But I think there's nothing wrong with being ordinary. For example, my father, although he holds no official post, is wholeheartedly good to my mother. Of course, it's not that there are no good men in prominent families, but for me, an ordinary man is easier to manage.
To put it bluntly, if I were to meet the wrong person, it would be easier for my parents to help me seek justice, wouldn't it?
I nodded firmly, "Father, your daughter has been wild since childhood and cannot live a life confined to the inner chambers."
"Father understands. If you wish to go to Meicheng, then go. Father will assign Steward Ye to you. With his assistance, you won't have to work so hard."
My mother chimed in, "Then Mother will have Ruyi go take care of you."
Aunt Ruyi is Mother's personal maid, meticulous in her work and even more so in her care.
"Thank you, Father and Mother. Your daughter has made you worry."
"Nonsense, it's only natural for parents to worry about their children."
My father said, "Steward Ye has successfully managed several branches on his own. Learn well from him. Father estimates it will be completed before the year ends, and you can come home for the New Year. By spring, your elder brother will be taking the imperial examinations."
This is the top priority for our family. I decided to visit my elder brother at the Imperial College before heading to Meicheng.
He's been really dedicated lately, even studying hard at the Imperial College on his days off.
I packed many delicious snacks and treats into large bags and headed to the Imperial College. Before I even reached my brother's dormitory, I was intercepted by Situ You, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. The moment he saw the food in my hands, his eyes lit up, and he unceremoniously took half of it.
"Your Highness, what are you doing here?"
"Don't mention it. Elder Brother said I speak without restraint and insisted I copy the 'Chapter on Etiquette' ten times before I'm allowed to leave the Imperial College."
I was curious, "What did you say this time?"
Situ You grumbled, "Actually, this matter is related to you too."
I gave him a questioning look, "How is it related to me?"
"My elder brother was saved by you, and the Emperor wanted to enfeign you as a county princess, but Aunt Qing refused. Those gifts are just inanimate objects; how can they express the royal family's gratitude? Is the life of the Crown Prince adequately compensated with such meager offerings?"
"And then?"
"Then I offered a suggestion. They say a life debt should be repaid by marriage. If Elder Brother doesn't want you as his Crown Princess, I can repay the debt on his behalf and marry you as a prince's consort. Then Elder Brother got angry. Alas, being confined in the palace at least means food and drink are guaranteed. The food at the Imperial College's cafeteria is truly unbearable. I've been craving good food these past few days."
Serves you right!
My momentary sympathy for him vanished completely. I snatched back all the food he had taken, "Why didn't Crown Prince send you to a temple to become a vegetarian?"
Situ You hopped around behind me, "Wang Nannan, you can't do this."
"You're calling me by my childhood nickname again? Be careful, your elder brother might send you to mine for ore."
Situ You deflated, "Has my brother been too idle lately? He punished me for saying I wanted to marry you, and he punished me for calling you by your childhood nickname. What exactly has Uncle Gu been teaching him lately?"
Uncle Gu, whose full name is Gu Li, is a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy and one of the Crown Prince's tutors.
I scoffed, "Don't even try. The Grand Scholar Gu said three years ago that he had taught the Crown Prince everything he could and hasn't given him lessons since."
"But who else would bother with these trivial matters?"
Your brother himself.
Of course, I didn't say that. If he were to ask me how I knew, I wouldn't be able to come up with a plausible explanation. So, I quickened my pace towards my brother's dormitory, and Situ You shamelessly followed.
I told my elder brother about going to Meicheng. After hearing the full story, he patted my head and said, "It's indeed a disadvantage to be looking for a match now. If Brother succeeds in the imperial examinations next year, our family will also be an official household. Then, without relying on any external forces, eligible young men will seek to marry you."
This goes to show how being an official can change one's circumstances. No matter how well my father performed his duties as a steward, the Empress could not grant him an official post. But it's different for my elder brother to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations.
I said with a grin, "Then, elder brother, little sister will rely on you for protection from now on. Don't get annoyed if I cause trouble."
"That's for sure."
Situ You swallowed a roasted chicken leg and was reaching for the osmanthus cake, "So, after I said so many times that I wanted to marry you, you never took it to heart."