Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Prefecture School
Mrs. Yao straightened her back under her husband’s incredulous gaze, "Why can’t I consider it? Isn’t Governor Xue’s daughter going to get married?"
"Our son is handsome, diligent in studying, and has outstanding character; he’s a rare good young man. If I were Governor Xue, I’d gladly marry my daughter to such a son-in-law."
County Magistrate Chen twitched his lips, "He’s your son, naturally he seems excellent to you. If Haoran had passed the scholar exam last autumn and was going to the Capital City this year for the Advanced Scholar exam, then we could shamelessly visit the Xue Mansion to test the waters. But for now, just forget it! Don’t disgrace yourself!"
Mrs. Yao was displeased, "Why would this be disgracing ourselves?"
Even Chen Haoran couldn’t listen anymore, "A man should marry beneath him, and a woman should marry above her; wasn’t this also said by mother? Just considering family status, it’s not quite a match."
"Governor Xue is the Jingzhou Governor, a Standard Second Rank high official of the court. How could our Chen Family climb so high?"
Grandfather is the Prince Mansion Chief Historian, fifth-rank. Father is the Bowang County Magistrate, Standard Seventh Rank. Such a family background proposing to the Xue Family does indeed seem a bit overreaching.
Chen Jinyu silently grumbled in her heart but didn’t speak up, seeing Mrs. Yao’s expression was already quite unfriendly. She didn’t want to bring trouble upon herself.
"Ultimately, it’s still your own fault for not striving hard enough." Mrs. Yao angrily criticized her son first, "Had you passed the scholar exam last year, you’d be a sixteen-year-old scholar, and proposing to the Xue Family would have some confidence. You ended up at the bottom, missing the list by one name. It’s all because you didn’t study diligently, delaying your future and a good marriage."
Chen Haoran, with a good temperament, didn’t get angry but followed his mother’s words to blame himself, "Mother was right; it’s all my fault. I should study harder. In a few days, I’ll go to Jingzhou Prefecture School to study, and when I pass the scholar exam, I’ll return."
Mrs. Yao: "..."
County Magistrate Chen thought for a moment and unexpectedly nodded in agreement, "That’s fine too. The Jingzhou Prefecture School has the best teachers and many excellent and aspiring young people; studying there for two years is also good."
Chen Haoran was overjoyed and immediately clasped his hands gratefully to his father, looking ingratiating, "Thank you, father, for agreeing."
Mrs. Yao finally reacted and said angrily, "I disagree! If he wants to study, he can study anywhere; why go so far away!"
"It’s better to marry first; getting settled will make his character steady, and he can gain more from studying..."
"Don’t rush; listen to me slowly," County Magistrate Chen leisurely continued the conversation and winked at his children. Chen Haoran and Chen Jinyu understood, took their leave, and slipped out.
After walking a long way, Chen Haoran finally stopped in fear, using his sleeve to wipe the sweat off his forehead, "It’s terrifying! I’m still so young; how can I be expected to marry and settle down? No way, I must hide in the Prefecture School for two years!"
Chen Jinyu giggled and teased, "That depends if father can convince mother."
Chen Haoran snorted lightly, glanced at his sister with displeasure, "You have no loyalty. To escape yourself, you pushed me, your brother, into the fire pit."
Chen Jinyu felt a bit guilty, coughed, "You’re three years older than me; seniority determines you should marry first. Moreover, you’re a man; the responsibility of continuing the Chen Family line falls on you."
Chen Haoran glared at her, "Dare to say more, and I’ll turn against you."
Feeling at fault, Chen Jinyu smiled apologetically, "Don’t be mad, don’t be mad, I’m in the wrong; I apologize. Since you’ll go to Jingzhou Prefecture School, how about I give you a set of fine scholar’s tools?"
Chen Haoran raised his head boldly, "You earn a salary; just gifting scholar’s tools is too stingy. Give me two new sets of clothes too."
Chen Jinyu agreed happily.
Chen Haoran glanced at his sister and suddenly asked in a low, amused voice, "You hand over most of your salary to mother every month, yet you’re still this generous; did the Commandery Princess secretly supplement your silver?"
Such a significant matter, of course, Chen Jinyu wouldn’t admit, feigned innocence, "Of course not. I saved it through frugal living."
Chen Haoran chuckled, "You probably reported a false salary to mother!"
Chen Jinyu refused to admit, "Don’t talk nonsense, I didn’t."
The siblings bantered with laughter, neither taking their mother’s fuss seriously. Even though their mother loved to cry and make a fuss, the real decision-maker had always been their father.
County Magistrate Chen had already agreed to the Prefecture School; whether Mrs. Yao liked it or not, she would eventually consent.
...
As expected, by evening, Mrs. Yao changed her tune and agreed.
Chen Haoran grinned widely in delight.
Chen Jinyu relayed this amusing event to the Commandery Princess to entertain her.
Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly, "Your father must have coaxed your mother by saying your brother will have the opportunity to visit and get close to the Xue Mansion when he’s free at Jingzhou Prefecture School. He might win favor with Governor Xue and Old Madam Xue, and perhaps meet Miss Xue and grow closer; then, this marriage proposal could be successful."
Chen Jinyu exclaimed in wonder, "That’s indeed how father convinced mother! The Commandery Princess is amazing! How could you guess even this?"
Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly, "All this hustle and bustle is about benefits. Without tangible gain, how could your mother agree?"
Chen Jinyu sighed, feeling embarrassed about her mother’s transactional nature, "Mother has always hoped for my brother to marry well, to help him in his official career. She also wishes I’d marry into a prestigious family to support my maternal home."
Jiang Shaohua comforted her with a smile, "It hasn’t harmed anyone, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s just wishing for her children to have good marriages. If you can climb higher, naturally you aim for it; who’d want to settle low?"
After a moment of hesitation, Chen Jinyu quietly said, "Actually, my brother’s marriage, Grandfather had planned early on. Chief Historian Feng’s granddaughter is fourteen, suitable in age to my brother, and in a year or two, they could be engaged and married. The Chen and Feng Families are noble; Grandfather and Chief Historian Feng are close friends, a fitting match of equals."
"Mother knows Grandfather’s plan but isn’t pleased, so she intentionally brought up Miss Xue to make Grandfather speechless. She also wants the Feng Family to abandon the idea of an alliance."
"Father is caught in the middle and finds it difficult. Letting brother stay at the Prefecture School for two years, he also wants to delay the matter."
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze subtly flickered.
Indeed, from her perspective as a Commandery Princess, she’d prefer Chen Haoran to aim higher. If he could become Governor Xue’s son-in-law, it would greatly assist the Prince Mansion in the future.
The Chen and Feng Families are already closely connected, and if they form a marriage alliance, one as Left Chief Historian and the other as Right Chief Historian, with one managing external affairs and the other internal ones, should they have any dissenting thoughts and jointly overshadow her as Commandery Princess, it’d be quite troublesome.
Still, such personal schemes couldn’t be spoken aloud.