Chapter 58: A Marriage Proposal

The Wei family enjoyed a five-day holiday for the Spring Festival. After spending these days at home, Wei Zhaoxian and Wei Jianlang took Wei Jianming back to the military camp.

Whether by coincidence or collusion with Madam Wei, the day after Wei Zhaoxian’s departure, a matchmaker arrived at their door.

When Steward Ning first learned of the matchmaker’s visit, he assumed it was for Wei Jianming or Wei Ruyan. He doubted there was anyone in Chong’an City who could meet Madam Wei’s high standards.

Fortunately, Wei Zhaoxian, deeply concerned about Madam Wei’s actions, had instructed Steward Ning to closely monitor all the residence matters and report any irregularities immediately.

So, despite his initial assumption, Steward Ning sent someone to discreetly inquire about the matchmaker’s purpose. To his astonishment, the matchmaker had come to propose marriage for Shen Shilang!

The proposing family was merely that of a county magistrate, and the bride wasn’t even the magistrate’s daughter, but his niece from a merchant family.

Steward Ning found this both amusing and infuriating. Although Shen Shilang hadn’t yet taken the imperial examination, his top provincial rank meant he was almost certain to pass with flying colours, likely placing among the top three. His future was undoubtedly bright.

How dare a mere merchant family propose marriage! Even if the county magistrate had proposed his own daughter, it wouldn’t have been adequate.

Steward Ning suspected Madam Wei’s involvement. Given her resentment towards Shen Shilang, she’d probably prefer to marry him to a farmer’s daughter. But since that wouldn’t be acceptable to Wei Zhaoxian, she had settled for the county magistrate’s family. And since the magistrate had no daughter, he had put forward his niece instead.

Marrying a merchant’s daughter to the top provincial scholar – what an audacious scheme!

“Quickly, inform Young Master Shen!” Steward Ning instructed the servant who brought the news. “I’ll go to the main hall to intervene.”

Madam Wei had deliberately waited for Wei Zhaoxian to leave before making this move, and Steward Ning feared she might exchange betrothal cards today. Sending just a servant to Madam Wei wouldn’t be enough to stop her; he had to go himself.

“Yes, sir,” the servant hurried to Shen Shilang’s quarters.

Shen Shilang was immersed in his studies. Recently, he had taken to drawing portraits of Su Jinshi when he needed a break from studying. Su Jinshi had unexpectedly gained a personal artist of great skill.

“Young Master Shen!” the servant rushed in, panting. “Please hurry to the main hall! The Chongyang County Magistrate has sent a matchmaker to propose marriage, wanting to wed his niece to you. The matchmaker is now in the main hall, speaking animatedly with Madam Wei. You must go see this!”

Shen Shilang frowned, put down his brush, and headed out, asking, “When did the matchmaker arrive?”

“Just recently. Steward Ning initially thought they were here for the Second Young Master or Third Young Miss,” the servant explained hastily. “But to be safe, he had me inquire, and we discovered they were actually here for you, Young Master. Steward Ning, fearing Madam Wei might rush to settle the engagement while the General is away, has gone to the main hall to intervene. He instructed me to find you immediately.”

“Thank you,” Shen Shilang quickened his pace.

Su Jinshi, furious, exclaimed, “When will Madam Wei ever stop? Can’t she just leave things be for once?”

Su Jinshi had switched to a mode where only Shen Shilang could hear her, so the servant couldn’t hear her words.

“What’s the background of this county magistrate’s niece?” Su Jinshi asked. “I have a feeling Madam Wei isn’t kind enough to arrange a good match for you.”

Shen Shilang shared the same suspicion and asked the servant about it.

The servant replied, “The county magistrate has only one son and no daughters, so he proposed his niece. She’s from a merchant family, said to be quite wealthy.”

“Madam Wei’s actions are so petty,” Su Jinshi fumed. “She’s afraid to arrange someone too lowly and upset Wei Zhaoxian, but she can’t bear to arrange someone too good. So she chose someone connected to a county magistrate but actually from a merchant family.”

In the social hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, merchants were traditionally at the bottom.

Su Jinshi didn’t look down on merchants, of course. But Shen Shilang was a promising young man with a bright future. If he truly loved someone who happened to be from a merchant family, that would be fine. But Shen Shilang hadn’t even met this woman, and given his mission of revenge and the challenges he faced, how could he afford to stumble here?

“That’s why when Steward Ning heard this, he feared Madam Wei might act quickly and exchange betrothal cards today, so he rushed to intervene,” the servant said. “Steward Ning has also sent someone to inform the General.”

Shen Shilang nodded, his expression grave.

They quickly arrived at the main courtyard. As they approached the main hall, they heard Steward Ning’s voice, “Madam, you must not! The General would never agree to this!”

“Whether the General agrees or not is for me to discuss with him. It’s not your place to interfere,” Madam Wei retorted angrily.

She hadn’t expected Steward Ning to challenge her authority so openly in front of outsiders. Once this matchmaker left the Wei mansion, all of Chong’an City would know she couldn’t make decisions for the Wei family.

“I dare not make decisions on my own, which is why I’ve sent someone to inform the General,” Steward Ning said firmly, standing his ground.

Madam Wei was shocked and furious, not expecting Steward Ning to act so swiftly.

She stood up, pointing at the door, “Get out! Stop embarrassing yourself here!”

Steward Ning didn’t budge. Even if he remained silent, he had to stay and make sure Madam Wei didn’t settle the matter.

Shen Shilang pushed open the door. “Madam Wei.”

The matchmaker, pretending not to notice the tense atmosphere, smiled and praised, “As expected of Young Master Shen, truly a dragon among men.”

“You’ve come because you heard about the county magistrate sending a matchmaker,” Madam Wei maintained her composure, speaking righteously. “I’ve done right by you. The county magistrate’s niece is a suitable match for you.”

“Indeed!” the matchmaker quickly added. “I’ve seen the young lady myself. She’s beautiful and well-versed in poetry and literature. She’s been educated by tutors since childhood and would have much to discuss with Scholar Shen.”

“Young Master Shen, I’ll be frank. Although the young lady is from a merchant family, her uncle is the county magistrate!” the matchmaker continued enthusiastically. “Publicly, you’ll have her uncle’s support. Privately, you’ll have your in-laws’ financial backing. This is a rare opportunity that benefits you in two ways.”

Steward Ning inwardly scoffed. What support could a mere county magistrate provide?

If support was needed, wasn’t General Wei there?

How could a county magistrate compare?

If they really married Shen Shilang, it would be the county magistrate’s family marrying up!

Through this marriage to Shen Shilang, they would also connect with Wei Zhaoxian.

Given how much Wei Zhaoxian valued Shen Shilang, once Shen Shilang entered officialdom, how could Wei Zhaoxian not look after him?

Marrying into the county magistrate’s family – who knew who would be supporting whom!