[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law":3,"chapter-the-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law-the-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law-chapter-983":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1544168,2006,"Chapter 983 - 983 977 The Trouble with Bridal Gifts","the-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law-chapter-983",983,"\u003Cp>983: Chapter 977: The Trouble with Bridal Gifts 983: Chapter 977: The Trouble with Bridal Gifts Given his status, he surely couldn’t be outdone by King Jin, could he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So if he didn’t let King Jin outshine him, did that mean he had to outshine King Jin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically speaking, the legitimate eldest brother should indeed outshine his younger brothers, but after the list of gifts was prepared, who would send it to the Empress for her review?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, it has been several days, have you completed the list of gifts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, his hair having turned white from worry, said, “It’s done, I even made two copies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu, could you take a look and see which one should be sent to the Empress for approval?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu hesitated for a moment, but seeing the bitter and deep-seated expression of his colleague, who had worked with him for many years, some pity arose within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other choice, Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu took the two lists of gifts; a simple glance was enough to understand the situation, and he bitterly smiled, “I really can’t help you with this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether you stick your neck out or not, it’s a loss either way; you’d better make a decision quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… How has it come to this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t the Crown Prince return to court earlier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard he has always known about his own identity, so why choose now to return?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe!” Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu stacked the two lists neatly on the table, saying, “The Dao Family and the imperial court appear unrelated, yet in reality, they are inseparable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These intricacies, we from the Ministry of Rites are better off not meddling too much anyway; no matter how it ends up, it has nothing to do with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji nodded, responding, “That’s true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of which, acting as the State Preceptor seems no different from being the emperor; the Crown Prince has been in the Dao Family for many years, with a solid foundation, and really didn’t need to wade into these muddy court waters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha-ha, no no, there is a difference, Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji,” Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What difference?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu laughed heartily, “A State Preceptor can’t get married, but a Prince can.” Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu suddenly burst into laughter and lowered his voice to Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, “Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, I’ve heard a rumor that previously, when Doctor Gu visited Sanqing Temple to treat the Heavenly Master and later traveled to Qi Mountain, spending almost half a year there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Tianzong’s eldest disciple and Doctor Gu became very familiar, and they even exchanged teachings privately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that so?” Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, profoundly shocked, said, “Private exchange between an unwed man and woman, that is a serious matter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu nodded and replied, “But there needs to be evidence for that, otherwise, what basis do you have to say they exchanged teachings privately?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, it is certainly true; think about it, isn’t the standard for selecting the court maidens tailored specifically for Doctor Gu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crown Prince has painstakingly strategized to win the beauty’s affection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case, does it mean the Crown Prince values this Doctor Gu greatly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji was startled, staring at the two lists of gifts on the table, he felt overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, am I to understand that neither list is properly done, and I might have offended both the Empress and the Crown Prince?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt like he had picked up a hot potato and wasn’t sure if it was still possible to feign illness now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu mysteriously smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, staring at him with a stern face, said, “Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu, is there anything you need to hold back with me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve been friends since we were in open-crotch pants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, tell me, do you have any ideas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu laughed, “I actually thought of a solution just now; since one list would offend the Crown Prince and the other would offend the Empress, why not submit both for Her Majesty to decide?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whichever she picks, it wouldn’t be connected to you anymore; whatever the Empress decides, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji, suddenly enlightened, gave Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu a thumbs-up, “Good, that’s the best solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whichever gift list the Empress picks, I’ll just relay a message to the Emperor later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right, that makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",721,"2026-06-06T06:55:01.727Z",1,"novelbin.me","643a6b9a765ab7fb04e725dd687c8027cbf37c9557313e163d074b5e03ac0d82","the-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law-chapter-984","the-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law-chapter-982",1812,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-challenge-of-a-farmhouse-son-in-law-cover.jpg"]