After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 149 Housewarming Party

Gu Lin turned his head to look at Zheng Hao, his mind filled with many questions, but he refrained from speaking out because of the servants in the main hall.

Zheng Hao lowered his eyes, his dark eyes sweeping over the group of people below. He didn't say much, but simply said, "Remember, from now on, there will only be two masters in this manor: myself and my husband."

"Yes!" the servants replied respectfully, behaving very properly.

Zheng Hao turned to look at the young man and asked, "Uncle Gu, is there anything else you need?"

Looking at the servants below, whose movements were uniform and very disciplined, Gu Lin shook his head, indicating that he had no orders for them.

Zheng Hao said to the steward, "All of you, leave."

The steward and the servants bowed again and then quietly withdrew.

After they left, Gu Lin caught his breath, turned around, and asked his question: "Xiao Hao, why did you buy so many servants?"

There are fifty people in total, including maids, young men and able-bodied men. Only two of them live in the mansion. Including Sister Zhao, Brother Zhao and Gu An, they don't need so many people to serve them.

Faced with the young man's question, Zheng Hao patiently explained, "Uncle Gu, the capital is not like the prefectural city. Now that I am an official, if I lack servants at home, it will be impolite to entertain my colleagues in the future."

Then, Zheng Hao paused and continued, "In front of outsiders, we will observe all the proper etiquette. In private, we will act as usual. If Uncle Gu is not used to being served by servants, we will have them stay in the back."

Gu Lin looked enlightened upon hearing this, and then nodded. Zheng Hao was no longer a scholar or a graduate. If his colleagues came to his residence for a meeting, it would be truly laughable if such a large mansion did not even have servants to entertain guests and serve them tea and water.

After the matter was dropped, Gu Lin belatedly realized, "So, should we hold a housewarming party?"

Zheng Hao had never cared about these things. After a moment's thought, he said to Gu Lin, "If Uncle Gu is too busy, it doesn't matter if we don't hold a housewarming banquet. I don't care about these formalities."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lin shook his head and said, "A housewarming banquet is a must. Right now, your official position is insignificant, so you can take advantage of the housewarming banquet to interact openly with your colleagues and friends. In the future, when you are promoted, you should really keep a low profile."

Hearing the young man's confident words, Zheng Hao's eyes deepened slightly as he thought of Emperor Jian'an's appointment of him as a censor.

Throughout, no, it should be said that ever since he embarked on the imperial examinations, Uncle Gu would worry about him during every major examination, but that was all.

The other party might worry that he will fail the imperial examination or rank poorly, but they seem never to be concerned about his future, as if they are certain that he will achieve something great in the future.

Is this because he trusts him, or because Uncle Gu knows something he doesn't?

Zheng Hao had no idea.

He remained calm and asked in his usual tone, "Uncle Gu, why do you seem to believe that I will have a place in the court in the future?"

The young man's words and actions seemed normal, and Gu Lin did not notice anything amiss.

He said, "With your skills, um... what's that word again... I remember now."

Gu Lin turned to look at Zheng Hao, his light-colored eyes shining brightly, and said confidently, "In the future, you will definitely rise to a high position."

Reaching the highest position in the court is no easy feat.

Every year, among the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), from the top scholar to the third-ranked Jinshi, how many actually manage to enter the center of power, let alone rise to the highest ranks of officialdom?

He lowered his eyes slightly and asked Gu Lin, "Uncle Gu, why are you so sure? Although I am a newly appointed Jinshi, there are quite a few top scholars in the Hanlin Academy who have wasted more than ten years."

Hearing Zheng Hao's words, Gu Lin felt something was wrong, but he saw the young man lower his eyes slightly, looking as if he was confused and lacked confidence.

He put aside his unease and said firmly, "You won't be like them."

Why is Gu Lin so confident?

It was given in the original work, of course.

Although Zheng Hao's life trajectory is different from that of the "Zheng Hao" in the original work, in the end, their intelligence is similar.

However, they also have fundamental differences.

Unlike the original "Zheng Hao," Zheng Hao experienced many hardships and obstacles. He had less life experience and was a bit simpler. Because he had not witnessed much of the evil in human nature, he was not as shrewd and worldly-wise as the original character, and his official position rose like a rocket.

Moreover, in Gu Lin's view, the two Zheng Haos are completely different and independent people, and their growth process and life trajectory are completely different.

The original story tells of a young man who joined the army from humble beginnings and was illiterate, yet he relied on his ruthlessness to kill countless enemy soldiers. Coupled with his unique way of dealing with people, he was valued and promoted by his superiors, rising from a common soldier to a centurion and then a chiliarch in just three years.

Later, during a major battle with the enemy, Zheng Hao displayed unparalleled bravery, wielding a large sword, breaking through the enemy's encirclement, and killing the enemy general. He was then promoted to the rank of sixth-grade captain.

Afterwards, Zheng Hao repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. On one occasion, when the Northern Barbarian army approached the city, Zheng Hao used a surprise attack. Under the cover of night, he led a hundred soldiers to the rear of the enemy camp, set fire to the Northern Barbarians' grain supplies, cut off their retreat, and forced the Northern Barbarians to sound the retreat.

Therefore, the general highly valued this young general who was both intelligent and brave, and was invincible. He took Zheng Hao into his camp and personally petitioned the court for merit for him, and Zheng Hao was appointed as the General of the Cavalry.

After that, Zheng Hao was taken in by the general and carefully instructed. When the Northern Barbarians returned and their army besieged the city, the general's old injury relapsed and he was unable to issue orders. Zheng Hao was appointed to the post in this time of crisis and quickly took over the military command, defeating the Northern Barbarians one after another.

Zheng Hao was in charge of the army, and his military orders were strictly enforced. He combined kindness with severity and implemented the system of collective punishment. In just two years, the army of Daqian underwent a complete transformation. Zheng Hao led his army to not only drive the previously invincible Northern Barbarian army out of Daqian territory, but also to the Northern Barbarian royal court, where he captured the Northern Barbarian princes and nobles and brought them to the capital of Daqian as a tribute.

At the time, Zheng Hao was only twenty-three years old, yet he sealed the wolf's lair, displaying such a magnificent and heroic spirit.

Zheng Hao interpreted Gu Lin's silence as a sign that he was contemplating the housewarming party.

He said to Gu Lin, "Uncle Gu is busy with Zhenyulou's affairs, so leave the housewarming banquet to me."

Just like with the renovation of his residence, Zheng Hao had no intention of letting the young men around him worry about it.

Upon hearing this, Gu Lin snapped out of his daze but didn't immediately agree: "Can you?"

Zheng Hao nodded slightly and said, "If there are any things I'm hesitant about or that are difficult to handle, I'll bring them over and discuss them with Uncle Gu. I can handle all the other complicated matters."

Seeing the other party's confident and composed demeanor, Gu Lin said "Okay" and then nodded in agreement: "Then I'll leave it to you."

Zheng Mansion.

Today, the newly appointed top scholar, Zheng, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, officially moved into the residence bestowed upon him by His Majesty.

From the main gate to the backyard, the entire mansion was covered in red cloth, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a festive atmosphere.

The housewarming banquet was divided into two parts: the front courtyard and the back courtyard. The men in the front courtyard were mostly Zheng Hao's friends and colleagues, and he was in charge of the event. The men in the back courtyard were the noble ladies and their husbands whom Gu Lin had met at Zhenyu Tower. Among them, some of the ladies and their husbands' husbands also knew Zheng Hao.

forecourt.

Zheng Hao invited some of his colleagues from the Hanlin Academy, his direct superiors, as well as Zhen Cheng, Du Yuan, He Yanzhi, and others.

Seeing that he was out of place among the young people at the banquet, and not wanting to spoil their fun as an old man, the Hanlin Academy's direct superior drank a few cups of wine and then left.

After seeing off his direct superior and returning to the banquet, Zheng Hao had just sat down when Deng Ying, who was sitting to his upper left, teased him: "The four great joys in life are rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial examination. Brother Mingzhang has already experienced the joy of passing the imperial examination, and now he has moved into a new house. I wonder when he will get married and invite us to a cup of wedding wine?"

Upon hearing this, everyone showed smiles that were either friendly or joking.

It's no wonder Deng Ying teased Zheng Hao; rather, as a newly appointed top scholar all alone, he stood out starkly among the assembled crowd of people who were either married with children, newlyweds, or at the very least, engaged.

In the past, when they were unmarried like Zheng Hao, they also hated their families urging them to get married. Now that they are married, they are the ones advising those around them to get married.

Perhaps it was a joyous occasion of moving to a new house. When asked about this matter, Zheng Hao smiled slightly and replied patiently, "I am not yet twenty years old. Having just entered the court, I only wish to repay the Emperor's grace. There is no rush for marriage."

Upon hearing this, Deng Ying gently shook his head and said, "That is not true, Brother Mingzhang."

As he spoke, he pointed at Du Yuan and said, “Brother Du is two or three years older than you and already has a beautiful wife and young children. Even Brother He will soon be getting married. Brother Mingzhang is a talented young man with noble character. Why don’t you settle your marriage soon? With a virtuous wife, you will have no worries and can wholeheartedly share the burdens of His Majesty.”

Du Yuan smiled slightly, his manner gentle and refined, and He Yanzhi didn't mind, as the other party was an old acquaintance of theirs.

Moreover, what the other party said was not wrong. In official circles, having a virtuous and generous wife is very important. There are many things that officials cannot express themselves, but they can convey their meaning through their wives.

For officials, the infighting among their wives and concubines in the inner quarters is a source of criticism, but an empty inner courtyard is not a good thing either.

Suddenly, a "smack" sound came from the corner.

Everyone turned their attention to him and saw Zhen Yuan propping his head up with one hand and placing a wine glass on the table with the other.

The other person, half-drunk and half-awake, squinted at the people at the table and said, "Brother Zheng... is not... alone."

The attention of everyone at the table was drawn to him. Zhen Yuan picked up the wine pot, filled the wine cup, and then drank a cup of wine before leisurely saying, "It's not just Brother Zheng who is all alone; I am also a lonely man without a marriage contract."

Deng Ying, who had previously teased Zheng Hao, looked surprised upon hearing this and asked Zhen Yuan, "How come you haven't even settled on an engagement yet?"

Men like Zhen Yuan, who come from good backgrounds and are of good character, appearance and talent, are always sought after by various families as their ideal sons-in-law. Even at the latest fifteen or sixteen years old, many people want to be engaged to him.

His once smiling face was now tinged with sadness. Zhen Yuan raised his wine glass, his tone helpless, and his eyes filled with resentment as he looked at a certain seat at the banquet: "My elder brother is ahead of me and has not yet made a marriage agreement. How can I, as his younger brother, presume to make a marriage agreement before him?"

Upon hearing this, everyone understood that the Zhen brothers, like Zheng Hao, were not engaged.

They looked at each other.

Zhen Yuan turned his gaze to Deng Ying with a sorrowful expression, and mumbled incoherently, "Brother Deng, what you said has implicated both me and my brother. I am heartbroken!"

Deng Ying was both amused and exasperated; he had truly acted without thinking.

Zhen Cheng's drunken words attracted the attention of many people, but Zhen Cheng, who was always aloof and self-controlled and valued rules, did not take any action to discipline him.

He sat side by side with Zheng Hao, picked up his wine cup, drank the sake, and felt a burning sensation in his throat.

Zhen Cheng spoke up, asking, "Brother Zheng, why are you still delaying your marriage?"

His dark eyes stared straight ahead, where there was only a courtyard wall. Zheng Hao did not answer Zhen Cheng for a long time. Zhen Cheng was not in a hurry and did not urge him.

After a moment, Zheng Hao asked in a deep voice, "Why is Brother Zhen Cheng unwilling to settle down?"

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and for a long time, neither of them spoke.

They said nothing, yet it was as if they had said everything.

The reason they haven't settled on a marriage is not as noble as they claim. For them, marrying the person they love is an impossible task.

Perhaps due to the effects of alcohol, Zhen Cheng was not as cold and taciturn as usual. He spoke again, "Brother Zheng, what do you plan to do?"

How to marry the one you love?

Zhen Cheng saw through and knew some things, but he didn't explicitly express his friend's feelings towards his elders who disregarded ethics.

Because he, too, could not help himself.

Zheng Hao did not hesitate or ponder, as if he had already thought of the answer a thousand times in his heart: "I will announce the good news to the world when no one dares to question it."

Zhen Cheng paused, his usually cool expression now showing a hint of confusion.

Looking at the people at the table teasing Zhen Yuan, Zheng Hao spoke up and said softly, "I have no family elders to restrain me, nor do I need to climb the social ladder through marriage. What I want is just to put in a little more effort."

Zhen Cheng, however, was different. As a scion of a prominent family, he had to accept an arranged marriage from his family. The fact that he hadn't been engaged for several years was already the greatest tolerance his family had shown him.

backyard.

Gu Lin followed local customs and set up a stage in the courtyard, inviting an opera troupe to perform.

While watching the play, Wen Wen said with great interest, "It's been a long time since it's been this lively."

Gu Lin had spent many days with him and knew that although he seemed arrogant and domineering, he was actually very easy to get along with.

Hearing Wen Wen's words, he asked with some surprise, "There are many opera troupes in the capital. If you want to see one, it should be easy to invite someone to perform at your home."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiayi chuckled, then glanced at Wen Wen and said to Gu Lin, "The Du family is of noble birth, and Master Du has never liked anything that distracts from one's studies. Since Mr. Du cares so much about Master Du, he naturally prioritizes him."

Upon hearing this, Wen Wen's eyes remained fixed on the stage, but she snorted and said, "Sister Xu, don't think I don't understand that you're criticizing me and my husband."

Wenwen said, "My master Du is handsome and kind to me. What's wrong with me being lenient with him?"

"You're quite sharp-tongued in front of us." Xu Jiayi rolled her eyes at him. "But in front of Lord Du, you wouldn't dare show even the slightest bit of your little tyrant side."