Spring Drunk Chang'an

When Liu Laishun was young, he was a cleaning boy in Song Chengji's courtyard. Although he served the prince, he was not close to him. He was just a little boy who did odd jobs.

Ai Qingmei was Song's personal maid.

The kind that can be called a 'vice girl'.

When Liu Laishun earned 400 coins a month, Ai Qingmei could only earn one or two ounces.

More than twice his.

Both of them are hereditary servants, and their status is very different. Ai Qingmei is the most trusted confidant among the confidants, while Liu Laishun is a "troublemaker", but they can get married.

It was Ai Qingmei who fell in love with Liu Laishun.

"Wang'er, look at me and your father. We were attracted to each other, got along well, and had completely compatible personalities. That's why we asked the master to grant us marriage. Even though we've had some ups and downs over the years, we're finally harmonious."

"You...are different from us now. You are going to be an official, and getting married is more important. But you still have to meet your wife and make sure she likes you."

"Just because you see her father is rich, you're tempted and promised. But what if you meet her in the future and nothing works out? How are you going to live?" Liu Ai said solemnly, poking her son's forehead. "You're a man, and the world is on your side. If you don't like your wife, you have plenty of ways to escape!"

"What should she do then? Does she deserve to suffer in vain?"

"I'm telling you, even though you've passed the imperial examination, we don't have any loose ends. Don't even think about marrying a rich man. If you don't like him, you'll just leave him at home and live in an empty house. You can then take concubines and maids..."

"This is a wicked thing to do. I know it. I'm going to smash your head off!"

Liu Ai opened her eyes wide and her face darkened.

The words were spoken very seriously.

Liu Wang'er's tender little face flushed red, and she was stammering, almost embarrassed.

He rubbed his hands with a bitter face, almost begging, "Mom, Mom, please stop talking about marrying a rich woman? I just saw that Merchant Li was too rich, so I chatted with Dad for a few words. I have no intention of marrying him, right?"

"I, I was just kidding!"

"A girl's reputation is her second life. She's a daughter of a respectable merchant family. How can you joke with her? Merchant Li has come to you seriously to discuss marrying his daughter. If you're willing, then accept the offer. If not, then thank him openly for his consideration, explain that premature marriage is inappropriate, and decline the offer properly."

"What are you doing now?" Liu Ai frowned, obviously a little angry. She reached out and pinched her son's face, "Are you kidding me?"

"When did I teach you this?"

Liu Wang'er was stunned, and a hint of guilt flashed across his eyes.

The pride and frivolity of passing the imperial examination after studying seriously for more than a year, as well as the inevitable feeling of arrogance, were suppressed by the rebuke from his mother.

His mind gradually calmed down.

He took a deep breath, his eyes regained their warmth, and the lingering excitement deep in his pupils was wiped away. He bowed and said, "Mother, I was wrong."

"I will return the Four Treasures of the Study to Li Shang, and then, after asking for his consent, I will go meet Miss Li!"

"If we are interested in each other, please ask Dad and Mom to find a matchmaker for me!"

"Wang'er, do you really want to get married?"

On the side, Liu Changan, who had been silent since Liu Ai took the opportunity to scold his brother, spoke in surprise.

Wang'er is only sixteen years old, it's too early for him to get married.

Most men in the Great Xia Dynasty would only start thinking about getting married when they reached the age of twenty.

Girls are generally around seventeen or eighteen years old and start to get busy at home.

For someone like Crown Prince Xiao Chuo, who had not yet married at the age of twenty-one, it was not too late.

sixteen……

Most women would not marry so early. The daughter that the businessman Li wanted to promise to Wang'er is eighteen years old this year, two years older than Wang'er!

"Sister, I am the only boy in the family. I need to start a family and build a career!" Liu Wang'er smiled obediently when he heard this.

There was a flicker of shyness and a hint of calculation in her eyes.

After being carefully taught by Prince Song and Zhang Changqing, especially Zhang Changqing, for more than half a year, Liu Wang'er still looked like a young and shy child, but she had changed inside.

He was well aware of his disadvantages in status.

The foundation is too thin.

In official circles, Prince Song and Mr. Zhang would help him, but they would not give him money.

If one wanted to become a high-ranking official, it wasn't enough to rely solely on promotion from superiors. When he first entered officialdom, as Mr. Zhang had said, he was at best a sixth-rank official. That position wasn't worthy of having Prince Song and Mr. Zhang as his direct superiors, so...

He will have new superiors, colleagues and subordinates!!

Flattering, making friends with, and treating these people with courtesy are the basis for him to gain a foothold in officialdom and slowly climb up. To maintain these relationships, he needs a large amount of silver as a help.

His family couldn't help him.

The little money his father and mother had was not enough to redeem his eldest sister, and he couldn't accept their money after accepting the promotion from Prince Song and Zhang Xian.

He decided to choose to be 'caught as a son-in-law'.

In the future, the Yue family will provide him with financial support, and he will also work hard to climb up and help the Yue family in officialdom. This is a win-win situation and it is a decision he made after careful consideration.

Of course, the 'admonition' given to him by his mother also reminded him of his somewhat utilitarian and impetuous heart, and he decided to slow down!

I don't know why, but every time I talk to Mr. Zhang, he always feels a sense of urgency: "Youth is short" and "time waits for no one," and he's inexplicably aroused by a desperate desire to climb up.

Liu Wang'er sighed slightly, looking at his mother and sister, who frowned in disapproval. He said softly, "As the saying goes: First get married, then build a career. Mr. Zhang has sent me a message, asking me to take up the position of Chief Clerk at the Dali Temple in a month!"

"I've already established a career, so it's time to start a family."

"I would like to do that myself!"

Find a rich father-in-law, uh, no, wife who is compatible with you and who pleases you.

Liu Ai and Liu Chang'an looked at each other, looking at their son/brother's tender face and thin body, they couldn't believe that he actually had the "gentleman's thoughts".

Liu Changan communicated with his adoptive mother with his eyes: Wang'er, do you want to get married?

Liu Ai scratched her head, her eyes were dazed and she was very hesitant: It sounds like the meaning!

Liu Changan fluttered his eyelashes: So, you agree?

Liu Ai pursed her lips: He is happy to do it, what's the point of us stopping him?

Liu Changan: Then let him go?

Liu Ai: Okay, let’s go.

There were two women, one big and one small, in the family. They made the decision through eye contact. Liu Lai followed them from beginning to end without any sense of participation.

He looked at his wife, who nodded in agreement, and said, "Wang'er, you are going to be an official. Now that you have made up your mind, then go for it boldly!"

"Whether you want to be an official or get married, I only have one request for you!"

"Just check your own conscience and be true to it!"

Liu Ai spoke in a serious tone.

Liu Wang'er also listened attentively and replied solemnly, "Son, I will take your instruction."