My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 16 She Gave Too Much
Gao Huan was merely a military household member. According to the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty, military households could only marry other military households, meaning he could only marry women from families that were also military households.

During Emperor Xiaowen's Sinicization reforms, the "Determination of Surnames and Clans" law stipulated that the Han Chinese aristocratic families of "Cui, Lu, Li, and Zheng" were superior to the Xianbei nobles who had changed their surnames to "Mu, Lu, He, Liu, Lou, Yu, Wei, and Ji".

Only those from powerful clans could serve as "honest officials." The term "honest official" didn't mean someone was incorruptible; rather, it referred to a position where one didn't need to do any real work, but could quickly rise through the ranks simply by engaging in eloquent and boastful conversations before the emperor. The *Shi Shuo Xin Yu* contains the phrase "empty talk ruins the country."

and……

The law also stipulated that these powerful families could only intermarry with each other and were not allowed to marry with people who were not of high social standing.

Racial segregation in a physiological sense.

Although the Lou family was not among the "high-ranking families," their family background was quite illustrious. The women of the Lou family were top-tier political resources for connecting with other powerful clans, so how could they possibly marry whomever they wanted?

Gao Yu was still somewhat confused.

Historical records clearly state that Lou Zhaojun fell in love with Gao Huan at first sight and then offered herself to him in marriage.

Why is it that Gao Huan doesn't seem to care as much about Lou Zhaojun when he's facing this situation?

"But does the prince find the Lou family's daughter unattractive?"

"Where are these words?"

Gao Huan shook his head. "The Lou family's daughter is exceptionally beautiful, far surpassing the looks of ordinary women."

"If that's the case, why refuse? The Lou family's daughter is in love with the prince, and the prince also has feelings for her. It's a case of mutual affection."

Gao Huan was both amused and exasperated, but he still patiently asked back.

"Does Erlang still remember what I told you before?"

"What?"

"It was today, right here, when I went out to save Wan Jing."

After a moment's thought, Gao Yu immediately remembered, "In all matters, one must avoid being hasty and impulsive?"

"Correct."

Gao Huan nodded and said, "In addition, we must act cautiously in all matters."

"If someone who has absolutely no connection to you suddenly gives you a generous gift, how would you feel?"

"They must want something from me?"

"What if someone from a prominent family suddenly gives you a generous gift?"

"........."

"The daughter of the Lou family is so noble. If she were to marry me, it would indeed elevate my career to great heights. But... how could such a good thing happen?"

"How many powerful families desire to form a marriage alliance with the Lou family, and how many heroes and talents are enamored with the daughters of the Lou family?"

"Even if I believe that the Lou family's daughter is truly in love with me, I would never dare to accept her kindness. She cannot make her own decisions about marriage. If I do not know my place and dare to have improper thoughts, I will be courting disaster!"

Gao Yu opened his mouth, but couldn't refute it.

We live in an era that places great importance on one's 'origin'; one's origins determine everything.

Even after Huang Chao failed the imperial examination, he marched all the way to Chang'an, leaving no stone unturned in his wake. He then proceeded to play a game of elimination with the powerful clans according to their 'family tree,' wiping out all the aristocratic families.

Even later, social background and matching social status would still be considered, but it would be a 'hidden' racial segregation, not something that would be openly discussed like it is now.

Gao Huan's caution was not without reason. How much say could Lou Zhaojun really have in the Lou family?
She was willing to marry Gao Huan. Would the head of the Lou family agree to let his daughter, who should have married into other powerful families, marry a low-ranking military household who was of no help to the family?
If she were to marry him, the Lou family would become a laughingstock.

If pushed to the brink, wouldn't it be difficult for the Lou family to simply cancel the Gao family's household registration on a dark and stormy night?
Gao Huan didn't dwell on the matter and instead asked a question.

"How is Wan Jing?"

“I’ve already had a medic examine him, and my sister just applied some medicine to him. He’s resting in my room now. Although his injuries are serious, they are mostly superficial. He just needs some rest and there won’t be any major problems.”

"That's good."

After a while...

Wei Jing returned home and was very surprised to see the fine horse in his house.

But after learning the whole story...

Gao Loujin and Wei Jing reacted in exactly the same way as Gao Huan.

They were not overjoyed by Lou Zhaojun's affection for Gao Huan, nor did they feel they had a chance to turn their lives around. Instead, they all thought Gao Huan had done the right thing.

after eating.

Gao Yu and Gao Huan escorted Hou Jing home, where his brothers were waiting.

Seeing that Gao Huan had truly rescued Hou Jing from the Lou family, everyone was even more convinced of Gao Huan's abilities.

Go home.

at night.

Gao Yu lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), extremely distressed. Historical records did not clearly state what had happened between Lou Zhaojun and Gao Huan that led to their eventual marriage.

In another room.

Gao Huan was also quite troubled.

He didn't know what to do with the fine horse that Lou Zhaojun had given him.

The next day, Gao Huan was about to go to the city gate to stand guard when he saw the maid who had delivered the message the day before waiting for him as he stepped out of his house.

Upon seeing him, the maidservant stepped forward and greeted him, "Greetings, Elder Brother."

Although Gao Huan was puzzled, he still returned the greeting and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Please come with me, young master."

"I still need to go to the city gate to stand guard..."

Before Gao Huan could finish speaking, the maid explained, "I have already informed the city gatekeeper in advance, so you don't need to go on duty today, so please come with me without worry."

Gao Huan didn't know what had happened either, so he could only take it one step at a time for now.

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."

He followed the maid away from the area where the soldiers lived and came to the area where the town officials lived, where high platforms and pavilions could be seen everywhere.

The two then stopped in front of a house.

The maidservant bowed and said.

“My wife heard that my eldest son was still living with his brother-in-law and thought it would be inconvenient for him to raise horses, so she instructed me to give this house to him!”

Gao Huan, who was usually calm and collected, was completely dumbfounded.

He didn't know.

This……

It’s just the beginning!
Day two.

The maid came again, saying that she had spoken to the city gatekeeper and that he was not required to stand guard.

He led Gao Huan to the house from yesterday, pushed open the door, and found the house had been deserted.

Inside, dozens of servants and maids were standing.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Elder Brother."

The maid said again, "My mistress thinks that the house needs someone to clean it and that the eldest son needs someone to serve him. From now on, all these servants and maids will be given to the eldest son."

Gao Huan was completely numb.

Day three.

The maidservants brought food, wine, cloth, and even precious silk.

Fourth day.

The maidservant then led a group of people to deliver several cartloads of boxes, which contained 100,000 coins!

fifth day.

The maid came again.

This time, we're giving away 100 jin of gold!
sixth day.

The maid came again, this time bringing a land deed for a pasture not far outside the town.

According to the maid, there are herds of cattle, sheep and horses on this pasture, and people have been sent to take care of them. Gao Huan only needs to go and claim them.

The seventh day.

Maybe it's because I'm used to it.

Gao Huan didn't even have the idea of ​​going out.

really.

Once again, the maid arrived.

However, this time there was only one maid.

She presented a scroll of "Book of Rites" with both hands, and deliberately instructed, "This item is very precious. You must examine it carefully, and do not give it to anyone else."

Gao Huan accepted the Book of Rites.

The Lou family certainly had the means to afford precious paper, but since they didn't have thread-bound books, the "Book of Rites" that the maid brought was rolled up like a bamboo tube and wrapped in a cloth bag.

Gao Huan opened it and took out the "Book of Rites" inside.

Only then did they notice a small note lying on the ground.

He picked it up and took a look.

Stunned and speechless.

A few words were written on the note.

"After our hasty parting last time, I lost my appetite and couldn't eat or drink. These past few days, I've presented gifts to you, my lord, to express my feelings. To show my affection for you, I've sent this letter today. I wonder if you know my intentions?"

Gao Huan looked down.

The bottom of the note contained Lou Zhaojun's birth date and time.

(End of this chapter)