Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 900: Vigilance and Planning (2)

Chapter 900: Chapter 900: Vigilance and Planning (2)

Training a myna to deliver messages in such a short time should make training another one seem easy, don’t you think?

The next day, Mo Qingze "coincidentally" met Zhao Fengnian, who had just finished the morning court session and was on his way to the Government Office, while Qingze was on his way to the Hanlin Academy.

In Great Chu, only officials of Positive Fifth Grade and above were qualified to attend court sessions; officials below the fifth grade were only required to report to their respective places of business before 7am, allowing them to enjoy an extra two hours of sleep compared to their superiors.

Seeing the almost benevolent smile on Zhao Fengnian’s face, Mo Qingze, who was already aware of his schemes, displayed a perfectly measured smile in return and performed a bowing gesture, as a lower-ranking official would do when meeting a senior one, and paid his respects, "Junior official pays his respects to Mr. Zhao."

Seeing that the Crown Prince’s favorite was so respectful and courteous towards him filled Zhao Fengnian with pride. However, noticing Qingze’s indifferent expression, he found it difficult to foster a closer relationship.

With his mother’s reminders from the previous night in mind, Zhao Fengnian looked upon the man before him more favorably the more he observed - his appearance being unspeakable, hailed as the most handsome Champion Scholar of the era, and a bright future ahead. Wouldn’t the benefits be plentiful if they could become in-laws?

Mr. Zhao grew more delighted with the thought, his wrinkled face blossoming into a chrysanthemum-like smile. Taking liberties, he patted Mo Qingze’s shoulder, his voice growing even more genial, "I’ve said before, since we both serve as officials in the same court, there’s no need for such formality. Surely, Mr. Mo, you don’t consider me an outsider, do you?"

Mo Qingze felt goosebumps at this over-familiar tone, yet his expression remained even more respectful: "I am deeply grateful for the senior official’s consideration, yet I must not forsake propriety and dare not neglect you, sir."

Seeing this, Zhao Fengnian was unsure whether to feel triumphant or dismayed. The man, seemingly gentle and polite, was impervious, and this made it difficult for Zhao to approach. He couldn’t just bluntly say, "Mr. Mo, my niece has taken a liking to you, when are you free to come and propose at my house?"

To utter such words would mean he could no longer hold his head high in official circles, and the Zhao Family’s reputation would be ruined!

After much deliberation, Zhao Fengnian decided to broach the subject indirectly. Noticing no one paid attention to their conversation, he subtly inquired, "I’ve heard that Mr. Mo resides alone in the Scholar Mansion with no close companions. Is that true?"

Mo Qingze’s eyes flickered as he replied half-truthfully, "To reply to the official, my family is poor. I had only one wife, who passed away early, and I have not remarried since. Currently, an elderly couple takes care of my daily needs in the Scholar Mansion."

Mr. Zhao’s eyes lit up, pressing on, "Mr. Mo is still young and now greatly favored by the Emperor, surely his future looks promising. Have you really never considered remarrying?"

"This..." Mo Qingze’s face showed a timely hint of embarrassment, "I indeed have no intention to remarry, and I already have three children. Which young lady would disregard past faults and condescend to marry me as a stepmother?"

Zhao Fengnian frowned upon hearing this. Was he looking for a maiden, or a maiden of good family?

Mo Qingze didn’t care what Zhao Fengnian thought and continued, "I have both sons and daughters, and whether or not I marry is of little consequence to me. If, at some point in the future, I meet someone suitable, I would not have more children, to avoid partiality and household unrest."

This was indeed what Mo Qingze felt in his heart; he truly had no plans to marry again, and naturally, he didn’t want more children. Now that he had made his stance clear, he hoped Mr. Zhao would take the hint and abandon any intentions of matchmaking, for if things were made explicit, more trouble was likely to ensue.

Zhao Fengnian was somewhat disheartened, his brows furrowed tightly. Staring at Mo Qingze, he found it hard to believe that a man who dreaded the thought of having more children to the point of refusing to bear them still qualified as a man. Or was it possible that Qingze had sensed his intentions and was deliberately blocking him with these words?