CHAPTER 439: CHAPTER 439: COMING OF AGE (3)

One hour later.

Old Madam Xue was assisted into the room to rest.

Xue Lin followed his grandmother inside, sitting dazedly on a chair by the bed.

Old Madam Xue glanced at her grandson and asked with a quiet laugh, "You’ve met the Commandery Princess today; if you’re offered to join the Nanyang Prince Mansion, would you be willing?"

"Of course, I would." Xue Lin blurted out, his handsome face flushed, whispering, "But, there’s an Elder Changning in the Nanyang Prince Mansion... how could the Commandery Princess ever choose me?"

Xue Liuniang silently glanced at her cousin, thinking, at least you know your own worth. Compared to Elder Changning, you’re worlds apart. Not just the Commandery Princess, even in my place, I wouldn’t choose you.

Unfortunately, Old Madam Xue clearly had no such concerns and said, "As long as the marriage isn’t settled, there’s still a chance. Think about it, why did the Commandery Princess specifically invite me to be the principal guest at her coming-of-age ceremony?"

Xue Liuniang couldn’t listen any longer and softly interjected, "Within Jingzhou, Grandmother holds the highest rank and longest seniority in terms of noble titles. Moreover, I’m about to marry into the Chen Family, indirectly making Grandmother a senior to the Commandery Princess. Hence, the Commandery Princess invited Grandmother to be the principal guest."

Ultimately, it was due to the influence of Governor Xue and Chief Historian Chen. It had nothing to do with Xue Lin.

Xue Lin picked up on the implication in his cousin’s words, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Old Madam Xue, feeling sorry for her grandson, cast a glance at her granddaughter, saying, "Regardless, we should at least try."

"Grandmother, how do you intend to try?" Xue Liuniang frowned, "You don’t mean to propose the marriage yourself, do you?"

Old Madam Xue nodded naturally, "A family with a daughter will have many suitors. Whether it happens or not, one needs the courage to propose. If rejected, we’ll find another good match for Qilang. What if the Commandery Princess takes a liking to Qilang? It would be like a blessing from the heavens."

Before Xue Liuniang could persuade her otherwise, she waved her hand, "You’re getting married in over a month, and then you’ll be a wife in the Chen Family. Stop interfering in Xue Family matters."

Xue Liuniang had no choice but to fall silent.

Once Old Madam Xue had fallen asleep, Xue Liuniang signaled to Xue Lin, who obediently followed his cousin out of the room to talk.

"As I see it, this marriage is unlikely to happen. It’s all Grandmother’s wishful thinking." Xue Liuniang whispered, "If Grandmother insists on hitting a wall, I can’t stop her. You should be aware and stop dreaming."

Xue Lin lowered his head, taking a long time before muttering, "Can’t you let me have a few days of dreams?"

Xue Liuniang: "..."

You can’t quite blame Xue Lin.

A few years back when they met Jiang Shaohua, Jiang Shaohua was only ten years old, still a child with an immature stature. Today, suddenly seeing the fifteen-year-old Nanyang County Princess, she was beautiful and majestic, with noble bearings, stunning as the morning sun.

Not just Xue Lin was mesmerized; even she, as a fellow woman, felt a flurry in her heart.

Alright, let him dream for a few days. When reality hits like a bucket of cold water, he’ll see sense.

...

Just like Xue Lin, there were many noble young men who attended the ceremony to let the Commandery Princess have a look at them "by the way."

"There’s Master Cui Jiu from the Qinghe Cui Family, Zheng Shiyi from the Xingyang Zheng Family, Mr. Li from the Li Family, and an eligible young man from the Wang Family. The Fan Yang Lu Family brought the legitimate grandson of the clan leader because they couldn’t bring their own children."

"Additionally, many young gentlemen from prominent families also came from various Inspector Mansions."

Chief Historian Chen was thorough, having detailed information on all attending. He even recorded all eligible young men, listing their names, ages, birthplace, family background, personality, interests, and so on, filling dozens of pages.

Chief Historian Chen spoke as he handed the meticulously compiled booklet to the Commandery Princess, "And today’s Xue Qilang, Commandery Princess, please take a careful look."

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "What’s there to see?"

Chief Historian Chen said, "With so many suitors, it shows the prominence of our Nanyang County. It’s certainly a good thing. The Commandery Princess should take a careful look; perhaps there might be a suitable candidate."

Ultimately, this is about choosing a son-in-law. So many noble families eagerly offering suitable young men for Jiang Shaohua to consider is in itself the greatest affirmation of Nanyang County.

"The Commandery Princess’s marriage is not just a personal matter; it’s a major issue for our Nanyang County and the Nanyang Prince Mansion," Chief Historian Chen looked at the Commandery Princess wisely, "The Commandery Princess has aspirations and is a person destined for great things. If a marriage alliance can help strengthen Nanyang County, it would be beneficial."

Jiang Shaohua had spent great effort, money, and manpower to bring Pingzhou under her command. If a marriage alliance could secure another state or county, it would be worthwhile.

Jiang Shaohua was speechless for a moment before she said, "Let’s set it aside for now. I’ll review it when I have the time."

Chief Historian Chen said no more.

Once Chief Historian Chen left, Jiang Shaohua picked up the booklet, casually flipping through two pages.

Chief Historian Chen was meticulous, the details on the paper were comprehensive, even thoughtfully including simple portraits. His artistic skill was impressive, capturing likeness with just a few strokes.

Jiang Shaohua found it both amusing and exhausting. Did they think she was selecting a concubine? The situation seemed almost absurd.

Knock, knock, knock!

The door to the study was knocked.

Jiang Shaohua paused, "Who is it?"

A familiar young voice came from outside, "Commandery Princess, it is I."

Jiang Shaohua instinctively hid the booklet in the drawer before saying, "Come in."

A young man clad in plain clothes pushed the door open, around fifteen or sixteen years old, his features handsome, spirit lively, with a pure smile and clear eyes.

It was none other than Elder Changning Cui Du.

Jiang Shaohua relaxed upon seeing him, "It’s so late, why haven’t you gone to bed?"

Cui Du smiled, "Tomorrow is the Commandery Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, why isn’t the Commandery Princess resting early?"

Jiang Shaohua calmly replied, "Chief Historian Chen just brought some documents over, I’ve been reviewing them. Why have you come?"

Cui Du made a sound of understanding, stepped forward, and pulled out a sheet of paper from his sleeve, "Chief Historian Chen has, in recent days, compiled a booklet summarizing all the young men seeking marriage."

"When I sought out Chief Historian Chen, he said I was different from others and needn’t be recorded. However, I thought the necessary procedures should still be followed. Being familiar as an official of the Nanyang Prince Mansion shouldn’t exempt me from standard practice."

"This is something I wrote by hand myself, please include it in the booklet, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua: "..."

It was Jiang Shaohua’s first time experiencing such awkwardness.

She looked at Cui Du, who met her gaze forthrightly, leaving the self-written page on the table, "I’ll leave now as not to interrupt your review of the documents."

With that, he cupped his hands in farewell and left.

The study door closed gently.

Jiang Shaohua looked at the paper on the table, twitching her lips. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.

She held her forehead, silently laughing for a moment, then picked up the paper written by Cui Du, examining it closely.