia, seeing how much Zhan Er adored Gu Jinxiu, was extremely pleased and took Old Master Zhan San to the study where he hinted at the relationship between the Gu family and the Lu family.
Though he didn’t make it very clear, Old Master Zhan San understood and gave a bow to Master Xia: "Brother Changyuan truly treats me as his own brother, with this girl to marry, Xiao’er is fortunate."
They then discussed when to go and propose to the Gu family.
Master Xia said, "The two of us men showing up abruptly isn’t appropriate. We should first let the women of the house visit the Gu family to understand their intentions."
Old Master Zhan San responded, "Then there should be no delay, Brother Changyuan, please go and inform your lady about this matter. Xiao’er indeed has a deep affection for Eldest Miss Gu, and he can’t wait to marry her tomorrow."
Master Xia nodded, "Alright, I’ll go talk to the lady of my house."
However...
"This matter should not yet be told to your elder brother; let’s wait until my lady has gauged the Gu family’s intentions."
After hearing this, Old Master Zhan San bowed again to Master Xia, "I hope for Brother Changyuan’s full support in bringing this union together, don’t let Xiao’er regret for a lifetime."
Now, Old Master Zhan San had made himself very humble, and he did this because he was not optimistic about Great Chu.
Today, Emperor Chu rules autocratically, possessing military might but lacking talent in governance, and harbors deep suspicions, not only guarding against nobility trying to restore the former dynasty but also fearing rebellions from courtiers.
Three years ago, Elder Shangguan and Lord Zheng jointly submitted a petition during the Water Bandit Case, requesting Emperor Chu to restore the Inspector system of the former dynasty.
However, Emperor Chu became furious, listing the treasonous crimes of the inspectors at the end of the former dynasty, and declared emphatically, "The Inspector Mansion is a den of rebels!"
With these words, even if Elder Shangguan wished to advise further, he dared not for fear of being accused of harboring rebellious intentions.
But Emperor Chu forgot that the first Emperor of Great Chu was himself a former Inspector, so in essence, Emperor Chu was also condemning his own grandfather.
Elder Shangguan, sincerely wishing to work for the citizens of Great Chu, seeing Emperor Chu’s reluctance to reinstate the Inspector Mansion, opted for a compromise: to increase the number of officials in the Imperial Censorate and let these officials inspect various regions of Great Chu.
Yet, Emperor Chu was still displeased, stating, "The officials of the Imperial Censorate are already in the dozens. Adding more and reaching over a hundred, where would the royal treasury find the funds to support these idlers?"
Emperor Chu’s reluctance to increase the number of Imperial Censorate officials stemmed from two reasons: firstly, his stinginess, not wishing to increase the salary, and secondly, feeling it inappropriate for anyone but the emperor to inspect the lands, questioning whether such actions were fitting for a subject or an emperor.
As the first Emperor of Great Chu was himself a subject in the former dynasty, Emperor Chu found it intolerable for his subjects to act in a manner befitting an emperor, viewing it as tantamount to rebellion.
Repeated rejections of Elder Shangguan’s proposals left him exhausted. His original intention to send his granddaughter to assist Emperor Chu also came to a halt.
However, Emperor Chu was currently planning to summon Elder Shangguan’s legitimate eldest granddaughter into the palace as a concubine to control the Shangguan family.
At present, the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Shangguan family was ill, and it’s uncertain if she could avoid this fate by being ill.
Old Master Zhan San’s scheme was simple. If Great Chu fell and a new dynasty was established, it would definitely need the support of the noble families. If the Zhan Family could align with the Lu Family, given the prestige of the Lu Family among the noble clans, it would be effortless for the Zhan Family to return to their status as a top-tier noble family.
Master Xia, having accepted a gift from Old Master Zhan San, left the study to discuss the matter with Lady Xia.
Lady Xia, learning that Zhan Er admired Jinxiu and was willing to marry her, was overjoyed. However, hearing that Zhan Er climbed a wall to meet Jinxiu at the Gu Family’s place, she was horrified: "Has Zhan Er gone mad? What does he take Sister Xiu for?"
It’s not like visiting a brothel to meet a courtesan; what kind of behavior is climbing walls to meet someone?
Lady Xia relayed the gravity of the incident to Master Xia, and concluded by saying, "This is the act of a scoundrel. What respectable family could tolerate such treatment toward their daughter?"
Even if the Gu Family were mere farmers, any family would be furious if a scoundrel barged in and violated a grown lady.
After hearing this, Master Xia’s expression darkened, and he suggested, "How about this, my dear? Tomorrow, you could go to the Gu Family to apologize. Explain the situation of Xiao’er climbing the wall and running into Sister Xiu, and mention Xiao’er’s admiration for Sister Xiu, willing to ask for her hand in marriage. If this marriage proceeds, it won’t be seen as the act of a scoundrel climbing walls, but as a beautiful love story."
Lady Xia frowned, thinking of Jinli’s temper, and felt the situation tricky, inadvertently complaining, "My husband should have better managed Xiao’er. Now, a perfectly good match has been complicated by his actions."
Hearing this, Master Xia quickly pleaded and assured, "As long as my dear explains properly, the Gu Family won’t be angry. After all, Sister Xiu is getting older. If we miss this opportunity with the Zhan Family, it may be difficult to find another such suitable match."
Lady Xia, always heeding Master Xia’s advice and considering Sister Xiu’s age, agreed.
...
In Da Feng Village, the entire Gu Family was furious at the moment.
Jinli was extremely angry: "What did big sister say? That madman climbed over our wall today from the village entrance? That lunatic, he must be tired of living!"