Chapter Thirty-One: Choosing a Son-in-Law from the Rankings

  "If I were to talk about this, I think my elder brother is very good, but I don't know what our younger sister thinks?"

  Xiao Chengyan didn't expect Xiao Chengyan to suddenly say this, and after being stunned for a moment, she laughed: "Sister, you must be joking?" Although Xiao Chengyan had little interaction with her, from the occasional meetings, Xiao Chengyan occasionally showed a few disdainful glances, and she could see how Xiao Chengyan felt about her. Therefore, Xiao Chengyan's words were just her own wishful thinking.

  Xiao Chengxian listened to this, but shook her head and smiled, saying: "This is something I said on a whim, but it's absolutely not just a casual remark!" She said, looking at Yuan Dai again, seeing that Yuan Dai was calm and composed, but didn't seem to take her words to heart. Xiao Chengxian wanted to say more, but thinking of Xiao Chengyan's views on Yuan Dai, she had to hold back for the time being and not mention it again.

  Yan Dai smiled and said, "Sister must have gone to Old Lady's place before coming here, right?" She didn't mean to say much to Xiao Chengye either. Just like what she had told Ling Yuanqing before, although Xiao Chengye looked down on her, she didn't necessarily have a good impression of him either. And judging from the current situation, it seemed unlikely that they would have much interaction in the future, which was also what she wished for.

  Xiao Chengyan nodded slightly and said, "Since I've come to the Ling family, how can I not go pay my respects to Aunt first?" However, her tone carried a hint of helplessness, clearly these tedious formalities were also giving her a headache.

  Yan Dai previously asked about Xiao Lao Tai Jun, just wanting to divert the topic of Xiao Cheng Ye, and had no intention of asking for details. Now that she heard this, she asked another question: "Sister, have you told Old Lady about your plan to stay in the mansion for a few days?"

  Xiao Chengyan said: "It's all said! Auntie heard that I was going to stay in the mansion for a few days, and she was quite pleased. She wanted me to stay in Chunhui Garden with your tenth sister. I couldn't refuse, so I made an excuse to leave and planned to come here to take a look before deciding what to do!"

  Yan Dai nodded understandingly, but then smiled and looked around her humble abode, laughing: "Sister has the intention to come over and live with me, I am more than willing, only my place is simple and small, I'm afraid sister won't be used to it! Moreover, if Old Lady finds out that sister doesn't want to stay there but wants to live with me instead, she probably won't agree!"

  The western wing is narrow and cramped, it's not a place to receive guests. As the matter concerns the Ling family's reputation, Old Lady will certainly not agree to it.

  Xiao Chengxian heard this and suddenly smiled, saying: "Sister's words have suddenly reminded me of 'The Inscription of a Humble Abode'!"

  Yan Dai listened and couldn't help but smile, reciting: "A mountain is not great because of its height, it's famous because of the immortals that live there. Water is not deep because of its depth, it's spiritual because of the dragons that inhabit it. This humble abode, only my virtue is fragrant..." She had just recited a few lines when she herself burst out laughing: "I didn't realize until today, I'm actually a virtuous person too!"

  Xiao Cheng smiled and said, "Sister, this room is full of fragrance, and in the courtyard there's a rare flower that can move the Ling Mansion. How can it be called 'humble abode'?" As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and pulled Far Dai over, saying, "Right! I almost forgot, my purpose for coming here was not only to chat with sister, but also to take a look at that pot of flowers!"

  She originally thought that after saying this, Yuandai would order the maid to bring the flowers into the house. However, unexpectedly, Yuandai listened to her words and stood up, making a gesture towards her, inviting her out. Xiao Xian was taken aback, hastily went forward to support her, and said in surprise: "It's cold outside, why don't you just order Wenshu and a few others to bring the flowers into the house for a look? Why do you need to go out yourself?"

  Yan Dai smiled and shook her head, saying: "Sister doesn't know, I've always been afraid of the cold, so as soon as winter arrives, there's never a break from the brazier in my room. But that flower of mine likes the cold and fears heat, especially the smell of charcoal fire. If you really want to see it, it's better to go outside!"

  Xiao Chengyan immediately dispelled her original intention upon hearing this, and laughed as she pulled Far Dai along: "In that case, I won't go see it then! After all, it's just a pot of flowers. Moreover, the flower has already wilted, so it's not worth going out in the cold to take a look, making a fuss for nothing!"

  Yuan Dai couldn't help but smile when she said that, and she sat back down again without any hesitation.

  Xiao Chengyan sat down beside her, she had just been busy talking, that frosty flower had only taken a sip, and now naturally picked up the silver spoon again, slowly eating. Yuan Dai saw her like this, and also didn't speak anymore, casually picking up the book scroll placed on one side, the room fell silent for a while. After such a long time, the folding screen suddenly moved lightly, Wen Ping walked in quietly, but also didn't speak, standing silently beside Yuan Dai. Yuan Dai felt that she had something to say, after all, raised her eyes slightly with inquiry looking at her.

  Wenping then said: "Madam has told us to move to Huancui Pavilion, I wonder when Miss plans to move over?"

  Yan Dai slightly raised an eyebrow, she knew that Wen Ping was not picking lotus flowers. With her temperament, if there were no other reasons, she would never say such words to urge herself. Since Xiao Chengxin was by her side, she didn't dare ask more questions either. After a brief moment of contemplation, she instructed: "The West Wing is narrow, it's better to move out early! You can go to the Ringui Pavilion first and take a look. If everything is fine, you can move there as soon as possible!"

  Wen Ping responded with a sound and then retreated.

  Xiao Xian had already finished eating the frozen dessert, and she put down her silver spoon, smiling: "I originally thought I'd bother my sister for a few days, but now it seems that won't be possible. Never mind, after you move to Ringui Pavilion, I'll tell Auntie again that I want to live with you, and it will be easier!"

  She is such a person, Yuandai hasn't asked Wenshuang much, but she can't help but see it. However, although Yuandai sees her grievances, she can't do anything to help her, and can only pretend not to have noticed.

  Yuandai smiled and said, "Thank you for understanding, sister!"

  Xiao Cheng looked at her silently, sighed after a while, and gently patted Yu Dai's hand. He said in a low voice, "To be honest with you, sister, I haven't met all the young masters of the aristocratic families in the capital, but I've heard of them. In my opinion, my brother and your sixth brother are already among the best. You might want to consider it again, if you're willing, I'll find a way to help you!"

  The implication is that it's already a repeat of old matters, let Yu Dai think carefully again about what she said before.

  Yuandai smiled again and asked in return: "Since my sixth brother is indeed not bad, why do you insist on rejecting him from a thousand miles away?"

  Xiao Chengyan was taken aback and couldn't speak for a moment. Yuandai's words were clearly telling her that what you don't want for yourself, don't impose on others. You didn't want to marry my sixth brother, why do you keep advising me to accept your older brother? Frowning, Xiao Chengyan reluctantly looked up at Yuandai. Yuandai's expression remained calm and serene, without the usual shyness or anxiety that girls would have when mentioning their own marriage. A sudden realization rose from the bottom of her heart, and Xiao Chengyan asked, "Sister, do you already have plans?"

  Yuandai smiled lightly, but instead of answering, she asked back: "If we're being precise, sister is actually a bit older than me, could it be that you have no intention of succeeding?"

  Xiao Chengxian was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly cried out: "Could it be that my sister and I had the same idea, but it didn't work out?"

  A faint smile on her face, she said with a hint of teasing: "Can't I?"

  Xiao Chengxin smiled and bowed, grasping Yuandai's hand, saying: "Sister is indeed my kindred spirit! Good, this year's zhuangyuan is truly blessed!" After finishing speaking, he was overflowing with pride.

  Yan Dai smiled and turned her hand over to grasp hers, but asked: "Sister has such a heart, but who knows?"

  Xiao Chengyan shook her head and said with a smile, "I had intended to choose a husband from the list, previously only my elder brother knew about it, now I'll just add you to that! As for my parents, they actually still prefer your sixth brother!"

  The tradition of selecting a son-in-law through the imperial examination has been around for a long time. When the royal family first rose to power, it was originally intended to encourage scholars throughout the country to study and make progress, hence this practice. As the saying goes, "In books there are golden houses, in books there are beauties like jade." The first person to benefit from this system was none other than the youngest daughter of Emperor Taizu, Princess Chaohua. Legend has it that Princess Chaohua was not only stunningly beautiful but also incredibly talented, surpassing her peers. As a woman born into royalty with an exalted status, she naturally had high standards. During the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace, Emperor Taizu expressed his desire to marry her off to the grandson of the prime minister, but she firmly refused.

  She even put out the words, not asking for the other's family background or character, only seeking high talent and literary excellence. Taizu was extremely fond of his young daughter, although he was furious about this, in the end, he could only let it go. However, the prime minister who was rejected was very resentful about this matter. At the beginning of the founding of the country, the power of the meritorious officials was great, far from what it is now. Taizu had no choice but to issue an edict, betrothing the princess to the next year's spring examination top scholar.

  The next spring, when the golden list was announced, the top name on the list was Du Zhidao.

  Du Zhidao was a native of Huaiyang. At the time he passed the imperial examination, he was already over 30 years old. Due to his family's poverty and his unusual appearance, he had not yet married.

  In the Golden Hall, Emperor Taizu was almost enraged when he saw Du Zhidao's appearance. However, the imperial decree had already been issued and could not be withdrawn. Although he stormed out of the hall in anger, Princess Chaohua still had to marry Du Zhidao. People all over the world said that a fresh flower was inserted into cow dung, but unexpectedly, Princess Chaohua and Du Zhidao were very compatible, they got along harmoniously, respected each other like guests, and loved each other until old age.

  This is the initial legend of choosing a son-in-law under the list.

  With the first example, there are naturally many imitators. However, extreme cases like Du Zhi Dao and Princess Chao Hua have never been seen before. Every time it's spring, not only in Pingjing but also in wealthy families with daughters of marriageable age near Pingjing, many people flock to Pingjing. These people walk around the major tea houses and wine shops in the capital, quietly observing the scholars who come from all over to take the exam, trying to find those who may pass and make a marriage agreement with them first. The scholars who came to the capital also understood the intentions of these people very clearly. They intentionally or unintentionally went in and out of tea houses and wine shops, discussing poetry and essays, fully displaying their talents, hoping to get a good marriage, even if they didn't pass the exam, it wouldn't be a wasted trip to the capital.

  However, the truly powerful and arrogant scholars in the capital rarely act this way.

  The dignitaries were proud of their status, at most sending one or two family members to make some discreet inquiries outside, and as for the rest, everything had to wait until the dust settled before they could see things clearly. As for those self-proclaimed geniuses, they were naturally equally arrogant.

  At this moment, Yuandai heard that Xiaochengxian intended to choose a son-in-law under the list, but did not inform her parents of this intention. She knew that Xiaochengxian must have wanted to choose a son-in-law personally. After laughing lightly, she said: "Sister's meaning, does your elder brother understand?"