Chapter 334 Brothers

Chapter 334: Brothers

The Kingdom of Yu had this one troublesome aspect—marriage ties mattered too much. Even though Meng Wan didn't like the Chang family, he still feared that Yu Geer might end up with a scoundrel who would bring trouble upon them all.

He'd originally thought scaring the boy a little would send him packing home. But since the kid was dead set on staying in the capital, he might as well let him have his way.

"So which two families?" Meng Wan sat down next to Chang Jinhua, shoving Chang's maternal aunt to the other end.

Just as the aunt was about to speak, Chang Jinhua beat her to it. "One's supposedly the younger brother of the Northern City Military Command Commander, and the other is the son of the Wanjing County Magistrate."

Even though Chang Jinhua only caught bits and pieces of Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou's talks about court matters, the fact that she could rattle off both families' official ranks so clearly showed she'd really taken this to heart.

Chang Jinhua had always been Meng Wan's soft spot. He sighed, "Both families are sixth-rank officials, which is good enough. Alright, I'll have someone look into them."

But the aunt, who'd been over the moon just moments ago, yelped in shock at Meng Wan's words, "What? Only sixth-rank officials?"

Before Meng Wan could react, Chang Jinhua was already laying into her. "When Wan Geer and Da Lang got married, Da Lang was just a student candidate. Now you're so high and mighty that even a sixth-rank official's family isn't good enough for you? If that's how it is, then I'm done with this. I'd rather not have Yu Geer end up in a bad marriage and then blame me, his aunt, for it."

Yu Geer, who'd been listening outside the door, hurried in. "Aunt, don't be mad. That's just how my mom is—please don't hold it against her. A sixth-rank official's family is already plenty good. I've heard people say capital officials are way more useful than regular local ones!"

Meng Wan smiled. "Useful? That's a funny way to put it."

Yu Geer had already had enough of the snide remarks from those noble young masters and ladies these past few days. He'd started to get what his mother meant—earls and marquises wouldn't even give him a second glance. And even capable capital officials wouldn't set their sights on someone like him.

A sixth-rank official's younger brother and son were already plenty good.

Having promised Chang Jinhua, Meng Wan had people dig deep, even sending Chi Yu to scale walls at night to eavesdrop.

"I'll only tell you what I managed to find out." Meng Wan coughed lightly, picked up his teacup to wet his throat, and turned to Yu Geer, who was sitting across from him.

Yu Geer nodded obediently, his cheeks flushing a little, his eyes full of plain anticipation.

"The younger brother of the Northern City Military Command Commander is named Ma Xu, nineteen years old this year. He works as a clerk under his older brother in the Northern City Military Command." Kind of like a logistics supervisor—a key position. And since he worked in the same yamen as his brother, as long as his brother moved up, he could move up too. So there was some potential there.

Yu Geer looked confused, clearly not getting it.

Chang Jinhua asked from the side, "Is the Ma family's background and household respectable?"

Meng Wan thought about what Chi Yu had managed to overhear. "Ma Xu married a wife back in his hometown last year, but she passed away less than a year after the wedding."

Yu Geer shot up from his seat. "Then... then that's a no-go."

Chang Jinhua also frowned. "The matchmaker who came the other day didn't mention the Ma family's Second Master had been married before. Isn't that a scam?"

"It's probably not deliberate deceit—they wouldn't dare. It's just that if the matchmaker wanted to close this deal, she couldn't exactly lead with the fact that Ma Xu had been married. She probably wanted to test the waters first to see if Yu Geer was interested." Meng Wan could guess what the Ma family was thinking—they knew their own situation wasn't great, so they'd test the waters first. If Yu Geer seemed genuinely interested, they'd come clean.

"What about the Wanjing County Magistrate's son?" Chang Jinhua asked again.

Meng Wan smiled. "When the Magistrate's son was sixteen, he took a chambermaid as a concubine. Now he's twenty, and the concubine's already given him a son and a daughter."

Technically, both Wanjing and Daxing Counties fell under Shuntian Prefecture, so Song Tingzhou could pull some strings. Plus, both counties were inside the capital itself, which made them special—way more powerful and prestigious than your average county magistrates.

Unfortunately... he was a hopeless romantic.

Yu Geer was totally floored. "A concubine? A son and a daughter?"

He knew what concubines were—the landlord back in town had a few. But regular folks could barely afford one wife, let alone concubines. Everyone just assumed it was one husband, one wife.

And now there were two children in the picture?

Yu Geer suddenly snapped out of the excitement of getting a marriage proposal. Unlike dealing with strangers' mockery, marriage was something you lived with for a lifetime.

Chang Jinhua had deliberately sent her big-mouthed sister-in-law out to watch a play. Now she said to her nephew, "Your mother has no filter and no sense. I don't want to discuss this with her. Your cousin-in-law has laid out both families' situations. Sigh, you'll have to make the decision yourself."

Yu Geer's mind was already a muddled mess. He just felt that things were far different from what he had imagined. Why were the families proposing to him all like this?

Meng Wan took another sip of hot tea, a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead. If Yu Geer had come after the New Year, there would likely have been several good families proposing. But he had arrived right when Song Tingzhou was reprimanded by His Majesty and confined to his residence.

The winds of court politics shifted quickly. No one dared to make rash moves, let alone discuss marriage arrangements.

—

Today a fine drizzle fell outside, like ox hair. In such weather, Chang's maternal aunt would normally have preferred to stay home snacking. During her time at the Song residence, her mouth had hardly stopped, and she had managed to eat herself two sizes bigger.

But Chang Jinhua had given her silver to go watch a play. She had other matters on her mind anyway and needed to go out, so she made a show of reluctance while secretly pleased, heading out the door with feigned unwillingness.

Now, having set aside her real business, she sat in the entertainment hall watching the play with smug satisfaction. When the performance reached a high point, she felt like tossing a few copper coins onto the stage—but the silver Chang Jinhua had given her was hers to keep, while the copper coins in her hand were her own. She couldn't bear to part with them for the performers.

After the play ended, she dismissed Wei Ying, who had been guiding her, and secretly spent two copper coins to hire a carriage to take her to the Shuntian Prefecture gate. Little did she know, another carriage was following right behind her.

Chang's maternal aunt did have a bit of "cunning." She had thought it over these past few days—if Song Tingzhou wouldn't handle it, someone else in his yamen could do just as well. At the very least, they outranked the county magistrate of Guyang County.

She was Da Lang's own maternal aunt. Since Da Lang happened to be away from the Shuntian Prefecture these days, she could go directly herself, get an answer, and head straight back home. She'd leave Yu Geer with his aunt to prepare for marriage, which would also save her the cost of a dowry.

The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Chang's maternal aunt plucked up her courage and walked toward the yamen.

"Isn't this Brother Song's maternal aunt?" A voice called out from afar.

Chang's maternal aunt nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden sound. She turned to see a man descending from a carriage by the roadside under an umbrella—a young man with a prosperous look, sporting a small mustache, and looking vaguely familiar.

"You are...?"

Zhu Zening smiled elegantly, carrying himself with the air of a wealthy young master. "Aunt doesn't remember me? Didn't I visit the Song residence several times to see Jingxing not long ago?"

Chang's maternal aunt suddenly had a revelation. "It's you! You and that other one surnamed Wu are Da Lang's good friends. You've come to the house for meals a few times."

Zhu Zening spoke gently, "Aunt is right. It's raining right now, and I happen to be on my way to the Song residence to see Jingxing. Why don't I give you a ride back?"

Chang's maternal aunt smiled awkwardly. "That... you go on ahead. I'm not going back just yet."

"Oh?" Zhu Zening looked at her with surprise. "Does Aunt have other business to attend to?"

"Yes, a bit of other business." As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously drifted to the side.

Zhu Zening gazed thoughtfully at the gates of the Shuntian Prefecture before them. "Is Aunt going to the yamen on business? Why not just speak directly with Jingxing?"

Chang's maternal aunt couldn't help but complain, "What use would speaking with him be?"

A shadow flickered in Zhu Zening's eyes. "Aunt, what do you mean by that? Jingxing is your own nephew—he would never refuse your family's matters. It's just that he holds a high position and there are many times when it's inconvenient for him to act personally. If you have any difficulties, why not tell me..."

—

Meng Wan hadn't stayed long at Chang Jinhua's place before Song Tingzhou dragged him back for a supplemental meal.

"What is this? Why does it smell so strange?" Meng Wan pinched his nose and kept his distance from the black, viscous medicinal concoction on the table.

Song Tingzhou seemed to have no sense of smell at all. He picked up the bowl and scooped up the thick liquid with a spoon. "Huang Ye made you some loquat paste. Come drink it."

Meng Wan's head throbbed. "Where did he learn to make such dark cuisine?"

"Huh?" Song Tingzhou raised an eyebrow at him.

Meng Wan yielded to his overbearing authority, trudging over with a grimace as Song Tingzhou pulled him onto his lap. "Ah..."

The taste was beyond words. After finishing that bowl, Meng Wan felt completely wrecked and only felt human again after brushing his teeth.

Song Tingzhou pulled out a pack of dried mango from who-knows-where and gave it to Meng Wan, but only allowed him one piece. Meng Wan savored every bite, then snuggled into Song Tingzhou's arms, whining softly until Song Tingzhou caved and gave him another piece.

Seeing the two all lovey-dovey, Huang Ye closed the door.

"Wan'er." Song Tingzhou gazed down at the man in his arms.

Meng Wan looked up to meet his eyes. "Hmm?"

Song Tingzhou stroked the jade hairpin at the back of his head. "Are you afraid?"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Meng Wan's lips. "Remember what I told you on the boat when we first headed to the capital?"

Song Tingzhou pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his lips. "I remember. Every single word you've ever said."

Meng Wan placed his hand on Song Tingzhou's shoulder, rubbing his nose against Song Tingzhou's. "Song Tingzhou, don't you worry. Whether you're a lowly student from Sanquan Village or a county magistrate in some backwater, wherever you go, I'll follow."

The man he loved was no ordinary man, harboring his own ideals and ambitions. Song Tingzhou had never held Meng Wan back in the slightest, so how could Meng Wan ever stand in his way?

Song Tingzhou's eyes held a smile. "Alright."

The door they'd just closed was knocked on again. Huang Ye's voice came softly from outside. "My lord, Lord Zhu has come to see you."

The two, who'd been in the middle of a tender moment, both sighed. Honestly...

In the Song family study, Zhu Zening teased Song Tingzhou. "You really can just sit at home, huh?"

"The imperial decree leaves me no choice. Sit or not, I've got to." The study door was wide open, and Song Tingzhou stood by the desk, staring off at the seal in his hand.

Zhu Zening's eyes flickered, and he raised his teacup to drink it all in one go. "You brought your seal and official papers home to do work?"

Song Tingzhou casually stamped a document with it, then put it away on the bookshelf. "Mm, I keep it in the study so it's easy to grab."

There was nothing incriminating in his study, and servants were always moving about the courtyard, so no random people would dare come in and disturb. In the past, the three of them never guarded against each other when visiting. At most, they just wouldn't bring out anything they didn't want seen.

"You're off today?" Song Tingzhou asked.

Zhu Zening dragged a chair over and sat across from him. "Yeah, I tied one on a couple days ago, so I'm home sobering up."

Song Tingzhou's hand gripping the seal had been trembling slightly since the moment he picked it up, and it still hadn't stopped even as he held it at his side. "Zening, even though seven years have passed and we've only crossed paths twice, you and Zhao Yuan are the best brothers I'll ever have in this life."

Zhu Zening's nose prickled, and he quickly ducked his head to hide the grief in his eyes. He hadn't wanted this. He'd fought it.

But he simply couldn't help it. Zhu Zening had never suffered like that in his life, and he couldn't take it.

Once he'd schooled his expression, Zhu Zening looked up with a smile. "Why bring that up all of a sudden? That's not like you."

Song Tingzhou stared at him steadily for a while, until Zhu Zening was about to lower his head again, before speaking. "Nothing. Wan'er said to have you bring some things to Lan Niang. I'll go to the main courtyard to fetch them for you. Wait for me a moment."

After he left, Zhu Zening clenched his fist and struck his own leg hard.

The pain shot through him, and Zhu Zening sucked in a sharp breath. He closed his eyes and pulled a letter from his bosom, his fingertips turning pale from the force of his grip. In the end, he picked up Song Tingzhou's seal as Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture and pressed it firmly onto the paper.

"Zening." When Song Tingzhou returned, Zhu Zening had already resumed his seat and was drinking tea cup after cup.

"What's this?" Zhu Zening watched him come back carrying a bowl in one hand and a basket of vegetables in the other.

Song Tingzhou's eyes casually swept over the seal on his desk, his lips pressing into a flat line. "The vegetables in the estate have come in quite a bit. Wan'er said to give Lan Niang some leafy greens."

The closer he got, the more Zhu Zening smelled something strange. "I'm asking about what's in your hand."

Song Tingzhou set the vegetable basket on the ground and pushed the bowl forward. "It's for you. Seeing how much tea you've drunk today, your throat must be dry. Drink this to moisten it. It's Wan'er's kind gesture, so you can't refuse."

Zhu Zening found it hard to believe. "You want me to drink this..." Why?

He didn't finish the sentence, because he saw the state Song Tingzhou was in—idle at home, not knowing when the emperor would finally relent, yet still thinking of him. Overcome with guilt, he downed the dark, murky concoction in one gulp like bitter wine.

Carrying the basket of leafy greens himself, Zhu Zening didn't bother with an umbrella. He braved the fine drizzle and limped out the door.

Song Tingzhou watched him leave from behind, pretending to believe his excuse that his leg had fallen asleep from sitting.

Having accomplished an important task, Auntie Chang was in high spirits. But upon returning and hearing that her son's marriage arrangements weren't going smoothly, she couldn't help but make a few snide remarks.

Chang Jinhua scolded her a couple of times, saying that if she kept making trouble, she could take Yu Geer and go back to their hometown, and they would no longer be involved.

Unexpectedly, Auntie Chang, in a fit of anger, actually packed her bags and slipped away in the middle of the night.

The clothes Meng Wan had commissioned for her, the large gold bangles Chang Jinhua had given her—she took not a single one less. She had arrived with one bundle and left carrying three or four.

Early in the morning, when Chang Jinhua got up and discovered she had truly left, she was both angry and anxious. "You'd never have guessed she was so stubborn! I said a couple of words and she takes offense. Running off on her own like that—she'll get snatched up by kidnappers."

Yu Geer was also worried, secretly annoyed at his mother for being so unreliable and abandoning him.

"No, I have to go find her." Chang Jinhua was about to take people out to search.

Yunque, from inside the house, chased after her, saying, "Old Madam, please don't worry. The young master said there's no need to look. There will be news in a couple of days."