The area in front of the ceremonial gate of the Zhang Mansion was quiet.

Zhang Zhuo, Mrs. Zhang, Xu Shu, and Zhang Zheng all looked at Chen Ji with curious eyes, as if they were examining a rare object.

Mrs. Zhang was silent for a moment, staring at Chen Ji, and asked for confirmation, "What did you say?"

Chen Ji smiled and replied, "I said I have no plans to move out. Living at the Zhang Family is quite good. I want to stay here."

Zhang Xia stared blankly at Chen Ji. Chen Ji was not reluctantly agreeing, nor was he making concessions or bearing humiliation. It was "I want."

Mrs. Zhang remained calm-faced, "Have you thought it through? Living with the Zhang Family, people outside won't call you the son-in-law of the Zhang Family; they'll only say you're the live-in son-in-law. Wherever you go, people will point fingers at you, and everything you do will be said to depend on the Zhang Family. Can you bear it?"

Xu Shu said with interest, "Your mother-in-law isn't trying to scare you. Your father-in-law has endured such humiliation and burden for years. Among our dynasty's men, the worst fate is being a pimp, followed by being a live-in son-in-law, and then being a Prince Consort. Once, a daughter of our dynasty's Wenzong was considered as precious as a pearl. Wenzong wanted to ally with the current Grand Secretary by making his son the Prince Consort. The Grand Secretary naturally refused. Coincidentally, during the Imperial Examination, a talented scholar named Zheng Xun, who was both talented and handsome, caught the Grand Secretary's eye, and he suggested Zheng Xun to Wenzong for the role."

Xu Shu gloatingly continued, "Wenzong also thought highly of Zheng Xun and issued a decree granting marriage. Guess what happened later? After becoming the Prince Consort, Zheng Xun struggled to enter the Imperial Inspection Office as an Imperial Censor and spent his entire life impeaching the Grand Secretary every month."

Mrs. Zhang glared at him, "What's got you going? Do these two matters relate?"

Xu Shu quickly shut his mouth.

Mrs. Zhang looked at Chen Ji, "Have you thought it through? Aren't you afraid of people gossiping behind your back?"

Chen Ji nodded, "I've thought it through. Whatever others want to say, let them say it."

Mrs. Zhang glanced at him, then at Zhang Xia, and said lightly, "Let's eat." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She turned around to lead the way to the Zhang Family's inner hall.

In the inner hall, there was only a small square table. Usually, only the four members of the Zhang Family ate here, and the table size was just right.

Now, with two additional people, it seemed a little crowded.

Xu Shu shamelessly took the east seat first, gesturing and commanding, "Everyone, sit down, sit down. Squeeze in a bit, it makes things lively. Axia, squeeze in with Chen Ji. Sister, squeeze in with brother-in-law. Zhang Zheng, let's each take a side. Yes, yes, this feels like a family."

Mrs. Zhang looked at Zhang Zhuo beside her. They had been married for over twenty years, originally sitting across from each other. Later, when they had children, they sat north and east.

To this day, it was indeed the first time she squeezed in to eat with Zhang Zhuo, feeling notably uneasy.

Mrs. Zhang cleared her throat and said to the outside, "Nuanchun, in the afternoon, go to Master Guo's place and ask if there's a ready big table. If there isn't, go to the Bell and Drum Tower and buy a common household one as a temporary solution, and replace it when Master Guo finishes a new table."

Before Nuanchun could answer, Xu Shu quickly said, "No, no, no, isn't this square table just fine? Crowding in brings people closer."

Mrs. Zhang raised her voice, "Xu Shu! Is it you or me who decides in this house? Don't put on those Forty-nine Heavens airs. If you don't want to stay at the Zhang Family, then move out!"

Xu Shu cheekily continued to smile, "Sister, when the Xu Family eats, they put a twenty-seat table, and only a few scattered people eat, making it feel like the home's vitality is about to dissipate. Brother-in-law, what do you think?"

Zhang Zhuo scooted closer to his wife, smilingly saying, "I also think this small square table is quite good."

Mrs. Zhang grumbled, "If you squeeze any more, you'll fall off!"

But she never mentioned changing the table again.

Seeing the maids serve the dishes, Zhang Xia suddenly said, "Mother, Xiao Man and the little monk are also living with us now. I want them to join us for meals too."

Mrs. Zhang frowned, "Xiao Man, that little maid of Chen Ji?"

Zhang Xia corrected, "Mother, Xiao Man and I are sworn sisters. Back in Guyuan, if it weren't for her help, my brother and I wouldn't have been able to return to see you. I've mentioned it to you before."

Zhang Zheng also helped, "Yes, we've been sworn siblings for a long time. That day at Guyuan Dragon Gate Inn, if it weren't for her, Axia and I wouldn't have come back."

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, "That girl Xiao Man is nice."

Xu Shu also loudly said, "I heard that little monk has telepathy. I've always wanted to meet him, but unfortunately, I never got the chance."

"You're in the Eight Great Hutongs every day. How could you possibly meet a monk?" Mrs. Zhang said irritably, holding a blue and white porcelain bowl in her left hand, "No need for this back-and-forth. Just call them to eat."

Zhang Xia dashed out, and when she returned, she brought Xiao Man and the little monk.

Xiao Man timidly stood at the door, greeting Zhang Zhuo and Mrs. Zhang, "Master, Lady."

Mrs. Zhang said blandly, "I've heard Axia mention you all, you're not outsiders. Sit down."

Xiao Man responded with a sound.

Xu Shu pulled Zhang Zheng to his side, letting Xiao Man and the little monk squeeze in on the other side.

Mrs. Zhang looked at all the people at the table, frowned for a long time, and finally sighed, "Eat!"

...

...

During the meal, Mrs. Zhang picked up a piece of vegetable, placed it in her bowl without eating it.

She looked at Chen Ji and said slowly, "What are your plans for the future? You can't just remain idle without status."

Chen Ji thought for a moment, "Mother, I want to continue studying medicine at the Imperial Hospital."

Mrs. Zhang said decisively, "No, even if you become an Imperial Physician, it's just a seventh-rank position. Even if you become the Hospital Director, it's only fifth-rank!"

Chen Ji remained silent for a moment, "What does Mother want me to do?"

Mrs. Zhang softened her tone, "Our dynasty selects officials through the Imperial Examination. Your father-in-law was a top scorer and rose to become a cabinet minister. Although Xu Chuanxi is unlikable, he still became the Minister of the Ministry of Justice through honest examination achievements. Even Qi Xianzun, who was expelled from the family registry, was once a second-class graduate. You are only nineteen now, a prime age for studying. If you're willing to study hard, there's a chance you could participate in the Imperial Examination after five years of diligent study."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Mrs. Zhang paused, her gaze sweeping over Chen Ji and landing on his face, "If you think Imperial Examination is too slow, benefactor recommendation is also a path. Your father-in-law is a cabinet minister now, and by rule, he can recommend a son to the Imperial Academy. He manages the Ministry of Personnel, and after three years at the academy, he could position you with a role in one of the Six Ministries. In the past, there were students who became governors right after graduating from the Imperial Academy. Though it's not possible now, gaining experience in the Six Ministries would be beneficial. It may be slow, but better than joining the Eunuch Party."

At the mention of the Eunuch Party, Zhang Zhuo paused his hand while picking food.

He glanced at Mrs. Zhang wanting to speak but was stared back by her.

Mrs. Zhang continued, "If you don't want to go to the Imperial Academy, then go to the Capital Guard Martial Arts. You have earned merit in Guyuan, though your title was stripped, your name is still on the merit register, and the Ministry of War will recognize it. After three years in the Capital Guard Martial Arts, ordinary people can only get a standard fifth-rank post at a garrison. But you are Mr. Wang's direct disciple, if he writes you a recommendation, you might directly secure a standard fifth-rank households post. If you can lead troops in the Imperial Three Camps, with your talent, you could achieve great accomplishments in turbulent times."

Capital Guard Martial Arts, located in Beijing Martial Arts Alley, under the Ministry of War, designed for training the young guards, merit guard attendants, and military merit descendants. Courses include "Seven Military Classics", military strategies of past dynasties, archery and horsemanship, battle techniques, and etiquette.

Those who excel in their studies may inherit family positions, or be posted to camps and garrisons. Graduates become heads of households, outstanding ones become heads of thousand households.

Xu Shu attempted to mediate, "A person's life doesn't have to be about fame and success..."

Mrs. Zhang angrily retorted, "Eat your food!"

Xu Shu: "Alright."

Mrs. Zhang slowly chewed and swallowed the vegetable before speaking again, "Chen Ji, I'm not forcing you. But as a man, you can't rely on the Yue Family for your entire life. Axia is with you. You should give her a decent life. When she socializes and people ask about her husband, she can't say you're just idling at home. That would make you a mere son-in-law."

Zhang Xia's chopsticks paused, "Mother, him being an instructor at Capital Guard Martial Arts would be more fitting..."

Chen Ji gently nudged her foot under the table.

Zhang Xia glanced at him and swallowed back the words.

Mrs. Zhang spoke leisurely, "Our dynasty has its rules; a proper origin requires one of these paths. Also, don't think about continuing with the Eunuch Party; our Zhang Family can't lose face over that."

Seeing Chen Ji silent, Zhang Zhuo also tried to smooth over the situation, "Chen Ji just came from the Imperial Supervision Office. It's too early for these discussions. Lady, we can wait until after the Lantern Festival and spring to make plans. Let's eat!"

They devoured the food.

Zhang Xia was initially worried that Chen Ji might hold back, but he was eating more heartily than anyone.

She noticed Xiao Man being somewhat reserved, so she kept placing food onto Xiao Man's plate.

After thirty minutes, Mrs. Zhang stared directly at the empty dishes on the table. Usually, the food wasn't finished, but today she'd only had half full, and the food was gone.

She took a deep breath and instructed Nuanchun, "Tell the kitchen to prepare thrice the usual amount of food in the future, and don't serve rice in bowls, bring a rice barrel directly."

Nuanchun whispered, "Didn't you say having a rice barrel on the table isn't classy?"

Mrs. Zhang sneered, "We already have several rice buckets on the table, what's one more?"