Chapter 1436: Revised: Chapter 1433 Conjecture
After entering the door, he asked, âWhatever it is, wait until we return from the Liu Residence to discuss. What if we delay and cause discontent to the Prince of the State?â
âFather, we cannot involve ourselves with the Liu family,â said Liu Zhe in a deep voice. His mind had already reviewed all recent events, and he couldnât understand how his family got linked with the Liu family.
Though his sister had befriended the young miss of Duke Qingâs Mansion at a previous banquet, it had nothing to do with the Liu family.
He couldnât figure it out, but Duke Zhengâs immense power and willingness to associate with the Liu family surely meant there was an agenda, one that Liu Zhe feared his family could not withstand.
Official Liu frowned, âWhat do you mean by that? Itâs fine to say such things at home, but donât speak carelessly outside.â
âI know you dislike the Liu family, but the other side is the Grand Secretary, not a contender our Liu family can challenge. If they want to meet us, can we refuse? If we upset them, it could even jeopardize my position.â
Liu Zhe was moved, âFather, are you going along with the Liu familyâs wishes because you are worried about any harm coming to our family?â
Official Liu shook his head, âNot entirely. Youâre grown now, so I wonât lie to you. The Liu family canât refuse Duke Zhengâs approach, but neither can we expect any substantial benefit from it. At most, I can ensure my position until you enter the official circle.â
âBesides, Zhe, you said it yourself, for a family like ours, how could the Duke of Zhengâs Mansion favor us? This time, treat it as a probe to see what they want from us. If itâs unacceptable, we can feign ignorance and find another way.â
âIt shouldnât be anything difficult. I estimate they might just want to insert their connections into the Ministry of Works.â
Official Liu sighed lightly, forced to comply; he could only think optimistically.
Liu Zhe knew rejecting the meeting was not an option, and he also wanted to know what exactly the Liu family expected from them.
Father and son entered the Dukeâs Mansion.
The news reached the Emperorâs ears.
An hour later, father and son came out.
Liu Zhe remained silent while Official Liu looked puzzled.
âCould it be that the Prince intends to arrange a match for you, Zhe?â Official Liuâs head was still buzzing. The mention of Liu Zheâs talent and merit and the query whether he was betrothed, and the favorable response given were baffling.
Wasnât this hinting at not finding a match for Liu Zhe?
As the eldest son, Official Liu naturally valued Liu Zhe. The subject of marriage was overdue; given his current age, he was already considered quite old for marriage. How could they delay further?
Liu Zhe did not respond, contemplating deeply.
Suddenly he realized something.
The only unexpected event recently was when a classmate borrowed a book and coaxed him into a brothel where he met Miss Huo.
He was smitten with Miss Huo, which was his own fault, though it had nothing to do with her.
Now the Liu family seemed to want to intervene in his marriage.
The only possibility he could think of was that they wanted him to marry Miss Huo. Could it be that Official Liu intended to use him to win over the military general?
This was not hard to guess. In fact, many such cases occurred in the court. To avoid disturbing the implicated military generals, typically, daughters were not married off to civil officials.
But Miss Huo was in mourning.
Could it be that Official Liu wanted him to wait for three years?
His heart was willing; he indeed grew fond of her and wanted to keep her by his side. But neither his parents nor the Liu family would agree absent any benefit.
His fatherâs reaction now had already confirmed it for him.
Yet the Liu familyâŠ