Chapter 39: Cutting Off the Source

Very good!

Tell me what you're thinking!

Shen Shen sat up straight, his satisfaction with his eldest son increased considerably. Although he previously felt this son wasn't very filial, now, at this moment, the son considers family ties rather than pure profit, showing that his teachings still have some effect.

Father, if the uncle's side has already secured good matches for all of the Li Clan's marriageable daughters, then his scheming is self-defeating!

This move can be called cutting off the source!

As juniors, they want Li Yifu, this elder, to change his mind, which is quite difficult. Moreover, since he has this idea, even if they can stop him for a while, they cannot stop him forever.

In that case, we should deal with the person who might cause trouble.

The pieces Li Yifu holds are the Li Clan's daughters.

Then, if we take away all his pieces, Li Yifu can only sacrifice a piece and admit defeat.

Good idea!

But, do you think this is easy to pull off?

Do you know the current situation of your grandmother's maiden family, and how many marriageable daughters they have?

Son, I'll have someone check it out tomorrow!

Shen Zhengqiao felt his father was quite pleased with his performance, so he naturally wanted to do even better.

Once you've figured it out, let me know!

Shen Shen waved his hand, indicating the topic was over.

Shen Zhengqiao bade farewell and left.

After he left the courtyard, he suddenly swung his fist—success!

He finally succeeded in making his father look at him with new eyes.

Of course, we can't get too excited too soon; we still need to keep working hard!

At least, we must first get this matter done well!

Zhao Xiang, here's your reward!

Having gained his father's favor and been assigned a task, Shen Zhengqiao naturally should thank Zhao Xiang for giving him this opportunity.

In matters of clear rewards and punishments, Shen Zhengqiao is definitely worthy of praise.

Generous as he was, he directly tossed his purse of loose silver to Zhao Xiang, containing over ten taels.

Thank you, young master, for the reward!

Zhao Xiang caught the money bag, and upon feeling it, he immediately judged roughly how much silver was inside, instantly overjoyed.

Don't rush to thank me yet; tomorrow there's a task—if you handle it well for me, young master, your reward is guaranteed!

Young master, just give the orders!

Zhao Xiang hesitated not at all.

He himself is Shen Zhengqiao's personal errand boy; even if Shen Zhengqiao gives him no reward, arranging his tasks, he must still carry them out splendidly.

Go help the young master investigate the Li Clan's marriageable daughters: their family background, whether they have a love interest, and check as thoroughly as possible!

Right, those who are truly ugly as misshapen melons and cracked dates don't need too much thought!

To marry well, this daughter must first be presentable.

Ugly as misshapen melons and cracked dates, not to mention marrying up; even marrying down, people aren't willing to take them.

Young master, just keep an eye out!

Gathering information is something Zhao Xiang is good at.

While gathering news about a daughter's family is somewhat troublesome, it's not too troublesome.

As long as enough silver is given, the women near the Li Clan, especially the matchmakers, can find out even what color of undergarments the Li Clan's daughters wear.

Of course, Zhao Xiang won't go that far.

After seeing Shen Zhengqiao back to his room, Zhao Xiang returned to the servants' rest wing, where he shared a room with Shen Zhengqiao's attendant reader, Lin Ming.

Compared to Zhao Xiang's focus on the present, Lin Ming harbors rather lofty ambitions.

Like Zhao Xiang, Lin Ming is also a homeborn servant of the Shen Family, with several generations having served the Shen Family.

But with Lin Ming, he has just one thought: he no longer wants to be a servant; he wants to shed his servile status and become a person of distinction.

As an attendant reader, Lin Ming's talent in studies is not bad.

As long as he makes a stunning debut, gains the Shen Family head's approval, and is allowed to take the imperial examinations, then he can shed his servile status and become a commoner.

Commoner status, that is, good status.

Dayong law stipulates that anyone taking the imperial examinations must be of good status.

Zhao Xiang, you're wrong!

As the young master's errand boy, you should urge him to study harder instead of spending all day on cockfighting and bird-walking.

Seeing Zhao Xiang return so late, Lin Ming merely said he was again accompanying Shen Zhengqiao in neglecting his duties.

Lin Ming, you are the young master's attendant reader; advising him shouldn't be your duty?

Zhao Xiang glanced askance at Lin Ming, who always picks on him, thinking the other had something wrong with his head.

Lin Ming wants to change his background, shed his servile status, and harbors lofty ambitions; Zhao Xiang admires this, even supports it.

To that end, Zhao Xiang has often helped Lin Ming avoid unnecessary trouble.

But now it seems his goodwill has been taken as weakness to be exploited!

I've advised him!

Lin Ming naturally won't admit his dereliction of duty.

But you spend more time beside the young master, so you should also advise him!

If the young master's studies fail, we'll both be punished.

"This, I really can't help it—I'm just a menial servant, a runner!"

Zhao Xiang straightforwardly refused.

The young master isn't cut out for studying—Zhao Xiang had seen that early on.

But, this young master is generous and savvy in worldly affairs; he still has some know-how, and when he inherits the family business, he might not be unable to make the Shen Family prosper.

There are countless paths under heaven; it's not that only studying is a way.

"A petty person is not worth consulting!"

Hearing Zhao Xiang refuse so bluntly again, Lin Ming flared up and glared.

Zhao Xiang didn't bother to hold a grudge against the other party; it wasn't necessary.

Lin Ming, this guy, is a classic case of high ambitions but low ability.

He wants to change his status through study and shed his servitude, yet he's unwilling to give up the perks of being the young master's attendant; he can't put in hard work, only hoping that while studying with the young master he'll suddenly rise to greatness.

How could that be possible?

Even if you have some knack for studying, how could the Shen Family's tutors, unless they'd been kicked in the head by a donkey, dare to belittle the master's own nephews in front of the master while praising an attendant student?

Moreover, Lin Ming's abilities are only that mediocre.

After reading a few books he can write a few characters, but that writing is truly nothing to show off.

Unwilling to invest effort, yet still wanting to change his station—where in the world is there such a good deal?

……

Early the next morning.

Zhao Xiang got up early and prepared to find someone to handle the matter arranged by Shen Zhengqiao, but Lin Ming ended up grabbing him again.

"Are you sick or something?"

"The young master assigned me a task—if I'm delayed, I tell you, the consequences are something you can't bear!"

Zhao Xiang was speechless.

How did he end up with such a companion?

"Today, the young master should go to school!"

"You can't go look for the young master!"

Lin Ming looked at Zhao Xiang with a stern expression.

Zhao Xiang couldn't be bothered to deal with him.

Just then Cuiyu came running to find him, and Zhao Xiang quickly shook off Lin Ming's hand.

"Little sis, why are you looking for me so early?"

Zhao Xiang didn't think his sister was just missing him as her second brother; surely she had something to do, maybe the Seventh Young Lady had some orders.

Water flows downhill, people strive for higher ground.

He, Zhao Xiang, also has an ambitious heart.

(End of chapter)