Chapter 6: Could Be a Concubine

Being appointed Top Scholar by the Emperor, Zheng Si Que undoubtedly has outstanding appearance and learning.

After all, if he were too ugly, the Emperor wouldn't look at him differently.

In fact, Zheng Si Que truly has outstanding appearance; standing there, he gives the feeling of a gentleman like jade.

And his voice and tone are also very pleasant, making listeners feel comfortable.

Shen Shen obviously did not expect Zheng Si Que's sudden appearance.

But after a brief moment of distraction, Shen Shen regained his composure.

He is now gradually entering a fine state, and his momentum is also in the state of pressing forward with vigor.

Zheng Si Que's appearance did not throw Shen Shen off balance.

On the contrary, the moment he regained his senses, Shen Shen had already decided what to say.

"Top Scholar calling me 'uncle', I, a humble country bumpkin, cannot bear this!"

"There is no misunderstanding!"

"Your mother, after you passed the imperial exam, proudly barred me, this humble visitor who came to offer congratulations, from the door."

"Afterward, they even went to my Shen Family to demand the annulment of your engagement to my niece."

"Originally, this marriage was meant to foster good relations between the two families, not to create enmity."

"Since your family looks down on my niece, let this marriage be called off!"

"The young ladies of my Shen Family still have no worry about not getting married!"

"Uncle Shen, please calm down; perhaps there really is a misunderstanding!"

"Zheng Si Que didn't know exactly what had happened, but hearing Shen Shen's indignant words and the increasingly harsh tone, he guessed the matter might be more serious than he thought."

"Therefore, he could not let Shen Shen continue speaking no matter what."

"Some things, as long as they are not spoken out on the spot, can be discussed."

"I've said it, there is no misunderstanding!"

"Your mother, the Top Scholar's mother, is formidable!"

"For the sake of your Top Scholar's good reputation, they insist on saying that my niece has been frail and sick since childhood, raised in medicine pots, claiming that such a maiden may have a beautiful but short life."

"Your Top Scholar is talented and well-educated; you come and tell me what this means!"

"I, Shen Shen, may lack talent, but I have studied and hold the provincial examination degree."

"Shen Shen's words drove Zheng Si Que, the Top Scholar, into a desperate situation."

"What should he say?"

"A son does not speak of his father's faults, nor does he dislike his mother's appearance!"

"Shen Shen!"

"I did it!"

"It has nothing to do with my son!"

"The Zheng family's main gate stood wide open, and Zheng Wangshi resolutely walked out from inside."

"I admit, I wanted to break off the engagement!"

"That's right, and I also pressured your Shen Family..."

"Mother——"

"Everything is because of the son; you're too agitated!"

"When Zheng Wangshi was about to confess everything and take all responsibility upon herself, Zheng Si Que interrupted her words."

"Elders and villagers, Zheng Si Que offers his respects!"

"Because of my personal matter, I have troubled the elders and villagers to gather here."

"Whatever my mother did, it was all for this unfilial son of mine."

"As for the engagement between Zheng Si Que and the Shen Family young lady, its twists and turns are also known to the elders and villagers."

"Since my father's misfortune, the Zheng family has been declining day by day, no longer as before!"

"Frankly speaking, I, Zheng Si Que, am not worthy of the Shen Family young lady!"

"This marriage should have been dissolved long ago."

"In marriage, one seeks matching families, but the Zheng family is no longer comparable to the Shen family."

"Despite this, Zheng Si Que, in his youth, admired the Shen Family young lady upon seeing her once; from then on he was awestruck, harboring delusions and fantasizing that one day he could win her beauty."

"Zheng Si Que's self-revelation of his shortcomings actually aroused sympathy in many people."

"After all, people in this world most like to stand in a high position and sympathize with others' suffering."

"Even a distinguished Top Scholar once had such past events; how could it not attract attention?"

"What a pity, fate toys with people!"

"Although Zheng Si Que became a Top Scholar, but because of his past inadequacy, his mother grew prejudiced against the Shen Family young lady, leading to the broken engagement."

"Moreover, because Zheng Si Que once rebelled against his mother, she harbored resentment."

"It is only because of this that the broken engagement came about!"

"Uncle Shen, this matter is ultimately my nephew's fault!"

"Please allow me to bring my mother to apologize to you!"

"Speaking, Zheng Si Que lifted his hand and tugged at the corner of his long robe, making a gesture to kneel."

"Shen Shen saw this and quickly supported him."

"This is the newly appointed Top Scholar; even if he wants to kneel to someone, he can only kneel to heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers."

"What status does Shen Shen have?"

"He cannot afford to receive a bow from the Top Scholar!"

For the sake of my virtuous nephew's face, I, Shen Shen, will not pursue this matter.

However, the engagement between you and my niece, let's just call it off.

Sigh...

Shen Shen looked utterly dejected, turned and walked away.

Such an outcome was not what Shen Shen wanted.

But, we can only do this.

We can't really drive Zheng Wangshi to death, can we?

If that happened, the Shen and Zheng families would truly be irreconcilable.

Furthermore, if Zheng Wangshi were to pass away, Zheng Si Que, this Court Nouveau Rich, would directly have to observe mourning and keep filial observance for a year.

During that year, his marriage prospect with the Grand Tutor's daughter might also encounter some changes.

In short, the matter can only go this far!

Shen Shen returned to the Shen Residence and related the entire affair to Shen Yunyao.

Yunyao, what do you think that young man from the Zheng Family will do next?

I tell you, that young man is no ordinary figure.

Our two families have now forged a grudge!

Uncle, rest assured, after this, Zheng Si Que will not do anything to our Shen Family unless he wants to ruin his own reputation!

If I'm not mistaken, once he has pacified his mother, he will come to our Shen Residence to pay a visit at once.

If you, Uncle, wish to mend relations, that will be the opportunity!

It is better to resolve feuds than to perpetuate them!

That's how the saying goes.

The reasoning has been passed down in this way.

But Shen Yunyao does not agree with this in her heart.

What she says to Shen Shen is mostly just to comfort him, because these are exactly the words Shen Shen wants to hear.

In fact, Shen Yunyao's true intention is that, when she can act freely and has sufficient manpower, the first thing she will do is completely cut off Zheng Si Que's official career path.

Since we have already formed a grudge, it would be best to utterly crush this person.

Shen Yunyao does not want to someday be held accountable for past actions.

Indeed, the subsequent developments turned out just as Shen Yunyao had guessed.

After Zheng Si Que had pacified Zheng Wangshi, he went to the Shen Residence to pay a visit, first going to Wenxi Hall to pay respects to the elderly Lady Li Shi.

Then he found Shen Shen and said he wanted to discuss the marriage arrangement between himself and Shen Yunyao.

Uncle, actually, before returning, I had already informed Xie Xiaojie that I was engaged to Yunyao by the traditional matching of birth characters!

Wan Er is virtuous; she said that as long as Yunyao is willing, she can still marry into the Zheng Family!

She could be a concubine!

Of course, if Uncle finds this unpleasant, then this matter can also be called off!

Indeed, the elderly lady looks favorably upon this!

Zheng Si Que finished speaking in a calm and unhurried manner, then settled his mind to wait for Shen Shen's decision.

(End of chapter)