Chapter 6

Tao Ran Ju

This teahouse stands in the bustling area of the capital of the Great Han Empire. At this moment, on the second floor, a few people are seated, conversing.

"May I ask, Sir, what important matter has led you to summon me?" Qin Ye, an elderly man over fifty with gray hair, looked humbly at Jia Zhen opposite him, addressing him as "Sir".

Jia Zhen inherited the title of Duke of Ningguo, though it has been reduced several times, he still holds the rank of a third-class general, which is much higher than Qin Ye's fifth-class position as the Director of the Ministry of Works' Office of Diet. Moreover, as the head of the Jia clan, Qin Ye naturally dared not be disrespectful in front of Jia Zhen.

Jia Zhen, in his early forties, wore a light green official robe, a black hat without a veil, had a fair complexion, a mustache under his nose, and held a folding fan, playing with it while a smile hung on his face. He said cheerfully, "Sir Qin, you are too polite. Your family and mine have been close for generations. There is indeed a matter I wish to discuss with you. My son, Jia Rong, has reached the age of marriage. I have heard that you have a daughter, who is of excellent character and appearance, suitable for a good match. Therefore, I boldly ask for your daughter's hand in marriage for my son."

As Jia Zhen spoke, his sunken eyes seemed to reflect the image of a beautiful woman, delicate and full of charm.

It was just before the Mid-Autumn Festival when he visited Dian Temple and encountered her. After much inquiry, he learned that she was the daughter of the Director of the Ministry of Works' Office of Diet, a fifth-class official.

"Sir..." Qin Ye's face showed a hint of hesitation, "To be frank, Sir Jia, my daughter is already betrothed. How can one girl be promised to two families?"

Jia Zhen frowned, his expression changing slightly, and he asked urgently, "Betrothed? To which young gentleman?"

Qin Ye pondered for a moment, intending not to reveal the truth, but under Jia Zhen's scrutinizing gaze, he said, "It turns out to be a member of the Jia clan."

"Really?" Jia Zhen's expression paused, his eyes brightening in surprise, "Which branch of the family? Why don't I know?"

As the head of the Jia clan, Jia Zhen was unaware of any eligible young men in the two mansions who were getting married. Bao Yu was still young, and Jia Lian had just married last year. If it was a regular clan member who had arranged a marriage...

Jia Zhen's eyes flickered, and he felt a bit relieved. If it was a marriage arranged by a Jia clan member in the capital, as the head of the clan, he could use some money and threats to persuade them. He doubted anyone would dare to defy his wishes.

Qin Ye paused, hesitating, "It is Jia Si from Liu Tiao Alley. His son, known as Heng Ge, was betrothed to my daughter when he was just a baby. The marriage contract has already been exchanged."

At the end of his words, Qin Ye sighed. Back then, he was just a minor official in the Ministry of Works, and due to the kindness of Jia Si and his wife, he had arranged the marriage for his daughter.

But times have changed, and what was once a well-matched marriage now seems... Yet, he could not bring himself to break the engagement, as it would be a disgraceful act.

Jia Zhen furrowed his brow and asked Lai Sheng, who was standing beside him, "Jia Si from Liu Tiao Alley? Is he the one who drowned in a pond after drinking ten years ago?"

"Sir, you have a good memory. Jia Si leased a fish pond from the estate," Lai Sheng said with a smile. "He was part of our Eastern Mansion. When he died, you even had the mansion provide money for his family. Heng Ge often plays with Rong Ge."

Jia Zhen put down his wine cup, stroked his small mustache, and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, he's not an outsider. Give him fifty taels of silver and a position in one of our shops, and have him break off the engagement."

Lai Sheng chuckled, "Sir, Heng Ge's mother passed away last year, and his family is struggling. If you give him a position, he will be very grateful."

Jia Zhen smiled, waved his hand, and said, "After all, he is a junior member of the Jia clan. As the head of the clan, it is my duty to take care of him, isn't it, Sir Qin?"

As he spoke, he cast a meaningful glance at Qin Ye, exerting appropriate pressure.

"..." Qin Ye pondered for a moment, remaining silent.

Jia Zhen did not wish to pressure him too much, smiled, picked up the wine cup on the table, took a sip, and asked tentatively, "Since that's the case, what about the marriage?"

Qin Ye was troubled, not knowing how to respond, when suddenly, a voice came from the stairs, "Sir, a relative has come to visit. Wu Nainai has asked you to return home."

Qin Ye felt relieved, looked up at Jia Zhen, and bowed, "Sir Jia, I have matters at home. Regarding the marriage, may I take some time to consider it?"

Jia Zhen's expression showed a hint of displeasure, but he did not insist, smiled, and said, "I will await your good news, Sir Qin. Please take your time."

After Qin Ye left with his servant, Jia Zhen's smile gradually faded. He unfolded his fan with a "swish" and gently tapped it in his hand, his expression uncertain, deep in thought.

"Sir, should we send someone to Jia Si's house now?" Lai Sheng asked softly, stepping forward.

Jia Zhen paused, smiled, and said, "Not yet. Have Rong Ge come here first."

As the head of the Ningguo Mansion and the Jia clan, he needed to be cautious and ensure that everything was done flawlessly. He doubted that Jia Heng would dare to defy him.

Qin Ye left Tao Ran Ju and walked home, asking his servant on the way, "Which relative has come?"

The servant replied, "Sir, it's Jia Heng from Liu Tiao Alley in Ningrong Street."

Qin Ye's expression changed, thinking, "How could this be so coincidental?"

"Did he say anything?" Qin Ye asked.

The servant replied, "He didn't say much, just that he came to visit you."

Qin Ye's face showed a hint of bitterness. A visit? The boy was nearly fifteen, and he was likely here to finalize the marriage. What should he do?

In the capital, the Jia family has two dukes, and their influence is vast. Despite Jia Zhen's polite words, if he offended him, the consequences could be unpredictable.

But if he abandoned the poor branch of the Jia clan and betrothed his daughter to the Ningguo Mansion, the reputation of being a snob would spread...

Qin Ye felt a surge of bitterness, thought for a moment, and decided to meet Jia Heng first to understand his intentions. After about two hours, he returned home.

In the flower hall, Jia Heng was chatting casually with Wu Nainai, having already had two cups of tea. He was puzzled that Qin Ye had not returned, but his expression did not show it.

Earlier, he had met Qin Keqing, who was truly beautiful and charming, a rare beauty that could bring disaster. The phrase "a beauty can bring ruin" probably referred to such a woman.

"Sir, you're back," a servant called out from the corridor.

Jia Heng looked up and saw an elderly man with gray hair, wearing a regular robe, walking steadily into the flower hall. He quickly stood up and bowed, "Jia Heng greets Sir Qin."

"It's my nephew," Qin Ye glanced at Jia Heng. This was the first time he had met him. Seeing Jia Heng in a scholar's blue robe, with a strikingly handsome appearance, he thought to himself.

He had expected Jia Heng to be from a poor branch of the Jia clan and to show signs of inferiority, but instead, he was a fine young man, making the matter even more difficult.

After they sat down again, a maid brought a new pot of tea. Qin Ye chatted with the young man, impressed by his eloquent and composed responses.

Jia Heng then took out the marriage contract, "To be frank, Sir Qin, my mother's only wish was to see me married and established. Now that I am of age, I have come to visit you to finalize the marriage."

Qin Ye pondered for a moment, thinking it best not to reveal the proposal from the Ningguo Mansion. If the Jia family could persuade Jia Heng to break the engagement, he might...

Compared to the legitimate son of the Ningguo Mansion, a poor branch of the family was undoubtedly less desirable. This was a common human sentiment.

Qin Ye said, "Nephew, the marriage was arranged long ago, and we should honor it. However, my daughter often says she wants to stay with me for two more years. Nephew, why don't you keep the marriage contract and wait for two years?"

Jia Heng smiled, "Sir Qin, is there any difficulty with this matter?"

When he entered, he noticed a hint of worry in Sir Qin's eyes, which intensified when he saw him. In his previous life, while inspecting the southwestern border, he had learned to read people's expressions.