Chapter 252: Chapter 252

After returning from Governor Xue’s Mansion, Chen Haoran didn’t speak, staring blankly at the trees in the courtyard alone.

Chen Jinyu secretly found it amusing and teased him softly, "You’ve been staring at this tree for almost an hour. Is it that good-looking?"

Chen Haoran hummed in response, continuing to silently gaze at the tree.

So, this is how a big brother looks when he’s lovestruck.

Chen Jinyu smiled knowingly, stopped paying attention, and went to pack his luggage. The task was finished, and they should return to Nanyang County tomorrow.

As for Chen Haoran, naturally, he would continue his studies at the Prefecture School. The provincial examination happens every three years, and the last time he failed was two years ago. Another year of hard study, and it will be time to try again.

In the evening, the siblings dined together. Chen Haoran, restless in spirit, counted the rice grains in his bowl, hesitating for a long time before asking softly, "Sister, do you think the Lord Governor has taken a liking to me?"

Chen Jinyu burst into laughter: "You’ve been pondering this all afternoon?"

Chen Haoran’s face flushed, and he coughed: "I’m eighteen this year. Why can’t I think about it? People my age have already become fathers."

"How do I remember that when mother urged you to get engaged, you made all kinds of excuses, saying you wouldn’t discuss marriage unless you passed the scholar exam?" Chen Jinyu unreservedly exposed her brother’s old excuses, "Why have you changed your mind today?"

Chen Haoran coughed again, "Before, I didn’t want to get married, but now I do, can’t I?"

He just hadn’t met a girl he liked before! After seeing Miss Xue Liu today, his heart, dormant for eighteen years, was in constant turmoil and wouldn’t stop!

Chen Haoran thickened his skin, enduring his sister’s teasing: "I’m in such a panic now, without a clear idea. You have a clearer view; quickly tell me if the Lord Governor has taken a liking to me."

Chen Jinyu laughed again: "Look at how clever and smart you usually are, and how foolish you are today. If Governor Xue hadn’t taken a liking to you, how would he allow Miss Xue Liu to show her face?"

The Xue family’s upbringing was strict, and Miss Xue Liuniang was usually kept by Old Madam Xue’s side, rarely seen in public. Governor Xue’s attitude today was already very clear.

Chen Haoran heard this and felt overjoyed, grinning foolishly.

"To tell you the truth!" Chen Jinyu laughed softly, "This time, the Commandery Princess specifically sent me to deliver the grain to the Inspector’s Mansion. It was to bring you along. The Commandery Princess intended to matchmake for you, to connect the Chen family with the Xue family in marriage. It is also considered an alliance between Nanyang County and the Inspector’s Mansion."

Chen Haoran was so excited his eyes sparkled, grabbing his sister’s sleeve: "Are you telling the truth? The Commandery Princess truly intends this?"

Chen Jinyu nodded with a smile: "Exactly. Otherwise, this hard and exhausting task of running back and forth would surely have been given to the housekeeper Ma. The Commandery Princess wouldn’t have let me do it."

Chen Haoran was nearly exuberant with joy, letting go of his sister’s sleeve, pacing back and forth beside the dining table: "Great! This is truly great!"

Considering only the Chen family, aspiring to marry into the Xue family was quite ambitious. It was different with the Commandery Princess mediating the match.

The Commandery Princess had troops and grain, fighting bandits on one hand and delivering grain on the other. Governor Xue was in need of the Commandery Princess, so his attitude naturally softened a lot. In such a situation, this marriage was highly feasible.

Suddenly Chen Haoran stopped pacing, and resolutely stated: "Next year’s provincial exam, I will spare no effort to pass. Then I’ll go and formally propose to Miss Xue Liu."

Chen Jinyu glanced at her brother with a smile: "Don’t be an idiot. Miss Xue Liu came of age last year and is sixteen this year. There are countless noble young men proposing to her. If you wait another year, Miss Xue Liu might have already married."

"The Commandery Princess privately told me to propose a marriage visit in a few days if the Lord Governor is kind to you."

Chen Haoran was so excited he didn’t know what to say, taking a moment to finally express: "In the future, I must work diligently for the Commandery Princess."

"Of course," Chen Jinyu laughed, "Grandfather serves as Chief Historian in the Prince Mansion, father as County Magistrate in Bowan County, and I am the Commandery Princess Attendant. In the future, with you, our entire Chen family will be confidants of the Commandery Princess."

Chen Haoran nodded solemnly, pondering before lowering his voice: "Grandfather always wanted to establish a marriage connection with the Feng family. Now that the Commandery Princess is mediating for me, I wonder what grandfather will think."

Chen Jinyu raised her eyebrows with a smile: "Don’t worry about this. From the moment you came to Jingzhou Prefecture School, grandfather knew the marriage with the Feng family wouldn’t work out, and he privately apologized and made amends with Chief Historian Feng long ago. Miss Feng’s marriage was arranged two months ago."

"The true purpose of my visit to Jingzhou this time is known to grandfather. Though he said nothing, his silence speaks of tacit approval."

Once Chen Haoran’s initial excitement passed, he sensed something suspicious: "Do you mean the Commandery Princess doesn’t want the Chen and Feng families to marry? Grandfather and Chief Historian Feng are outstanding loyalists. Why would the Commandery Princess have reservations or doubts?"

Chen Jinyu, having worked for more than two years, had a far broader perspective: "Loyalty is one thing, caution another. They are separate matters."

"Grandfather manages court affairs and Prince Mansion personnel, while Chief Historian Feng oversees taxes and internal affairs of the Prince Mansion. The Chen and Feng families are lifelong friends, and a marriage between them would be too close. If they ever had ulterior motives, secretly colluding would be a huge problem for the Commandery Princess and the Prince Mansion."

"If I were the Commandery Princess, I would be cautious too."

Chen Haoran looked at Chen Jinyu in shock, speechless for a moment.

Chen Jinyu smiled: "Brother, do you think I’m a bit cold-blooded and ruthless? I’ve learned and seen a lot beside the Commandery Princess in the past two years. Once you start working in the future, you’ll gradually understand."

Chen Haoran remained silent for a long while before sighing: "I’ve been burying my head in books all day, not as versed in worldly affairs as you."

Chen Jinyu playfully mocked him: "Alright, don’t pretend to be humble after you’ve gained an advantage. Let me ask you, do you want to marry Miss Xue Liu?"

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Of course, a hundred or a thousand times, yes!

Chen Haoran grinned widely: "When you return, please thank the Commandery Princess on my behalf."

In the Inspector Mansion, Governor Xue was having dinner with his mother.

His five grown sons, each married with children and working elsewhere, were really only keeping Miss Xue Liu and a nephew, Xue Lin, by his side.

At this time, the four were sitting at the dining table.

Xue Lin poured tea and wine for his uncle, and Miss Xue Liu served dishes to her grandmother. The atmosphere at the table was very harmonious.

After finishing dinner, Governor Xue signaled with his eyes, and Miss Xue Liu and Xue Lin both left.

"I have something to discuss with mother," Governor Xue said with a low laugh, "Today’s Mr. Chen, mother has also seen him in person. I wish to betroth Miss Liu to him, what are mother’s thoughts?"

Old Madam Xue glanced at Governor Xue: "That Mr. Chen, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen him. Lady County Magistrate Chen has written three letters this past year, all delivered by Mr. Chen."

Governor Xue was a bit surprised: "Why has mother never mentioned this before?"