Chapter 1617: Chapter 1624: Duke Li Guo Mansion’s Plan (4)
Madam Cui listened and found it reasonable, so she continued to discuss the choice of a son-in-law with Ninth Lady Zhang...
After deliberating for a long time, she chose three suitable candidates. All were young men from innocent families and were willing to take a husband into one’s family. However, to decide which of the three to choose, they would have to discuss with Old Master Shen first!
At night, after Old Master Shen returned, Madam Cui told him about the three candidates, asking him to investigate the character of these young men, who else was in their families, and secretly observe their appearances to see if they were suitable matches for their daughter!
Old Master Shen was fearful of his wife, always following her mediation. Upon hearing her words, he immediately promised, "Good, I’ll handle it tomorrow. I will definitely help choose a suitable husband for our daughter."
For several days, Old Master Shen was busy gathering detailed information about the character, knowledge, family background, and ancestors of these three young men. After gathering intel, he tried to secretly observe these young men, keeping himself very occupied.
Madam Cui, being a woman of the Inner House, couldn’t easily go out to see her future son-in-law. She resorted to having discussions and exchanges with her husband every night, pondering which one was most suitable for their daughter. Not only was Old Master Shen undecided, but Madam Cui was also stuck in a dilemma.
After a long period of testing and comparison, the couple eventually selected a young man named Li Jing from the three candidates. This young man was only eighteen years old and was studying at a school. Li Jing’s parents had passed away, and now he lived with his brother and sister-in-law.
The days of his brother and sister-in-law were not wealthy either, so during his break time, he would set up a stall at the market to write letters for others and copy books, earning some money to supplement the household expenses. Even though doing such work might lose the scholarly honor, Li Jing did it straightforwardly, not feeling any shame. He believed relying on his own labor to earn a living was nothing to be ashamed of, much better than those scholars who, while having empty stomachs, still maintain their scholarly honor!
Madam Cui secretly went to see this Young Master Li, and found him to be good-looking and extraordinary, feeling quite satisfied in her heart. She was planning to talk with Ninth Lady Zhang about this matter when suddenly, a notification for a job transfer came from the capital, instructing Old Master Shen to take a position in the capital!
This matter happened so unexpectedly that it disrupted the couple’s plan to find a husband for their daughter. Old Master Shen couldn’t understand how he, a small county magistrate residing in a remote area without any notable achievements, caught the attention of the adults in the capital, who specifically named him to enter the capital?
"Could it be Cai Wei’s intention?"
Juhua thought the one hoping for their family to enter the capital could only be Cai Wei.
County Magistrate Shen said: "Impossible, if Empress Dowager wanted us to enter the capital, we would have already gone. Besides, Empress Dowager still relies on your mother to manage the Nursing Homes in Qing County, how could she let us enter the capital?"
Madam Cui pondered for a long time, hesitantly saying: "Could it be Young Master Mo who mediated this?"
Juhua replied: "Can’t be, what’s the reason for him to mediate our entry into the capital?"
Madam Cui glanced at her daughter and hesitated, saying after a long pause: "Do you see him often privately?"
Shen Juhua nodded honestly: "Yes, I often meet him, but I’ve never mentioned that my father wants to enter the capital as an official!"
Madam Cui said: "Stay away from him in the future, don’t let him harbor other thoughts about you? Our family’s status does not match their family, it’s an uneven match; don’t make a mistake on yourself!"
Juhua did not agree with her mother at all. She hadn’t seen any other intentions from Mo Zili towards her. Every time they met in the garden, he had nothing to say to her, and didn’t even know how to let her win in chess, let alone the tender emotions that should exist between lovers...
...
No matter what, the transfer order from the capital arrived, thus the proposal plan for Juhua was canceled. The order required Old Master Shen to enter the capital within a month and a half. Old Master Shen and his wife hurriedly packed their luggage, disposing of idle items that were inconvenient to carry.
Mo Zili, upon hearing that County Magistrate Shen was transferred to the capital, was initially surprised but quickly understood and didn’t say much, only mentioned that he missed home after being away for days, and would return to the capital with them when they departed.
...
In the capital these days, there was unusual bustle because tomorrow was the day of the match between Liu Xi and Jing Shizi. These days, everyone on the streets, marketplaces, liquor shops, and tea houses was discussing this event. The casino was more crowded than usual, with people betting on their victory or defeat!
At this moment, inside the House of the Auxiliary Country, Jing Shizi clenched his fists, feeling both angry and resentful. Because of him, he received thirty lashes, his case was registered at the government office, and his father beat him severely, nearly abolishing his title as heir. If not for his grandmother standing up for him, he might have been beaten to death by his father.
Despite this, the government office’s thirty lashes and his father’s dozens of horse whips kept him lying on the couch for half a month. This half month of torment made him steadfastly determined to give that eunuch a lesson. For fifteen days, he pondered how to deal with Liu Xi, whether to kill him directly or torture him slowly to death.
The Auxiliary Duke understood his son’s temperament; starting yesterday, he repeatedly reminded his son that when sparring during the martial arts contest, he should merely touch upon the skills, regardless of victory or defeat, he must absolutely not harm others, nor let himself be harmed.
Jing Shizi agreed verbally, but in his heart, he had already imagined killing Liu Xi thousands of times, over and over. He would not easily let that eunuch go just because of his father’s few words; though his father threatened him with his position as heir, he wasn’t afraid because with his grandmother’s support, his half-brothers would never have the chance to rise!
Although Liu Xi deeply hated Jing Shizi, the modern mindset reminded him that no matter how much one hates another, one should not easily eliminate someone. Every person has the right to live, and a strong person shouldn’t use their strength to barbarically strip someone else’s right to survive!
For the past few months, Huan Qiu had been guiding him; Huan Qiu’s martial arts were exceedingly high, and he was extremely strict with him. Fortunately, Liu Xi was smart and proactive, and he could endure hardship. So, in just half a year, he learned all of Huan Qiu’s martial arts techniques and, based on modern mixed martial arts and boxing, created some unique moves. With these, he could easily defeat the impulsive Jing Shizi!