I Disagree

Zheng Shanci was copying books with a brush. The bookshop allowed for some mistakes, but not too many, or it would affect his pay. Copying books was a meticulous job. 

The bookshop owner also set deadlines for each book, and any delay in delivery would result in a deduction of pay. The books he usually copied were Confucian classics and historical texts. 

Zheng Shanci was fully focused while copying, as any mistakes would cost him money.

After two hours of copying, time flew by. There was a hurried knock on the door. Zheng Shanci got up and cautiously called out, “Who’s outside?”

“It’s me, Chen Wu,” came the reply.

Recognizing the voice, Zheng Shanci dared to open the latch and let him in.

Chen Wu was also a scholar from a humble background. They were both without official positions, lingering in the Capital City, which made them familiar with each other. Chen Wu’s father was a scholar living in a small county town, a gentry landlord.

“Zheng brother, what happened last night in just a short time? The whole Capital City is abuzz, saying you’ve climbed up the social ladder and are going to become the son-in-law of the Changyang Marquis Mansion.” Chen Wu brought a pot of wine and a few small dishes.

One shouldn’t visit someone’s home empty-handed, especially not now when the situation was different from before. If Zheng Shanci were to marry the legitimate Ge’er of the Changyang Marquis Mansion, his status would immediately change.

Zheng Shanci knew about the incident last night and expected rumors to spread sooner or later. He didn’t expect the entire Capital City to know about it overnight. It was an embarrassing matter, and the Changyang Marquis Mansion would rather keep it tightly under wraps, but naturally, someone was fanning the flames.

“There’s nothing to say. I guess the rumors are already out there, and you, Chen brother, still ask me.”

Chen Wu chuckled awkwardly, sat down, and filled the cups with the small dishes and wine: “I was just anxious and lost my composure. People outside are saying they saw you and Young Master Yu lying together, and the scene was quite embarrassing.”

Zheng Shanci’s face showed anger: “Nonsense! This baseless talk is ruining Young Master Yu’s reputation. We must catch the person spreading these rumors and take them to the Capital Prefecture for a proper interrogation.”

Chen Wu saw Zheng Shanci’s righteous demeanor, his eyes filled with doubt, but he still smiled: “Don’t be angry, Zheng brother. These petty people will get their comeuppance sooner or later. What did Pei Daren want with you last night?”

“Pei Daren just told me to focus on my studies and not to think about those crooked paths, which made me feel quite ashamed.” Zheng Shanci looked guilty: “Pei Daren is noble and virtuous, and I need to reflect on myself.”

Chen Wu spent half a day trying to pry information from Zheng Shanci but left disappointed. Whenever the topic shifted to Yu Lanyi, Zheng Shanci would dodge the question.

In the past, when he was with Zheng Shanci, Zheng Shanci was somewhat proud, with a bit of inferiority due to his family background, and his emotions were easily readable on his face. Now, he couldn’t see any emotion on Zheng Shanci’s face, which made him suspicious.

As soon as Chen Wu left, he turned into a small alley where a few scholars were waiting, pulling him in eagerly: “So, is Zheng Shanci really going to become the son-in-law of the Yu family?”

“Zheng brother didn’t say, but it’s almost certain.”

“This is a huge opportunity! Zheng brother’s life is set!”

The group of scholars from humble backgrounds almost clapped their thighs in excitement.

The incident between Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi last night, with the help of some interested parties, had escalated. By noon, the Capital Prefecture had caught someone spreading rumors, which calmed things down. Publicly, the rumors stopped, but privately, they were still spreading like wildfire.

A few Ge’er gathered together, and all it took was one to start: “Did you hear? Yu Lanyi had a secret meeting with someone and got caught in public, losing a lot of face.”

Such matters of private affairs, especially involving a Marquis Mansion’s Ge’er, were exactly what these people loved to gossip about.

Thinking of Yu Lanyi’s temperament, Zheng Shanci couldn’t help but shake his head. Yu Lanyi was probably under house arrest at home now, or kneeling in the ancestral hall, and he would be quite defiant about it. If anyone said a word against him, he would retort tenfold, relentless and unyielding.

Very spirited.

Once the ink on the paper dried, Zheng Shanci took the copied book and headed out.

…

Yu Changxing was on duty in the Imperial Palace. Upon hearing about the incident at home, he submitted a note to return home the next day.

“Where’s Lanyi?”

Seeing his eldest son, the Changyang Marquis’s expression softened a bit: “That unfilial son is still kneeling in the ancestral hall.”

“Now is not the time to punish Lanyi. The rumors in the Capital City are rampant. We need to catch a few people to make an example. Matters of the Marquis Mansion are not for just anyone to gossip about.” Yu Changxing, with his handsome features, calmly said, “Is there someone behind this scheming?”

Yu Fulang said, “If there’s scheming, it could only be the maid who ran away from the Pei Mansion. Assistant Minister Pei came to apologize, saying it was due to poor management. Assistant Minister Pei has no prior dealings with our family, so Lanyi might have been schemed against by someone else.”

“And the scholar from a humble background?”

Yu Fulang shook his head: “I’ve looked into it. That scholar was just drunk and went to rest, only to be led into the room by a maid. The matter behind this still needs to be asked of Lanyi.”

Yu Lanyi was released from the ancestral hall and saw his elder brother had returned, even during his duty. His brother had come back specifically for his matter.

He felt a bit guilty.

Yu Fulang asked, “Lanyi, explain why you and Zheng Shanci were locked together, and you didn’t shout or call for help. Also, the person who brought others to catch you was Lü Jin. Lü Jin is your friend. He wouldn’t have expected to catch you with someone else, right? You grew up together. Lü Jin isn’t that kind of person.”

Hearing this, Yu Lanyi, knowing that if he didn’t explain, it would affect relations with the Lü family and make Lü Jin take the blame for him, hurriedly said, “I asked him to do it. I bribed the maid to lead Heir Ye to the room, and then I would go in and be with Heir Ye. Lü Jin did me a favor by coming to catch us. I didn’t expect the maid to change her mind and switch Heir Ye with someone unfamiliar. Someone must be behind this!”

Yu Lanyi got angrier as he spoke.

“You unfilial son! A disgrace to the family! You completely disregard your reputation and our Yu family’s century-old honor, doing such a thing. All your studies have gone to waste. Bring the family law!” The Changyang Marquis almost spat blood.

Yu Fulang didn’t know Yu Lanyi had such audacity. He was also furious.

“You really are going to drive me to my grave. You like Heir Ye, and I was going to discuss it with the Princess Consort, but you had to resort to such tricks. Now you’ve fallen into a trap. If you don’t marry Zheng Shanci, you’ll have to go to a nunnery and live a life of poverty, which you can’t handle. You’ve ruined a good hand of cards!”

Yu Lanyi almost jumped up: “I don’t want to go to a nunnery, and I don’t want to marry.”

Yu Changxing pondered, “This matter can’t be delayed. The rumors outside are harsh. Lanyi acted without thinking. Father, have you looked into the background of the person locked with Lanyi?”

“I sent someone to investigate last night. He’s from a genuine farming family, with two brothers. The eldest is already married, and the younger is a Ge’er. He’s a top scholar from a humble background. Last night, he was just using an invitation to attend Pei Laofuren’s birthday banquet, hoping to secure an official position. He’s an ordinary person with no flaws.” Yu Fulang still cared for Yu Lanyi, even after such an incident, still planning for him.

Hearing “top scholar from a humble background,” Yu Lanyi’s lips curled as if smeared with oil.

He didn’t even fancy heirs of marquis families or noble sons, and now he had to marry a farmer. Yu Lanyi couldn’t stand the thought and loudly said, “I’d rather stay in a nunnery and return when the storm passes.”

Yu Fulang: “You think it’s that easy? By the time you return, this matter will have spread throughout the Capital City. Those with means won’t want to marry you. Those who do will have ulterior motives. Now that things have come to this, just stay home. We’ll discuss with your father and prepare a generous dowry. With us here, you’ll still have a good life after marriage.”

A low marriage is better than none. The Marquis Mansion’s reputation can’t withstand Yu Lanyi’s antics any longer.

Zheng Shanci, from a poor background, can be easily controlled. Yu Lanyi’s temper can’t handle a higher status, especially with a ruined reputation. Zheng Shanci is handsome, speaks well, and though his exam results are lacking, an official career isn’t solely based on exam scores.

If Zheng Shanci works diligently in a local position for a few years, with the Marquis Mansion and Changxing’s influence in the Capital City, he could soon be transferred back. By then, the storm would have passed, and Yu Lanyi could still be the esteemed legitimate Ge’er of the Marquis Mansion.

“Enough said, take him to the ancestral hall to kneel,” the Changyang Marquis waved his hand.

“Let’s send him back to his room first. He knelt all night last night. Have the kitchen prepare his favorite dishes. After all, he suffered last night,” Yu Changxing suggested.

The Changyang Marquis frowned: “Fine, as Changxing says. Lanyi’s temperament is spoiled.”

“I haven’t even confronted that scholar yet. He must have schemed against me!” Yu Lanyi, being dragged by two servants, struggled with all his limbs, scratching at anything in his path, even dogs passing by.

The two servants, holding him like a crab, got scratched left and right.

Sigh.

Yu Fulang: “Quickly, lock him in.”

Yu Lanyi: “I’m not convinced, I’m not convinced!”

The two servants locked Yu Lanyi in his room, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

…

After a while, someone from the kitchen came to deliver food to Yu Lanyi. As soon as they entered, they were knocked out with a stick. Yu Lanyi put on the servant’s clothes and left the Marquis Mansion with his head down.

At this time, Zheng Shanci was handing over the copied books to the bookshop owner, who gave him a curious look: “It’s two taels of silver in total, take it, Young Master Zheng.”

“Thank you, boss.” Zheng Shanci took the ancient silver, cold to the touch. A tael of silver seemed small. A tael was worth a string of coins. The original owner had already paid the rent, but the rice jar was empty, and he lacked firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

These two taels of silver were a timely relief.

“Young Master Zheng, I heard you and Young Master Yu are in love?” the bookshop owner chatted.

“Those are just rumors. Don’t believe them. Justice will prevail,” Zheng Shanci said, cupping his hands as he left.

As soon as he left the bookshop, he headed straight to the rice shop to buy rice, two pounds of pork, and two cucumbers. A small jar of salt cost twenty coins, which pained Zheng Shanci.

After buying everything, Zheng Shanci looked at the bustling Shengjing, no less than a metropolis. The tall city towers stood proudly, markets were scattered like stars, dazzling and crowded with tourists. 

Carriages moved slowly on the road, wind chimes on them tinkling crisply, and shop signs hung above, with melodious sounds coming from the lofts.

The lively music and bustling crowds painted a picture of prosperity. No wonder it was a place many poets longed for.

Zheng Shanci smiled slightly. Since he was here, he might as well settle in. In this era, he couldn’t afford to die early.