Chapter 26: The Heartless Scholar Who Abandoned His Wife and Child (4)

Xie Mo was so shocked that he couldn’t hold the bowl in his hands properly. It slipped from his grip, crashing onto the bluestone steps and shattering into pieces. The crisp sound snapped him back to his senses. He lowered his head, looking at the broken fragments on the ground, a trace of distress flashing through his eyes.

As he crouched down to clean up, Xie Hui also squatted beside him, continuing the previous topic.

“According to tradition, when your grandmother passes away, you must observe a year of mourning. Even the court officials must observe three years of mourning when an elder in their family dies. As a scholar, if you don’t observe mourning for your grandmother, it will become a point of attack against you once you make a name for yourself.”

“Moreover, if you are in mourning, the proposal to your teacher’s daughter will have to be postponed. However, we can still ask first whether your teacher is willing to agree to the engagement in advance.”

After tidying up, Xie Hui saw that his son was still in shock and continued speaking at a leisurely pace:

“So… when do you think your grandmother should pass away?”

The string of shocking events had completely overwhelmed Xie Mo’s mind.

What did he mean by asking when his grandmother should pass away? Was that even something he could choose?

If it were before, he would have undoubtedly wished for his grandmother to live a long life, as that would make his father happy. But after learning about what she had planned for him, Xie Mo couldn’t bring himself to say such words anymore.

If his grandmother had simply favored his uncle, he would have accepted it, as he was already used to it. But what she intended to do would completely destroy his life.

Since Xie Mo didn’t answer, Xie Hui simply continued with his own plan.

“My plan is to first visit your teacher’s house to propose, and then let your grandmother pass away. You are already a juren (a scholar who has passed the provincial exam), and you’re still young. It wouldn’t be wise to rush into the imperial exams too soon.”

“Even if you have outstanding talent, how could His Majesty trust you so easily? He would still send you to build up experience, which would just be a waste of time.”

This time, Xie Mo nodded. His teacher had also said something similar before.

Oftentimes, showing too much talent wasn’t necessarily a good thing—especially when he had no powerful background. A steady, gradual approach was the best way to secure a long-term future.

As Xie Hui washed the dishes, he noticed his son still following him. Why did both of his sons have this habit of trailing after him?

After finishing up, Xie Hui took Xie Mo back to his own room and retrieved an exquisite box. Opening it, a luminous pearl came into view, causing Xie Mo to instinctively hold his breath.

During his past missions, Xie Hui had stored away some valuable treasures—gold and rare artifacts were useful in any world as they could always be exchanged for currency.

“This was something your mother left behind. Now, selling it to arrange your marriage seems fitting. Our family may be modest, but proper etiquette must not be lacking.”

Fortunately, the original host’s late wife had a mysterious background, allowing Xie Hui to use this as an excuse.

Hearing this, Xie Mo frowned and closed the box, speaking in a low voice:

“Father, since this is something Mother left behind, please keep it. From today onward, I will copy books to earn more money or find a teaching position in the county school.”

Of course, he wanted to give his beloved a grand wedding. But more than that, he wished for it to be something he earned with his own hands.

His mother had left behind very few possessions. If his father had kept this for so long only to sell it for his marriage, he would feel guilty for the rest of his life.

“You think your grandmother will survive in your uncle’s hands long enough for you to earn money as a teacher and marry Miss Li?”

Xie Hui had no intention of personally doing anything to the old woman. Even in a mission world, he was a law-abiding task executor.

So, he simply planned to hand the old woman over to the son she favored most and let him take care of her for a while.

“Father, you…”

His father, who had always been obedient to his grandmother, now spoke in a way that left Xie Mo utterly confused.

Xie Hui had no desire to continue following the original host’s silent, submissive personality—especially since the stingy main system hadn’t required him to fully adhere to it.

Well, to be honest, the system that originally demanded he follow the character setting had already been dismantled by him five or six times.

He couldn’t be bothered to explain much to others, but for his son, he had to come up with a proper excuse.

“Mo’er, in life, many things are not done because we like them, nor because they align with our true intentions. Besides emotions, responsibilities are just as important.”

“Take your grandmother, for example. I don’t like her, but she is my mother, and thus, my responsibility. Now that I have fulfilled that duty, it’s time for her to be with the son she cherishes most.”

Xie Mo only half-understood, nodding slightly. Then he returned to the main topic—insisting that his mother’s keepsake should not be sold.

“Before… I had secretly spoken with Miss Li. She said that she wouldn’t mind if the wedding was simple.”

As he spoke, Xie Mo felt a bit embarrassed. As a man, wanting to marry his beloved, yet requiring her to make compromises—it was undeniably disgraceful.

Xie Hui’s expression darkened upon hearing this. He tapped his index finger on the table, the atmosphere in the room suddenly becoming tense. The pressure made Xie Mo’s heart tighten involuntarily.

“She thinks this way because she is kind, virtuous, and understanding. But if you think the same way, then you are being thoughtless and ignorant of proper etiquette!”

“Enough. This matter is settled. Go back to your study and review your books.”

Xie Mo opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but under his father’s stern gaze, he had no choice but to remain silent.

After he left, Xie Hui took a sip of tea.

Was it just his imagination, or was it actually easier to give this kid direct orders rather than trying to reason with him?

The next morning, Xie Hui took the luminous pearl to a pawnshop in town. By making it a permanent pawn, he exchanged it for more silver and purchased some gifts.

He had told his son that they would wait for an auspicious day and bring a matchmaker to formally propose, but in reality, in this era, directly showing up for a proposal wasn’t the most appropriate course of action.

A slightly more formal wedding requires the “Three Letters and Six Rites.”

Even in their small county, while not adhering strictly to such customs, the process should at least involve both families meeting, exchanging opinions, obtaining the bride’s parents’ consent, and then sending a matchmaker to formalize the arrangement. This ensures the young lady’s reputation remains intact.

Speaking of which, Xie Mo’s teacher and his family were kind-hearted people, especially Miss Li.

Back when the old lady refused to give Xie Mo money for his exams, the original host had secretly given him a little, but it was far from enough.

After the original host’s death, when Xie Mo visited his grave, he mentioned that most of the money for his exams came from Miss Li, who had sold her jewelry to support him.

In the original plot, Miss Li’s death was the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Xie Hui arrived at the Li residence bearing gifts. Since Mr. Li was a scholar with an official title, he had once been an official in the capital in his early years. Now, he ran a school in the county and lived quite comfortably, with a few servants in the household.

Before he even reached the backyard, Mr. Li had already come out to greet him. Noticing the gifts in Xie Hui’s hands, he hurriedly tried to refuse.

“What is this for? Xie Mo is about to head to the capital for his exams. If there’s extra money at home, it would be better spent preparing for his journey.”

Mr. Li invited Xie Hui to sit, and the maids swiftly served tea.

Xie Hui then explained the reason for his visit.

His elderly mother had been bedridden for years, and the doctor recently diagnosed that she might not make it past the end of the year. If he had to observe mourning for her, he would miss the next round of court exams.

Meanwhile, his son deeply admired Miss Li and feared delaying her marriage prospects, so he had come forward rather abruptly.

Mr. Li listened, took a sip of tea, and nodded in agreement.

“That being the case, this is the best arrangement. Just send a matchmaker over in due time.”

He had always been aware that his daughter had secretly sold her jewelry to support Xie Mo. Without his permission, how could a young lady, raised in a secluded boudoir, even have the opportunity to do so?

As a teacher, he couldn’t show favoritism toward a student, but he also couldn’t bear to see a talented one suffer due to financial struggles.

The reason he had never brought it up before was mainly because of the troubling rumors about Xie Mo’s family—he was afraid his daughter would suffer if she married into it.

But now, seeing Xie Mo’s father personally come with such sincerity, and considering that the boy was raised under his guidance with impeccable character, Mr. Li felt reassured.

If his daughter did marry Xie Mo, then for Xie Mo to establish himself in the official world, he would inevitably rely on his teacher-turned-father-in-law in the early stages.

Although Mr. Li had returned to his hometown to run a school and appeared to be an ordinary scholar, he had once held a sixth-rank official position in the capital. He had resigned out of frustration with court politics and returned home to a quieter life.

With this connection in place, Xie Mo would not dare mistreat his daughter.

“I heard that your daughter sold her jewelry to support my son’s studies. Frankly, I feel ashamed. I don’t know what would be appropriate, so I just picked out a few items as a small token of apology.”

Xie Hui handed over the elegantly wrapped gifts. This time, Mr. Li did not refuse.

After finalizing the arrangements, Mr. Li personally escorted Xie Hui to the door.

After a long day of running around, Xie Hui didn’t feel like cooking. He bought some buns in town and, on the way home, started thinking about splitting the family.

It was one thing for him and his son to put up with the family’s troubles—he could deal with disputes without backing down. But a well-bred young lady shouldn’t have to endure such a chaotic household after marriage.

Although Xie Fu was reckless by nature, he wasn’t entirely foolish. If Xie Hui abruptly proposed dividing the family and wanted to leave his mother with him, he certainly wouldn’t agree.

Xie Hui didn’t want an ugly confrontation, especially since his son would become an official in the future, and the current emperor valued reputation highly.

The original host had ruined his son’s future and died in guilt. Now that he was here, there was no reason to let history repeat itself.

When it came to turning the tables, Xie Hui was an expert—swift, decisive, cutting off trouble at the root.

But dealing with household affairs, where he had to take multiple considerations into account, was truly tricky. No wonder people said even a fair judge struggled with family disputes.

When he got home, he set down the things he had bought, glanced at the two people still locked up in the pigsty, and beckoned to Xie Fu.

“Come here. I need to talk to you about something.”

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Footnotes:

—Three Letters and Six Rites (三书六礼) was the traditional Chinese marriage process:

Three Letters (三书):

1. Betrothal Letter (聘书) – Confirms the engagement.
2. Gift Letter (礼书) – Lists the betrothal gifts.
3. Marriage Letter (迎书) – Presented on the wedding day to formalize the union.

Six Rites (六礼):

1. Proposal (纳采) – Matchmaker proposes marriage.
2. Birth Date Exchange (问名) – Families check astrological compatibility.
3. Betrothal Gifts (纳吉) – Groom’s family sends initial gifts.
4. Formal Betrothal (纳征) – Significant gifts are exchanged.
5. Selecting the Wedding Date (请期) – An auspicious date is chosen.
6. Wedding Ceremony (亲迎) – Groom escorts the bride home for the wedding.

This system ensured marriages followed Confucian traditions of propriety and family honor.

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In imperial China, the official ranking system was structured into nine ranks (九品, Jiǔpǐn), with each rank further divided into upper (正, Zhèng) and lower (从, Cóng) grades. This system was used from the Tang Dynasty (618–907) through the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), though specific titles and duties varied over time.

Nine Ranks System (九品官制)

1. First Rank (正一品 / 从一品) – Highest level, reserved for top ministers and royal family members.

Example: Grand Chancellor (丞相, Chéngxiàng), Prince (王, Wáng)

2. Second Rank (正二品 / 从二品) – High-ranking ministers and generals.

Example: Grand Secretary (大学士, Dàxuéshì), Minister of Revenue (户部尚书, Hùbù Shàngshū)

3. Third Rank (正三品 / 从三品) – Senior officials managing important government branches.

Example: Provincial Governor (巡抚, Xúnfǔ), Minister of Rites (礼部尚书, Lǐbù Shàngshū)

4. Fourth Rank (正四品 / 从四品) – Mid-level officials and vice ministers.

Example: Vice Minister (侍郎, Shìláng), Prefect (知府, Zhīfǔ)

5. Fifth Rank (正五品 / 从五品) – Administrators of smaller regions.

Example: County Magistrate (知县, Zhīxiàn), Military Commander (都司, Dūsī)

6. Sixth Rank (正六品 / 从六品) – Lower bureaucrats overseeing towns or military divisions.

Example: Assistant Magistrate (主簿, Zhǔbù), Commandant (指挥, Zhǐhuī)

7. Seventh Rank (正七品 / 从七品) – Minor local officials.

Example: County Assistant (县丞, Xiànchéng), Registrar (典史, Diǎnshǐ)

8. Eighth Rank (正八品 / 从八品) – Small clerical and supervisory positions.

Example: Tax Officer (巡检, Xúnjiǎn), Military Clerk (司吏, Sīlì)

9. Ninth Rank (正九品 / 从九品) – Lowest rank, handling menial administrative tasks.

Example: Gate Officer (守门官, Shǒumén Guān), Messenger (传事, Chuánshì)

This system ensured a structured bureaucracy, with officials gaining higher ranks through exams (like the imperial examination, 科举 Kējǔ), recommendations, or imperial favor.