Chapter 3.1: Greetings, Ninth Uncle Chapter 3.1 \nIn the main hall, a servant girl brought in the tea with her head bowed down. Qingfu Junzhu face was sullen, and after endured for a long time she finally said, âMadam Xue, the childrenâs marriage wasnât trivial matter, can you consider again?â\n
Huo Xue-shi smiled and said: âSince I came here to meet Junzhu, naturally I wonât speak without any rhyme or reason. Eldest miss is indeed a good girl, Junzhu and Marchioness has raised her well, I also like her. But at the end, marriage needs both partyâs consent. And this feeling, of course canât be forced.â
Anger rose in Qingfu Junzhu heart. Mariage needs both partyâs consent? When did Yicuan marquis manor ever begs Huo Changyuan to marry Cheng Yujin?
Qingfu Junzhu busily scolded Huo Xue-shi in her mind. Her anger wasnât because her nominal daughter got her engagement cancelled, but because previously, they have raised a great fanfare about this engagement. Now if everything was cancelled, wouldnât she lose her face?
Although Qingfu Junzhu was angry, but she has to admit that Huo Changyuan was indeed a perfect son-in-law. Looking all around capital, the young masters around Huo Changyuanâs age, were mostly had just moved out from inner courtyard, waiting for their elders to secure an official position for them. A youth like Huo Changyuan, who already had noble title and meritious deeds, was few and between.
After Huo Changyuanâs father, the old Jingyong Marquis, was killed in battle at the ninth year of Jianwu, Huo family got into a trouble. At that time, following the Senior Grand Secretary Yang intention, the court refused to titled his heir Huo Changyuan as the new Jingyong Marquis under the reason of his minor age. Because of that, Jingyong marquis manor became an empty shell. A marquis family without a marquis, anyone could casually trample on.\n
Huo Xue-shi, who was widowed at young age, was bullied in this way. She refused to bow down. Gritting her teeth, she raised her seven years old son alone. Fortunately, Huo Changyuan had ambition. When he was 16 years old, he saw that the imperial clan court still still had no intention to return the title to Huo family. Huo Changyuan knew that he could only rely on himself, so he ignored Huo Xue-shiâs heartbreaking plea and went off to battlefield.
In the same year, the long lasting case of Xue clan finally got political turnover. Huo family smelled the changing wind and tentatively sent a folded letter to the court. Although there was no further news, since the letter wasnât sent back, it was a good sign. Huo Xue-shi was overjoyed, knowing that her sonâs succession matter was finally started to see some light after all these years.
Huo Changyuan himself was also a ruthless man. In his second year in the army, he made his first contribution on the battlefield and finally gained public recognition. The emperor was joyful and personally speak with Huo Changyuan at the celebration feast. Seeing his tender age, the emperor was curious and asked why did he join the army. Huo Changyuan told him about his widowed mother and their familyâs case. The emperor never knew this matter. After listening to it, he remained silent for a long time before finally sighed, âHeavenâs pity all parents. Zhenâs (1) crown prince, was also lost for twelve years. If he is still alive, he should be a bit younger than you.â
The emperor asked Huo Changyuanâs age, and became even more sad: âYou are only 18 years old, so he is one year younger than you. You have a motherâs care and still like this. But crown prince, he was wandering alone outside, without any support nor any care, donât know how much bitterness and hardship he met.â
The emperor choked with emotion and left the feast early. After the emperor left, the banquet hall was so quiet that even a slightest breath became audible. After a while, Senior Grand Secretary Yang raised his cup and skillfully restore the previous atmosphere.\nNo one dared to make any comment, but the emperor has made his words. The next day, official from Minister of Rites came to inquire about Huo Changyuan succession problem. One sentence from high above, completely changed the attitude of people below. Soon, the Ministry of Rites and imperial clan court office made a statement, claiming the low officials dereliction of duty. In the tenth month, Huo Changyuan received an iron scroll written in cinnabar ink, conferring him as the new Marquis Jingyong.
An eighteen years old Marquis, who was personally recognized by the emperor, and also had outstanding military achievements. Huo Changyuan instantly became famous in the capital, and similarly, Jingyong marquis manor became a hot newcomer in noble circle.
Qingfu Junzhu was even more prejudiced. At this moment, when she recalled the nephews from her natal clan, also the grandsons from her paternal grand-aunts families, she still had to admit that they were completely incomparable. Huo Changyuan had made his stance, and Huo Xue-shi was very doting on her only son, no wonder they dare to be so brash.
Therefore, this time Huo Xue-shi came fully intented to cancel the engagement. Although this action would also damage Huo Changyuanâs reputation, who told him to be so capable? Even without Cheng Yujin, dozens other young misses would still rush to marry him.
Cheng Yujin and Huo Changyuanâs marriage, from the beginning, more benefitted Cheng Yujin. So this matter was very thorny. Qingfu Junzhu obviously didnât want the engagement to be cancelled. But Huo Xue-shi has personally came to rescind the marriage, and she heard that even Huo Changyuan also came together. If they kept clinging to this marriage, wouldnât they lose too much face? For a while, Qingfu Junzhu didnât know what to do. She inwardly complained. She had sent a servant to notify old Madam Cheng, why did she has not arrived?\n\n(1) Zhen : How emperor called oneself in front of his subjects. May translated as âthis emperorâ.