Chapter 685: and translation of chapter title

Today the news that the Li family's eldest son had become a prince consort still excited the Li family members; even though Li Zhao was unambitious and Yong Yong Chong Chong, the future prestige of being a prince consort still genuinely held some attraction for him.

Therefore he had willingly paid for this meal, not expecting that while everyone was enjoying themselves, his best friend Jiang Cheng would suddenly say something like that, instantly chilling the banquet atmosphere a bit.

Everyone looked at Jiang Cheng with deep meaning, and some already wore ill-intentioned smiles on their faces.

One of those who usually got along better with Li Zhao coldly laughed and said: "Could it be that too much vinegar was put in tonight's mutton soup? Why does it taste so sour?"

"Yeah, Brother Jiang Cheng, Li Zhao is now the future prince consort; your remark is somewhat inappropriate, isn't it?"

Others directly pointed out the truth: "Jiang Cheng couldn't be jealous of Li Zhao becoming a prince consort, could he?"

"Brother Jiang could also do that, though I heard Jiang Cheng's parents sell tofu, running a small business"

"'Back then it was also a livelihood, but on the road they encountered bandits, were robbed clean, losing half a lifetime's worth of property, and even compensated the employer for a batch of goods.'"

"'Now your mother makes a living grinding tofu, and your father fell ill in bed from anger; where do you have the luck of Li Zhao?'"

Those around already looked down on Jiang Cheng for eating the Li family's food, drinking their water, and serving them like a dog; now, while everyone was happy, he came out and poured this basin of cold water.

Seeing Li Zhao also dissatisfied with Jiang Cheng, those who had long disliked Jiang Cheng spoke even more recklessly; Jiang Cheng's face gradually paled a bit, his fingers tightly gripping the wine cup: "I think you all are jealous of Li Zhao's talent and want to put him to death!"

Jiang Cheng suddenly stood up, the teacup clenched in his hand, and with a slap threw it to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The surrounding laughter stopped abruptly; everyone now realized they were done for.

This kid Jiang Cheng is crazy.

This is the emperor's bestowed marriage; how can you say that becoming the emperor's prince consort will get you killed?

What does being imperial family mean? Now Bei Di is invading; if word gets to Xiao Yin with ill intent, that lord would surely kill people.

Moreover, these people may drink but they're not stupid; if this talk spreads from tonight's banquet, not only Jiang Cheng but all of them would die.

Now those people's expressions were utterly dead silent.

Li Zhao also slowly rose to his feet, staring fixedly at Jiang Cheng: "Are you crazy? I've never treated you poorly, yet you dare to humiliate me like this today?"

Jiang Cheng's eyes reddened slightly as he lifted his head and stared at Li Zhao: "Brother Li, have you forgotten that once you become the princess's prince consort, even if you are a talent like Li Zhao, no matter how well you do, how outstanding your literary talent, even if you start a business, in others' eyes you are merely a coward living off the princess, just a prince consort; a mere prince consort makes you cut off your own future, Brother Li, don't you regret it?"

When Jiang Chen finished speaking those words, Li Zhao's body trembled slightly, he stared fixedly at Jiang Cheng before him, yet his heart felt as if scalded by boiling oil.

Li Zhao's biggest flaw is his excessive self-regard, which anyone can see at a glance.

Li Zhao is just a good-for-nothing, yet he does not think so himself.

He believes his talent is outstanding, his learning as high as eight dou; the reason he didn't pass the higher examinations is a matter of opportunity, not that his studies are inadequate.

Li Zhao is the sole legitimate son of the Li family, the only heir; from childhood he was indulged by his parents, and moreover the household servants, seeking to curry favor with the master and mistress, lavished all kinds of praise upon Li Zhao.

Even the tutor who gave Li Zhao his early education, having received a huge sum of silver as an assistant director, wanting to keep his monthly stipend, naturally praised more than criticized.

Thus Li Zhao has always thought himself supremely intelligent; if he weren't the top scholar, then everyone else's top scholar would be worthless scrap paper.

Yet he took the exams in the capital for three consecutive years and never passed the higher level; this time he barely managed to pass the Mingjing examination.

Even so, this made the Li family overjoyed.

Now he has only passed the Mingjing examination; perhaps next year he will become a presented scholar, and the year after that he will surely be able to attain the rank of top scholar.

Thinking of this, Li Zhao's face turned slightly pale.

In Southern Qi, if one becomes a prince consort and marries a palace princess, one's official career is cut off.

After all, this is a rule left by the ancestors of Southern Qi; no one can change it.

After Jiang Cheng said that, Li Zhao's face changed instantly.

A flash of sharpness passed through Jiang Cheng's eyes, and he raised his voice: "Brother Li, have you forgotten the oath you made back then?"

"'Among Southern Qi's talented scholars, you Li Zhao are unmatched; do you really want to be branded with the three words 'prince consort' for your whole life?'"

"'From now on there will be no chance to turn things around; you will be suppressed by a woman for life—is that what you want, Brother Li?'"

Li Zhao's face instantly turned pale; he drew a deep breath, and the rest of those fair-weather friends saw that Jiang Cheng had actually been persuaded.

Some couldn't hold back, feeling Jiang Cheng's words were off, and reminded: "Brother Li, this marriage of yours is… the imperial family's intention; if you dare to refuse, you will offend the imperial relatives."

"'So what? We scholars, to carry on the learning of the sages and open peace for all ages—how can we, because of intimidation from high-ranking nobles, discard the integrity of scholars?'"

That person, having been refuted by Jiang Cheng, had no room to resist; at this moment Li Zhao's face was uncertain, and he suddenly turned and walked toward the door.

Zhang Xin stepped forward: "Li Zhao, don't blame me for my rash talk tonight; I too am for your long-held dream, considering these years you've studied hard just to become a top scholar—how could you lightly give up xmь. m"

"'I actually have an idea: it's not the emperor's bestowed marriage; the edict hasn't come down yet, and Li Xin himself went to the factory gate, spoke passionately to state his position, hoping to have the imperial family unable to force Li Xin to do anything—'"

"'Good, listen to you.'!"

When Li Zhao gets excited, his brain heats up; from childhood he's been a genius, how could he mingle with wealthy people's pomegranate skirts; he refuses to do anything like prince consort shoes.

We pay the old master, who is also that father; the princess actively comes to look for him, he hasn't even seen what his father the princess looks like; since blood, he might also be an ugly as unsalted rental.

Li Zhao's friends also, taking advantage of Li Zhao's impulsive exit, went out the door; each was stunned, and two very impulsive ones wanted to rush over, grab Li Zhi, but were pulled apart by others.

Also taking advantage of leaving, it's the separation of mind and spirit in poetry; but this is people's habit of enjoying others' misfortune; these people clearly know Li Zhi Yi's true feelings, and thus they want to drop out of school, and thus they want to explain that they are unwilling to seek the father princess's meaning.

Those people, on the contrary, did not stop him; in that case they would repeatedly run into walls, break through the southern wall and not look back; anyway, when Li Zhao returns later they'll still be on good terms, and the brother is Li Jiao's top scholar, so they'd become servants; you know how the master thinks, it's always uncomfortable, but now it's quite good.