Chapter 528: What’s the Difference Between Not Showing Off and Being a Salted Fish?

“Unworthy grandson Zhu Ping’an, together with his grandson’s wife Li Shu, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the harmony of Earth, obedient to the commands of our parents and guided by the words of the matchmakers, have joined in marriage, forming one family. We shall raise our trays level with brows in mutual respect, treat each other as honored guests; bear and raise children to continue the family line; prosper the household and bring honor to our ancestors. May Heaven bless us, and may our forebears bear witness.”

Within the Zhu family ancestral hall, Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu stood solemnly before the ancestral tablets and recited the formal Declaration. Their voices, steady yet tinged with reverence, echoed faintly in the quiet hall. When they finished, they carefully placed the lit incense sticks into the censer before the tablets. Wisps of fragrant smoke curled upward, as though carrying their words to the unseen realm.

They then stepped back three paces in unison, straightened their posture, and clasped their hands respectfully. With a shared breath, they knelt and performed a full, formal bow to the ancestors, their movements measured and devout.

This was the indispensable rite—informing the ancestors of their marriage and humbly seeking their protection and blessing.

While Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu performed their rites, Grandmother, Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, and Fourth Aunt waited quietly outside the ancestral hall. The women spoke in hushed tones, careful not to disturb the solemnity within. Inside the hall, besides the newlyweds, only Old Master Zhu and the eldest uncle, Zhu Shouren, stood to the side, observing in silence.

Not long before, when Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu had arrived at the old residence, they had first paid respects to Grandmother and the others. After introducing Li Shu to the elders, Grandmother informed Zhu Ping’an that Old Master Zhu and Zhu Shouren were currently in the ancestral hall.

Zhu Shouren was soon to depart for Yingtian Prefecture to take the children’s examination. By long-standing custom, before setting out on a distant journey—or undertaking any major matter—one must visit the ancestral hall to report to the forebears and pray for their blessing.

Zhu Ping’an had brought Li Shu to the old residence not only to meet the elders, but also for this very purpose: to inform the ancestors of their marriage and seek their protection. It was, after all, a necessary part of the wedding rites.

Thus, upon hearing that his grandfather and uncle were at the ancestral hall, Zhu Ping’an informed Grandmother and promptly led Li Shu there. By the time they arrived, Old Master Zhu and Zhu Shouren had just finished their own offerings and were preparing to leave.

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At this moment, Zhu Shouren was dressed in a brand-new, wide-sleeved, round-collared robe. He carried himself with the refined air of a learned gentleman. Seeing Zhu Ping’an, he showed not the slightest trace of embarrassment—as if the incident of scheming for family property and being beaten into a frantic retreat by Old Master Zhu had never happened at all.

Even Old Master Zhu, who had been so furious that day, now appeared mild and amiable, his earlier anger seemingly dissolved into thin air.

Grandmother and the others had followed along as well, but as women, they could not enter the ancestral hall. Only on the occasion of marriage were they permitted inside once; afterward, entry was no longer freely allowed.

After Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu completed their bows to the ancestors, the family returned together to the old residence. Inside the main hall, Old Master Zhu and Old Madam Zhu took their seats, prepared to receive Li Shu’s ceremonial tea.

While the couple had gone to the ancestral hall, the maids remaining at the residence had already boiled water and prepared the tea.

“Grandfather, please have some tea.”

Li Shu stepped forward gracefully and presented a cup of fragrant tea with both hands. The cup rested on a small tray, and within the tea floated two red dates and lotus seeds—symbols of early childbirth and noble offspring.

“Good, good.”

Old Master Zhu looked at Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu kneeling before him, his face breaking into a wide, satisfied smile. He repeated his approval twice, clearly delighted.

His grandson Zhu Ping’an was not yet fifteen, yet already the top scholar of the Great Ming, and even held the rank of a sixth-grade official. Such an achievement was almost unheard of—truly a glory to the Zhu family. It was as if smoke had risen from the ancestral graves, a sign of extraordinary fortune. Wherever he went now, people spoke admiringly of his remarkable grandson.

As for his grandson’s wife, Li Shu, she was the daughter of a wealthy household—beautiful, filial, capable, and already renowned throughout the town. She would surely become a virtuous and supportive partner.

Yet as he accepted the tea, a faint regret stirred in Old Master Zhu’s heart. Memories surfaced unbidden.

Ah… if only, back then… if only he had not separated the second branch of the family so early…

“Grandmother, please have some tea.”

Li Shu presented another cup with both hands.

“Mhm. Good.” Old Madam Zhu replied simply, her tone reserved.

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After receiving the tea, Old Madam Zhu, on behalf of both herself and Old Master Zhu, handed Li Shu a red-paper-wrapped gift.

“Your granddaughter-in-law thanks Grandfather and Grandmother.”

Li Shu accepted the red packet with a sweet, blooming smile, her expression as radiant as a flower in full bloom. What she thought inwardly, however, was another matter entirely. The moment she took it, she could tell—it contained no more than ten copper coins.

Ordinarily, when elders received tea from a new bride, they would present treasured items as gifts—something meaningful, something of value. For a family like the Zhu household, which possessed more resources than most in the village, it was almost unthinkable not to have such keepsakes.

And yet… here they were, giving copper coins instead.

After serving tea to Old Master Zhu and Old Madam Zhu, Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu rose and proceeded to serve tea to the eldest uncle and the others in turn. Each accepted with smiles and offered words of congratulation—except for the eldest uncle.

“Zhi’er has now married and become a man. From this day forward, you must bear responsibility in both conduct and character.”

Zhu Shouren, still clad in his fine new robe, took the tea, lightly brushed the lid against the cup, sipped once, and set it down. Then, clasping his hands behind his back, he stood before Zhu Ping’an, adopting the air of a senior elder delivering earnest instruction.

“I will keep Uncle’s teachings in mind.”

Zhu Ping’an gave a slight bow, his expression polite.

“Mhm.” Zhu Shouren stroked his beard and nodded, every inch the dignified elder.

After the tea ceremony, they exchanged a few more words, and the conversation naturally turned to Zhu Shouren’s upcoming journey to Yingtian Prefecture for the examination.

“This time, as I go to take the academy examination in Yingtian, all preparations are complete. I need only step into the examination hall and display my abilities—success will be as easy as retrieving something from my own pocket.”

Zhu Shouren paced a few steps with his hands behind his back, stroking his beard. A confident smile spread across his face, his posture brimming with self-assurance, as though success were already guaranteed.

Without showing off, what difference is there from being a salted fish?

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Zhu Shouren embodied this philosophy perfectly.

Watching his uncle’s thunder-attracting arrogance, Zhu Ping’an found himself at a loss for words. It wasn’t even the first time he had heard such boasts. The last time he went to Yingtian for the examinations, his uncle had said something nearly identical at the long pavilion—and on other occasions as well.

“Then your nephew wishes Uncle great success—may your name appear on the golden list and victory come at the first stroke.”

Zhu Ping’an forced a slight smile and offered the customary congratulatory words, though they rang hollow even to his own ears.

Truthfully, Zhu Ping’an had little confidence in his uncle—not out of baseless prejudice, but from firsthand experience. The last time they had traveled together to Yingtian, his uncle’s conduct had made it impossible to take him seriously.

For Zhu Shouren, the imperial examination seemed less like a test of scholarship and more like a publicly funded pleasure trip. The family had scraped together every coin—tightening their belts, even selling possessions—to provide him with travel funds. Yet he spent that hard-earned money indulging himself in wine, banquets, and fleeting romances.

Zhu Ping’an couldn’t recall seeing him open a book even once during those dozens of days on the road—not once. Instead, he was constantly attending gatherings, drinking, socializing, and… offering his “support” to unfortunate women of the pleasure quarters. Rivalries, jealousy, and petty competitions—those, he had in abundance.

Even on the eve of the examination, his uncle had not forgotten to pay another “visit.”

“It seems Zhi’er has great confidence in his uncle.”

Zhu Shouren stroked his beard, looking at Zhu Ping’an with satisfaction.

…Confidence? Which eye of yours saw that?

Zhu Ping’an was utterly speechless.

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