◎”Damn It—You Bird-Person! Why Are You Teaching Her That!”◎

Yu Qingwu’s nose had a problem!

Nanny Qian took a lily fragrance for him to smell, “You really don’t think it’s fragrant?”

Yu Qingwu hesitantly shook his head.

Nanny Qian: “What about this lily fragrance compared to crabapple fragrance?”

Yu Qingwu leaned over and waved his hand to waft it, then shook his head again, “I always feel there’s no difference.”

Nanny Qian: “No wonder you’re using ten kinds of incense on yourself with all your might!”

She smiled and said, “But this isn’t a big matter. Some people’s noses just aren’t that sensitive and can’t smell subtle differences. After you’re married, just have Shanjun choose incense for you. Stop fumigating yourself randomly.”

Yu Qingwu’s ears reddened, then he worried: “Then what should I do? These clothes were chosen long ago—it’s not good to change now.”

No other set looked as good as this one.

Nanny Qian laughed, “Let’s go. No need to change. Halfway there I’ll fan you—that can remove some of the smell.”

Yu Qingwu made a sound of acknowledgment and helped her out the door: “Then let’s go—let’s go. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

But Nanny Qian wasn’t anxious anymore: “What’s there to fear? It’s already settled—she can’t run away!”

Old Madam Shou smiled as she watched the two banter like true grandparent and grandchild, feeling comforted in her heart. Then she slowly stood up, leaning on her cane and walking forward slowly, urging, “Hurry now. Don’t really be late.”

When Yu Qingwu saw Lan Shanjun again, he saw her standing beside the elders, smiling at him and saying, “Was the journey well?”

Clearly only four words, yet they made the two words “husband and wife” float in his heart.

He nodded, “Well.”

Lan Shanjun said no more. No matter how familiar they were in private, in public they still had to maintain appearances.

The group went into the room. Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo sat inside. Only after people entered did she stand up, smiling and saying, “Elder Sister, how many years has it been since we’ve seen each other?”

Old Madam Shou was always amiable and said, “I’ve also missed you very much. Now that we’ve become in-laws, we must visit each other more often.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo smiled, “That’s reasonable.”

Lan Shanjun helped Nanny Qian over to sit on the side. Nanny Qian originally didn’t want to sit, but she had been persuaded by Yu Qingwu before coming, who said, “You are the grandmother in Shanjun’s and my hearts. If you don’t sit, we’ll be filled with regret. In the future when recalling this betrothal to our children, we won’t know how to explain why you didn’t sit at the table.”

Nanny Qian was happy in her heart and said with “great difficulty,” “Young Master Yu, I’ll sit then!”

But her sitting made Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo unhappy. She had stayed in this mansion for sixteen years and had long stopped hiding her expressions. Even though she’d known early on that a servant would be eating a meal with her, she still couldn’t bear it and said faintly, “At least have some propriety.”

Nanny Qian’s body stiffened. Lan Shanjun patted her hand soothingly and sat down with her, saying, “Grandmother is right. The matchmaker sitting in the seat of honor is proper etiquette. Does Grandmother wish to yield the seat?”

She smiled and said, “Grandmother truly understands propriety.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo’s face stiffened. She laughed coldly but said nothing more.

She still cared about Old Madam Shou’s status. Even when beating a dog, one must consider the master—she didn’t dare say a second sentence.

This was Yu Qingwu’s first time seeing her interact with people from Duke Zhenguo’s estate.

Those who weren’t close weren’t close, those who weren’t harmonious weren’t harmonious. One could imagine how difficult things were for her in this household.

He sighed and then kowtowed to Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo, Zhu Shi, and others, thus completing the greeting of elders.

At such times, young ladies shouldn’t be present. Though Lan Shanjun had come out earlier to welcome them, she was welcoming Old Madam Shou to show respect.

So after they were seated, following propriety, she left the room again. She would have to wait until Yu Qingwu and Fourth Master and the others left before she could go accompany the female guests.

Outside, Huihui had been waiting on the side early and said happily in a low voice, “I saw him! Sixth brother-in-law is truly handsome.”

She pulled Lan Shanjun to hide on the side and listen, “Let’s not leave. Let’s listen—see what kind of person he is behind the scenes.”

Lan Shanjun smiled and nodded, not refusing. This girlish heart—following along with Huihui actually had some charm, making her feel the sky was clear and the day bright, with a sense of stealing half a day’s leisure in a floating life.

Inside the room, Yu Qingwu was answering Zhu Shi’s questions.

Zhu Shi originally didn’t like his background, but seeing his appearance was excellent, his bearing entirely proper, and that he was extremely patient—even when she asked about the smallest matters, he answered seriously and sincerely—he truly counted as outstanding among men. She finally became somewhat happy.

Seeing him treat her respectfully and share common interests with Fourth Master, speaking knowledgeably about everything, especially understanding local governance, and after he praised her eldest son Lan Zhi as someone who would surely become a marquis and minister in the future, she became even more delighted and smiled, “My Shanjun is a young lady precious as pearls and treasures. I hope you will cherish her well.”

Yu Qingwu quickly stood up and said, “If I violate my vow, may heaven strike me with lightning.”

Zhu Shi smiled continuously. Nanny Qian nodded repeatedly, feeling he was indeed steady when outside.

Amid all this joy, Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo found it difficult to endure. Her complexion wasn’t good, but at this moment no one noticed her.

So she held it in and held it in, but ultimately couldn’t hold it in. Seeing Yu Qingwu was very obedient, she opened her mouth to earnestly advise, “Since you’ve come to Luoyang, it’s better to speak Luoyang dialect. Back when Shuzhou rebelled, how many Luoyang soldiers were killed—having come to Luoyang, why must you bring that provincial accent?”

Yu Qingwu listened seriously, then nodded respectfully, “Yes. Please write down these words, Old Madam. I’ll take them to Minister Xu of the Court of Judicial Review’s residence, Vice Minister Qin of the Ministry of Finance’s residence, Director Su of the Court of Imperial Stud’s residence… Oh, and I must rush to send a letter to the Prince of Shu’s residence in Shuzhou—I must convey Old Madam’s words to all of them so they can also hear them and correct the Shuzhou accent they brought.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo’s face reddened, “What do you mean by this?”

Yu Qingwu was completely serious: “To show respect for you. Please don’t decline.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo shouted sternly, “Insolent!”

Yu Qingwu then smiled, “Don’t be angry. If you don’t like it, I won’t change it or send it.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo choked on her breath and gasped urgently.

People in the room looked at each other, but no one wanted to speak first.

Especially Zhu Shi—she was stunned for quite a while before thinking: This manner, just now so gentle, now so sharp-tongued, actually just like Shanjun.

No wonder they can be husband and wife.

She sighed and was about to smooth things over when she heard Old Madam Shou speak to her mother-in-law: “Enough, don’t be angry. The young man doesn’t know how to speak. You mustn’t hold it against him. But his heart is sincere—he’s just somewhat straightforward.”

She smiled and said, “This child speaks directly even before the Imperial Grandson. He’s a straight arrow.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo’s face turned red then white, but she didn’t dare speak out anymore.

But though she didn’t dare, Third Brother Lan did. He had been sitting on the side quite displeased—because this morning he’d been instructed by Mother and Wife not to cause trouble, so just now he’d had a cold expression—his face only looked ugly for a moment when Yu Qingwu praised everyone but skipped over him. Other times, he put on quite a show.

But at this moment, seeing Grandmother mocked like this, he ultimately became angry. Disregarding Third Young Madam’s look, he opened his mouth and said, “Your words make no sense. We can’t control matters outside or people outside, but you’re marrying my family’s younger sister, making you my family’s person. Can’t you follow my family’s rules?”

Third Young Madam’s vision went black. She smiled with difficulty at Yu Qingwu, “That’s not what he means.”

But Third Young Master Lan felt the whole room of people was bullying Grandmother alone, which was truly excessive. He stood up, “My family’s first and second uncles died in battle in Shuzhou—”

As soon as he opened his mouth, it was the same old tune. But before he finished speaking, Third Young Madam stood up with a swoosh and said, “The lunch dishes should be ready. I’ll go to the kitchen to check.”

Third Brother Lan was startled and closed his mouth awkwardly.

But Third Young Madam truly didn’t want to stay here anymore. She looked at Zhu Shi, “Mother, shall we separate the tables? Also have Sixth Sister and Huihui come accompany the female guests. Huihui has been wanting to pay respects to Old Madam Shou.”

Zhu Shi quickly said, “Good, yes.”

Third Young Madam left the door holding her anger. Just after exiting, she saw Lan Shanjun and Lan Hui squatting by the side door. Her heart skipped a beat. Some embarrassment showed on her face, but she saw Lan Shanjun bow to her in salute.

Only then did Third Young Madam release that breath and hurry away.

Lan Shanjun also pulled the displeased-looking Huihui to hide behind the room.

Since they were separating tables, the male guests had to move.

Yu Qingwu accompanied Fourth Master out, leaving the three young masters behind, only pulling Fourth Master aside to say quietly, “Old Madam is one thing—these words, if spoken, are at least at home. How is it that Azhang also speaks like this? He doesn’t do this outside, does he? I’m afraid he’ll offend people.”

He sighed, “I see that you and my other two brothers are all cautious and steady in character… How can there be someone different in one household?”

Fourth Master had always felt Third Brother Lan’s mouth would cause trouble! Hearing this, his heart ached as he said, “I also have no way.”

Lan Zhang didn’t really listen to him.

This matter was actually also Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo’s fault. Third Brother Lan was raised at her knee, so from childhood he heard her say: “Your first and second uncles, how intelligent they were, yet they died young. Your grandfather and father, how brave, yet they can only stay in the Daoist temple. But your fourth uncle, when young was completely ordinary, reading and writing—none as good as others. But people’s fates are like this. In the end, Duke Zhenguo’s estate was picked up cheap by him.”

Back then, Duke Zhenguo had also wanted to give the position to Fourth Brother, asking him to look after the family. But after hearing Mother say this, Fourth Master firmly refused, saying, “No one has ever thought highly of me, and I’ve never wanted anyone to think highly of me. Thus, let Third Sister-in-law still manage the household, let Third Brother keep the Duke title. When Nephew grows up and Third Brother passes, let Azhi inherit. As for me, being able to stay in the residence with my wife and children is enough.”

He was someone without great ambitions, and his wife was also shy. The couple didn’t want to fight for fame and profit. Originally continuing to live like this would have been fine, but now Third Brother Lan was always disobedient, and he also worried: “Actually, a while back when he was courted by Prince Wei’s heir apparent and the Song family, I was very afraid.”

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu deployed his silver tongue, “He should be managed well, otherwise in the future he’ll cause great disaster.”

“A while ago, I just met Minister Yu at the Ministry of War. He’s also from Shuzhou, speaks with a Shu accent even heavier than mine. When he heard I was marrying a young lady from your estate, he came to congratulate me. When we spoke of Duke Zhenguo’s estate, he said he knew you and he had been grinding it out together at the Ministry of War, but since neither of you was talkative, you’d never had a drink together. He wanted me to help introduce you—if he came to the estate, would he also have to change his Shu accent to meet Old Madam? Would Azhang speak to him like this?”

Fourth Master was moved and said, “I know Minister Yu—he truly suffers like I do…”

He was somewhat unconfident: “Does he truly want to know me?”

Yu Qingwu: “Yes. Last time when we discussed this, he kept praising you. If you’re willing, shall I invite him to the estate for drinks next time?”

Fourth Master looked at Yu Qingwu excitedly, “Will this use up your connections?”

Yu Qingwu smiled, “How could it? I’m not flattering you by saying this—it truly was a coincidence. He actively asked about you, which shows that Uncle’s many years at the Ministry of War have been seen by some.”

After all, Fourth Master was someone from official circles—how could he be so naive? His heart was comforted, and he actually felt a sense that this family finally had a pillar to rely on.

A son-in-law is half a son—perhaps in the end, it would be Yu Qingwu who would hold up the household.

Once moved, he spoke honestly, “Azhang is a child who’s neither here nor there. My two aren’t clever either.”

Fourth Master was actually quite desperate.

The clever ones died, the useful ones entered Daoist temples, leaving him to bitterly support the family gates. If he didn’t support them well, he’d be blamed. If he supported them well, Mother would still say he “stole” it. He’d long wanted to stop caring, but none of the children were successful.

Now it was good—Yu Qingwu had come.

He became even more warmly disposed toward Yu Qingwu: “Qingwu, come, let’s have a few drinks.”

Yu Qingwu smiled and followed, nodding, “When I see you, I feel very close. If you don’t mind, I’ll often come keep you company.”

Fourth Master nodded repeatedly. The two walked happily forward, having already forgotten the three young ones behind them.

After a round of drinks, he was even patting his chest saying, “If outsiders say one bad word about you, I won’t stand for it.”

When leaving, he still pulled at Yu Qingwu, calling him “worthy nephew” with every sentence—clearly he was extremely fond of him.

Lan Shanjun came out to see them off and found this scene amusing.

To make Fourth Uncle express his true feelings like this was not easy.

She said softly, “Be careful on the road.”

Asking about the journey when arriving, asking about the journey when leaving—no wonder the world needed to have husbands and wives.

This feeling was truly wonderful. Once on the carriage, Nanny Qian teased him, “What does it feel like?”

Yu Qingwu said quietly, “Like the incense fumigated this morning has all bloomed into flowers—”

Peach blossoms, lilies, crabapples, gardenias—

“But I don’t dare get too close, afraid her nose is good.”

Nanny Qian laughed heartily and said, “We discussed with Madam of Duke Zhenguo—roughly set it for early spring next year, but the specifics still need someone to determine compatibility.”

Things were settled one by one. Nanny Qian: “Once the date is calculated, we’ll come with betrothal gifts. I’ll be busy during this time.”

Appearances must always be maintained.

Yu Qingwu said gratefully, “If not for you and Old Madam, I wouldn’t be able to marry Shanjun.”

Nanny Qian: “That’s why I must see it through to the end!”

They were happy all the way, but arriving at the gate, they saw Wu Qingchuan.

Nanny Qian’s eyes rolled, “Oh my, is he also here to beg a cup of wedding wine?”

Old Madam Shou patted her hand, “Let’s go back first.”

Yu Qingwu got off the carriage and bowed to Wu Qingchuan, “Why has Elder Statesman come?”

Wu Qingchuan was displeased: “Must you be so distant?”

Yu Qingwu smiled, “Words once spoken should be kept.”

Wu Qingchuan was silent for a moment, then recalled what he’d said in prison and sighed, “I heard the Imperial Grandson intends to transfer you to the Court of Imperial Stud?”

Yu Qingwu nodded.

Wu Qingchuan: “You want to reform horse administration?”

Yu Qingwu shook his head, “How can I reform it now? I cannot reform it.”

Wu Qingchuan didn’t understand, “Then what do you want to do?”

Yu Qingwu looked at him and suddenly said, “Elder Statesman, do you still remember a poem you taught me from childhood?”

Wu Qingchuan didn’t remember and frowned, asking, “What poem?”

Yu Qingwu looked at him and slowly recited, “Leading horses is easy, raising horses hard, wife and children frozen and starved, all weak and frail. If there’s fodder and beans, they eat it themselves—how can they raise horses and hope for increase?”

“The plains’ grass exhausted, the wind’s color cold, thin horses scattered and released, their cries mournful and sour. Suddenly falling to the ground, the whole family weeps, about to compensate by selling their thatched hut.”

“The thatched hut insufficient to compensate fully, they must further lead sons and daughters to sell on the street. The neighbor comes to comfort: no need for grief—my family has already sold two or three children.”

Wu Qingchuan was stunned, “You still remember this poem.”

Yu Qingwu looked at him quietly, “Everything Elder Statesman taught, I remember.”

He smiled, “Elder Statesman, afraid I was too young to remember, personally took me to see how people raising horses sold their sons and daughters. I saw such misery and told you: In the future, if I’m useful, if I can save one person from death, I’ll save one person from death.”

At that time, Teacher was very happy and said, “That you have such aspirations—I truly thank heaven.”

Yu Qingwu’s voice was clear: “These years, serving as an official myself in Shuzhou, I’ve seen even more.”

He sat cross-legged, “Elder Statesman, would you like to hear?”

Wu Qingchuan sat down.

Yu Qingwu: “You once taught me this dynasty is sick. When I was young, I only remembered the word ‘sick’ but didn’t understand its flavor. When I understood, I discovered it was too gravely ill—like a rotten orange, gold and jade on the outside, tattered cotton inside. It looks like a peaceful and prosperous age outside, but you and I both know such a dynasty can’t withstand another war.”

Wu Qingchuan opened his mouth heavily, “—So you’re focusing on horses?”

Yu Qingwu nodded: “The court’s officials are redundant, the Court of Imperial Stud even more chaotic. Because it’s a place for raising horses, ordinary people disdain it, so whenever someone is demoted, they’re sent to the Court of Imperial Stud. Over time, those with good consciences simply don’t act, those with bad consciences embezzle and use it—yet no one investigates.”

“But for military campaigns, cavalry is essential, horses are essential.”

He said, “Originally the court’s horses came from three methods: official herding, tea-horse exchange, and civilian horse raising—but official herding was abandoned because princes occupied it, tea-horse was abandoned because of tea smuggling. Now only civilian herding remains.”

“But civilian herding was originally voluntary. Once the first two were abandoned, the latter became mandatory.”

“Elder Statesman also knows that from then on, the horse administration pressed on the common people became even harsher. As long as commoners farmed the court’s land, they had to help raise horses, turning in one or several horses per year. If they couldn’t deliver, they had to sell sons and daughters to buy horses to make up the difference.”

Initially there weren’t that many selling sons and daughters, but as the court demanded more and more horses and officials embezzled more and more using horse herding, selling sons and daughters became commonplace.

He shook his head: “Of course, Elder Statesman understands this better than I. It was Elder Statesman who taught me: The harms of horse administration include the harm of census registration, the harm of miscellaneous labor, the harm of annual quotas, the harm of compensation, the harm of rotational raising—thus, those who raise horses became poorer and poorer, and in some places they even rose in rebellion.”

“Back then, didn’t General Duan Boyan who pacified the south suppress such rebels?”

Because he had personally seen how they became rebels, how they step by step walked the path of “survival,” Duan Boyan said, “The danger of mountains and rivers lies within, not without.”

Yu Qingwu still believed this, his tone gradually becoming agitated, “Elder Statesman Wu—the common people are already unable to make a living, white bones litter the roadsides, never with gravestones. Yet because of harsh governance, enough horses are delivered, so these sufferings are ignored by the court. Even more, these horses they exchanged with their lives are taken to be sold, to supplement the court’s deficit, to build traveling palaces, to hold extravagant banquets.”

He said heavily, “By this—people call it a peaceful and prosperous age—”

But such a peaceful and prosperous age—with natural disasters, man-made calamities, once they came, chaos would erupt. The dynasty had reached the point of potential destruction, only because heaven was kind and there had been no floods or droughts, no foreign invasions, so everyone learned to whitewash the peace.

The two words “peaceful age” now sounded truly ironic.

Wu Qingchuan was silent for a long while, “What can you do then? You’ve seen this, known this, understood this—what can you do?”

Yu Qingwu then smiled, “Don’t question what I can do.”

“If enemies attack from outside, I cannot go to battle. If there’s mutual slaughter inside, I also have no way to charge with a blade. I just told you—the path I seek is only to save one more person, just one person.”

He looked at Wu Qingchuan, “I know my voice carries little weight. Without you, I don’t dare speak of great principles about supporting the realm. But fortunately Elder Statesman taught me skills. I can save one, that’s one.”

Hearing this, Wu Qingchuan remained silent for a long time. After quite a while he said, “How do you plan to do it?”

Yu Qingwu stared at him for a while, then said, “The times have changed. In the past, reading sage texts, speaking of the realm, speaking of the common people—everyone would praise you. Now, you’ll be called foolish.”

But if you got involved in His Majesty’s family affairs and spoke of these sage texts, the realm, the common people as factional struggles and succession battles, you could actually receive full praise.

He smiled, patted his rear and stood up, “Fortunately, I have this connection with Elder Statesman, so I can still get involved somewhat, and can also be called clever by people.”

These words left Wu Qingchuan silent again. After a long while he sighed, “You’ve now also discussed marriage. I hear it’s a compatible match—you must not be reckless.”

Yu Qingwu nodded, “Of course I’ll take care. Elder Brother said to let me live a hundred years.”

Mentioning Su Xingzhou, Wu Qingchuan had nothing to say. Yu Qingwu then left.

As soon as he entered the gate, Nanny Qian rushed over: “What did he say?”

Yu Qingwu smiled, “Nothing. Just seeing that I’m doing well now, he’s envious.”

Nanny Qian was half-believing, “Really?”

Yu Qingwu nodded, “Yes. Think about it—before, Prince Qi’s power was strong and he followed him. Now Prince Qi is being suppressed by His Majesty, Marquis Boyuan’s estate has all been locked up, His Majesty wants Marquis Boyuan to self-reflect. He’s definitely anxious too.”

Nanny Qian cursed, “That bird-person! Originally claiming to reach the blue sky, now begging ancestors for green smoke!”

Yu Qingwu laughed: Nanny Qian truly had many curse words.

He learned one phrase, “Yes, didn’t reach the blue sky successfully, didn’t get the green smoke either, so he’s got designs on me.”

Nanny Qian worried, “What designs does he have on you?”

Yu Qingwu: “He’s my teacher. In the Marquis Boyuan case, I acted against him. Prince Qi will never trust him again from now on.”

After speaking, he pressed his lips together, “I estimate he also resents that I didn’t consider our past master-disciple relationship. In the future when our bond wears thin, we’ll probably face each other with weapons.”

——

Over the next few days, the two families chose an auspicious date, setting it for the eighth day of the third month next year. The matter was thus settled.

Zhu Shi then began asking about Lan Hui’s marriage.

Lan Shanjun said, “Why don’t I take Huihui to Shou Residence to ask?”

But Zhu Shi didn’t allow it.

“Though you’re already betrothed, it’s still not good to have such private contact. If people knew, it wouldn’t be good.”

Lan Shanjun laughed, “When I go, Yu Qingwu is at work. If Mother doesn’t want it, I’ll return before then.”

Zhu Shi thought about it, “That works too.”

But once out the door, no one answered to anyone. Lan Shanjun didn’t leave even after Yu Qingwu returned. Instead, she waited until he arrived before asking, “I want to ask you a favor.”

Yu Qingwu had run around the Court of Imperial Stud all day today and was quite smelly. He said, “Let me change clothes first?”

Lan Shanjun said softly, “It’s not smelly.”

Yu Qingwu’s ears reddened.

—Could Shanjun have smelled him?

Good heavens!

He backed up a bit and became very proper: “What matter is it?”

Lan Shanjun: “A few days ago when I hosted Yunniang, she told me the Song residence probably intends to have Song Zhiwei marry the young lady from Marquis Wenyuan’s estate.”

Zhu Yun had also heard from her mother. Though she didn’t like going out or making friends, her mother did.

Because Madam Zhu was truly someone people liked talking to, she actually had quite a few friends.

Madam of Marquis Wenyuan—of course, with the Zhu family’s rank, they couldn’t reach that high, but Madam Zhu knew the third cousin of the younger brother’s wife of Madam of Marquis Wenyuan’s younger sister-in-law—through these layers of relationships, she naturally knew of this matter.

This was good news. Madam of Marquis Wenyuan hadn’t hidden it, showing the two families had discussed privately.

When Yunniang came to visit, she said, “I heard Song Third Miss invited several young ladies to the residence to admire flowers, but Third Miss repeatedly showed favor to Marquis Wenyuan’s eldest miss.”

Luoyang had plenty of shrewd people. Someone said, “You wouldn’t be thinking of her as your eldest sister-in-law, would you?”

Song Third Miss’s face immediately reddened. She stammered and didn’t dare speak more. So everyone said the Song Duke’s estate intended to marry Marquis Wenyuan’s eldest miss.

Madam Zhu had also heard this and came back sighing, “Everyone says this is a good marriage. Song Zhiwei has excellent character and appearance—he’s a good husband all the young ladies want. Unexpectedly the flower falls to Marquis Wenyuan’s estate.”

Zhu Yun wanted to speak but hesitated, recalling what Lan Shanjun mentioned in her letter: “The Song family came to propose marriage, saying Song Zhiwei fell in love with me at first sight. I don’t believe it—I deeply suspect deception.”

How long had it been…

She told Lan Shanjun, “Marquis Wenyuan’s eldest miss is quite happy.”

But Lan Shanjun felt Song Zhiwei wasn’t worthy of marrying such a person.

Marquis Wenyuan’s eldest miss was named Qin Pingting, someone with a straightforward temperament who later married the second young master of Duke Qingguo’s estate and became sisters-in-law with Yunniang.

Yunniang had a weak temperament, so she always supported her. If anyone dared say Yunniang was climbing socially, she’d be the first to curse them out.

Lan Shanjun thought about it and told Yunniang, “Though speaking of people behind their backs isn’t good, I’ve vaguely heard people say Song Zhiwei is a cut-sleeve who only loves men. Go back and tell your mother this, and tell her the Song family’s proposal was made by Madam Wu as matchmaker.”

Yunniang returned home worried. Lan Shanjun also didn’t idle but came to seek Yu Qingwu’s counsel.

“In domestic affairs, I know what to do, but dealing with him can’t only use household methods—if Marquis Wenyuan agrees, even if Miss Qin doesn’t want to marry, it’s useless.”

Her eyes slightly chilled, “Yu Qingwu, do you know how to make Song Zhiwei unable to marry a wife?”

Yu Qingwu heard her say the three words “Song Zhiwei” and had already detected some of her hatred. Looking at her expression again, it was indeed extraordinary. She’d been like this last time she mentioned Song Zhiwei too.

If one said she held a grudge over the Song family’s marriage proposal, he felt that with her temperament it wouldn’t be nearly to this degree.

But if he investigated carefully, it would inevitably hurt her heart. So he wouldn’t investigate or seek—at least she hadn’t fallen for Song Zhiwei, that was enough.

Protecting his position in the household, thinking less and pondering less—this was the way for husband and wife to live harmoniously together.

Though he hadn’t married yet, he already deeply understood this principle. So he followed her tone and said, “That bird-person—truly unscrupulous in achieving his goals. Seeing Duke Zhenguo’s estate didn’t work, he’s now targeted Marquis Wenyuan’s estate.”

He comforted her, “Don’t worry. Let me think carefully of a method.”

But Lan Shanjun heard the two words “bird-person” and for a moment actually forgot to hate Song Zhiwei.

She then smiled and said, “Right, that bird-person.”

The matter weighing on her heart lightened considerably from cursing those four words. She walked with him through the vegetable garden, bending down to pull out some weeds along the way, saying, “I know you’ve been busy recently with Court of Imperial Stud matters. I don’t want to distract you with this. You only need to tell me what to do, and I’ll think of a method myself when I return.”

Yu Qingwu quickly said, “Court of Imperial Stud matters can’t be accomplished in a day, but making Marquis Wenyuan refuse Song Zhiwei isn’t a big matter.”

He hesitated, then said, “Marquis Wenyuan is someone who values reputation most but also loves beauty. To avoid people saying he’s an old tree with pear blossoms crushing the crabapple, to gain a good name, so…”

He said with difficulty, “He gives these young ladies to young scholars as concubines. Then when he goes to discuss scholarship, he can…”

Lan Shanjun was surprised, “Is this true?”

Yu Qingwu: “It’s true.”

He’d heard it from Director Su of the Court of Imperial Stud. Director Su raised horses and met many people, so he’d heard a bit of everything.

Speaking to this point, he suddenly paused and said, “Shanjun, would you like to know a few more young ladies from Shuzhou?”

After breaking with Wu Qingchuan, he’d quickly integrated into Shuzhou’s regional network and was quite well-liked. After Shanjun married him, she’d inevitably interact with these women.

Lan Shanjun nodded. She’d had this intention too. She was worried about not having a way to meet more people to establish herself.

She said, “I hope you’ll introduce me.”

Yu Qingwu made a sound of acknowledgment: “Certainly, certainly.”

His heart was full of joy.

Husband and wife living together, attending banquets together—it would surely become a fine tale.

Then after enjoying himself for several moments, he returned to the topic, “Grasping this weakness, then explaining the dangers of the Song family—Marquis Wenyuan will have to quiet down.”

He valued his face.

But Lan Shanjun thought of Miss Qin’s temperament.

Like her own twisted temperament she’d developed—wasn’t she also like a firecracker that ignited at the slightest touch because she had such a father?

She sighed, “Everyone has their sufferings.”

She had always thought Marquis Wenyuan’s eldest miss was someone who worried about nothing, which was why she was so bright and fearless.

She took Huihui back to the residence. Yu Qingwu saw them out. That evening when he returned to write in his journal, he wrote the two characters “Shan Zun.”

He wrote: “Because of Shan Zun, I never know the bitterness of walking alone in loneliness.”

Even cursing together.

But Shanjun’s heart was too burdened, and he didn’t know how to console her.

The next morning, he rose early to corner Nanny Qian, “I want to ask you a favor.”

Nanny Qian was cooking porridge: “What is it?”

Yu Qingwu: “Teach me a few curse words?”

Nanny Qian didn’t understand, “What do you need to learn this for? Are you going to curse Wu Qingchuan?”

Yu Qingwu shook his head and squatted down to add firewood to the stove for Nanny Qian, “I want to teach them to Shanjun.”

Nanny Qian’s hand holding the ladle paused, “What?”

Yu Qingwu: “Yesterday I taught her ‘bird-person’ and she was quite happy.”

Nanny Qian then raised the ladle to strike at him, even disregarding hierarchy: “Damn it—you bird-person! Why are you teaching her that!”