Chapter 57
Rong Xia the merchandise that people fought for, was having a guest at home. During the nation mourning period, officials couldnt drink alcohol or enjoy entertainment, so he served tea.
The guest was not an ordinary person, it was the Minister of Revenue Yao Peiji, an important member of the Court.
Yao Peiji was an avid enthusiast of calligraphy and painting, so he had very positive sentiment towards Rong Xia. He and Rong Xia regarded each other brothers despite the 30-40 years gap between them. In fact, if he could put his hands on a treasured painting from Rong Xia, he would be willing to call Rong Xia the elder brother.
Good painting, good composition. Yao Peiji looked at the painting of a cat playing with flower and plants hanging on the wall. Flushing with excitement, he said to Rong Xia, Master Counts skill has improved again, this kitten looks like alive. But why does a cat have a peony on its head?
Rong Xia smiled widely, This is justzaixias little amusement.
Painting as the heart desires, the object will be more lively. Thats how it should be, thats the right way. Yao Peiji rubbed his palms lightly. He suddenly felt that peony was the crucial part of the painting, it had made the cat so cutely nave, and even a little willful.
A catah, should be a little willful to be cute.
After pulling Rong Xia to talk about paintings for quite some time, Yao Peiji sighed ruefully, Master Count is so talented, wonder what woman is worthy of you.
Rong Xia smiled without responding, he toasted Yao Peiji a cup of tea.
I think the second miss of Minister Shis isnt only graceful and intelligent, but also very talented. She is a good match with yourself. Yao Peiji sipped his tea and smiled, What does Master Count think?
Rong Xias face was contemplative, after a long while, he said, Does Yao-darenmean Minister Shis second young miss?
Thats the one. Yao Peiji said, My wife often mentioned this young lady. Yesterday it suddenly occurred to me this young lady is a good match for you.
Afraidzaixiahas to disappoint Yao-daren, Rong Xia stood up and gave Yao Peiji a salute, apologetically said, Not going to hide it from Yao-daren, a few days ago zaixia has committed to a marriage. It is not made known yet due to the Grand Princess mourning period, so requesting Yao-daren to keep this a secret.
Wha what? Yao Peiji looked at Rong Xia in shock. So this Rong lad had been engaged, why there was no news of it? As he was a cultured man, seeing the way Rong Xia said it, he didnt pursue further. In that case, thenlaofuwishes Count Rong and the future lady a love lasting longer than gold, together to the end.
* laofu= This Old Man (referring to self)
Thank you Yao-darenfor the auspicious words. Rong Xia solemnly bowed to Yao Peiji.
Yao Peiji saw Rong Xia was blushing radiantly with a bright smile on his face. He ruefully thought it was obvious that Count Rong was truly fond of his future wife, otherwise the smile wouldnt have been that joyous. It was a pity for Shi family because their intention wouldnt come true, he needed to drop by Shi residence.
Rong Xia saw Yao Peiji wanted to leave, after asking him to stay three times, he sent Yao Peiji to the main gates. Only after Yao Peijis carriage had departed that he ordered the guards to close the gates.
At the Right Ministers residence, Shi Jin was recuperating at home. When his fathers page boy called him to see a guest, he changed into a plain and not-new long robes, then followed the page boy.
As the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, he was punished with 50 strokes in relation to the assassination of the Grand Princess. Luckily, as the Right Ministers son, the person who carried out the punishment had held back, so even though his wounds looked serious but there was no damage to his bones and muscles. The Head Commander who was also punished with 50 strokes was injured more severely, it was said he still couldnt get up from bed until now, and whether he could keep that Commander position was still uncertain.
Seeing Yao Peiji at the main hall of the main courtyard, he could guess what the visit was about, he gave Yao Peiji a salute.
Originally Shi Chonghuai had no intention of having Rong Xia as a son-in-law, but when he saw Rong Xia had become more and more influential among the scholars, highly valued by the Emperor, and was increasingly powerful at the Court, he came to think it would be good to have him married to his daughter. However throughout the ages, marriages were proposed by the male side, no bride ever hounded the groom to marry, so after mulling it over, he entrusted Yao Peiji to test the water.
Just now at Count Rongs placelaofuhas admired a picture of a playing cat, it was very interesting. Yao Peiji had swallowed a bellyfull of tea at Rong Xias place so here he only moisted his lips before putting the cup down. Laofu today has shot my mouth off, and asked about Count Rongs marriage matter.
Yao Peiji wouldnt say that Shi family had asked for his help, calling himself speaking out of turn was to save Shi familys face.
Who knew this Count is not a romantic person, he has no interest in the matter of man and woman. Yao Peiji shook his head and sighed, Young people nowadays, these twenty something years olds, not sure what they are thinking. When laofu was at their age, my children were already running around.
Shi Jin slightly frowned, Count Rong is unwilling?
Yao Peiji laughed, Isnt it so. He is not willing to talk about marriage. What he meant was,I have done what your family asked me to do, but the other person has no such intention, so you should let it go.
Not sure what Shi Jin was thinking, he just couldnt help frowning.
Shi Chonghuai smiled at what Yao Peiji said, Young people like to be free and independent without elders to control them, naturally they arent willing to get married.
Just an orphan fated to live alone, how dare he thinks he can be picky towards his daughter, what an ungrateful person!
Yao Peiji pretended he didnt hear the mockery in Shi Chonghuais words. After sitting a little bit longer, he rose and said his farewell. He was sent off at the gates by Shi familys steward.
In the carriage, Yao Peiji hummed a little tune with his head nodding as if he had been in a very good mood. In everyones eyes, he was an official attached to Shi Chonghuais side, and even he himself had thought so. However, that didnt mean he was happy to be treated like an errand boy by Shi family. Younger generations of the Shis were at home, and it was not like they were busy with many guests, yet he was sent out by a servant. This absolutely was looking down on him.
On the other hand, Rong Xia was greatly valued by the Emperor, and he still personally sent him off at the gate. Was Shi familys face so big that they couldnt walk a few steps to see him off?
Educated people placed utmost importance on manner and etiquette, failing to treat other people with proper manner was an offense.
Yao Peiji had issues with Shi family now.
Do you think your family miss is a heavenly fairy that whoever you pick must be willing to marry her?
Yao Peiji humphed. Maintaining his odd sort of good mood, he left Shi family territory.
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Ban Huai returned home with a face full of indescribable expression. He called his wife and children, dismissed all the servants, then looked at his three family members seriously.
Fujun, what happened? Yin-shi saw Ban Huais strange look, hesitantly asked, Did His Majesty regret giving you the royal duke title?
* fujun= Husband
Ban Huai shook his head.
The Second Prince offended you again? Ban Heng stuck out his neck, put himself close to Ban Huais face, Or did you meet strange people on the street?
Ban Huai was still shaking his head.
Ban Hua saw her fathers eyes landed on herself, she pointed an index finger to her own nose, Something to do with me?
Ban Huai nodded.
Ban Hua slapped the table, Who else talks badly about me again?
Ban Huai rubbed his face, My good girl. Cant it be something good?
But it doesnt look like anything good from your face. Ban Hua took a deep breath, lowered her head to sip some tea, Please just say it out, I can bear it.
Count Rong asked His Majesty to be his matchmaker. He wants to marry you.
Ke, ke, ke! Tea water choked on Ban Huas throat, tears streamed out of her eyes. The family was shocked, they busily pounded her back and gave her a handkerchief.
I, I am fine. Ban Hua patted her chest, lines of tear flew down her face, Count Rong, is he blind now?
Ban Huai shrugged, I am curious too.
Speak properly. What rubbish you two are saying! Yin-shis eyebrows raised up, My familys daughter is so beautiful, everyone wants to propose. It is just a Count, whats strange about it.
Ban Heng stuttered, But it is Rong Xia, how many girls in the Capital wants to marry him.
So what if its Rong Xia. Even if his name is Flawless Rong, so what? Yin-shi slapped the table, Also, a man who is liked by many girls, how if he is a skirt-chaser?
T/N Xia= flaw (like in= concealer, in cosmetic).
Which of the men that Sister liked who dont look amazing and liked by many girls. Ban Heng braved Yin-shis gaze, he said in lowered voice, Its not bad for Sister to marry Rong Xia, at least he is a gentleman. When our family fall in the future, he wouldnt neglect Sister. We can be certain of this.
Yin-shi fell silent to hear it.
What would happen in five years, they dared not be sure. But according to Ban Huas dream, she would still be unmarried, and she wasnt a Xiangjun anymore.
Not right, not right!
Yin-shi suddenly lifted her head and asked Ban Hua, Say again, what title you had in your dream?
Xiangjun. Ban Hua was certain of that. In the dream she saw a eunuch came to their house to announce that her fathers Marquis title was stripped, her mothers ennobled madam status was stripped, and her own Xiangjun title too.
But you are a Junzhu now, and your father is a Royal Duke, Yin-shis voice became very low, The reality now.. is already different from your dream.
All of these.. Ban Heng carefully thought, Started from when Sister whipped Shen Yu.
Are you saying, the me in the dream didnt end up well because I wasnt unruly enough? Ban Hua frowned, That sounds a bit wrong.
Ban Huai helplessly looked at his pair of children, Do you think everything is that simple? Your dream is confusing, all events in the dream are mixed up. The most crucial thing is, you dont know who rebelled, so its hard to make decisions based on your dream. You can be a Junzhu now, but maybe you will commit an offence and get reduced to a Xiangjun again. Maybe I will do something, and get changed back to a Marquis?
Thats also correct. Ban Hua thought deeply, You say. Is it possible that the rebels is Shi family? Shi familys eldest Shi Jin likes to wear black. And Shi family is now very powerful, if they want to rebel, it is also possible.
All four of Bans fell in deep contemplation. The more they thought, the more likely for Shi family to be the suspect.
Master Duke, Count Chengan is requesting an audience.
The stewards voice rang from the garden, the four Bans looked at each other. The merchandise who asked to be their son-in-law had come?
Should they meet him or not, thats the question.
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