A few days ago, Sheng Hong received an invitation from Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Manor, inviting him to a banquet at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
After Sheng Hong received the invitation, he was puzzled. He was originally only a general judge in Yangzhou. After entering the capital, he was only a fifth rank official. The name of the four kings and eight dukes was so resounding. How could a small official like him receive an invitation from Jia Zhen, who inherited the title of Ningguo Mansion?
Thinking about it, Sheng Hong couldn't understand, but it was impossible not to attend the banquet. Sheng Hong made up his mind that as long as he was polite and careful with his words, he wouldn't anger Jia Zhen. He didn't expect to have a relationship with the Ningguo Manor from now on, but at least he wouldn't create a gap.
After thinking it through, Sheng Hong's mood was much calmer, and he arrived at Hundred Flowers Pavilion early today.
After about an hour, Jia Zhen walked into the private room.
When she saw that Sheng Hong was already waiting in the private room, Jia Zhen immediately said,""Honored Sir Sheng, I'm truly sorry. I've been occupied with worldly matters and have delayed some time. Honored Sir Sheng must be anxious from waiting.”
Sheng Hong hurriedly bowed to Jia Zhen and said,""What are you saying, sir? This lowly official has just arrived.”
Jia Zhen smiled." Lord Sheng, you don't have to be so polite. Please take a seat. Waiter, serve the dishes."”
"Alright, Master."
After the waiter left, the atmosphere in the private room was somewhat stagnant. Sheng Hong firmly believed that the more he said, the more mistakes he would make. In addition, it was his first time meeting Jia Zhen, so he naturally did not dare to speak carelessly.
Seeing this, Jia Zhen could only say a few words,"Sir Sheng, I wonder how you feel about coming to the capital from the land of fish and rice in Jiangnan?”
Sheng Hong spoke appropriately." The capital is the center of our Great Zhou. The dragon energy under the Son of Heaven's feet is there. Its aura is majestic and vast. How can Yangzhou compare to it?"”
After Jia Zhen had nothing to say and chatted for a while, Sheng Hong also saw through Jia Zhen's background. Although Jia Zhen was of noble birth, she was just a good-for-nothing. As long as he answered appropriately, not only would he easily pass the test, but it would also not be a problem for him to have a good impression of her.
Jia Zhen saw that there was nothing else she could say, so she finally revealed her true motive.
"Sir Sheng, I heard that you have a few daughters waiting to be married off, right?" Jia Zhen asked.”
Sheng Hong was shocked. He had come. This was the real purpose of Jia Zhen's meeting with him. However, Jia Zhen was almost forty years old, and his daughters were in the prime of their lives. If he agreed, he would probably be scolded by the officials for selling his daughter for glory.
Although he was thinking quickly about how to reject Jia Zhen, Sheng Hong still said calmly,""That's right, this official does have a few daughters waiting to be married, but my daughter's looks are very ordinary. In addition, this official is busy with official business, so it's inevitable that I've neglected to discipline my children.”
Jia Zhen said," What are you talking about, Master Sheng? Your Sheng family is a family of tassel. Your father, Old Master Sheng, is a man who was hand-picked by the Retired Emperor. Old Lady Sheng is the daughter of Marquis Yongyi's wife and has a good relationship with our Ningguo Manor's ancestors. Master Sheng and your son are also two imperial scholars. A girl from such a family must be a well-educated and well-mannered young lady."”
Sheng Hong immediately groaned in his heart. Indeed, there was no good banquet. He was also confused. Why did he come to the banquet? It was difficult to get off now.
Sheng Hong thought for a moment and then said,"Sir, forgive me for asking one more question. Are you going to be a matchmaker for some young master?"”
Jia Zhen smiled after hearing this." Lord Sheng is indeed a prophet. Yes, I do intend to be a matchmaker, but not for anyone else. It's for my brother."”
"This, sir, my daughter is both beautiful and virtuous. How could she dare to climb up to the Ningguo Manor? Wait, sir, are you talking about your brother?”
Sheng Hong heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this. F * ck, so it wasn't you, this old man, who was thick-skinned enough to marry his daughter. You scared me so much that I broke out in a cold sweat.
Jia Zhen nodded." That's right. He's my second brother from the same mother. He's also my father's Di son, Jia Yuan."”
Seeing this, Sheng Hong asked,"This, my lord, may I ask how old your brother is?"”
Jia Zhen knew that Sheng Hong was worried that Jia Yuan was too old because he was almost forty years old, so he immediately said,"My second brother is 16 years old this year. He is the son of my father when he was old. The difference between us brothers is a little far. After my father passed away, we brothers separated from each other. However, my eldest brother is like a father. My father and mother have passed away.”
Naturally, Sheng Hong was moved after hearing that. Sixteen years old was the age of his daughters. If they could be in-laws with the Ningguo Manor, it would be a good thing for the Sheng family.
However, based on the family status of the two families, even if his Di daughter married Jia Yuan as his wife, it would be a social climb.
After thinking for a while, Sheng Hong said," Since you are so honest, I will be frank. If my daughter marries your brother as his wife, she will naturally be climbing up the social ladder. However, the daughter of my Sheng family will not be married off as a concubine. Therefore, I can only refuse your kindness."”
Jia Zhen immediately said," Lord Sheng, you are worrying too much. I truly admire the Sheng family for their cultivation and education. Since it is a marriage proposal, I will naturally marry my second brother as his wife. Why would I become a concubine?"”
Sheng Hong was delighted to hear that. What did he mean by a pie falling from the sky? This was a pie falling from the sky. The dignified Duke of Ningguo had to propose marriage to the Sheng family. It could be seen how deeply rooted the upbringing of the Sheng family was.
Sheng Hong smiled and said," Since you don't mind our Sheng family and are willing to marry into our family, I naturally have no reason to refuse. My eldest daughter, Hua Lan, is already married, and the remaining daughter is my second daughter, Rulan. If you don't mind, let your brother and my daughter, Naji, calculate whether the eight characters of age are conflicting or not. After confirming that there is no contradiction or restriction, we can talk about the rest. What do you think, sir?"”
Of course, Jia Zhen did not agree. Jia Yuan, that bastard, had cheated him of twenty thousand taels of silver. He would be crazy to pick a wife that he liked for him. Jia Zhen did this to disgust Jia Yuan.
Jia Zhen waved his hand and said,"No, no, Sir Sheng, I just want to marry a concubine's daughter for my second brother."”
Sheng Hong's expression changed when he heard that. The way he looked at Jia Zhen changed. Sheng Hong said in an unfriendly tone,"Sir, although this lowly official is just a lowly official, I know the rules of etiquette. Why do you have to take down your official position to make yourself happy? Your brother is the legitimate son of the Ningguo Manor, and his identity is so noble. How can he marry this lowly official's concubine daughter?”
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