Chapter 186: Chapter 77: Second Class (Part 2)
Zhuang Changhe, after finishing his exams, returned to the Ma Family and fell straight into bed to sleep.
Ruo Lan was watering flowers in the courtyard when the maid came to inform her that the Eldest Young Master had awoken. Ruo Lan didn’t put down the watering can, certain that her brother must have been summoned by their father by now.
Soon, a maid from the Upper Chamber came with a message, “Eldest Miss, the Old Madam asks for your presence.” With Old Madam Zhuang present, Madam Bao had support, which emboldened her to create various challenges. However, Ruo Lan let the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo carry on their act, convinced that her matrimonial matters were already settled, and her brother’s marriage was being personally overseen by their father, with the wedding date already fixed. She wouldn’t be in the Zhuang Family much longer; any tumult would only last these few days.
Ruo Lan went to the Upper Chamber to see the Old Madam. Old Madam Zhuang had come to Capital City this time because her sickness had delayed her journey, and she hadn’t been able to prevent Ruo Lan’s engagement. But once she recovered, she still made the journey, primarily to find a good matrimonial match for her granddaughter Ruo Shui, also Ruo Lan’s cousin.
Old Madam Zhuang had initially hoped that Ruo Lan would take Ruo Shui out more often. Ruo Lan directly declined, citing the necessity to embroider her dowry as the reason. The Old Madam had nothing to say, as a girl ready for marriage shouldn’t be out visiting casually.
Ruo Lan made a round through the Upper Chamber and returned, encountering her brother waiting for her in the courtyard. She greeted him with a smile and only upon entering the house did she ask, “Did you rest well? If not, sleep a bit more.” Ruo Lan was not as anxious as Lord Zhuang; her brother was still young, and if he didn’t succeed this time, he could always try the next exam.
Zhuang Changhe was somewhat disheartened, “Father said I could pass, but my ranking won’t be near the top.” Lord Zhuang also recognized that his son wasn’t the top scholar material, and if not in the top ten, any rank outside the top three tiers were more or less the same. Thus, Lord Zhuang felt his son might as well start working early, accrue three years of experience, and then be assigned elsewhere to accumulate more credentials.
Ruo Lan smiled and said, “Passing is good enough, our mother would rest in peace knowing this.” With her brother having passed, she could breathe a sigh of relief.
Changhe still looked glum, “Sister, Ma Peng has fallen ill, so it seems hopeless now. I was hoping he’d become a Palace Graduate, which would make your marriage prestigious!” Thinking of this, Zhuang Changhe felt even more depressed.
Zhuang Ruo Lan said with a smile, “If not this time, just keep trying.” She hadn’t really expected Ma Peng to pass, considering the odds of passing were like a pie falling from the sky among the more than two hundred candidates in the provincial exam. Without expectations, there was no disappointment. However, Ruo Lan thought if there was no success in the next exam, she might consider purchasing an office and then going out to see the world, which seemed rather appealing.
Outside, the maid called, “Eldest Young Master, the Old Madam requests your presence.”
Upon hearing the summons, Zhuang Changhe’s face darkened, “Sister, I heard grandmother intends to promise Ruo Shui to the legitimate second son of the Earl of Chengyi. Sister, Ruo Shui doesn’t even compare to a single strand of your hair.” Even cousin Ruo Shui was deemed suitable for the Earl of Chengyi’s legitimate second son, who in terms of talents and looks was far better than Ma Peng. The thought made Zhuang Changhe’s blood boil. If it hadn’t been for Madam Bao’s scheming, his sister wouldn’t be marrying into the Ma family.
Ruo Lan laughed without offering further consolation, “This match was initially eyed by Madam Bao for her beloved sister, but I spoiled it, so she is probably even more displeased than you.” In truth, Ruo Lan didn’t think highly of this match either. The matriarch of the Earl of Chengyi’s Mansion was quite prolific, having borne five legitimate sons, and the family had yet to be divided; the whole extended family lived together in one large compound, where daily disputes among the co-wives were countless. By the Earl of Chengyi’s heir’s generation, their number added up to over thirty, and it was still growing.
Thinking of such a large family made Ruo Lan’s head buzz; marrying into such a household could potentially be fatal. This match was merely superficially prestigious; hence, she did not envy it one bit.
Yet, Zhuang Changhe remained visibly annoyed.
Ruo Lan instantly changed the topic, mentioning Zhuang Changhe’s own marital prospects, “You are also sixteen this year, and since father says you are likely to pass, it is almost certain. I think it won’t be long before your own marital arrangements are set. Though marriages are significant, decreed by parents and matchmakers, you should still inquire which family’s daughter father is considering. If it doesn’t suit your temperament, it won’t do.” Ruo Lan, being a stickler for rules, wouldn’t have chosen Ma Peng herself.
Changhe looked at Ruo Lan, “I trust father will choose someone suitable.” He quickly added, “But I told father that only if you approve and agree, will it be final. If you find it unsuitable, I absolutely will not marry.” He had faith in his father, but he trusted his sister even more.