Tianliangyuan

Chapter 236 Achieved

Master Chang did not believe this reason.

"Your mistress is of noble status. If she just gives the word, what kind of person wouldn't come running with a book in hand? Why would she need to seek help from a lowly clerk?"

All of this was exactly what his master had expected, and Xu Zhuzi was truly impressed.

"To be honest, Your Excellency, it's not a good thing that our Marquis's mansion is too prosperous. Moreover, with both the Marquis and the Second Young Master fighting on the frontier, the relatives left behind at home naturally have to keep a low profile. How could they dare to flaunt their wealth? Besides, after all, our mistress is just a woman, and it's not good for her to have too much contact with court officials. Otherwise, the person who came to see you today would not be a villain."

That's understandable.

There are differences between men and women.

"Of course, Your Excellency is cautious, and I dare not conceal anything. Our master has heard that your wife's family is very skilled in crafting gold and silver weapons, so he was thinking of asking if we could take on a few apprentices."

Seeing the strange look on Master Chang's face, Zhu Zi quickly said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Our master doesn't want to steal the skills. He just wants to find a way out for the children. He only needs to learn how to build. Then our master can arrange for them to go to Lantian County, which will also help them make a living."

Master Chang frowned: "If I'm not mistaken, the county princess has quite a few properties, why would she go to such lengths to seek something closer to home?"

Zhu Zi sighed, "To be honest, if it were an ordinary person, our county magistrate wouldn't be so troubled, and wouldn't have gone to such lengths to ask you for help. There's really no other way. They are all family members of the former Marquis's personal guards. If they hadn't brought it up, it would have been fine, but they asked to learn a trade. If our county magistrate doesn't refuse, wouldn't that put the lady in a difficult position and also discourage these people?"

Master Chang roughly understood that the Marquis's family felt they owed the man a life, so when the man brought it up, they couldn't refuse.

That's why they went to him for help.

Having served as an official for many years and living under a biased father, Master Chang was certainly not stupid.

It's likely that Xu Zhaozhao originally had this need, and then, seeing her own family in trouble, she brought it up in the hope of mutual benefit.

"If it's just about acquiring a skill, there's no need for the county magistrate to go to such lengths. Just give the order, and we'll take care of it."

Knowing that he had given in, Zhu Zi quickly added, "With your words, I've made my efforts worthwhile. Our Marquis's mansion has a new cousin who is quite good at studying. Although he is currently studying at the academy, he will be entering the Imperial Academy in a few days. Considering that the two sons will be entering the Imperial Academy around the same time, it is very likely that they will be assigned to the same place. I hope that Young Master Chang can take good care of him."

Master Chang cupped his hands in greeting: "Of course, of course!"

After returning to his residence, Master Chang immediately sent people to inquire.

He had no dealings with the Marquis's mansion. He was a civil official, while Xu Han was a military general. It was not appropriate for civil and military officials to get too close. Besides, with the Chang family's current abilities, they were not close enough to the Marquis's mansion.

“Master, I have found out that a cousin has indeed come to the Marquis’s residence. He is from the old lady’s family and his name is Chen Cong. I heard that he stayed at the Marquis’s residence when he was young. Also, a Miss Chen came with him.”

Master Chang didn't take it seriously, but Madam Zheng, the Third Madam, brightened up upon hearing this: "You mean there's another cousin?"

"That's right. That young lady is about thirteen or fourteen years old. I heard that she is very close to the Princess of Anle. Recently, when the Princess of Anle goes out, she often takes her with her."

Madam Chang recalled what her husband had said earlier and began to have some guesses.

"You mean the Princess of Anle has taken a fancy to our Yuande?"

The Third Madam glared at him: "What nonsense are you talking about? Did the County Princess take a liking to her? I think it was the County Princess of Anle who deliberately arranged it. And why did that Steward Xu deliberately mention me in front of you? Here's what I'll do: I'll bring gifts to your door tomorrow to express my gratitude and also let you know what Madam Xu is thinking."

Master Chang hesitated, "You can see Madam Xu?"

“Why not? Although our two families have never had any dealings, I am still a baroness. This is a good opportunity to test her. If she refuses to see us, then we should give up hope.”

"It would be too impolite to visit tomorrow; let's send a formal invitation first."

"it is good."

The next day, Madam Chang sent someone to deliver an invitation to Wang Ruolan, and Wang Ruolan then sent someone back to say that she would entertain her again in three days.

Madam Zheng was delighted: "I thought the Marquis's family must have had this idea. Our Yuande is quite good at studying, but he was delayed in taking the imperial examinations because of his father's funeral. Now that he has the opportunity to study directly at the Imperial Academy, why go to the trouble of seeking something far away?"

Master Chang nodded: "Alright, I'll agree to this for now."

The Chang family had already split up, and the second master of the Chang family was eventually released by his elder brother with money. However, the county government did not completely relax its grip on the matter. They said that he could be released, but he could not leave Chang'an County until the county government gave its approval.

If he were to leave the capital, without a travel permit, Master Chang would be unable to go anywhere unless he truly intended to flee.

Kong refused to move out, but Grandpa Chang received a letter. After reading what it said, he rushed into the Chang residence without saying a word and grabbed Kong, pleading with her.

"Mother, come with your son. If you really stay here, I'm afraid my second brother will go to jail, and I'll be dragged down with him!"

Kong was puzzled; she was still thinking of making things difficult for Chang San.

She's been a powerful figure in the Chang family for decades, how could she possibly give up so easily?

Even if she can no longer have the power to manage the household, it will still make Chang San feel bad for a few days.

"Mother, I'm begging you, please let's go."

It wasn't quiet here, and Grandpa Chang didn't dare to talk to her too much. In the end, he forcibly took Kong away.

After Kong left, Zheng felt that the air in the entire mansion had changed.

No sooner had Kong left than Zheng arranged for people to remove everything from the place, either giving it directly to the servants, throwing it outside, or sending it to the pawnshop to be cashed out.

Anyway, the courtyard is now empty. Madam Zheng is thinking of letting it air out for at least half a year before renovating it next year. She's really afraid that moving in too early will bring bad luck.

Master Chang was also astonished by the abilities of the Princess of Anle.

It was done so easily?

Then came the matter of entering the Imperial Academy for further studies.

Besides wealthy young men, a small number of students from impoverished families were able to study at the Imperial Academy, relying on their talent and letters of recommendation.

Studying at the Imperial Academy was free, so many students from poor families were desperate to get in.

For the children of officials, this place is merely a place for them to gild their resumes.

Most of these people did not need to take the imperial examinations. As long as they passed the examinations at the Imperial Academy, they would be recommended to the court by their teachers or other officials.

Compared to this, it does seem like a shortcut.