Fragile Miss VS Young Master (Part One)

In the third year of the Tianqi era, Emperor Yan issued a decree, granting a marriage between the Chu family and the Nan family, commanding Chu Jin and Nan Wan, the legitimate daughter of the Nan family, to marry in half a month.
As soon as the news spread, the citizens of the imperial city were left speechless.
Let’s not even mention how much of a wastrel Chu Jin from the Chu family is, spending day and night seeking pleasure, indulging in beauty, and relying on charm. Just the fact that he has failed to pass the imperial examination three times is enough to label him as a good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat, drink, and play.
Miss Nan Wan of the Nan family has been weak and ill since childhood, rarely going out.
Those who have seen her have said she looks plain as salt, while others claim she is as beautiful as a celestial being.
As for her exact appearance, people do not make judgments, but her frailty is a fact.
If I marry into the Chu family, I’ll probably be ground down by Chu Jin day and night, and won't last long.
This marriage is clearly a huge trap.
But with His Majesty personally issuing the decree, no one dares to speak out.
Even if there are doubts behind the scenes, one must still publicly praise His Majesty's insight, as these two are a match made in heaven.
The Chu family is currently shrouded in gloom, as Chu Jin is absolutely unwilling to marry the young lady of the Nan family.
"Mother."
```htmlThe strikingly handsome young man pitifully lamented, "You have no idea what people outside are saying about me! They say that the South family's young lady married in just to die from anger because of me."
"Mother, you should really let someone else marry that South family young lady! I truly can't bear it." ```
Chu family matriarch Li looked at her youngest son with pain and turned to her husband for help.
"Ridiculous."
Chu Sheng, the head of the Chu family, couldn't hold back any longer and angrily slammed the table, saying, "The emperor's arranged marriage is no trivial matter!"
If a charge of disobedience to the imperial decree is placed upon them, the entire Chu family will face confiscation and execution.
"Master."
Li Shi said worriedly, “If that young lady from the Nan family is difficult to deal with, won't our child be the one to suffer?”
“What is he afraid of?”
Chu Sheng glared fiercely at Chu Jin: “I wish that the South family's young lady were a bit more assertive, so she could manage this troublemaker.”
Just one moment of inattention, and he sneaked away.
All day long, it's either drinking with those worthless friends or flirting with the girls from the brothel.
However, thinking about it, that's probably impossible.
That Miss Nan has a kind and gentle nature; she wouldn't dare say a word even if her husband were to misbehave outside.
Looking at his son’s unwavering gaze, Chu Sheng let out a sigh and half-reluctantly said, “I will discuss this matter with the Nan family.”
Compared to the Chu family, the Nan family holds more favor in front of the emperor.
They are unwilling to marry, and the Southern Mansion probably doesn't want to marry either.
If they discuss it properly, it is estimated that this marriage can be called off.
But Chu Sheng also knows that this opportunity is quite slim.
If the Southern Mansion had a plan, would they have waited until today?
"Thank you, Dad."
Chu Jing's face surfaced with joy.
“These few days, you should stay at home and not go out to cause trouble.”
Chu Sheng gave his son a warning glance.
“If I find out that you've caused any more big troubles outside, I will break your legs.”
Chu Jin recoiled slightly, clearly feeling the impact of that remark.
“Also, your elder brother will be back soon; make sure to spend some quality time with him and don’t mess around with those rascally friends of yours.”
"Big brother is back?"
Chu Jin only caught the first half of the sentence; the second half had no impact on him at all.
"Zhao'er is back?"
Li Shi was overjoyed.
They had always doted on their eldest son, who was usually so successful.
However, Chu Zhao is a decisive person; three years ago, he traveled a long distance to the North Ridge to seek a master, and he might not come back even once a year.
"Understood."
Chu Sheng's tone softened: "Zhao'er said he would be back in three days."
“Then I need to quickly instruct the servants to clean up Chaor's room.”
When Li heard this, she hurriedly ran out.
"Father."
Chu Jin couldn't hide her curiosity in her eyes: “Why is big brother willing to come back this time?”
Chushe gave his little son a disdainful glance: "Isn't it because I heard you're getting married?"
Otherwise, with his eldest son's behavior, he would probably have to wait another month or two.
Chu Jin touched his nose and said, "Isn't that a bit too rash for big brother? There’s still nothing set in stone!"
Chu Sheng remained noncommittal and turned to leave.
Chu Jin wanted to follow him, but his father's words pinned him in place: "Today, you will read the 'Analects' three times for me, and I will check in the evening."
“Dad, no!”
Chu Jin held his head, wailing like a ghost.
He was naturally averse to studying, and reading "The Analects" three times felt like immense torture for him.
Chu Sheng coldly turned his back on him, indicating that there was no room for negotiation on this matter.
“Young master, you should listen to the old master!”
De Fu looked at his young master with sympathy: “Otherwise, it might be you who gets punished later.”
“I’ll read it, fine.”
Chu Jin said resentfully.
He doesn't believe that with his intelligence, he can't master a book.
He'd rather not make a sound, but when he does, it's astonishing.
Chu Jin confidently opened "The Analects."
“The Master said: Reviewing the old and understanding the new, one can be a teacher.”
```html“Confucius said: Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?”
……
"What kind of thing is this?"
Chu Jin, feeling annoyed, tossed aside the "Analects" in his hand, speaking in classical Chinese, more irritating than those pedantic scholars.```
De Fu looked at the nose and then at the heart, finding this scene neither strange nor unfamiliar.
Given his young master's character, it would be considered strange if he could read for even a cup of tea's worth of time.
“I want to leave the manor.”
Chu Jin made up his mind.
A few days ago, a new male courtesan arrived at the brothel he usually frequents.
The songs he sang were incredibly beautiful.
Chu Jin had been coveting it for a long time, eagerly wanting to rush into the brothel and indulge his ears.
"Young master."
Defu kindly reminded, "Sir didn't allow you to leave the residence, and you also agreed to Sir..."
Chu Jin casually waved her hand, signaling him not to continue, "I only promised my father not to cause trouble outside, but I never promised him not to visit brothels for music; that's a different matter altogether."
“Listening to little tunes is just nonsense! Young Master, you're about to marry Miss Nan, yet you're still mingling in the brothel. Those people will definitely start gossiping again.”
“Even if I do nothing, those people will still gossip.”
Chu Jin didn't take it seriously.
Even if he went out just to buy a pastry, people would say that he was out on the street flirting with a lady again.
Heaven knows, he only asked where the lady bought her rouge because he wanted to buy some for his mother.
He didn’t expect to be misunderstood as teasing, and he felt quite helpless.
“Forget it, I’m going out anyway.”
Chu Jin pulled out a folding fan from who knows where, opened it with a "snap" and then closed it with another "snap".
“Staying at home all day is driving me crazy.”
“Young Master, how can we go out then?”
Defu cautiously suggested, “Crawl through a dog hole?”
“How could I ever do something so degrading?”
Chu Jin sneered and then said seriously, "But it's okay to do it occasionally; after all, a true man can bend and stretch."
Oh.
De Fu responded coldly with a word.