CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119: HEARTLESS

What?

Chen Sheren?

Mrs. Yao’s head buzzed, and her throat felt as if something was blocking it. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out.

County Magistrate Chen was quite pleased: "Jinyu, the Commandery Princess values and promotes you in this way, you must serve well. Do not let down her high regard."

Chen Haoran looked envious: "I plan to take the scholar and Advanced Scholar exams. I don’t know how many years it will take for me to enter officialdom. By then, I will surely ask my sister for some help."

Chen Jinyu beamed with delight, her head held high: "That’s easy, we are siblings, I will certainly assist you where I can."

Chen Haoran showed a fawning expression and bowed: "Then I thank you in advance, Chen Sheren. By the way, for such joyous news, a small banquet must be held in celebration. Tonight, this older brother must have a good toast with Chen Sheren."

Chen Jinyu smiled widely: "All right, for the sake of our sibling relationship, this Sheren will grant you some face."

County Magistrate Chen laughed heartily, amused by his children.

Mrs. Yao’s gentle face turned ashen, her body shook uncontrollably, and she swayed as if she were about to collapse.

County Magistrate Chen couldn’t pretend not to see, so he reached out to support his wife.

Mrs. Yao leaned softly on her husband like willow leaves battered by a ruthless storm, tears pouring down like a waterfall: "Husband, what should we do? A good girl doesn’t stay peacefully within the inner residence but runs to the Commandery Princess’s side... A few days ago, she agreed to follow a patrol for some days, going to the silver mine. She returns and suddenly becomes Chen Sheren."

"How can a girl be a Sheren? How will Jinyu get married in the future..."

County Magistrate Chen winked repeatedly at his daughter.

Speak some gentle words quickly, comfort your mother.

Chen Jinyu showed a helpless expression. Is it possible to gloss over this situation with just some nice words?

But you must placate her! You can’t just let your mother cry incessantly, can you?

Chen Jinyu hesitated for a moment, then quietly said: "Mother, I serve by the Commandery Princess’s side with a legitimate Sheren status and receive a salary each month. I won’t waste my salary; it will become your private savings."

Mrs. Yao paused her crying and wiped her tears with a handkerchief: "Well, I will keep it for you and use it as your dowry later."

You really want it!

Chen Jinyu twitched her lips but couldn’t take back her words, so she added: "I need to keep some pocket money."

Mrs. Yao furrowed her brows: "A woman’s virtues are sense, speech, appearance, skill, goodness, and morality. You possess none of them, so you’ll have to save more for your dowry; otherwise, who will marry you?"

Chen Jinyu was infuriated, ready to show her anger immediately.

Brother Chen Haoran quickly stepped up: "Mother, that’s not correct. Sister is exceptionally intelligent, quick-witted, and outstandingly beautiful — she’s excellent in every aspect. Once she comes of age, young men will surely compete to propose."

County Magistrate Chen also supported his daughter: "Haoran is right. From what I see in Nanyang County, besides the Commandery Princess, only our Jinyu is that remarkable."

Chen Jinyu felt somewhat appeased and held her head high again: "I don’t care whether I’m outstanding or not. I have no intention of marrying early."

"Marrying a good husband is the best destination for a woman." Mrs. Yao forcefully wiped her eyes, her voice louder than usual: "The Commandery Princess backs you up, your grandfather, father, and brother all support you in this Sheren post that I can’t block. Go work for two years, but after you come of age, you must return home to marry obediently. Otherwise, I will hit my head and die in front of you."

She relied on three moves: crying, causing a scene, and threatening.

Chen Jinyu wanted to retort, but seeing her father’s frequent gestures, she had to reluctantly agree.

Fortunately, Chen Jinyu was broad-minded, and after feeling down for a while, she regained her cheerfulness by the time of the evening family feast.

Chen Sheren! How delightful it sounds!

First, diligently learn the job. Things two years later will be dealt with then!

...

Capital City.

Duke An’s Mansion.

A group of ten people traveled day and night, entering through the city gates just past noon that day. As pedestrian traffic increased, they had to slow down, making it back to Duke An’s Mansion before nightfall.

Peng Sihai quietly sent someone to deliver a message into the palace.

That evening, Young Master Zheng returned from the palace.

"Peng Sihai," Zheng Chen strode over, asking eagerly: "Did you meet Cousin Shao Hua?"

The master calling her "Cousin Shao Hua" sounded truly affectionate.

However, that "Cousin Shao Hua" was quite indifferent to the master.

Peng Sihai silently felt sorry for the master and answered quietly: "Yes, I went to the Nanyang Army Camp and saw the Nanyang County Princess."

Intense light burst from Zheng Chen’s eyes, and he suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Peng Sihai’s arm. His voice trembled slightly: "Did you send Red Cloud to her? What did she say, what was her reaction?"

"Quick, tell!"

"Don’t miss a single word!"

Peng Sihai moved his arm, unable to pull it back, had to endure it and narrate the whole situation truthfully: "... The Commandery Princess refused Young Master’s gift, ordered me to bring Red Cloud back, and asked me to pass on a message to Young Master, saying she and Young Master have never met, sharing no acquaintanceship, and need not interact in the future."

Zheng Chen: "..."

Peng Sihai held back but couldn’t anymore: "Young Master, please let go a little, my arm is about to break."

Another long silence ensued.

Zheng Chen finally slowly released his grip.

Peng Sihai breathed a sigh of relief, using his right hand to rub the sore left arm while raising his eyes to look at the master.

Young Master Zheng’s handsome face was pale. It was even worse than the pallor after he had suddenly fallen ill.

Peng Sihai hesitated for a moment, gently persuading: "Young Master’s sudden generous gift, it is normal for the Commandery Princess to refuse. They are strangers; anyone would be on guard against unwarranted attention."

Zheng Chen’s expression was wooden, seeming suddenly drained of all his strength, as though a beautiful dream had abruptly shattered.

Whether Peng Sihai’s words reached his ears was unknown. In any case, there was no reaction.

Peng Sihai had to close his mouth.

After a long while, Zheng Chen finally spoke: "Think carefully now, when she spoke those words, how was her expression? Was she suppressing grief?"

Peng Sihai tried hard to recall and then confidently answered: "No, the Commandery Princess’s expression was indifferent, without feigned courtesy, coldly calm almost to the point of being callous."

Zheng Chen’s mind flashed with many images.

Yes, she’s always been like this. Once resolute, she was colder than an iceberg.

Even though he was wounded and hurting, once she was determined, she would leave without looking back.

In her past life, she abandoned him time and again, and in this life, she wouldn’t even come to the Capital City, unwilling to see him again.

She discarded the Red Cloud he sent and dismissed his heartfelt intention as worthless.

His heart ignited with fiery rage.

"I want to go to Nanyang."

Peng Sihai raised his head in surprise.

The bright candle flames danced in Young Master Zheng’s eyes. Those two flickers burned brighter and seemed poised to turn everything to ashes.

"I want to go to Nanyang County. I want to see her personally. I want to find out if she truly has a heart."