Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Ch.3 - Ninth Uncle

In the main hall, a servant girl brought in the tea with her head bowed down. Qingfu Junzhu's face was sullen, and after enduring for a long time she finally said, "Madam Xue, the children's marriage wasn't a trivial matter, can you consider it again?"

Huo Xue-shi smiled and said: "Since I came here to meet Junzhu, naturally I won't speak without any rhyme or reason. Eldest miss is indeed a good girl, Junzhu and Marchioness have raised her well, I also like her. But in the end, marriage needs both party's consent. And this feeling, of course can't be forced."

Anger rose in Qingfu Junzhu heart. Marriage needs both party's consent? When did Yicuan marquis manor ever beg Huo Changyuan to marry Cheng Yujin?

Qingfu Junzhu busily scolded Huo Xue-shi in her mind. Her anger wasn't because her nominal daughter got her engagement canceled, but because previously, they have raised a great fanfare about this engagement. Now if everything was canceled, wouldn't she lose her face?

Although Qingfu Junzhu was angry, she has to admit that Huo Changyuan was indeed a perfect son-in-law. Looking all around the capital, the young masters around Huo Changyuan's age, were mostly had just moved out from the inner courtyard, waiting for their elders to secure an official position for them. A youth like Huo Changyuan, who already had the noble title and meritious deeds, was few and between.

After Huo Changyuan's father, the old Jingyong Marquis, was killed in battle in the ninth year of Jianwu, Huo family got into trouble. At that time, following the Senior Grand Secretary Yang's intention, the court refused to title his heir Huo Changyuan as the new Jingyong Marquis under the reason of his minor age. Because of that, Jingyong marquis manor became an empty shell. A marquis family without a marquis, anyone could casually trample on.

Huo Xue-shi, who was widowed at a young age, was bullied in this way. She refused to bow down. Gritting her teeth, she raised her seven years old son alone. Fortunately, Huo Changyuan had ambition. When he was 16 years old, he saw that the imperial clan court still had no intention to return the title to the Huo family. Huo Changyuan knew that he could only rely on himself, so he ignored Huo Xue-shi's heartbreaking plea and went off to the battlefield.

In the same year, the long-lasting case of Xue clan finally got a political turnover. Huo family sensed the changing wind and tentatively sent a folded letter to the court. Although there was no further news, since the letter wasn't sent back, it was a good sign. Huo Xue-shi was overjoyed, knowing that her son's succession matter was finally started to see some light after all these years.

Huo Changyuan himself was also a ruthless man. In his second year in the army, he made his first contribution on the battlefield and finally gained public recognition. The emperor was joyful and personally speak with Huo Changyuan at the celebration feast. Seeing his tender age, the emperor was curious and asked why did he join the army. Huo Changyuan told him about his widowed mother and their family's case. The emperor never knew this matter. After listening to it, he remained silent for a long time before finally sighed, "Heaven's pity all parents. Zhen's crown prince, has also been lost for twelve years. If he is still alive, he should be a bit younger than you."

The emperor asked Huo Changyuan's age, and became even sadder: "You are only 18 years old, so he is one year younger than you. You have a mother's care and still like this. But crown prince, he was wandering alone outside, without any support nor any care, don't know how much bitterness and hardship he met."

The emperor choked with emotion and left the feast early. After the emperor left, the banquet hall was so quiet that even the slightest breath became audible. After a while, Senior Grand Secretary Yang raised his cup and skillfully restore the previous atmosphere.