Chen Jinyu seed a bit confused, looking at Jiang Shaohua, and whispered: "Commandery Princess, am I wrong to think this way? Isn’t it too opportunistic and too realistic?"
Jiang Shaohua replied: "Marriage is a lifelong matter; once you beco spouses, it’s like you’re on the sa boat, and you have to weather storms together in the future. Of course, you need to choose carefully."
"Opportunistic and realistic—there’s nothing wrong with that. If you think it through thoroughly, you’ll have fewer fantasies and dreams when you live your life, and you’ll be more grounded, more at ease, and more stable."
In other words, the Commandery Princess approved of her choice.
Chen Jinyu let out a sigh of relief, her lips curling into a smile as she casually quipped: "In just over half a month, it will be your coming-of-age ceremony, Commandery Princess. Once you beco an adult, I don’t know how many young n will be scrambling to beco your husband. You can expect matchmakers to break down the threshold of the Prince Mansion!"
Nanyang County grows more prosperous by the day, and Jiang Shaohua, the Princess of Nanyang County, is becoming increasingly prominent, her reputation shining brightly. Once word spreads about looking for a husband, countless families will propose marriage.
Jiang Shaohua showed not the slightest shyness, smiling faintly: "I’ve already made up my mind about this."
Yes, it’s Elder Changning Cui Du! Everyone in the Nanyang Prince Mansion knows this. Chen Jinyu almost blurted it out, but managed to hold back.
At this mont, Ma’s voice sounded outside the door: "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, I have sothing to report."
Jiang Shaohua said: "Co in."
Ma Yaosong pushed the door open and entered.
Chen Jinyu felt a rare twinge of unease, quickly glanced at Ma Yaosong, and soon looked away.
When Ma Yaosong was on duty, he was very stable, never sneaking a peek at Chen Sheren, instead walking up to the Commandery Princess and respectfully reporting the affairs.
In the past few years, Ma Yaosong has been responsible for relaying ssages and handling external matters, and he has truly honed his skills. He is steady and asured, with not a trace of impatience, handling things in an orderly fashion.
After Jiang Shaohua listened to the affairs, she said: "Let these trivial matters be handled directly by Chief Historian Chen."
Ma Yaosong responded, and imdiately withdrew to et with Chief Historian Chen.
Once Ma Yaosong left, Chen Jinyu quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Shaohua watched, amused: "Don’t bla for not reminding you. If you two truly beco a pair, one of you will have to be transferred away from my side in the future."
The position of attendant is not high, but they are her trusted and close aides. There is no rationale for both spouses to serve as attendants at the sa ti. It’s not a matter of trust.
Chen Jinyu nodded: "There’s no need to say it, I understand in my heart. Commandery Princess, rest assured, if I truly intend to marry him, I will explain this clearly to him. If I am to remain by your side, he will have to change his position."
Jiang Shaohua laughed: "You are quite straightforward."
Chen Jinyu responded boldly: "If he is unwilling, then the marriage is off the table."
Jiang Shaohua laughed again: "This matter is between you two, I, the Commandery Princess, will not intervene. You can discuss and settle it yourselves."
...
After a day of duty, by evening, Chen Jinyu walked briskly back to the courtyard.
Mrs. Yao sat with a stern face in her room, waiting for her.
As soon as Chen Jinyu saw her mother, she felt a headache, wishing she could turn back and leave. But since this was the Nanyang Prince Mansion, there was no way to hide. She reluctantly stepped forward: "Why aren’t you asleep at this late hour, Mother?"
Mrs. Yao snorted: "I am just an idle person, neither on duty nor doing anything; what does sleeping late or early matter? But Chen Sheren, being the Commandery Princess’ favorite, is busy all day long. As a mother, it’s only right for to wait a bit."
This sarcastic tone made Chen Jinyu twitch at the corners of her mouth: "Just say what you have to say directly, Mother. What’s the point of beating around the bush just to ridicule ?"
"Direct is direct. Do you think I don’t dare?" Mrs. Yao gave her daughter a stern look: "In just a few days, it will be New Year, and you will be eighteen. At this age, if you don’t fix a marriage, you’ll beco an old maid. Just what are your plans? Do you have any suitable suitors in mind?"
Before Chen Jinyu could respond, she continued in a low voice: "I actually have a good candidate. My cousin married in the Capital City, and she previously wrote to , proposing a marriage for you with the son of the Li family’s direct line. In terms of family rank, he should call Empress Dowager ’Aunt,’ and is a cousin of Li Boyuan, the secretary. He is the grandson of Minister Li. This Mr. Li cos from an outstanding family, and is an exceptional person himself. Last year he passed the scholar exam. If he focuses on studying for a few years and has family support, there’s no worry about a successful future..."
The more Mrs. Yao spoke, the brighter her eyes beca.
By this point, Chen Jinyu’s head was spinning; she opened her mouth and interrupted her mother’s babbling: "I can’t marry into the Capital City. I want to stay in the Nanyang Prince Mansion and serve by the Commandery Princess’ side."
"After marrying, there’s no logic in exposing oneself publicly again." Mrs. Yao was anxious, reaching out to grab Chen Jinyu’s arm: "What family would allow a daughter-in-law to walk outside and work? Don’t be absurd!"
"I’m not being absurd!" Chen Jinyu responded seriously: "If marrying ans staying inside, I’d rather not marry. Just like Sun Zelan, not marrying forever."
Mrs. Yao almost fainted with anger: "Are you trying to infuriate your mother to death? Absolutely not! What happens with Miss Sun is beyond my control. You’re not becoming an old maid! I won’t permit it!"
Chen Jinyu’s face was resolute: "In any case, I can’t marry into the Capital City. I’ll choose a husband from Nanyang County."
"Where are the good n in Nanyang County!" Mrs. Yao, fired up, spoke more harshly and piercingly: "You don’t truly want to marry that Ma Yaosong, do you? His ancestors were rchants, his grandfather raised horses, and his father also raises horses. Without the Commandery Princess favoring and promoting the Ma Family, where would he have the chance to beco her attendant?"
"A family like the Ma Family is not worthy of our scholarly Chen Family. No! I don’t agree!"
"Wait a minute, have you already made a private promise to him?" Mrs. Yao grew more furious at the thought, her eyes nearly spitting fire: "You talk about marrying and continuing to work like it’s a fact; has Ma Yaosong already promised you privately?"
Chen Jinyu was filled with anger: "So what if he did? Attendant Ma is smart, ambitious, and thorough in his affairs. I think he’s excellent."
"Excellent my foot!" Mrs. Yao trembled with anger: "I absolutely do not agree with this marriage!"
Chen Jinyu’s stubborn streak flared: "It’s who is getting married, as long as I agree, that’s enough."
Mrs. Yao was furious: "Children’s marriages are decided by their parents. Are you planning to defy heaven? Chen Jinyu, don’t rely on your grandfather’s support to act recklessly."
The mother and daughter had a big argunt.
When County Magistrate Chen hurried over after hearing the news, Chen Jinyu’s pretty face had a handprint on it, her face full of stubbornness and persistence.
Mrs. Yao had acted, yet she was more angry and distressed than Chen Jinyu, crying as she threw herself into her husband’s arms: "Husband, do sothing about her! A perfectly good Li family match, she won’t take it. She actually wants to marry into a horse-raising rich family... How did I raise such an insensible brat!"
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