Female Lead Quits 12

It Wasn’t Just the Scholarly and Military Officials – Even his Kin Wasn’t Spared. Zhou Liulang Showed No Mercy…

T/N: 

“A bow to heaven and earth

A bow to our parents

A bow to each other (husband and wife)

Proceed to the bridal chambers…”

Sorry for the long wait on this chapter (*´；ェ；`*) I didn’t have the time or motivation to translate until now. The good news is I guess we’re married now (๑oωo)

It wasn’t just the scholarly and military officials – even his kin wasn’t spared. Zhou Liulang showed no mercy even to his own family. 

Such a person… Even if he was matchless in poetry, calligraphy, zither, and painting, even if he was already a fifth-rank official at such a young age, even if he was born with a handsome appearance, if one was to live together with him, how could they possibly have a happy life being cursed daily by him? 

Mother Su wasn’t worried about his age – so what if he was seven years older? It wasn’t as if he was a widower remarrying. In a legitimate marriage, it didn’t matter if the man was older by a few years. What was worrying was that mouth of his.

Father Su thought differently from Mother Su. As an official of the same dynasty, he’d engaged with Zhou Liulang before. Although he appeared formidable when cursing people, those were just sharp words – he still behaved like a gentleman, with a cultured and refined appearance. Only his mouth was unforgiving. 

Besides, Zhou Liulang never cursed another without reason, hence he wasn’t an unreasonable person. Otherwise, how could he become a fifth-rank official at such a young age? 

In addition, Father Su loved calligraphy and Zhou Liulang had exceptional skills. Nobody could boast out abilities in zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting. Although Zhou Liulang’s tongue offended many, his reputation in the Four Arts never diminished, clearly demonstrating his capabilities. 

One’s calligraphy revealed their character. From Zhou Liulang’s calligraphy, Father Su could tell he wasn’t a fool. Although he acted wild and ruly, he had a bottom line and perseverance, so there was nothing wrong with his character. Moreover, since he dared make an oath before the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager, he wouldn’t do something that would slap himself in the face.

Rather, what Father Su was worried about was the Zhou Family itself. Zhou Liulang had five older brothers – three born from the first wife and two concubine-born – and three concubine-born younger brothers, and they all lived together as one big family, not unlike their own residence. The Zhou Family and their family property had not been divided yet – in addition, Lord Zhou was still in good health – so it may be another decade or two before the division. 

If A-yuan agreed to this matter, then Zhou Liulang had to divide from his family. However, the two would have to suffer from much hardship after. 

Moreover, with the ready-made Princess’ Residence, those in the Emperor’s son-in-law’s family would naturally be managed by the Imperial Court. If the Zhou Family lived spaciously, then this wouldn’t be an issue, but if they weren’t, there would be a reason for them all to move into the Princess’ Residence. 

“We can all see Zhou Liulang’s sincerity. However, marriage is a major event that impacts one’s lifetime, so we can never be too cautious. As parents, we can’t hastily agree either. Please give us some time to see whether Zhou Liulang is truly suitable for our A-yuan. If suitable, then we’ll request the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager to confer a marriage.” Father Su was just as cautious.

The Empress Dowager came just to convey the Zhou Family’s sincerity – she wasn’t planning on letting her younger brother and sister-in-law agree on the spot either. 

“I only came to pass the message. You should make further considerations. I also watched A-yuan grow up, so although I don’t have a daughter, I pretty much consider A-yuan my own. Her marriage cannot be forced, so we must find the most suitable partner for her.”

A-yuan rescued Yu-er. Just this alone gave her enough privilege to enter the palace and become Empress. As long as he existed under the Heavens, she could marry any good man she wanted. 

The Empress Dowager left immediately after conveying the message, not even staying for a meal. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her niece – it’s just, A-yuan left the Capital for fun today and nobody knew how late she’d return. 

Although she and the Retired Emperor was an old married couple, life had more flavour than it did when they were younger. It hadn’t even been four hours before she desired to return. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

By the time Su Yuan returned to the residence, her parents were already investigating Zhou Liulang’s every record and file. His virtues were truly desirable, yet his flaws were also highly resentful.

“Has A-yuan heard of Zhou Liulang?” Mother Su didn’t ask if her daughter had seen Zhou Liulang before. This was a youthful love. Her daughter held such great beauty, it was understandable for Zhou Liulang to feel admiration towards her. 

Seen? Su Yuan was even part of a crowd who watched Zhou Liulang utilise his dislikeable talent. He was born with a warm, jade-like appearance, his voice was as pleasant to the ears as a clear spring, and his behaviour was that of an educated and courteous gentleman. However, each and every single word that came out of his mouth was merciless. 

Su Yuan watched with her own eyes as Zhou Liulang forced a noble childe from a formidable general’s residence to weep from bitterness. His tongue was truly daring, and his literary talents were outstanding. He quoted the classics, used the past to disparage the present, and his rhetorical devices were used very fittingly. 

It was truly… Admirable.

“There shouldn’t be anyone in the Capital who hasn’t heard of Zhou Liulang, right? Not only have I heard of him, I even watched as he cursed someone. Sure enough… He enjoys a well-deserved reputation.”

Mother Su also felt complicated. Zhou Liulang’s sincerity was acceptable. Not only did he plead directly to the Retired Emperor, he even vowed to ‘never accept a single concubine in this lifetime’. This person’s appearance, scholarly knowledge, and character had virtually no faults – only his mouth caused quite the step back. 

Father and Mother Su didn’t hide it from their daughter. They repeated the Empress Dowager’s words, not omitting a single word. 

“…No matter if this matter can proceed or not, it’ll be easy to explain before the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager. Your A-niang and I have also pondered over this for a long while – other than his ugly words, Zhou Liulang is acceptable in all other aspects. What’s most important is what you think. A marriage cannot be hastily settled. If you think this matter can proceed, I’ll go find Zhou Liulang and have a chat with him, then arrange a time for you two to meet. It’s also okay if you don’t like him.”

He had to say, for the scrupulous Zhou Liulang to be able to look up to his daughter, Father Su did feel a level of pride. No wonder the other’s calligraphy was so excellent – his eyes were all over here. 

Zhou Liulang was sincere, clearly expressing his admiration for A-yuan. However, whether these two can live a happy life together was still dependent on both of their feelings. 

It was hard for Su Yuan to imagine Zhou Liulang admiring another, much less when it’s herself; after all, she had little to no contact with Zhou Liulang.

In the future, if they did become married and they found themselves in conflict, she’s afraid the other would probably curse her to death. Su Yuan subconsciously cracked her knuckles. Those who are all talk probably aren’t able to beat against those who use their fists, but domestic violence wasn’t a good thing; she probably wouldn’t be able to take such action. She’d at most just scare him a little. 

But thinking about it, it must be nice to have someone with such cursing power to go against outsiders – just watching him would fill one with a strong sense of satisfaction. 

Su Yuan had never considered Zhou Liulang before – after all, there was a big age gap between them – but it seemed other than cursing people, Zhou Liulang wasn’t flawed in any other aspect. He was as handsome as Pan An¹ and as talented as Zi Jian². Even his love for cursing people wasn’t a big deal; after all, nobody in this world was perfect. Even she had a lot of issues. 

Since their daughter was willing, as parents they had to take on the burden of worrying. Mother Su secretly sent someone to investigate Zhou Liulang to see if he had any bad habits whilst Father Su directly went to Zhou Liulang. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Zhou Liulang worked at the Hanlin Academy as a fifth-rank scholarly lecturer. His official position was above the second branch Su Changfeng’s. Su Chanfeng actually hadn’t participated in the Imperial Examination – moreover, he never studied well and didn’t have any outstanding capabilities – hence, after all these years, he was only a sixth-rank lecturer, two Zhou Liulangs apart from the young Zhou Liulang. 

Father Su went directly to the Hanlin Academy in the name of ‘seeking calligraphy’. Everyone knew he loved calligraphy and Zhou Liulang had excellent handwriting anyway, so this reason wasn’t sudden.

Zhou Liulang had his own room in the Hanlin Academy, so once the door closed they could talk in their normal voice rather than meeting up somewhere else. 

Father Su came in with his hands behind his back. His official position was ranks higher than Zhou Liulang’s – in addition, he was the elder – so he naturally had to act proper. 

Although he’d never been cursed at by Zhou Liulang, he’d watched as Zhou Liulang cursed others many times. Even the Grand Chancellor had been cursed at by Zhou Liulang, so he’d mentally prepared himself before coming – if this conversation was to go awry, it’s possible he’d be thrown out by curses. 

Fortunately, Zhou Liulang was aware he’d asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage, so he personally pulled out the chair and served tea to him with a warm and respectful attitude. Before Father Su, he performed a junior’s etiquette. 

For someone who became a Tanhua at such a young age, not only was his appearance and manner exceptional, he didn’t lack etiquette either. His movements were like moving clouds and flowing water³, carrying an indescribable grace and zen. 

Just as a noble childe should be. 

Zhou Liulang had never been this respectful towards him before – for him to act like this today was most likely for his daughter. 

If it was any other man, Father Su would only find it natural – if one was to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, they had to demonstrate the correct attitude. But when it came to Zhou Liulang, Father Su truly felt the other’s sincerity. 

But just sincerity alone wasn’t enough.

“You must be twenty-two this year, right? You’ve never married, so your parents must be anxious for some grandchildren. I came also because of your age. Tell me, are you thinking of marriage because your family’s pressuring you too much?”

When Zhou Liulang wasn’t cursing, he was truly endearing. Clever and sensible, when he smiled there’d be dimples on his cheeks – the words he spoke were also likable. 

“To be honest, my family did urge me two years earlier. However, there are too many brothers at home and sometimes I speak too sharply, so for the past two years, nobody has been pressuring me, hence whether I marry or not is up to me. With this lesson, the elders back home shouldn’t be concerned about whether I have children or not in the future either. I’ve always had high standards, so I haven’t been able to get married after all these years. My heart has finally been moved – afraid that my reputation would cause rejection, I pleaded directly to the Retired Emperor. I hope you and auntie⁴ can forgive me.”

Father Su considered Zhou Liulang as his own junior, not just because of the other’s sweet words, but more because of his calligraphy. Although copied from the same book, Zhou Liulang’s calligraphy could even be used as inscription rubbings. 

To write such great calligraphy, his heart must not bear any ill will. 

Father Su, who judged people by their calligraphy, continued pulling. “I also understand your family situation. You have many brothers and sisters, and in the future, there will be many more juniors, hence your home is far less spacious than the Princess’ Residence. As parents, we always have to think for our children. My wife and I only have one son and daughter, so we’ve never let them suffer in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation. When they marry in the future, we can’t let them live backwards.” 

“You are right.” There wasn’t a hint of awkwardness in Zhou Liulang’s expression; instead, it even carried a level of agreement. “There are many people living in our residence and it’s already becoming cramped, so there’s no need to wonder what would happen in the future. If I had the chance, I would’ve already moved out. Princess Anle’s Residence is comparable to the size of a prince’s residence, so it’s naturally best if I could move in. However, I have all that I wish for – I’d set off firecrackers for three days as celebration even if I was to move into the Duke of Qi’s Residence and live with uncle and auntie.”

These words made it sound as if he wasn’t marrying for his daughter, but for the residence!

The Zhou Family was an aristocratic family with centuries of history – it’d existed even before the Dayan Dynasty. How could they possibly be lacking in residences? Their descendants were just complying with the old custom ‘with the parents still here, the family will not divide’. 

Although Zhou Liulang wasn’t one to follow the old customs. This was a good thing – if the other was too conforming, his daughter wouldn’t even think about him. 

“When did you fall in love with my daughter? How come I didn’t know you two met?”

One was a lady still in her chambers whilst the other was an official who’d already entered the Imperial Court. Not only was there a prominent age gap between them, but there was also barely any contact between the Su and Zhou families. 

“It was something that happened recently. When I attended a banquet at another residence, I coincidentally encountered the princess. At that time, the princess was still an infanta. Speaking of, fate is truly too wonderful for words – I’d already planned on spending my remaining days in solitude, so never did I think my heart would sway at first sight.”

Zhou Liulang’s words were half-true. It was true he’d planned on spending his remaining days in solitude; his heart swaying at first sight was false. After all, he couldn’t possibly tell a father that he’d actually coincidentally encountered their daughter numerous times – that he’d seen her in both women and men’s clothing; that he’d seen her listen to music and amuse herself; that he’d seen her beat people up; much less that he’d seen her at the gambling den making quadra kills.

Although she was dressed in disguise, her eyes couldn’t hide her vigour. She was quick-witted, but not naive; fearless, but not without scruples. 

She wasn’t innocent and unaffected, but her eyes teemed with flourishing vitality and strength. 

If he hadn’t recognised those eyes, Zhou Liulang wouldn’t have followed her into the gambling den; however, even after he watched her lay a bet, it only let him further discover his feelings. 

When an old house catches fire, it’d always spread out of control. 

Su Yuan, who was dining with her A-niang back home, naturally didn’t know she had so many face-to-face encounters with Zhou Liulang. She’d only visited the gambling den twice in total – the first time to join the fun and the second time to win back the silver she’d lost before. She’d never revisited since. 

If one was to say they were brought together by fate, then one could also say were tied inextricably tight together by fate.

1. 潘安 – a Fu (Chinese rhymed prose) poet who was known for his good looks
2. 子建 – a prince of the Cao Wei state in the Three Kingdoms period; he was well-known for his poetry style, which became known as the Jian’an style
3. This idiom can also be translated as – ‘natural and flowing style of calligraphy’
4. 伯母 (bo mu) – a polite form of address for older women