A Records Of An Alpha’s Life In Ancient Times - Chapter 8

Shen Qingshu leaned back against the tree trunk and shook her head. “Whether she’s beautiful or ugly, I won’t marry her. I don’t like her, and I don’t want to delay her future.”

Xia Boyan scratched his head, very confused. “There has to be some reason for that, right? Besides, will your family even agree?”

“That’s right. After breaking off the engagement, you might even offend Lord Lin.”

“Ah, stop asking.” Shen Qingshu had not expected one sentence to cause such a huge commotion, and her head was starting to ache. “In short, I have my difficulties.”

Xia Bogui patted her shoulder and advised, “You were betrothed before birth and don’t know what kind of person the other party is. It’s true that you need to be careful. However, Qingshu, you must think it through clearly. Don’t make a decision rashly.”

Shen Qingshu smiled at him and nodded. “I understand. Thank you, Senior Brother Xia.”

Since she had already said this, the others could not say anything more. Only Zheng Heng raised his head and asked, somewhat foolishly and dazedly, “Senior Brother Shen, what does it mean to like someone?”

As if he were studying some scholarly question, his little bun-like face was full of confusion, and his eyes were wide open. He looked extremely adorable.

Shen Qingshu had never liked anyone either. She rubbed Zheng Heng’s head and, putting herself into the situation, said with some uncertainty, “Perhaps it means being willing to give everything you have, including your life, for one person.”

Zheng Heng blinked. He did not understand, nor did he think too deeply about it. He only looked at Shen Qingshu. “Senior Brother, didn’t you tell the other senior brothers not to touch my head, saying it would make me stop growing tall?”

Ah? The topic jumped so quickly that Shen Qingshu froze for a moment before reacting and awkwardly withdrawing her hand.

Everyone burst into laughter, and one after another, they all went to rub Zheng Heng’s head. Even Gao Mingche patted him twice.

Zheng Heng smoothed his hair back into place with a wrinkled little face, then asked, “By the way, senior brothers, are you all going to take next year’s county exam?”

After studying under Teacher Zheng for more than a year, all of them had improved in ability.

“We probably will. Teacher Zheng also said we can give it a try,” Xia Bogui said, unconsciously glancing at Gao Mingche.

The other three also said they would participate. Everyone’s gaze turned toward Gao Mingche in unison.

Gao Mingche’s face was calm, but his eyes were looking into empty space, unfocused. Somewhat uncertainly, he said, “Perhaps I will.”

Everyone knew what expectations Gao’s father had for him. Xia Bogui’s expression showed a bit of pity. “Gan Luo became a minister at twelve, while Grand Duke Jiang was over eighty before he met King Wen. The course of life has always been unpredictable. Senior Brother, don’t let this weigh too heavily on your heart.”

“That’s right. A gentleman understands opportunity, and an enlightened person knows fate. The imperial examinations are not the only thing in life.”

“What are you saying? Maybe Senior Brother will pass this time!”

Everyone spoke up to comfort him. Gao Mingche tugged at the corner of his mouth, forming a stiff smile. “I understand. Thank you, junior brothers.”

Zheng Heng pouted, looking deeply wronged. “Wow, so I’m the only one who can’t take it. Master said I’m too young and wants me to study for two more years.”

Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces, and the atmosphere instantly became lighter. Xia Bogui comforted him, “You’re only ten. Your body really is still too weak. Teacher Zheng is doing this for your own good.”

“That’s right, Little Junior Brother. Your learning is so good, so next year, let your senior brothers have their turn first,” Meng Bozhou also teased with a grin. “In the future, you can take one breath and charge all the way to jinshi.”

Everyone laughed together. Laughing and chatting like this, they continued forward, and the group’s figures gradually disappeared among the blossoms.

What they did not notice was that beside the great tree where they had been standing just now, two women in white veiled hats stood quietly.

The one wearing a red cloak had a smile in her voice as she teased, “That seems to be your fiancé. To think you could even run into him here. The two of you really are fated.”

The other woman did not speak, only nodding once. The woman continued, “But he seems not to want to marry you. He wants to break off the engagement.”

From beneath the veiled hat beside her came a clear, youthful laugh. “Good. I’ll wait for him to come.”

The wind lifted a corner of her veiled hat, revealing only a glimpse of snow-white, lustrous skin.

“A little silly.”

It was unknown who laughed and sighed again. The voice was very soft, scattering into the wind before it could be heard clearly.

——

Plans could not keep up with changes. A few days after returning from Huayan Temple, Shen Qingshu heard that Lord Lin had not remained in the capital. He had been transferred to serve as prefect of Suzhou Prefecture and had already taken his family with him to assume the post.

All right then. Now she had no way of visiting him at his residence.

Separated by thousands of li, this engagement could only continue to be dragged out. By the time they met again, it might be three years later.

Fortunately, the current court stipulated that the minimum marriage age was eighteen. She still had ample time to resolve this.

However, for children of prominent families, marriage discussions usually began at fifteen or sixteen. After the new year, Shen Peili, who was two years older than her, would also come of age.

That day, after dinner had been cleared away, Old Madam Liu did not avoid Shen Qingshu. She smiled kindly at Shen Peili and said, “Li’er, Grandmother has already looked into a few families for you. Listen and see whether any of them suits your fancy.”

This had been mentioned before, and Shen Peili had already prepared herself mentally. Her face reddened, and she nodded shyly. Shen Qingshu, sitting beside her, also pricked up her ears.

Old Madam Liu rinsed her mouth with clear water, cleared her throat, and said, “The first is the legitimate second son of Lord Wang from the Censorate. He is sixteen this year. Lord Wang is a sixth-rank administrator. He has only one official wife, and the family members are simple. Their family style is upright and clean. His eldest son has never taken any concubines, and the second son’s character is quite good. If you marry over, there should not be any filthy matters.”

“The second is the legitimate youngest son of Count Dongping. He is fifteen this year and is greatly favored by Count Dongping. I’ve seen the child; he is good-looking too. Our two families can be considered well matched. If you marry over, you shouldn’t suffer much.”

“The third is the legitimate eldest grandson of Lord Guo from the Hanlin Academy. Lord Guo is a fifth-rank reader-in-waiting and has served as an official for many years, with broad connections. This child, like your younger brother, is also studying. It’s just that he was delayed before, so he is a bit older, already nineteen.”

After Old Madam Liu finished speaking, Shen Peili was so shy that she could not even lift her head. She twisted her handkerchief and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, “I have no objections. I’ll leave everything to Grandmother’s decision.”

“Grandmother, I don’t think any of them will do.” Shen Qingshu had been listening from the side, and the more she listened, the more she wanted to frown. She was not very satisfied with any of these candidates, so she cut in. “That boy from Count Dongping’s estate—I’ve met him before too. He’s young, but already lustful and lecherous, with several bedchamber maids. No matter how much his parents spoil him, he still has two elder brothers above him. It’s impossible for him to inherit the title. If the family separates in the future, won’t he just be a useless piece of trash?”

“As for Lord Guo’s grandson, he’s nineteen and isn’t even a tongsheng. He says he’s studying, but in reality, he idles about all day and has no heart for it at all. Once Lord Guo retires, he won’t have any skill to support himself. Is he going to rely on Sister’s dowry to maintain the household?”

“I haven’t met Lord Wang’s second son, but I heard Lord Wang came from a farming family and has a large extended family relying on him for support. His household lives very frugally. Sister is still the legitimate eldest daughter of a count’s household, raised in silk and jade. Will she be able to get used to marrying into such a family? Are there really no better candidates?”

Shen Qingshu did not usually like to judge other people, but right now, her heart was biased.

Old Madam Liu and Madam He glanced at each other, then both sighed. Old Madam Liu gave a bitter smile. “Shu’er, there are things you don’t know. After your father passed away, there was no one from Count Chengyi’s household in court anymore. All these years, we’ve been a household of widows and orphans, with the title vacant. The entire count’s estate has only been held up by this old face of mine. Those families with power, influence, and excellent sons won’t look upon us favorably. Fortunately, when your father was alive, he arranged a marriage for you. Otherwise, sigh…”

Shen Qingshu turned to look at Shen Peili, and her heart filled with complicated feelings. An arranged marriage without any say was bad enough. Were they really unable to even choose a good family for her?

She clenched her fist, feeling that she could do something. She asked, “Grandmother, if I pass the exams and become a xiucai this year, and Sister has an outstanding younger brother to rely on, will things be better?”

Old Madam Liu hesitated a little. “That’s hard to say. Shu’er, you…”

Shen Qingshu took a deep breath and looked into Shen Peili’s eyes. “Sister, do you believe me?”

Shen Peili understood what she meant, and a moved expression appeared on her face. She smiled gently. “Little Brother, don’t make things too hard for yourself.”

“It won’t be hard.” Shen Qingshu stood up and said, “Grandmother, a woman’s marriage affects her entire life. Don’t hurry to decide Sister’s marriage first. Wait until I come back. Please take your time looking around, and be sure to choose a good family for Sister. Family status and such are secondary, but the person’s character and temperament must be good.”

“I’m going back to my room to read. Don’t worry. This August, I will definitely pass and become a xiucai.”

Originally, she had not cared very much before, but now, she absolutely had to obtain a good ranking. It would be best if she could become the top scorer in the academy exam, the kind that made anyone see at a glance that she had limitless potential.

During the two months Shen Qingshu had lain sick in bed, Shen Peili had been afraid she would be bored and had come every day to read storybooks to her. Whenever there was anything good to eat or drink, she also thought first of her “little brother.”

For such a good sister, Shen Qingshu could not bear to see her marry the wrong person.

Shen Qingshu studied even more diligently after that.

For the county exam, candidates had to return to their respective ancestral registration places to sit for it. On the last day of school, Teacher Zheng specially encouraged everyone. They also bade each other farewell and exchanged blessings.

If everything went smoothly, perhaps it would not be until October next year that they could meet again.

Early the next morning, Shen Qingshu was about to depart from the capital.

The whole family saw her off at the front gate. Old Madam Liu released her hand with extreme reluctance. She had already given her reminders thousands of times, yet still could not help saying with a choked voice, “Shu’er, be careful in everything.”

Shen Qingshu nodded. “This grandson understands. Grandmother, all of you must also take care of yourselves.”

She turned and walked toward the carriage. Before boarding, she turned back to look at Madam He. “Mother, don’t worry. Leave everything to me.”

Madam He kept wiping her tears with a handkerchief, but her eyes still held unconcealable worry and anxiety. Of course she understood the meaning behind Shen Qingshu’s words.

Shen Qingshu insisted on going and said she had a way to muddle through. When asked what method it was, she absolutely refused to say. Madam He had advised her many times, but could do nothing about her, so she could only worry in secret.

The carriage drove toward the city gate and gradually disappeared from sight.

For this trip to sit for the exam, aside from Fu An and Chao Yu, who usually looked after her, Steward He also brought a team of guards along.

After traveling from place to place, they arrived in Tangshan County, Suzhou Prefecture. Shen Qingshu temporarily stayed in the home of her grandfather’s younger brother.

The household here was similarly sparse in population. Aside from servants, there were only her forty-six-year-old granduncle, her twenty-four-year-old cousin-uncle and his wife, and a three-year-old little niece.

There was no need to mention all the concern, greetings, and small talk. Shen Qingshu settled down in the Shen residence to prepare for the exam. Before long, she welcomed the first examination of this life.