This scholar is a bit cruel

Chapter 160: Master Jia Forces Marriage, the Second Miss's Kindness

Front hall, reception room.

When Luo Zijun followed the servant in, Jia She was scolding his son Jia Lian harshly.

Jia Zheng tried to comfort him.

Seeing Luo Zijun coming in, Jia Zheng's eyes lit up and he stood up quickly.

Jia She, still sitting on the chair, waved his sleeves at Jia Lian and said, "Get lost!"

Jia Lian felt as if he had been pardoned. He quickly stood up from the ground, nodded to Luo Zijun, and then hurried away covered in dust.

Luo Zijun bowed and said, "Junior Luo Zijun greets the two masters."

Jia Zheng quickly smiled and said, "Zijun, you are welcome. Come, come, sit down and talk."

Then he said to the servant beside him, "Go and make tea for Master Luo."

Jia She also smiled and said, "Mr. Luo is really a busy man. I have invited you several times, but Qingtong refused every time."

Luo Zijun hurriedly said respectfully: "Maybe I was studying at home preparing for the exam, and Miss Third did not inform me, so she helped me to refuse. If I knew that the eldest master had invited me, I would have come a long time ago."

As soon as these words came out, Jia She hurriedly said with a smile: "Zijun, sit down and talk. Preparing for the exam is an important matter. With your talent, you will definitely pass the imperial examination next year."

Luo Zijun thanked him and sat down on the chair below with a respectful look on his face.

Jia She and Jia Zheng could not help but look him up and down again, then looked at each other, both secretly amazed and nodded with satisfaction.

Jia Zheng said with a smile: "Zijun is handsome and talented, so it is natural that she will pass the imperial examination next year. But I never thought that those story books were also written by Zijun. It's incredible. I have read those books. They are so wonderful that they are amazing. Even the imperial concubines in the palace praised them highly."

Luo Zijun bowed his head and spoke a few words modestly.

Jia She's eyes sparkled, and he smiled and said, "By the way, Zijun, where is Taoist Ziyang now? We wanted to invite him to our house for a chat, but unfortunately we don't know his whereabouts. My mother also often talks about him."

Luo Zijun bowed and said, "Since we parted at Jinshan Temple last time, I haven't seen Taoist Ziyang again."

Jia She smiled and said, "Zijun, you don't have to hide it from me. Taoist Ziyang is very close to you. How could you not know where he went? Are you afraid that I will pester Taoist Ziyang and ask him for something?"

Luo Zijun said, "Master Ziyang is a free man, used to being free. He was in Lin'an yesterday, maybe he will go to Jiangbei tomorrow, and go to Yujing the day after tomorrow. I really don't know where he is now. If you don't believe me, you can ask the third young lady. I have been studying at home for the exams these days, and I haven't even been to the academy. I really haven't seen Master Ziyang again."

Jia She frowned slightly.

Jia Zheng on the side said with a smile: "If that's the case, then we'll have a chance to meet again. Zijun, we asked you to come here this time, in addition to chatting and getting close, there are other things we want to discuss with you."

As he said this, he glanced at his brother.

Jia She understood and laughed, "Zijun, I have also heard about what happened in the Marquis of Bowang's mansion last time. The Marquis of Bowang's daughter was indeed a bit excessive. Zijun is not afraid of power and has the courage to rebuke. Tanchun came back and told me that I admire you very much."

Luo Zijun said, "What happened that day was all thanks to Miss Tanchun."

Jia She smiled and said, "Although Tanchun did the right thing, she was indeed too impulsive. How could she say such a thing so casually when nothing has been said yet? But since it has been said, it doesn't matter. Zijun, you also know that my Jia family cares about face, and my daughter's reputation is more important than her life. Since Tanchun has said in front of so many people that you are the son-in-law that I, Jia She, have chosen, I am thinking about whether this matter can be pushed forward and made into a success. In this way, no one will have anything to say, and the reputation of my Jia family and my daughter will be saved."

He had already asked Tanchun to go to Bai's house to find out about this matter, but the result was not satisfactory.

He thought that maybe the Bai family also took a fancy to this young man, so the Third Miss Bai refused without consulting the young man.

Just now, I heard that the young man had been studying for the exam. Miss Bai San didn't even tell him that he had been invited again and again, which made him more certain of his idea.

Their Jia family is a royal family, and Jia She's daughter is the daughter of a duke.

This young man was just a scholar of humble origin. The fact that he could marry his daughter to a man like him was a blessing that the other party had earned in eight lifetimes. He was so flattered that he would not be able to refuse.

Jia Zheng also smiled and said, "Zijun, you have also met Yingchun. The girl has been growing up with her grandmother since she was a child. She is gentle, kind and has just reached the age to get married. So, we also asked her own opinion, and she is very satisfied with you. Her grandmother also praised the poems and articles you wrote and is very supportive of this marriage."

Luo Zijun stood up upon hearing this and bowed: "I am flattered and grateful for the kindness of the two gentlemen. However, I already have a lover. We have been childhood sweethearts and have been engaged since we were young. I really cannot accept any other woman."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room suddenly became quiet.

Jia She smiled and said, "Zijun, I heard that your sweetheart is the daughter of the former Minister Liu. That Lord Liu said something wrong, was dismissed from office, had his property confiscated, and was imprisoned. Although he has been released by the king's amnesty, to be honest, I don't know when his family will be arrested. Also, I heard that Miss Liu went to a brothel after her property was confiscated..."

"Brother..."

Jia Zheng frowned and hurried to stop him.

Jia She smiled and said, "Zijun, you have a bright future ahead of you. If you marry her, how will your colleagues and neighbors look at you?"

Luo Zijun glanced at him and said, "Miss Liu went to the brothel just to perform and earn money. She has done nothing wrong and has a clear conscience."

Jia She laughed and said, "Even if it is true, it cannot stop the rumors. Zijun, you are a smart person, you should know what to do. With your talent, you will definitely have no problem passing the imperial examinations in the future, but if you don't have anyone to support you, even if you do well in the exams, it will be difficult for you to enter the official career. For a woman who once fell into the dust..."

"Master."

Luo Zijun suddenly interrupted him, looked at him and said, "Actually, if the master is willing to marry Miss Yingchun, I am very happy to do so. But I already have a lover, and my wife's position cannot be changed, otherwise those rumors will say that I have forgotten my wife after climbing up the social ladder, which will not be good for my reputation in the future. So, if the master really wants Miss Yingchun to marry me, then let her be a concubine, how about that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jia She and Jia Zheng's faces changed.

The smile on Jia She's face disappeared instantly, and he said, "Zijun, do you know what you are talking about?"

Luo Zijun met his gaze and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Master Jia, do you know what you just said? I have already told you that Miss Liu is innocent and is my sweetheart, but Master Jia still insulted her again and again. Is this the attitude and etiquette to discuss things with me?"

"you……"

Jia She's face darkened and he stood up from his chair.

Jia Zheng, who was standing by, quickly advised: "Brother, Zijun is right. We are here today to discuss matters. Let's not talk about other things. Otherwise, you can go outside to greet the guests first, and I will come and talk to Zijun."

Jia She snorted coldly, said nothing more, flicked his sleeves, and walked out quickly.

There was silence in the room.

Jia Zheng smiled bitterly, looked at the young man in front of him and said, "Zijun, it is understandable that young people are a little angry. But he is an elder after all. Although those words are not pleasant to hear, they are also for Yingchun's marriage. You don't have to be so angry and confront him directly."

Luo Zijun bowed and said, "Second Master, I have made my words very clear. I already have a wife, and her position will never change. Even if she is a royal relative, or even a princess, I will still say this."

After hearing this, Jia Zheng's heart sank. Is this a failure?

He really didn't expect that the young man's attitude would be so resolute and tough, and he didn't even give face to their elders.

"Zijun, this matter..." Jia Zheng frowned and wanted to persuade her a few more words, but he didn't know where to start.

Just as I was worrying about how to solve this problem, a weak voice of a young girl suddenly rang out at the door: "Second Uncle, Yingchun doesn't want to get married for the time being."

As she spoke, a girl in a pink skirt walked in from the door with her head lowered. She said softly, "Yingchun still wants to stay at home with her sisters for a few more years. Even...even if she never gets married, Yingchun will be happy."

Jia Zheng frowned at her and said, "Yingchun, you must not get married. Your father means that you must be married off this year. Only after you get married can it be the turn of Tanchun and the others. Girls will get married sooner or later. You can come back to the mansion to see them at ordinary times. It's not like you are marrying far away and it will be difficult to see each other."

Jia Yingchun lowered her head, bit her lip, and whispered, "But...but Yingchun doesn't want to, doesn't want to marry Mr. Luo..."

Jia Zheng asked in confusion, "Why? I heard from Tanchun that you are still very fond of Mr. Luo."

Jia Yingchun lowered her head tightly and said, "Mr. Luo already has a lover, and I... I don't like him either. I just admire Mr. Luo's talent and don't want to marry him."

Jia Zheng frowned and said nothing more.

Jia Yingchun whispered, "I hope my second uncle can tell my father not to... not to embarrass Mr. Luo anymore. Yingchun will... she will find someone she likes in the future."

After saying that, she immediately turned around and walked out the door.

When she reached the corridor outside the door, she quickly raised her hand, wiped the tears that were about to fall from her eyes, and walked away quickly with red eyes.

Seeing this, Jia Zheng could only sigh and said, "Zijun, let's not talk about this matter today. You go sit in the back first. I still need to talk to my eldest brother."

Luo Zijun bowed and said goodbye.

After he went out, Xiaohuan and Zhiyuan, who were waiting outside, hurriedly followed behind him.

When they reached the corner of the corridor, Xiao Huan hurriedly whispered, "Sir, I cried when I saw Miss Yingchun coming out just now."

They were standing outside and heard the conversation that just took place in the room.

Luo Zijun didn't say anything.

Miss Yingchun was a kind-hearted girl who didn't even have the heart to embarrass the maids and nannies at home. She probably saw that Mr. Jia was making things difficult for her, so she went in and said those words.

She's a good girl.

Unfortunately, it was impossible for him to compromise. Even what he had just said about making her a concubine was deliberately meant to offend Master Jia.

How could the daughter of the Duke's Mansion and the sister of the Imperial Concubine be a concubine?

Xiao Huan whispered, "Master, who is that childhood sweetheart you just mentioned, the girl you promised to marry since childhood?"

Luo Zijun looked at her and said, "Guess?"

Xiao Huan smiled and said, "I don't need to guess, Madam often tells me about the embarrassing incident when the young master was bullied when he was a child."

Luo Zijun hurriedly said, "Shh, don't let Zhiyuan hear it."

Zhiyuan immediately smiled and said, "I have heard everything."

Luo Zijun: “…”

"Then you can't let anyone else know. Do you hear me?"

Zhi Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir. Xiao Huan and I are very tight-lipped. We won't tell anyone about such embarrassing things. If we tell anyone, it will not only embarrass you, but we will also be embarrassed. How can our own sir be bullied by girls since he was a child? The other maids will laugh to death."

Luo Zijun's mouth twitched and he ignored her.

The three of them soon returned to the garden at the back.

However, there was no one in the pavilion, except for a little maid who was still guarding there.

When Luo Zijun walked over, the little maid hurriedly said, "My master said that Master Luo should wait here for a while. The imperial concubine in the palace sent a gift and sent someone to the mansion to pass on the message, so everyone went to the old ancestor and will come over later."

Luo Zijun nodded and thought to himself: I didn't expect that the imperial concubine could still remember this sister's birthday.

After the little maid left, Luo Zijun sat down in the pavilion and thought about things.

at the same time.

After Jia Yingchun left Lady Jia, she was about to go back to her room when the maid came over and called her away, saying, "Miss, the master is looking for you."

Jia Yingchun was feeling anxious and went to the front.

Soon, Jia She's harsh scolding and insults were heard from the room in front.

Jia Yingchun lowered her head, tears in her eyes, and trembled.

But she suddenly remembered that the boy once encouraged her to be strong, to have the courage to say no to things she didn't want to do, and to bravely refuse.

So, she held back her tears and mustered up the courage to say, "Dad, I just don't want to marry him, please don't embarrass him anymore."

"Snapped!"

Who would have thought that as soon as these words came out, Jia She suddenly became like an enraged lion, his eyes wide open, and he slapped her in the face, shouting, "How dare you! Marriage is a matter of great importance to me, not a stinky girl like you? You have to marry whoever I tell you to marry, even if I sell you out, it is only natural! You are rebelling against the heavens, and you still dare to be stubborn! Kneel down and admit your mistake!"

Jia Yingchun knelt down crying and trembling, she said: "Daddy, even if you beat me to death today, I still say the same thing, I just don't want to marry him."

"It's against the will of heaven! It's against the will of heaven!"

Jia She was immediately enraged. He rushed forward and slapped her several times, causing her mouth to bleed and she fainted on the ground.

"I will beat you to death today, you unfilial daughter!"

When the little maid outside the door saw this, she hurried away and ran to the backyard to ask for help from Lady Jia.

at the same time.

Jia Baoyu was walking towards the back garden with a group of people, surrounded by maids and nannies.

"Good sister, please walk faster, don't let Brother Luo wait anxiously."

He walked hurriedly in front.

(End of this chapter)