CH 64

The Chen family of Changle was a large clan, when tracing it back to its ancestry, perhaps it was not as illustrious and ancient as the Zhao family, but it was still larger than the Zhao clan. After a hundred years of reproduction and creations of new bloodlines in the clan, it had long become difficult to keep up with the offspring in the outer branches of the family. There were even many members of the Chen family who were not familiar with everyone’s names in the family, let alone outsiders. Taking for example, the family that Zhao Su had an engagement with, although it was Chen Zhu’s second uncle’s daughter, in reality, this second uncle1 was not a close blood relative and in fact, Chen Zhu could only really call him a ‘first-cousin once removed’2, there were still many layers separating them.

Since the Chen family were large, they naturally also had a lot of members who had achieved scholarly honour. Aside from Chen Zhu, there were also a few other sons of the Chen clan who had become court officials and were in post in other counties, therefore, the Chen family were highly respected in Changle.

However, the more people there are, the more worries there are.

After Maiden Chen who had been engaged to Zhao Su, succumbed to her illness, and Chen Zhu’s first cousin once removed decided that he wanted to matchmake his concubine-born daughter to Zhao Su, there were many in the clan who were watching and ridiculing, waiting for him to make a fool out of himself. Some of them said he was using his daughter to hitch a ride to the sky on the dragon and phoenix3, there were others who said that since the younger sister had died, he might as well use the elder sister to profit in a niggardly fashion. In a blink of an eye, a snowstorm of rumours and gossip had arisen in the Chen family.

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And all this was very far from Zhao Su’s knowledge in the capital.

The Prince of Jing’s palace plot, the demise of Jiajing, the ascension of a new Emperor, the transition to a new ruler – all these changes happened in a blink of an eye. All the civil officials up and down the imperial court were trying to figure out a way to protect their own official position and trying to figure out how their new ruler thought. Because Zhao Su was already working for the Prince of Yu manor previously, he also had a lot of affairs to put in order which left no time to consider the matter of his marriage. However, at this moment, a letter came from Changle from his mother telling him that her health was deteriorating and urging him to get married soon, and finally this brought Zhao Su’s thoughts back onto the Chen family of Changle.

Earlier, the Chen family’s daughter passed away suddenly and the matter of his marriage was put to the side. It was said that the Chen family had the intention of offering their concubine-born daughter as his concubine, but Zhao Su was not born and bred in the Ming Dynasty, he did not really see any importance to whether a maiden was legitimate-born or concubine-born. He had to marry a wife anyway, so why not just take the concubine-born daughter as his legitimate wife, killing two birds with one stone – not only could he fulfil his promise to his mother, it would also please the Chen family.

He had made up his mind and wrote a letter back to his mother asking her to propose marriage to the Chen family on his behalf. Unbeknownst to him, because of his decision, the Chen family got into a huge quarrel, the most unsatisfied person naturally was Chen Zhu’s first cousin once removed’s legitimate wife.

At Chen Manor, a young maiden was hanging her head low standing beside the bed, there was an unfinished flower embroidery in her hands. Compared to the young married woman sitting on the eight immortals table, she was much more plain and less captivating to look at. She was wearing light-blue robes, without any odornments or any jewellery, her hairstyle was also simple and neat with only a simple jade hairpin in it, which could not be considered as a particularly precious item either.

“Greetings to jiejie.” The young maiden spoke very quietly, still hanging her head low, perhaps, it was due to being used to her lowly status that made her speak quietly and carefully, not at all like the elegant and pronounced voice of other maidens of great households, but instead her face carried a hint of compromise and suffering.

“Meimei is too courteous.” Seeing her face, a barely noticeable frown appeared on the young married woman’s face and then disappeared. She was wearing a pink skirt4, light yellow straight-collared button up jacket5. Her hair was brushed up into a double bun6, with a white jade plum blossom hairpin with coral jewels inset. She was the embodiment of grace and beauty, natural and unrestrained, there was a difference of heaven and earth between her and the young maiden.

“I came for a home visit and thought I’d also come to see you. Chen Xue sat down and smiled as she spoke.

“Yes, I remember.”

“The Zhao family have sent someone today to inform us that they want to take you as the legitimate wife.”

Chen Hui was greatly shocked: “Jiejie, what do you mean?”

Chen Xue smiled sweetly and said: “Do you really think I’d believe your lies? I heard from mother and I have also seen the letter and the matchmaker, it is all true. Father is delighted and has already agreed to it.”

“…….” Chen Hui opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

She couldn’t understand, she was a concubine-born daughter who was not favoured, why would the Zhao family look so highly upon her.

“There is also another matter to settle. You have done a great meritorious deed and cannot stay at this current rank, but I believe that if you are promoted too quickly, this will cause gossip amongst the other officials and won’t be beneficial to you. So I will wait until your return and promote you. Don’t take it to heart, oh, speaking of which, the position of Minister of Imperial Stud10 is vacant, a few days ago Xu Jie recommended a juren to me…..”

A new Emperor had ascended, promoting all the officials of the former Prince of Yu manor. Chen Yiqin and Zhang Juzheng entered the Grand Secretariat, Zhao Su was promoted to the Chancellor11 of the Directorate of Education, and went from a fifth-rank official to a fourth-rank official12. Considering his age, it was already a meteoric rise. Luckily, this position was noble, but did not have much authority, otherwise one impeachment by the Imperial Censors would have been incredibly troublesome for Zhao Su. However, Zhu Zaiji still believed that this official’s position was still not worthy of Zhao Su, and was thinking of promoting him again.

Zhao Su was speechless and quickly refused: “Thank you Your Majesty for the thought. This official’s capabilities are limited, and I am willing to polish up my abilities over the next few years.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t force you. Luckily you are Jun’er’s teacher and that holds a certain status, no one will dare to look down on you. Now as the Chancellor of the Directorate of Education, it is truly justifiable…..”

Zhu Zaiji continued to talk in a long-winded fashion, whilst Zhao Su listened to him, feeling moved but also wanting to laugh.

Compared to Jiajing, this new Emperor was much more kindhearted and generous. Chatting to him was just like it was before when they were at the Prince of Yu manor, without any signs of pressure.

The Emperor continued to say a few more words and then finally let him go.

Zhao Su bowed and requested his leave before walking towards the exit, when suddenly a person rushed towards him, the two of them shouted out ‘ow’ simultaneously whilst they knocked into each other.

He took another look and finally saw that it was Zhu Yijun who was utterly enraged for an unknown reason.