Remarrying Chun Yuan

Liu Yuechu fell into deep thought; Yuan Cuo's decision had indeed taken her by surprise.

She had assumed that after the marriage, Yuan Cuo would soon leave the capital to travel to various places and continue to complete the drawing of the complete map of the Great Qi territory.

But if he participated in the imperial examinations, his next step would be to become an official. Once he became an official, how could he abandon everything and leave the capital? Things would then veer off course in a completely different direction!

"No, we absolutely cannot let him participate in the imperial examination!" She didn't want to ruin his achievements from his previous life, nor did she want to be a femme fatale. If she really let him take the imperial examination for fame and fortune, it would completely ruin his life, and she would also lose her future title of Lady of the Duke of Baoguo!

"Master, what's wrong?" Huajiao was startled when she heard her mutter.

Liu Yuechu glanced at her side and saw that both Granny Fang and Liu Fujia were staring at her.

She coughed lightly twice, not knowing how to explain, and hurried back into the house.

Yuan Cuo instructed Hou Lai to help the servant carry away Liu Musheng, who was vomiting so badly he was dizzy and disoriented.

"I have something to tell you." Liu Yuechu said very solemnly.

Yuan Cuo nodded slightly, and the two strolled leisurely to the small pavilion in the backyard.

As the sun set, the sky was filled with red. The spring breeze after sunset was still a bit chilly, so Liu Yuechu had her maids set up a screen.

The maids brewed tea to help their masters sober up.

After taking a sip, Liu Yuechu got straight to the point, "If you're only interested in the imperial examinations for the sake of a nice-sounding but empty title, you might as well not take them at all. There's no need for me to do something against your will. Don't force me."

“I’m not going against my conscience; I’m willing to take the exam,” Yuan Cuo said firmly.

"And then what? Give up your dream of traveling the world and become an incompetent minor official?" Her rhetorical question was sharp.

Yuan Cuo stared at her intently. "Why must it be incompetence?"

Liu Yuechu paused for a moment, then changed the subject, "If you were too capable as an official, and the Liu family is still in business, how could you not attract jealousy and envy? So you can only be a mediocre minor official. A higher official position would only bring trouble and disaster."

Yuan Cuo clicked his tongue. "You think I can't protect the Liu family?"

"Which of the major imperial merchants serving in the palace isn't related to the imperial family? The reason I don't dare to open a large shop is because I'm afraid of attracting envy, and besides, I'm already quite prominent."

Liu Yuechu tugged at his clothes, swaying coquettishly, "I know you are exceptionally talented and will definitely have no problem taking the imperial examination, but it would be detrimental to the Liu family if you became an official, and it is not your own wish either, so why bother?" This was the best excuse she could think of.

Yuan Cuo paused for a moment, then asked, "Are you worried that I won't pass the exam?"

"???" Liu Yuechu quickly denied it, "I didn't mean that. I just think it's unnecessary to dwell on this..." How could he possibly fail the exam? She was afraid that if he did too well, things would completely fall apart!

Yuan Cuo poured her some tea. "I understand what you mean. Don't worry, even if I participate in the imperial examination, it won't delay our marriage."

Liu Yuechu: "???" What does this have to do with Guan Chengqin?

But she had already expressed herself very sharply, and she was afraid that if she continued, Yuan Cuo would be unhappy.

The sun had set halfway down, and it was getting late. Yuan Cuo drank two cups of tea and then took Hou home, as there were still many trivial matters to prepare.

As Liu Yuechu watched his departing figure, she couldn't help but worry, "Does he really understand what I mean?"

"Master, aren't you being a bit reckless?" Huajiao was shocked by Liu Yuechu's words.

Who would discourage their husband from striving to become an official? I've never seen anything like it throughout history!

Liu Yuechu knew perfectly well that she was being foolish, but Yuan Cuo had more important things to do!

"You are not allowed to tell the Princess about my conversation with Young Master Yuan, nor can you tell Granny Fang or Bai Shao, do you understand?" If these people find out, they will definitely think she is crazy!

"I understand, but I still think your idea is not quite right." It was rare for Huajiao to contradict her master.

Liu Yuechu shook her head. "You don't understand. Without a powerful backer, pursuing an official career is like walking through a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire. Besides, do you think Pei Chun and Wei Gongming would let him get promoted? There are countless traps waiting for him."

In her past life, she could pave the way for Wei Gongming with money, but in this life, money might not be so useful. Because of her kite-themed marriage selection, many obstacles have appeared. Wei Gongming is one of them, not to mention Pei Chun and the unassuming Duke Jing's mansion.

Even just one of them would be enough to give Yuan Cuo a hard time.

"What you say makes sense..." Huajiao thought about it and felt a chill run down her spine.

Liu Yuechu, using a mix of deception and bluff, said, "Everyone thinks the empty title of an official sounds good, but it's me and him who are living our lives, so naturally I have to plan for the long term."

The long-term plan was for Yuan Cuo to recover his health, then travel throughout the Great Qi with a well-stocked caravan and servants to map out the frontier...

She didn't say anything more, because Granny Fang brought the list of betrothal gifts to report.

Yuan Cuo returned to the now empty courtyard and sat alone under a tree, drinking tea.

The tea was fragrant, but he tasted bitterness.

Hou Lai scoffed from the side, "You're just being presumptuous, aren't you? You thought it would sound better to get a degree, but Lady Liu doesn't care at all, and it's even made her feel disgusted."

“I’m not upset about this,” Yuan Cuo shook his head.

"Then what are you upset about?" Hou Lai asked, puzzled.

Yuan Cuo gestured with his chin. "Why are there supplements in the food she asked you to bring back?" Does he look that weak? Does he need to start taking supplements now?

His gaze lowered slightly, landing on the hand holding the teacup. The knuckles were distinct, and it was indeed somewhat thin.

Hou Lai sneered, "Anyway, he can't compare to Wei Gongming's imposing stature, nor to Pei Chun's plump appearance. Even the young master of the Jingguo Duke's mansion is radiant."

Yuan Cuo: "..." If you can't speak, you don't have to.

"Go and bring back all the books about the imperial examinations from the bookstore. I will not go out again before the wedding."

Hou Lai: Can he take back what he just said? He's already getting his comeuppance so quickly!

……

For half a month straight, apart from the trivial matters such as trying on wedding clothes and jewelry, Yuan Cuo did not leave the small courtyard.

Every day, Hou would come to the Liu residence to report back. He would basically tell Liu what books Yuan Cuo had read the day before, what characters he planned to learn that day, and how Zhuang Lao and Yang Zhanchun would comment on his policy essays...

Liu Yuechu scratched his head, thinking that he would give up the imperial examination after being told not to become an official. Why did he still insist on taking the exam?

"My master said that failing the exam and not becoming an official are two different things," Hou Lai said with a smile.

Liu Yuechu's lips twitched. Pass the exam but not become an official? I've never heard of such an absurd thing since ancient times.

She found it absurd, but Granny Fang praised him highly, saying, "Young Master Yuan is truly remarkable. He works so hard to improve Yue Niang's reputation. I'll have someone send some tonics over later."

Princess Chen would send someone to inquire every few days, and upon learning that Yuan Cuo was very composed, she praised him, saying she had not misjudged him.

Liu Yuechu gritted her teeth, wishing that she could pray to the gods and Buddhas to wish him failure in the exam.

“I don’t think his wedding dress looks very good. Go and ask the embroiderers at the embroidery shop to bring over a few more wedding dresses. Let Young Master Yuan try them on again tomorrow.”