Chapter 103.4: A Concubine’s Fate, World Shocking Betrothal Gift

Luo Jing Ying’s matter, the old madam personally took care of, and since she didn’t criticize them as the parents, they also didn’t dare utter a single word.

“Mother, rest assured, this daughter-in-law is quite idle, if you and second sister-in-law need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me. If the manpower is not enough, just instruct our fourth branch’s people. Aside from our master being occupied with the preliminaries of the imperial exam, the others, feel free to order around.” Wu-shi said, very much easy-going. Luo Rong Wei also expressed his apologies towards Luo Rong Yan.

“Mother, you don’t need to hesitate instructing us.” Liu-shi also hurriedly spoke. So long as she’s still the Luo family’s daughter-in-law, then she needed to listen to her mother-in-law. Last time, because of Huan Niang’s matter, she’d said some threatening words. If she dares to try again, Luo Old Madam will definitely have her divorced immediately. Luo Rong Ping on the other hand didn’t express anything.

“Fine, hurry up and go.”

The entire Luo Manor from top to bottom practically all began setting to their task. It can’t be helped, there was less than twenty days remaining.

On the other side, Jing Wan let someone have the eighteenth scholar moved onto the horse carriage, even preparing to additionally take two volumes of her self-made record of flowers. However, when she saw that unfinished painting of Luo Jing Bo’s, she changed her mind.

Setting aside the fact that big sister Jia’s appearance was ruined, the Luo family’s family status was far inferior to the Ding Duke Manor’s. And moreover, Luo Rong Yan was further someone with just an idle post. For Luo Jing Bo to want be the Ding Duke Manor’s son-in-law, he was truly far too lacking. But, Jing Wan still wanted to let the world know, her older brother wasn’t someone with no talent either. He possessed the ability to let everyone all gasp in surprise.

Thus, she additionally added a few more pots of pretty well raised flowers. Although they weren’t rare or valuable breeds, in Jing Wan’s eyes, they were still worth being delicately raised by people, and had sufficient value as eye-candy.

Jing Wan returned to the Grand Elder Princess Manor. A certain few were already anxiously waiting there for her, the entertainment by the lake unable to raise their slightest interest. Although Cabinet Minister Jiang wasn’t there, many flower lovers such as the Head Minister of Works, Sir Zhong, had gathered.

No need for Jing Wan to instruct, Jiang-fuma had already sent someone to have the eighteenth scholar brought down.

Hearing was one thing, but truly seeing was a separate matter altogether. Even Luo Pei Shan, who was able to see it at least every other day, at the moment, also couldn’t help crowding over.

“This quality, how is it just good, it’s practically too good.” Cabinet Minister Ruan was also somewhat excited, wanting to steal it back home.

The others also endlessly praised one after another.

This eighteenth scholar’s flowers have already bloomed in succession. There were even quite a few that were already in full bloom, and also some that appear to be in a half bloomed state. Similarly, there were also a lot that were still flower buds.

That satiny snow white flower petal, layer upon layer, was unbelievably beautiful.

“Girl ah, you’re really going to just give it away like this?” Head Magistrate Diwu asked, unwilling to resign.

“Not giving away, this one is merely compensating for Yu Yao Wenzhu’s loss.” Jing Wan smilingly said.

Jiang-fuma detected Head Magistrate Diwu’s ‘evil intentions’. Waving his hand, he had the servants quickly lift it into the manor. As for Jing Wan’s additionally few pots, although far inferior to the eighteenth scholar in popularity, but that quality was truly outstanding, and similarly made their hearts move. Jiang-fuma was just thinking of accepting them altogether, but unfortunately, they were thoroughly divided up by this bunch already. And not just that, they even nearly started fighting over them.

“Looks like, little miss is indeed very skilled in raising flowers. Have any insights you can share with us old men?” The Head Cabinet Minister Ruan smiled very amicably.

The others all loudly cursed inside, ‘this old thing that doesn’t know shame’. However, those ears were very much erected highly.

“Insight, not so much, but this one lately is in the middle of creating a record of all flowers, having some of one’s methods compiled into a book, just, by chance, encountered elder brother’s marriage matter. Once this period passes, and the record of flowers is complete, if everyone does not disdain, this one can let grandfather bring everyone a share.”

Luo Pei Shan’s hand that was stroking his beard paused. Clearly there was already a ready made record of flowers at home, yet at present, isn’t being brought out. Looks like this granddaughter of his must have other intentions. Naturally one can’t tear down this precious granddaughter’s stage, no? Luckily, the record of flowers in his hand hadn’t been seen by Head Magistrate Diwu, this old bastard, else there will be at least several copies that he won’t be able to save.

This idea of Jing Wan’s naturally was good. At times like this, it really was ‘the ones in the know have the advantage’. The things Jing Wan brought out already proved this bit very well.

“Little girl, rumor has it that your three color peony is about to bloom too, is this true?”

“En, probably in another month or so, it’ll bloom.”

“When time comes, bring it out for all of us to widen our eyes?”

“Alright, when it blooms, I’ll let grandfather bring it out for everyone to admire.”

“If you asking this lower official, how about when time comes, we all go pay Sir Luo a visit. Such an exquisite flower getting moved around, if by chance were to suffer the tiniest bit of damage, it’ll be enough for all of us to heartache, no?” This way, they can also ‘legitimately’ look at the other treasures. Precisely because they saw this eighteenth scholar, towards the other ones, they were increasingly moved, even if unable to take as one’s own, still need to nicely admire them.

“Very true.” Aside from Luo Pei Shan, not one didn’t nod in agreement.

How could Luo Pei Shan not know what these people were planning, nearly bending his nose in anger. However, when this group was in agreement, it wasn’t something he alone could block.

Jing Wan was greatly amused from watching.

“Little girl, you go play for now, no need to accompany us.”

“Best to comply then to be deferential, this one will take one’s leave.”

After Jing Wan left, this bunch finally revealed their true colors. In order to get a little more closer to admire the flower, there was no lack of directly getting physical. Who cares how high or low your official position was, who cares whether your status was noble and esteemed, there were no sentiments to speak of. However, although they pushed and shoved at the edge, they nevertheless didn’t even get to touch the eighteenth scholar’s leaves. It still just bloomed happily and contently on its own.

Seeing Jing Wan appear, the Grand Elder Princess directly let someone move a stool for her, placed right next to herself.

“The eighteenth scholar has already been moved over?”

“Yes, already moved over.”

“This princess also rather wants to go see, but this while, there are probably quite a few people encircling around it.”

“En, the officials in the capital’s love for flowers has rather made this subject somewhat surprised.”

“There’s nothing to be surprised about. The capital merely has these people gathered together in one place, that’s why looking in from the outside, there appears to be quite a lot. The few you’ve met today actually are all those that truly love and cherish flowers. There’s also the numerous ones that pose as lover of culture and elegance, now those are truly many.”

“This subject has received a lesson.” Thinking over it, this was indeed the case. “Eh, in this bit of time, three shares of the reward have been given out already?” During the morning, in that long period of time, only Sun Yi Lin was able to take one away. Even her share couldn’t be considered among them.

“Those three youngsters were lucky, all drawing something they excelled in, and on top of that, for the sake of this prize, went all out, performing very much brilliantly, so naturally they were able to take this prize away. Also, look at this current one, most likely will also be able to take another one away.”

Jing Wan carefully looked towards the flower stage. It was a gentleman with especially delicate and pretty features. The kind where, if changed into female clothes, no one would be able to tell that he was actually male. At the moment, he was in the middle of painting, appearing exceptionally concentrated.

“Ping Xi Marquis Manor’s young master, shu-born, not that favored, but that skill in painting was exceedingly outstanding. Even our greatly renowned Gentleman Lin can’t compare to him. However, even if he gets the prize, afraid he won’t be able to keep it.”

Jing Wan nodded. A marquis manor, although can pass on their title and privilege to their descendants, it was still very limited, but there were that many descendants. Moreover, they can’t participate in the imperial exam. These people had the difference between di and shu, and also the difference between favored and unfavored. Unfavored yet talented shu sons becoming the stepping stone for those disappointing di sons, or even those favored shu sons, was also something that can be seen everywhere. This was common, and even if you knew about it, there was nothing you could do, unless you had the ability to give them a helping hand.

T/N: I’m unsure whether historically descendants of families with nobility titles were allowed to participate in the imperial exam or not. Obviously in the setting of this novel children of noble families are not allowed to, but I guess it does make sense for them to be banned from the imperial exam. The whole purpose of the imperial exam is to find more talented people to hire as court officials. People with noble titles already in a way serve the court and are allowed to participate in court sessions, not to mention having higher status and better connection than the average official family. It’s like why the princes have no need to participate in the imperial exam. You may have noticed that none of the high ranking official positions are occupied by people from families with noble titles. This system is actually pretty smart in avoiding any one noble family from gaining too much power or control over the court.