Chapter 397 - 397: Honesty

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zhou Jia said to Fan Wenzheng, “Lord Fan, people can also get sick from eating mixed grains. It’s a pity that their son left at such a young age, but they can’t push the blame onto his daughter! It was too unreasonable of them to even spread such news. To put it bluntly, fortunately, your relative’s daughter didn’t marry over. She won’t have a good life if she marries into such a family!”

When Fan Wenzheng heard Zhou Jia’s words, he felt that these words had hit home. He bowed gratefully to Zhou Jia. “Lord Zhou, thank you!”

Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Brother Fan, you’re too polite. One should not be polite to such a family. Your relative should Imock on their door and slap her. Let’s see if she still dares to spout nonsense outside in the future.”

“Yes, if she dares to spout nonsense again in the future, I’ll go and…” Fan Wenzheng looked at Zhou Jia awkwardly, his face red and he didn’t know what to do.

Zhou Jia looked at him and thought to himself that no wonder he was bullied. He wondered how he managed as a county magistrate in the past few years.

Zhou Jia patted his shoulder and said warmly, “Lord Fan, to be honest, my wife has taken a fancy to your daughter. If you have that intention, we’ll find an opportunity to let the two children take a look when we return to the capital. If they’re interested in each other, we’ll come to propose marriage.”

Fan Wenzheng said seriously, “Lord Zhou, as long as you and your wife don’t care about those rumors, my daughter’s character is definitely fine.”

Fan Wen looked at Zhou Jia with red eyes. “Back then, my wife and I didn’t agree to marry the child over, but that woman was unreasonable. She went around saying that my daughter was promiscuous and unwilling to observe the rules for her son. Back then, my daughter was still a child less than ten years old. What did she know?! His family kept harping on this matter until the child was 14 or 15 years old. She was already sensible and was even criticized when she went out as a guest. In the end, I could only plan to go out and bring her to Zheng County with her mother. This was the first time she returned to the capital in three years.”

Zhou Jia deeply sympathized with the Fan family’s encounter. He felt that the Fan family was too gentle. If it were him, he would have confronted whoever dared to ruin his daughter’s reputation like this.

Zhou Jia sighed and said, “Lord Fan’s family are all gentle and honest people. It’s just that the child has suffered.”

Fan Wenzheng said gloomily, “Back then, I was also sad for them. I felt that it would be inappropriate for my family to do things when they were sad about losing their son. I advised my wife to try her best to understand them. Who knew that it would indulge them and harm our daughter?”

The two of them chatted for a while more. Zhou Jia got out of the carriage and returned to his carriage. He told Li Yu what Fan Wenzheng had said. “Yu’er, the Fan family dotes on their children. Fan Wenzheng is also a gentle and honest person. We don’t have much to worry about getting married to such a family, so I told Fan Wenzheng the truth. I agreed with him to let the two children see each other when we reach the capital.”

“It’s fine as long as you’ve decided. Why did that horrible family agree to the marriage if they insisted that she jinxed her husband?” Li Yu scoffed at those words. ‘We’re all parents. We’re all worried about our children. How can we bear to be nasty to another child? We’ll find time to let them see each other when we arrive.”

It was less than a day away from the capital. Ji Xiang drove the carriage forward and watched as the farmland on both sides of the road was filled with busy farmers. The two horses in front sped over. On closer look, Ji Xiang saw that they were Zhao Cai and Li Qing.

Ji Xiang looked at the two of them and laughed. He waved at them and shouted,

“Young Master Ah Qing, Brother Cai, we’re here.”

Li Qing rode his horse to Ji Xiang’s carriage and dismounted. He smiled at Ji Xiang and cupped his fists. “Brother Ji Xiang, long time no see. It’s been hard on you.”

“How can it be hard? Master and Madam are in the carriage behind,” Ji Xiang said with a smile.

Li Qing had already seen Li Yu and Zhou Jia walk to the carriage door. He quickly ran forward and bowed. He looked at the two of them and choked.

“Sister, Brother-in-law, I’m here to pick you up.”

“Alright, it’s been hard on you.” Zhou Jia looked at him and smiled. “The Spring Quarter Examination is over. How did you do?”

Li Yu got out of the carriage and looked at him. She felt that Li Qing had grown taller again. He was almost 1.80 meters tall! He was handsome and tall. Li Yu thought of Li Qing when she first came and looked at him with some poignancy and pride. She couldn’t help but tear up. “That’s right! How did you do? It’s fine if you didn’t do well. At most, we’ll take the exam in two years.”

Li Qing saw tears flickering in Li Yu’s eyes. He lifted his robe and knelt down to kowtow to the two of them. Zhou Jia helped him up and said reproachfully, “The ground is wet. Get up and talk.”

Li Qing stood up and looked at the two of them with a smile. “Brother-in-law, Sister, Ah Qing didn’t let you down. I got third place in the fifth palace examination. His Majesty appointed me as the Third Honors Scholar.”

Zhou Jia was overjoyed. He hugged him and patted his back excitedly. “The student surpasses the master. My Ah Qing is indeed a good person. He’s a veritable Third Honors Scholar.”

Li Yu was so happy that she couldn’t close her mouth. She looked at Li Qing with a gratified expression. “How did you know that we would arrive today?

Aren’t you tired? Hurry up and get in the carriage.”

Li Qing looked at Li Yu with a smile and shook his head. “Sister, I’m not tired. Brother Zhao Cai and I rode over. It won’t take long.”

“Master, Madam, Young Master-in-law wanted to come over these few days. I only managed to come and pick you up today,” Zhao Cai said and bowed.

“Thank you.” Zhou Jia patted Li Qing in relief and turned to look at Zhao Cai. “Zhao Cai, did you marry your wife?” Li Yu also smiled at him.

Zhao Cai smiled and bowed. “Master, Madam, I want to wait for you to reach the capital before holding the marriage.”

At this moment, Yangyang rubbed his eyes and walked out of the carriage. He looked at them curiously. “Father, I want to pee.”

Li Qing looked at Yangyang, who was wearing a bright red thin cotton shirt and pants. His skin was fair and rosy. He smiled and strode forward to hug him.

“Come, Uncle will take you to pee.”

Yangyang widened his dark and shining eyes and looked at Li Qing curiously. “Are you Uncle Ah Qing?”

“Yes! I’m Uncle Ah Qing. Yang’er also knows Uncle Ah Qing.” Li Qing touched his head and smiled.

“Father and Mother often talk about you. Mother said that she misses you and wants to matchmake you. Mother has a younger brother or sister hidden in her stomach.”

The carriage behind also caught up. When Fan Wenzheng saw the young man carrying Yangyang, he nodded in satisfaction. “He’s indeed an outstanding man. He’s worthy of my Wanwan.”

After the group gathered, they greeted each other again. Zhou Jia pointed at

Fan Wenzheng and smiled at Li Qing. “Ah Qing, come and meet Lord Fan.”

Li Qing went forward and bowed. “Li Qing greets Lord Fan.” Fan Wenzheng smiled and cupped his hands. “Greetings, Young Master Li.”

Zhou Jia pulled Fan Wenzheng to the side and whispered to him proudly, “Lord

Fan, my Ah Qing was appointed Third Honors Scholar at the Spring Quarter Examination High School this year. What do you think? Is he still worthy of your attention?”

Fan Wenzheng was extremely satisfied with Li Qing. He looked at the handsome Li Qing and nodded in satisfaction. “Lord Zhou, when I go home, I’ll only tell Madam. I’ll give you the news after asking my daughter.” Zhou Jia smiled and nodded at him. “Alright, I’ll wait for your news..”