20demayo Chapter 692 Sixth Sister's Marriage 2
Chapter 692 Sixth Sister's Marriage 2
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"What do you mean?!"
Jiang Xiaoqi considered countless possibilities in her mind: secret exchanges? clandestine affairs? a secret engagement? a lifelong vow?
Could it be that Sixth Sister also has feelings for this boy...?
"I...I...I didn't mean anything by it. I used to be just a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, I didn't have the audacity to come and beg for it."
Besides, although my family is a royal merchant family, we are still merchants at heart, and our families are not a good match for Brother Jiang's family.
Now that my family has filled the gap, although I'm still not as good as before, it's better than before. That's why I mustered up the courage to ask today.
Brother Jiang, if Miss Liu is not yet engaged, could you please consider me, your former classmate?
We know more about the situation than others, don't we? We have a certain advantage, but whether we can actually get what we want depends on Brother Jiang!
Jiang Xiaoqi was stunned for a moment, not expecting Tan Hao to say such things.
Turning around, he felt a surge of joy. He composed himself and said in a serious tone, "Why are you doing this so suddenly?"
However, marriage is a serious matter and not something I, as the younger brother, can decide on my own. I need to go back and inform our grandparents, and more importantly, ask my sixth sister for her opinion.”
Upon hearing this, the other party quickly cupped his hands and said, "Of course, of course, I was being presumptuous. I hope Brother Jiang can put in a good word for you with your parents."
I truly admire Miss Six, and if my wish is fulfilled, I will cherish it for the rest of my life.
Looking at his eager and sincere appearance, Jiang Xiaoqi couldn't help but chuckle: "Alright, I'll pass on your message. As for the outcome, that's up to fate."
Jiang Xiaoqi's words made Tan Hao's heart skip a beat; he felt like he was just putting in a lot of effort for nothing.
Next, Tan Hao became even more attentive to Jiang Xiaoqi, who secretly smiled to herself.
The Tan family's banquet lasted for three whole days, but Master Tan was not very satisfied.
Most of the people who came were businessmen, and there were also some minor officials from the capital. Surprisingly, Jiang Xiaoqi was the highest-ranking official among them.
Therefore, Master Tan had no complaints about Tan Hao receiving Jiang Xiaoqi alone, after all, he was a fifth-rank official who could attend court.
His own son was only a seventh-rank official, and he only got the position through connections.
He can't compare to the top scholar in the imperial examination, and his official position is worlds apart from theirs. His son did the right thing; he should try to curry favor with them.
Master Tan had come to terms with it. This was the most outstanding member of their Tan family. Other families hadn't even produced a scholar. He should be content.
But I have dreamed of being the father of a top scholar, alas, it's a dream that will likely never come true in this lifetime.
"Father, why are you drinking alone here all by yourself? Has someone been saying something sarcastic to you these past few days?"
After the banquet ended, the Tan family returned to peace and quiet. Master Tan had already drunk quite a bit during the banquet, and after the guests left, he poured himself another drink.
"No, what can they say? They're all worse off than my son and me. Go and ask around, see if they can find a scholar with a degree in the imperial examinations in their family."
Your father is very content, very content. Now that you are an official, you no longer need to associate with those filthy merchants and engage in hypocritical dealings.
With your father leading the way, you should focus on being a respected official and cultivate relationships with your colleagues.
Um, that guy, that classmate of yours when you studied at the Jiang family school, Dad saw that you brought him back to your courtyard, that's very good.
A fifth-rank official like myself shouldn't be crammed into the main hall with those uncouth men.
Upon hearing his father's words, Tan Hao's heart stirred, and he said with a smile, "Father, you are absolutely right. Brother Jiang and I were classmates, and we have a certain friendship."
"Yes, who would have thought that you, my little classmate, are so capable? The whole Jiang family is also quite impressive. If you count them, there must be at least dozens of people from the Jiang family holding official positions in various places now, right?"
Tan Hao nodded. "Yes, if we include the Jiang family's sons-in-law, the number will only be more, not less."
Master Tan understood. Yes, the Jiang family's sons-in-law were all capable. Some were close advisors to the emperor, others were third-ranked scholars, and even the lowest-ranking among them was a seventh-rank official.
Chiang Kai-shek's son-in-law is an outstanding man, and having a family like Chiang's is a great blessing.
For a moment, Mr. Tan didn't know whether to envy the Jiang family or their sons-in-law.
His gaze involuntarily turned to his own son, who was tall and handsome, with an air of refinement that rivaled any other.
If that were the case… Thinking of this, Master Tan tilted his head back and downed another glass of wine.
"Ha~, that's awesome!"
"Dad, drink less alcohol. It's still bad for your health."
"I heard that Scholar Jiang has an unmarried half-sister?"
"Uh, yes~"
Master Tan changed the subject very quickly, and Tan Hao was startled. Could it be that his conversation with Brother Jiang in his own courtyard had been relayed to his father?
"Not engaged yet?"
"I don't think it's decided yet, right?"
"What do you mean 'it shouldn't be engaged yet'? Go and find out for sure. If it really isn't engaged, then our Tan family still has a chance!"
"what?"
"What do you mean, 'huh'? You blockhead! You don't even want the Jiang family's daughter? Although she's born out of wedlock, she's still more precious than many legitimate children."
Scholar Jiang had six older sisters, only two of whom were his legitimate sisters, while the other four were his illegitimate sisters. However, as far as I know, Scholar Jiang treated all six sisters equally.
"Don't you even know what kind of status and official positions those five brothers-in-law held? And you're already complaining?"
"No, no, no, no, I don't dislike you at all. How could I possibly dislike Miss Six? I'm just worried that she might not like us. If she does, I would be more than happy to accept it."
Upon hearing this, Master Tan's eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed with delight, "Really? Haha, if we could form a marriage alliance with the Jiang family, that would be an incredible stroke of luck!"
The Jiang family is quite prominent in the capital. Jiang Mingfei is currently the tutor of the princes, and it is said that Old Master Jiang is about to be promoted again.
And another thing, the Jiang family now has a Minister in the imperial court!
Besides, the Jiang family is related to the Prime Minister's residence, so our Tan family will also benefit from it in the future.”
In an instant, Mr. Tan thought of many benefits. He couldn't help it; he was a businessman, and profit came first.
Their family's path to becoming imperial merchants was through the Empress's side, and Scholar Jiang happened to be the Second Prince's teacher—wasn't that an incredible coincidence?
Besides, we've had contact before. Even the most useless member of the Jiang family is still one of the best among men.
Seeing his father so agitated, Tan Hao quickly said, "Father, please don't worry. I've already asked Brother Jiang to put in a good word for me with his grandparents."
Master Tan slapped his thigh, "Oh dear, child, why didn't you say so sooner! This is excellent, excellent indeed!"
Son, you finally showed some cleverness! Your father's teachings have not been in vain!
Master Tan poured himself another glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.
"That's wonderful! This wine tastes especially sweet today!"