Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 146 The Cui Family's Marriage Alliance (Part 1)

Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Dengzhou City, the office of the Prefectural Magistrate.

Lu Yan sat behind a table in the second hall, with a middle-aged man standing in front of him.

This man was in his forties, wearing a blue robe, with a thin face and a refined demeanor.

"My name is Cui Mingyuan, from a collateral branch of the Cui family of Qinghe. I greet Lord Lu."

He bowed respectfully with his hands clasped in front of him.

Lu Yan stood up and returned the greeting.

"Mr. Cui, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

"6

The two took their seats as host and guest, respectively.

"Mr. Cui, what brings you here?" Lu Yan asked, getting straight to the point.

Cui Mingyuan smiled slightly and said, "Lord Lu, I have come here on behalf of my elders to discuss something with you."

"Please speak."

"Lord Lu has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion and annihilating the Li family, which has greatly enhanced his prestige," Cui Mingyuan said. "My elders have heard of Lord Lu's deeds and greatly admire him. They specifically sent me here to establish a good relationship with Lord Lu."

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"To form good karma?" Lu Yan raised an eyebrow. "How do you do that?"

'

Cui Mingyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Lu, I have heard that you are still unmarried."

Lu Yan's heart stirred.

"Yes."

"I have a niece in my family, who is twenty-four years old. She is dignified, well-educated, and good at managing the household," Cui Mingyuan said. "My elders intend to marry her to Lord Lu. I wonder what Lord Lu thinks?"

Lu Yan listened and remained silent for a moment.

Marriage.

He had long known that in this era, marriage alliances were an important means of consolidating one's position and expanding one's power.

He worked hard in Dengzhou on his own, and although he had established some foundation, it was not yet solid.

If one can marry into a prestigious family, one can leverage their influence to solidify one's own foundation.

The Cui family of Qinghe was a renowned and prominent family.

Although Cui Mingyuan referred to it as a "collateral branch," collateral branches are still part of the Cui family and also have the Cui family's connections and resources.

"Mr. Cui," Lu Yan said, "this matter is of great importance, please allow me to consider it."

"Of course," Cui Mingyuan said. "Marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Lord Lu, please take your time to consider it. I am not in a hurry."

7y

"By the way," Cui Mingyuan lowered his voice, "has Lord Lu heard that something has happened again in the capital?"

.

"What is it?"

'

"Eunuch Wei has arrested several more Donglin Party members." Cui Mingyuan sighed. "Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian are probably in grave danger."

Lu Yan's heart stirred, but he remained expressionless.

"Mr. Cui seems to have quite a bit of sympathy for the Donglin Party members?"

6

"I am a scholar, and naturally I admire those gentlemen who dare to speak the truth," Cui Mingyuan said. "But the world is in such a difficult time these days, I can only sigh in my heart."

"6

Lu Yan nodded without saying anything more.

But he already had a plan in mind.

Cui Mingyuan stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and took his leave.

"I shall take my leave now. If Lord Lu has made a decision, he may send someone to the Cui residence in the east of the city to find me."

"it is good."

Lu Yan saw him out.

After Cui Mingyuan left, Shen Qing came out from behind the screen.

"Master," he said, "the Cui family has taken the initiative to propose marriage, which is a good thing."

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"Good news?" Lu Yan looked at him. "What do you think?"

"The Cui family of Qinghe is a renowned and powerful clan," Shen Qing said. "Although Cui Mingyuan referred to a collateral branch, it is still part of the Cui family. If our master can form a marriage alliance with the Cui family, it will greatly benefit our future."

"benefit?"

"Yes," Shen Qing said. "The Cui family has connections in the court and influence in the local area. If you become the Cui family's son-in-law, things will be much easier in the future."

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Lu Yan nodded.

-

"You make a good point. But I'd still like to find out more about the Cui family and that Miss Cui first."

"Understood," Shen Qing said. "I will go and inquire right away."

"6

"Okay," Lu Yan said. "Inquire carefully and don't miss any details."

"Yes."

Shen Qing turned and left.

Three days later.

April 13th.

The magistrate's office, the study.

Shen Qing reported the situation of the Cui family to Lu Yan.

"Master, I have already found out."

"6

Tell me about it.

"Cui Mingyuan is from a collateral branch of the Qinghe Cui clan; his ancestor was a son born out of wedlock," Shen Qing said. "They—"

Zhi was not a high-ranking member of the Cui clan in Qinghe, but his status was not low either.

"Cui Mingyuan himself was a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) but did not hold an official position. He managed clan affairs at home. He was shrewd and sociable, and had many connections in the Dengzhou area."

How many properties does the Cui family own in Dengzhou?

'

"Not much," Shen Qing said. "The Cui family mainly makes a living from land rent and lending. They own 300 mu of land and five shops in Dengzhou. Compared to the Li family, they are far inferior."

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Lu Yan nodded.

"Where is Miss Cui?"

'

"Miss Cui's name is Cui Wanqing, and she is Cui Mingyuan's niece," Shen Qing said. "She is twenty-four years old this year, the same age as the boss."

"6

"Same age?" Lu Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Shen Qing said. "It is indeed a bit late for her to be unmarried at this age. But I have inquired and found out that the reason Miss Cui is not married is because her father passed away three years ago, and she has to observe three years of mourning."

.

"Three years of mourning?"

"Yes," Shen Qing said. "Miss Cui's father was Cui Mingyuan's elder brother, who passed away three years ago. Miss Cui is an only child and had to observe three years of mourning for her father. This year, just after the mourning period ended, the Cui family began arranging her marriage."

6

Lu Yan nodded.

"And what kind of person is Miss Cui herself?"

"I've inquired about it," Shen Qing said. "Miss Cui is dignified, well-educated, and skilled at managing a household; she's a typical lady from a prestigious family."

"She was literate from a young age, and was skilled in poetry, painting, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. When her father was alive, she was in charge of managing the family accounts."

"I have also learned that Miss Cui is gentle and kind, and has a very good reputation in the Cui family. The elders in the clan all praise her for her virtue and say that she will definitely be a good mistress in the future."

Lu Yan listened, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Anything else?"

"There's one more thing," Shen Qing said. "I've learned that the Cui family took the initiative to propose marriage because they see potential in your business."

"future?"

"Yes," Shen Qing said. "Our master has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion and destroying the Li family, which has greatly enhanced his prestige. The Cui family believes that our master will have a bright future. They want to take advantage of the fact that our master has not yet become successful to establish a marriage alliance with him."

6

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly.

"I see."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Shen Qing, do you think I should agree to this marriage?"

'

Shen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Master, I think this marriage is worth considering."

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Why?

'

"First, although the Cui family is a collateral branch, it is still part of the Qinghe Cui clan," Shen Qing said. "A marriage alliance with the Cui clan would benefit the reputation of our master."

"Secondly, Miss Cui is dignified, well-educated, and skilled at managing a household. The employer's business is growing rapidly, and they need someone to help manage the household affairs. Miss Cui is just right."

"Third, the fact that the Cui family took the initiative to propose marriage shows that they are optimistic about the future of our employer. If we agree at this time, the Cui family will be grateful to our employer and will do their best to help them in the future."

J

Lu Yan listened and nodded.

You have a point.

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He turned around and looked at Shen Qing.

"But I still want to meet Ms. Cui in person first."

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"To see Miss Cui?" Shen Qing was taken aback. "Master, this—this isn't quite in accordance with the rules, is it?"

'

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible," Lu Yan said. "Marriage is a major life event, and a meeting is always necessary to make a decision."

J

Shen Qing thought for a moment and said, "Master, I can find a way to arrange it."

"How should we arrange it?"

"The fifteenth of April is the temple fair at the Dengzhou City God Temple," Shen Qing said. "I've heard that Miss Cui goes to the City God Temple to offer incense every year. The master can 'bump into' her."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly.

"Good idea."

He walked back to the desk and sat down.

"Shen Qing, go and make the arrangements. On April 15th, I want to 'bump into' Miss Cui at the City God Temple."

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"Understood."

Shen Qing turned and left.

Lu Yan sat behind the desk, looking at the sky outside the window, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

Marriage.

This is a move he had to make in this era.

He needs a wife, a wife who can help him manage the household affairs and consolidate his position.

Cui Wanqing seems like a good candidate.

But he still wanted to meet her in person first.

After all, marriage is a lifelong commitment.

Although we are helpless in this chaotic world, it is always good to see each other.