The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 408: Satisfying Revenge (4)_1

Chapter 408: Chapter 408: Satisfying Revenge (4)_1

Old Scholar Fang came over again, smiling as he greeted, "Song Ming! What’s the matter?"

"I’m angry with Pei Qin!" Shen Songming said irritably.

Old Scholar Fang paused hesitantly, "Qinqin she..."

"All day long, other than hitting me, she just knows how to make me angry!" Shen Songming huffed in frustration.

Old Scholar Fang’s lips twitched, and he couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.

Shuang Xi, standing not far to the side, also lowered his head in shame. It’s all over for the young master!

"What are you doing?" Shen Songming looked unwillingly at Pei Qin once more before turning his head to ask Old Scholar Fang.

Old Scholar Fang chuckled awkwardly, "I just came to see if the construction of the Pai Building had started." He dared not mention the couple’s issues any longer. Now that the Emperor’s reward has arrived and the Pai Building is being constructed, everything seems splendid. But their social standing is still too far beneath that of the Shen family. For Song Ming to marry Qinqin, it’s not going to be easy!

Shen Songming came over to see the imperial reward but also primarily to pressurize Pei Qin into agreeing to the marriage. He actually had to thank Zhao Junchao for alerting him to the importance of the marriage contract. If he could establish a marriage contract with Pei Qin and fulfill the marriage terms, he could marry her. However, he needed to deal with his family’s opposition and find a legitimate reason. Maybe he could claim that Pei Qin was a calamity fated for him, and he must marry her to resolve it!? But then he’d need a high monk or someone to speak on his behalf!

Or perhaps Pei Qin saved his life, and then he promised himself to her in marriage. The Shen family, priding itself on being an aristocratic family of poets and scholars for a hundred years, values etiquette highly. They definitely have to repay the life-saving grace and wouldn’t oppose it, or else they would be slapping their own faces!

Another possibility is to have Pei Qin recognize a relative, becoming the daughter of some aristocratic family. Then, if he wishes to marry her, his family wouldn’t be able to object on the grounds of social standing!

Yet another possibility is to get Pei Qin some sort of status, like a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, which would be even more ideal!

The most crucial point is getting Pei Qin to agree to marry him. That’s the toughest battle to win!

Seeing that his gaze was fixed on Pei Qin, following her every move, Old Scholar Fang couldn’t help but sigh with a bit of bitterness. What a multitude of difficulties and dangers! He went to talk to Pei Qin and inquired about the construction of the Pai Building, then brought up Pei Zongli, "His reputation has already been restored from above. Although the Government Office is suppressing it, after the spring examination, his reputation will be formally reinstated. Your mourning period ends in March, and I’m worried that they’ll use filial piety to press you and make a fuss about your marriage." Right now, Shen Songming was set on marrying Qinqin. If the Pei family put obstacles in the way at this time...

"Is the date for the end of the mourning period approaching?" Pei Qin asked.

Old Scholar Fang nodded.

Pei Qin smiled, a flicker of cold light in her eyes, but she said nothing more.

The Zhao family wanted Pei Qin, and there was no more time, Zhao Junchao didn’t want to call off the engagement anymore. Marrying Pei Qin would solve all problems! Even if he didn’t get his official status this year, after marrying Pei Qin, things would still work out next year. Wu Dongsi surely wouldn’t stop him, nor would he block her husband. Pei Qin certainly wouldn’t just watch her husband be humiliated and fall from grace. If Shen Songming was to take in her younger sister, they could later leverage this connection as in-laws!

Zhao Junchao decided, took his things, and left for the examination, resigned to the likelihood of failing.

Qian Wanxiu saw that the Zhao family hadn’t caused a commotion, and also that Zhao Junchao had gone to the examination; since the day their negotiation fell through, he hadn’t talked it over with Shen Songming again, which meant he was determined to marry Pei Qin. She felt somewhat relieved, as long as Pei Qin entered the Zhao family, she didn’t expect her to have good days ahead. Even with her fierce and overbearing nature, facing so many in-laws, she wouldn’t be able to act so unrestrained!

The stones for the construction of the Pai Building arrived, and after inspecting them, Shen Songming was quite satisfied and swiftly proceeded with the work.

All the villagers in Taiping Town watched on, feeling both envious and proud. These Pai Buildings memorialized those who had made significant contributions to the Imperial Court, and now their little town had one too, even if it was for Sister Peiqin and her brother. It was a glory for their town! To speak of it brought light to their faces!