The heavens set sail from the courtyard

The relationship between the Wang family and the Chai family can be traced back to my grandfather's generation.

Wang Gang's grandfather, Wang Zhi, was born into a poor family. Later, through hard work in studying, he passed the imperial examination and was ranked third in the country. He then entered the court as an official and was promoted to the fourth rank.

It was the Chai family who sponsored Wang Zhi's studies.

The Chai family was originally the royal family of the previous dynasty. Because of the Chenqiao mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin put on the yellow robe and seized the world from the Chai family.

After Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, he did not kill all the royal family of the previous dynasty. Instead, he treated the Chai family with courtesy and won the hearts of the people.

However, the Chai family has since been away from the center of power and can only be a wealthy man.

After Wang Zhi became an official, he did not forget the kindness of the Chai family and wanted to let his son marry into the Chai family. However, something went wrong along the way and Wang Du married Kang. Wang Zhi could only arrange the marriage to the third generation.

Wang Gang's elder brother Wang Yi was born weak and unlikely to live long, so Wang Zhi made the decision to get Wang Gang engaged to Chai Ruyi, the daughter of the Chai family. Both parties were very satisfied with this marriage.

When they were young, Wang Zhi often arranged for the younger generation to interact with each other in order to promote the friendship between the two families. This is how Wang Gang and Chai An became close friends.

Of course, Wang Gang had also met Chai Ruyi and had no objection to this marriage.

Three years ago, Wang Gang passed the imperial examination and the Chai family intended to let the two complete their wedding. However, because Chai Ruyi's mother died unexpectedly, she had to observe mourning for three years, so the wedding was delayed until today.

The Wang family did not forget the engagement, but they did not want Chai Ruyi to cause a scandal of getting pregnant before marriage.

In this era, getting pregnant before marriage was a fatal matter. Not only would the woman be thrown into a pig cage, but her family would also be implicated, and it would be difficult for other women of the same clan to find a husband.

Wang Gang was surprised to learn that Chai Ruyi was pregnant and it was not fake.

"Whose child is this?" Wang Gang asked Chai An with a serious face.

Chai An was ashamed and did not dare to look at Wang Gang. He lowered his head and said, "The child was an actor and was beaten to death."

"Hiss..." Wang Gang took a breath and admired the Chai family's decisiveness.

"Now the family has announced that Ruyi is seriously ill. I hope you can pretend not to know, Yuankang." Chai An said tentatively: "My uncle is willing to prepare compensation as an apology."

Wang Gang narrowed his eyes, thought for a while and then asked: "How do you plan to deal with Chai Ruyi?"

Chai An closed his eyes and lamented: "Family disgrace should not be made public. After a while, cousin Ruyi will die of illness."

Wang Gang was stunned. Although he had expected that Chai Ruyi would not have a good end when he heard that the actor was beaten to death, he was still surprised by the cruelty of the Chai family.

"It's not a crime punishable by death! Why don't you find a son-in-law?"

Chai An sighed deeply and said, "My uncle doesn't want Ruyi to affect the marriages of other people in the clan. The Chai family can't afford to lose this person."

Wang Gang frowned, not knowing how to start the conversation for a moment.

To be honest, Chai Ruyi's situation is indeed difficult to deal with. If it were more than a thousand years later, the most she would have done was to go to the hospital for an abortion.

But this was the Song Dynasty. Although Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism had not yet become popular, the fact that the woman was pregnant before marriage and the man was an actor was definitely a scandal among scandals for the big family.

The main problem lies with the actors!

Nowadays, actors are considered the lowest class among the lowest nine classes.

Since Emperor Wu of Liang, the saying of "three religions and nine classes" has existed.

The Three Religions refer to Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.

The nine classes are divided into the upper nine classes, the middle nine classes and the lower nine classes.

The upper nine classes are emperors, sages, scholars, literati, farmers, workers, merchants, warriors, and scholars.

The middle nine classes are child immortals, fortune tellers, doctors, painters, hermits, musicians and chess players, monks, Taoists, and nuns.

The lower nine classes are yamen runners, bangs, temptresses, dog beaters, porters, high-level performers, trumpets, circus performers, and prostitutes. Actors and prostitutes belong to the lowest three of the lower nine classes, and are the lowest class of people in social status.

Although the Chai family has fallen into decline and has even become a merchant family, they would never choose an actor as their son-in-law.

What surprised Wang Gang even more was how the actor hooked up with Chai Ruyi. Considering the time, she was still in mourning!
Chai An acted as if he didn't want to talk about this matter anymore, so Wang Gang was too embarrassed to ask.

"I naturally can't ask about your Chai family's affairs." Wang Gang sighed, "But Ruyi and I have known each other since childhood, and I don't want to see her end up like this!"

Chai An said sadly: "I tried to persuade my uncle, but he had made up his mind. He would rather not have a daughter than bring disgrace to the Chai family."

Wang Gang asked: "There is really no room for maneuver. After all, we are a family. Can't we just abort the child?"

Chai An pursed his lips and said, "Ruyi had been hiding her pregnancy until her belly became too big to hide, and then it was discovered. A miscarriage at this time would also result in two deaths."

Wang Gang frowned and said, "No, hide him in the countryside and tell others that he died of illness."

Chai An looked at Wang Gang in surprise and sighed: "I didn't expect that you would still care about Ruyi at this time. You are a true gentleman.

Alas, Ruyi is such a poor girl! "

After all, Wang Gang is not a person of this era and is more tolerant of premarital pregnancy, even though the other party is his fiancée.

But as I said, the crime does not deserve the death penalty!

"I will persuade my uncle again later. In short, it is my Chai family that has let down your Wang family. As for the compensation, you can name your price. The Chai family will never object." Chai An said sincerely.

"No wonder you invited me to a banquet overnight. My mother also wants to go to the Chai Mansion to propose marriage tomorrow." Wang Gang shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Actually, I know I can't hide this matter, but I still want to give my cousin some face. I hope you can understand, Yuankang." Chai An said ashamedly.

"The marriage is off, and my Wang family doesn't ask for any compensation. I will talk to my mother, but you have to do me a favor." Wang Gang said.

"Just tell me. As long as my Chai family can do it, we will never refuse." Chai Anyi said righteously.

Wang Gang thought of his two former maids and said, "Please help me find two people in the brothel. I can't do it myself."

Chai An was stunned and his expression turned strange.

What kind of people can be found in a brothel? Of course, prostitutes!
Seeing that Chai An had misunderstood, Wang Gang told him about the two maids.

"Those two maids have taken care of me since they were young, and I don't want to see them become prostitutes. If you need money to redeem them, just tell me. I will give you any amount of money." Wang Gang said.

"Oh, Yuankang, you really value relationships. I'll take care of this matter. You don't have to pay for the redemption. My Chai family will pay for it. I'll send someone to notify you once it's arranged." Chai An said, patting his chest.

"Thank you very much." Wang Gang was not polite.

At this time, the servant brought wine and food, and whispered a few words in Chai An's ear.

After hearing this, Chai An's face turned extremely ugly.

"This playboy just knows how to cause trouble for me all day long." Chai An slammed the table angrily.

"What happened?" Wang Gang asked curiously.

"It's my cousin Fan Lianghan who always comes to me for help whenever he gets into trouble." Chai An said angrily, "They are so worrying!"

As soon as Chai An finished speaking, a wealthy young man dressed in gold and silver rushed into the box, hugged Chai An's thighs and cried.

"Cousin, save me, my lady is going to cut me with a sword!"

Wang Gang couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard this, and took another look at the young man. (End of this chapter)