CHAPTER 434: CHAPTER 434: URGING MARRIAGE (4)

Mrs. Yao couldn’t help but retort, "How can that be the same? Our son has the title of a scholar; our Chen Family is also a family of scholars."

County Magistrate Chen glanced at her, "When the marriage proposal was settled, Haoran was just a scholar. I, his own father, was merely a seventh-rank county magistrate, far from the Second-Grade Governor Mansion. Governor Xue did not mind."

Mrs. Yao argued stubbornly, "Our Haoran has a grandfather who is a Prince Mansion Chief Historian."

County Magistrate Chen said, "Speaking of it, back when I insisted on marrying you, my father and mother did not agree. They hoped I would marry a well-matched lady from a prominent family, but you were a girl from an ordinary family. However, I couldn’t be swayed in the end, and I married you."

"We’ve been married for twenty years, and our relationship has always been loving and harmonious. I have never regretted taking you as my wife."

"Our son and daughter are grown now, just like we were back then, they have their chosen ones and the lives they want. As parents, we shouldn’t stand in their way."

Mrs. Yao was left speechless, and her attitude finally softened, "Fine, I can’t argue with you. You make the decision about this matter; I’m not going to intervene. If Jinyu regrets it later, she mustn’t blame me as her mother."

County Magistrate Chen smiled and held his wife’s hand, speaking softly, "The children are grown up now and have their lives. We don’t need to interfere. In the future, let’s just live our days in Bowan County."

Mrs. Yao was taken aback, "What do you mean by this, my Lord? After Jinyu marries and goes to her husband’s family, or stays in the Prince Mansion, she cannot accompany us often, which is to be expected. But when Haoran marries, will he not return either?"

They only had one son; how could they be separated from him?

County Magistrate Chen laughed, "Haoran is getting married next year and has delayed the spring examinations. He will need to focus on studying for the exams and must stay at the Jingzhou Prefecture School. He won’t have time to come back often. Let him stay at his father-in-law’s house for two years."

Mrs. Yao felt quite uncomfortable upon hearing this. It seemed that her daughter was getting married, and her son was almost like marrying into the bride’s family.

Even after a long time of soothing, Mrs. Yao remained glum.

...

Meanwhile, Ma Yaosong returned to see his grandfather.

He recounted the encounter with Mrs. Yao to his grandfather, feeling somewhat dejected, "Lady Chen clearly doesn’t think highly of me; she was very dismissive. It seems this marriage proposal is not going to work."

County Magistrate Ma, who was elderly with only a few sparse white hairs left, chuckled, "Whether the marriage proposal works depends on Chief Historian Chen first, and secondly on the Commandery Princess. Whether Lady Chen is happy or not is unimportant."

"From what I see, Chief Historian Chen seems quite satisfied with you. Otherwise, when we went to see Chief Historian Chen that evening, we wouldn’t have had the chance to mention seeking marriage with Chen Sheren."

Ma Yaosong’s spirits lifted, "But Chief Historian Chen hasn’t agreed yet!"

"Silly boy," County Magistrate Ma grinned, missing most of his teeth, with only one stubborn tooth left swaying, "If he truly didn’t like you, he would have sent you away long ago. How could the female’s family accept a marriage proposal immediately without rejecting? No refusal is a good sign. Just be patient and wait!"

Ma Yaosong’s eyes brightened, and he nodded repeatedly.

County Magistrate Ma squinted his small eyes and laughed quietly, "Our Ma Family may not have high status, but we are quite wealthy. In the entire Nanyang County, besides the Prince Mansion, it’s our Ma Family that owns the largest and wealthiest properties. Although others may not know our background, Chief Historian Chen knows it well."

"You are the eldest grandson of the Ma Family; in the future, the Ma Family will be yours and your wife’s. Isn’t that better than those empty titles?"

"Besides, you are young and promising and well-regarded by the Commandery Princess. You certainly have a bright future. After Chen Sheren marries you, she can continue her duties by the Commandery Princess’s side. Our Ma Family will never stop her, and we even wish for her to be as successful as possible."

"With this alone, no one can outshine you."

Ma Yaosong’s heart felt as sweet as if it were coated in honey, "I just hope everything turns out as Grandfather imagines."

County Magistrate Ma laughed, patting his grandson on the shoulder with a face full of satisfaction, "Our Ma Family was originally a merchant family. Thirty years ago, we abandoned our home and business, risking numerous lives, to build our horse ranch. We worked hard for decades to reach today’s prosperity."

"You are much better than your father and luckier than your grandfather was back in the day. In the future, you will marry the most capable and powerful woman in Nanyang County. Marrying a good wife can prosper the family for three generations. What the Ma Family lacks now is in education and the Imperial Examinations. After Chen Sheren enters the family, whether we have boys or girls, the children will be educated just like their mother’s family."

Ma Yaosong’s handsome face flushed red, "We haven’t even started the marriage arrangements yet, isn’t it too early to think about this?"

County Magistrate Ma laughed heartily, "I’ve even come up with names for my great-grandchildren. I’m just waiting for you to bring a wife into the family."

Ma Yaosong: "..."

"Alright, you don’t have to worry about this, and don’t rush," County Magistrate Ma confidently instructed, "When you see the Chen Family, don’t get nervous or scared, just speak and act as usual. Also, be steady in front of the Commandery Princess. As long as the Commandery Princess nods, this marriage will be more than half done."

Ma Yaosong obediently nodded in agreement.

The grandfather and grandson talked until midnight before each retired to bed.

That night, Ma Yaosong had several sweet dreams in succession and woke up in the morning smiling.

He carefully dressed up, looking spirited, and left the courtyard, then took a detour "passing by" Chen Sheren’s courtyard.

Heaven rewards those who are diligent, today he met her head-on.

Seeing the familiar graceful figure from a distance, a warm feeling surged in Ma Yaosong’s heart, and he strode forward, "Good morning, Chen Sheren."

Chen Jinyu turned and smiled at Ma Yaosong, "It’s such a coincidence today to meet you as soon as I step out the door."

Ma Yaosong smiled, thinking to himself that to have a "chance encounter" with you, I calculate the time and place every day to "pass by."

These words didn’t need to be spoken, they flowed silently between his brows.

Usually lively and playful, Chen Jinyu didn’t tease or joke today. She looked at Ma Yaosong, bit her lip as if wanting to say something, but it was hard to spit out.

Ma Yaosong remained silent, just looking at her quietly.

The two worked together by the Commandery Princess’s side for more than four years, from Nanyang County to the Fourteen Counties, and then to the Capital City, spending almost every day together. They knew each other’s temperament and habits quite well.

Even last year, when Ma Yaosong secretly expressed his feelings and was rejected, it didn’t affect their daily interactions.

At this moment, for some reason, as they looked into each other’s eyes, there was a subtle unease in their hearts.

"Does your face still hurt?" Ma Yaosong mustered the courage to ask.

Chen Jinyu awkwardly cleared her throat, "After resting for a day and applying the ointment sent by the Commandery Princess, it’s fine now."

Ma Yaosong carefully examined Chen Jinyu’s fair and smooth face, "Hmm, it seems there’s no mark. How could your mother bear to strike you?"

Chen Jinyu pouted, unwilling to speak ill of her mother in front of others, "Let’s go to the Commandery Princess’s side for our duties."

Ma Yaosong responded with an "oh," and as usual, allowed Chen Jinyu to go first.