Zhang Huaini was playing in the courtyard with Jiang Feifei when a servant rushed in.
"Madam, something terrible has happened!"
Zhang Huaini was merely a concubine, according to propriety, she shouldn't be addressed as 'Madam.'
But she managed all affairs in the residence, large and small. Although she hadn't yet been formally elevated to the position of wife, it was only a matter of time. The servants attending her had long since started calling her 'Madam.'
"Why are you so flustered?" Zhang Huaini asked. "What has happened?"
The servant said, "Master Zhang sent someone. He said... he said the Young Master Zhang has been imprisoned by the Magistrate and is to be exiled immediately."
Zhang Huaini stood up abruptly, disbelief on her face: "What did you say? Is this true?"
"This humble one wouldn't dare lie."
"This can't be," Zhang Huaini began to panic, "Where is the Magistrate?"
"He hasn't returned from his duties yet."
In the teahouse, Old Master Wu looked at Jiang Wenxu and said, "You did well today."
Jiang Wenxu didn't dare look at him, saying with shame, "I have shamed my teacher."
He had sent word to Fang Zichen that the case would be tried the next day, claiming it was because he considered Fang Zichen's poor health and wished to spare him the trouble of traveling back and forth. But the truth was...
He knew Zhang Huaini and Zhang Huaiwen were deeply attached. If something happened to Zhang Huaiwen, Zhang Huaini would surely be devastated. When Lianniang named Zhang Huaiwen as the instigator, his first instinct was to protect Zhang Huaiwen.
Although Zhang Huaiwen had made a mistake, no one had died after all. If he manipulated things behind the scenes a bit, Zhang Huaiwen would only need to suffer a little.
But Old Master Wu had found him, stared at him for a long time, then sighed and said he was very disappointed in him.
He had become Old Master Wu's disciple at ten years old, spending days together in close contact. What kind of person he was, Old Master Wu knew very well.
"Studying is difficult for those from poor families. Back then, your family was impoverished, and you had no school to attend. I observed that you were intelligent, loved learning, had upright conduct, and a sincere, kind attitude, so I took you in. Do you still remember what you said when you bowed to me as your teacher?"
County Magistrate Jiang was silent for a long moment: "I remember!"
He remembered his own words clearly: "I believe I am no less than any man. My only disadvantage was being born in the countryside, from a humble family, I face limitations everywhere. But in essence, I am no different from others. All people should be considered equal. If we must classify them as high or low, noble or base, then it should be by their moral character. Those who steal chickens and dogs, are heartless and unjust, who are unfilial to parents, should be considered base. Those with noble character, pure and upright, incorruptible and honest, should be considered noble.
Old Master Wu had asked him why he wanted to study. His answer at the time wasn't particularly lofty, he only said he wanted to bring glory to his ancestors, secure an official post, and serve the country and its people.
After much consideration, Old Master Wu accepted him as a disciple. After that, Jiang Zhengxu met Wu Huifang.
Wu Huifang was gentle, kind, beautiful, and graceful. Jiang Zhengxu quickly fell for her. But the gap between their families' status was too large, and he also felt he wasn't worthy of her. He thought only that in the future, after he had passed the imperial examinations and secured an official post, he would then ask for her hand in marriage.
He was nineteen at the time.
He pursued 'achievement and establishing a career,' but Jiang's father and mother were typical villagers. They just thought he wasn't young anymore. While studying was important, it was also time to start a family.
When he returned from Yuanzhou for the New Year, Mother Jiang said she wanted to find a matchmaker to arrange a meeting for him, asking him what kind of girl he liked.
Jiang Zhengxu used his studies as an excuse, saying his heart was entirely focused on his schoolwork right now and he had no mind for romantic matters. Besides, his age wasn't really that old yet, so it wasn't urgent.
"Not urgent? How is it not urgent? Look at Da Niu and Xiao Hu, they're the same age as you, they got married the year before last, and both families have grandsons now. You're still a lone bachelor, and you say it's not urgent."
Jiang Zhengxu had an older brother: "If you want a grandson, then tell Big Brother to have one for you!"
Elder Brother Jiang had married a ger.
They had been married for four years but still had no children.
There are three forms of unfilial conduct, of which the worst is to have no descendants. In other families, they might have divorced the wife and married another.
[The three forms of unfilial conduct: Blindly obeying parents, leading them into moral unrighteousness; Failing to care for parents due to poverty or low status; Refusing to marry and have children, thus ending the family line]
It was known that ger had difficulty bearing children. The Jiang family was poor, they had to support the second son's studies. They couldn't afford to marry a girl for the eldest son, so they found him a ger.
This ger was also a good one, very diligent. After coming to the family, he rushed to do all the dirty and heavy work, enduring hardship without complaint.
Previously, Mother Jiang had a physician examine him. The physician said gers inherently had difficulty with pregnancy, and if they were constantly overworked, it became even more difficult.
Hearing this, Mother and Father Jiang only felt they had wronged the ger. How could they have the face to pressure him, or talk about divorcing and marrying another?
Jiang Zhengxu didn't want to marry, saying only that after he passed the exams and gained an official post in the future, he would find them a well-educated, reasonable girl to marry.
Mother Jiang, however, remained firmly opposed. In her view, marriage should always emphasize matching social status. A proper wife needed to be capable and quick with her hands—someone who could manage household chores efficiently. What use would a delicate young lady be, if she couldn't wash clothes, cook meals, sweep the floors, or even feed the pigs?
Despite Jiang Zhengxu's clear disagreement, Mother Jiang went ahead and hired a matchmaker.
After looking and comparing, Mother Jiang finally settled on a girl from the Gu family in the next village.
Jiang Zhengxu found out about this matter the day before the wedding. Mother Jiang had tricked him into returning by claiming she was unwell. He wanted to call off the wedding, but Mother Jiang said, "Calling it off at this critical juncture, you'd be fine, but how would the girl face things afterwards? What face would she have left to live? If you call off the wedding today, she might jump into the river tomorrow."
Jiang Zhengxu had no choice but to agree.
He married Gu Daya. After the wedding night, Jiang Zhengxu left the very next day. This departure lasted three years, as if resenting his mother's high-handedness and pressure. Even during holidays, he never returned. It wasn't until he passed the provincial exam and Wu Huifang married someone else that he returned to Xingling Village once.
No comments:
Post a Comment