Chapter 76: line with translation of chapter title

76. Chapter 76 Not Taking Initiative

"Xie Zian, is the character of the top scholar Zheng Si Que really as bad as the rumors say?"

The Xihe Emperor suddenly spoke up and asked Xie Zian a question.

Xie Zian pondered briefly and said, "Brother-in-law, how do you want me to answer this question?"

"Answer however you like!"

The Xihe Emperor calmly waved his hand, sat down in the chair of the study, and signaled Xie Zian to speak.

"As for the top scholar, I actually don't know much; I'll just mention what I've seen and heard in Liu Cheng."

"Initially, the engagement between the Shen and Zheng families came from the elders of both families, namely Zheng Si Que's grandfather and my fiancée's grandfather."

"Later, the Zheng family declined, and the Shen family seemed to intend to dissolve the engagement, but for some reason it was never dissolved; the Shen Family Third Branch remained quite affluent in their annual gift exchanges."

"Until Zheng Si Que became top scholar, Shen Shen, head of the Shen family, came to congratulate, but was blocked outside the door by Zheng Si Que's mother, Zheng Wangshi, and the engagement between the two families fell apart."

"Zheng Wangshi's idea to dissolve the engagement had existed even before Zheng Si Que returned to Liu Cheng; she even wanted the Shen family to directly cause the death of this Third Branch legitimate daughter, that is, my fiancée!"

When Xie Zian said this, both the Xihe Emperor and Xie Zixia's faces changed, and they had the same thought: how vicious!

All to protect his son's reputation, they wanted to drive an utterly innocent girl to death.

"How dare she?"

Xie Zixia was very curious.

"Now we must talk about Zheng Wangshi's backing!"

Xie Zian smiled slightly and said, "First, his son is the top scholar, destined for the Hanlin Academy; his future prospects are certainly bright!"

"Second, if I'm not mistaken, Zheng Wangshi has already received a letter from the top scholar stating that he has pledged lifelong devotion to the daughter of the current Grand Tutor; this is her second reliance!"

"Third, she is certain that the Shen family knows how to weigh priorities and will not become enemies of the Zheng family over a girl destined to marry out."

"After all, although the Shen family is relatively well-off in Liu Cheng, they are ultimately just an ordinary household with only modest property."

"Since ancient times, it's been said that civilians do not fight officials, and officials protect each other!"

"Of course, there's also the fact that I don't know why my fiancée is not favored by her parents in the Shen family."

"My father-in-law once had considerable talent, but later became addicted to drink and lust, and wasted himself."

"My mother-in-law, on the other hand, focused entirely on educating her twin sons."

"Given that, how could the Shen family dare to break face with the Zheng family?"

The Xihe Emperor had basically figured everything out, and his curiosity grew: "Did you make a move?"

"No!"

Xie Zian shrugged and spread his hands, "At that time, I hadn't yet arrived in Liu Cheng!"

"I guess it was my daughter-in-law herself who broke the situation!"

"How did she break it?"

Xie Zixia was also curious.

After hearing all this, she placed herself in Shen Yunyao's position and found she had utterly no recourse. This world is excessively harsh on women; no matter how many talents one has, one can only be confined to the small inner quarters.

"A lady of the inner chambers, who does not go out the main gate nor step beyond the second gate, how can she break the situation?"

"I'm not entirely clear either."

"All I know is that the head of the Shen family, indignant, went to the Zheng family and laid out Zheng Wangshi's actions fully; public opinion in Liu Cheng instantly sided with the Shen family."

"If it weren't for the fact that the top scholar Zheng Si Que just happened to return to Liu Cheng, Zheng Wangshi's fate would likely be quite grim!"

"Isn't this nonsense?"

"Such a vicious woman, once her true nature is exposed, if the populace were stirred up and beat her to death on the spot, the authorities could only make a big issue small and a small issue smaller, for the law does not punish the many!"

"Afterward, my mother-in-law returned and launched another attack on the Zheng family!"

"Make the Zheng family pay compensation!"

"As for what happened afterward, you brothers-in-law surely know it, so I won't go into detail!"

After Xie Zian finished speaking, he sat quietly there, expressing no further opinion.

How about Zheng Si Que?

He actually didn't say much in evaluation, but he completely revealed his contempt for this person.

"In that case, the top scholar's character is indeed worth questioning!"

"Although there was already an engagement at home, he sought a higher branch in the capital."

"Empress, what do you think?"

The Xihe Emperor said this, actually preparing to ask Xie Zixia's opinion, whether he needed to step forward to dissolve the engagement between Xie Yanwan and Zheng Si Que.

"Your Majesty, the engagement between the Shen and Zheng families has long been contentious; dissolving it would be good for both families."

"Zheng Wangshi has high aspirations; as a son, how could one not consider his mother's wishes!"

"This matter, however, cannot be considered a flaw in the top scholar's character!"

Xie Zixia understood the emperor's good intentions, but politely refused.

She saw her niece's thoughts all too clearly.

From childhood she has been outstanding and strong, always wishing to marry a suitable gentleman; if they simply destroyed this engagement like that, I fear this niece would not only not be grateful to them, but would resent them, and might even maintain a connection with Zheng Si Que, doing something that damages the Xie family's reputation.

Therefore, even if the engagement is to be dissolved, it must be this girl herself who proposes it.

Otherwise, even knowing the pit ahead is a fire pit, if she wants to jump in, Xie Zixia will not stop her at all.

"Brother-in-law, I think my sister makes sense; I'm just being petty!"

Xie Zian expressed this in a very fawning manner.

"Alright, since you two both say that, then I, the emperor, will not concern myself with this matter!"

Upon hearing these siblings' words, the Xihe Emperor also spoke up accordingly.

Originally, well, to break off this marriage, one would first have to ruin Zheng Si Que's status as top scholar—and that top scholar was his imperial appointment; it's basically him slapping his own face.

But since the sister and brother are acting this way, he's happy to save face.

As for future matters, we'll talk about them later, eh!

Just as the three finished speaking, Xie Zheng and Madame Cui arrived together.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Older brother, older sister-in-law, no need to bow!"

"Today, only our relatives are here!"

"I am accompanying the Empress back to visit my parents!"

Emperor Xi He stopped Xie Zheng and Madame Cui, who were about to pay their respects, and smilingly explained his purpose.

He and Xie Zixian went to the Xie Family, first met with the Xie family's elders, then rushed to Xie Zian's place to confront him.

I had planned to go look for Xie Zheng later, but unexpectedly, Xie Zheng came to me first.

"Your Majesty, status matters!"

Xie Zheng spoke in a stern, formal tone.

"Older brother, since you say that, I mean that today, regardless of rank, you may accept the edict!"

"Subject... I will accept the edict!"

Xie Zheng's face turned pale from Emperor Xi He's move, and he could barely keep his composure.

However, the words were his.

Emperor Xi He pressured him with his imperial status—what could he do?

This is simply unsolvable.

Madame Cui smiled and said, "Younger sister, brother-in-law, today you must follow my arrangements!"

"Yes, yes, today we as a couple will fully obey the older sister-in-law's orders!"

Xie Zixian laughed and agreed.

Everyone was cheerful, only Xie Zheng wore a stern face, feeling rather conflicted.